Elite Four: "Courses" vs. "Selections"

While on the subject of new fifth-generation paradigms, there is another notable one, and it concerns the penultimate portion of the game, which is none other than the Elite Four. Ever since the first games, the Elite Four has served as a test of skills prior to the exit from the main storyline, pitting Trainers against the hardest Trainers in the region. For the first four generations, these Trainers were sequentially arranged in a certain order, forcing all Trainers to battle them in that order like a "course". In the fifth generation, this was changed; the Elite Four could be battled in any order, removing the "course" aspect and making it selective. This might seem like a trivial change, but it still has some implications.

With a course, the order is set; however the Trainers are arranged, they must be battled in precisely the order given. This might pose a problem for teams of certain compositions, and as a result for those teams, a strategy needs to be precisely structured so that the Elite Four members can be defeated most efficiently while still coming away relatively unscathed after battling with each in order. Like it or not, there's only one path for how things must be done, and any adjustments must be done along that path. It is a real challenge in that way.

The change to a selective approach means that the members of the Elite Four could be selected and battled at will in whatever order is desired. In fact, since there are four members, this means one of 24 possible orders. This also means that strategies can be more loosely adapted for efficiency, though in the end everyone needs to be battled anyhow, necessitating particular strategies depending on team compositions. With so many orders and possibilities, the challenge could be mitigated or increased in different ways.

Neither approach is completely right or wrong, nor is either approach completely easy or hard. They're just "the way things are done", which may be the reason the former approach persisted in the third generation remakes. What is clear is that the Elite Four remains a challenge to go through regardless of the approach. A Trainer needs to know how to deal with the challenge of the Elite Four and then actually realize it so that they can say they have been fully tested for Pokémon battles - a paradigm that hasn't changed.

Unified Centers and Marts

When the main series of Pokémon games turned over to the fifth generation, a number of new paradigms took effect. One of them was the unification of Pokémon Centers and PokéMarts. What were once two separate establishments in former generations were now united under one roof. Any kind of change, though, has implications for two sides, and these deserve to be explored and thought upon.

On one hand, the Pokémon Center is now truly a "center" with the merging of PokéMarts into it. Trainers can do most of their business in one place, and one that is recognizable, to boot; no more wandering is needed from one place to the other, as it is likely that both places are and were far apart. This change totally makes sense from the convenience aspect in that respect, and I totally welcome this approach. It also simplifies the overworld, as there no longer needs to be a second essential place to be put up. It's a good and positive change to be sure for these considerations.

On the other hand, with the merging of these two places, there is now one place less to get specific advice, in particular on items, which the characters at the PokéMart often give. I enjoy their banter though I don't often need it, yet others may do. This change was also not carried over to the remakes of Ruby and Sapphire, which were created after this change and had many sweeping changes of their own; this one wasn't included despite that some areas were nearly completely changed. And yet the benefits had clearly been seen in three pairs of games before it. The former is a nostalgic thing while the second one is a little puzzling.

Whatever happens, this change is here to stay - Sun and Moon as the first members of the seventh generation games have this implemented, and their Ultra counterparts will almost assuredly have this change. The fact that this change has persisted must mean that it indeed does work even if it sacrifices a few things and is sacrificed in the remakes. Still, no shifts in paradigm are without two sides, and they are useful to consider for the present implementation as well as the future.

To Teach and To Delight

In my duties today, I was reminded of a particular observation. It has been said that the prime objective of someone who writes can be encapsulated in a Latin expression: "docere et delectare", which means "to teach and to delight", the exact title of this post. I write a blog about Pokémon things, so I'm not excepted. Whatever I write should be able to do either on their own or both collectively, fulfilling the objective in some way. As it turns out, this objective can be considered to go beyond writing and even to the thing that I write about, Pokémon. It's an elegant way to think about the objective, as much as the objective itself is elegant.

In a way, I am indeed teaching with some of the posts on this blog. Posts like the details on Enhancements and Competitive Stages in Pokémon Shuffle are designed to inform how things are, yet they are also indirectly "educative" to players who wish to take advantage of them. Content like these are akin to something on an online game guide or a strategy guide; I don't have enough patience to write up a complete guide of my own, but at least I can write up about specific elements of the game and how I deal with them. But then again, who knows. It has also been said that little bits add up to a lot, and if I start to write up a lot of these little bits, I might as well eventually gather them up as a guide, especially if there is a demand for it. Thus interred, that process of guiding is very much like teaching.

At the same time, I am indeed having fun, and this fulfills the function of delighting. I enjoy playing, watching, and doing things with Pokémon, but I especially enjoy being able to share that experience. That is why I discuss things like game progress, episode content, odd things I find, and even what I imagine so that others may do the same. No person can stand to enjoy everything - and even I can't - but by the same token, I try to present something that others may not be able to enjoy so that my and others' fun experiences complement each other. By accomplishing this, it becomes the essence of my efforts to delight with Pokémon by way of writing.

Meanwhile, in the world of Pokémon, no people quite like Trainers do the job of teaching and delighting better. Some Trainers are full-fledged teachers, and even if they aren't, they can still teach others how to battle better by their experience. And of course, every battle is a delight in and of itself, no matter who comes out on top in the end; there's something about exchanging moves and techniques that is enigmatically fun to do and experience. They may or may not write about their experiences, but what they do in battle can and does invoke the same objective.

Teaching and delighting are noble objectives, especially when accomplished through the power of written words. That being so, this blog serves to do the same, with the incorporation of Pokémon, which itself can be considered to facilitate the objective. To like something and to show that I like that something through writing is pleasing, but it is even more pleasing to know I can accomplish something as noble as these objectives. Pokémon is what I like, so I'm pleased if I could teach a few things and delight with others about it. I hope that you may find those qualities within my posts.

Pokémon Stuff at a Neighborhood Store

It's amazing how Pokémon stuff can be found in many places, if you know where to look. I found some at a local store in my neighborhood that furnishes household goods at a relatively cheap price, which could explain its popularity. Anyhow, I stopped by a couple of days ago to shop while escaping the rain, and I found a few goodies that I immediately snapped up while shopping for other things. They were among the cheapest goodies that I could get since I didn't feel like splurging.

On the top are a couple of Pokémon coloring books. I love art to some degree and even have the art game app for Pokémon on the 3DS, so to me, these books are good precursors to great art, even if some of it has already been provided (as outlines). However, seeing as these coloring books are effectively my only copy, so if I want to do anything special with them - that is, make art - while preserving them for later, other uses, I have to copy them to apply physical artistry or scan them to apply computer creativity. Either way, I'm prepared to do what it takes to realize some interesting works.

On the bottom is wrapping paper, but not just any wrapping paper. I've covered wrapping paper before on this blog, but I'm always looking for interesting finds, and this is one of those. Because of the images present on it, I've come to dub it as the "Mega Evolution" wrapping paper, which is neat, because that means this wrapping paper has a great theme. The other thing is that it's not a wrapping paper so much as it is a wrapping bag - that's right, bag; the paper is already cut and formed into a bag that can then be immediately filled with a gift and enclosed. That's why there is a jagged edge on the right - that is where the top is. It's a smart and convenient solution that I've yet to see anywhere else.

These are all great stuff, and what's more, they're officially licensed merchandise, so in a way they have been "blessed" to appear as they are. And it shows; everything is beautifully designed and they look neat, making me proud to have them. All this, and I found them in a place that's not too far from home. I wonder what other Pokémon stuff I can find in places that are not far removed from where I live. I can't wait to explore and find out.

