Cosplay: Uchiwa no Michi + DakFest Photo Shoot

Me: Well, since there was a seasonal transition on Saturday and Sunday, those had to come first - so we're talking about this (these) not on the day.

Ash: I get that.

Goh: Totally makes sense.

Pikachu: Pi! ["OK!"]

Me: So, on Saturday, there was a mini festival, which was...

Ash: ...at the "Community Base" mall!

Goh: Oh, interesting. So, not something full by them.

Ash: Yeah, it started in the late afternoon.

Goh: I'm guessing there wasn't much in the way of entertainment.

Ash: No, just one band and four dance groups.

Goh: That's nice. But then there must have been a character parade if our friend sent you.

Ash: Oh sure! But I wasn't in it.

Goh: Um... Our friend?

Me: Well, did you see the parade?

Ash: All of it. I got a nice view.

Pikachu: Pika chu pika. ["We saw them all."]

Me: And I'm sure you could tell who was going to win and who wasn't.

Ash: Yeah - I got almost all of them. And we all know each other.

Goh: I see. So, it wasn't going to happen for Ash.

Me: That's pretty much the case. And I'd rather not surrender even a little bit of cash for that at the moment.

Goh: I know you wouldn't. But the rest was really a festival, right?

Ash: It was. A few food and goodies stands - but I didn't go through them too much.

Goh: I guess this festival was still a success for at least some people.

Me: That's important, even if not for us. Although... the meaning of its title ("inner circle") might be somewhat ominous.

Goh: Tell us about it. What about Sunday, yesterday?

Me: Oh, that's different. No festival or convention - just an afternoon photo shoot.

Ash: But I got to it really late. I battled G-Max Rillaboom first with your friends.

Goh: Wow!! Fully evolved Grookey!

Pikachu: Pi, pika chu? ["Nice, isn't it?"]

Me: I knew you'd like that.

Ash: But yeah, it took half of the afternoon. So I was late to the photo shoot.

Goh: Were our friend's friends there?

Ash: A few, even ones from the other day. But almost all the characters wore some kind of armor...

Me: Oh, I forgot to mention. The photo shoot was actually somewhat focused on that, so I didn't want to commit Ash for that right away.

Goh: And then there was the G-Max battle, so I get you.

Ash: So I didn't get photos taken. But meeting your friends again is enough.

Me: Sure. That's an important point even without photos. All the same...

Ash: Some of the people said there could be something like this in the future.

Goh: Will you get Ash in if that happens?

Me: As long as it's possible, definitely.

Ash: Great!

Pikachu: Pika! ["Great!"]

Me: Anyhow, last weekend was entertaining in some sense for both Pokémon and characters.

Goh: I could see it being improved for next time.

Me: Of course. And not necessarily packing everything in.

Ash: That would make for a really great time!

Me: With the seasons changing, there's always the possibility of good changes too.

One year ago: Never Too Late for Pokémon

Two years ago: Lost (Last) and Innocent in Silph Arena

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2022: A Marathon Incoming

Four years ago: Display Case Ideas for Pokémon Fans

Five years ago: Pokémon and Sign Language

Six years ago: A Daily Pokémon Routine

Seven years ago: Missing Ranger

Eight years ago: 3DS Pokémon Badges

The Season of Delightful Days

The operative words - as previewed in the end-of-season post - for the next Pokémon Go season are certainly "delightful" and "days", which taken together suggests a pleasurable time; the next three months are set in the Northern Hemisphere summer, after all. The season of "Delightful Days", as it is titled, looks to promise "fun in the sun" for all Trainers, even if some background processes may still be rumbling about. Still, the season is at hand (or rather, coming up), so it's time to discuss it.

For this season, the opening act is of course Pokémon Go Fest, which has been previewed a few days ago and in fact has gotten going, bringing in a bit of the season early just before it starts. The season will properly start on Tuesday and bring in the rest of the Go Fest dealings and their associated wonders, as well as the usual cavalcade of other wonders brought in by the regular events a season typically brings. And they'll be a delight, even if Trainers might already know (of) them beforehand.

Beyond the realm of Pokémon Go, there have been only inklings of what's in store in the future, even over the course of the three-month period that is this season, so they'll have to be dealt with once the inklings fully manifest into what they represent. Also, the "delightful days" may very well not necessarily be in this season, but surely they will be had when their time is to be had - a delightful moment indeed.

