Who would think a little Japanese cartoon character whose name sounds like a toddler sneezing would sweep the United States?
It's true, though.Cute little Pikachu, who can evolve into the fearsome fighting Raichu and whose sneeze releases his Thundershock power, is everywhere.
And boys and girls alike are clamoring for anything related to Pikachu and other Pokemon for Christmas.
We're talking toys, video games, candy, posters, trading cards, pinball machines, keychains, yo-yos, videos -- there are even fuzzy yellow Pikachu bedroom slippers.
Talk about your cross marketing. Toymaker Hasbro bought the rights to sell the toys for $325 million, according to Time Magazine. The WB Network owned by Time Warner bought the TV series, and Warner recently released the film "Pokemon: The First Movie."
Meanwhile, Burger King has the legal right to give out Pokemon items with the purchase of children's meals.
"Pokemon is huge this year. Pretty much everyone who comes in wants Pokemon," said Nicky Glover, team leader for the SuperTarget in Centerville.
Kadee Troop, the store's team leader for toys agrees.
"Pokemon cards are something we can't keep in stock," she said. "There's an interactive Pikachu for $29, a plush doll, who has these sayings and phrases that he kind of spouts off."
Virtually anything having to do with Pokemon is proving to be a multi-media hit.
It's even bigger than the Tickle Me Elmo craze of a few years ago.
Speaking of Elmo, the fuzzy red Sesame Street character has not faded from sight. This Christmas he's back with his friend Ernie, only this time they're wild and crazy rock stars -- complete with guitars and hot tunes they'll play when you squeeze one of their hands.
And don't forget Barbie, who turned 40 this year and is still a potent force for toymaker Mattel.
You doubt Barbie's enduring appeal?
The new book titled "The Barbie Chronicles" by historian Stephanie Coontz maintains that two Barbie dolls are sold every second.
Many adults condemn her Vegas-like contours and reputation for brainlessness (one unfortunate talking Barbie marketed years ago blurted out statements like "Math is hard!"), but young girls just can't seem to get enough.
To its credit, Mattel has diversified the Barbie line to include dolls of many races and ethnic backgrounds, and there's also a Barbie who uses a wheelchair. The bathing suit babes are still around, but Barbie now has such careers as veterinarian, teacher, day care provider and equestrienne.
The new pilot Barbie is quite a hit this year, according to Troop. "The Barbie airplane is huge this year. We ran an ad and sold out, so we're getting more in. People also like the Barbie boom box and the Barbie cash register scanner. It's got cards, the money -- it's a really cool little digital register," Troop said.
There seems to be no end of Barbie items to be had. Some Barbies have movable arms and legs so they can ride mountain bikes, play soccer and ride horses. There also are Barbie make-up kits and make-it-yourself hair ornaments, child-size Barbie suitcases, tents, sleeping bags and even Barbie-adorned sheets, pillow cases and comforters so girls can sleep completely enveloped in Barbie-dom.
"One thing that's really big this year are Discovery Channel toys," Troop said. "There's a telescope, a robot, stuffed animals that are huge and really life-like. These are toys that invoke thinking. They're really nice, and they're really big right now."
Also popular are "Bop It Extreme" toys that offer spoken and musical commands to a child who can bop, twist, pull and spin the toy to keep up with the musical beat.
The best-selling Harry Potter books are much sought after. And the classic "Madeline" books have gotten new life and spin-off dolls and accessories, thanks no doubt to the cartoon version featured regularly on the Disney Channel and two recent Madeline movies.
The power of television and movies cannot be underestimated when it comes to marketing toys.
The bespectacled Arthur, the young aardvark of the educational/entertaining PBS cartoon series that bears his name, appears in plush dolls, books, board games and coloring books. Johnson & Johnson even sells colorful Arthur Band-Aids.
Toys linked to the new "Toy Story 2" film include Flight Control Buzz, Mr. Potato Head, and video games for Sony PlayStation, Nintendo 64 and Game Boy.