Strong Opinions

People have opinions - it's a natural thing. If they like or are interested in something, then they will have opinions for that thing. I like Pokémon, and I certainly have my own opinions too, which is why I started this blog, so that I could share my opinions and possibly discuss them with other fans, those who have an interest in Pokémon. So when I saw a "recap" of how certain fans reacted to the announcement of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon and how this is similar to reactions to Black 2 and White 2, I felt that I have to give my opinions about these opinions, and now I want to take this post to do just that.

As I've noted in my post about new paradigms, made the day after the announcement about the new games, Black 2 and White 2 against Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon have parallels, more than just how the games look at first glance. They eschewed prior paradigms - "third games", generational procession, console continuance - in favor of something different though similar to the main series games before them. It seems for some fans this just does not sit well, and they still expect something of the previous paradigm. Further, they also think that the new games don't bring anything new to the table.

It is my opinion, then, that these opinions are somewhat overblown for their strength. While it is valid to expect something of a previous paradigm, such as a "third game" or remakes, it is as equally valid to have something different yet similar as well. Also, if other things in life are any indication, it is that appearances are not always suggestive of what's inside - so the new games to come might just have enough going for it to almost be considered a totally new game. In the end the games are obtained and played anyhow, and by then opinions such as what have been given are effectively quashed.

I suppose it is fine to have strong opinions, but not as strong as these that they end up being overblown. It is important to keep in mind that everyone has ones of their own, which may or may not be strong; the key is perhaps to normalize them through discussion in some way. I like Pokémon a whole lot, and while I have my own opinions, I see that they are just that: mine. A fellow fan will think differently about what I think, but that's OK. We are people after all, and we have our own opinions - let them be different, but may our interests be the same.

Enhancements in Shuffle

Pokémon Shuffle has a special class of items which are called Enhancements. They are called as such because they enhance or power up Pokémon in various ways. These started from just one kind, and today there are several kinds that aid players in raising and maximizing the abilities of their Pokémon. I do too, though I'm somewhat conservative about their use, mainly because they may be a little hard to obtain; but once obtained and used, they are quite helpful. Here then, are the Enhancements:

Mega Speedup. This was the first Enhancement present before it was called an Enhancement. It allows Pokémon that can Mega Evolve to do so sooner, if the Mega Start is not used. Use of this Enhancement may help to save Coins in doing so with an appropriate Mega strategy. The Enhancement can be used on all Pokémon that can Mega Evolve, but to different degrees - some may be able to have more than others, which may be adjusted with further updates to the game.

Raise Max Level. This Enhancement bumps up the maximum level of a Pokémon one level beyond its current maximum - "unlocks" the next level, so to speak. Prior to this Enhancement, all Pokémon in Shuffle were limited to 10 levels; now certain Pokémon may have greater levels. Like the Mega Speedup, this is different for different Pokémon, and further updates may allow this to be used on other Pokémon and/or to a greater degree.

Level Up. This is the "Rare Candy" of Pokémon Shuffle. It simply elevates the current level of a Pokémon (but not beyond the maximum, which needs the Raise Max Level for that). I find this quite wasteful if used on a Pokémon below level 5 as there are only a few hundred required experience points total among those levels, and this can easily be gotten elsewhere. But on higher levels that need thousands of points, by all means. It is still a rare Enhancement - true to its main series counterpart - so it demands to be used wisely.

Experience Boosters. These Enhancements give experience points to Pokémon that can still earn them. Three sizes (S, M, L) are available, with the larger sizes giving more points. These are helpful when a Pokémon is on the verge of heading to the next level but short by only a small amount of points; giving them these brings them up to the next level conveniently without having to go into battle.

Skill Boosters. These Enhancements "train" the skills of a Pokémon, making them more likely to occur and/or more powerful. Like Experience Boosters, three sizes (S, M, L) are available, and the larger sizes are more useful in later "training" levels; these apply to any Pokémon whose skills have not been maxed. It should be noted that some Pokémon may drop a Personal Skill Booster in applicable stages after they are caught; these are immediately awarded rather than being stored for later use, yet tend to have a lesser effect than the "universal" boosters.

Skill Swapper. This Enhancement allows changing of the skill of certain Pokémon to a different one, akin to the Ability Capsule of the main series. Only Pokémon that possess multiple skills can have the Enhancement, and only one skill is carried in memory at any time. For that reason, this is not an Enhancement that I use often, preferring the use of different Pokémon.

All of these Enhancements certainly have high utility, especially when used appropriately and wisely. To that end, I try not to be too liberal with them and only use them where and when they are absolutely needed. Whatever the case, these items are truly handy and helpful for Shuffle players to get an edge in certain stages by helping their Pokémon help them, powered up to a better degree.

Pikachu with Regional Caps

Throughout the past few months or so, a number of Pikachu have circulated with an interesting feature: they wear Ash's distinctive cap from the regions he has been to, including Alola. Pikachu with different appearances are nothing new; in the previous generation there were the Cosplay Pikachu that wore different outfits. However, this Pikachu is not only different, but also widespread. It becomes a more unique Pikachu in that regard.

There are six Pikachu in all; official terminology states that they have the Original Cap (for Kanto and Johto), Hoenn Cap, Sinnoh Cap, Unova Cap, Kalos Cap, and Alola Cap. Their appearance is not too different from Pikachu in general, except for the caps that they wear, which are exactly the same as those which Ash wore in the different regions. This is different from the Cosplay Pikachu in that they are not completely dressed, but are only outfitted with a single accessory. They do, however, share a commonality in that they cannot evolve, which not only retains their Pikachu qualities but also makes them true to the anime.

These Pikachu are also now available with a code for those who possess the U.S. region game after being initially available for players in Japan. The catch? The code can only be used once, for a particular form. Right now, at the time of this post, it's for the Original Cap; the available form changes each week starting Tuesday. Interestingly, the evidence for their existence was discovered even before the actual Sun and Moon games were released when the demo version was checked for hidden data. Now that they're available, it's time for players to get in on the fun - of course, with their selected form. I happen to like the Hoenn Cap version since I have some attachment to this saga, so that's the one I will get.

For Shuffle players, however, all the cap forms can be gotten... or should have been gotten, since they were initially given a couple of months back and redistributed once. I was fortunate to catch the redistribution and now I have all six. For Go players, only the Original Cap is (or rather, was) available as of yet, but there might be the possibility of the others showing up as the later generations are added, but that'll be a long time from now. Those who didn't get them might see them again, though this may not be a guarantee.

All things considered, the Cap Pikachu are quite unique novelties. They may not have much purpose outside of aesthetic complements, but they do affirm one thing. The fact that they have a feature of the anime means that the anime is still properly recognized as a major part of Pokémon. As a fan of all things Pokémon and especially the anime, I quite appreciate this nod and gesture, as do and should others who enjoy the exact same things.

Pikachu and Poké Ball New 2DS XL

A friend - or rather a group of friends - have reminded me that there are two new special editions of the New 2DS available, and they're both Pokémon-themed. One of them has a Pikachu motif, much like my 3DS and one edition of the New 3DS, and the other has a Poké Ball motif. Admittedly, I appreciate these very much because I'm a Pokémon fan, but at the same time I have my own reasons for not obtaining either of them. By my observations, they are still neat handhelds of their own.

