Pokémon Go Tour: Unova

At last, the grand occasion (and "peak end") of the preceding season is (was) here, and I can discuss it, also timely on the second day of its execution. Pokémon Go Tour continues its annual soirée with the next region of concern, as the Unova region. As previewed, this region is tied to the concepts of "truth" and "ideals" by way of its "box Legendaries", Reshiram and Zekrom. Most of the "truths" that will be explained here are for the Global edition of this weekend, but some of its "ideals" can at least be drawn by inference for the live edition in the previous week, and where possible, "mediated" for that purpose.

The content of Pokémon in the wild was organized in rotating habitats from 10 AM to 6 PM, much like editions of past years. This time, the habitats took on the theme of seasons and "outings" - Winter Caverns, Spring Soirée, Summer Vacation, and Autumn Masquerade in that order - in the same vein as the original main series games, including their numbered sequels. Deerling family forms of the seasons were the characteristic Pokémon species of the habitats along with exemplary species of the region, with the inclusion of Pikachu wearing the caps of the main player Trainer characters (plus Unown letters that make up the region's name, by Incense) across all habitats.

Also like last year, Collection Challenges were not present, allowing great freedom of capture - although some particular species were still needed to be captured, to be explained shortly. Field Research as well continued to have power-up tasks, though these were to encounter Deerling and Pikachu as above. Timed Research had three capture sets for the Incarnate forms of the "Forces of Nature" species and one set to encounter a chosen starter with special backgrounds, obtained in the time between the live edition and the Global edition. Special Research had two sets: the usual and customary Masterwork Research that will eventually lead to a Shiny Meloetta encounter, and the thematic one for the event with tasks for certain "truths", "ideals", and their "mediation", the former being paid and the latter involving the version selection according to the original game versions.

That "mediation" was primarily carried out through raids, for which the two Legendary Pokémon as above were joined by Kyurem... which fused itself with one of the two and appeared as Black Kyurem or White Kyurem, alternating with each hour. Much like the proceedings of last year's Pokémon Go Fest, raiding these Fusion forms rewarded not only Kyurem itself but also specific Fusion Energy needed for one to make the Fusion forms with the two Legendary Pokémon (Blaze for Reshiram, Volt for Zekrom), with similar methods, practices, benefits, and caveats as the earlier introduced Fusion forms - and now the Fusion forms are legit, unlike their earlier mistaken release. Side raids involved the Pikachu with special caps as above and a few other unique Pokémon from the region, though the ultimate side raid could be considered the unfused Legendary.

New this year is something called the "Tour Pass", which looks a lot like the "Battle Pass" of certain contemporary mobile games (cf. Pokémon Unite) and is the other paid element. Two tracks - the free track and Deluxe track - are available and leveled up by earning points through certain actions such as timed tasks for capturing specific Pokémon, with each level containing rewards as encounters or items. The latter needs payment (more to get 10 levels ahead) to access while the former is open for all, with the cap being 500 levels, though only the first 100 were key to this weekend and the rest rewarded bonus Stardust for hardcore Trainers who can take the "Tour Pass" to the absolute extreme. 

Other elements of this year's festivities were 10 km Eggs with regional Pokémon and halved hatch distance, appearances of Basculin in Routes (with red and blue stripes, not white like last year), and a unique overworld music composed of a mashup of themes from the game as well as that of Pokémon Go itself, with encounters receiving the battle theme. Along with February's Road to Unova event becoming a prelude to the Global edition (or an interlude between the two editions), essentially, most parts of the event have been "standardized".

Now, as for how I did, I bought both the Masterwork Research and Tour Pass Deluxe (the latter somewhat last-minute) and I got to level 195 on my Tour Pass; at the least, being able to go through the first 100 levels is an accomplishment. I also got sufficient Fusion Energy to make both of the Fusion forms for Kyurem, with a few exceptional ones waiting for that purpose. At some point, if and when the Black Kyurem and White Kyurem raids appear again - as with Necrozma last year - I'll have to take advantage of them to make more of the Fusion forms. I also got all the special costumed Pikachu and the remaining Unown (V) I hadn't got.

