Pokemon car talks, sings, cruises down Delaware streets. 'Pikabug' has cult following
Lou Rohrer, 53, of Kent County has developed a small cult following for cruising the streets of Delaware in a cute, customized Pokémon car that talks and sings to strangers.
Rohrer has a strong opinion about Pokémon, a hugely popular franchise that launched as a card game in 1996.
"Pokémon is stronger now than it's ever been," said Rohrer, co-owner of The Toy Stooges, a business that specializes in reselling toys, video games and comics.
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What is a Pikabug?
Back in 2000, the film "Pokémon the Movie 2000" hit theaters. To promote the film, Nintendo made 10 official Pikabugs, Rohrer said.
The cars were themed after the electric Pokémon named Pikachu and crafted from Volkswagen Beetles.
Rohrer learned about the Pikabug from an old gaming magazine last fall, which inspired him to create his own. After a month of looking, he scored a yellow 2000 Beetle from Facebook Marketplace in November. The car only has about 60,000 miles on it.
He personalized the vehicle inside out, adding "Pikachu" vanity plates. His Pikabug was modified to say two phrases: "Pika, Pika" and "Pikachu."
It also sings the "Pokémon" theme and makes a lightning sound, an effect Rohrer uses if someone cuts him off in traffic.
Rohrer gets a kick out of strangers talking to his car because nobody except for his family understands how it works.
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Pikachu fans: 'We think it's awesome'
Amy and AJ Peacock of Dover saw the Pikabug on Monday evening while it was parked outside the Camden Walmart.
"I do love Pikachu. I think he's brave and he's sooo cute!" said Amy, with a big Kool-Aid smile, after she took a few photos of the ride.
When she asked the Pikabug its name, and the vehicle responded "Pikachu," Amy's face lit up.
"This made my day," she said.
Camden resident Bobbee Tkach and her 5-year-old daughter Maryjane also spotted the Pikabug at Walmart.
"We think it's awesome. We've seen it at a lot of comic cons, and we love it because there's also a Pikachu mascot that goes with it," Tkach said.
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Pokémon car stops traffic
It's not uncommon for people to take photos when the Pikabug is at a traffic light.
Rohrer enjoys bringing happiness to people on the road. But sometimes the attention is embarrassing because some onlookers can be overly dramatic.
"We're at a red light. [This guy is] turning in front of me, stops, stares and says, 'Can I get a picture of your car?' He's got all the traffic blocked [in the opposite lane], and he's sitting there taking pictures of the car," said Rohrer, who added this is all happening while he's still stuck at the light.
"I just put my head down," he continued.
Older people love Pokémon
Rohrer didn't know how many older people were into Pokémon until he started cruising in the Pikabug.
Many senior Pokémon fans are familiar with the franchise because they have grandchildren who are or were into the playing cards, Rohrer continued.
"We just [met] a lady at Redner's ... she has a Pokémon card collection from when they first came out. I think she was 81 or 82," he explained. "I'm telling you, it's crazy."
Is Pokémon more popular today?
Rohrer said Pokémon is more popular today than ever and he gives a lot of credit for that to YouTuber Logan Paul.
Paul drove more interest to the franchise after the YouTuber posted a viral video in 2021 where he dropped $150,000 on a first edition, Beckett-graded 10 (pristine) Charizard card.
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"Pokémon Go" was a hit game that came out seven years ago where folks captured monsters on their phone. A new device for the game named "Pokémon Go Plus +" releases on Friday, July 14.
This accessory is shaped to connect to apps "Pokémon Go" and "Pokémon Sleep," allowing players to perform certain tasks without using their phone.
Why create a Pokémon car?
Rohrer got hooked on Pokémon after his elder of two adult sons got into the franchise as a kid.
The Pokémon dad brings his Pikabug to various comic conventions and private events, along with his sons, who take turns wearing a giant Pikachu costume.
The Pikabug was popular at Dover Comic Con last month and Rohrer said it's been his favorite memory so far.
He loves handing out free packs of Pokémon cards to kids when he's on the road, and he had fun doing it at Dover Comic Con.
He plans to add more modifications to the Pikabug, including a lightning-bolt tail.
It’s simple why this Pokémon dad poured "a lot" of money into his Pikabug?
"This car puts smiles on every kid to adult's face, and it brings back so many memories."
If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Pokemon car talks, sings in Delaware, before 'Pokemon Go Plus +' debut
