Cosplay Poses

Cosplay is about showing off a character while in costume, and this is something that's undeniable. Whether on a stage or in the street, cosplayers are practically demanded to be their chosen characters in their actions, and that includes poses when photographed or even in stage appearances recorded as movies. Even in my Pokémon cosplay this becomes important as Ash or Red have their own distinct styles and actions that can potentially be abstracted as poses to be utilized in these situations.

Some considerations are in order. Many characters are often shown in a still image and in a particular way, so these would serve as reference "poses" for their characters. It would be obvious to try to mimic or enact these poses, yet it wouldn't necessarily be a trivial matter if the poses are actually uncomfortable or too restrictive to do so. On the other hand, many characters are also animated, so it would be possible, at least theoretically, to infer poses from their animated sequences that can be replicated, with or without a lot of effort. Some effort is still required, of course.

In regard to my Pokémon cosplay, I feel that I've done quite a bit of both. I've memorized as many of Ash's (or Red's) poses as possible and enacted them, which has worked out well, and I've also inferred possible poses from action sequences and enacted those as well. The only problem is that sometimes it's hard for me to decide which one to use if I'm about to be or being photographed, especially if suddenly requested to do so. Moreover, I'm more often than not holding Pikachu with one of my hands since it's not motile. It's kind of both a personal problem and an environmental constraint problem. Sometimes things work out after I see the results, and sometimes they don't. Meanwhile on stage, I just let things happen according to my routine, since I rarely see the results anyhow, though this is very much desirable.

A friend told me that cosplay very much involves elements of theater, and I concur. I would also add that it's a highly visible form of theater, being not only done on stage and recorded in motion, but also done off the stage in various places and recorded as still images (that is, photographs). Poses seem to be crucial in regard of the latter, to capture the feel of the characters being cosplayed. I say it's very much applicable to my Pokémon cosplay as well, and it's something I have to take into account, whether or not things work out in the end result.

One year ago: Cosplay: Japanese World 2017

Pokémon Day 2018 - 22nd Anniversary

In 1996, one game - or rather, a pair of games - totally changed the gaming landscape. In 2018, that game series and all its related media celebrate the 22^nd anniversary. That game is of course Pokémon, and today is that very day for it. For this anniversary, I wish to consider the theme of "stories". Within those 22 years, there are countless memories, feelings, and experiences, but even more than that, they can be strung together into stories. I have mine, and every fan certainly has their own.

I had been chatting this morning with one of the recent readers of this blog, who also happens to be in my local raid group. The reader is also an all-around fan of Pokémon and is currently absorbed in one of the older Pokémon games. We were of the agreement that each day is a new experience, especially where Pokémon is concerned. Interestingly, it was pointed out that the reader considered Pokémon a "savior" of sorts during the teenage years. We concluded that everyone related to Pokémon has their own stories with it. And this led to the selected theme for this post.

As an aside, Pokémon Go has its own story for today. Similar to the Luvdisc special on Valentine's Day, today there is a Pikachu special - more specifically, it's a Party Hat Pikachu special, which is affectionately dubbed as "Partychu", with the special move of Present. The Party Hat accessory is also present on some hatched Pichu and remains on Raichu even after evolution; the move is only for Pikachu, though. I and my group have caught a number of these and witnessed others in action, and we think they're an interesting novelty, even if it's a repeat story - the same Pikachu was also encountered last year for Pokémon Day.

It's stories like these that are worth sharing so that others may know about them. I've written a bit about unknown stories, and it really is true; they're about experiences and feelings. I see why the reader I connected with earlier feels that way; in a way, I have the same feelings, and the similarity helps in the understanding. And then there are the experiences that we may not necessarily have the same of, even given the same circumstances. It becomes great to know and understand them through sharing.

It's been 22 years, and I'm certain that we the fans of Pokémon have many stories scattered in those years. If these stories from today are to go by, then they are as fascinating as much as they are unique. It's not hard to expect that many fans have similar stories, no matter which Pokémon games they play and who they connect with. May we continue to have many more stories in future years with Pokémon.

Happy 22^nd anniversary.

One year ago: Pokémon Day 2017 - 21st Anniversary

Sixth Cosplay Anniversary - From No-One to Someone

Wouldn't you believe it - six years ago, on this date, I formally started my cosplay adventures by attending my first event (or it could also be considered a convention, since many communities were featured as well in it) with the intent to cosplay, of course with my Pokémon cosplay. I've mentioned quite a few of the details in my fifth anniversary post (see below), and I would like to mention a few more, in particular in relation to who I am today: I feel that I have transitioned from a "no-one" to a "someone" with my cosplay efforts.