Regarding other particulars, the seasonal image has hints of orange and yellow with blue, reflecting the fact of the summertime setting as above. This further ties into something also important not only for Pokémon Go but also Pokémon in general, which will be due in a couple months, again with the above footnote. That one will be truly a "fun in the sun" indeed, or at least something to be hoped for.

Many days are surely delightful, both in and out of the three-month period that will be this Pokémon Go season, but it is a sure thing that Pokémon itself will be a general factor to realizing this. On that note, as the new season is about to begin, may all of that be ever delightful as the fun days in the sun.

One year ago: The Season of Shared Skies

Two years ago: The Season of Hidden Gems

Three years ago: The Season of Go

Four years ago: The Season of Discovery

Five years ago: Taiko Adventures with Pokémon Songs

Six years ago: Techno-Poké-Captain

Seven years ago: Everyone's RPG vs. Hardcore RPG

Eight years ago: (Self) References

The Peak of Might & Mastery

OK, so the end of the Pokémon Go season is here - well, almost here, since its actual end will be in a few days since its start was also a bit delayed, much like for the previous season. But since all other season-end posts are on this day (see below), it makes sense to continue the tradition. In any case, there will still be a small blurb about it. Anyway, as noted initially, this season's title consists of two elements while it may give the allusion of a third for some. After all that's happened over its course for Pokémon Go and Pokémon in general, I thought I'd go over those elements and see how they apply. 

The first one is of course "might". With the nearly weekly cadence of events, Pokémon Go has proven its might for keeping Trainers busy... but then TCGP also did the same in almost a monthly manner for new expansions that come at a surprising rate. The contents of both are (were) also surprisingly "mighty" in terms of the Pokémon that are involved. And then, it seems that the feeling is mutual for the physical TCG, with old concepts coming to a head in new, unique ways that exemplify "mighty" in a sense.

After that comes "mastery". For a lot of other Pokémon things at present, it might appear that this is the best descriptor, less so than "might". Café Remix has seemingly gone down this path with recent content, focusing on honing one's puzzle skills without putting in Pokémon of great power, at least to an extent. Then there's the continued dealings of things like Unite and VGC, which by now could be construed to be less an issue of "might" and a full-on issue of "mastery" - though this might depend on other views.

Meanwhile, that third element is "magic", the one I said would be out of place (here) and yet in place, at least given the first of the two. It might seem to be a kind of "magic" to pull the other two elements for discussing them outside of Pokémon Go as warranted, but going back to Pokémon Go, it also has been "magic" to put together the two elements above as has been seen through the events and content over the past few months.

It seems to be a delight (if not a lot of effort) to put the first two elements together as seen in Pokémon Go, but it may also be considered delightful to try to bring that back out to other areas of Pokémon, becoming a lead-in to the third element as alluded and mentioned above. With that having happened, one can and ought to be able to reap all the results of the delightful efforts and carry them into (hopefully, great and bright) days ahead.

One year ago: The Peak of World of Wonders

Two years ago: The Peak of Rising Heroes

Three years ago: The Peak of Alola

Four years ago: The Peak of Legends

Five years ago: Tournament: Raid Group Forest Cup

Six years ago: A New Pokémon "Wave"

Seven years ago: Off We Go... to Alola!

Eight years ago: I Need More Rumble World Players

Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 5/30/2025

It's the last month of a Pokémon Go season that has had a lot going on, and that was no different for this month. Accordingly, those goings-on in the form of the regular events are to be rolled up in a post (this one), and - for the last time this season - unpacked and repacked for the purpose of presenting them. And for this final month, there seems to be an element of "maturity" imbued in all of the events. 

First up, there was a little Growing Up to do from May 2 to 7. This event featured all kinds of young Pokémon, most of which evolve into grown-up versions of themselves; they appeared in the wild and Eggs. A Collection Challenge dealt with the latter, while bonuses were focused on double evolution XP, double hatching Candy, and greater chances of XXS and XXL sizes as well as Shiny forms for certain Pokémon, plus a few others for those in Japan and Korea on May 4 and 5. Field Research tasks with encounters, an extra paid Timed Research set, and showcases completed the package for a period of "maturity" development.

"Maturity" also came and took place with sights to see through the Crown Clash event from May 10 to 18. They were composed of the debut of Kingambit (evolved from Bisharp) and crowned Nidoqueen and Nidoking. True to the event, it also featured Pokémon with evolved forms that are literal and figurative "kings" and "queens", appearing in the wild and raids; these also became the bulk of a Collection Challenge for the event. Bonuses took the form of double evolution XP, greater Shiny chances for certain Pokémon, and King's Rock drops from Slowpoke. Field Research tasks with encounters and showcases were also a part of the clashes, as well as a weekend with Dynamax Suicune on May 10 and 11. It also seems that the first four days of this event would be a prelude to the real clash... 

