Happy Halloween!

It's finally Halloween! It's a day for spooky, creepy, and scary things, which may be a lot of things for a lot of people. And my thing (as well as other peoples' thing) for that is Pokémon. It might be a little unconventional in a way, but it's not too strange as well in a different regard.

Halloween in general has an aura of spookiness about it, but there's no reason it can't involve Pokémon as well. Pokémon has its own department of spooky things, in the form of Ghost- and Dark-type creatures. They're a totally welcome part of the festivities even though some of them could be construed as cute and friendly instead of scary. But that's a good thing; in a world where creatures can be captured for one's behalf, it's only natural to want a few to be on one's side as a comrade. I personally have no qualms about making good relations with ghosts and creatures of the dark if that means we can both benefit from it. It's appreciable for Halloween and beyond.

But then again, there's nothing like making the less spooky appear more spooky, like typical ghosts, goblins, mummies, et cetera that carry more of the "monster" connotation than do the "monsters" of Pokémon. Such is the case with the Halloween Mascot keychain that I covered almost two months ago. It may be whimsical, but it's also scary good. The same could also be considered true of any Pokémon made to look in a similar manner. They balance things out their more spooky counterparts and make a Pokémon Halloween a spooky and good time, which I definitely approve.

Meanwhile, today I've tried to insert as many Pokémon influences as possible. I've worked on that Halloween event of Go, but I've only made slight progress, though that's better than nothing. I also spent and enjoyed the evening in one of my Ash costumes as a nod to the festivity of this special day. There was no trick-or-treating, but the entire day was still a trick-or-treat in certain ways. It still works with that consideration.

All things considered, Halloween has a place in Pokémon and Pokémon has a place in Halloween. I appreciate the combination of both and applaud to whoever can make this happen, and even more so when the spookiness of the day can be maintained. I wish a Happy Halloween from this Pokémon fan to you!

Pokémon Go Halloween 2017 Event

It's almost Halloween, and many things have gotten into the spirit. And as is often the case, they have already been in that spirit for a good bit of time. Pokémon Go is no exception, and in fact, it has already gotten into the spirit for a week and a half with its event for Halloween 2017. I say it's a good one, especially as it hints at really good things to come for the game.

First up is the usual suspects. Out and about during this event are a selection of Ghost- and Dark-type Pokémon with increased appearance rates, as well as a special "Spooky" Pikachu. Halloween has always been traditionally associated with ghosts, goblins, and other scary stuff, so to use these for an event of this time of year is only appropriate. As for Pikachu, it is like the color black; no matter the Pokémon event, it is always welcomed and appropriate. In this case, it only becomes more appropriate with an alternate appearance.

What's even more special about the current event is that not just first- and second-generation Pokémon are featured; third-generation Pokémon have now made their way in. For this event, that would be the inclusion of the Duskull and Shuppet families. This is in effect a teaser for later updates ("the Hoenn updates") which will bring the rest of the third-generation Pokémon into the game. I love this because this means the game is still getting some attention, and hopefully this means greater attention by players as well.

After having been consumed by other business in the past few days, I was able to give the event a go today, and I had a pretty nice time. I was already able to catch a Duskull, while I've only spotted Shuppet and Houndour through the Nearby feature, and I haven't met the elusive Spooky Pikachu. If I spent half of a day dedicated to playing Go, I think I can stand to get a lot more out of this special event; it's something that I might just do.

This Halloween, there's definitely some merriment on the Pokémon Go front with things that usually give a scare. It's a merriment that is enhanced with hints of the third-generation Pokémon, and one that I'm happy to be able to take part in, even just a little bit. It's a great time-filler for the Halloween season and kick-start to the onset of the third generation in the game.

Three-Line Episode Summaries

Back before I started this blog, I used to keep a journal... or rather, journals, but that's a more involved story that I will reserve for later. The point is that when I kept my journals, I also noted, in a certain manner, the Pokémon episodes that I watched. And that manner was summarizing them in three lines of an unspecific short width. I still find this useful, especially now that I have this blog about Pokémon, which is why I'm keeping the ritual.

Any episode that I watch is summarized into three lines, with a succinct description of what went on in the episode.

Episode 672 - "Here Comes the Trubbish Squad!"

Ash recollects childhood memories as he
resolves issues between kindergarten kids,
their teacher, and one trashy Pokémon...

While I like ending my summaries with a period or ellipsis (three dots), I also try to vary the ending punctuation with question marks and exclamation points.

Episode 690 - "A UFO for Elgyem!"

A startling night-time vision leads to
Ash and co. visiting a science professor
to find the truth that's out there!

The beauty of this format is that it allows not only prosaic summaries but also allows inclusion of poetic verses of three lines, including the haiku. I don't do it often (and not for the following), but it's always a possibility.

Episode 669 - "The Bloom Is on Axew!"

As well, Ash and Cilan attempt to
answer a more pressing question:
what does it take for an Iris to bloom?

Three lines of text cannot capture all the intricacies, subtleties, or details of an episode, and it's not meant to. It's only meant to capture the most important happenings within the episode so as to become a "teaser" of sorts, though it's still a summary of the whole.

Episode 698 - "Movie Time! Zorua in 'The Legend of the Pokémon Knight!'"

Ash and co. take it to the silver screen
in a movie where its lead actress is not
even human at all - or not all the time!

A three-line summary has become my standard for explaining the essence of the episode owing to the fact that it works so well and allows for a certain amount of language artistry. And now with this blog, it becomes something else distinctively Pokémon that I can share. I will include these along with any future episodes that I discuss.

At the Movies: Episode 698 - "Movie Time! Zorua in 'The Legend of the Pokémon Knight!'"

This episode is not only entertaining but also speaks a bit to the cosplayer in me as well as the artistry of show business in general and movies in particular. The episode starts when Ash and co. encounter a shape-shifting Zorua that belongs to a boy named Luke (in the English dub), both of which are attracted to movies. The interactions among them lead them to group up.

Luke's shape-shifting Zorua.

It turns out Luke was making a movie himself with the aid of his Pokémon (including a Golett, which I referenced in my brand parodies post), though there was a hitch, which led to interactions seen in the beginning. Being that Zorua had a few issues of its own, Ash and co. decided to help in the production. They assisted in pretty much every aspect, right down to being actors in the movie.

Movie-making is a tough business.

What I like the most about this episode is that there were several acting tips given out by both Cilan and Luke. I tend to have the view that cosplay can and does involve elements of acting, especially when on stage, so their views help to shape my view. I think I can take these tips to heart and apply them when I act cosplay as Ash (and possibly perform on stage) when the occasion returns.

Luke advises Ash on acting.

As for that movie they worked on, after several takes and and some necessary improvisation, an excellent movie was produced, though to some it left something to be desired, and this episode actually kicks off an arc where Luke joins Ash and co. for an important event. Overall, this episode is simply fascinating in that it includes something that is done all the time in real life (movie-making, though radically simplified) with the necessary Pokémon twist. It's entertainment... about entertainment!

The result is a box office hit!

Expecting Something Special

I recently had to let go of something by accident, and I'm slightly unhappy about it. It's by no means major, but it's not quite minor either. At the same time, I'm also anticipating what is seemingly looking like a lot of things Pokémon. And that one for me is always major, no matter how minor it seems. I suppose I will have to take comfort in the latter than wallow in the former.

