Sunday, November 2, 2025

Cosplay: Utsuru X

Me: The highlight of this year!!

Ash: It's Utsuru!

Me: Indeed it is.

Goh: Oh, so this must be the "something important" you sent Ash earlier to take care of with the card game people. 

Ash: Yeah! It was for getting in today. Our friend wanted to go along with them.

Goh: Well, that's one way to do it. So... what's different this time?

Ash: The place! It's now where Daisuki! Japan Fest (DJF) was back then. 

Pikachu: Pika pika pika? ["Isn't that great?"]

Goh: Oh wow! So it's like a revival - only not.

Me: I would think so. Either the usual mall is booked or they wanted something special - this is number 10 after all.

Goh: Hey! You know, I think it's the second. 

Ash: That makes sense.

Goh: OK, that means today would be like past Utsuru and DJF combined.

Me: Some people already feel that way. One of my friends already call it "Daisuki Utsuru".

Goh: Perfect!

Ash: So, yeah. Community stands all in the middle of the arena, and food and goodies outside.

Goh: Exactly that.

Ash: And a lot of people!

Me: Just like both conventions on their usual days. So we're pretty much on the dot.

Goh: And as usual, there must have been a character parade, yes?

Ash: Yeah! I got into it with my journeys outfit.

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["A great one!"]

Ash: But then, yeah, so did a lot of other characters. There must have been a hundred or so.

Goh: And not many winners, I presume. 

Ash: Right.

Goh: Well, we can forget about that.

Me: I'm with Goh on this one. Let's move on to the communities.

Ash: So our card game friends is one of them.

Goh: Was there a good-looking one?

Ash: A mecha one - they won the "best by voting" award. 

Me: Any other awards? 

Ash: Another card game one won the "best by scoring" award. 

Goh: OK, those are neat. Well, I have the schedule, and it looks like the entertainment is all dance groups and bands - plus that karaoke group at the end.

Ash: There were character groups too! I really liked their performances.

Goh: Oh, right. And I suppose you watched the bands, not the dance groups.

Ash: Yeah, just like our friend would do.

Pikachu: Pika chu. ["Pretty nice."]

Goh: Along with that, you must have met many of our friend's friends, character and all.

Ash: Yup! I thought I would meet many of them, and I did. I also thought I'd meet a few others, but I didn't. 

Goh: With so many people, a few were bound to get lost somehow. 

Ash: I guess we'll meet them next time somewhere.

Me: I hope so. I always have a few things to work out with them.

Ash: So today was really great! The place brings back a lot of memories, and the convention was pretty good this time too.

Goh: I can't be there, but I'd have to agree. Speaking of "bringing back", this convention being held this way wouldn't have anything to do with how things will go later on... will it?

Me: Um... I can't say for sure right now. We have to see what happens.

Ash: I read about the history of it in one stand. It's a long one.

Pikachu: Pi-ka... ["Long-ish..."]

Goh: It seems there will always be things up in the air. 

Ash: But we'll try bring it back down!

Me: And we'll see what holds up, after ten years and counting.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Saturday, November 1, 2025

Burning Up, Down, and All Around

Ill wind blows the road to go
How many times we've told you so
(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)
(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)
No rhyme or reason
No way to make it easy 'til it's done
(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)
(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)
So you cross onto the other side of the street
(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)
(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)
Should know better but you keep turning up the heat...
-- "Burn You Up, Burn You Down", Peter Gabriel

It is well-known that Pokémon has the Fire type, for which its various species have various ways of inciting flames and burning things to a crisp. Even then, some species not of the type may still be able to use moves of the type (or not necessarily) to inflict characteristic burns of their own. For me, that seems oddly reminiscent of a rather fiery song that I've gotten to know quite well through other means, and that would be the above song. 