First, a little flashback. That event that I first attended was entitled "Japan Romantic Festival", which as is expected of many events in February, including yesterday's, is love-themed due to Valentine's Day. Back during that first event, I knew no one, other than several people who I had become acquainted with initially for the purpose of cosplay. No one also really knew that I really love Pokémon nor the fact that it was my impetus to start cosplaying. I was indeed a "no-one" because people didn't know who I am and reciprocally I didn't know many of the people that were related to or attended events or conventions.

This is one of the event entry passes.
The pass is for an exhibitor/performer.

Now, I really am a "someone", since people know of my presence as a cosplayer, and more specifically as a Pokémon cosplayer. I've been to many events in my area and even beyond, connecting with those who attend in part as the character that I cosplay, most often Ash or Red. But most importantly, I've shown my interest in all things Pokémon through the things that I do, including cosplay. As well, I have this blog to help capture all my Pokémon thoughts and experiences, including cosplay, and present them to a wider audience. It's a wonderful thing.

I've come a long way since that first event. To come to the point where I know many people as much as people know about me is nothing short of amazing, and to have gone through this with Pokémon and Pokémon cosplay is indescribable. Everything that has gone on has only served to solidify my relationships to both, as well to every people I meet along the way, shaping me from a "no-one" to a "someone". It's been that way for the past six years; I can only hope it will proceed the same way for a foreseeable time in the future.

Happy sixth cosplay anniversary to me.

One year ago: Fifth Cosplay Anniversary

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

[AshKetchumMode]

Know what? I love being sent to events or conventions that are around the place where my friend lives. They might be small or in odd places, but if they're popular enough, they might just come back the next year, and again and again. The one I was sent to today is one of those, and this year is the third time for it. I should be glad, and the people who make it happen should too.

As my friend wrote last year in his review, the event is part of the celebration for a group of students; what my friend forgot to write is that since it's in February, it's also a celebration of love, and that's why the name is what it is. But this year, they've also combined it with a community celebration, which was actually its own event some time ago, my friend tells me. So this is pretty much a double event, kind of like last week. I'm still excited - I like the idea of evolving love, and my friend likes the idea of a "Full Japan Day". It's fun for the both of us.

For this one, I came with something special: my outfit is my Kanto outfit, but not my usual one. I wore the outfit that I wear in a very special adventure that appeared a few months ago. My friend even gave a preview a few days back with my cap - I can't blame him, since it is special for us. We also agreed that we should replace the shoes that I wear most often, so this event is also to test that. We got the new shoes just the day before, and it seems pretty good. It's amazing how we're sometimes lucky to get the stuff we need to send myself to the event.

Today I was in the character parade, which was also the only competition. My friend and I had been making sure that I get to get in and do my stuff. But then at the event, the people sent me back and forth, and my time on stage got cut short due to an announcement! Strange things seem to happen. I was one of the 17 characters in the parade, and there were three winners. Sadly, I was not one of them - aw well. I did talk with one of the other characters, who also didn't win, yet I still got winning tips to think about. And I think I may know what to do next.

Pikachu: Pikachu! [cheering]

Of course, Pikachu. You'll help too for that. But I can't say anything more now - you'll have to wait.

When I was here last year, the goodies market had just enough things for everyone, including me. This year was pretty much the same. What was not the same was the place, since it moved a few blocks from the original spot. Honestly, it wasn't too different, and even the new spot was just about as big. I like the performers, even if not much was also really different. But my friend tells me that's the center point of the community celebration, so I guess it's special.

Well, it's mostly special anyhow. I did get a few things for my friend to enjoy, and it's always great to talk to other characters and visitors. Let's hope for a good one at the next big one!

[/AshKetchumMode]

One year ago: Dealing with Cosplay Offerings

Pokémon Go Community Day, 2/24/2018

Today was the day of the February Community Day event of Pokémon Go. There had been a lot of things promised for the event, and they all were realized, perhaps more than we all bargained for. It seems many also put in a good effort as well, which helps in that regard. I myself reaped the rewards of the event, as did many in my raid group, and that has to be a good thing, especially considering what exactly happened.