The biggest Pokémon thing that will come soon is, of course, the new games of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. As more and more details are revealed, I'm becoming even more eager to get the game. My impressions and my fellow Pokémon colleagues' impressions of the games have changed much from the first time the games were unveiled, and that's a good thing, because it means that we are no longer tied down to our initial reception of the games, making it even more worthwhile for us to purchase the games from the get-go. I've made my pre-order and so do others, and others already even have bonuses in sight. I'm almost positively sure there isn't a bonus for mine like last year when I pre-ordered Sun, but that seems OK if it means I can get the game sooner. All that's left is to wait a bit more.

In another Pokémon front, I'm thinking of varying up my cosplay somehow. A few events or conventions have been scheduled in the upcoming months and depending on the offerings, I want to do something with them to add spectacle to the events. That means partaking in the competitions being offered and/or improving my look somehow. I already have ideas planned, though the execution I'm less sure about; some of these ideas also involve collaborations, which would indeed bring the spectacle, and thus I desire to make them happen. I really do. I will have to communicate further.

Other than that, it's working the games as usual while also getting some enjoyment from the anime. But then I can't help wondering about that thing that I let go and whether I'm put to a disadvantage by it. And...

[AshKetchumMode]
Cheer up, my friend! It seems it wasn't meant to happen. You know, I've been in much worse positions than that, so there's no need to wonder about it any more. I'd say there's great things ahead for Pokémon and you, and I know you'll really be excited about them. Plus, isn't this your 300^th post? Just relax and have fun; I promise it'll be incredible.
[/AshKetchumMode]

Oh yeah, it is! Thanks, Ash. Now I know just what I need to do.

Pronouncing Pokémon

If you see weird stuff below, you may not be equipped to see all the letters/symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet, used for phonetic transcription.

Continuing the discussion on linguistic matters from the previous post on languages, I have mentioned that as a linguist I am demanded to know some of the principles that make language work. One of those involves how expressions of language are pronounced, included under the heading of phonology and phonetics. Any spoken expression can be put under phonological scrutiny, and that includes things from the world of Pokémon, even the word "Pokémon" itself. I find this important as I frequently have to talk and speak about Pokémon due to my attachment to it.

First up is the word "Pokémon". Though the derivation of the word is obvious (from "pocket monsters"), pronunciation may not be quite straightforward. I (and many English speakers) pronounce the word as [ˈpokemɑn] with stress on the first syllable and the "mon" portion somewhat like the word "monster". Due to the "é", however, sometimes my pronunciation tends to become [ˈpoke(ɪ)mɑn] in what could be seen as an overemphasis. However, I tend to cringe at (and therefore don't support) the pronunciation of *[ˈpokɪmɑn]; while it is true that the [ɪ] is directly taken from the pronunciation of "pocket", thereby also resulting in the logically derived pronunciation of *[ˈpɑkɪmɑn] from its word formation process, somehow these just do not sound pleasant or acceptable... except maybe for the former, and only in the case of Team Rocket's Meowth in the English dub, whose pronunciation is indeed as such. My Indonesian colleagues tend to pronounce it as [ˌpokeˈmon], close to the Japanese syllabic pronunciation. My pronunciation can then be said to be an "authentic hybrid" of the Japanese and English relationships of the word.

As for individual Pokémon names, they differ in different languages and therefore have different pronunciations, though some do remain the same, like Pikachu, the de facto series mascot. Taking this as an example, I take after Ash in the English dub of the anime and pronounce it as [ˈpɪkətʃu], though at times this may become [ˈpɪkɜtʃu] when I'm not feeling up to snuff. My Indonesian colleagues pronounce the Pokémon as [ˌpɪkaˈtʃu], close to the Japanese [ˌpɪkaˈtʃuː] by way of the name being rendered in Japanese as ピカチュウ (pikachuu) with an extended vowel. This is a fairly simple and universal example; others are beyond the scope of this post and would take too long to explain.

As Pokémon and its associated elements can be discussed in spoken language, pronunciation becomes somewhat of an important matter. Because of its transcendence across languages, the pronouncing of Pokémon and elements can and do accrue differences due to influences of the languages that accompany it, whether English, Japanese, or otherwise. I find that it becomes an important phonological phenomenon in that way and one that is useful to be fleshed out according to phonetics and phonology.

Pokémon XY Pikachu Freezer Bottle

I've been eyeing a particular piece of Pokémon merchandise ever since it popped up in a local supermarket, and today I finally had the chance to buy it. It is the very merchandise that I wish to discuss in this post. It started out being somewhat expensive, but then after a few price cuts, the price was finally at the point where I could modestly buy it. But really, it's a great piece of Pokémon merchandise for whatever price is fitting. It's also officially licensed, and that is always appreciable.

This freezer bottle holds 610 ml (about 22.6 fl oz) of whatever liquid is desired for drinking. The bottle is made out of plastic that is sturdy, but seems a little thin. The bright-red lid even has a ring and a mini carabiner, so it can be attached to and carried with various things. But the central feature of this bottle is the "freezer" part; the bottle contains an insert that can be filled with water, placed in the freezer, and then placed back into the bottle to keep cold drinks cold. That is at least the theory, which I haven't had a chance to test in practice, but it should be fun.

Of course, the big reason why I bought this piece of merchandise is the Pokémon connection. And the presence of that is marked by the Pikachu art on the side of the bottle, which features a rarely-seen pose of Pikachu, plus some electric sparks to complete the impression. Apart from this, there's nothing else that sets this bottle apart as being distinctively Pokémon. Also, I'm sure that there are other versions of this bottle with different Pokémon, but it seems only the Pikachu stock was left. Had I had more to spare, I might stand to get the others as well. It is what it is.

What I like about this bottle is that it is useful, since I have another object that can carry fluids. It is also neatly designed due to the supposed cooling function provided by the freezable insert. But most of all, it has a Pokémon touch, which satiates my fascination with everything about this series and franchise. I'm thrilled that I bought this item and I look forward to using it as intended while showing off some Pokémon style.

Beyond the Boundary... of Languages

I'm in the middle of sorting out many things, Pokémon and otherwise. One of them, which indeed concerns the former, is for something that may or may not happen, though it is somewhat of a personal wish that it does happen, for the greater good of my and others' Pokémon experiences. And some parts of it do concern languages, something that I have some stake in. That leads me to think that no matter what language makes up the experience, there is always a way to enjoy Pokémon.

Now, as I've stated in an earlier post that involved Pokémon names, I'm a linguist by trade. I should mention that although my technical line of work involves more of the science or principles behind languages, it is helpful to know actual languages and their actual use as well so that the science or principles have somewhere to go. Thus it would benefit me to know a lot about actual languages just as much to know a lot about the things that make them work. This does have an effect on the things that I enjoy, including Pokémon.

That said, I grew up on or with the English side of things for Pokémon. For much of the early part of my Pokémon experiences (while I was in the U.S.), I was for all practical purposes completely exposed to everything Pokémon but in English, and Japanese exposure was rare. It was only when I left that I started to become exposed to more Japanese aspects of Pokémon, but for the most part my working language remained English, or in the case of the anime being televised, it was Indonesian (at least for the content - openings and endings remained in Japanese). With my involvement in Japanese-themed events or conventions, I automatically have to try to involve the Japanese side of Pokémon, though I'm not exactly well-versed in many of the things pertaining to this side.

