Same dude. My love for Ash’s Pikachu was cemented when, as a kid, I watched Pikachu tank a lightning bolt and save Ash from a swarm of Spearow. Such a great episode and a memory that kid me will never forget, an invaluable lesson about friendship and love.
That episode made me beg my parents for Pokémon Red. Ha, and Pocket Pikachu now that I think about it - the Pokémon Tamagatchi.
It's Pokemons mascot, the chosen one everyone's supposed to love. Like big Nintendo is telling you to like the mouse!!! I mean I figured the joke would flow better. But frankly I don't care for Pikachu unless it's original chubby Pikachu.
I can name all original 150 and quite a few new ones; Pikachu is still my favorite because of the TV series. My favorite game in the series is Yellow because you get him as a starter and he follows you on screen.