The part that I've chosen to quote is its second verse, which is where the ideas expressed in the title are first mentioned in the song as "responses" to the "calls" of the verse. The part in its entirety may represent the struggle that a Fire-type Pokémon may have to go through in order to bring the heat to other Pokémon and/or other things. It's a struggle that may have its twists and turns, considering the invoked imagery of streets.

Meanwhile, the song itself overall is a pop-rock number, and much of it can be considered to have to do with making things work for oneself and others in the face of certain obstacles (for example, falling rain). It's especially evident in the chorus, which may be a little less "friendly" in consideration of Pokémon - not quoted here and further doesn't contain the titular ideas - but if the song is of any indication, then it too perhaps can be made to work somehow.

As an aside, this song has had a few different versions, but one version will resonate with fans of a certain thing, as it was used within one iteration of that "certain thing" - in two guises, no less. It's also even been alluded as recently as two posts ago. Obviously I resonate as such, but then I also resonate with having this song tie into Pokémon, hence the purpose of this post. Some ideals seem to transcend, after all.

Perhaps the most important line - "you can make it happen..." - which is sung near the end of the song, also encapsulates its general sentiments. Whether that would be for Fire-type Pokémon species trying to make their (burn) mark or people in general trying to accomplish what it is they need, there might just be a way for all of that to happen. And with that, their fervor can burn in every which way possible.

Five years ago: The Halloween Cup of GBL
Six years ago: Later, Psyduck
Seven years ago: Hardcore (Dis)United
Eight years ago: Duff Knows Pokémon
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Friday, October 31, 2025

Halloween 2025: Heads and Tails

And then, there's the big spooky day itself - Halloween. Also as detailed last year, Pokémon has really been getting into its spirit through its "Pokéween" branding for all things spooky with all things Pokémon. Certainly, that would be from head to tail, as is true of many Pokémon that are like real creatures that have heads and likely tails. With that, the subject seems to make for a good discussion for this year's Halloween festivities and how that centers all around Pokémon and some spookiness.

Recently, the revealed Mega Dragonite has been shown to have a really funky head (with wings) and an equally funky tail (with an orb just like Dragonair). It made many fans do a double take, perhaps in a way even "spooking" them out. With the way some Pokémon are - like the eyeless headed Zubat, or the forked tail Espeon - they might just be able to bring spooks to anyone, particularly those uninitiated with Pokémon. If they're if any indication, the oddest heads and strangest tails are definitely helpful in this regard.

Meanwhile, looking at the current plethora of costumed Pokémon in Pokémon Go, specifically those related to today's occasion of concern, quite a few involve putting things on Pokémon heads (or somewhere close to that). Even if bodily tails aren't too involved, the things being put on might have "tails" themselves of some kind, and that makes for a unique tails-on-heads situation that could be considered spooky in quite a few ways. That would still be rather unique, even for Halloween.

Of course, there is another sense to "heads" and "tails". That would be the two sides of a coin, something that TCG players often use in their battles. These may be considered to have their aura of "spookiness" about them, being strangely "helpful" when not needed and less so otherwise. That will then cause "spooks" for either or both of the attacking and defending players. And even if they're only figuratively related to actual "heads" and real "tails", either player will still need to deal with the possibly "spooky" results.

Me: Maybe we can think of any other strange heads-and-tails things today?

Ash: Don't you have that "something important" for me coming up?

Me: Oh, yes! So, um... I guess you might as well go out for me.

Goh: Hey, another actual outing on Halloween!

Me: Sure! No parties (that I know of), but a few friends always deal with things on this day of the week.

Ash: They're your card game friends - and they're helping me get set up. I paid for you just as you told me to do.

Me: Great! 

Ash: And then... I hung around with them and even talked about you for a good bit of time with one of their buddies.

Goh: You didn't play?

Me: Oh, I wish I could set up myself and Ash for that. But I really can't.

Goh: I'm sorry. Well, it does seem like a good time.

Ash: But it's right on Halloween... so I also got you a little something.

Me: Oh, nice! A few "treats".