First is the downsides of today's event. Unlike last month, there wasn't a clear agreement among my group as to where we should meet, so we ended up having separate gatherings at three locations, which isn't exactly the point of this event. Another thing is that there were some connection issues early on, but they weren't on our part, rather on the game's part. And if that wasn't enough, in my locale there was rain, not (just) in the game, but in real life - all morning and all afternoon, and just when you thought the rain had stopped, it started again. These issues really threw all of us for a loop.

Now, the upsides. Because the connection issues were on the game's part, we all (and other players) received compensation: the event was extended to six hours, twice its original length of three hours. This situation is akin to what happened when Shuffle got bugged. That is why I also mentioned "afternoon" previously, because we all spent not just the morning, but the afternoon playing for the event. The upside of not gathering at a specific place was that I could choose which gathering I wanted to participate in, and I chose the one nearest to me, for which I didn't have to expend for transportation and it provided the opportunity to partake in the event with the first person I met from my raid group on one fateful night. And rain or no rain, we were all just eager to play.

Here's the breakdown of what happened on my part. I and my friend participated in the area densely packed with PokéStops; he spread Lure Modules among many of the PokéStops in the area so that we (and others who play) can take advantage of them all and continue to move around to capture Pokémon. In fact, I did meet one person who wasn't in my group that did so - he was an out-of-town player looking to take advantage of the event, and we unwittingly yet graciously provided the opportunity. Of course, the rain put a bit of a damper on this effort, though the end result was very much impressive: in all, I caught 100 out of 112 Dratini I encountered, four of which were Shiny, and I evolved two of the best ones (plus the strongest Shiny) to Dragonite to obtain the exclusive Draco Meteor move. Many of the others had similar successes.

After missing the first one, I intended to make this Community Day a success, and that was what happened. I went outside, met friends and fellows that play the game, and did all the things that made this edition what it is. And this was despite all the troubles that occurred for or concerning the event; they were surmounted and everything worked out very well. Based on this, I'd say things were overall quite successful for me and everyone involved. It makes us eager for the next edition of the event so that we can do it all over again.

One year ago: Memories of Johto

Community Days!

Since January, Pokémon Go has held a special event called Community Day. True to its name, the event is geared to get communities of people that still play Go to get out there, grab Pokémon, and gather up. The mechanism is simple: during a one-day's certain period of time in the daylight, a featured Pokémon with a unique move will be available for capture, along with other special bonuses that make the event attractive for communities. As a lone player who is now involved with a group, I do see the attractiveness and find it neat.

The previous Community Day in January featured Pikachu, and a novel one at that, since it knows the move Surf, so this is the game's take on the infamous Surfing Pikachu. The next Community Day, which will be tomorrow, will feature the Dratini family and the move Draco Meteor. It's important to note that the move will be available only tomorrow (that is, on the event day at the specified time), so only those who partake in the event will get the bonuses. That becomes the incentive to meet up and participate.

I have to say that I missed the previous Community Day, and for a good reason: the event coincided with another event, one that I feel is closer to me as I am to Pokémon. Incidentally, that was the day I almost won the quiz of my local raid group, and the technicality is also because of the Community Day. Regardless, I did manage to catch one of the Surfing Pikachu with the help of an Incense, yet it does seem meaningless that I did it without my "community", which in my case means my raid group. For that, I wish to contribute and make the next one more of a success.

The great thing about Go is that it's a great game for a crowd, even a social game. An event such as Community Day only serves to affirm that, and that's a good thing. Judged by the photos submitted on the game's web site, many people and their communities have come out to make this event a success; it means that the game is alive and well among its players. I'd say, then, that the event accomplishes the three objectives nicely: people do go out, grab Pokémon, and gather with people who do the exact same thing. It's a beautiful sight for any Go player and any Pokémon fan in general.

One year ago: Competitive or Non-Competitive?

Trainer Caps, and a Teaser

Among many Trainers, there seems to be several common fashion items. One of them is a Trainer cap, often in the style of a trucker's or baseball cap. It is perhaps one of the sure signs of a Trainer in the world of Pokémon; if someone is traveling and wearing a cap, that person is most likely a Trainer. Not every Trainer has one, but it is a fashion item that is opted by a good proportion of them, and in some cases also revered.

Most of the Trainers that are the protagonist in the main series games wear a cap of some sort, and these caps often have a specific emblem - at least, this is the default case, as starting in the sixth-generation games, it is possible to customize Trainer appearances so that they may or may not wear a cap. Even in Go, this becomes a possibility, and is almost considered necessary given the different fashion preferences that people have. Whatever the case, caps remain a fashion accessory that some Trainers may desire.