Both of these have all the frills of the New 2DS XL with the clamshell case and improvements carried from the New 3DS. The Poké Ball motif, however, is a unique one because most special Pokémon handhelds have featured Pokémon themselves rather than objects such as Poké Balls; Pikachu in this regard has been the one most often featured, no doubt as the de facto mascot of the series. I'm certainly enamored by both and would get the Pikachu one if I could choose.

Still, I'm a little apprehensive about getting either of these. As I think the 2DS is an offshoot of the 3DS, which is the primary member of the family, it plays into the 3D vs. 2D issue I discussed four months ago. I still consider the 3D function great, even on my now less-than-prime 3DS and find it hard to come to terms missing the 3D function, at least until there is a definite non-3D successor to the family. All told, the special Pokémon New 2DS XL may not be practically available just yet, and a New 2DS XL is slightly more expensive than a New 3DS XL. Owing to these considerations, a New 3DS XL is still in my consideration rather than a New 2DS XL.

It is still appreciable that Nintendo aims to please Pokémon fans, and these special editions of the New 2DS XL do just that. They're trendy, attractive, and do just what it takes to play all the games of the 3DS family. I wouldn't go out and get one right away, but they can be considered a viable alternative in the end. The allure of these new Pokémon-themed handhelds is sufficiently impressive that they ought not to be missed regardless.

Riot of Pokémon Color

Recently I just had something put in that gave a lot of color to the environment where I hang out and do my stuff, including Pokémon stuff and this blog. I'm instantly reminded of how colorful the world is, which leads me to be reminded that the Pokémon world is just as colorful. Like the real world, the Pokémon world is also made up of a collection of colors that come together and lends the world a lot of lively vigor.

Pokémon have a lot of color, as is true of many things in this world, including the animals/organisms/beings they were modeled after. They are colored vividly and lifelike - plants are greenish, furry things (like Ursaring and Furret) are brownish, and poisons show the icky qualities of purple, a lot like real-life counterparts. But of course, that's only half of the story, as Pokémon can also come in different colors, their "Shiny" colors, where even blue Zubat and Golbat can turn green. And then there are different forms for different species of Pokémon. It's an even more richly colored world of creatures in this regard.

Evidently many Pokémon show distinct color themes based on their types; there are reds of Fire-types, greens of Grass-types, blues of Water-types, and yellows of Electric-types, to mention the most common of color themes present among Pokémon. It is these color themes that become part of their type identifying labels in the games, as they apply generally and broadly to a variety of Pokémon. And why not - color is such a powerful identifier that it's only natural that the types of Pokémon have a reference point, and what better identifier than colors, things that are vividly visible in both the real and Pokémon worlds.

Considering its start as monochrome games, it's amazing how Pokémon has come. It is as if the games gradually took on greater life with color. Sure, media related to the games were in color, but quite a few of them were static and not animated or dynamic, so they could be considered less lively. Color is definitely important as it lent greater dynamic qualities to those already present in the games, making them more alive.

It becomes apparent that color is (a part of) life and increases the quality of this aspect. Color is a multitude of sights and lends things their unique appearances. Color identifies distinctly one thing from another. But most importantly, color is important for any world, including that of Pokémon. I'm happy to have more color around me, and I hope that it lends greater color to whatever I choose to undertake with Pokémon.

Pokémon and Party Games

One area that Pokémon games have not seemingly reached is party games. A few game series have had party games with the same concept - roll dice, move around, play minigames - but there doesn't seem to be any Pokémon games that implement this concept. It is a void that could stand to be filled by a well-crafted party game that could appeal to anyone who is a great Pokémon fan, especially of the games. As I also enjoy party games, this is an idea I would like to see realized.

One concession has to be made in that a Pokémon party game could already exist. That game, or rather games, would be the PokéPark series, for which its gameplay also involves a number of minigames. However, it's not a true party game, for the main mode of play is adventure-based rather than in a board game fashion. The minigames are multiplayer for the most part and can be freely accessed as the adventure unfolds, but there is no alternative manner of accessing the minigames. Thus, someone has to work the adventure portion before the minigames are open for everyone, whereas in a true party game, at least some can be accessed in some kind of a "free play" mode. A true Pokémon party game would have to take this into consideration.

Other considerations would also have to be taken into account. One of these is whether to make the game portable or stationary, either of which has been proven to work for party games. It has come to my attention that the 3DS may be reaching its deprecation, so if the game is made portable, then it would have to be on whatever will succeed the 3DS. If it is made stationary, then it will likely be on the Switch. What kinds of minigames included is another; many party games include those that test actions and reflexes as well as puzzle-solving abilities, so it would be no problem for a Pokémon party game to include these too. Also, certainly not every Pokémon can be included, so selection of representative Pokémon becomes important, perhaps to best suit the included minigames. These are all a part of what would make the game well-crafted.

To realize a Pokémon party game would be a wonderful thing. To be able to enjoy Pokémon in an alternative and more universal manner would translate to lots of fun for those involved, which is likely the point of any party game in general. The great thing about Pokémon is that it can be enjoyed by everyone, so by filling the party game void, this would help achieve that goal while taking the game series into a different territory. It would no doubt further enhance my enjoyment.

Meeting, Parting with, and Missing Friends

Within a Pokémon Trainer's journey, there are many people that pass or are passed along the way. Of those many people, a good deal will become friends with the Trainer, which is indeed a good thing. Some will be present nearby for a long time, while others will be a once-in-a-lifetime meeting. It's a wonderful image that is mirrored in many real people's lives, and that includes mine. I've met and parted with my share of Pokémon friends and fans throughout my life as well as missed a few of them, something that makes my life colorful as Pokémon itself.

Yesterday, I had the chance to come back to the different place where I met an interesting Pokémon fan the last time I was there, as I had detailed the following day afterwards. I knew I wasn't going to meet him again when I came back, so I was going to long for him then. Sure enough, I did; only one person passed by as I was doing my business at that place, and I did the exact same thing that the fellow fan did when I was there with the person. My longing did not fully dissipate, but at least I was satisfied to relive a small portion of the previous time in a different way. The situation that happened two weeks ago is similar to a situation that occurred several years ago, except then I was the guest rather than the acting host of the place; I've mentioned the memory of this in my thoughts on Mystery Dungeon post. We have yet to meet since then, and I sometimes long for this moment, especially given what happened earlier this month. I still hope that I can indeed meet both people again somehow.

I've also met Pokémon fans via events and tournaments, whether by chance or by intent. Of these, there are some I am likely to be able to encounter again, as those in a tournament that I couldn't go to this year, and others that I may or may not meet, like those I met in an event last month. I am interested to maintain relationships with as many of these people as I can through contacts, social media, and even 3DS friend codes if they allow, and I already do for a good portion. For the others, it becomes only a real longing if I'm not able to establish contact in the first place. Regardless, I am still certain that I may still be able to get in touch with them in later events while making new links, making them all worthwhile.

The ones I miss the most have to be friends from the early years that I liked Pokémon. It has been over a decade and a half since I began to like Pokémon the first time, and during those first few years, I did meet a few people that were quite into Pokémon, from one that introduced me to the games the very first time, to others that kept the interest going. That's a pretty long time, and by now even some their contacts have become hazy. I may or may not be able to get in touch with them even for Pokémon, but I may just be able to try. It would totally be a pleasure should this work.

It has been said that to meet others is something that is not coincidental, while to part with and to miss others is not interminable. I'd say based on my Pokémon experiences, that is in a way true. It seems I was intended to meet all those I've met, as well as to (re-)connect with those that I am able to do so. Such an experience would not be too strange for those that are actually in the Pokémon world and do this even more frequently: Trainers. This Pokémon Trainer is simply very happy to have been with the people that make it such an experience.