Ash: It wasn't exactly "trick-or-treating" but it was as close as I could get.

Goh: Maybe you can do it for real at some point.

Me: I'd love to arrange that. 

Goh: By the way, what's this in your fridge? It looks a little like... Torchic heads. 

Ash: Oh, that's an odd one.

Me: Well, you don't need to know too much more about that...

It's amazing that even something as trivial like "heads" and "tails" can be thought-provoking for Pokémon matters or spooky matters - or both as a matter of fact. It's the way they combine as in the case of Pokémon species, the two sides of a coin, and their other manifestations that make them what they are, and even "scary" good. 

So, at the tail end of this discussion, I'd like to head cap things off by saying Happy Halloween 🎃 to all those getting into all of its festivities - hopefully all the way from the head to the tail.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Thursday, October 30, 2025

Some Oddly Spooky Pokémon... by Numbers??

It's almost time for the spookiest day of the year as many would consider it, and in preparation for that, I want to bring up something that relates to that, albeit indirectly yet still somehow with a certain Pokémon flavor. Now, I've made write-ups of Pokémon species by numerology every so often - even having a series of them in June - and this post will be in the same vein. There's something out there that I'm familiar with (familiar readers should know what if they read my blog), but for others it may come off somewhat spooky - and still does even for me. A few parts of that "something" does involve numbers, so I've chosen to apply those numbers back to where it is relevant for Pokémon, which means the Dex numbers of species.

One of those parts is considered rather sonorous and a little "zippy", and the key for that part is a number that corresponds to the Dex number for Arcanine (#59). Arcanine itself may or may not be as sonorous, but it could be as "zippy" for its original and regional forms; just get on them, and it may not be hard to see why. It might also be "at home" given the place that is referred to by the part, having survived its upheavals to settle on the land and keep its existence going - not to mention with sounds in the mix.

Then there are Magby (#240) and Piloswine (#221), who in tandem are the key to a part and place filled with wonders of machinery. They might serve to heat them up and cool them down for their workings, even if they themselves weren't involved in their creation. And though one is a baby Pokémon and the other is the middle stage of three-stage family, what they might be able to do for the machinery goes beyond their size or abilities, and they become a part of the place nonetheless.

Another part and place has Decidueye (#724) as its key, and it is rather apropos in that regard, for the place has very many tall trees, something that the Pokémon could use to make a home for itself. Even its regional form might surely be "at home" with the way that the tall trees are rather shady; in fact, the original could live in one level and the regional form could live in another. Both of the forms may or may not literally "unlock" the part and place, but they surely can very much exist in the latter. 

For the next part and place, their key is in the form of three connected species: Koraidon (#1007), Cottonee (#546), and Frogadier (#657). The part and place strangely has to do with ships, especially one that is literally moored (attached) to the land itself. Koraidon might be a bit big for the ship, but it might still be fitting for the land in some ways. As for Frogadier and Cottonee, they're definitely at home in its sea and sky respectively, and that may be all that matters for them, aside from all of them being the respective key.

Lastly, Wigglytuff (#40), Sandshrew (#27), and Clefairy (#35) are the key to a part and place that is somewhat cold and a bit dark, but they may be content with that regardless. The regional form of Sandshrew could totally serve in the place, while the original form alongside Clefairy might just be content to aid with the part. As for Wigglytuff, it might just be strong enough to abide the cold of the place and accompany Sandshrew, while also helping out with the dealings of the part somehow as it's needed.

Considering the above, it seems the spookiness of that familiar thing may be downplayed by the presence of these specific Pokémon, yet it may still be there even with the presence of the species. What may be spooky enough is combining or framing that spooky and familiar thing with Pokémon, but that may be par for the course for the goings-on of the big spooky day ahead, which will certainly have flavors of Pokémon, the thing, and more.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 10/29/2025

Last month, a Pokémon Go season that is dubbed as very transformative kicked off along with the first of its events. This month continues the run of those events, seemingly also with the additional "qualifier" of being "just in time". To see how that qualifier is reflected in the events, it's of course the "time" to roll them up - precisely at this specific time (of the month) that I chose since it's the "perfect time" to do it and there is no need to "spend time" waiting to do it even a little later.

