What is is pikachu a chinchilla?

Pikachu is not a chinchilla, it is a fictional species of creature called a "Pokémon". Pikachu is one of the most recognized and popular Pokémon as it is the mascot for the franchise. It was created by the Japanese video game company, Nintendo, in 1996 and has since appeared in various forms of media, including video games, television shows, and movies. It is usually depicted as a small, yellow mouse-like creature with distinctive red cheeks and a thunderbolt tail. Though not a chinchilla, some people may have mistaken Pikachu for a chinchilla due to its similar size, round ears, and furry appearance.