Competitive Stages in Shuffle

I've already discussed how I deal with various stages in Pokémon Shuffle, and now I want to go deeper into one of those stage types. As can be expected, the Competitive Stages pit your best score on a single stage against other players' best scores, and depending on how well you do, you can stand to earn bonus items. Of course, it's not as simple as that; these stages have their own intricacies, and anticipating them is the key to (better) success. It's something that I'm not always able to do well, but at least I try to.

First, a little history. Competitive Stages in the early days were quite rudimentary. They offered few items aside from the Mega Stone for the Pokémon featured in the stage. Most notably, Mega Stones for certain Pokémon were also provided through these stages before they became available through other means. The field was quite narrow as well, with only a few hundred or so players getting the Mega Stones, while the others would only receive minor assist items. Today, a few thousand players can get Mega Stones with additional enhancement items, and the stages are not limited to Pokémon that can Mega Evolve. Players still have to expend quite a bit of effort, however.

Like most other stages, items are available for use in the Competitive Stages. However, very often the items that can be used are a limited subset of those that can be used on special stages, depending on the Pokémon. Even so, it can be presumed that most other players will use all the available items, so the use of all items is as necessary as it is totally to one's own benefit. This means coins will have to be spent to use the items; the other alternative is to use the recently-introduced Item Bundle, which uses up a Jewel and is therefore reserved for even richer players. In short, the items are necessary, even if they don't appear to be so.

The Pokémon to be used in the stage also need to be in the best condition possible, being raised as maximally as possible, using enhancements if necessary. I sense that I'm not doing a good job in this regard as my scores always lag behind the best of other players, but this is mostly because of unfavorable circumstances. I still try to have the best Pokémon possible to deal with the stage.

Finally, it is also important to check the rankings to see what items will be gotten, and to see how other players did and what Pokémon they used. This last bit is even more important, because it shows what strategies work for any player... and everyone else. The downside of this is that once strategies are known, everyone will use it, essentially turning the competition into one to see who has the best-raised Pokémon. In the early days, only the top five players were presented, but now the rankings have the details I mentioned above.

The Competitive Stages in Shuffle are a great way to test puzzle mettle and Pokémon-raising skills at the same time. Granted, they require a great deal of preparation, but this at least pays off in item gifts to improve and prepare Pokémon for other stages. It's a necessary interactive complexity that helps to deal with other complexities in the game.

What I (Really) Like About You - Pokémon

Keep on whispering in my ear
Tell me all the things that I wanna' to hear, 'cause that's true
That's what I like about you
That's what I like about you
-- "What I Like About You", The Romantics

I cannot stress this enough, but Pokémon is many things - or are, in respect to the creatures. Every tidbit of the creatures is something that defines them, whether they are concrete such as type, ability, statistic, or moves, or abstract such as personality or behaviors. There seems to be something to like about every creature in the Pokémon world, and that brings to my mind this particular classic rock song.

A good portion of the lyrics of this song speaks to life (or at least what life is like) with these creatures, for the abstract tidbits. They are and can be close pals ("...you hold me tight/Tell me I'm the only one..."), whether big or small, in doing things together in battle or otherwise. They are everywhere ("up, down, jump around") on land, sea, and sky with all the things they can do. And that which they can do runs the gamut from fire (to "keep me warm at night") to water ("to make me feel all right"). It's a little imaginative, but it is somewhat true on a deeper level.

Of course, for a VGC player, then the concrete tidbits are what is liked. They're all little details that are desirable when they're perfectly obtained and give benefits in battle. It may be hard to do so and may need give-and-take, but when they're just right, they often are. And when a battle strategy works, that is likable too. It's all a matter of getting the details right so that they may give (surprisingly) likable results going into and out of a battle.

Whether strictly battle-based for VGC in the concrete details or more imaginative and abstract, these things are what make Pokémon what they are. It is then these things that become attractive for battle needs or to justify living with them. I find this likable no matter what, and this is totally appreciable. It is truly what I like about you.

Restarting Go Fever Among Players

Today, I met a friend for a regular play session of a game we often play, though it's not Pokémon. In his defense, though, he's also a Pokémon fan just like me, and has played many of the games, including Go when it became a big hit about this time last year. In fact, he was quite fervent about it to the point that he bought a new phone just to play the game, and he became quite a local resource for the game, while I remained less able to play. This brings me to discuss what it would take to restart or bring back the Go fever locally or even to a greater extent, especially since I've started playing yet again.

From my observations, it seems that the Gyms in my area keep changing from one team to another and among different Pokémon. This tells me that there may still be a group of active players that still play Pokémon Go in my area, and they still at the least occasionally play the game. The issue now is to how to gather them and in what form the gathering should be. When Go was big locally, it spawned a collective for each team, although once Go died down, these collectives were no longer heard of. It may be useful to gather up all these collectives as one group for the local area and just have sub-divisions for each team, but it is uncertain how the players would respond. The fact remains that players may still exist and that some communication may be necessary even among players of different teams.

Even then, there may be technical challenges. While my friend still has a phone capable of playing Go, his is also somewhat damaged. Some time ago, he badly shattered the glass screen of his phone by letting it drop while he was using it in a restroom. We found today as he reinstalled Go on his phone that the phone could still run Go, but for delicate movements such as tossing the ball with style, it was rather finicky. Meanwhile, I've talked to and observed a few fellows who could not play Go even when many phones nowadays can, and they said their phones have somewhat become less capable of running Go, perhaps due to size or memory usage. The challenge may be in driving them to move past these challenges so that they can play again.

It seems a great effort may be necessary to bring back the fever in a game that has flatlined ever since its peak of popularity. To that effect, it may be necessary to get some coordination and motivation back among players. If it can be done locally, then it may be possible on a wider scale as well. I'm sure that my friend is motivated by and feels a little bad about the fact that I'm only starting to replay the game now without any pals; coordination is the next problem that we have to solve if we want greater success in the game.

Pokémon Suits in Cosplay?

All of my cosplay costumes (and in particular, my Pokémon costumes) so far have been of human characters: that of Ash and Red. However, Pokémon is more than just human characters, for the word "Pokémon" itself refers to the creatures that make up a good portion of this world. And like the human counterparts of this world, these characters can be cosplayed as well. One way this could be realized is using a suit of some kind that when worn or put on resembles the common appearance of the Pokémon. It's an intriguing project to realize, and now I may have the rationale.

Two nights ago, I had a Pokémon dream again, but this time the dream was more realistic in nature as it was about cosplay. In the dream, I was to cosplay in an Alakazam suit... or at least the upper portion of it, as in the dream it appeared that the suit came in two parts, the upper part of which appeared to be my responsibility. It seemed that I and my partner, who had the lower portion of the suit, missed each other somehow while looking for each other. The dream ended and I woke up before the two of us could see each other and put together our two parts. It would have been nice to follow the dream further as it unfolded, and it was this that spurred the creation of this post.

The suit in the dream was an armor suit, which among my fellows is typically made with foam. Considering the dream, though, perhaps two parts for two people are a bit much, and this may be doable by even myself. In the event from last Sunday that I went to, I saw two cosplayers with two oversize armor suits that each person wore by themselves. The Alakazam suit could be created in this fashion, though this would be an undertaking I'm wholly and completely unprepared for. On the other hand, I could try to create a fabric suit, mimicking the approach that a cosplayer friend from a couple of years ago utilized, and which I directly witnessed. The effect might not be as awesome, but it may just be more doable. I would need to consider my options more thoroughly in regard to the Pokémon to be cosplayed.

