>>29085901Because Pikachu is a lazy jerk who doesn't wanna evolve to Raichu, when only final form Pokemon have the bond ability.
But you're also right about brand recognition. They don't really wanna do anything with Pikachu anymore, but the yellow mouse is wayyyy to popular with americans and little kids to just throw away. Its why Raichu basically didn't exist for years on end until it got an Alolan form, since they finally acknowledged it.
So.he's kind of stuck in this retarded limbo state where they can't touch him, but they can't throw him away.
