One Year Full of Pokémon

I made it. With this post, I have posted in this blog every single day over the past year on various Pokémon experiences and things that have filled my days, as well as my thoughts on them. I had titled this blog "Not a Day Without Pokémon", which implies (and in a way promises) that I'd have some Pokémon experience each day, and true to the title of this blog, I have provided those experiences each day, fulfilling it as a promise.

All my experiences have involved Pokémon in a wide range of forms. There were of course the Pokémon games, where arguably everything starts, from the pleasant experiences to the not-so-pleasant ones. When not playing the games, there was the anime to watch, as both episodes and even a phenomenal feature film. Pokémon merchandise appeared in various guises, from official to indie; it was also possible to realize Pokémon creations in other forms like a wallpaper and even parodies. Events and conventions, and my cosplaying in them, also provided another outlet for Pokémon expression, both major and minor. All of these are complemented by my thoughts, imaginations, and even notes on the odd things and special things that involve Pokémon.

Pokémon has clearly pervaded many aspects of life, including my life in particular. This pervasiveness does not decrease my attraction for it; instead, I'm gladdened that it's in many places and this further increases my attraction. With all the places that Pokémon is present in, it seems that it may take a big heart for a Pokémon fan to appreciate all of that. If all my posts this year are an indication, then it does appear that I have such a big heart. And although I have said repeatedly that I'm not a perfect fan, that doesn't mean my heart is any smaller. It just means I have to take a greater effort to open up to Pokémon presence in the wider world.

The posts I have made this year reflect my wide world with Pokémon. Of course, it does not stop there. Pokémon continues to grow and expand, and so does my world. It is guaranteed that there will be more Pokémon experiences and things in the next year, and possibly greater chances for me to partake in them. I will certainly continue to update this blog with those experiences and things so that you can partake and revel in them too. It's my way of sharing my world with you. Who knows - there may just be the greatest experiences to behold in the next year, perhaps just as great as Ash's dream to become a Pokémon Master.

I would like to say thank you to all readers of this blog, whether they have been with me since the start of this year, as well as those reading just now. Here's to all the Pokémon experiences in this year and the next. Cheers! 😀

When I See You Again

It's been a long day
Without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it
When I see you again
We've come a long way
From where we began
Oh, I'll tell you all about it
When I see you again
When I see you again
-- "See You Again", Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth

Throughout this year, I've discussed many songs that remind me of Pokémon, and now I want to discuss one more. Those in the know would recognize this as the ending song of a particularly speedy yet poignant movie; I happen to think that this could also serve as an ending for any Pokémon adventure, in particular the most recent one that just took place. The poignant feelings of the song seem to apply equally well to Pokémon adventures that are full of encounters with people and Pokémon alike.

What is special is that it seems I'm not the only one who thinks this way. In the comments for the music video on YouTube, there was one person who suggested the same - that it does in a way apply to Pokémon. What does this show? It shows that Pokémon fans can and do share certain perceptions, which in this case involves sentiments that are communicated by the anime and to some extent the games as well. As a Pokémon fan, I couldn't be more glad, and I couldn't agree more.

As for overall interpretations, I realize that this song was written in mind to commemorate a person who is no longer living, but the alternative interpretation is that the person is parting or has only parted ways with only the very remote possibility of returning. In a world full of adventures like Pokémon, this makes sense and is understandable: many encounters may be one-time and are fleeting in nature, so they are worthy of being remembered. This song is particularly supportive of that.

A lot goes into any Pokémon adventure. There are people to meet and connect with, and Pokémon to encounter and battle. Also, those adventures often take one far from the places they've been, even home. All of those resonates with the refrain of this song, as I quoted above, as well as the entire song itself. And as this year comes to a close - as well as my personal Pokémon journey within that time - I say, what better way to herald this moment with this very song.

In Lieu of a Book

There is actually another reason or issue that contributed to the inception of this blog, besides the journals that I detailed in the previous post. It has to do with writing and things that result from it, of which one of them would be books. With my knowledge of languages and the principles behind them, I feel that one of the ways I could make effective use of this is to become a wordsmith (that is, a writer), and combined with my attraction to Pokémon, I would be able to contribute to something that I like, while doing something that I like.

A book is certainly a natural progression for any aspiring writer. In my case, I can take my Pokémon experiences, express them with words, and encapsulate them as something that people can read and then enjoy. I'm obviously not alone in this, as there are many writers in connection to Pokémon, but at least based on my experiences, I want to bring something different and unique to the table, and when possible, personal as well. It would be a different approach than most Pokémon books out there.

So why did I take a different turn with this blog? Circumstances seem to have changed, and it has been indicated that I need to "start small" somehow. In any case, "starting small" is a respectable effort for certain things, and it could be said to apply to Pokémon as well. Thus this blog is in a way a "stopgap measure" for the book effort. My ultimate goal is still for a book to be written and published, and that would be a wonderful thing indeed, not just for myself, but for my fellow Pokémon fans.

Speaking of Pokémon fans, while I also aim to please them with a book, there is no harm - and it would be a good thing - to try to please as many readers as possible, including some that aren't technically fans. To make them see my inspiration, and then perhaps to take that in and become fans themselves. It might be a little abstract, but if my Pokémon writing can reach as many people as possible, that would bring me satisfaction to no end as a Pokémon fan.

Writing may be a challenge, as I discovered some time ago. And sometimes, Pokémon can be a challenge too. Yet both of these are something that I like, as the results in many cases are truly appreciable. To join them together, then, is an inevitability for me, and to join them in a book would be the next natural step. Until that happens, this blog will have to serve as the "foundation" to that "bridge". I'm still proud to be a Pokémon fan with great writing abilities under my belt.

From Journal to Blog

It's almost the end of the year, and I wish to touch on a few more issues that are as relevant to my Pokémon experiences as they are to this blog. I've mentioned in the three-line summaries post that I used to keep a journal; actually, it was a series of journals on an annual basis, much like a diary, though I prefer the term "journal" for the reason that it seems more formal. This blog is in part effectively a spiritual successor to those journals, only certainly with a deepened focus on Pokémon.

Even so, I did keep track of many Pokémon things in those journals. Aside from the obvious summaries, I kept track of things such as my progress through the games (with the added stipulation of completing them in less than 100 hours) including the teams I used, as well as Pokémon merchandise I obtained. They became helpful guides and reminders for me... and pretty much only me. There was never a real effort in making those tidbits available for others to see and possibly interact with, and there was never any real means to do so, until most recently.

In the past, I had made an effort to establish a presence with a blog, but it was isolated and lacked focus, and it never "got off the ground" as a result. All the while, I still continued to pursue Pokémon interests, which might have made some blogging fodder way back when, but it was never within full consideration. With the way things have gone, it is only right that I maintain a focus on Pokémon, and thus this blog was conceived - after nearly a year, I still feel that this is the right thing.

This blog in a way represents an "opening up", or a way to present myself to you, with the help of something that is close to me. After having kept a series of journals over several years, this blog only becomes a natural step to take. It is as much my Pokémon experience as the experiences I have with Pokémon in all its various media. To keep track of them personally for my benefit is a good thing; to keep track of them and then to be able to share them with others would surely be even more beneficial.

I Can Hear Your Voice

In a number of previous posts, most recently yesterday's, I've "summoned" the character which becomes central to the Pokémon anime series, who is none other than Ash Ketchum himself. I like his spirit so much; it has practically become an admiration for his character. That admiration extends to the smallest details, like his characteristic voice. When I really focus, I can just seem to perceive to hear his voice.

Exposure seems to play a large role in this. I've certainly watched many episodes of the Pokémon anime, and may even have re-watched just as many of them as I have watched them for the first time. Thus I'm frequently exposed to not only images and pictures, but also sounds and voices - those of the music and the characters, including Ash. Over time, it just appears that I have gained a "voice imprint" for him, for both the old and new voices alike.

This is by no means limited to Ash. Taking a more general Pokémon example, I seem to have "voice imprints" for many of the characters. I'm able to perceive the voices of Brock and Misty, for example, almost as ably as I can for Ash. And why not - I'm exposed to them for a long time as well, so I also understand their character and by extension their voice, though obviously to a lesser degree as their presence is not as extensive as Ash's.

