I’m Luke Summerhayes and I love Mimikyu.
Ever since the Pokemon anime began, the little electric mouse pikachu has been one of the most recognizable characters in the world. Not originally created as a series mascot but just one of many creatures in the world, it is now a global icon. Pikachu’s little yellow face is on toys, clothes, household goods, food and even cars and airplanes.
In the Pokemon world as well we often see Pikachu depicted on merchandise and decorations, so it must be popular there as well. In universe, Red did indeed become Kanto champion with a Pikachu and Ash fought in almost every league, finally winning the Alolan, in the space of one year. Pikachu is so popular, in fact, that other Pokemon might get a little jealous.
Mimikyu is a ghost and fairy type Pokemon, a classic cartoon ghost sheet with eye holes, which resembles a crudely made plushy of pikachu. The yellow rag with a face scribbled on, two holes for the real eyes in the tummy, and a stick for a tail, cinched in the middle resembles the electric mouse.
Sword
It wears a rag fashioned into a Pikachu costume in an effort to look less scary. Unfortunately, the costume only makes it creepier.

Scarlet
This Pokémon lives in dark places untouched by sunlight. When it appears before humans, it hides itself under a cloth that resembles a Pikachu.

Mimikyu’s jealousy comes not only from Pikachu’s popularity, but also from its own terrifying visage. Like an eldritch horror from a Lovecraft story, even to see Mimikyu’s true form is enough to kill a person, or drive them insane.
Sun
Its actual appearance is unknown. A scholar who saw what was under its rag was overwhelmed by terror and died from the shock.

Ultra Moon
A gust of wind revealed what hides under this Pokémon's rag to a passing Trainer, who went home and died painfully that very night.

The purpose of Mimikyu’s disguise is, of course, to mimic Pikachu but it has an added benefit. The first attack which hits Mimikyu in battle will do no damage to the actual Pokemon, instead only serving to break the disguise. The head will subsequently hang limply to one side, a sad sight but a big opportunity.
Busted Form
Sun
After going to all the effort of disguising itself, its neck was broken. Whatever is inside is probably unharmed, but it's still feeling sad.

Sword
There will be no forgiveness for any who reveal that it was pretending to be Pikachu. It will bring the culprit down, even at the cost of its own life.

Scarlet
Even as it struggles beneath the cloth to repair the broken neck of its disguise, Mimikyu keeps up its impersonation of Pikachu.

This mechanic can essentially give Mimikyu a free turn in battle, allowing it time to set up its own strengths or support opponents. In the competitive scene, this has allowed Mimikyu to stay relevant from its introduction in the seventh generation all the way up to today. In the singleplayer story, it was able to make a big impression as a Totem Pokemon in Sun and Moon.
Mimikyu’s sad little story and lack of confidence has, ironically, made it very popular. It has been voted most popular of the seventh generation many times, in the top three of all Pokemon ever, and is undoubtedly one of the small number of later-generation monsters to really break through into the mainstream. Maybe in the Pokemon universe, Mimikyu is still unknown and overshadowed, but if only it could see how popular it is in our world.
Music for Luke Loves Pokemon was composed by Jonathan Cromie. Artwork for the show is by Katie Groves. Mimikyu was designed by Megumi Mizutani. Funding is by supporters at patreon.com/podcastiopodcastius.
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I love Mimikyu. And remember, I love you too.