Meanwhile in the Pokémon anime, one person is revered for having a cap, and the cap itself could be considered revered as well. That person is none other than Ash himself. He has almost as many caps for his adventures as he has outfits, and that's a lot. Yet he's not the only one; Richie and Casey from Kanto and Johto also wear signature caps of their own, though obviously not with the multiplicity that Ash has. The distinction is present regardless.

This brings me to the teaser portion of this post. Yes, I already did a teaser post about a week ago, but this is somewhat different from that, which means it won't be the one I will wear then. Still, it's quite related and quite distinctive, but what's important is that it's a Trainer cap. Here's how it looks like:

Those who are up-to-date on recent Pokémon happenings will no doubt recognize where this Trainer cap comes from, and I am (or will be) glad to be wearing it very soon, certainly as the character.

A cap still remains and is affirmed as a fashion item that belongs to a Trainer. It's pretty hard to deny that some Trainers are inseparable from their caps in addition to the outfits that they wear. This is true no matter who and in which realm they are; it becomes a distinct fashion identity for them, in a way. That's a good thing for a world where many of its beings are already distinctive as they may look common.

One year ago: Back in the Park

Quirky Raids

If you've been playing Pokémon Go since last year, you will no doubt be familiar with raids as a way to battle against certain (Legendary) Pokémon and be able to catch them in return. Change is apparent and inevitable, as with the transition of featured Legendary Pokémon from the three birds all the way to the current land-sea-sky beings. But it seems the changes that occur with certain parts of this system make it seem like it is quirky as well, based on the experiences of me and my raid group.

The most quirky part of this system is probably the Ex-Raid. I've already detailed some of the speculations regarding this part in another post, but that seems to not be the whole story. I and my raid group have kept suggesting possibilities for Ex-Raids, but they have not been realized or lack the resources to do so. Despite this, Ex-Raids keep happening, most recently on Sunday (which I did not go to for obvious reasons, and also because I did not receive an invite), and will happen again next Monday (but I also did not receive an invite). For both, I didn't receive an invite because I needed to deal with other things and couldn't fulfill the prerequisite raid victory, but strangely enough, some of those who did fulfill the prerequisite also did not obtain invites. The scheduled Monday Ex-Raid is also far quicker than before, now only separated by about a week.

Even the changes that have occurred with regular raids may seem quirky. I've noted that this has happened, and now quite a few of the Pokémon that used to appear have been replaced with sensible yet lopsided selections; a good number in particular are Water and/or Ice types. This makes sense to deal with Rayquaza, but it does seem like it's more about that than anything else. A few in my raid group have expressed longing for certain old Pokémon, and I do too. This may become more quirky when Rayquaza exits, but that remains to be seen.

With all the changes that have occurred and the quirks that appear, it might seem things have gone from stable to questionable, as does our quest for confirmation. Still, much of the system is unknown and may never be fully known; perhaps the quirkiness is only in our minds and the game actually makes sense. We'll continue to raid regardless in the effort to catch Pokémon.

One year ago: Secret Garden

Pokémon "Cover Songs"

There are Pokémon songs, and then there are Pokémon "cover songs". These are creations that take popular songs and give them a Pokémon twist. The result can be humorous, but it can also be considered pleasing, in addition to being really, really creative. Over the years, and even recently, I've encountered a few of these, and I'm really entertained with the creations that have been made.

The most recent one is a take on Despacito. In this one, new lyrics are set to the music track, and those lyrics happen to be... many of the English Pokémon names structured and ordered in such a way that they sound a little like the original lyrics. It's almost but not quite a PokéRap, the sequence that is set to new original music, only with Pokémon from past to present. I find this quite amusing and lively, enough that I could almost dance to it. Perhaps that might also be why a few of my Pokémon colleagues have shared it - it's well-made and just too fun.

Rewind a few years back, there was a time when Gangnam Style was all the rage. Within all that, there were creations that took the song to different directions. One of those directions involved Pokémon, and one person had the idea to contrive a "Pika Style"; like Despacito above, this was basically the music track with new lyrics - or rather, a selection and ordering of Pikachu sounds that also approximated the original lyrics. I too find this amusing, though I'm not quite mad about it. It's still a creative take regardless.