But it is indeed the voice of Ash that sticks out in particular. It is easy for me to think about what Ash would say and how he would say it because of the "voice imprint". It is what I heard when I "summoned" him in those earlier occasions. I have the utmost confidence that it is exactly what he would say were he to be actually present. It is almost as certain as my confidence in his character.

[AshKetchumMode]
I like the way you think. I know you've seen many of my adventures; they're up, down, and all around, but I know that each one is special. They must be special for you too, 'cause they make you think of my voice. I'm pleased, and you should be too. I'll try hard to not disappoint, and I hope you can continue to think about me - and my voice!
[/AshKetchumMode]

Thanks, Ash. As long as you venture, it's not that hard to perceive how you'll be like, right down to your voice. You've got my back.

The First: Episode 001 - "Pokémon - I Choose You!"

At one point in time or another, it was said that the initial steps of a journey may not be simple. The same is true of Ash's first steps, which are shown in the very first episode of the Pokémon anime. They are not simple, but they are the steps that spearhead the series of steps that becomes Ash's journey through the episodes and movies alike. This episode becomes important for this reason.

The games come "alive".

The episode is also important because the episode effectively marks a point when the games come "alive" in the form of animation. Even so, it becomes evident that the anime would have its own unique takes on events as they would have occurred in the games. The most significant and unique is that Ash would not (initially) receive one of the three traditional starter Pokémon and instead received Pikachu in an unusual circumstance, as it was the only Pokémon that remained with Professor Oak.

Only one is left.

A series of events then took place as the two started their journey. Ash's first attempts at capturing Pokémon faltered miserably, and Pikachu's uncooperative attitude did not help matters much, especially as things escalated into a full-scale chaos. Yet through it all, Ash still trusted Pikachu as a partner he chose. And just when it seemed that all things looked bleak, a turn of events occurred - Pikachu took action, and things have never been the same ever since.

The turning point.

Oh, wait - someone's here to tell you about it.

[AshKetchumMode]
Hi! You know, the first time I set out on my journey, things were rough. I was lucky to get Pikachu, but then I wasn't sure if things would work out. And then everything just went so wrong. I'm glad Pikachu came through in the nick of time; I don't know what would've happened if it hadn't been that way. I couldn't have done it without my buddy, and on my journey, that means a lot.
[/AshKetchumMode]

"Well, we beat 'em."

Well, you heard it from the man himself. These initial steps are not simple, but they're indeed part of the series of steps of an extensive Pokémon journey, one that still holds significance today.

Three-line summary:

Welcome to the world of Pokémon -
and welcome to the journey
of one of its newest upstarts.

Merry Christmas!

For those who are celebrating, I wish you a Merry Christmas. It's a wonderful time for those who consider the holiday significant. It means a lot of things for a lot of people, but there are many noble things that can be taken from it, no matter who you are. Of course, it really does mean a time to celebrate for that reason, so it is truly welcome, no matter how the celebration is carried out.

Evidently, Christmas for many people, including me, has links to Pokémon. It's a time when Pokémon can be given and Pokémon can be gotten. I have once received a Pokémon game as a Christmas present, and it was something I thoroughly enjoyed. In fact, that particular Christmas was an enjoyable time by itself, though my recollection of that time has started to become vague. In any case I can testify that Pokémon can and does make any Christmas better, especially for Pokémon fans like me.

And of course, there is a solid link in the form of the Pokémon Christmas Bash album. It is as much a part of Pokémon as any other music or media related to it. Incidentally, the history that I have with this album, which I explained near the beginning of this year, has a little bit of a connection with Christmas and holiday times, as I actually got the album CD just a little after Christmas, so it was still within the celebratory vein. Yet the important thing is being able to celebrate, and I was happy then that I got to do it with Pokémon.

In fact, I'm still happy that I get to do it with Pokémon. It's not a traditional celebration - and in a way it's kind of a funky one - but then again, not many things are traditional in my life full of Pokémon experiences. Christmas is a time that encourages peace, and in general, this is a good thing. I find peace also in Pokémon, so having it with me is like having Christmas all year long. It's an esoteric way to think about it, but it works.

On that note, once again, have a merry Christmas for the people who celebrate.

Cool Wintry Song

There's a season that's neat
If you can't take the heat
The days and nights are nice and icy clear
There's a thrill in the air
When there's a chill in the air
'Cause winter is the coolest time of year
-- "Winter Is The Coolest Time Of Year", from Pokémon Christmas Bash

Having been in the U.S., I know what winter feels like, with all its perks. Thus every so often I long for that experience, particularly around this time of year. One way I alleviate that longing is by playing this song, which is graciously provided in the Pokémon Christmas Bash album. It's a quite lively song that succinctly captures all that is pleasant about this season.

The song is composed of three verses, the last two of which are repeated. The first verse cites the activities that are characteristic of the season's impressions. The second verse provides an imagery typical of the season, and the third verse summarizes things. There is no mention of Christmas, but since Christmas in the northern hemisphere is aligned with the winter time, it makes perfect sense for the aforementioned album. It is regardless a neutral song in that respect.

Of note is that between the repetition of the verses, there is a spoken insert featuring the (former) core cast of the English dub of the Pokémon anime. In it, Ash and Misty talk about building a snowman, or rather a "snow-Mon" of Pokémon instead, complete with puns on Pokémon names. Brock dissents the idea, being that it's cold outside, which then leads to Ash and Misty playing a trick on him to get him to "chill out". It's a humorous exchange that maintains the Pokémon influence on the song.

Winter as I experienced it may be far from the imagined situation in this song, but it remains a pleasant season with the right enjoyment. Moreover, as a Pokémon fan, I'm pleased as heck with the insertion of Pokémon influences in the song. I just love it for that reason, as much as I love the winter season and long for it from time to time.

Perspective

Recently, there was an occurrence that spurred strong reactions among those who felt a sense of relation to it. One person who was close to someone that could relate to the occurrence was able to analyze the occurrence through a different perception, and that person was able to conclude that through the perspective of those related to it, the occurrence has significance, just as similar occurrences are significant for others. Extending this generally to things that people like, such as Pokémon for my and my fellows' particular case, it can be construed that they too are significant in their perspective, for those who do like them. While the significance may be different for different people, it is still significant nonetheless within that perspective.

There are certainly those for whom the significance is great, like me. For me, this does not need to be questioned - it is a significance for all things Pokémon. It is in part why I started this blog, in the effort to share my Pokémon experiences so that others may enjoy them too. Still, for some of my Pokémon colleagues and friends, the significance may be valued differently. I know quite a few colleagues for whom the significance is greatest at simply being able to battle competitively, and then perhaps to share just that experience. Likewise, some of my friends like the Go experience and want to continue that to a great extent, and that is laudable. They are all still meaningful as part of their perspective of liking Pokémon.

As long as their significance is appreciable and positive, it still contributes to their perspective, no matter how small. One of my friends may or may not have played the Pokémon games, yet that friend of mine shows quite an interest in the Pokémon anime, perhaps just like mine. What is clear is that for my friend, the Pokémon anime is significant and remains so, though the games are less of a factor. Another one plays the games, though not competitively, and appears to enjoy certain portions of the anime; in this, there is at least some significance even in just those elements. The point is that there is still a liking in their perspectives, even if the significance is limited or not as great in value.

It becomes clear that however much we like certain things - in this case Pokémon - we carry significance in our perspectives. It just needs to be kept in mind that the significance may be different for different people, but it needs to be appreciated and positively supported regardless and no matter what happens. It is our perspectives, and the significance contained within, that lead us to act and react the way we do to the things we like, including even Pokémon.

I Claimed My Team

I have finally done it. After much thought and consideration, which included looking over and reminiscing the Pokémon Go experience I had a month ago and the things that the experience entailed, I went forth and claimed my team. True to my word, I claimed Team Mystic as per the choice dictated by many of my friends who have played Go. I've decided that the benefits outweigh the downsides, and this will make my experiences playing the game more meaningful - this was something I experienced first-hand just afterwards.

