The latest episode of the Pokemon Sun and Moon anime debuted in Japan on December 9, 2018 with the title, "The Lighting Bolt that Severs the Wind! Its Name is Zeraora!!" But even though this episode features the Electric-type legendary Zeraora, what drew many fans' attention was Ash's apparel and countenance.

Early in the Pokemon episode, long-running protagonist Ash Ketchum sports a blue shirt that depicts a Surfing Pikachu. This throwback to the Pokemon TCG was welcomed by fans, but that's not all that occurs in this scene.

At one moment, Ash is taken by surprise, with fans noticing his face looking very similar to the viral Pikachu meme that has dominated the internet for some time now. Of course, it is possible that this is entirely coincidental, but many believe that this is a direct allusion to the internet phenomenon. And considering the popularity of that particular meme, it certainly seems like it is in the realm of possibility.

If this scene is, in fact, influenced by the meme, then it only speaks to the prominence and popularity of Ash's Electric-type Pokemon. After all, Pikachu is so popular that the internet erupted when the trailer for the Detective Pikachu movie went live, with fans falling in love with the realistic depiction of the long-running face of the franchise.

At the end of the day, it's unclear whether Ash's resemblance to the Pikachu meme was intentional or not, but it shouldn't stop fans from enjoying it. It's just proof that the popularity of Pikachu is near limitless, with fans enjoying it in the anime, on the internet, and in the mobile ARG, Pokemon GO.

The next episode of the Pokemon Sun and Moon anime debuts on December 16, 2018, in Japan.