Earlier, the Pokémon Company posted a new song featuring Pikachu! (See above). It seems to be a spiritual sequel of sorts to Mimikyu’s song (which I also translated here).

The Japanese title is: “PIKARAPがはじまるYO” (Lit: “Pikarap is beginning yo!”) I translated it to “Here Comes the PIKARAP Yo!”

Like before, I translated the lyrics (literally) below. It is meant to be a rap, so I eventually really want to work on a version that works rhythmically too, and that keeps a rhyme as well as some puns. But as that will take a bit longer, I give the literal translation for those curious and want it faster. If you want to take a tackle at making it fit the rhythm and rhyme, please feel free!

The original Japanese lyrics can be found in the vid itself, but I re-wrote them below (both in kana and romaji for your convenience).

I assume there will be an official English translation that comes out… but that remains to be seen.

English (Literal Translation):

“Here Comes the PIKARAP Yo!”

Yo yo
Listen up ‘yo!
Here comes the PIKARAP yo!
It’s a pika-pika summer with Pikachu!
With a ton of friends –it’s Pikachu!
It won’t stay in its ball –so let it ride on your shoulder and go!

The most stylish one of the Poke-world
Its sense and flare are perfect!
These clothes are great, these clothes are cool, huh?
They all match!
LOVE AND PEACE

Don’t touch, it’s dangerous! Those sensitive cheeks!
Here comes the lightning bolt!
BODY AND SOUL
Say P-I-K-A PIKA PIKA

It’s a pika-pika summer with Pikachu!
That electric mouse Pikachu!
It’s a pika-pika summer with Pikachu!
That awfully** adorable little Pikachu!

It calls down a mighty Thunderbolt!
So put your hands together and say PIKACHUUUUU!
Pokedex number TWENTY FIVE
But popularity-wise NUMBER ONE

It’s a pika-pika summer with Pikachu!
Mimikyu’s coming too! It’s Pikachu!
It’s a pika-pika summer with Pikachu!
In the real world and Poke-world –it’s Pikachu!

It’s a pika-pika summer with Pikachu!
Taking the top spot!
WHOA-OH

It’s a pika-pika summer with Pikachu!
Come and meet Pikachu!

Notes:

• By literal, I mean the overall meaning is literally translated. So it will not sing in rhythm, but just give a meaning. The original Japanese version ends almost every line with “da ze” as you can hear.
• Thunderbolt was translated from the original Japanese version of the name.
• *The term in Japanese is “pikaichi” which is a clever pun which means “something above the rest” as well as “pika #01.” There are plenty of ways to go about it. I went with “pika-pika” to emphasize it, but another example could be “pika-est.” A more creative use may be “a shocking summer” or “most electrifying summer.” I’m open to hearing other more creative puns!
• **”Awfully” was a fun way to work with the pun they use (鬼oni, which is demon, also standing in for “very.”)

If anyone out there wants to give a shot at making the above rhyme while keeping to the meaning, by all means please do! I would love to see what you could come up with.

Romaji Lyrics (for those interested in singing in Japanese):

“PIKARAP ga hajimaru YO!”

YO YO
Kiitekure yo
PIKARAP ga hajimaru YO!
Pikaichi natsu daze Pikachu da ze
Nakama ga ippai Pikachu daze
Bouru no nakanya osamaranei
Nokotteikouze
Kata no ue
Pokemon kai no oshare banchou
Sensu mo pikatto zekkouchou!
Kono fuku iidaro
Ikasu daro?
Minna osoroi
LOVE AND PEACE
Sawaruna kiken da! Mai hoppe!
Inazuma hashiruze
BODY AND SOUL
Say P-I-K-A PIKA PIKA
Pikaichi natsu daze! Pikachu da ze!
Denki nezumi no Pikachu daze
Pikaichi natsu daze! Pikachu da ze!
Oni kawaii ze Pikachu daze!
Issen man boruto omimaisuruzo
Isshoni odotte pikachuuuuuu
Zukan nanba wa TWENTY FIVE
Dakedo ninki wa NUMBER ONE
Pikaichi natsu daze! Pikachu da ze!
Mimikyu mo kuruze
Pikaichi natsu daze! Pikachu da ze!
Pikachu daze!
Riajuu pokejuu pikachudaze!
Pikaichi natsu daze! Pikachu da ze!
Toruze teppen
WHOA-OH
Pikaichi natsu daze! Pikachu da ze!
Ainikoiyo Pikachudaze!

Original Japanese lyrics:

PIKARAPがはじまるYO

YO YO
聞いてくれ YO
PIKARAP がはじまるYO!
ピカイチ夏だぜ ピカチュウだぜ
なかまがいっぱい ピカチュウだぜ
ボールの中にゃ おさまらねえ
乗っていこーぜ肩のうえ
ポケモン界のおしゃれ番長
センスもピカッと絶好調
この服いいだろイカすだろ？
みんな おそろい
LOVE AND PEACE
さわるな危険だ！
ほっぺ・さわるな危険だ！マイほっぺ！
イナズマはしるぜ
BODY AND SOUL
Say P-I-K-A PIKA PIKA
ピカイチ夏だぜピカチュウだぜ
でんきネズミのピカチュウだぜ
ピカイチ夏だぜピカチュウだぜ
鬼カワイイぜ ピカチュウだぜ
１０００まんボルト おみまいするぞ
いっしょに躍って ピカチューーート
図鑑ナンバーは　TWENTY FIVE
だけど人気は NUMBER ONE
ピカイチ夏だぜピカチュウだぜ
ミミッキュもくるぜ ピカチュウだぜ
ピカイチ夏だぜピカチュウだぜ
リア充ポケ充 ピカチュウだぜ
ピカイチ夏だぜ ピカチュウだぜ
獲るぜ テッペン
WHOA-OH
ピカイチ夏だぜ ピカチュウだぜ
会いにこいよ ピカチュウだぜ

I hope you enjoyed this little song! Please feel free to leave a donation as it helps support the work I do : )