The dream I had two nights ago is a bit foretelling: perhaps it's high time that I cosplayed a Pokémon instead of just the human characters. After all, they are the namesake of this series and franchise, so they are also well worth to cosplay as. A suit of armor - as in my dream - or fabric is a good way to realize this. Yet as much as I want to pursue the Alakazam cosplay I saw in my dream, perhaps it's also worthwhile to pursue other Pokémon to be cosplayed. And in relation to my cosplay tendencies, I may just have the answer.

Am I Writing-Challenged?

I've explained in the very first post of this blog that the key purpose of this blog is to peruse my language abilities (specifically writing), combine them with Pokémon, and present my thoughts and experiences as they happen. Lately, however, I've had to question whether I'm actually able in this territory as I say I am. While my attraction to Pokémon is incessant and unquestioned no matter what happens, my language abilities are another thing altogether. Thus I am interested in seeking the answer to the question I pose as the title of this post.

I've written a lot of things in my life - and I mean a lot. Granted, quite a few of them never see the eyes of the wider public, but a good number have at least gone past several pairs of eyes, and that is exactly the case right now with the posts on this blog. In essence, much of my life has been defined by what I have written, and now I'm trying to "turn the tide", so to speak, and write about something that clearly has defined my life: Pokémon. I have had many experiences with and around it, with many more to come, so I thought that it would be best to share them with others. This led to the creation of this blog as you see now.

Apart from this blog, I've never really wrote much in actuality about Pokémon, with one exception. That exception is fanfiction, an area that demands some creativity in addition to good story writing. I've made some of my works float around in the past, but really, this deserves discussion at some other time, alias in another post. Aside from this, I've never really publicized my actual feelings, perceptions, and experiences regarding and with Pokémon, and this becomes the greater aim of this blog and the posts contained within.

Recall that I have disclosed that I'm not a perfect person, when it comes to my Pokémon experiences or anything else. So writing would surely be included in that regard; in fact, in the past I have been sentenced (please, pardon the pun) that I have not written well, and I'm less sure of the case today. I probably have made mistakes somewhere along the way in writing up the posts of this blog, and I would certainly be ashamed to find ones in later times. But mistakes can also be corrected, so should I make them, I do wish to amend or atone for them in some way - perhaps not fully, but at least so that the impact is reduced.

As for the answer to the title question, it seems the answer could go either way. By experience, I should be able to put down my experiences of Pokémon in posts such as this one, but it may seem sometimes this doesn't work for some odd reason, and again, I apologize should this happen. No matter the quality of writing, though, I know that I've had varied experiences with Pokémon and I certainly have my own views, and it is my hope that at least through this blog that they may be shared from me to you.

Three's Demise

A popular saying states that "two's company, three's a crowd". The saying could also be said to be true of Triple Battles and Rotation Battles in the main series of Pokémon games, both of which feature three Pokémon from each side, and are vastly different from the Double Battles of VGC. After two generations of being present in various games, the two battle forms disappeared in the games of the next generation. In one sense, this could be understandable, but in another, it could be construed as a bit of a shame.

Both of these three-Pokémon-a-side battle forms were introduced in the fifth generation and promoted at certain points in the games. The Triple Battle is simply an extension of the Double Battle with one more Pokémon on each side, and thus much of the same stipulations as Double Battles apply, with additional consequences for certain situations. The Rotation Battle is much like a Single Battle with the additional ability of quickly changing to another Pokémon while at the same time attacking, introducing an element of uncertainty. Both of these battle forms were promoted in various parts of the games of the fifth and sixth generations, and then became unavailable in the seventh generation.

One thing that may have contributed in the deprecation of these battle forms is the lag experienced in seventh-generation games. It is known that even with Double Battles in the seventh-generation games, there is a noticeable lag; were Triple and Rotation Battles implemented, the lag would probably be even more noticeable, perhaps to the point of unplayability - and thus the two forms had to be sacrificed. Meanwhile, complexity may have also played a role in affecting player's perceptions of the battle forms. Since the Triple Battle is basically a Double Battle plus two more Pokémon, it becomes like a double-sided Double Battle with all its implications. Further, the rotation aspect to Rotation Battles may not have been enough to resolve players' quibbles with the Single Battle form, as they are similar. The weight of complexity (or lack thereof) combined with system limits then led to the casting out of these battle forms.

Still, three Pokémon on the field on each side represents a natural expansion from two, which means that half of a team could be present in battle; depending on the setting, this could lead to varied strategies. In Triple Battles, for example, the strongest Pokémon could be put in the middle, while two that are not as strong can handle adversaries on the sides. And in Rotation Battles, surprises could be realized as rotations and attacks occur simultaneously. These are unique circumstances with equally unique strategies that don't happen in other battle forms, and it's a shame that these can't be further fleshed out.

Whatever the case, it seems clear that three-Pokémon-a-side on the field may be a bit too much to handle for the current system and the players. In that way, three really is a crowd when it comes to Pokémon battling, and the effect is that "three" met its demise in the seventh generation, and "two" became "company" once again, being the prime format for VGC battling. It may take time for sensibilities to change and systems to advance before the battles of three may become acceptable as "company" again.

Catering to Old and New Players

Pokémon is a franchise that is two decades old - and counting. That's a pretty long time for any game series, and that is amazing as well. A series that has lasted this long also has to have many, many old players, as well as new ones coming in over time. Meanwhile, the series itself has expanded greatly with new content in every new generation, and thus there is a lot to take in for any player. The challenge now with a series this old and big is how to please new players with new content and/or rehashed old content, and how to ease new players into existing content.

One approach that takes care of both is remakes of older-generation games, and this is an approach that has worked well for quite a number of years from the first remakes in the third generation. The games appear mostly as they were originally, but certainly with improvements that incorporate current content (that is, new Pokémon) and current needs (for example, the Pal Park in HeartGold and Soul Silver) on the most current platform. Going forward, it's not hard to imagine there will be more remakes of older games as new platforms come and old platforms go, and this is a good way of putting new life in those old games, bringing new experiences to old players and giving a taste of the old experience for new players.

While remakes are great, sometimes it's just as great to experience old games (and associated sentiments) as they are. That is where retro things come in so that old and new players alike can (re-)experience them in current times. The Virtual Console games accomplish this finely, especially when they can be connected to modern experiences. Even if they're simply just elements of old things, at the least this will help to indicate the history that Pokémon has, which may then invite old and new players alike to look into and perhaps try to experience those old things, keeping them somewhat alive.

Whatever the case, content is certainly a key issue, since there is a lot of it for Pokémon. As a key example, each new generation has a multitude of new species, which are linked with different properties. A balance has to be struck for newer games so that new players aren't overloaded with information but old players can still have something to process. As a new seventh-generation game, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon seem as the perfect answer; it's still the Alola of Sun and Moon but with some rehashing, so those who have not dealt with the seventh generation can still work with it, while those that already have can work back in different older knowledge. Gradual incorporation of new and old content as in Shuffle and restricted content as in Picross works too, though the applications are limited. Different games certainly need different approaches.

By now, Pokémon is big and old, in terms of both players and content. And it will surely accrue more of both as time goes on. Choices need to be made with selective approaches about what content is to be presented to old and new players alike so that they may experience them as much as they can and should. It's not hard to see that this can lead to enjoyment, and that this enjoyment can lead to the extension of the lasting nature of the franchise.