By claiming Team Mystic as my team, I get to support my fellow Mystic mates at their Gyms, by feeding Berries to the Pokémon they left there to maintain their morale against challengers. Conversely, I can also challenge the Pokémon in the Gyms held by the other two teams and test their mettle against mine. I'm a bit fortunate that there also happens to be three Gyms near my home so that I can quickly try this out, and it's a whole lot of fun. These three Gyms seem to be quickly changing ownership across the three teams, so at least I can partake in the exchanges.

But most importantly, now I can participate in raid battles, which do take place at Gyms and therefore necessitate being part of a team. This is an area where I can still exercise some independence, and yet regardless, I cannot raid alone. It is too much for myself to handle. That is why I now appreciate the connections that I made one month ago, which enables a more coordinated raid effort. Even so, I've yet to be able to participate in the efforts that have been held; I hope and expect to be able to change this soon.

In the time between I first played Go and my return to it, I've missed out on quite a lot. Gyms got changed, Pokémon got added, and other players have come in and gone out of the game. At the least, the act of claiming a team ensures that I at least have a chance to experience what I have missed - or rather, what I might miss should another rework occur. Now I want to take this and advance as far as possible.

Friend Faves

Every Pokémon fan seems to have their favorite Pokémon. And they like them for a variety of reasons, competitive or otherwise. Even my fellow Pokémon colleagues and friends have their own faves, and at one point or another, they've informed to me theirs. It then becomes fascinating to (try to) understand what they see in the Pokémon they like and how they are appealing for them.

One of my friends likes the Grass-type Lilligant. He's a competitive player, so it's no surprise he likes its usage in competition battles, especially how it could have been used within the competitive regulations of the past. It has a high Special Attack and it's quite speedy, and this can be exploited in certain situations. Notwithstanding its competitive abilities, it's a pretty and attractive Pokémon, and its gender is female-only to boot. While I could see this being a particular attracting factor, it is perhaps the competitive abilities that play a bigger part.

Meanwhile, a different colleague likes the Fairy-type Sylveon. This particular attraction seems to be particularly emphasized as a fascination with its appearance, which has been demonstrated quite a few times. This in fact evokes one of the Four Notions that I've discussed of certain Japanese fandoms - that of "waifu", as I mentioned in a discussion about it. Yet, though Sylveon is pinkish in color and suggests feminine qualities, there are also many that are male. Regardless, it is his attraction, and I won't question that - Sylveon is cute in my book too, perhaps as much as this is true in his eyes.

Evolutions of Eevee ("Eeveelutions") seem to be popular and attractive among fans, and I know of another friend and fan who likes another. He likes the Electric-type Jolteon instead. In contrast to the example of Sylveon as mentioned, Jolteon appears more masculine and fierce. He shares the same fascination, though not to the same level from what I can tell. I have once tried to play into this attraction, and this seems to have worked well. We allowed ourselves to understand each other and Pokémon through this.

It's totally understandable that different Pokémon fans have their own selection of favorite Pokémon, but it's also totally great to understand what they like. And there's always something, whether it is for use in competition or something else. I can't help but like what they like based on what they've demonstrated about certain Pokémon.

Movie Manga!

I love Pokémon in all kinds of forms. That, of course, would include manga or Japanese comics, a form I rarely get the chance to enjoy, and in fact, I have never owned any Pokémon manga. Recently, however, I was fortunate to encounter a volume of a Pokémon manga in a rather-distant book shop, and after much thought and consideration, I decided to purchase it. It was too fascinating to pass up and it makes for a good start to my Pokémon manga collection.

It is plainly obvious from the cover that this particular manga volume is based on the Pokémon movie of the same title, only of course with all the frills of a manga. I must admit that at this point I have not had a chance to view the movie to which this manga pertains, but I'm sure the storyline is similar. Regardless, the manga is not a substitute for the movie, and I will have to watch it at the point when I'm able to do so.

Something that I appreciate about manga is that they're as much art as they are about story, and that the former should be enjoyed as much as the latter. To that end, I'm taking it slow with this one and I'm going through the dialogue and panel art in passes. I want to be able to consume both the story and art without doing so rapidly, something that I seem to have trouble doing. It is especially important for this one as this is one particular manga I stand to like more than others.

This remains an interesting manga that incorporates one part of the anime. It's almost like a blending of the two disparate aspects of Pokémon. As the first one I officially own, I'm very pleased to have it. It's one I'll enjoy now and will surely come back to time and again, especially in consideration of what it is based on.

Nostalgic Returns

It is worth reiterating, especially to newer fans, that Pokémon is now over two decades old. That means for longtime fans such as myself, there are often many opportunities for nostalgia back to those older days. This does not mean - and this is another reiteration - that I'm a genwunner; I simply like to reminisce the older days of Pokémon every so often. And for Pokémon as well as its anime, the perfect time is now.

With nostalgia in consideration, I of course can't stop talking about the new Pokémon movie, which may be considered to be a nostalgic blast in part. Sure, a good portion of it is not in line with the prior "established story", and some may have expressed their discontent in this regard. I happen to think that it may not supposed to be so, and regardless, the movie carries much of the same spirits as that of the early episodes of the anime. That's enough of a nostalgic blast for me, and really, there is not much that can be asked for than that, and that's fairly unique.

That said, there is something to be appreciated for re-watching the old episodes of the Pokémon anime as they are, in particular through appreciable means. As much as quite a few of the important ones are re-incorporated into the new movie, there are many that aren't, so that becomes an impetus to watch them. Another is to be able to compare and contrast the reincorporated moments in the new movie with those as they appear in the series previously. Believe me, there are just as many differences as there are similarities, but you'll have to find them out for yourself.

Speaking of which, it has come to my attention that the Indigo or Kanto League adventures are now out in full HD on Blu-Ray. Some packages also contain very nifty bonuses along with those discs of episodes. Needless to say, I advise getting them, especially if you have the means to watch them. I currently have nothing that can be used to watch Blu-Ray stuff, but that may change sometime in the future. Until then, it's an impulse I will have to resist, but one to be considered as soon as the means are available.

I'm fond of reminiscing, and this is especially true with Pokémon, which by now is good and old - and established. That's a great thing, because there are many things to look back on, even as the series moves forward. It is so true especially now. As a longtime fan, I cannot ask for more nostalgia, and Pokémon delivers in any case.

Good (Life)Times, Again

I love Pokémon Shuffle on my 3DS. It runs well, and its gameplay is addictive, considering that I'm a fan of puzzle games like this. I play it a lot - sometimes to pass the time, and sometimes when time is scarce and all I can play is Shuffle. But I've never realized how much time I've spent on playing the game, until I recently took a look at the game stats, displayed on the game's menu:

That's right; I maxed out the game's play time clock. I don't know when the moment occurred, but it has been done. What's clear now is that I've spent more than 1000 hours on the game, which is a good deal of time. It was this issue in a similar context in part that led me to discuss the experiences of another friend, who also maxed out his play time clock on a different Pokémon game. Now the tables have been turned, so to speak.

So now I have to discuss this in terms of the three criteria I previously posed in evaluating time spent: result, experience, and enjoyment. Of results, I have that in spades - I always try to catch all the Pokémon in the Special Stages and progress as far as possible in the Main and Expert Stages. In regard to experience, it's certainly better now than the first time I played, with all the conveniences introduced over time. And as for enjoyment, it has been totally enjoyable, with minimal errors. Considering all of these, it has been time well-spent in reference to this game.

But what about life? Recall that I've said that time well-spent is considered living, and with that, I have lived. I've done something Pokémon, and I like it - even further now that I get to share it by way of this blog. There is a small amount of regret that some of that time could have been spent on the main series instead, considering what has happened, but things happen for one reason or another. As for Shuffle Mobile, this game's counterpart for smartphones, some things may be better left unsaid.

Having maxed out the clock on my Shuffle game, I can now say that it's been a good time for a good life. It's been worthwhile to spend bits of time on this very addictive game. I'll still play the game - there are still many things left to be seen in this game - but I'll also try to manage to play other Pokémon games like my recently-received copy of Ultra Moon. It's only right that I do so, as a huge Pokémon fan.