The oldest one I've encountered is something that not only appeals to my Japanese appreciation side, but also to my music game background. If you've played DanceDanceRevolution, you might recognize that one of its most popular licensed songs is "Butterfly" by Smile.dk. Someone had the bright idea of remixing the song to add Pikachu sounds and even the original PokéRap, and it actually works; the resulting "Butterfly (Pokémon Mix)" is quite neat to listen to. It made me appreciate both Pokémon and DDR more.

What these boil down to is that some people have managed to have fun by taking existing popular songs and setting them to or mixing them with Pokémon. The "cover songs" that result serves to allow other fans to have fun as well as be entertained and laugh. Their creativity deserves some recognition, and what could be better than some from a fellow Pokémon fan who appreciates music as well. That's sure to allow more of these "cover songs" in the future.

One year ago: Venice and Alto Mare

Pokémon Go Team Leader Stickers

I didn't obtain much Pokémon merchandise from Sunday's event, but that was mostly due to Pokémon merchandise being limited. I did, however, obtain the first merchandise that was spotted for a reasonable price, and that merchandise was this sticker set. The interesting thing about it is that it features Pokémon Go, but unlike many Go-related merchandise, it does so in a way that is relevant and not at all cheesy.

The merchandise is a pack of stickers featuring the leaders of the three teams in Go - Valor's Candela, Mystic's Blanche, and Instinct's Spark. All four of the images featured on the packaging are present as stickers, though there is only one of each; they're also not to scale, as the stickers are actually double the size (around 8 cm) of the preview images. So they're fairly big ones.

The pack also leans to the side of Team Instinct, as Spark is featured in two stickers. As well, Spark is seen with Bellsprout in one sticker and Poliwag in another, while Candela has two Pokémon, being Oddish and Vileplume, and Blanche has none at all, which may be taken as further unequal representation. Of course, this can also be taken as possible ways to expand the art for this sticker pack. Since second-generation Pokémon have made it into the game, it would make sense to show Blanche with a Sunflora, for example. And of course, they could be shown with Pokémon that represent the colors or associated types of their teams. It's only sensible and logical.

Other than this, these are neat stickers, especially for those who still play the game. The art is neatly designed and quite refined. But the most important thing is that it does show off Pokémon Go appropriately and in a relevant manner, with details that are closest to those shown in the game. I would be happy to collect merchandise that are like this, now that I can play Go often and have fun in doing so. Regardless, it's still a fine piece of Pokémon merchandise for any fan, whether Go is in order or not.

One year ago: Let's Get Ready to Rumble

Cosplay: CHoCoDays x CLAS:H/ICGP Regionals 2018

[AshKetchumMode]

Okay, so I know this convention has an odd name, but my friend told me all about it, and I like it too. He says the name is short for Comic-Hobby-Cosplay Days, so it's about stuff that people like. I'm of course sent here to help out my friend for the last one. Oh yeah, I've actually been to this convention a few times before in the past, but it wasn't around last year, and then suddenly it popped up! But it's now together with a different convention or event, so that's great - it's like a mega-convention, haha.

For the other convention or event, as my friend said last year, it's all about finding great characters who can do what they do on stage. And today it still is, which is so great. Even all the stuff from last year was around, so I went ahead and signed up for the character parade, the only thing I can sign up for. It's the popular thing - many characters sign up for it. I was one of the almost 300 characters (wow!) that signed up for the parade, and only about 15 was chosen for best of show. What a task it must be for the judges.

Pikachu: Pika. [sighing tone]

Aw, maybe we can try next time. But you know, this year is wonderful for both conventions. Two years ago for the first one and last year for the second one, the places were packed or kind of rough, so they moved to a different place, and I'm often sent to it, even last year. So now it's much better - it's much roomier and much neater. I should know - we the characters often take up so much room, and the visitors too. The rest of the convention is really like both conventions in one, so the same kinds of things appear.

I was sent here with my Alola outfit. It's the newest one I have now, and it fits so neatly in my bag. There was a slight change, though - last time that I was sent with this outfit, I and my friend didn't like how the pants turned out, so we changed it in the nick of time. Now we're very pleased. You know, things happen, so we've just gotta deal with it.

I have to say that I talked with other character friends about going to the convention together, and we did... but then I broke up and joined with other character friends. I feel bad about that, and I'm sorry. But this also means I'll also meet character friends no matter where I'm sent. I and my friend think this is such a wonderful thing.

Pikachu: Pi, pika pi! [complimenting]

Yeah, that's nice, I guess. Well, I can't wait to be sent to the next one, and I'm told it's very soon. Thanks my friend, and I'm off to get my break before the next one.

