Saree Pikachu in Pokemon GO gets more Indian than ever, but not how you might have expected

The Festival of Lights 2024 in Pokemon GO brought a delightful addition to the game: Saree Pikachu and its shiny variant. This festive Pikachu, dressed in a traditional saree, quickly became a fan favorite. But a small detail regarding its best buddy ribbon sparked an unexpected conversation in the Pokemon GO community.

A Reddit post by spookishmulder highlighted how the best buddy ribbon on Saree Pikachu was placed on the left corner of its forehead:

"Saree Pikachu best buddy ribbon goes on its forehead."

Saree Pikachu best buddy ribbon goes on its forehead byu/spookishmulder inTheSilphRoad

While such placement aligns with other Pokemon in the game, this unique scenario sparked discussions about how centering the ribbon could have resembled a "bindi," a traditional decorative mark worn by many in India.

The debate surrounding this detail provided insight into cultural nuances and player expectations, with the community weighing in with varied perspectives.

Reddit user EXGShadow suggested that placing the ribbon in the center of Pikachu’s forehead would have been a nice cultural Easter egg, enhancing the authenticity of Saree Pikachu's look.

"It should be in the center, would be a nice easter egg."

However, the current placement seemed like a missed opportunity to highlight the cultural significance of the "bindi."

On the other hand, ZyzSlays noted that best buddy ribbons are never placed in the center for any Pokemon,

Comment byu/spookishmulder from discussion inTheSilphRoad

They indicated that the placement likely followed the standard design pattern rather than being an intentional cultural choice.

User shaquilledatmeal theorized that the decision to avoid placing the ribbon in the center could have been intentional to steer clear of potential controversy.

Post by spookishmulder stirred interesting discussions and perspectives (Image via Reddit)

The suggestion that this could be interpreted as a "bindi" was confirmed by xPapaGrim, who explained its cultural significance.

Another angle was brought up by hanginonwith2fingers, who appreciated the Raid Plaza app for helping non-Indian players obtain Saree Pikachu via remote raids.

Comment byu/spookishmulder from discussion inTheSilphRoad

This event-exclusive Pokemon was primarily available in India, making apps like Raid Plaza essential for global players who wanted to catch or trade for it.

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What are Event Pokemon in Pokemon GO?

Some Event Pokemon featured in the past (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Event Pokemon in Pokemon GO are special variants of existing Pokemon released during specific in-game events. These Pokemon often wear themed outfits or have unique attributes to celebrate holidays, festivals, or collaborations. Saree Pikachu is a prime example, commemorating the Festival of Lights with a traditional Indian outfit.

Event Pokemon are often time-limited, making them highly sought after by players for their rarity and aesthetic appeal. While some can be found in the wild during the event, others may require participation in raids, research tasks, or trading with other players.

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The Festival of Lights 2024 showcased Niantic's efforts to incorporate cultural diversity into Pokemon GO. While the Saree Pikachu best buddy ribbon sparked debate, it also highlighted the community's appreciation for thoughtful design and cultural representation.

Whether intentional or not, Saree Pikachu remains a shining example of Pokemon GO's ability to bring people together worldwide through shared celebrations.

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Check out our other guides related to the game:

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• Buddy Evolution Adventure Together guide
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