Hoenn Pokémon Are Go!

For those committed to Pokémon Go, you have received a special treat. A good number of third-generation Pokémon from the Hoenn region have entered the game after their "preview appearances", so to speak, from the Halloween event earlier this year. This entrance also comes with an important feature addition that in a sense was also popularized by certain Pokémon from this region and generation. With this, the game has gone into a new, appreciable direction.

While I have yet to encounter the three starter Pokémon of this generation, I had encountered a few of the new Pokémon on a short trip out that I made while playing Go. The first one I met was one half of the dynamic Electric duo of this generation, and that was the blue-accented Minun. A little later on, I encountered the ever-elegant Roselia with its bicolor flowers. Needless to say, I captured them both, among others - and I had to, in order to prepare for better things ahead.

Meanwhile, that new important feature is dynamic weather, for which two of the three "box legends" of this generation are known for. Those two are Kyogre and Groudon, who in the main series are known for their weather-inducing abilities. And for raid players, they can get in on the fun for the latter, as Groudon are now showing up in raids. As for other effects, weather changes what Pokémon appear and where, and may have added bonuses for the Pokémon concerned. Now it really becomes worth it to go out and play Go in different weather conditions.

The world of Go just got a little larger thanks to the first major group of third-generation Pokémon, and even more real thanks to weather effects. They're fascinating changes that bring this world a little more closer to the one of the main series, and ones that have been expected to happen. Likewise, I am highly expectant of the rest of the third generation and the further directions that await this game, as well as how I can take advantage of these changes to my greatest benefit.

Balanced Systems Stimulate Civilization

According to a set of principles outlined in a certain adventure game, a world needs certain things to be able to support human life workings, or even as far as a civilization. This is neatly summarized in one of the principles, which becomes the title of this post. What it means is that these things need to be equalized so that they create a supporting environment where humanity can flourish. What does this mean for Pokémon? It can be construed that the same principles very much apply to the world, as it is where humans and creatures flourish.

One of the key principles of the set regards nature. This principle states that nature is what supports interdependence among living things. Of nature, the Pokémon world has it in spades; there are hundreds upon hundreds of Pokémon species, in addition to plant life and people. It's only natural that they have to cooperate for their interests, whether shared or otherwise - and they do, if the games and anime are any indication. Types like Grass and Ground are also emblematic of this principle. It's a wonderful thing for a great world, but it's not enough.

That's where another key principle of the set comes in: dynamic forces are the precursors of change. If things remained the same all the time, bad would not become good, and good would not become better. Things like weather and even the workings of individual Pokémon moves can work in different ways and change outcomes. Balances can shift, occasionally for the worse, but many times for the better. Correcting and adjusting them becomes the task. The types of Fighting and Flying can be taken to represent this key principle. This too is a good thing, but it takes something else to aid this.

Yet another key principle is that energy is what drives the workings of the future. Without energy, there wouldn't be something that makes the world tick and set into motion dynamics and life. Electricity and heat, and thus symbolically the Electric and Fire types, are included in this principle. This becomes the drive, something to be harnessed by people and Pokémon alike to shape their world. In concert with the other two principles, this prompts them to interact in a manner that allows these principles to be evened out, allowing them to flourish further.

These principles might not seem like they apply much elsewhere, but they really do. The reality is that any world can't do much with just any one of them - much energy to move nothing, dynamic chaos, and nature becoming dull, as consequences. What we've been able to achieve in the real world with our civilizations is exactly the equalization of these things to build our world. It's not such a stretch to extend these workings to the world of Pokémon, where it's not only the humans that flourish, but also the fantastic creatures in it.

The First-Generation Surfing Theme

Yet another iconic music piece from the first-generation Pokémon games is the surfing music or theme. This is the music that plays when the player uses a Pokémon to go across water, which is done by the move Surf, and hence is called "surfing". True to many other pieces from the games (like the bicycle theme I discussed way back in the early days of this blog), it is also featured in the anime in certain instances, and this helps to tie together the two realms.

Compared to other music pieces from the games, this is a piece with a lighter tone. This is obviously true for the battle pieces, but it also applies in a sense to the "route" music pieces as well. Whereas the "route" pieces sound like they demand a strong sense of movement, the surfing music leaves room for calmer, gentler movement. Certainly this has to be because the player is floating on water, and by floating, the player is almost literally free to drift to different places. The particular music piece is appreciable for capturing that feeling.

For me, though, the "drifting" feeling of the music makes me want to drift elsewhere. I want to drift not on water, and not in a vehicle (as could be expected), but on the dance floor - in other words, I want to dance to it. More specifically, I want to dance the waltz to it. The 12-beat nature of the piece is adaptable to a 3-count, which means I can use it for a waltz. I've tried it out on my own, and it seems to really work. What I need for a real waltz, though, is a partner who'd do it with me. It would be intriguing to realize this.

The surfing music is well-composed for its situation in the games, allowing players to feel a different sense of freedom on water terrain. I also like it because it inspires me to take up the freedom to dance to it. Aroused feelings like this are what I like about many music pieces of the Pokémon games, and because of this, the piece is totally deserving of an iconic status.

Tears of Life... and Being Moved to Tears

There's no denying that the latest Pokémon movie is a powerful one - at least personally for me. So powerful, in fact, that the last time I saw the movie again, I was pushed to do something that, by recall, I never (or rarely) do during a movie: I shed tears. Shedding tears is nothing new for the Pokémon feature films, as it was a feature of the very first one toward its conclusion. That moment is accompanied by an equally moving instrumental piece which is entitled "Tears of Life".

This five-minute piece, as the title suggests, carries a great deal of emotion. Without revealing much of the details, at that moment, many characters in the movie indeed shed their tears for an unfortunate occurrence prior to the ultimate resolution of the events in the movie. The orchestral nature of the piece only magnifies the effect. I can imagine that many of those who watched also shed some tears; I would perhaps do the same if I was who I am today, but back then.

In the same way, the latest Pokémon movie is a great carrier of emotions, especially towards its conclusion. Since the focus is on Ash and Pikachu, anyone with strong feelings for this dynamic duo - like me - can expect to have emotions that rival those of the first movie. I wouldn't say the situations near the end of the current movie merit the same musical piece from the first movie, but some might consider it suitable, and I wouldn't disagree with that.

For those who feel that the new movie is emotionally touching, you're not going too far. All the things that went on in the movie are most likely intended to reach into the deepest emotions of those who are fans of the anime and its central two main characters, for instance I myself. With consideration of "Tears of Life" and the first movie, it is certainly not the first time for the attempt, nor will it likely be the last, and that is quite respectable. Perhaps that is enough to make you want to continue to shed tears.

Will You Be There?

In our darkest hour, in my deepest despair,

Will you still care? Will you be there?

In my trials and my tribulations

Through our doubts and frustrations

In my violence, in my turbulence

Through my fear and my confessions

In my anguish and my pain

Through my joy and my sorrow

In the promise of another tomorrow
I’ll never let you part, for you're always in my heart.

-- "Will You Be There", Michael Jackson

After the effort I took yesterday to watch the 20th Pokémon movie yet again, I was suddenly reminded of the spoken verse at the very end of this song. With the scenes of the movie still fresh in my mind, I thought that the spoken verse, as well as this song, perfectly encapsulates the feelings of Ash and Pikachu for each other. It's a personal thing, but it's one that I feel makes so much sense, given what happens in this movie.

There is a match among many of the Ash-Pikachu moments in the movie to the situations described in the spoken verse, among them the "darkest hour" of the struggle near the end and the "deepest despair" of the conflict in the middle of the movie, the latter of which also involves the rainbow feather. It may be true that some interpretation may be needed to connect the moments to the situations, but on the whole the movie appears like an affirmation for the situations listed in relation to the Ash-Pikachu relationship.