[/AshKetchumMode]

One year ago: Pokémon Art on Walls

Time for a Pikachu New 2DS XL?

Recently a good friend has pointed out that the New 2DS XL with a special Pikachu motif, one of two that I discussed in the past, has become available for local purchase. As I've said, this is the one I would get because it appeals to me like my Pikachu 3DS XL. However, I've also said that there are barriers that keep me from getting one, and some of those are still true today. Even so, some things have changed since that discussion, and this has increased my interest for one.

First are the bits of disinterest, the barriers that keep me away from it. The price for one of these is high, although it's only a bit higher than the price of my Pikachu 3DS when I got it. Still, other things have come to light, and I can't exactly incur the "splurge" notion because of them. And with the Ultra games being the last of the main series games and still playable on my 3DS, this also reduces my interest in getting one; this also plays into the issue that the 3DS is nearing its time. Yet the former issue is perhaps the most important; if it were of no concern, I would go out and grab one right now.

That said, I do show some interest in the Pikachu New 2DS XL. The primary reason is because of my ailing 3DS, and the 2DS would take away some of the pressure on my 3DS and ensure that I can keep playing. Even with the 2DS, I'm certain that my 3DS will continue to function for a good while, and I could use it as a secondary device, allowing for the possibility of playing two games at once. But perhaps most importantly, I'm somewhat ready to move on from 3D. The games I play the most on my 3DS, Shuffle and Ultra Moon, are 2D only, so the only time I see things in 3D is when I go to the Home screen or manage my StreetPass hits. And since the Switch is 2D only and the main series will migrate to it, 3D is now really only a novelty. All these are pluses that make me interested in it.

So far, I've managed to survive with only my 3DS, playing all the Pokémon games I can play. This has worked out well despite the occasional problems I've had. It would be great if I can survive all the way to the end with just one 3DS. But still, the allure and benefits of the Pikachu New 2DS XL are hard to resist. It would only make me so glad as a Pokémon fan to be able to obtain this if at all possible, but I'm a satisfied fan nonetheless without one, especially with a 3DS that is as full of memories as the person owning it.

One year ago: The Park Is Open

Once and Again: Cosplay Teaser for 3/11/2018

(I have delayed. Now I obey.)

For more than a decade now, I've conceived what I call "yearly themes" based on how I perceive the year might go or have gone. For this year, the theme is "Once and Again" because I perceive that some things happen, and then happen again with a vastly different effect. The same could be said to occur for my Pokémon cosplay, but then this occurs regularly; however, there might be an instance this year that this quality might be more pronounced, and that the effect might be far greater than I'd expect. To that regard, I've decided to "lay out my cards for all to see" in a cosplay teaser for a convention slated to occur next month - and in fact, I have to, because of my intent to take part in the cosplay walk or parade in it.

Part of the "once and again" thing is that the costume I plan to wear is not quite new; it's first-generation Ash Classic, something that I've worn several times, even in the cosplay events I've covered in this blog. So why wear it again? I treasure this costume because this was actually the first costume I had wanted to have in the effort to cosplay Ash, and this desire was present even one and a half decades ago, but only realized a decade later. Also, I'm aware and informed that even some seasoned cosplayers revisit their costumes so that they can do new things with them and have new experiences. Keeping this in mind, this means a lot to me, so I say why not. But because with this teaser it becomes more special, I'll be putting in a couple of new things when I cosplay with this costume next time.

Cosplay teasers are nothing new for me and in this blog, as I've done one in the past, but only on the day before. What is new is that I have not done one as early as this one, nearly a month before the convention, and of course the fact that this one is actually necessary, as outlined by the organizers. But like the teasers for the Pokémon games up to their release, at least this can also serve to build up the excitement for it. I'm already excited, that much I can say. The rest of the excitement will have to come at the convention, along with whatever I do there.

Lastly, just a little reminder. As always, I will be reviewing the convention when it comes by next month. But as I've mentioned in my first review this year, I've enlisted the help of the character which I cosplay to do it, for any and all events or conventions this year. That means this convention is included. I'm sure there will be a lot of good things to say - you won't be hearing them from me, but you'll be hearing them from him then. Expect only the best, from one who aspires to be, and expect the convention to be incredible too.

And in conclusion, I present my teaser, as posted on Facebook:

[EN] See you at Daisuki Japan Fest, March 11 2018!!
[ID] Sampai jumpa di Daisuki Japan Fest 11 Maret 2018!! 