Still, appreciation is what matters most, no matter what languages are concerned. I imagine if I had not been to the U.S., I would have ended up liking Pokémon through its Indonesian and Japanese aspects combined and less through its English aspects - if I did at all. I had the chance of studying Japanese while I was in the U.S., but I didn't take that chance for a different opportunity of language study; there is a part of me that regrets this now that I like many things Japanese including Pokémon, but the other part of me remains satisfied. I'm happy that Pokémon can take different forms in different languages and I'm even happier to be able to understand and then enjoy them. There are some things that I will still enjoy in one language or another for practicality (for example, I'll still play the games in English and watch the anime with an English dub), but I'm also open to see how Pokémon is realized with different languages.

In that sense, my enjoyment of Pokémon can and does go beyond the boundary of languages. It's totally fine and deserving to be able to enjoy Pokémon in one language or another, especially one that can be readily understood. Yet it's also great to perceive the same enjoyment through understanding from another language, especially Japanese, for which the originality of Pokémon pertains to. Pokémon is a rich world, and through many languages, this world becomes richer.

Now I'm even more interested to see if I can make that Pokémon-and-language thing work out somehow.

A Successor Has Been Named

In at least three posts, I've mentioned the possibility of a successor console for the main series of Pokémon games. It seems that the successor has just been named, and that successor is the Switch; it was disclosed that a Pokémon main series game is being developed for it and will be released some time in the next year or so, confirming the rumor. This comes along with an interesting but already-predicted fact: Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are the last games of the main series on the 3DS. Both of these carry certain implications on how Pokémon games will be like in the future.

First of all, 3D is pretty much dead, as I've conjectured. With the release of the 2DS and the Switch, the progression is back towards consoles with conventional screens rather than special effects. Again, I like the 3DS and its 3D effects, but other people don't seem to really care for it, and it seems the 3DS system is burdened by it anyhow, with even Pokémon Sun and Moon not having 3D (except in a particular case). With the move to the Switch, this is something that I'll accept, if this means I'll have a better graphical experience in other ways. I've seen some of the games on the Switch in action, and I think it's going to be really great.

Though the Switch is only partially portable, this is certainly an asset that could and should be maximized, so the coming of the main series to the Switch fulfills this long-standing feature of the main series. I had been able to get a feel for the Switch with its presence at a local hangout, and it seems very much suitable for the main series games, or for that matter any Pokémon game in existence on the 3DS. This, combined with games like Pokkén DX, will mean more and more enjoyable as well as impressive Pokémon experiences on the Switch as a unified base for many games.

Of course, since Pokémon has the VGC championships, some things will have to be accommodated to suit the Switch. Some VGC Pokémon players have experienced their concerns, and since I'm a Pokémon player, their concerns also become that of mine. One of those concerns is maintaining a stable connection during battles, which on the 3DS is easy to do with an infrared port, but the Switch does not have one. A solution needs to be conceived as the games are developed so that this and other concerns do not manifest into a problem in reality.

The Switch seems like the most ultimate Nintendo platform for their biggest franchises, including Pokémon. Though it's not officially designated as such, the Pokémon main series game making its way to the console effectively realizes the designation of a successor. I can already see visions for this and other Pokémon games, and I think I can say that with the Switch, it will indeed be a wondrous Pokémon future.

Cosplay: Arigatoo...!!!

No, you're not reading the title wrong. The title for this event/minor convention is spelled with two Os rather than with just one, perhaps to indicate a trailing off or an echo by orthography. For this reason, I've added the punctuation to attempt to clarify the point.

Now then, the event was held out of town, but it was held in an even unusually farther place than most events I've been to, and one that I've never been to at that. Because of that, I chose to go with a friend... or rather, my friend asked that we go together, and so we did. Incidentally, quite a bit of today's story played out like the previous debut out-of-town event I went to, with some differences as to who resolved what, and what actually happened. This Pokémon Trainer in cosplay still appreciates the venture and company.

I cosplayed sixth-generation (XY) Ash today for a little change of pace. I knew that because of my schedule and the event schedule, I wasn't going to be able to participate in any of the cosplay competitions, and I was right; the cosplay competitions were of the performance type anyway and necessitated background audio, which I'm ill-prepared for. The other alternative was an anisong competition, but I was also not prepared for that. So that left non-competitive street cosplay as the only option. It's still fun regardless, especially with friends doing the same thing. Much of the event was quite similar to the other event, with few food stands, few merchandise stands, and not many things on the schedule; it too was held in a public hall, though visitor numbers exploded, filling the hall to overcapacity.

Speaking of friends, also like that other event, other than those who I came with and expected to meet, I found many of my friends also coming and cosplaying. There were those that came from nearby locales as well as many friends that came from my home town. There were even people I met from just outside my local region. Furthermore, the event's guest star, which was a band, is a bunch that knew me very well. I've seen them perform ever since my first outing at out-of-town events and they are awesome at what they do. I hope that I can continue to see them and interact with them as they perform at events across the region. This really means a lot.

The event's title is the Japanese word for "thank you", and that is what today really is: a big thank-you. Thank you to all of my friends, cosplayer or otherwise, who I've met at events like these. Thank you to the organizers, for holding this event and letting all of us have a good time. And thank you to Pokémon, which gave me the initiative to cosplay in the first place and still gives me the initiative to cosplay today.

Minna-san, arigatoo...!! (Everyone, thank you!!)

Pokémon Brand Parodies

Parodies are some of the most humorous creations I can think of. Combine parodies with Pokémon elements, and you've got a laugh for even the biggest of its fans. One type that I'm into is brand parodies, which are parodies of names of company brands. Once, I've seen Oddidas (Oddish + Adidas) with the old Adidas logo, which does indeed resemble the top of an Oddish, with its body; that one is very inventive. That got me to think of other Pokémon brand parodies, and I came up with three for Indonesian brands, though all of them fully replace the brand name with the (English) Pokémon name. They're Indonesian brands because... well, that's what I'm most exposed to nowadays where I live. So here they are:

Sanken feat. Sunkern

Sanken is a maker of Indonesian household appliances that use Japanese technology, which does explain why the name sounds like it's Japanese. Regardless, I thought the name vaguely resembled the Pokémon Sunkern, and that's what it became. It almost lends it a "natural touch" since Sunkern is a Grass-type. As an aside, its slogan when translated means "Relax... there's Sanken"; the brand name is made a part of the slogan. I don't know how you'd actually relax with Sunkern, but maybe the Pokémon is calming enough.

Polytron feat. Porygon

Porygon might be more famous for its role in "the incident", but it is still an interesting Pokémon for its virtual quality. So for appliance maker Polytron, this quality seems fitting, especially with their slogan, which means "so advanced". Polytron itself also has moved in the direction of gadgets like smartphones and tablets, and for this, Porygon seems to also be more befitting. Their virtuality go hand in hand.

Go-Jek feat. Golett

For a brand that has only become famous in seven years (and their anniversary was only about a week ago), Go-Jek is spectacular. This is actually the courier/ride service that I mentioned four months ago; they started with providing a service for motorcycle taxis and has expanded to food delivery and services to get tickets, pay bills, and even shop when you can't be there. The connection to the Pokémon Golett seems minimal (other than the orthographic resemblance), though in the anime there was an episode where a Golett could assist with certain things, so I suppose it works.

