Live action TV
Description
The character known as Himself is the central figure in the Detective Pikachu narrative, an unusual Pikachu who serves as a private investigator. His story begins before the events of the main plot, when he was once an ordinary Pikachu, described as cute, docile, and very well-mannered, belonging to a detective named Harry Goodman. A severe car accident while on a case changed everything. In the aftermath, Harry Goodman went missing, and the Pikachu was found collapsed at the scene. To save Harry’s life, the mythical Pokémon Mewtwo fused Harry’s consciousness into the Pikachu’s body, creating a single entity. This fusion resulted in a new, singular identity that is often referred to as Himself, though the procedure also caused the Pikachu to suffer from amnesia, losing his memories of the time before the accident.
In his new form, Himself displays a personality that is a unique blend of his original nature and human traits. He is intelligent and self-assured, frequently referring to himself not just as a detective, but as a great detective, and is prone to complimenting his own deductive genius. He has developed a number of human-like preferences, most notably a deep love for coffee and an enjoyment of sweets, which is a stark contrast to his former docile demeanor. A pivotal trait is his ability to speak, but he can only be understood by one person: Tim Goodman, his former partner’s son. To everyone else, his speech sounds like normal Pokémon vocalizations. He is also somewhat prideful and can be sensitive about his limitations, particularly his difficulty in using standard Pikachu electric attacks.
Himself’s primary motivation is to solve the mystery of Harry Goodman’s disappearance, which is also the key to unlocking his own lost past. He teams up with Tim, who has come to Ryme City to settle his missing father’s affairs, and the two form an unlikely partnership. His role in the story is that of the lead investigator, using his sharp mind to piece together clues. He serves as a guide and mentor to Tim, despite his quirky and sometimes pompous mannerisms, and his ability to speak with other Pokémon is a crucial asset in gathering information that humans cannot. Key relationships include his partnership with Tim, which grows from reluctant cooperation to a strong bond; his former life as Harry’s partner; and his connection to Mewtwo, who holds the secret of his true nature.
Throughout the narrative, Himself undergoes significant development, which is deeply tied to the revelation of his origin. Initially an amnesiac detective with only fragments of his identity, he struggles with not knowing who he truly is. A major turning point occurs when he and Tim discover the truth: that he contains the consciousness of Tim’s father. This discovery recontextualizes his entire personality, from his detective skills to his paternal concern for Tim. The climax involves Mewtwo separating Harry’s consciousness from the Pikachu’s body, restoring both to their original forms. After this separation, the unique, talking detective personality that was Himself ceases to exist as a singular entity, with Harry returning to his human body and the Pikachu becoming a normal Pokémon again, no longer able to speak to Tim.
As for abilities, Himself is defined more by his intellect than by physical power. His greatest talent is his deductive reasoning, often punctuated by a dramatic declaration of a bolt of brilliance when he makes a key insight. He is also fluent in Pokémon speech, allowing him to interrogate witnesses and translate for Tim. Due to the accident and the fusion of consciousnesses, he lost most of his natural Pikachu abilities, including the use of powerful electric moves, and also lacks the typical speed of his species. However, in moments of extreme need, such as during the final confrontation, he has been shown to access his hidden power, unleashing a Thunderbolt or Volt Tackle, often with significant recoil or effort. His signature accessory is a deerstalker cap, a gift from Harry Goodman, which has become his trademark as a detective.
In his new form, Himself displays a personality that is a unique blend of his original nature and human traits. He is intelligent and self-assured, frequently referring to himself not just as a detective, but as a great detective, and is prone to complimenting his own deductive genius. He has developed a number of human-like preferences, most notably a deep love for coffee and an enjoyment of sweets, which is a stark contrast to his former docile demeanor. A pivotal trait is his ability to speak, but he can only be understood by one person: Tim Goodman, his former partner’s son. To everyone else, his speech sounds like normal Pokémon vocalizations. He is also somewhat prideful and can be sensitive about his limitations, particularly his difficulty in using standard Pikachu electric attacks.
Himself’s primary motivation is to solve the mystery of Harry Goodman’s disappearance, which is also the key to unlocking his own lost past. He teams up with Tim, who has come to Ryme City to settle his missing father’s affairs, and the two form an unlikely partnership. His role in the story is that of the lead investigator, using his sharp mind to piece together clues. He serves as a guide and mentor to Tim, despite his quirky and sometimes pompous mannerisms, and his ability to speak with other Pokémon is a crucial asset in gathering information that humans cannot. Key relationships include his partnership with Tim, which grows from reluctant cooperation to a strong bond; his former life as Harry’s partner; and his connection to Mewtwo, who holds the secret of his true nature.
Throughout the narrative, Himself undergoes significant development, which is deeply tied to the revelation of his origin. Initially an amnesiac detective with only fragments of his identity, he struggles with not knowing who he truly is. A major turning point occurs when he and Tim discover the truth: that he contains the consciousness of Tim’s father. This discovery recontextualizes his entire personality, from his detective skills to his paternal concern for Tim. The climax involves Mewtwo separating Harry’s consciousness from the Pikachu’s body, restoring both to their original forms. After this separation, the unique, talking detective personality that was Himself ceases to exist as a singular entity, with Harry returning to his human body and the Pikachu becoming a normal Pokémon again, no longer able to speak to Tim.
As for abilities, Himself is defined more by his intellect than by physical power. His greatest talent is his deductive reasoning, often punctuated by a dramatic declaration of a bolt of brilliance when he makes a key insight. He is also fluent in Pokémon speech, allowing him to interrogate witnesses and translate for Tim. Due to the accident and the fusion of consciousnesses, he lost most of his natural Pikachu abilities, including the use of powerful electric moves, and also lacks the typical speed of his species. However, in moments of extreme need, such as during the final confrontation, he has been shown to access his hidden power, unleashing a Thunderbolt or Volt Tackle, often with significant recoil or effort. His signature accessory is a deerstalker cap, a gift from Harry Goodman, which has become his trademark as a detective.