...because the remaining days of the event (May 14 to 18) were Taken Over by none other than Team Go Rocket. They brought in new Shadow Pokémon, two of which are the fossils from the sixth generation, and another being Shadow Dialga through clashing with Giovanni in the usual hunting mannerism with a Special Research set. Shadow raids and Strange Eggs (12 km) also rotated out a few Pokémon, and the usual set of bonuses - more appearances and TM out Frustration as well as varied Shadow Pokémon - intensified the clash. This was further the case with a Raid Day for Shadow Regigigas, the complementary weekend event, on May 17. As Field Research tasks rewarded items, a paid Timed Research rewarded extra items and encounters, and showcases presented even more "clashes" - if there weren't already a lot of them over the course of the event.

Once things have "matured", it was time for the Final Strike from May 21 to 27. For this, the Kubfu obtained at the start of the season can now evolve to Urshifu of either style. Pokémon that are real battlers, further when evolved, became the highlight in the wild and raids. Field Research tasks rewarded encounters, while two Timed Research sets - one free and one paid - rewarded bonus items and encounters galore, and the season's Special Research presented its end. Double XP from raids, greater Shiny chances for certain Pokémon, and an extra free raid pass (after completing the free Timed Research) set were the bonuses; other niceties were special moves for specific Pokémon, new poses, a Global Challenge for free Community Day Special Research, a return of the paid second Kubfu, the usual bevy of showcases, and a Battle Day for Gigantamax Machamp on May 25. This event also doubled as this season's Go Battle Week with the usual increased number of battles each day and a Timed Research set for it. In all, it was a pretty dense finale for the lead-up to the season's end.

After all the happenings of this intensely packed season, at least some things may have "matured" over the course of it, and the above events may serve as some of the indicators of that state. Perhaps like the Kubfu (family) introduced with this season, there may be some of that to be had with the season's transition that will occur soon enough.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 5/30/2024

Two years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 22

Three years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 16

Four years ago: Quickies: Ice, Pokémon, and Chilling Out

Five years ago: Team Rocket, Minus Motto

Six years ago: Woodblock Art with a Pokémon Twist

Seven years ago: Old Adventure, New Sensibilities

Eight years ago: Ad Astra per Aspera... and the Third Games

The State of Nominations, Part 34

This is a killer week(end) for things related to Pokémon Go, but all the things that I've covered or about to cover need to be done as such. That includes the discussion on the status of my PokéStop nominations, which as usual in recent times is made every two months. Admittedly, this discussion is becoming slower and slower with time, but the bimonthly pacing may just be slow enough to complement the pace of the nomination progress.

With that, also as usual, the numbers are at hand. As of today, I have 172 Accepted nominations, which is four more than last time. The nominations that were Not Accepted remain the same at 66, partially helped with some of their conversion by Appeals. Since I have a limited number of these, it'll be slow going to convert more of them, and then there are ones that cannot because of them no longer being apt to become PokéStop in some way. 

Meanwhile, I've managed to check one of my unchecked but Accepted nominations, bringing it down to just 3 remaining. The absent and non-PokéStop nominations are still as they are with 6 and 7, another slow change. Furthermore, I've also just loaded on 6 more nominations In Queue, which might also be slow in waiting for them to be reviewed and decided as worthy to become PokéStops. At least, the process keeps on going despite being slow.

At this point, it's also helpful to bring up the success rate for my nominations. Overall, considering the Accepted ones and some leeway for the Duplicate ones, I have a success rate of 68 to 70 percent. This is somewhat better than it was in the past, and while it may never reach beyond 80 percent due to the same constraints as above, it's still pretty good for what it is, and even minor improvements are welcome and sufficient.

Even with the way Pokémon Go keeps its Trainers busy - especially over the course of the past season, which is due to end soon, as well as the tail end of this week, becoming the "killer" part of it - some things still need to be explained, like my usual PokéStop nomination status. There might not be a place for "slow" with all the goings-on, although those PokéStop nominations might differ in that somehow.

One year ago: The State of Nominations, Part 28

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 5/29/2023

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 5/29/2022

Four years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 10

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 5/29/2020

Six years ago: Lure Modules Evolve

Seven years ago: The "Attractors"

Eight years ago: A Hero Looks to the Sky

Pokémon Go Fest 2025: Royal Mechanisms

Every year as usual, there is the defining series of events for Pokémon Go that is called none other than Pokémon Go Fest, and in most years, I attempt to round them up somehow. This roundup is nicely (or not so nicely) timed as the events straddle the goings-on of the seasons - the current one that is ending soon and the next one that is about to start - and it seems to demand to be done at this specific point. It is also important to glean into the apparent themes of the festivities and draw insights from them.

