Pikachu Visits Apple Park, Meets Tim Cook and John Ternus

[MacRumors]

Tim Cook shared an inside look at the work he is doing behind the scenes as he prepares to step down as Apple's CEO next week. Cook has been preparing incoming CEO John Ternus for the transition over the last several months, and today he introduced Ternus to popular Pokémon character Pikachu.

Cook said he and Ternus met with the Pokémon team to talk gaming. The accompanying video features Pikachu exploring the Apple Park campus, including dancing under the rainbow arch and picking an apple from the orchard.

Today's agenda at Apple Park: Introduce the @Pokemon team to John, talk gaming, and politely ask Pikachu to stay out of the pond. Two out of three were accomplished. pic.twitter.com/KzirV3VX8U— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) August 27, 2026​

It's not clear why the Pokémon team was at Apple Park, but Cook first met Pikachu in September 2025 on a trip to Japan for the reopening of Apple Ginza in Tokyo.

There are several Pokémon-themed games available on Apple's platforms, including Pokémon GO, Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, Pokémon UNITE, and Pokémon Champions.

Article Link: Pikachu Visits Apple Park, Meets Tim Cook and John Ternus

 

[adomadosado]

There to remind John who’s really in charge.

 

[alexkli]

It’s probably because of the Pokemon World Championship 2026 that is happening in San Francisco currently:

2026 Pokémon World Championships

Tune in to the capstone event of the competitive Pokémon season.

worlds.pokemon.com

 

[gleepskip]

I'm definitely not against children having games to play, but this is truly sad. Huge tech innovations popping up daily and Tim has a play date with someone in a costume.

 

[vegetassj4]

I hope Pikachu shocked the hell out of them for their sku increases/multiple chip generations and price hikes

 

[Ctrlos]

I mean it will probably never happen but if Nintendo released the old Gameboy games on iOS at $10 a pop they’d make a fortune.

 

[CalMin]

Either I accidentally ate an edible at lunch, or Tim Cook just introduced his successor to Pikachu at Apple Park.

 

[Leobreaker]

My two hyperfixations together at last 😭 just what I needed (I love this)

 

[sjsharksfan12]

Why are we having a guy in a Pikachu costume visiting Apple Park? Is that really necessary?

 

[trafficdistro54]

Hopefully this is the last Pikachu meeting for Ternus.

 

[LV426]

It would be a right laugh if Pikachu became CEO.

 

[heretic51]

Gotta Ca$h 'Em All

 

[jkool]

Pikachu: "Tim, you would sell way more polishing cloths with my face on them."

 

[xxFoxtail]

Sadly Xcancel no longer works.

 

[sw1tcher]

The accompanying video features Pikachu exploring the Apple Park campus...

Inviting a Pokémon and letting it wander around your campus without any security escort seems like a bad idea. It might get a Pikachu work and learn about upcoming Apple products. That's how leaks happen.

 

[xnu]

I cast no dispersions on anyones relationship, whether human or animation.

 

[illmatic41]

It's not clear why the Pokémon team was at Apple Park….

Pokemon World Championship is going on at Moscone Center in SF this weekend apparently.

 

[Macalway]

Rope in the toddlers, smart.

 

[vinesy]

Hey Apple, how about instead of marketing gimmicks, you just release the new iPad mini so I can buy it?

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

This

Is the new..

 

[7thson]

Man I thought the full screen pop up ads on the home page were annoying and then I go and see this.
What next? “ John Ternus finds apple shaped pebble on trail, declares it a sign” ?

 

[Jeeve Stubbs]

I've only finished the first three games in the series (GB, GBC, and GBA). It's high time I try the other ones.

 

[dss33k]

Trillion dollar companies now just posting to a nazi board. No big deal.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

It would be a lot cooler if they called Apple Park the iPark.

 

[TinyMito]