Out of all the Pokémon Go Tour editions so far, this one has to be one of the important ones because of its content and innovations. The "truth" is that it makes for even more stuff to deal with for Trainers, but the "ideal" is to take advantage of everything as much as one possibly can for them to be able to be used in the future, as the Fusion forms of Kyurem and the "Tour Pass" concept for later editions. That said, it seems there will be lasting marks of "truth" and "ideals" even long after this edition has ended.

One year ago: Cosplay+Pokémon Go: Pikachu's Indonesia Journey in Bali

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Tour: Hoenn

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Tour: Johto

Four years ago: Make It Make...: Pokémon Presents, 2/26/2021

Five years ago: Making Game Journeys... Literally

Six years ago: Winds of Changing Teams

Seven years ago: Pikachu Cable Holder

Eight years ago: Love My Life - Pokémon Too

The Season of Might & Mastery

For those who know what I'm talking about, yes, it's really "mastery" and not "magic" for the discourse of this new Pokémon Go season. It and the other keyword of "might" were the teasers in the end-of-season post for the previous season, and the season itself is formally called "Might & Mastery" with an ampersand as a joiner. From its title, it promises a bi-elemental aspect much like the prior season, although it's more specific and outright mentioned rather than being general and open to interpretation.

That said, in Pokémon Go, there will be a load of events in the next three months - perhaps more than some people can handle. Certainly, that's to be discussed later, especially the events as they occur and need to be rolled up. But to open the season, there's no harm in previewing it, as the game has in fact done. The heart of this season, or what may be considered as such, is a particular family of bears that have made single and rapid strikes in Pokémon and will debut here - I trust some know already which one.

Meanwhile, for other Pokémon games, as usual, they may not fit but at the least can be loosely interpreted in the season's context. Some of these have already been divulged in the "anniversary edition" of Pokémon Presents, and I'll need to get to that very soon. Others will need a bit of toying with personally before I can get to write about them, but that is regardless an eventuality. What I can say about them now is that a few of these are truly "mighty" and as such require their own brand of "mastery" as well.

Now I want to address a few technical matters. Last season was offset, and this season is offset as well; it will properly start a couple of days after the Go Tour festivities with its elements gradually being added. Today is also the first day of the Global edition of Pokémon Go Tour, but instead of covering it in two-day style as with Pokémon Go Fest, I'm saving it all for the final day tomorrow. So regardless, getting the start-of-season post out of the way is always a good idea, and a mighty one at that.

Some Pokémon Go seasons (since they started years ago) carry an air of intrigue, and this latest one surely has that, with species of might and magic mastery as its contents. How the theme translates into the execution of the events and how they will fare regardless will still need to be observed and then recorded as they occur, but if the season has anything to say, it may be that mastery just might show the realization of might. Perhaps as such, magic may still have a place after all. 

One year ago: The Season of World of Wonders

Two years ago: The Season of Rising Heroes

Three years ago: The Season of Alola

Four years ago: The Season of Legends

Five years ago: Cosplay: March Funtastico

Six years ago: In Living Galar

Seven years ago: Can't Get Enough of Pokémon (and Pikachu) Stickers

Eight years ago: Posters

The Peak of Dual Destiny

And now, the end of February is at hand, unlike last year; the end of the Pokémon Go season is at hand as well, so it means it's time for the end-of-season post like previous years as well (all see below). Still, things are still not quite the end for the season, also as always called a "peak" rather than an "end", but for certain reasons that will be explained shortly. In spite of that, things go on (moreover because they are also accordingly scheduled), so the season-ending post still makes sense to be written up today.

The reason is of course because this year's Global edition of Pokémon Go Tour is this weekend, and that automatically means the season is extended to cover the festivities and the season's end is offset just as the beginning was offset. What's not offset, though, is the "peak" of the season, and Pokémon Go Tour coincidentally (or not) serves as a good manifestation of that "peak" as it occurs at the tail end of the season. Therefore, at least for the instance of this season, the "peak" idea of its end is validated.

Going back to the season's moniker of "Dual Destiny", besides the dualities of black/white and truth/ideals presented by the overarching theme of the above event, the events in Pokémon Go and the Pokémon they featured also did seem to showcase other dualities. These were sometimes at odds and at other times complementary, though it seems that both are (were) necessary to exhibit Pokémon in all their variety - and rightfully, their destiny. Beyond the event, there was its own interpretation to behold.

