Pokémon Costume
Become the world's most famous electric-type Pokémon with this classic look.
Pokémon is one of the most beloved franchises in history, making its characters a go-to choice for Halloween and cosplay. This guide focuses on the iconic Pikachu, the franchise's instantly recognizable mascot. The signature look consists of a bright yellow base, long black-tipped ears, rosy red cheeks, and a lightning-bolt tail.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $15–45
Try it on
See yourself as Pokémon
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Pokémon costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Pokémon costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Yellow jumpsuit or bodysuit
A bright yellow long-sleeve bodysuit, t-shirt and leggings combo, or fleece hooded onesie.
DIY: Use a plain yellow sweatshirt and matching yellow sweatpants.
Pikachu ears headband
A yellow headband featuring long, pointed yellow ears with distinct black tips.
DIY: Cut ear shapes out of yellow felt, paint the tips black, and glue them to a yellow headband.
Lightning bolt tail
A flat, stiff yellow tail shaped like a jagged lightning bolt, with a brown base.
DIY: Cut a lightning bolt shape out of sturdy cardboard, wrap it in yellow felt, paint the base brown, and safety-pin it to your waist.
Red cheek circles
Bright red circular patches for the cheeks to represent Pikachu's electric pouches.
DIY: Cut two circles out of red felt and use skin-safe adhesive, or use red lipstick to draw them on.
Brown fabric paint
Fabric paint or felt to add two horizontal brown stripes across the lower back.
DIY: Cut two strips of brown felt or duct tape and apply them horizontally to the back of your yellow shirt.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Pokémon costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on your yellow jumpsuit, onesie, or matching yellow top and bottom base layer.
- 2
Attach the two horizontal brown stripes to the lower back of your yellow top using fabric paint, felt, or tape.
- 3
Secure the yellow lightning-bolt tail to the back of your waistband using a safety pin or the attached clip.
- 4
Place the yellow and black-tipped ears headband securely on your head.
- 5
Apply the red cheek circles to your face using face paint, makeup, or felt circles with skin-safe adhesive.
Makeup & hair
Keep your hair simple or slicked back under the headband. Use red face paint or a bright red lipstick to draw perfect, solid red circles on the apples of your cheeks, and optionally paint the tip of your nose black.
Pokémon for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up as Pikachu and Ash Ketchum, the iconic trainer wearing a blue vest and red-and-white cap.
- group
- Form a full Pokémon squad with friends dressing as Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Eevee.
- kids
- A soft yellow fleece onesie is a warm, comfortable, and adorable option for kids.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting yellow hooded onesie offers a comfortable, highly adjustable fit for all body types.
- pet
- A simple yellow knit sweater with attached felt ears makes for an adorable pet Pikachu.
More ways people search for this costume
The most-searched variations of “Pokémon costume”, and how this look adapts to each.
Pokemon costume kids
- A soft yellow fleece onesie is a warm, comfortable, and adorable option for kids.
Pokemon costume dog
- A simple yellow knit sweater with attached felt ears makes for an adorable pet Pikachu.
Tips
- If you are wearing a onesie, wear lightweight clothes underneath to stay comfortable in changing temperatures.
- Ensure the tail is pinned securely so it does not drag or snag on objects while walking.
- Use high-quality face paint or cosmetic-grade lipstick for the red cheeks so they do not smudge throughout the night.
Pokémon costume FAQ
- What is the easiest way to make a DIY Pikachu costume?
- The easiest DIY method is wearing a plain yellow sweatshirt and sweatpants, adding a yellow headband with black-tipped felt ears, and drawing red circles on your cheeks with lipstick.
- How do I make the Pikachu tail stay upright?
- Use a piece of thick cardboard or craft foam inside yellow felt to keep the tail stiff, then pin it to your waistband at two points to keep it from sagging.
- Can I dress up as other Pokémon?
- Yes, you can use the same basic method of matching a colored onesie or sweatsuit (like orange for Charmander or blue for Squirtle) with custom felt ears and tails.
Did you know? Pikachu was designed by Atsuko Nishida, who based the beloved electric-type's chubby cheeks on squirrels storing food.