The first of these month's events actually began on the last day of last month (September 30), but I chose to "time" it as one of this month's events. Steel Skyline was the event, which ran up to October 7; it was the time for Trainers to look up to the sky courtesy of Steel-type Pokémon, with its main feature being the debut of Duraludon with its Dynamax form. True to that, other Pokémon of the type were present in the wild, Field Research encounters, and Power Spots for Max Battles. Trainers too had to assist (look for help with) one another through three Global Challenges for bonuses from catching, raids, and Max Battles. Timed Research sets were also present, one free and one paid, both with bonus items and encounters. "Just in time" along with this event was a Raid Day for Mega Metagross on October 4, timely completing most of the first batch of Mega Evolution forms during the event's steely time.

Next, it was time to reap a few sown things with the Harvest Festival from October 10 to 16. The prime harvest of the event was the "other" branch of the Applin family, as Dipplin and Hydrapple, making their debuts along with the necessary item for evolving into the former. Along with the key Pokémon above, other farm-themed Pokémon were also present in the wild and Field Research encounters, also prompting Collection Challenges to suit the "harvest" theme. The event's paid ticket brought about not only a Timed Research set with items and encounters to reap but also additional bonuses for "reaping" PokéStops; the event itself had bonuses of more Candy with Pinap Berries (of either kind), as well as greater Shiny chances for Pumpkaboo and Smoliv, as well as Apples when using a Mossy Lure Module. Combined with reaping the new level cap, a lot of things were definitely up for harvest, some in more than one way for the best of the offered things.

Since this month marks the time of the release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, a Celebration Event was apropos, from October 16 to 20. A Timed Research set prompted the selection of a first partner from the game and gave out special bonuses (including its appearance during Daily Adventure Incense), and their evolved forms could learn their special moves by evolution or regular TM use, a true novelty. New avatar items were also made available and Mega raids were more frequent, further with a Raid Day for Mega Rayquaza on October 18. Admittedly, the event may not have been much of a celebration, but it was still timed perfectly.

Halloween is prime time as well for October, and Part 1 of its event took place from October 21 to 27. Along with the usual visual and auditory change, a Go Pass was instituted for this part and its continuance, with items and encounters as well as lots of bonuses. This first part can also be loosely described as a "ghostly tea party" with the debut of the Poltchageist family in raids, while the Sinistea family entered the wild with other ghostly Pokémon (including Zorua of both regions). Raids also had ghostly and otherworldly species, while those in Field Research encounters were more of the former. The start of the festivities also brought about a new avatar item and some new stickers... which would be more relevant for Part 2 but were still implemented timely enough to start things off.

For that, Halloween Part 2 started on October 27 and will last until November 2. This one can be loosely described as a "haunted costume party" instead with the Teddiursa and Noibat families having new costumes (a witch hat and a headband respectively, also with increased Shiny chances for both). They and other costumed Pokémon from past years come to the wild, regular raids, and Field Research encounters, replacing some selected species from Part 1, although others remain (the "tea" Pokémon above in regular raids, Shadow Raids, and Spiritomb). So, the party and festivities will carry on to the time of the big day and beyond for a really spooky good time.

Where October is concerned, there is the time for the specific festivity as above. Yet, this particular October also had a certain Pokémon moment going for it, so it's only apt that the events in Pokémon Go address all of those - and "just in time", if the events above are of any indication. For this transformative season, that timeliness may just be a great thing to complement all the changes that occur or are to occur.