Meanwhile, in other areas of Pokémon, destinies seemed to be more at hand rather than dualities, yet manifestations of the duality that is one side against another in battle are still apparent. It's a natural course of affairs for Pokémon, and things like the continuously sizzling TCGP and Unite (the latter may be a bit less so) show how destinies are put into play in two sides and then affected accordingly, particularly with the events for these two over the same time as the Pokémon Go season - fittingly.

So, to take everything into consideration, the "peak" of this Pokémon Go season corresponds with an ultimate "dual destiny", even if that has to offset the season by a bit and particularly after its start. But then, the case for Pokémon is always an intricate blending of two sides and two destinies (or even more), also as seen over the course of this season for other Pokémon aspects. The challenge always presents a might to be overcome, and that probably could take mastery in some (great) amounts.

One year ago: The Peak of Timeless Travels

Two years ago: The Peak of Mythical Wishes

Three years ago: The Peak of Heritage

Four years ago: The Peak of Celebrations

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 2/28/2020

Six years ago: The Birthday of a Hero

Seven years ago: Cosplay Poses

Eight years ago: Cosplay: Japanese World 2017

Pokémon Day 2025 - 29th Anniversary

As is always the case (for me personally), the end of February is always a time for certain anniversaries, and the most pertinently important one is for Pokémon itself - which is today. It's the celebration known as Pokémon Day, and this year marks the 29th anniversary, twenty-nine years after the first Pokémon games were released. Admittedly, though, the occasion of this year's anniversary - among some of the past few years - could be considered an "in between" anniversary for certain reasons, and that "in between" quality seems to serve as a good discussion point for this year's Pokémon Day.

The reason it's "in between" is because next year is a particularly round anniversary number; it would be the 30th anniversary, which in some circles, albeit uncommonly, may be regarded as the "pearl" anniversary. Because of this, the content for next year's anniversary is likely to be fuller and more fleshed out akin to the silver anniversary from some years ago (see below), while this year's can be considered to be a "filler", to borrow a term from the anime fandom, and to pass the time waiting for that anniversary.

Reports have also indicated that this year might be an "in-between" year regardless for some Pokémon affairs as well, though some might just be somewhat too early to tell, in particular the circumstances of their happening. One of them has even been brought up on this blog and is awaiting answers. I'm also "in between" some of them, as well as between a figurative "rock and a hard place", and perhaps so are many fans. To resolve all of that, something like Pokémon Presents is needed to pin things down. 

With that, an edition of Pokémon Presents is indeed scheduled for today, and it divulges things that are now not so "in between". As usual, it will take a separate post to discuss (and a bit of time to organize for that purpose), but I can give the highlights of the showcased facets. The most important have to be... a shade of "big" in the physical TCG, a "championship revival", and of course the big-time "legendary" reveal that everyone has waited for with bated breath - hopefully with at least some gulps of air. 

Even on an "in between" year like this one, it's always a great day for Pokémon, and especially today as the occasion of the franchise's anniversary. That - including what is (was) in Pokémon Presents today - may be all it takes to fill the gaps in each and every day, and all parts between them, for all the days of this "in between" year into the next year and even beyond. Between you and me, that should be a great thing.

Happy 29^th anniversary.

One year ago: Pokémon Day 2024 - 28th Anniversary

Two years ago: Pokémon Day 2023 - 27th Anniversary

Three years ago: Pokémon Day 2022 - 26th Anniversary

Four years ago: Suddenly Silver: Pokémon Day 2021 - 25th Anniversary

Five years ago: Pokémon Day 2020 - 24th Anniversary

Six years ago: Pokémon Day 2019 - 23rd Anniversary

Seven years ago: Pokémon Day 2018 - 22nd Anniversary

Eight years ago: Pokémon Day 2017 - 21st Anniversary

Thirteenth Cosplay Anniversary - In and Out of Solitude

Well now, it's been thirteen years since I formally started cosplaying, and today would be its anniversary. My specialty and preference is of course Pokémon cosplay, which is why it's on this blog when it is on for conventions, festivals, and such. It is also an effort that allows me to meet many other people and the characters they bring out through their cosplay, yet in a way I'm also finding myself as being alone in the effort at times. It's this going in and out of a state of "solitude" that I thought I'd take up as this year's topic of discussion.