Poké-Mobile Devices

The current era that we live in is an era of gadgets and mobile devices. I have a few of them, and I imagine that most of the readers of my blog and my friends, Pokémon or otherwise, do too. But before the mobile devices of today really became popular, the Pokémon games had already featured a host of their own "mobile devices", some of which have similar capabilities to our current mobile devices. All these devices are unique in their own ways in serving the needs of Trainers.

Perhaps the most popular mobile device is the Pokédex, which has been present in all generations in varying incarnations. The core function of this device, however, has stayed consistent: to record sightings and information on Pokémon found in the regions featured. Pokémon areas, sounds (cries), biological details, and descriptive observations are still the most emblematic details of all Pokémon, in spite of all the changes that have occurred, from the basic index of the first generation all the way to the Rotom-powered Pokédex of the seventh generation. It's a trend that other devices have had a hard time following.

In the second-generation games featuring Johto, there was the PokéGear. The device is similar to feature phones of old and fulfills much of the same functions. Its map function replaces the Town Map of the previous generation, while its radio function lets Trainers obtain interesting information and the call function lets them "interact" or "communicate" with other characters, who may signal time-based events. The map and call functions were carried over to the PokéNav in the third generation games featuring Hoenn, with the addition of a Pokémon contest statistic viewer, though in the remakes this function was moved to the main statistic viewer and supplanted by a Pokémon-hunting function as well as a function to access the interactive systems previously introduced in XY.

The fourth-generation games in Sinnoh saw the introduction of the Pokétch, which looks a lot and in fact functions like the smart watches of today. The device not only includes a clock for telling the current time, but also mini-apps such as a pedometer and calculator, which may occasionally be handy for in-game progress. The last of the main series devices is the C-Gear for Unova, which was primarily used for communication, after which point the functions of previous devices were replaced with "systems" starting in the sixth generation rather than devices proper, save for the seventh-generation Rotom Dex.

As unique as these mobile devices are, their resemblance and usage in respect to our mobile devices are uncanny and in a way could be seen as a progenitor of our mobile devices, as with the Pokétch and smart watches. What is sure is that all these devices are advanced in what they can do considering the world of Pokémon, just like ours are for use in our world. In the times to come, perhaps our devices and the otherworldly devices of Pokémon will continue to take pages from each other and become even more advanced than they are today. It's certainly something to look forward to.

Pokkén BanaPassports

Pokkén Tournament is known in part for its arcade version, though this version may be considered to be at a downturn. However, this particular version has left a legacy that goes beyond the game. Bandai Namco, the developers with whom Nintendo collaborated to create this game, has a card system that is used to store players' IDs for all their arcade games - including Pokkén - known as the BanaPassport. For this system, Bandai Namco created a tie-in, and the result was BanaPassport cards with Pokkén images on them.

Five card designs were created, and these feature the images of Pikachu, Lucario, Gardevoir, Machamp, and Suicune, arguably the most well-known of the in-game Pokémon fighters. Unlike some of the other card designs, these images are oriented vertically (portrait) rather than horizontally (landscape). Now, these cards were famously distributed during the location tests of the arcade version of Pokkén, and they were limited in number. This makes them collectors' cards as much as they are cards to be used to play the games.

These cards are very neat to have and to use to play the arcade games, yet their collectible status makes them a little too precious for that. Certainly their collectible status also means a more lofty price tag than regular BanaPassports that are currently available. Still, some of my friends show interest in these cards so they can play Bandai Namco arcade games with their own IDs. I am really enamored by the Pikachu one, as are a couple of my other friends. Another one of my friends is taken by the Lucario one, and I've not seen much interest in the three other cards with their different images. I'm not sure I would like to pursue any of these cards given the chance, and even if I obtain one, I'm not sure if I would use it to play.

On the other hand, there are not many Bandai Namco games in local arcade game centers that can be played online using the card, for the simple reason that... they're offline, and the game centers and the local game distributor are loath to make them online, to the detriment of players. I've seen only one actual Bandai Namco game (not Pokkén, though) that is actually playable online with a card, but it's a game that I'm not interested in. There is, however, another online local arcade game that can be played with BanaPassports, and ironically, it's not even Bandai Namco's - it's Sega's, and it's called maimai, something that in the past had its own minor Pokémon connection. The reason is that both BanaPassport and Aime (Sega's player ID card system) share the same implementation, which technically means you only need one card to play all their arcade games. It was this and the Pokkén BanaPassports that came up as a matter when I had that wonderful day on Friday and met a fellow Pokémon fan. We talked about what it would take to get one of these BanaPassports and how interested we actually were in them.

While it seems I may never be able to play Pokkén Tournament in the arcades, the Pokkén BanaPassport is a fascinating legacy of this game that at the least has asserted its presence as an arcade game, and one that truly transcends the game itself due to its Pokémon and miscellaneous connections. As a Pokémon fan, it becomes my fascination too.

Cosplay: BJF - Shizen ni Modoru

I've been to many out-of-town events, but the one I went to today was somewhat different. For starters, it was in a different direction - literally - than most of the out-of-town events that I've been to. It was also a debut event of sorts for both myself and those who organized the event. Different as it may be, it was still a fun event.

The event itself was a Japanese festival held by fans of things Japanese in the town. For a first-time event, it was pretty good, especially in terms of cosplay. Single performance, team performance, and even a cosplay walk or parade was offered. For those with musical talent, there was also an anisong competition. There were no bands or dance cover groups, and this was probably due to concerns of space and time, as with the food stands that were present. But in return, the event was held inside an agricultural theme park with its own attractions after a last-minute change in venue; it was interesting to see visitors of both the event and the park blend and mingle.

Since it was a debut event, I chose to wear the very costume I wore on my debut as a cosplayer: Ash DP, from the fourth generation. I have fond memories of this costume not only from the first time I cosplayed, but also the first year I cosplayed. You can tell how much this means to me. And in going for broke, I decided to take part in the cosplay walk or parade as well, which fortunately was still open when I came. However, I did have to miss the winners' announcements for the concern that I might miss the only way I could stand to get home the very same evening. My chances were somewhat low anyway since I was one of 20 or so entrants and it seemed only a few winners were chosen.

Friends are vital for anyone, including this Pokémon Trainer in cosplay, and this was what made my day. In heading to the event site after arriving in town, I saved myself from a potential disaster and reduced the burden of a couple of my friends, who arrived at the same time, by getting transportation together; their intel proved handy when it came time for me to return home. Meanwhile, I was able to meet many of the friends who I often see at an event in my hometown, so it really felt like home away from home. Should another event in the same town appear, I wish to be able to travel again together, perhaps even for the entirety of the trip.

A part of a Pokémon Trainer's goal is to venture to many places, and I surely did that today in regard to this cosplay event. I'm thankful to and for everyone involved, as well as for the fact that I came. It has been truly a great and memorable day for this Pokémon fan and cosplayer.

My Book of Days

One day, one night, one moment,

My dreams could be, tomorrow.

One step, one fall, one falter,

East or west, over earth or by ocean.

One way to be my journey,

This way could be my Book of Days...

-- "Book of Days", Enya

I had a (mostly) fantastic day yesterday, and a part of it involved Pokémon. I think any day can be a good day, but when Pokémon becomes involved, it becomes a better day, and yesterday was that kind of day. It's almost as if I'm living a "book of days" with Pokémon, which brings to mind the Enya song of the same title. The song was originally a semi-instrumental piece before it was remade with vocal verses for the movie Far and Away, which so happens to be referenced in the lyrics. But in my view, this song can apply to Pokémon as well as my Pokémon-influenced days.

