How to get Professor Willow's assistant Pikachu in Pokémon Go

Professor Willow's assistant Pikachu is a new costume introduced in Pokémon Go as part of July's 'Willow's Birthday Research' event.

The costume - which dresses the franchise mascot in Professor Willow garb - is available through a variety of sources, making it straightforward to obtain.

Not only that, the costumed Pikachu will stick around in raids and Timed Research for the week ahead. So whether you're grabbing it on its debut, or later in the week, here's how to get the Professor Willow's assistant Pikachu in Pokémon Go.

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How to get Professor Willow's assistant Pikachu in Pokémon Go

You can get the Professor Willow's assistant Pikachu costume from the following sources:

'Willow's Birthday Research' Timed Research (until Monday, 27th at 8pm)
- Three encounters at the end of each step
'Go Pass: 10th Anniversary' rewards (until Monday, 27th at 8pm)
- At free ranks 9, 13, 19, 22, 29 (and same again on the Deluxe track)
One-star raids (until Monday, 27th at 8pm)
'Willow's Birthday Research' Field Research rewards (likely Tuesday only)
- Win a Raid
- Catch 10 Pokémon
Photobomb Snapshots (up to two; liokely Tuesday only)

Two side-by-side screenshots from Pokémon Go showing a Professor Willow's assistant Pikachu photobomb encounter. — *Credit: One More Catch (via Scopely Explore / The Pokémon Company)*

Thanks to PokeMiners and trainersGo2022 on X for helping flesh out the above.

Can Professor Willow's assistant Pikachu be shiny and have a Background?

Yes and yes. All Pikachu can be shiny, including this Professor Willow's assistant Pikachu.

Got my new shiny pikachu on prof willow birthdays ✨#pokemongo pic.twitter.com/HsNlxPRGsI
— AKIRAR (@AkirarGaming) July 21, 2026

Furthermore, as part of the 'Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition' event that is running alongside it (Tuesday, 21st to Monday, 27th), there is a chance it'll have a Team-specific Special Background (decided based on your own team choice - so Valor, Mystic or Instinct).

That means for completionists, you'll have your work cut out getting all three Special Backgrounds, and a shiny for each.

If you want to read more about the event this Pikachu costume debuts in, we have a dedicated 'Willow's Birthday Research' guide.

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