The "solitude", of course, is due to the fact that Pokémon cosplay in my area is scant, unless people bring in their own surprises like Pikachu the other day or Charizard in the past, or a team project gets initiated - furthermore with my blessing. Thus, it's always a journey to go out of that "solitude" when I partake in conventions and festivals locally. Certainly, if I was in the U.S., chances are I might not have to venture much to get out of that situation, since Pokémon cosplay is more plentiful there due to the "mainstream" status.

It is true that I'm technically and physically never "alone" when I go to conventions and festivals, as I share other interests outside of Pokémon with other people. Yet I'm also often left up to my own devices outside of these situations and seemingly in a difficult position to ask for assistance, sometimes let alone to receive it. While at least going to conventions, festivals, and such might alleviate that condition temporarily, the rest of the way will take my own effort, which is acceptable yet could use some help in some cases.

At least, the rise of people providing cosplay services, like prop makers and rentals (the latter of which might have a presence on aggregators like a specific one) also lets me - and others - know that I'm not necessarily ever alone. Yet given that my focus is on Pokémon cosplay, even sometimes these services aren't too helpful for that purpose... and I'm right back where I started. This too is thus a "struggle" against a solitude, and they all may need to be utilized in the best way for the purpose of my Pokémon cosplay and others for theirs.

"Solitude" is not necessarily a bad thing, even now after I've been active for 13 years in cosplay, but having people to share that with is always a neat thing, and especially so in my case with Pokémon cosplay. So, the journey continues in order to be able to seek people to enjoy both Pokémon and cosplay together, and to deal wisely with the times when there aren't people for that purpose. Whatever the case, having Pokémon around is always a prerogative - especially in my case - and cosplay and other people will still be needed for that.

Happy thirteenth cosplay anniversary to me.

One year ago: Twelfth Cosplay Anniversary - Fostering Hope

Two years ago: Eleventh Cosplay Anniversary - (Part of) My World

Three years ago: Tenth Cosplay Anniversary - Still Patient

Four years ago: Ninth Cosplay Anniversary - Taking a Backseat

Five years ago: Eighth Cosplay Anniversary - Doing What I Want

Six years ago: Seventh Cosplay Anniversary - Timeless Cosplay

Seven years ago: Sixth Cosplay Anniversary - From No-One to Someone

Eight years ago: Fifth Cosplay Anniversary

Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 2/25/2025

In true form as with most of the past few years (see below), I write up the rollup of events for Pokémon Go on this day, also for obvious reasons to come. With that, obviousness may be considered a running theme for this month's events, whether or not that may be evident in the events themselves and what they feature. The relative paucity of events for the month may also be something that factors into that, even if February itself is a short month as far as things are concerned. 

First up, after the break from a continued event in January, there was the Small Yet Strong event from February 5 to 8. As discernable, there were small and strong things, particularly with bonuses of double XP for captures and increased chance to find XXS and XXL Pokémon. The most notable small and strong thing was the debut of Shiny Nymble, which could be found in the wild along with other small (and possibly Shiny) natural wonders, including Burmy and Flabébé; 2 km Eggs also had a smattering of some other little ones. Other small and strong complements to the event were Research tasks (Field and a Timed set), a Collection Challenge, and showcases as usual. If it wasn't obvious before, this event made it clear that strong things can come in little packages like these Pokémon.

Some people may (try to) find love in this month, an obvious thing, and that's where the Beloved Buddies event came in. From February 11 to 15, cute and attractive Pokémon - including the debuting Dhelmise and returning Enamorus by raids - appeared in the wild and raids, with Diglett, Skrelp, and Dunsparce having exceptional Shiny chances. Meanwhile, Field Research had a task for Tandemaus, and Collection Challenges furnished Stardust and Great Balls. Along with the usual showcases, the double XP bonus for captures returned, while Lure Modules were extended and attracted different Pokémon, and more of them rewarded greater Stardust. The last day of this event also coincided with a Raid Day for Hoopa Unbound with all the usual free and paid perks, plus allowing anyone to change its form even without completing its associated Special Research. Some will notice the event isn't quite like the Valentine's Day events of past years, making it somewhat less obvious, but love was still obviously to be had one way or another.