#DaisukiJapan #DaisukiJapanFest2018 #japanculturedaisuki #japan #japanese #culture
#popculture #japanpopculture #event #malang 

[EN] The time has come. Once and Again.
[ID] Waktunya telah tiba. Sekali dan Lagi.

P.S.: Today happens to be the Lunar New Year, which could also be perceived as a sign of renewal of sorts. What a fine coincidence with this teaser. Best wishes for those celebrating.

One year ago: We Three Birds of Kanto Are...

A Break in the Action

I was going to post something quite special today (certainly, still Pokémon-related), but then something happened just hours before that dropped my spirits and those of some of my closest friends. Out of respect, I've decided to deal with it by delaying my thing by a day, and I feel that this is a good thing; dealing with this serves as "a break in the action". Yet with that considered, I also feel that as much as other things provide a break from Pokémon, Pokémon also provides a break from other things. And thus the relationship goes both ways.

So of course other things go on besides Pokémon in my life. Though by and large a great deal of my life is directed to Pokémon, there are other things that I do, like certain other things I play and certain other things I enjoy. And then things just happen the way they do as above. Every so often I (have to) partake in them, and they effectively become a respite from Pokémon; when I come back to Pokémon, I'm refreshed and ready to do other things. When other things catch or demand my attention to do them, I consider them as my break before I do other Pokémon things.

On the other hand, there are times when I recognize things have gone on for an extended period of time, and that's when something Pokémon helps to provide the break. I can play the games or do whatever it is I need to do, and that clears my mind for the other things as they go on. With this effort and the effort above, I'm essentially keeping a balance between Pokémon and other things; Pokémon still represents the core or essential things that I do, but there's still room for other, more pertinent things as they occur and I shift back and forth between them.

I'm very glad to have Pokémon and do things with it; it's something that's been powerfully inspiring in my life. At the same time, life goes on, and I want to or have to do other things to support life itself as well as Pokémon. One of those things is dealing with what had just happened, which is not only desirable but also borders on necessary. I take it as a pause or a break for my Pokémon things, and now that it has transpired, I'm ready to continue with my Pokémon thing, and other life and Pokémon things. At least, I can still count on either things to become "breaks in the action" for the other ones.

One year ago: Pocket Monsters Best Wishes Partners Figure - Satoshi

Valentine's Day 2018: Address to a Luvdisc

So once again, it's Valentine's Day, a day believed by many people to contain romantic overtones as well as love and affection, which is then celebrated. I'll believe that, as much as I believe in love and affection, and the celebration of those things. Of course, as I mentioned last year (see below), love and affection are universal, even in the world of Pokémon. One Pokémon in particular is even so emblematic of love, particularly of its shape, and that Pokémon would be Luvdisc.

The Pokémon is so unique that it deserves a special address. According to its lore, the name is such because its connection with couples in love, particularly seafaring ones. That connection is so elegant and so romantic - it totally befits its plainly pink body and its sleek curves. It's also in connection to a sometimes sought-after Pokémon item: the Heart Scale, an item that is exchanged to enable Pokémon to recall moves of yore. Only hearts are appropriate for a Pokémon which is tied to everything about it, including love. May that ever be the case for the lovable Luvdisc.

Appropriate to its qualities, Pokémon Go addresses this today in a special way: in celebration of its entry as well as of the rest of the third generation in general, Luvdisc are appearing in swarms - more than usual, and in many places. I've been fortunate to encounter a few of them, as do my friends. Love and affection seems to be present all over with the appearance of the Luvdisc; it makes me want to capture as many of them as possible, at least until I have to pass the love (read: transfer them) to the Professor. Everyone gets the love today.

Luvdisc with love and affection are things that go hand in hand. Both of them allude to hearts after all, in a physical manner for the former and in a perceptive manner for the latter. And that's something to be appreciated by anyone; we ought to have hearts filled with love and affection, and to cherish that any time of year.

Still, it doesn't hurt to have a day that commemorates that. Happy Valentine's Day.

One year ago: It's Valentine's Day!

Two Games at Once?

The Pokémon franchise has many games, and this is an undeniable fact by now. And even from the start, Pokémon main series games have, in most cases, appeared in pairs. This leads to the interesting proposition of playing two or even possibly more of the games at one time. For those who only play a few of the games, this may be a non-issue as it may only be a matter of rotating among the games at different times. For those who like to play all the games, however, this can conceivably become a relevant matter.

