Pikachu is the Electric-type mascot of Pokemon, the Japanese franchise that began with video games in 1996 and an anime series in 1997 where Pikachu became Ash Ketchum's partner. Pikachu only speaks by repeating syllables of its own name, so small hums, sighs and questioning noises carry its emotions in the show. Clips of those vocalizations spread widely on soundboards and in fan edits because they are instantly recognizable even without context. This humming version endures as a shorthand for cute confusion among anime and gaming fans online.