First up, there's the matter of locations. This year's festivities will take place in Osaka (Asia, May 29 to June 1 - that's this weekend), Jersey City (Americas, June 6 to 8), and Paris (Europe, June 13 to 15) - some royal, noble, and regal settings for them. All of that occurs as the new season gets rolling and in consecutive weeks as well. They'll have the usual workings (mechanisms) of gameplay, merchandise, and congregations, though they might have other niceties for anyone who wants to go the extra mile while they're there.

Not to mention, there will also be the Global edition on June 28 and 29 - two weeks after the aforementioned world tour, for those who can't make it to any of the stops in the above locations. As usual, a lot of it will be similar to the regional editions and act as a kind of proxy to them, and as with last year, the Global edition becomes a finale of sorts for festivities that seem to come hard early on and establish a royal presence.

Then there is the content, which might have something to do with the suggested theme as given in the title of the post above. The Pokémon that are to appear in these editions are suggested to be knightly, luxurious, and fantastic, perhaps also potentially powerful. And if they're knights, then their implements might be involved, being the key (or at least one such) to their power, for which this event will help to manifest.

It's always a royal time in Pokémon Go when the annual Pokémon Go Fest series of events comes around. For the case of this year, that royal quality seems to be about to be evident in not only the usual content being furnished but also the places and mechanisms that are involved. That might just be very good for all those with knightly spirit.

One year ago: "Pokémon in Concert"?

Two years ago: Master Ball, Now in Pokémon Go

Three years ago: Chasing Competitive Dreams

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 5/28/2021

Five years ago: Pro Job, Fun Job

Six years ago: Memories of Sinnoh

Seven years ago: Helix Fossil Understands

Eight years ago: Takara Tomy Pokémon XY Pikachu Plush Doll

Sweeping Changes to Pokémon Go Battles

Recently, a few changes have been implemented to some of the battles in Pokémon Go, specifically with respect to some of the aspects that concern them. These changes are usually made incrementally and not within a short time of each other, but in the recent case, they're closely related in both relevance and time, making them more than what they seem. As such, I've dubbed them as "sweeping" changes for what they are, and they accordingly deserve a bit of a writeup and discussion as well.

The first set of changes concern remote raids, applying onwards. As of two weeks ago (May 13), the daily limit for remote raids have been raised - doubled, in fact - to 10 from 5, the initially imposed "normal" limit; certain events can still have further raised limits. Shadow raids, which had initially been unable to be raided remotely, can now also be raided as such, with the change having been tried out last January during the Shadow Ho-Oh Raid Day. Both of these changes mean a lot for what they are and thusly "sweeping".

Changes also occurred in the realm of Max Battles, the second set, and likewise applying onwards. As of a week ago (May 19), Trainers can also partake in these battles remotely as with raids, both directly and by invitation; doing so requires the use of a Remote Raid Pass along with sufficient Max Particles. More of the latter can also be stored (up to 1500 with surplus), while those that don't partake remotely will receive more XP and Premier Balls as bonuses. In a way, the remote concept has "swept" through these battles as well.

With these changes, it can be seen that flexibility has been added through newly implemented or relaxed remote battle mechanisms. In particular, it's been about a year since shadow raids were introduced (see below), and being able to battle in them remotely is a big enabler. The one thing that is still a stumbling block is the procurement of Remote Raid Passes, the crucial item for these efforts, which are still rather expensive except under certain circumstances. A total "sweep" of changes may need to consider these items too.

"Sweeping" changes like these don't occur very often in Pokémon Go - and given the recent situation, may not indicate that the developers have "turned over a new leaf" - but they are still welcome to certain extents, especially for those who are distanced or distant from other Trainers who play. In that sense, the changes are still significant, particularly given the scope and the timeframe in which they are made, and Trainers can make use of them to "sweep" through battles just like the changes.

One year ago: The Dragon Carnival in Pokémon Unite

Two years ago: Introducing Shadow Raids

Three years ago: Living in the "City on the Trees"

Four years ago: Electrify Your Power

Five years ago: Coffee in My Coffers?

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 5/27/2019

Seven years ago: Long Raid's Journey Into Night

Eight years ago: A Test of My Resolve: I Still...