Schoolkids tickled pink by Pikachu

(FILES) In this file photo taken on December 16, 2016 a person wearing a costume of Pikachu, a Pokemon character, walks on the Champs de Mars near the Eiffel Tower in Paris. - Twenty-five years after Pokemon first began delighting children and adults alike, the phenomenon in 2021 is still capturing hearts, with smartphone craze Pokemon Go enjoying record success in virus-hit 2020. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY 'JAPAN-ENTERTAINMENT-POKEMON-GAMES' FOCUS BY KATIE FORSTER AND MATHIAS CENA

Compiled by C. ARUNO, MARTIN CARVALHO and R. ARAVINTHAN

YEAR One pupils at SJK (C) Aulong, Taiping, were excited to be greeted by Pikachu on their first day at school on Monday, China Press reported.

The school senior assistant had dressed up as the iconic yellow electric mouse from the popular Pokemon franchise in a bid to soothe their anxiety.