So a new Battle Competition was announced that's kind of interesting.
[spoiler]A new Battle Competition has been announced.
This is the Trick or Treat Battle is a Double Battle competition and allows for you to use specific Pokémon based on Halloween, specifically Rattata, Raticate, Ekans, Arbok, Pikachu, Zubat, Golbat, Paras, Parasect, Grimer, Muk, Gastly, Haunter, Gengar, Cubone, Marowak, Koffing, Weezing, Tangela, Mr. Mime, Ditto, Kabuto, Kabutops, Hoothoot, Noctowl, Spinarak, Ariados, Crobat, Umbreon, Murkrow, Misdreavus, Unown, Gligar, Granbull, Sneasel, Houndour, Houndoom, Mightyena, Dustox, Shiftry, Shedinja, Whismur, Loudred, Exploud, Sableye, Mawile, Gulpin, Swalot, Carvanha, Sharpedo, Cacnea, Cacturne, Seviper, Lunatone, Baltoy, Claydol, Shuppet, Banette, Duskull, Dusclops, Absol, Snorunt, Glalie, Drifloon, Drifblim, Mismagius, Honchkrow, Stunky, Skuntank, Spiritomb, Skorupi, Drapion, Croagunk, Toxicroak, Weavile, Tangrowth, Gliscor, Dusknoir, Froslass, Rotom, Purrloin, Liepard, Woobat, Swoobat, Venipede, Whirlipede, Scolipede, Basculin, Krokorok, Krookodile, Sigilyph, Yamask, Cofagrigus, Garbodor, Zorua, Zoroark, Gothita, Gothorita, Gothitelle, Frillish, Jellicent, Joltik, Galvantula, Elgyem, Beheeyem, Litwick, Lampent, Chandelure, Golurk, Zweilous, Hydreigon, Volcarona, Espurr, Meowstic, Honedge, Doublade, Aegislash, Malamar, Phantump, Trevenant, Pumpkaboo, Gourgeist, Noibat or Noivern. Mega Stones cannot be used
Registration runs from October 15th 2015 to October 23rd 2015 while battles run from October 23rd to October 25th 2015. All entrants get 10 Rare Candy.[/spoiler]
I think the reason Pikachu specifically is allowed, beside being Pikachu, is because of Cosplay Pikachu. I don't know why Hypno wasn't there though, maybe they thought he was too scary/not scary enough? Then again Mr. Mime and Driftblim are there......
EDIT: Oh and the latest products on the Pokemon Center might have something to do with Pikachu's inclusion.