These Pokémon parodies of popular brands tickle my funny bone somewhat, and I suppose they would do the same for quite a few of my colleagues. It's nice to be on the lighter side of things every now and then, and that includes Pokémon. These brand parodies are still successful in that regard.

To Genwunners: Get with the Program!

While still on the topic of numbers, recently a Pokémon phenomenon was brought to my attention that involves the number "1". That would be "1" as in generation 1, from which the possibly strange word in the title of this post is derived. It has become a label of sorts for a certain group of people with a certain belief. To the people for which the word is relevant or becomes a label, I say it's time to leave it behind and get on with the times.

First, a little linguistic background. Etymologically and morphologically, the word "genwunner", as I've mentioned above, is derived from "generation 1". "Generation" is clipped to "gen", "1" is spelled phonetically, and these are then joined with the suffix "-er", which indicates the quality of a person. Thus the person is "of generation 1", but that's not the whole story. Connotatively, the word refers to people who know Pokémon from generation 1... and only generation 1. They disavow anything that comes after that. And therein lies the problem.

To me, these people are like people that live in a cave or in a hole: they are behind the times. Or, to put it another way - they are tantamount to the people that still believe the Earth is flat, which is a mistaken belief. As the world of science had expanded centuries ago, so too has the world of Pokémon expanded in its age of over two decades. It would be fallacious to cling to old beliefs that have been proven false, and both these examples are essentially that. Further, progress is only natural to be expected in both real and fictional realms, even if the result is very different from before; denying what is new is fundamentally also a denial of progress.

So to the so-called "genwunners", I urge you to "get with the program": see that the world of Pokémon has expanded beyond the original first generation and embrace this. It is only a disservice to think that the world of Pokémon is confined to that of the first generation and nothing else, when such a world only became bigger and richer with each passing generation, yet remaining one and the same. As an identifier, the generational number is only a number; as a unity, the world is all one.

PokéNumbers

Part of my business today involved numbers and their processing. In going about them, I realized that a fair bit of my life is devoted to numbers, whether they are used as indicators of identification or value. And that led me to think that the same goes for Pokémon, which peruses numbers quite a bit in the games as well, in the same ways. Numbers seem to apply very much for the world of Pokémon in their variety of uses.

Identification is a big part of numbers in the Pokémon world. One of the simplest identifiers is the generation number, which is very much accepted and widely recognizable. If a person talks about the "first generation" or "third generation", what is meant is immediately recognizable: it means the Pokémon and things added with the respective iteration of the main series games. A little less widely recognizable is the indexing of local Pokémon in the Pokédex of the regions, which change from place to place; fortunately, the National Pokédex sidesteps this issue somewhat by ordering Pokémon generation-wise and as they appeared in the local indices. For the latter, it can almost be assured that when I'm talking about #25, for example, I'm talking about none other than Pikachu. Identifiers like these, especially in the form of numbers, are quite helpful in pointing things out.

As well, numbers provide value, and value is important for so many elements in the Pokémon games that mentioning them all would take too much time and space. Included are levels, vital stats, move strength and accuracy, and so on. Understanding all of these is important to know how a given Pokémon performs in battle and how to tweak this to become better. Even in a non-main series game like Shuffle, these kinds of numbers are present to some extent and serve much of the same function, to give an indication of performance in combat. Again, it's the understanding that makes the value fully known.

There seems to be no escape from numbers in life, and the same is true of Pokémon. Numbers in this world have the capacity to identify and show value much as they do in real life. I'm going to have to continue to deal and work with numbers for as long as I live, and with a life that involves Pokémon, it means even more numbers to contend with and process.

Second Remakes?

Some time ago after the release of Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, someone conjectured the idea of another Pokémon game involving primarily elements from the first generation, but inclusive of all elements in Pokémon games to the present day. In other words, it would be a remake of a first-generation game. However, a first-generation remake has been done - four generations ago, in fact - so this would be a "second remake" of the games. The question now is whether this would be feasible and/or desirable.

It is worth noting that as of this post, the 3DS has effectively entered its "sunset" period, something I've also noted in discussing party games; fewer and fewer games will be made for it until the handheld is deprecated. The paucity of current releases is an indication to that regard; though there is no official word, things like the Badge Arcade maxing out and Miiverse being retired also contribute to this indication. Thus if this idea is actually feasible, it will likely be on a successor console where new generations of Pokémon games will be released. Even so, the main series of Pokémon games seem feasible no matter the console limits, as Sun and Moon have demonstrated, so barring the features that would make it into the final version, a second remake may be quite workable.

That leaves the quality of desirability. Just because this idea was conjectured (and thereby supported) by someone and that I find it enigmatic, it doesn't mean that it appeals to all fans or even the developers. Some may be even opposed to it, though perhaps not openly. This kind of idea needs a strong support from practically everyone before it can be realized. And of course, right now there's already a couple of new main series games - Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon - about to be on tap in about a month, so now is not the right time for this idea even if the previous is true. A wait for a better time for this game would be on order, perhaps in a few years or so; things may just change and warm up by then.

It would seem like a great thing to revisit Kanto a second (or technically, fourth) time and experience everything old with many things new, and it's certainly a personal desire of certain people. Whether it is supported and wanted by others is another matter entirely, one that affects the realization of this. It is still a fine, creative, and clever conjecture regardless, especially with the overall progression of the Pokémon main series games.

Pokémon and Trains

I have a soft spot for trains. I've been on ones when I was young and I have found them a pleasurable experience each time. They're really great for getting from one place to another somewhat quickly while still being relatively anchored to land. What works for the real world also works for the Pokémon world, and Pokémon has its own connections to this form of land transportation. This also makes them sensible to be further connected.

The earliest instance of trains in the Pokémon world is the high-speed rail that connects Johto and Kanto, specifically from Goldenrod City to Saffron City. For the first time, two regions were connected with a distinct form of land transportation. Trains were then absent in the insular regions before returning as transportation in Unova, though this was only for within the region and not for getting around elsewhere. Train infrastructure is also present in Kalos, though not much ever came out of it - at least, not now. As in the real world, large swathes of land seem to be a determinant for the existence of trains in the Pokémon world.

It would perhaps be exciting to actually ride trains in the Pokémon world, but this is purely imaginative. It is more realistic to ride trains in the real world, but they may not necessarily have influences from Pokémon... yet they can be made to have such. To have trains or train cabs that are themed after Pokémon is not only possible but probable for inserting a bit of Pokémon influence. Such an application of Pokémon themes could be modeled after the actual Pokémon examples above; done as much as possible, this can create a totally immersive experience.

Wherever there are people separated by large amounts of land, there is the potential to connect them by trains - a potential which, in fact, is realized. This applies equally well in both the real and Pokémon worlds. It's only natural for people to move about, and if that means by trains, then so be it. It is something that I appreciate in this world for my experience, and it would also be likewise if I were in the world of the creatures of Pokémon.

Trainer Fashion

In the Pokémon world, there are a variety of Trainers. They all do much of the same things (raise and battle with Pokémon) as much as they do them differently. Consequently, they all also look different with different fashion, outfits, and styles, yet some particular elements of this fashion and their commonalities can be extrapolated - at least if both the games and the anime are to be believed. Regardless, this becomes a facet worthy of some consideration.

