As the face of Art Pokemon franchise, Pikachu's timeless appeal has led to his iconic status being emulated throughout pop culture. It also included its own home series with many new species of Pokemon directly inspired by the electric mouse that had been introduced over the years. While a new derivative comes with each new one Pokemon generation, they've largely managed to put their own unique twists on the formula.
With the trend of constantly adding so-called “Pikachu clones,” it's become hard for some to not feel replaced by new attempts to create lovable mascot counterparts. PokemonThe Pikachu clone family has become so vast that there are even controversial members of the classification, but their undeniably popular reputation means they deserve to stand up to the more obvious clones.

Relatives
Pokemon Legends ZA has several potential successors to Legends Arceus' Unown
Several Kalos Pokemon can be the subject of large collectible quests in Pokemon Legends ZA, similar to Legends Arceus's Unown.
S-level
The most creative spins on Pikachu in the franchise
There could be an argument that Pokemon Mimikyu isn't a legitimate Pikachu clone, but it manages to feel like a self-aware subversion of the concept as a whole. Having his own identity based on an emotionally compelling desire to be recognized as Pikachu ironically has achieved his rather iconic status.
Perhaps the most distinctive iteration of the squirrel-bat inspired in terms of practicality, the Emolga has the functional and memorable benefits of a new dual input. An adorable Generation 5 icon who remains known for her role on the gym's leadership team, she finds it easier to separate herself from the clone label.
A-level
Examples of inspiration done right
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I will outline
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Marill line
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Marpeko
While Pachirisu was always cute and adorable, he was also forgettable overall due to being pretty weak in terms of gameplay. However, ever since she appeared on the Pokémon World Championship winning team, this simple squirrel felt unexpectedly legendary.
Marill is a bit dubious to think of as a Pikachu clone due to the lack of an electric type, but it's also clearly inspired by the mascot. Once known as “Picabloo”, his evolutionary line with the cute Azuril and the competitive Azumarill even seems to parallel Pichu and Raichu.
Morpeko, despite being newer, has won the hearts of many fans with his very original Hunger Switch ability, which allows him to have two opposing forms. With its duality of cuteness and Dark-type attitude, this could easily be called one of Gen 8's standouts.
Level B
Magical designs are held back by being derivative
It could potentially be the cutest of all the clones, but Dedenne's design doesn't necessarily make the most of his fairy type. After his significant role in the anime wanes, the mousiest view of a Pikachu clone that lacks evolution can often be overshadowed.
With its unique hedgehog-inspired design and signature gameplay design that complements the Electric/Steel typeface, Togedemaru should be more relevant in theory. It would be hard for any clone to compete with Mimikyu in Gen 7, but even past iterations seem to have nailed the concept better.
Pichu is an icon in his own right, who can be considered the “original” clone of Pikachu, retaining the electric type unlike Marill. He added to the legacy of the original and is still a fan favorite, but Pichu probably reached peak novelty during Gen 2.
C-level
The More Lackluster takes on Pikachu
A charming design Pokemon Scarlet and VioletPawmi and his evolvability status saw him succeed, but it was ultimately held back by the excess of his line design. Since Paumo and Paumot are almost identical, their cuteness alone does not make them any less impressive.
Their synergy in theme and gameplay – designed to represent dual battles in 3rd gen – makes Plusle and Minun creative, but they've been overshadowed in almost every way. They flourished in the era of Pokemon ranger and other media, but are now pretty much forgotten, with essentially the same creature occupying two Pokedex slots.