Long Pikachu
Pikadorf
and now this!?

It's an epidemic of deformed pikachus.

Pokemon is pretty universal. Kinda like Mario and (to a lesser extent) Sonic. I cant think of many game franchises that you could throw the main character (Pikachu for pokemon) out in any part of the world (okay, maybe not the deep jungles of Africa... but maybe even there too) and get a response from someone.

Pokemon is an epidemic... one that brings happiness and joy along with deformations.

are you sure that's not winnie the pooh?

Freakachudorf has escaped the video game realm!

Using Pikachu's likness without their permission? They should go to jail!

I wonder if Nintendo of Irag (NOI?) knows about this...

*Iraq

At least it looks like a Pikachu...

I find it startling that I know how to spell all the original Pokémon's names by heart, and that the spell check in my browser doesn't see "Pokémon" as a typo... Well, I suppose it's because I'm from the Pokémon generation...

Well... at least that Pikachu could definitely be worse.

Hey kid, I love my electronic cockfighting simulators as much as you, but that doesn't excuse monstrosities like this. This looks like a bastardized Winnie the Pooh, not even a bastardized Pikachu. But whatever helps you kids be kids, whatever that means. I have trouble believing that's true when they have a kid in a suit, but hey, maybe it's just a really short adult. If so, please stop looking at that boy sir.

As long as the kids are happy its all good.

At least it's not as bad when Alqaida (sp?) used Mickey Mouse to brain wash kids into anti-American hatred.

There's something fishy in the pikachu gene pool.

I agree with Witzbold. I think proper licensing is the least of their worries at the moment.

Wasn't there also a feature on Iraqi gamers on Kotaku some months ago?

@Witzbold: Seconded.

Now where's Spongebob Missingpants?

Heh, I saw this on CNN, this afternoon. They interviewed the guy in the suit, and the caption read like:

Joe Iraqi
"Pokeyman"

That's right, that's no Pikachu knockoff, it's Pokeyman! In fact, all the kids in the interview called him Pokeyman, not pikachu. Kinda creepy.

@gec05: That was Hamas, not al-Qaeda, though it's also a rather insane organization.

@Komrade_Kayce: The deep jungles of Africa? That's where they come from!

@Zunnoab: They also ended up having "Mickey" killed off and replaced with a killer bee who was then killed off and replaced with a Jew-eating rabbit.

*deep breath*

At least it's nice to see a "mascot" doing something that's actually positive.

holy shit that pikachu must be the "Real Killer" OJ simpson has been searching for all these years

@Erwin: How dare you suggest that wearing a full suit and blazer is anything but letting kids be kids. Moreover, Winnie the Chu will... ah I can't do this anymore. I hate the fact that that little girl has about about three square feet to ride her bike.
I guess they're not... war torn, or anything. Not while on CNN, at least.

How long before the mullahs declare freakachu the spawn of satan and issue a death edict?

@cactaur: Well since Pikachu isnt made by the Americans Im sure it wont come to that.

I love chimpokemon!

HURRR DURRR PIKA

Freakachu strikes again!

Poor kids; first, Saddam, then the bombs and the torn-down home doors, then the terrorists and now WINNIETHEPIKACHU! Scarred for life I say.

Micky Mouse,.. brea afraid, BE VERY MUCH AFRAID!. IRAQ PICAOUCHO HAS COMMING!

Did this Pikachu Ganondorf punch little kids?

Wow, guess Pikachu is having a shameful week

I totally was watching this. The little kids were calling him 'Pokemon' ... they should at least clarify that his name is Pikachu and he is a type of animal called a Pokemon. Jeez, Iraq, get it straight.

This will not go over well in neighboring Saudi Arabia. EVERYTHING Pokemon has been banned in that country for promoting Zionism and gambling!

@goombakiller: Yeah it's kind of weird to see Pokémon in a Muslim country. Though I thought it was becasue of it's teaching of evolution not zionism.

IMPOSTER PIKACHU!

This just in.... Suicide Bomber Dressed as a Pokemon Character. Security Failed to "Catch 'Em"..... film at 11.....

@Zunnoab:

Yeah, OK I wasn't sure. :P

what a *shock*... =P

Oh snap! Somebody modded Iraqi tv!

now, this is weird, ths news appear on the top of my newsfeed, along with many other old news...