Every day is a journey, and this is especially true for Pokémon Trainers, whose journeys involve not just days, but everything in those days, including the paths they take and the choices they make. I find this true whether I'm playing the main series games and even Go, something that I've recently enjoyed replaying. I've had to take and make some fruitful as well as less-than-fruitful paths and decisions in both, but for the most part I'm satisfied with them. This is my journey, and it became what it is thanks to them.

As for my day yesterday, it involved some Pokémon things that were out of the ordinary, in a way of speaking. I had a stroke of luck playing Go in a different place, which led me to catch some of the newest Pokémon to grace the game. On top of that, I had a shared experience with a fellow Pokémon fan who came from a somewhat far place, though the shared experience was not really for playing Pokémon games - yet I could quite tell that he also had some appreciation for Pokémon, for which he showed his cellphone wallpaper, which featured a Xerneas, as well as that there was something else that merits a different and full post. It was great how Pokémon entered my day then and how I made sure it was realized, a fitting one for my book of days.

So this - each day I spend with Pokémon - is my book of days. Whatever I do in the games and however I relate with other people through Pokémon are what makes these days part of that. This is an experience that puts value and meaning in those days as I take on the journey of life. As part of the rest of the song goes:

This way became my journey - this day ends together, far and away.

Incubators in Pokémon Go

Those who have played the main series of Pokémon games for a long time know that Pokémon can be bred to beget eggs, and that hatching these eggs needs the presence of other Pokémon and the movement of the main character across the overworld. Pokémon Go has eggs also, but they are gotten from PokéStops instead, hatched from actual physical walking, and necessary to be put in an incubator, something that is more akin to the process for real eggs of real animals. Like any game mechanism, however, there is also a finer point to the use of incubators.

In Go, there are two types of incubators: infinite-use and limited-use. The latter can only be used for a few eggs, after which they will break and become unusable. The former can be used for many eggs continuously, though there is one and only one. The advantage of using the latter is that it takes some burden off the former by letting multiple eggs be incubated at the same time and allows eggs to hatch quicker, though the disadvantage is that the use is indeed few and there are not a lot of them around... unless you level up and/or buy more of them.

This situation implies some usage scenarios. It has been suggested that the infinite-use incubator be reserved for eggs that only take 2 kilometers of walking to hatch, and inversely the limited-use ones for the 10-kilometer eggs. There is some divisiveness about whether the 5-kilometer eggs are better for one incubator or the other. Personally, I agree that 2-kilometer eggs should only be hatched using the infinite-use incubator and that the limited-use incubators are best for the lengthiest of eggs, but between that, it should be OK to use the infinite-use incubator to aid in, for example, hatching a host of 5-kilometer eggs when they pile up. So the usage of these incubators may be situationally dependent as much as it is dictated by practicality and necessity.

The concept of the incubator is unique, considering that it is incorporated in a Pokémon game, as it delivers a stroke of realism to what is otherwise an imaginary world. Then again, that is probably the exact point of this game: to make this imaginary world come alive and seem as real as possible to those who play it. Thus incubators do make sense given the setting and essence of the game, even with the sensibilities regarding how they are to be used.

Pokémon Song, Indonesian Flavor

I have to discuss this sooner if not later, and what better time than now since I've regained the capability to play Pokémon Go. Back when Pokémon Go reached its peak of popularity in Indonesia, it was well-known across and through a variety of media, including realizations of independent merchandise, and even a song, which becomes the subject of this post. It has since become a staple of children's songs, and even now it can still occasionally be heard in venues where children are concerned.

The artist is credited to Faiha, and the title of the song is "Cari Pokémon" which means "Searching for Pokémon". The song itself is simple, only consisting of a single verse and chorus that are repeated a few times, plus some instrumentation, and even some Pikachu sounds. Even the lyrics are simple, for which I have provided a translation below:

There are Electric Pokémon (Pikachu!)
There are Water Pokémon (Squirtle!)
There are Fire Pokémon (Charmander!)
There are Grass Pokémon (Bulbasaur!)
Pokémon, Pokémon, where are you?
I'm looking for you, and I want to catch you
Pokémon, Pokémon, where are you?
I want you to be mine...

Good stuff, and you know that's true. Perhaps one of the things that makes it popular is that the music style is evocative of a light version of dangdut, a Malay-Arabic fusion of sounds and rhythms which has been claimed to be the nation's music. In any case, the song is somewhat catchy and well-suited for children, not the least of which because the singer herself is a child.

I find it remarkable that a song as simple as this regards Pokémon wonderfully and succinctly. While the nature of this song in a way affirms that Pokémon is in part directed to children, the concepts mentioned in the song's lyrics are really for everyone, especially considering Pokémon Go in particular, which is a game really meant to be played by older children, as the inspiration behind the song. These concepts too apply beyond Go and into the main series games or wherever catching Pokémon is a necessity, like Shuffle, adding to the universality of the song's application.

The writer of the song must have been totally inspired by Pokémon when the song was written; the song is a little cheesy in and of itself, but it does bring a point of Pokémon home to those who listen. I'm certainly inspired to keep things going, not just in Go, but also in other Pokémon games where the concepts of this song are totally relevant. I'm off to catch some more Pokémon to make them mine. ☺

Personalities

Where I live, there are a lot of stray cats that come to visit. A few of them are friendly, almost like loose house pets that come for a stroll. However, most of the others are apprehensive and are wary of being approached. In a similar fashion, there are many people living in my area, and I interact with them in different ways. It stands to reason, then, that people have differing personalities, and so do animals. Taking this to the world of Pokémon, the same people (and especially Trainers) have differing personalities, and Pokémon would too.

I've already discussed Pokémon personalities in regard to their types with a song that encapsulates them. But it shouldn't be forgotten that they can and do act in ways that parallel both people and real animals in the games and the anime. The PokéPark and Mystery Dungeon series exemplify this best for the former, as they are games where Pokémon take center stage with little relation to people. For the latter, there is a myriad of examples, but there are also Pokémon-centric ones like the pre-movie shorts, one of which I detailed last month. The point is that Pokémon too can and do behave in ways that are reminiscent of real living things.

As for people, they're as real as they could be, so that means they have the same kinds of personalities as real people have. Sure, some of their roles are fictional, but that doesn't mean they're all of the same role. As I've explained in a post about how everyone can relate to Pokémon, people of other roles are necessary to support everyone. This does mean that their personalities can go along with and be shaped by their roles, but that is expected. With all the differences that exist within our two worlds, it would be hard to believe that everyone acts the same way and does the same thing. This is quite appreciable.

It seems personalities are abound in the world of Pokémon, whether among the people or its creatures. That's a good thing, since this allows for a distinct connection to the real world, for which a part is made up of much the same personalities. And if they're the same, then I know that almost no two are alike. It's something that I'll try to keep in mind as I interact with the animals and people around me.

Here I Go (Again)

I keep saying (ever since my notes on Go) that I'm unable to play Pokémon Go because my smartphone is not capable, not modern, and not up-to-date enough, although I was for a brief time able to start to play the game and get a good thing going.

Well... say no more. I'm back on Go!

I'm back!!