Looking at Trainers such as Ash in the anime and Red in the games, as well as their respective rivals, some fashion styles and elements can be extrapolated. A cap may be desirable for some hard-working Trainers, perhaps for much of the same reasons that cowboys wear their hats. Gloves may also be desirable because Trainers work with Poké Balls, which are held and operated using their hands. Outerwear seems to be useful both to add style and serve additional functions, one of which may be to hold things. Otherwise, aside from the prerequisite shirt and pants, any or all of these elements may be adapted to particular preferences rather than conforming simply to one style or another.

Granted, not all Trainers look the same. Trainers like Stefan (from the Unova saga in the anime) and many Elite Four members have their own distinct fashion. Stefan has a more "country person" look, and those Elite Four members wear outfits that make them have a more assuming appearance. This is perhaps something that makes them even more unique, as if their personalities are not already unique enough; it could also be considered their particular style. In a way, it affirms the flip side of things that there is no strict fashion style for all Trainers, only that which makes sense to their character.

There may or may not be something that constitutes fashion that is representative of all Trainers. There are still, however, elements that are common to a good number of Trainers and may be considered inclusive in determining fashion and styles. Personality seems to be a major determinant for what a given Trainer wears and how they exemplify that. At the least, the commonalities among them indicate that they do share the same spirit of being the best they can be with the creatures they like.

Cosplay: MAXcited

Today I went to an event which was neither Japanese-themed nor strictly about cosplay, but cosplay was welcomed there regardless. In fact, I (and a few other local cosplayers) were actually invited by a fellow cosplayer friend, which was kind of neat. We practically got to enjoy the event almost unrestricted as VIP guests, and that was awesome.

Even so, the event was more like a minor hobby showcase wrapped up with a major sponsor. I have to say, though, that if cosplay is understood and welcomed, I don't see much that is wrong about that. For some people, it is a hobby after all. As long as cosplay is appreciated for what it is - acting out our favorite characters with a costume - we're all for it.

Certainly it wouldn't be my cosplay without Pokémon cosplay, but since I didn't feel like breaking out a costume that has been neatly stored, I chose to wear third-generation Ash again, the same as the event from the week before. The reason for this is simply for convenience, and also the fact that the costume still looks mostly nice. I did the same thing for a two-day event or convention back in April, so I'm fine doing it now.

As for the event, it started off with a welcome and a roast, and I got roasted as I was the first cosplayer that was dressed and stood out. The rest of the invited cosplayers then got dressed, and we all pretty much stayed more or less together throughout the afternoon and evening. Photo ops were few but meaningful because we were together. I can't help but wonder, though, if I'm recognized more for my character's buddy than my own character. Clearly the people need to be more informed on Pokémon matters.

This was a nice short event to fill the latter half of the day. That cosplay is a part of it just makes it more delightful for those who do it. If the title of the event is a portmanteau of the words "MAXIMUM" and "excited", which it likely is, then I'm excited to cosplay and maximally excited to show that I like Pokémon. Think of this event as the best of both worlds.

Never Stop Exploring

Recently I heard an interesting principle which can be summed up in the title of this post. I must confess that I've forgotten where it was from, but I'm sure that it wasn't Pokémon to begin with. And yet because I like Pokémon, it's one that resonates with me. Pokémon and exploration seem to go hand in hand, regardless of who (people) or what (creatures) are involved. It is then a great thing to not stop exploring, however it relates to Pokémon and whatever approach is taken.

One way of not stopping to explore is to continue to look for new Pokémon opportunities. That means playing games that I haven't played or continuing to accrue merchandise, whether obtainable within my limits or otherwise. Granted, it would be a little hard nowadays for me to do the former with the main series games that span many generations past, but for other kinds of Pokémon games, I'm only happy to oblige. Even opportunities like this blog I consider new; this is so far the best way I can think of to share my personal interest in Pokémon and I hope this will lead to others later on, perhaps even outside of this blog. All of these are simply new avenues to explore.

Another way of not stopping to explore is to tinker with existing Pokémon opportunities. In games like the main series games and Shuffle, there are most likely Pokémon that have not been tested and raised in different ways; the tinkering is to see how they work (or perhaps not) with what has already been attempted. This is what VGC players are always doing with different teams in the main series, and almost the same thing occurs in Shuffle; in both cases, this would mean accomplishing what Trainers actually do in their world. Outside of games, for the more creative people, this could mean creating different forms of Pokémon art based on what already exists. Art is open to different interpretations, and Pokémon art is no exception, depending on how an artist tinkers. These are essentially the same paths, but taken in different directions.

Since Pokémon and exploration are compatible in a way, the principle that I just heard speaks to my soul as a Pokémon fan. I can do Pokémon things with what I already have, and I can also seek for new Pokémon things. The essence of both is to expand my world of appreciation for Pokémon, which is also in a way the essence of exploration. It makes me happy and proud that with Pokémon, I have a way to never stop exploring.

Respect for Ikue Ootani

While still on the subject of the de facto series mascot, one cannot escape talking about Pikachu without talking about the one who provides its characteristic voice: Ikue Ootani. She is a master voice actress with the way she has provided the voice of Pikachu all these years. But behind all that, she also has a lot of things going for her, and not just Pokémon. For that, she deserves a lot of respect.

Her voice work for Pokémon may be somewhat one-note, but it is very much commendable. The reason is that her voice work is present not only in the anime, which is usually considered a traditionally prominent area for Japanese voice work. It is also present in the games and even a pack of LINE stickers to boot. In short, her voice work is present in many places in addition to being long-lasting and unique. It is just that iconic. I can't think of anyone that can fulfill the role of Pikachu just as good, if not better than her. This is something to be considered as time goes on and Pikachu is still prominent in many places.

Aside from her voice work as Pikachu in Pokémon, what people may not know is that she is also a master voice actress in other respects. Period. She provides the voice for Tony Tony Chopper in the One Piece series, which happens to be one of the few Japanese series I know well other than Pokémon. Another series that she provides a voice for is Persona (Shin Megami Tensei), where she voices Morgana; I was alerted to this fact when a photo of me from an event in July with a cosplayer with a Morgana doll surfaced and became extremely popular. Strangely enough, they're all also animal characters; Chopper is a reindeer and Morgana is a cat. I'm totally amazed of this fact.

For many Pokémon fans, including me, Ikue Ootani will always be forever tied to the image of Pikachu, the unique electric rodent with a uniquely identifiable voice. But in the world of voice acting, this is just one of her claims to fame, though it is a claim that is indeed a hallmark of her work. It demands a sense of thanks and respect that is as great as the hallmark of the work itself.

The (De Facto) Series Mascot

I've referred to the mascot of the Pokémon series (and franchise) often in this blog, which is none other than the electric mouse Pokémon Pikachu. That reference is often accompanied by the words "de facto". These words form a common Latin expression that literally means "by fact". And it really is true: no matter what new Pokémon appear, what people like and use, and whatever situation is involved, when it comes to Pokémon, the fact is that none are more representative of the series than Pikachu.