Four years ago: Holowear Wonderings
Six years ago: Psyduck Is Missing
Seven years ago: Expression of Care
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

The Matter of Pokémon Devolution

When talking about Pokémon, fans (and maybe some non-fans) will surely be familiar with the process of evolution, as the changing of species from a lesser form to a greater form. What is rarely talked about is the reverse, which is called "devolution" by analogue. It's obvious why few people talk about it, since no one really wants their evolved Pokémon to "devolve". Yet the process exists in certain ways, and it deserves a bit of discussion.

The process has come into its own in the TCG - particularly most recently - with some cards that command the process to be performed by removing the top evolution card of a Pokémon, forcing it to devolve to the prior stage. It's a bit of a nasty trick, but then the cards that enable this to happen are also relatively few; it's still a trick for players to look out for because the results and side effects may be as unwanted as the process itself.

Meanwhile, outside of the games, the anime has depicted "devolution" - albeit in an illusory fashion - with some Pokémon seeing the lesser forms of themselves through some prompted imagery. Like the cards in the TCG, though, instances of these are few and admittedly not as memorable (or even definitive) as other scenes, including those that depict the inverse process - even if it's still somehow possible through certain Pokémon powers.

Given the constraints of the process, it can be seen why the process is not often evident. It represents a physical reversion that in real life and practically derived settings would be impossible to do. In most cases, the process is (or would be) almost "tantamount" to time travel, which even with some Pokémon powers in play is still limited in capacity and may not necessarily have the expected and intended effects for the process.

Still, the existence of the "devolution" process may be considered a demonstration of what some Pokémon species may actually be capable of, even if that may not be all that evident or practical for them in whatever settings they are involved. Evolution as its inverse will remain the dominant process of Pokémon development as is true of the reality that moves ever forward, yet some "backwardness" may serve as an added intrigue.

One year ago: PokéParkour
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Monday, October 27, 2025

Cosplay: BEF Fun Coswalk

Me: Now, this one actually took place today instead of yesterday, but just in the afternoon.

Goh: OK, how'd you two get ahold of this one?

Me: A friend told me about it. 

Ash: And I thought it'd be nice to go to it!

Pikachu: Pi pika! ["Looks great!"]

Me: And so you went. 

Goh: So, this is a, um... festival, yes?

Ash: It was! For businesses and the like. There was food outside and beauty stuff inside a building. And it was completely free. 

Goh: So you should have gotten in fine.

Ash: I would have, but they wanted me to check in first. It was a bit complicated...

Goh: Sorry about that. But then, the competition should have been fine.

Ash: And then... I got hung up by the staff who said it was only by invite. 

Goh: Wait! But then, how'd you get in?

Ash: Another staff member signed me up. 

Me: Hmm. I sense disconnect and complications in the staff about this festival.

Ash: After that, it was fine!

Pikachu: Pika chu. ["All good."]

Goh: Then you met your friend's friends.

Ash: Just a few. There were nine of us in the character parade [OOC: cosplay walk].

Goh: That sounds neat. 

Ash: Oh, uh... They did ask us to perform longer than usual - up to three minutes. 

Me: Hmm, that's fairly long. It's almost like a mini-performance.

Ash: But I did try to fill time just fine.

Goh: How about winners? 

Ash: Three got a really fancy goodie bag. Everyone else got a smaller one - I did too. 

Me: Well, that's OK. And it may not be too too useful, but let's see what I can do with it.

Goh: I hope you enjoyed the festival along with that.

Ash: Sure! I got a little something for our friend to keep things full.

Me: Thanks. I think it works out well.

Ash: So yeah, I think this was a surprise for all of us.

Pikachu: Pika. ["Sure."]

Goh: It's not so often that something like this comes up. But they can do better if there's a next time.

Ash: That! I'm sure they wanted a crowd and all, but it was a Monday. 

Goh: There is that. You could say it was a "diversion for success".

Me: There you go. Something tells me that more successful diversions are needed - and coming too.

Three years ago: Equivalent Spirits
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)