I'm inspired by this connection further to express my creativity, to string together the relevant moments and set this to the spoken verse part. It's neither an easy task nor is it a day project; if it were, I would have it prepared for this post, and I don't. Provided the resources and ample time for devotion, it still would be an interesting project to take up. In effect this post serves as a conjecture, initiative, and incentive for this project. Whether it will be realized soon (enough) is another matter.

What is real now is that this movie portrays a strong sense of the relationship between Ash and Pikachu. It is one that is describable in many ways, including yet another song I also recently discussed in connection to the movie. Words don't seem to be enough, and that is why I encourage seeing the movie. As for this song and this movie, given the title as a question and what transpired in the movie, the answer would be a resounding "yes".

The Rainbow Feather of Ho-Oh

OK, I'll admit it - I'm absolutely enamored with the 20^th Pokémon movie, so much so that I'd watch it again and again if I could. That is in fact what I did today, although not with friends as I had hoped earlier - at least not ones that I know. This time, it got me thinking about the rainbow feather that Ho-Oh dropped, which becomes an important device as well as symbolism in the movie. So important this device and symbolism is, that it's something I highly appreciate.

As I've mentioned in an earlier post directed to a friend of mine and concerned how I felt, the feather is an enigmatic one. It is pure and colorful for those with good hearts and tainted and gray for those with bad hearts. This implies that by maintaining a good heart, those with the feather can maintain its color, while those with a bad heart will cause the feather to lose color - a fact plainly demonstrated in the movie. This is such a powerful allegory of good and evil that I find fascinating.

Along with signifying good and evil, the feather also signifies a magnificent power. It is one that can bring forth destructive abilities, or summon the greatest challenge there is. Likewise, this is demonstrated over the course of the events in the movie. It's a perfect reminder that anything can be misused or used wisely depending on the intents. This is something that doesn't take a brightly colored feather to see in the real world nowadays, but the reminder surely helps.

Come to think of it, as a personal feature, the feather need not be physical nor be limited to certain people. The feather is innately present within all of us and acts the same way, figuratively speaking. So on the off-chance that some action can potentially "change the feather" for the worse, then it's probably a cue to step back and reconsider. The key is to remain aware of its presence.

Not only is the movie a blast to watch, its story is also fully loaded with meaning. And some of it can be found in occurrences and things such as this feather. It is a truly powerful symbol for the characters in the movie and those who watch, like me. I'm tempted to recreate this feather to keep its ideological standing alive, but that's another matter. Right now I can do the same by keeping this movie on my "watch again" list.

Pikachu Head Collectibles

I love Pikachu objects in any form, even if it's just the head. The head has to be one of the most expressive parts of Pikachu, which makes it unsurprising that it's part of many Pokémon collectibles featuring Pikachu. And recently, I obtained some collectibles featuring the ever-expressive head of Pikachu for a good price from the events or conventions that I've been to. They're different, yet they're so nice as well.

The first is a mini Pikachu head plush, which I'm rather certain that it's an official merchandise. I got it from yesterday's convention; a stand sold this and merchandise featuring other Pokémon heads, and while this one was missing its tag, the others weren't, and that's how I knew it was official. The plush is complete with a wire loop, which can then be used for hanging. The only thing is that it seems the ears are flat and slightly floppy where they are joined to the head; while this is fitting with the true character of Pikachu's ears, this also leads to a minor stability problem. Otherwise, the head and the face is well-designed with its standard appearance, and this is a good thing.

The second is a Pikachu head pin, and this one is definitely an indie merchandise. I got it from the event of three weeks ago. Compared to the plush, this one is a little less detailed, but at least most of the important parts are present. Having said that, the simple appearance makes it resemble character icons from a certain action puzzle game, yet that's not a bad thing. It just means that this pin is of a different art style. I still appreciate the artistry that went into the pin, and I like that I have it in my collection.

Even if it's just a part of the body, Pokémon artistry such as these is certainly worth having. They present a unique perspective out of what is arguably a very expressive part. For Pikachu, this is no different, especially when different styles and materials are involved. They make great collectibles as a result.

Cosplay: Utsuru F!

What would the letter F in the title of this convention that I went to today stand for? Would it stand for "food", "fair", or "festival", of which all are appropriate descriptors for it? That's more of a personal interpretation that is of your choosing. What I can tell you is that "F" almost definitely stands for something else, and that is "four", as this is the fourth time it is held.

I say that it is a convention, because that is what it really is: a gathering of in-town Japanese communities. Based on past occurrences, the event is usually held one or two months prior to today, but this year it seems it is held later than usual. Regardless, it is Japanese-themed, so cosplay is and has always been welcome in all its forms. And that works out to my benefit.

Today, I chose to cosplay seventh-generation Ash again, a repeat from three weeks prior. It was warmly received, so I thought I would wear it once more. Further, since the event had a cosplay walk or parade, I chose to take part, which means this was the first time I took this costume into a competition. I love the opportunity that this affords, but then again so did the other 40+ cosplayers that took part. That meant a low chance of winning with only five winners selected, and in fact, I didn't. Ah well - there'll be other times.

Of course, there were even more than 40 cosplayers around, and many times that number of visitors, so this made for one crowded convention, what with everyone and everything packed into an area of only a few hundred square meters. It too was noisy, because many community exhibitors brought in amplifiers for their sound media, not to mention there was the entertainment from the stage. Additionally, it was the very same venue that played host to a certain other event or convention earlier this year, without the weather problems. It was pleasurable nonetheless, aside from these issues.

As always, the better part of my day was spent meeting up with friends, whether they're the ones I frequently meet, less frequently meet, or only meet when I go to out-of-town events. Yes, that means for the last one, they've come to my in-town event, and this becomes their out-of-town event. In a way, it's almost like them "returning the favor". Thank you for that, and thank you to everyone for making this event a lively one.

All the communities, the food stands, and the entertainment make this convention a unique experience. It also emphasizes camaraderie, which is totally the point of this event. That being said, I can specify something else that "F" stands for, which is "fun". That is exactly what I and the many other visitors had today.

A Pokémon Twist to My Phone

Recently, something happened to my new smartphone that didn't affect how it functions, but it nonetheless had an effect. To safeguard it from further effects and make it more pleasing in appearance, I decided to cover up the affected part with a covering, with the help of someone that could furnish it. And to make it more pleasing, I chose to have a Pokémon-themed covering:

The covering is a special kind of covering that is supposedly strong enough for protection from many things. It can be applied to many devices and gadgets, not the least of which includes smartphones like the one I have. But the best part about the covering is that it is totally customizable with any image, and true to my liking, I went for a Pokémon image.

The image is a unique design that was composed specially for use on the phone. I and the person who put on the covering collaborated on the design at the spur of the moment, utilizing the (luckily) present Pokémon resources that the person had. An interesting Pikachu and Pichu image was placed over a galactic starscape along with the Pokémon logo, which made for an integrated design. I'm sure I would have come up with the same design myself if I had the time, so it was quite worth it.

This Pokémon-themed twist to my phone is not only functional, but necessary. After what has happened to it, I can't really foresee offering it to anyone else once I've decommissioned it, which means that it will likely remain mine for the foreseeable future. But that's OK, for my new phone has helped out very much in many Pokémon matters (including Go) and otherwise. It might as well receive an improved look owing to my interest in Pokémon.

(Un)finished Business

I was supposed to make this post closer to the release of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, but other things got away from me and I couldn't quite address the matter, even though it meant that I could address other Pokémon things on this blog and elsewhere. No matter - now is a good time as any to address it.

On a few past posts on this blog, I had hinted that there might have been something else that hindered my play on Pokémon Sun, the previous seventh-generation game that I got, and that I wanted to resolve it before I discuss about it. And there is. The fact of the matter is that I didn't finish the game through the main storyline all this time, in the one year that I've had the game. And yes, this includes the one and only tournament I attended earlier this year. Given the efforts I took to obtain the game, this result is in contrast to that. For that, I feel very shameful. I'm sorry.

I did, however, just barely manage to finish the main storyline a few days prior to the release of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. I felt that it wouldn't do to not finish the game's main storyline before moving on to the Ultra games and that I would have a better conscience playing the Ultra games with that being the case. And so I did.