I finally got a new smartphone after a harrowing experience. I've already hinted at this in Sunday's gacha review; that picture was taken by the new phone as I was setting it up, whilst the other review pictures (and coincidentally, this picture) were taken by an even older phone that now only serves as a functional backup. So the story is that a week or so ago my older smartphone gave out for the umpteenth time, being unable to boot. Forget about running Go, it was already becoming incapable of running several of the modern canon of smartphone apps that I now trust in. The answer to this problem (and the Go conundrum as well) would, of course, be a new smartphone, and that is exactly what I got. With the help of a friend, I procured a new smartphone that would be more capable in running those apps to assist my day-to-day activities...

...and run Go! That is exactly what this new phone of mine is capable of. The experience is smooth and nearly flawless, worlds away from what I experienced on my previous smartphone. PokéStops spun well and I was able to grab all the items, and even the AR mode of catching Pokémon works great. Unlike on my previous phone, catching Pokémon went off without a hitch, and I could stand to continue playing more and more afterwards. I haven't hatched an egg yet, but I've managed to continue progress of an egg I left in an incubator before I stopped playing Go previously. I think I'm really going to enjoy playing Go now.

I know Pokémon Go's popularity is no longer as high as it was in the past, and I could be said to have missed its height, but as a big Pokémon fan, I cannot appreciate this game enough, especially the fact it became phenomenally popular. This is a totally amazing game that delivers great Pokémon experiences, and I hope it will continue to do so. I can see myself playing this every so often now that I'm able again.

Enough talk, let's Go!

Cold as the Winds

I've been feeling somewhat cold in several of the past few days. If I were in the U.S., this would be understandable because the season is turning over to fall and colder times, but I'm residing in Indonesia, so there has to be another reason. And there is - it has to do with location and the properties of that location, akin to how some locations in the Pokémon world are also somewhat cold and support Pokémon of that quality.

I live in a place that's about 460 meters (about 1380 feet) up in the mountains. It's a far cry from the place where I previously lived in the U.S., which is nearly four times as high as my current place. Still, it can get somewhat cold. This situation reminds me of Mahogany Town in the Johto region, where the Ice-type master Pryce hosts his Gym. It's a place that appears supportive of such a Gym, not the least of which is because off to one of its sides is the Ice Path, which is truly icy and truly cold. I see similarities of my place to this place.

On the other hand, these places are quite detached from the snowy place of Snowpoint City in the Sinnoh region. I've only rarely seen the kinds of snows in that place even in the place I previously lived. As much as it is interesting to be able to live in that cold of a place, I'm not sure if I will be able to stand it for longer periods; just a week in this kind of situation has me dazed. Still, I salute those who are willing and wish to live in this kind of a place, both in the real world and in the Pokémon world.

I have nothing against the cold; I in fact like it sometimes to live in a cold place. But beyond the "sometimes", it gets a little dicey. The coldness, however, is a naturally acceptable thing, whether it is real and actual as in this world or simply perceived as in the Pokémon world. It's just a consequence of the respective environments in question, and it's just something that we all have to deal with.

And now, I think I feel another cold spell coming on. Brrr.

Bandai Pokémon XY Swing - Pikachu

All right, I've got one more gacha item to share now, but it's a good one, since it's the oldest gacha item I have. In terms of similarity, it falls in a similar class as the other two gacha items I've discussed just recently, but it is more in the same form of the former item rather than the latter. Further, this is the only gacha item which I've procured in a way true to its origins: I took a spin of an actual gacha machine, and the machine gave this out on my first and only spin, which is very neat.

What adds to the neatness is that I received the de facto franchise mascot - Pikachu - out of the five members of the series, which also include the three sixth-generation starters and Dedenne. The series itself doesn't seem to have anything else incredibly special to offer other than it appears like a starter mini-figure-on-a-chain set for the XY series and the sixth generation. But then again, perhaps that is the very reason why it's so special.

For a minute figure, the Pikachu here is extremely detailed and nice-looking. All its colors are appropriate and its appearance is aesthetically pleasing. And if you look very, very close, you can see the detailing on its hands and feet - you can see their individual digits. It is really well-crafted in that sense, and if these translate to the other members of the mini-figure series, then it's all the more true in the entirety.

I love the stroke of luck that I had when obtaining this mini-figure as much as the figure itself, and that's saying something. An excellently designed item combined with an excellently achieved spin makes for a memorable experience. I'm certainly inspired by this item and the others I've recently reviewed; I'm certainly going back for a few more spins of gacha machines if at all possible, and maybe hope for one or two more gacha gifts from friends.

(P.S. You might have noticed that the picture in this review is better than those of the previous two reviews. There might be a reason for that, just... not yet. ☺)

Bandai Pokémon XY&Z Pokémon Lover Mascot - Squirtle

As I was putting my recently-received gacha item in place in my room, I realized that my own gacha history goes back some ways, and I've even received another gacha item from the same friend some time ago. That item is the one I wish to discuss now. In terms of size, it's the largest gacha item I have, and the same goes for its capsule size. Functionally, though, it's pretty similar.

The item, like the one I recently received, is one attached to a ring, though there doesn't seem to be anything else special about it except for the image of the Pokémon concerned. The mascot series itself seems to be directed for any general fan of Pokémon, as the series includes the three first-generation starters, Pikachu (of course), Eevee, Gengar, and even Mew. This is a pretty good lineup if you ask me, covering bases from the common to the rare to even one Legendary.

Like the other item, this could conceivably be used as an ornament or keychain. Looking at how the item is structured, it seems to remind me of certain refrigerator magnets, as I've had some of these that are designed in almost the same way. I'm tempted to convert this item into one of these, but I won't for the sake of maintaining the originality of the item. Plus, I'm a little craft-challenged to make something like this. If I really want a refrigerator magnet I'll have to seek for it elsewhere or make my own.

I'm satisfied regardless with this item. Its design is real nice and the image is rather cute and inviting. With these qualities, it's not hard to not ask for anything more... except probably more items from the same series. But even just one is satisfying enough.

Takara Tomy Pokémon XY&Z Pikachu Halloween Mascot - Ver. D

I know Halloween is still a couple of months away, but I can't resist sharing this one. Back at Nimatsuri, when I and a friend discussed the Pokémon games, we also discussed about merchandise a bit, and he dropped word about this one that he was willing to bequeath upon me; I finally was able to retrieve it a few days ago. It happens to be one of those things that you get for a spin of a gacha machine, and he gave it along with the capsule, which is much appreciated. This also means I don't have to spin for one - because someone else has already done the spinning - which is kind of neat.

As can be discerned from the description, this item combines Pikachu and Halloween elements. It's a small figure that is attached to a small chain, so it can be used in the manner of an ornament or keychain. Also, the information card tells me that this is one of five versions of the mascot; other versions include Pikachu in a mage costume and even in a vampire costume, the latter of which for obvious reasons I've begun to dub as "Count Pikachu". The one I have, though, is Version D, which is Pikachu in a jack-o-lantern costume, which is not bad at all.

What I love about this small figure is its whimsy and incorporation of the Halloween theme, in particular the jack-o-lantern costume. Pikachu is perfectly dressed in the costume and even its tail shows through the back of the costume. The green collar and pumpkin hat also add a slightly natural touch which goes with the pumpkin elements. It's totally neatly designed and just perfect to channel a Halloween vibe.

Personally, I'm very pleased to have this figure for what it is. It just shows that Halloween is known widely and can go with Pokémon. I'm also grateful to my friend for finding it, because I know that things like this can be very hard to encounter, let alone obtain, especially through gacha. Even if it's only one part of this set of small figures, I'm happy that it's in my possession, ready to enliven the upcoming Halloween.