After finding love, it may then be time to go out and about. For that, there was the Scattered to the Winds event from February 18 to 20, which featured the debut of Shiny Scatterbug through the usual method of pinning and saving Gift postcards. In addition to this Bug-type family, two other Bug-type families and three Flying-type families enlivened the wild, Field Research tasks, and a Collection Challenge. Bonuses too were "scattered": increased XP for spinning PokéStops, Gift opening, and Shiny chance for Pidgey, along with an optional paid Timed Research set, showcases (certainly), and increased "legacy Lucky" limits for traded Pokémon from 2019 and earlier. Some obvious efforts might have been necessitated for the particulars of this event, though the end results should obviously have not been "scattered" but "gathered" instead.

The last agenda of the month is the buildup to this year's edition of Pokémon Go Tour, with an event called Road to Unova, befitting the featured region. It started on February 24 and will go until March 1, the first day of the Global edition. The elements that will become key to this year's festivities are also introduced, though some of them are better saved for when the coverage of the big event is made. For now, Trainers can also purchase one or both of the paid supplemental Timed Research sets with bonuses for raiding or hatching (or both), and like the Wild Area buildup from last year, enjoy daily raids and Raid Hours for Legendary Pokémon from the region (some also in a Timed Research set) with new special backgrounds. The region's starters and their next stage evolutions also appear in the wild, with the former also in raids, while 2 km Eggs feature a mini assortment, most also in Field Research. To help things out, remote raid limits are raised and Egg hatch distance is halved. All these are supplemented with new avatar items, stickers, Pokédex appearance, and encounter points, making it obvious that the major event is major indeed.

Now that the events of the month have been detailed, it's obvious what the month provides and is geared to, for Trainers still dealing with things in the game. Also, it seems obvious (or not) that there might be more than a few things going on, unlike the general shape of the month itself. Whatever the case, the obvious thing is for Trainers to go or have gone through them, and to have gotten at least a little something out of them.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Tour: Sinnoh (feat. Hisui)

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 2/25/2023

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 2/25/2022

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 2/25/2021

Five years ago: Trade Evolutions in Pokémon Go

Six years ago: Meeting of the Minds

Seven years ago: Cosplay: Japan LovEvolution Vol. 3 - Haruka ni Yoi - Full Japan Day 2018

Eight years ago: Dealing with Cosplay Offerings

The Next (Next) Successor: Nintendo Switch 2

Way back in the first year of this blog, I mentioned how the Nintendo Switch became the "successor" console for Pokémon main series games of future generations, a future which is now past (or technically still the present) with the entry of the eighth and ninth generation games on the console. Recently, Nintendo has made the next move and introduced what could be termed as the next "successor" to the "successor"... or just a renewal of the "successor" status. Aptly, as stated in the title of this post, it's called the Nintendo Switch 2.

As demonstrated by its "teaser trailer", the entry model of the console will be slightly larger, feature a revised controller design that snaps rather than slides into place, and have other design improvements. What is most important, however, is that the console will play games for the original Nintendo Switch, with a few exceptions - most likely due to the new controller design affecting the gameplay of the unplayable ones. This key part also has a few implications for its "successor" status, not to mention upcoming Pokémon games.

So, to some extent, the Nintendo Switch 2 is not quite a "successor", more like an advanced version of it vis-a-vis the Nintendo 3DS toward the DSi (itself also not quite a "successor") and the original DS. Still, it will have its exclusive games that can only be played on the new console, again much like these prior consoles, and the status stands. The main series Pokémon games likewise had games on the prior consoles and will surely have new games on the new console while old games can still be played on it.

The question then becomes how (and when) new main series Pokémon games on the new console would leverage the exclusive capabilities and features of that console for its further entries - as in the tenth generation and possibly eleventh if it makes it that far, just like for earlier consoles. Those capabilities and features are what the games have always depended on and admittedly done well even in the present, so it remains to be seen how that would proceed and thus be realized in the games to come.

Understandably, any new console is always a big undertaking for the parties involved, be it the console maker (in this case Nintendo) and game maker (in this case Game Freak for the Pokémon main series games). The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is a big thing in its own regard, and while its "successor" status may or may not be quite affirmed at this point, at least upgrading the status of itself as a "successor" is still something viable, particularly for the future of Pokémon and other popular game series in this area.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 2/24/2024

Two years ago: The Hoenn Cup of GBL

Three years ago: The Johto Cup of GBL

Four years ago: Learning from Each Other, for Life

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 2/22/2020

Six years ago: Don't Forget Our Roots

Seven years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 2/24/2018

Eight years ago: Memories of Johto