The screen that I had hoped to see in way less than a year.

I am still snooping around in the post-game and will continue for a little bit before moving on, but I am otherwise prepared.

The experience still constitutes a learning one in that I was able to construct a VGC 2017 team with the constraints of what I had, but it was severely limited. It's a challenge that is surely not recommended, no matter how interesting it might be. In any case my teams are still seemingly problematic anyhow given past experiences, but at least I know a good deal now than when I started to delve into competitive battling years ago. I can stand to know a few more things with progress.

So that is my shameful experience, one I'm not too proud of. All kinds of things have happened, and this is the result. Yet I intend to make up as much of this as I can with my progress on Ultra Moon, which is the only right thing to do. Wish me luck.

The Shops of Shuffle

It is no secret that Pokémon Shuffle on the 3DS is a free-to-play game with optional purchases to be able to get ahead. To that end, Shuffle also contains its own set of shops where certain items can be purchased to aid in gameplay. All the shops can be accessed by the "shopping basket" icon, and once there, players can enter one of three different shops to do different things in each one.

Buy Jewels. While this shop is listed at the bottom, it's actually the most important shop. Jewels are the unit of exchange (that is, currency) for items of special circumstances, including items in the other two shops, and this is where and how players can get more of them than what they've earned otherwise. The shop is connected to the Nintendo eShop, so it uses the balance from that for the purchase of Jewels. Bulk purchase of Jewels carry a bonus of more Jewels, as well as other increased in-game bonuses. This shop may also be accessed from the other two shops from an icon.

Shop. This shop is the basic shop for exchange of Jewels into the basic items of Hearts and Coins. The more Jewels that are exchanged, the greater amount of items that are received, and at a cheaper rate. Only four specific exchange amounts of each are available, however, and they're all-or-nothing. Further, if an exchange amount would put the amount over the maximum (99 spare Hearts, 99999 Coins), the exchange amount is unavailable until enough have been used up to allow the exchange to occur. It's a nice safety mechanism to keep players active.

Special Shop. This shop contains even further specialized items that activate certain conditions and is only periodically available. The conditions affect how Hearts are recovered, in addition to being time-limited and available one at a time, not to mention at limited amounts. They are truly special in that sense because the items may have greater utility and value than directly exchanging for Hearts and Coins, which means it may be well worth it to spend Jewels here rather than at the regular shop.

Enterprising Shuffle players who aren't dodgy about spending their eShop balance will likely find themselves perusing the Shops quite often. It's up to them to decide how many Jewels they need and for what purpose. The approaches of item usages are as varied as the items being offered, and they really do enable players to get ahead in Shuffle for whatever the players choose to spend.

Watching and Re-Watching

As a Pokémon fan, there is nothing I love more to watch - when I'm not in need of watching something else - than the Pokémon anime. This applies to its episodes as well as the movie (feature films), the latter when I have sufficient time to do so. Something else that I like to do is to re-watch past episodes and movies, sometimes over and over, also when I have sufficient time and given the chance. And I say, it's totally fine to do that.

All other concerns aside, it might seem nonsensical to watch something that has already been watched, let alone again and again. Why watch something for which the story is already known and that the progression (of the plot) is predictable? Why watch something from the past, when something more recent is present? And why go through the trouble and take the time? These are the questions I have received when critiqued over something I've watched previously, including Pokémon.

For the first question, the answer is because I enjoy it. I'm fully aware of what's going on, but I don't mind; I do it to relive the entertainment, however it was when I first got entertained by it, and I never think it's really lost. As a preface to the answer for the second question, I'm not a "genwunner", and I never will be. I just like the nostalgia that the opportunity affords, which is a unique opportunity in itself. That allows room for appreciation of Pokémon things of the present. Lastly, doing this just affirms that I still have attachment to Pokémon, no matter how much things change. In all, doing this is for the better part of my Pokémon interests.

I enjoy Pokémon a lot, and in particular enjoy watching the anime. Strewn around its 1000+ episodes and a number of movies are many great moments. They're all in my view worthy of being watched again, which is what I do from time to time. So long as I have the time and chance, I don't mind, and it's only appropriate. It only contributes further to my interest in this great series.

(Speaking of which, I haven't gotten around to watching the latest Pokémon movie again. It would perhaps be interesting to do so with a few other companions. I may have to see what I can do about this.)

Game Bugs and Fixing Them

Once upon a time, the main series Pokémon games weren't so complex. There weren't as many Pokémon and moves for which their interactions needed to be coordinated and made sure they were as expected. But with every new generation, Pokémon, move, and battle mechanic, the game grows that more complex. And with that complexity, there is bound to be a few bugs, and there are, in fact. The challenge then becomes how to deal with them.

Most recently, there have been bugs with the Z-Move system. Since Z-Moves stack up on regular moves, they add a layer of complexity to the normal move system. It's no surprise, then, that bugs do appear with this system. In the Sun and Moon games, there was an issue with the move Parting Shot, and now with the Ultra games, there seems to be an issue with Wide Guard. Other bugs have been present since at least the fifth-generation games, but they have been fixed since.

How are they fixed? In the fifth generation, it wasn't - the DS system wasn't robust enough to do that. Instead, VGC rules simply ban the interaction in question, though this means the interaction is still available for regular play. In subsequent generations, the games are updated with a patch that rectifies the offending interaction, as a truly universal solution. In the sixth generation, it became the first time that the Pokémon games received such a treatment.

Admittedly, it's hard to keep something as complex as Pokémon battle mechanisms free of errors such as those mentioned above. There is just so many things to keep track in the mechanisms that it's easy for errors to manifest, and they actually do. Update patching is the available solution for that, at least when things don't go right the very first time. The mechanics become important for Trainers, so they should be right as right can be.

Complexity is an unavoidable thing in the case of the Pokémon games, which intend to keep its battle mechanisms going forward. In that case, imperfection becomes an unavoidable thing, as there is something that is overlooked and translates into the bugs. Fortunately, there is a way to deal with them easily today and make sure the games are perfectly coordinated for the times to come, even with all their complexities.

In and Out of Poké Balls

In the Pokémon anime, Pokémon are known for a peculiar behavior, to say the least. They seem to have their own way with Poké Balls, being able to exit and remain outside from them at their desire. Yet with this happening, the Pokémon remain as belonging to their respective Trainers; if a Poké Ball is thrown at them, and if they do not deflect or dodge the ball, the capture is at least denied. Regardless, this remains as a weirdness that only the anime can provide.

Incidences of self-exits from Poké Balls are neither unique to a Trainer nor one-time things. To name a few, these incidents have happened to Misty (Psyduck), Jessie (Wobbuffet), and even Ash himself (Oshawott). It is as if they know what went on in the situations where they exited and have decided to offer their aid or commentary (whatever it is that they exactly say). And in many cases, this boded well for them by either resolving the situation or at the least not making it a worse one.

Of course, when it comes to Pokémon that are outside of their Poké Balls, there are two in particular that are significant, for they (almost) never return to their balls, and their balls don't seem to exist, except for one in a particular case. They are, of course, Ash's Pikachu and Team Rocket's Meowth. In the case of the former, the reason for not returning is well-known - hating being in it - and can be considered to have been elucidated in a different journey, one that has been recently explored, and in which case has been shown to have its own Poké Ball. As for Team Rocket's Meowth, its details are sketchier, other than its beginnings in the team. It is almost similar to the Persian that Giovanni keeps with him.

In any case, this means that Pokémon do not have to be held captive in a Poké Ball to indicate that it belongs to someone, though by capturing them in a Poké Ball, the formality of the ownership is affirmed. Yet, it is a bit odd to think that such a capture vessel as a Poké Ball still allows this to happen. Given the bonds that they have with their human partners and the feelings they sense, this turns out to be a wonderful thing. And perhaps this may not so be peculiar at all.

Fallen Comrades

Pokémon is forever in my heart, or at least for a very long time. What is not forever is my physical being, or for that matter, the physical being of others. Over the past month or so, I and my friends had to bear the bad news that two of our comrades are no longer with us anymore. While I must say that I don't actually personally know the two comrades very well nor any relations they have to Pokémon, losing them is like losing any other comrade with ties to Pokémon. And in fact, Pokémon fans had lost a couple of important comrades some time ago.

