Tim Cook Introduces John Ternus to Pikachu Days Before Handover

Apple CEO Tim Cook has added an unusual moment to the company’s leadership transition, introducing incoming CEO John Ternus to one of the world’s most recognisable gaming characters – Pikachu.

Just days before Cook is set to step down as Apple’s chief executive, he shared a video on X showing Pikachu visiting Apple Park in Cupertino. The Pokémon mascot was introduced to Ternus during a visit involving senior executives from The Pokémon Company.

Cook described the meeting with his trademark humour, writing: “Today’s agenda at Apple Park: Introduce the @Pokemon team to John, talk gaming, and politely ask Pikachu to stay out of the pond. Two out of three were accomplished.”

The video shows Pikachu exploring Apple’s headquarters, including walking through the central orchard and reaching for fruit under a tree. The character is also seen dancing beneath the campus’s rainbow-arched stage before eventually heading towards the pond, despite Cook’s request.

Tsunekazu Ishihara, CEO of The Pokémon Company, was also present. During the visit, Ishihara reportedly used Pokémon GO to send out Applin, offering a small demonstration of the augmented-reality game’s connection with the real world.

Why Pokémon visited Apple Park

Apple has not publicly revealed the exact business purpose of the visit. However, the timing coincides with the Pokémon World Championships, which are scheduled to begin in San Francisco on August 28.

The Apple Park visit appears to have been part of the Pokémon Company team’s trip to the area, while also providing an opportunity for its leadership to meet Ternus ahead of his appointment as Apple CEO.

The two companies already have an established relationship. Apple’s platforms support several major Pokémon titles, including Pokémon GO, Pokémon UNITE, Pokémon Champions and Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket.

This was also not Cook’s first meeting with Pikachu. He previously met the character in September last year during a visit to Tokyo for the reopening of Apple’s flagship Ginza store.

Apple CEO transition enters final phase

The playful Pokémon meeting comes as Apple prepares for a major leadership change.

Cook is scheduled to step down as CEO on September 1, with Ternus taking over the top position. Cook will transition to the role of executive chairman.

Ternus, who currently serves as Apple’s hardware engineering chief, has been working closely with Cook in preparation for the leadership change. His responsibilities will soon expand considerably as he takes charge of the world’s most valuable technology companies.

Ternus is expected to face a major test almost immediately after becoming CEO. His first major public appearance in the role could come at Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event on September 9. At the event, Apple is widely expected to unveil its next-generation iPhone lineup, reportedly including the iPhone 18 series and a first foldable iPhone.

For now, however, Cook’s lighthearted introduction of Ternus to Pikachu offers a memorable snapshot of Apple’s leadership transition – combining corporate succession with one of the company’s long-standing gaming relationships.