Pikachu is one of the Pokémon of the first generation. It is a common Pokémon, though only found in certain places and circumstances. It is not a major part of the first-generation games, except for one: the Yellow Version, also dubbed the "Special Pikachu Edition". This game is a restructured form of the Red and Green versions based on the Pokémon anime, which was (and still is) indeed popular in its own right, and still continues to feature the dynamic duo of Ash and Pikachu. Not many subsequent games are majorly based on the anime, but Pikachu continues to be present in them, sometimes even enhanced as in the Cosplay Pikachu and the Regional Cap Pikachu, the latter of which are based on the anime.

The "de facto" part, then, must be derived from this popularity due to the anime. Pikachu becomes the Pokémon that most people recognize even if they have not played the games but have at least watched a (good) portion of the anime. If the anime wasn't popular among people, then Pikachu wouldn't, for example, be promoting the Japanese national soccer team, or be featured in a primary role in the PokéPark games. These are all different situations that could (and do) involve other and/or newer Pokémon than Pikachu, but it is always included simply because it is recognizable. Pikachu is popular through the anime, and by that fact, it becomes representative of the series.

It is undeniable that Pikachu has a certain popularity attributed to it by way of the Pokémon anime. The continued presence of Ash and Pikachu only affirms the fact that Pikachu is emblematic as one of the creatures of the series, and this translates to popularity for representing the series and franchise overall. Despite all that have been added to Pokémon, this very much remains the case. In that sense, it really is "de facto" by way of this situation.

All That He Wants... (Is Another Victory)

All that she wants
Is another baby
She's gone tomorrow boy
All that she wants
Is another baby, yeah
-- "All That She Wants", Ace of Base

If you grew up in the early 90s as I did, you've probably heard this ditty in many places, whether you have the album that it was on, or on the airwaves. It was just that popular. So what connection does this song have with Pokémon, which came only years later after this song? Practically none, but I have one such connection. It concerns not the actual lyrics of the song, but a changed rendition of it - a parody, if you will.

First, a little backstory. Over a decade ago, I was tasked with an assignment: to change the lyrics of a song so that it less resembles the original song, and then to sing it in front of a group of people. I found inspiration in this song, and Pokémon sealed the deal; instead of "All That She Wants", it became "All That He Wants". And if you've been reading my blog, then you'll know that I'm a major fan of Ash - he is exactly who the "He" refers to. The lyrics were also somewhat changed to suit, of course. Oh, and the result was well-received by the people I sung the changed lyrics to, so much so that I received a prize for being the best among others who did the same.

Unfortunately, I've lost my notes on the changed lyrics of the song, but much that I do remember is for the chorus, which also is partially the title of this post:

All that he wants
Is another victory
He'll go tomorrow, boy
All that he wants
Is another victory, yeah

The inspiration for these lyrics is the early days of the anime, where Ash was always seemingly pumped up to get his next Badge, which of course only can be done through the course of victory. I tried to encapsulate all that in the changed lyrics.

Just recently, this song became locally popular again due to a joke circulating on social media regarding "misheard lyrics" for this song. If anything, this and the best regards I received for my changed lyrics way back when proves that this song remains well-known and popular among those who know it. Whatever happens, I still have Pokémon to thank for solidifying my relationship to this hit song.

Kanto Starter Keychains

I've discussed many keychains on this blog, and that is for a good reason: they are accessible and cheap, as I've mentioned in my first post about them. Yet I can think of another reason: they are in most cases are also tiny - miniature, if you will - which contributes to their accessibility. That is the case with three keychains that I found at Sunday's theme event, which I got collectively because they do belong together.

These are indeed keychains of the starter Pokémon of the Kanto region: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. Now, they didn't actually come as a set; all three could be purchased individually. But obviously it would be more attractive to purchase them together if you're a big fan, and that is exactly what I did. And I was lucky - while there were a few of Bulbasaur and Squirtle, there was only one of Charmander, which was why I immediately purchased them. Needless to say, they were very much affordable, though I got no bonuses for buying them together.

Granted, they also look very nice. The thing I most like about them is that they're not simply two-dimensional as in the form of a flat image that is thickened somewhat. They are three-dimensional and anatomically accurate to the Pokémon, though they do appear slightly squished like a pillow. The colors are also true to their actual appearance for the most part. The only consolation is that their back side is not as good-looking as the front, but that's fine. I'm still somewhat amazed that this is the case for these keychains coming out of an indie shop.

These creature keychains speak volumes for their minute size. And why not - their appearances are pleasant and true in both color and shape, and together they're part of a very recognizable trio. Though it might be hard to expect, I'd like to see more themed Pokémon keychains such as these featuring other things from the world. If they're as well-done and accessible as these, my interest might be sufficient to obtain them for my uses.

Pokémon Jigsaw Puzzle

I love jigsaw puzzles. They're great when you need a leisure activity to shut yourself in for a good amount of time. I especially like electronic versions because jigsaws can be quite messy, in particular when there are hundreds upon hundreds of pieces. But physical versions are great too for their hands-on quality. So when I saw this Pokémon jigsaw puzzle yesterday, I could not resist grabbing it to make it mine and to check it out.

If you recall, yesterday there was a Japanese-themed event that I went to and where I found some Pokémon merchandise; this one wasn't found at the event, though. I actually got this just outside of the event in a place that I could only pass by once. It was this that played into the consideration of getting the puzzle as I might not see it again for some time. In any case, the day and the event turned out to be a good one, and I believe spiritually that it might have been in part because of this puzzle - it made for a wonderful start to the day (and just before entering the event) before I cosplayed Ash.

The design of the jigsaw puzzle is simplistic but works fine in some respects. The psychedelic rainbow background along with the images of the first- and second-generation Pokémon as well as the logo provide just enough focal points to see where the pieces go. In terms of the number of pieces, there are only 30 pieces, which makes this a rather simple jigsaw; many of the piece shapes are also repetitive, which keeps things even simpler. I'd say this is a good jigsaw puzzle for younger fans or for a time challenge to complete it in the shortest time possible. I personally could stand to have the same image in the same size as a jigsaw with 100 or so pieces for a little greater challenge, certainly with pieces that look a little less similar to the majority of pieces.

Jigsaw puzzles are still great for a good mental challenge, and this one delivers on some of its aspects. I am obviously taken by this one because of the Pokémon image and for its connections to my day yesterday. Sometimes it's the little things that count, and while this jigsaw puzzle is by no means little, it still has a little bit of a value as a challenge puzzle and Pokémon merchandise... and something that made my day yesterday.

Cosplay: Kisetsu no Matsuri

I've been to many Japanese-themed events, both minimalist and grand ones, and I always (try to) find something to enjoy. Regardless, the event that I went to today appeared to be of the former than the latter, which is seemingly in contrast to the efforts that have been made to promote the event. On the other hand, I'm not disappointed that I at least went with a few of my friends so that we could have fun together, which makes up for that.

Now, loosely translated, the title of the event means "festival of the season", which means that is directed to celebrate the current season in Japan, which is autumn; this is evidenced by the autumn leaf motifs in things related to the event. Taking this into account, I decided to "celebrate" one of my recent acquisitions - Hoenn Cap Pikachu in my Sun game - so I went as third-generation Ash, which just happens to be one of the best costumes I have, if I do say so myself.