One of those is Eric Medalle, who as I've mentioned in my post about logo colors, is the designer of the international Pokémon logo. As the story goes, he was involved in a freak accident that no one totally expected. I first learned of the news while browsing through Wikipedia's "Recent Deaths" list, and I felt distraught for some time. While I've accepted the fact that he's gone, I still feel like a part of me as a Pokémon fan is missing. Prior to this, fans also lost Maddie Blaustein, who provided the voice of Meowth in the original English dub.

The moral here is that no one is physically forever. I have to face the fact that I stand to lose people that I'm close to or even slightly distanced, and whether or not they are close to Pokémon. At least, what remains is their spirit, and that is what we should carry with us and remember. By the same token, there is always a chance that I'm called, and then others will lose me. If I am, then I ask at least of the same thing. I loath to make this post because it might sound prophetic (and it's not - please!), but to hear the loss of two of me and my friends' comrades one after the other is disheartening, and that becomes the impetus for this post. It is one I need to make sooner or later, but now has become the time.

So to the two comrades of my friends - and the two Pokémon comrades - that I've (we've) lost, may you rest in peace. We'll try our darndest to keep your memory alive, just as it should be for anyone who has left. You'll be forever in our minds and in our hearts.

A Beautiful Symphony

And the birds sing
And the flowers smile
Seeing you comforting my heart
My heart blooms once again
Amused by a symphony
Surely my life will be wonderful
-- "Simfoni yang Indah" ("Beautiful Symphony"), Once Mekel (translated)

Still on the subject of the latest Pokémon movie, I continue to feel a sense of awe and inspiration from it. Some of that comes from this song, which is awe-inspiring itself in some sense. Among all the products of Indonesian pop songs, I feel that this is one of the most pleasant and wonderful songs to listen to. And why not - as the song suggests, it has an orchestral backing, which affirms the word "beautiful" in the title. Thanks to the movie, I can now make an intriguing connection between the song and Pokémon.

This song is a good representation for the relationship of Ash and Pikachu. Despite the ups and downs of the relationship, it has turned out to be a remarkable one, as visualized in the movie. It's almost like Pikachu is a symphony that resonates within the heart of Ash, and Ash acknowledges it. It's hard to imagine where Ash would be today without Pikachu, though if the movie is any indication, it is a situation that is best left unimagined. The current situation, however, can be reimagined in various ways.

One of those ways is as what I envision with the chorus of the song, which I've quoted above. As Ash and Pikachu are walking - perhaps after the conclusion of the movie - the birds are really singing and the flowers are really smiling (Pokémon, and otherwise for the latter), and as Pikachu leads the way, Ash is as pleased as ever, fulfilling the rest of the chorus. It's a very fantastic picture for a very fantastic chorus, but that's not the end of it, because I envision Ash and Pikachu throughout the entire song.

I really admire the relationship that these two have. I really admire the latest movie for portraying this, and then again so goes for this song. They're all beautiful symphonies, and in my Pokémon mind, they can all come together.

Poké-Friends and Gratitude

Thanksgiving may have gone past a week ago, but there seems to be always room for saying thanks, appreciation, or gratitude any time... which I sense I should have more of. This is especially more true given something that happened just this Monday with one of my friends, who is a fellow Pokémon fan. On that day, my friend and fellow fan aided me with something that proved pivotal for other Pokémon things later in the week. It is something that I cannot thank him enough for.

However, lately I've been viewing his Facebook page, and I'm feeling like I'm missing something. While I do have social media accounts like Facebook, there are reasons I'm not overly active in them, and one of them is because of this feeling. I suppose that may be because I'm not feeling the gratitude I should be feeling. Yet in light of the events earlier this week, I should be feeling overly grateful.

If you've seen the particular Pokémon movie which became hot this week among me and my fellows, then you'll recall that a part of the movie concerns the feather of Ho-Oh, which Ash received. The lore associated with the feather says that the feather loses its color with anyone whose heart is impure, and this in fact happened - but I can't exactly divulge where, so you'll have to find out. It can be said, then, this situation seems to indicate that "my feather is losing its color", so to speak.

As I've stated repeatedly, I'm not a perfect person, even Pokémon-wise, but that shouldn't be a detriment to keep on loving and appreciating this series. Every fan has their own quirks, and that applies just as well to me and my friend. And we're definitely fans, and we can't ask for much more than that. It goes without saying that this something to appreciate and be grateful about.

So my friend, I'm sorry for feeling this way. With all that's happened, only gratitude and appreciation is the best thing to have. Considering the recently-released movie, this is a very good thing to keep in mind. It is my hope that with this post that I can "return the color of my feather" and realize that as Pokémon fans, we've got great things going in whatever we choose to have and do. That's something to have gratitude for.

Feature Film 20 - "Pokémon The Movie - I Choose You!"

...which brings me to the point of all of this. Yesterday was this feature film's official premiere in theaters in Indonesia, where it is shown with the subtitle of "Aku Memilihmu!" (which does mean "I Choose You!", again, literally translated from Japanese). I just had the chance to view the movie, and I can say that it is amazing. Bar none.

From the movie's poster, this movie appears to be a rehash of Ash's initial adventures, for those who have been with the anime long enough. And it is, to some extent. But it is also a unique journey that is so deep and so wonderful that it is truly a special one. Without going into too much detail, I can say that the movie involves the quest of Ash (and two other characters) as they discover all the things that are meaningful in their Pokémon lives, intertwined of course with the legend of Ho-Oh, the Legendary Pokémon that is also featured on the poster and marks the beginning of Ash's journey and adventure.

As well, this journey and adventure is about Pikachu, as Ash's ever-faithful companion. It obviously entails their first experiences, as well their experiences on this quest. And as can be attested by the particularity of the movie I discussed in the previous post, it's a close one. Real close. It's almost reminiscent of a certain other Pokémon movie, but that's starting to go into it a little too deep. Trust me: it's close, and perhaps closer than it's ever been.

There are so many profound moments in the movie that I cannot even begin to describe them all (with maybe the exception of that previous one), and I won't. What I can say is that as much as they are profound moments for the characters, they are also profound moments for myself. They've made me realize how much I really, really love Pokémon since nearly two decades ago, and it makes me pleased and delighted, almost to no end. For that, now my creative juices have begun to flow for ways to honor this.

As I've said, this movie is one to watch for any Pokémon fan. It's the 20^th, so it has to be very special, which it is. But don't take my word for it - just go see it for yourself. I promise, it'll be great.

Oh, and I've said that I use it for episodes, but it can also be used for the feature films too. So... Three-line summary:

This is the story of a journey
of a boy and his companion
on their path to greatness.

The Words of a Pikachu

By now, most Pokémon fans will have known about the 20^th Pokémon movie or feature film, which is subtitled "I Choose You!" in English (which is a literal translation of the Japanese "Kimi ni Kimeta!"). There is a highly-publicized peculiarity regarding a part of the movie, and it concerns Pikachu; in that part, Pikachu's voice is not of its usual Pokémon-name utterances, but instead of human language. The following is the excerpt of that part in the English dub of the movie:

Ash: Pikachu... why won't you get in your Poké Ball?
Pikachu: It's because... It's because... I always want... to be with you...

It was documented that this part caused some furor among those watching the movie. And why not? For 20 years, fans have been accustomed to the fact that in the anime, the Pokémon (commonly, with only one very notable exception) speak using their names as utterances, and only in very rare cases this is actually deciphered into human language, and practically never in their actual voice... until this happened. It is thus very surprising and a bit maddening.

This situation is almost identical to someone speaking a nearly completely undecipherable foreign (or fantasy) language who then suddenly speaks an understandable human language. In fact, this has happened in an English novel I once read; in that novel, it is understood that the characters continue to speak the fantasy language for which the novel is concerned, but the speech is transparently presented in English for the purpose of understanding, though later on this issue becomes sketchy with the introduction of outsiders. The situation in the movie could be thought to be a one-off version of that, returning to the usual norm afterwards.

