Google Trends · 2004–2026
We tracked 151 Generation I Pokémon across 23 years of Google search data (2004–2026). Pikachu leads with an average normalized search score of 75.2, followed by Eevee (29.8) and Charizard (22.4). Pikachu has held the top spot in 222 of 271 months on record. Interest peaked in July 2016, 6.7× the category’s typical level, around Pokémon GO launch.
All 151 Pokémon · Ranked by average search score (2004–2026)
What the data shows
Generation I search interest hit 6.7× its typical level, coinciding with Pokémon GO launch.
Pikachu has led all Generation I Pokémon in 82% of months on record, ahead of 3 other Pokémon that have reached #1.
Averaged 4.8 over the last 24 months, up from 1.05 in the 24 months before.
Averaged 1.16 over the last 24 months, down from 1.58 in the 24 months before.
After removing the long-term trend, Generation I Pokémon run 9% above average in July and 12% below in January.
Pikachu alone scores 65.9× the median Generation I Pokémon (1.14).
Relative to how much each state searches for Pokémon overall, across 81 well-measured Generation I Pokémon.
Figures are computed from monthly Google Trends data, 2004–2026, normalized against a fixed anchor topic. Movement and regional figures are only shown where enough Pokémon in this category carry a reliable signal — see the methodology.
Data through · How this is measured