For cosplay competitions, however, things were fairly limited. The street cosplay required active participation in specific social media, and the performances required teams, neither of which I had; thus I had to forego both and only do non-competitive street cosplay. The opportunity was still welcomed. One of my friends, though, did participate in a non-cosplay competition, and I think he did really, really well. It's still a competition that would be slightly out of reach of the things that I like.

The event itself seems to be well-received for its passable design, but perhaps if it weren't windy and sunny hot. That's because the event was held outside in a place known to be hot in the daytime. There were plenty of food and merchandise stands to serve the visitors, though, so this was all right. And for those seeking a respite, a mall was present nearby, which was wonderful. Oh, and those merchandise stands? I spotted quite a few Pokémon merchandise, so I'm content. I got a few and will be sharing them soon.

So, ignoring all the downsides of the event, there were lots of things to enjoy today. That includes being able to include Pokémon cosplay and meeting lots of friends, which are only bigger pluses. In that sense, this event and this day was grand, though by appearance it was minimalist. The fun is definitely anything but.

Iron Trainers?

I grew up with Pokémon. I grew up with Food Network. And I also grew up with Iron Chef, something else that is distinctively Japanese and became popular just about the same time that the first Pokémon games were released; the show only grew in greater popularity thanks to it being shown on Food Network and later on spawning its American adaptation. The premise of the show is that one challenger chef goes up against a resident master chef, dubbed appropriately the Iron Chef. It is in effect a battle, and a battle such as this speaks to my inner Pokémon fan. It makes me want to cross the concepts and have this realized somehow, as "Iron Trainers", something I hinted about in the previous post.

Now, I wanted to save this post so that I could realize that Pokémon-Iron Chef cross in writing, but that would take a long time, and that is not something I necessarily have. However, today is also the regional premiere of Iron Chef Gauntlet, so I might as well take this time to discuss this strange connection and flesh out ideas for it. This brings up an interesting point, in that the format of Iron Chef changes according to the adaptation and over time. With this in mind, so too could the format in this cross be different than what would be expected. Perhaps it could be a best-of-three to be in line with some current battles, or it could be one supreme battle to continue the original tradition. Regardless, either one would have to involve "featured" Pokémon to battle with as per the essence of Iron Chef.

As for the Iron Trainers, I know of one particularly suited for that role, and that is none other than Ash. I still think that despite what has happened, he is really, really great in his own right, and so he fully deserves it. Of course, Ash can't be the only Iron Trainer, the same way as there is no single Iron Chef; there have to be others that accompany him. To that, I say who better to accompany him than some of his companions and rivals from his journeys (that aren't already popular as Gym Leaders). They are all pretty great characters that could hold the position of Iron Trainers and serve battles with challengers.

That last bit is probably where most of the difficulty lies in realizing the cross, which is in finding and naming challengers for the Iron Trainers. Sure, it is easy to have previous acquaintances battle the Iron Trainers again, but it would also be exciting to have unique challengers as characters from different Pokémon games. It just means determining who would be challengers and what kind of battles they would have. If this were an actual Pokémon game, then the players would be the challengers, though they could also battle as the challenger characters and certainly the Iron Trainers. There are a lot of possibilities for this one.

I know, it seems like I've been watching Iron Chef a bit much that I start to fantasize about this cross. But I do like the concept of Iron Chef a lot and that I really think it could be applied to Pokémon; they both center around "battles", after all. Plus, they are both Japanese in origin and popular in their own right, almost like buddy fandoms. It's a cross that is totally natural and fascinating to make happen in one form or another. I can almost visualize the results and the battles.

What's in a Name?

One of the great things about Pokémon is that in some games, they can be given nicknames. This allows them to be given a personal touch that reflects the character of the Trainer that owns them. It's a feature that I use whenever possible, and from my observations, so do quite a few other players/Trainers. My experiences have not been too wonderful in the use of this feature, but I still appreciate and use the feature for the personality aspect.

My naming preferences have changed from one game to another and over the course of time. In the main series once, I've used my friend's names, though I've never personally told them that this was the case. I then transitioned to the use of certain character names from TV shows, though things got complicated as more names were used. After that point, I simply used generic lists of names, common and fantasy; similarly, in Mystery Dungeon I use themed lists different than those of the main series. This might sound impersonal, but the names were selected with some consideration of similarity and attachment. Regardless, in all of these efforts, I rightfully believe that I've made tributes to the names and associations.

Still, I suppose it might be just hard for me to make and give names. Some say it might be as easy as naming real pets (and some Pokémon are indeed kept as pets), but I find this difficult too. I've never really had a real pet that I couldn't call as my own, and the ones I owned were already named by someone else or wasn't my pet to begin with. I feel it's a tough experience associating names in the real and the imagined, yet I feel more comfortable for the latter than I do for the former, even with just names from lists.

It's always wonderful, though, to see the names that others come up and have willingly shared. I've seen names that use archaic vocabulary as well as foreign-language terms, bringing them to a greater light. I wouldn't copy these names directly out of respect for their tribute in using the names, but I admire the spirit. I may just change up slightly the way I name my Pokémon in the future.

The fact that Pokémon can be named in quite a few games deserves commendation, even from those who don't give great names like me. There is a certain amount of respect and tribute in the giving of names when effort is put in. So to answer the question "what's in a name?", it may just be "a lot", depending on Trainers' personalities and attachments in regard to Pokémon, which are appreciable nonetheless. At the least I still have some of both.

The Old New Thing: Second-Generation Games

It seems many players have welcomed the recent re-release of the second-generation Pokémon games on the 3DS Virtual Console, and this is a good (or even great) thing. As I've mentioned in my post about retro stuff, it's a convenient and (slightly) enhanced way to play the games as they are without having to struggle to make them work. Many players must have thought up of this same reason, that they agree by getting the games. And just like that, everything old is new again.

And it is exactly this "old new thing" that, by several reports, has caused some players to think they're totally new games. In a sense, this is understandable; these games only came out near the turn of the millennium, and that's somewhat of a long time from today. It only means that this will be a totally new experience for those players of recent times, who do not know about its previous history. They only need to look into and take in the rich history of Pokémon, which itself is as wonderful as the games, and realize that it's great.

Along with the second-generation games on the 3DS, something else old has become new again. I mentioned that there were sound stickers on the social messaging app LINE that corresponded to the first-generation games, and now there are sound-and-animated stickers that correspond to the second-generation games. If this pattern is continued, then another sticker pack may be expected the next time a generation of Pokémon games is revived in a major way. It may or may not happen, but whatever the case, what has happened is still a nice gesture and enhancement in itself. I can't wait to own this pack.

When it comes to "the old new thing" which is a Pokémon thing, it may become great for those who really like it as I do. That seems to be the case for the second-generation games on the Virtual Console by the response they have garnered, though certainly some of this needs to be set straight. In the end, it may just come down to experience, and the matter of enhancing that experience, that makes renewed old things such as these great and not just good.

Feelings for Female Trainers

The post about the Iris episode got me thinking that perhaps female Pokémon Trainers don't get all the respect they deserve. If Pokémon is well-liked by everyone, then it follows that there would be female Pokémon fans as well. And of those female fans, understandably some would take up the role of Pokémon Trainers as well, to follow the exact same typical roles in the main series. I think this is a fully respectable thing for any Pokémon fan, especially if they're female fans.