It has been suggested that at that point Ash was in delirium (supported by the situation) and what Pikachu said is what Ash thought Pikachu was saying. This is a plausible explanation given that Ash seemed to comply, though it's not the one I favor. Of course, what doesn't explain the situation is that in the old Pokémon manga, some Pokémon actually spoke human language. This is a totally different canon and thereby doesn't apply to this, but it is worth mentioning because of the similarity.

In any case, this is the 20^th movie after all, so to pull a maneuver like this is hardly surprising. It's a special milestone to be celebrated, not the least of which is because of the setting. Such a maneuver, however odd it seems, only makes the movie even more special. It is a totally, absolutely must-see movie for any Pokémon fan...

Journeys and Adventures

- Where have you been?
- Everywhere.
(moments pass)
- So where are we going?
- Everywhere else!

There is an adventure game that never got off the ground that featured this specific interaction. The setting of the interaction was someone who was late to meet two people because the person was "everywhere", but then they all decide to venture to "everywhere else". It implies that the world is a big place, but then there is always something to explore. I like to think that this applies as well to the Pokémon world, especially in the journey of a Pokémon Trainer.

It has been said that beyond the confines of buildings and towns, there is a vast amount of land to explore and seas to approach, and to go through them would be a wonderful thing. Many travel writers and visual reporters of this world have done just that, showing different facets of this world that we may not be aware of. Their stories make up the possible journeys and adventures of this world, and there is always the hope that others may take up these journeys and adventures.

A Pokémon Trainer can be said to do pretty much the same, except that maybe their journeys and adventures are less publicized, save by word-of-mouth or the occasional media appearance. It is still inspirational nevertheless for those who are strong-willed in taking part in them, like Ash. It's something amazing to be able to go places like these people, and then just when "everywhere" seems to have been explored, "everywhere else" opens up for exploration, and the process starts all over again.

I like that. And I like how all this can tie into Pokémon too.

The Pacing of Types

A characteristic that makes Pokémon unique is types. They are part of what makes the games of the series what they are, as I've also illustrated in a song about them. As is true of any expanding game series, Pokémon types also have expanded, though not at a constant rate or pace. Still, this becomes a valid consideration, given that there is always the possibility of new types coming in the future, however small.

Pokémon started out in the first generation with 15 types, which are Normal, Fire, Water, Electric, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock. Ghost, and Dragon. This is a fairly large number to start out with, perhaps a bit mind-boggling in some sense. And yet with only 151 monsters of those types, it works, and they're all mostly in harmony. Many of the types are well-represented, except for the elusive Dragon type, which only ended up as a very small fraction of that 151 Pokémon. Even so, the Dragon type managed to become a standout strong type, with Psychic as a runner-up of sorts.

The second generation then quickly came with the new Dark and Steel types, and at that point the types totaled to 17. The former could counter the standout Psychic type, while the latter just appeared as another strong type, which it did, with all of its resistances. New Pokémon had the new types, but no old Pokémon did, and for three generations afterwards, Steel and Dragon held the post as standouts. The sixth generation added only one type to even things out, the 18^th Fairy type as an intermediary for both, and for the first time, many old Pokémon gained the designation. Compared with the suddenness of Dark and Steel with no prior changes, this took quite some time.

Will any new types ever come? Given that the games seem quite stable with 18, it doesn't seem likely that new types will come, though there are still some loose ends. For example, Electric is weak to (and only to) Ground, while Dragons themselves can only counter another Dragon, and Normal cannot counter anything, the only one of the 18 types that cannot. A new type can maybe rectify these loose ends, but that may or may not happen, and if it does, not for a long time, as with the case of the Fairy type. The fact remains that anything is possible.

The expansion of Pokémon types have not been steady or regular, but it seems it doesn't try to be or have to be so. Notwithstanding the standout strong types, the other types have been more or less harmonious for playing the games, and expansion is as much a "minor fix" as it is a "major new thing" that plays into the logic of the game. Whether or not this unique logic will expand again in the future is something to be seen.

Popularity

It's been over 20 years since Pokémon officially came into being and nearly 18 years since I became a fan. Along the way, it seems Pokémon has undergone periodic surges and dips in popularity, shining one moment, fading the next, and then shining again. Yet despite this apparent situation, the Pokémon games remain a big seller; the numbers don't lie and the games always show high sales figures. And beyond the games, there is a big world of related Pokémon things. There must be something to be said about this situation of popularity.

What this indicates to me is that Pokémon is appreciated regardless, whether by gamers or otherwise. The basic formula of the main series games can be considered almost uniform, even after six generations of looking somewhat alike and one generation of looking somewhat different. But this hasn't stopped gamers from snapping up each game as if they were something completely new - which in a way is in fact true - and making great things out of them, of which a part is realized in the VGCs. Meanwhile, the spinoff games practically serve as a respite from the main series games and are enjoyed as well. Gamers' interest in the games seemingly hardly wanes, maintaining a sort of popularity.

Even for those who don't play the games, Pokémon is a universe of its own that is open for interpretation in various ways. This leads to things like the anime, manga, merchandise, toys, art, and so on and so forth. For these segmentations, the appreciation the people have in them is considerable, and that for as long as the things persist, interest will too. As well, it is expected that the non-game fans can cross into game territory and vice versa; if anything, this just increases appreciation further due to their enjoyment. It's an amazing exchange that speaks to the vastness of Pokémon, with some maintained popularity as a result.

What about those surges and dips? While they do seem apparent, it might as well be that they don't seem to occur. The fact is that the games continue to sell, the world continues to expand, and the popularity persists. If these didn't happen, it's possible that Pokémon wouldn't have lasted as long as it has, or would have become totally obscure. Pokémon seems to be popular in its own right, and this is something that's appreciable by myself as well as my fellow fans, especially with two decades of history behind it.

Late Launch Party... Minus the Party

You know, I'm so enamored with the late launch party that's scheduled for today, even though I can't go since I'm so far away. I like the concept, no matter the timing, as it lets players discuss and play together the latest games, which are in this case Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. I'm sorely disappointed that I can't go, but at least I could take to celebrate for a reason and with other means.

First up is the reason. Remember how I noted that I may or may not receive my copy of Ultra Moon by the time of the late launch party, which is today? It turns out the day after the post was made, I was told that my copy of the game was ready for me, and that all I had to do was to pay off the rest of the pre-order (earlier, I had made a small down payment) to have the game delivered to me. I was glad to hear this, and I soon paid off the game; the game was delivered to me on the same day using the local courier service.

What I'm even more glad is that this time, my pre-order has a bonus, and that bonus is a code for Shiny Silvally, which is on the sheet as you see here. However, the code is for the previous games (Sun and Moon) rather than for this game. Still, it is totally worth it to enter those games and claim the code, and in my case, there might be something to do as well. I appreciate the bonus regardless.

As for the means to celebrate, the festivities are way too far away for me to enjoy. However, what is not too far away is the menu for the party, which had been divulged ahead of time. It's such a neat Pokémon-inspired menu that I'm also inspired by it... enough that I ended up making three of the items featured on the menu for myself to enjoy as the festivities proceeded. It has been said that food can take people to different places, so what better alternative than to make the food, as if to take me to the party.

The three items I chose to make were the pandan tea, mushroom pasta, and mini doughnuts, as seen in the photo. The first was easy to make - just brew tea with pandan leaves and off you go. The mushroom pasta I made with the exact ingredients listed, though I added aromatics and herbs to balance the culinary logic. For the last one, I took some help by buying fry bread bits from a hawker stall (which are more akin to beignets) and made the spice-sugar topping myself. The filling wasn't present, but that's fine. The important thing is that I think I got somewhat close.

I can sense that this late launch party was a hit, especially since I heard that some of the others took to staying well after the party was supposed to be over, and that the food was excellent, especially the dessert. I also do believe that despite the distance, I was able to share at least some of the merriment through what unfolded above. I would really love to come and physically share the merriment next time something like this happens and I'm close enough to do so.