Within the main series games, female Trainers have been recognized since the beginning of the series; even back in the first games, many Trainers in the field are female, and certain Gym Leaders in Kanto are female. However, the protagonist could not be recognized as female. In the following generations, this was changed, and now a standard question asked at the very beginning of every game is "are you a boy or are you a girl?", which sometimes gets a few jabs, but at least it provides a way for all genders to express themselves suitably.

Meanwhile, in real life, I recall efforts of holding all-female tournaments for the main series games. I applaud this effort as a way to include female players into the game, however few there are. In fact, there hasn't been one specifically held in recent memory, possibly because of this very reason. Even so, that hasn't stopped female Trainers from shining; last time I participated in a really major tournament, there was a notable female appearance in the later stages. What I hope is that this becomes an inspiration for other female players to rise up to the challenge.

The world of Pokémon is by all means open to not only males but also females. The main series games already provides the means to express oneself as a female and thereby supports those of this gender. And if that's not enough, perhaps a little motivation on the battlefield for the women may help, encapsulated in a ditty by a well-known diva, which does evoke images of female Pokémon Trainers on the field - for me at least:

The best thing about being a woman
Is the prerogative to have a little fun

Oh, oh, oh, go totally crazy, forget I'm a lady
Men's shirts, short skirts - oh, oh, oh,
Really go wild, yeah, doin' it in style
Oh, oh, oh, get in the action, feel the attraction
Color my hair, do what I dare - oh, oh, oh,
I wanna be free, yeah, to feel the way I feel
Man! I feel like a woman!
-- "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!", Shania Twain

Hmm. May all female Pokémon Trainers feel empowered to express themselves as they are.

When an Iris Blooms: Episode 669 - "The Bloom Is on Axew!"

I've previously discussed an episode with Cilan, and now I want to discuss an episode with Iris, as the other companion of Ash in the BW series. She herself is an enigmatic character, especially in the early portion of the Unova saga. This episode from that period is a portrayal of that. Its title might refer to one of her Pokémon, but it's so much more than that.

Dragon Rage Sneeze?

The reason the episode is titled as such is because a key event of the episode is a problem that Axew faced early on, which was the failure of its Dragon Rage. As Ash and Cilan put it lightly over the course of the episode, it looked more like a "Dragon Sneeze" than a "Dragon Rage". This failure led Iris to feel down, which then led to a discussion with Ash and Cilan, including a reminiscence of how she received Axew.

A discussion and a reminiscence.

Of course, it wouldn't be an episode without some sort of chaos, and one occurred that involved Pikachu, Axew, and one very angry Scolipede. This chaos became apparent to Ash, Cilan, and Iris in part because of the use of the "Dragon Sneeze" by Axew. While the efforts of Ash and Cilan aided in the resolution the conflict, it was the efforts of Iris herself that helped the most in putting away the conflict, though not indirectly, and not through the help of Axew; instead, it was another one of her Pokémon that did the deed.

Beware of Scolipede!

Through the conflict, Iris realizes that she has the power to do some things too, though it doesn't have to develop at the same pace as the others, and that this applies equally well for all of her Pokémon. It is perhaps much of this episode that prompted even further development in later episodes. Regardless, in the episode, Iris really did step up to the plate and bloom just like the flower of the same name.

Axew blooms, and Iris does too.

Preparing for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

Time goes by so fast. It seems like it was only yesterday that the next members of the main series Pokémon games were announced, and within a few weeks players will be able to reap the goodness once the games are released. It seems like many players might be preparing to play the games, and I'm one of those. I've been making a few preparations of my own so that I can welcome Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon when they come.

The most important order of business is certainly preparing the console, and I've done that to some degree. You might recall that my 3DS got messed up earlier this year, and while I did follow up in getting it repaired, it's not as perfect as it should be, and I was planning on getting a New 3DS. However, finances and other matters got away from me, and what was planned to be spent on the New 3DS got spent on other things which were even more important, especially for continuing yet other matters (yes, that includes the new phone). It seems I will have to carry on with my 3DS somehow for the time being.

Aside from the console, the other most important piece of business is making sure that I can get hold of the game. That means pre-ordering if possible, and it is. The local game shop where I pre-ordered Sun last year is allowing pre-orders for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, so I took up this offer and placed my pre-order; I chose Ultra Moon since I got Sun previously. My fellow players continue to trust the shop, so it's only right that we support it. In any case, doing this will assure that I get the game once it's released and not have other difficulties in getting it later.

Also, in a way, I had (and still have) unfinished business to take care of on my Sun game, which I started to take care of. One of those was the Mega Stone gifts, something which I had mentioned in my Mega musings. A few more codes for gift Stones were released after that time, with a lot more Stones distributed. I took care of all of those, along with the special cap Pikachu, which I got just in time. After that, that left one more unfinished business... but this will have to be discussed later when I've fully taken care of it.

It is my belief that a good experience starts with preparation, and that's what has been happening. There is a good deal of things that need to be made ready for the new Pokémon games, and by doing so for many of them, I'd say I'm somewhat prepared to reap the goodness of the upcoming games. I'm really looking forward to my copy of Ultra Moon as soon as I can retrieve it and play it. The wait is not long now.

Playhouses, Children, and Pokémon

Last week, a new Pokémon game was released... but not for a Nintendo console. Instead, it's in the form of a mobile application for the likes of modern phone and tablet operating systems. It's called Pokémon Playhouse, and as evidenced from the title, it's geared for children. But then again, when considering Pokémon, a good deal is geared for children. Along with my initial impressions of this app, this becomes a worthwhile topic for discussion... again, as an extension of fantasies and experiences.

Now, I must admit that I haven't actually downloaded and played the game because... I don't have a device for it. Play Store tells me that none of my devices, including my new phone, are compatible with the game, and at this point I cannot and am unable to look for alternative approaches to play. However, from what I garner through screenshots, this game looks like an expanded and glorified version of the Pokémon-Amie found in the sixth-generation games. But I'm also sure that the experience will be different, so I wish to reserve further judgment until I actually check out the game for myself.

In the meantime, there is the topic of Pokémon and children. Children are a part of Pokémon, and there are in fact children Trainers found all over the main series games, in addition to those who start their journeys as they leave this period of time in their lives (including that of the protagonists). And the main series of games is friendly for anyone to play, regardless of its combative nature and certain plot elements that even only adults can fantasize. Plus, the anime is mostly directed to children except for its well-known rocky start; after the anime got over them, it was friendly as friendly can be. As long as these elements continue to be present, it's safe to say that Pokémon will remain child-friendly.

I totally approve that Pokémon can be and is to some extent geared for children. I don't mind that Pokémon has some aspects that look immature; personally, I feel that that is part of its universal appeal. Aside from the series' overall orientation to combat, the world of the series is attractively friendly for the most part, and if it weren't, then children probably shouldn't even be playing the games. But they do, and even the series' starting point is a childhood fantasy itself that children would very much enjoy. If that is not appeal for children, I don't know what is.

I'm not a child anymore, but I was when I started playing the games. But given its two-decade-plus history, Pokémon must have had a number of child fans who started at different points in the series, and will certainly have more as it maintains the friendly-to-young-fans appeal. This certainly becomes a challenge, but with games like Pokémon Playhouse, it's not hard to see that the appeal is recognized and there is an active effort. Now I really want to play the game and feel like a child again.