It is possible that a main series player could have both games of a pair and play them at the same time on two different consoles, performing the same or similar actions in the progress to complete the games. This could be even more true if the games are started at the same time. The effort to do this would be incredible, but if executed well, it could also be commendable. Once the games are finished, the two games could be developed in different directions as needed, as an example for VGC with different teams.

Of course, now Pokémon games are for a variety of consoles and span different genres. It could be conceivable to play different games for different consoles or platforms at the same time, but this effort would require focus, and a divided one at that. It seems it would be fun to play, for example Shuffle on the 3DS and Go on a smartphone at the same time, since the two games are simplistic even with all their elements. The same probably would not apply to the example of playing Pokkén DX on the Switch while managing the main series on the 3DS, as they're games of different complexities. It would be a feat to manage them both at the same time.

The fact remains that there are many Pokémon games on different platforms. For any fan, the task is to pursue any of these games to completion and the highest achievement possible. But perhaps for the greatest fans, the task is to do this for as many games as possible, which may mean undertaking two or more games at once. It's a task that is arduous and consumes mental effort, but it may be well worth the reward for the most dedicated fans.

One year ago: Cosplay: Japan LovEvolution Vol. 2 - Kaizen

Anywhere Is

You go there you're gone forever 
I go there I'll lose my way 
If we stay here we're not together 
Anywhere is...
-- "Anywhere Is", Enya

So many songs talk about journeys, and this one is no different. I've discussed another song that belongs to Enya previously, and I can say that many of them applies as much to my Pokémon experiences as they do to my spiritual perceptions. That's exactly the case when I was out and about some time ago with some Pokémon business, which in part does involve Go in addition to other things. This prompted me to think about this very song and the way I go through my Pokémon business.

If the previous song I discussed is on the whole about the overall journey, then this song would be about the little directions that make up the journey. Based on the song, there are many directions and steps that I could take my life, and likewise, the same applies to others taking up the journey of life. This is a deep reckoning, but it really is true - all my life and all of others' lives are really just the consummate of all the directions and steps we choose to or are led to take.

And of course, my directions and steps involve Pokémon. Most recently, I'm finding that I'm steered into different directions as I'm playing Go, as I'm taking detours that I don't often make in the pursuit of more Pokémon, or at least preparations for that. Fresh off a certain tournament for the main series and certain challenges in Shuffle, I've been led to take certain actions that I don't normally do, though the later fruitfulness of these actions may be an open question. I've even prepared something special that is Pokémon-related, but this too has led me to yet more unusual directions - I will divulge more on this when the time is right.

Enya herself has stated that her songs are open to interpretation, including this one. In fact, here's what she said in commenting on this song:

"Anywhere is: well, it is, isn't it?"

I'll accept that. I'm anywhere and everywhere with Pokémon, and we'll move our ways yet still together, as the refrain above suggests. I'm spiritually and experientially pleased any which way that has Pokémon in my journey.

One year ago: My Essential Pokémon Cosplay Equipment

Memories of Hoenn

With the Pokémon of the Hoenn region more or less fully present in Go, as I've discussed in yesterday's post, this brings to mind my memories associated with the region and the Pokémon. It's a wondrous region for the games and the anime alike. I keep saying it has wonder, and it really is true; the games and the anime are inherently special in their own regard as well as for myself. It is through the special things that the wonder is exhibited and becomes a part of my memories.

The original third-generation games, Ruby and Sapphire with the later-appearing Emerald, appeared in vivid color thanks to their presence on the GBA, and had a wild array of new features, all of them big steps. They were also the first Pokémon game series that I could play mostly unassisted - I eschewed the use of guides every step of the way, but still used them only for the occasional aid. Back in the day, though, VGC was only a dream and I had fewer mates to play the games, not to mention another bout of sadness. Fast-forward to 2015 and 2016, VGC had existed for a few years, and they used the remade games of Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. The former became my workhorse for battles in these endeavors, while both had their own innovations, which I was glad to play. In all of these cases, the archipelagic region of Hoenn served as a refreshing change from the previous continental regions; it's part of the wonder, as are the new features in the games that now we take for granted.

In the anime scene, this region was the first one where Ash received a change of outfit, having gone through three regions with only one outfit, and this became a precedence for further regions. The region's saga is also one that I've thoroughly followed, and I'm fond of many of the moments, including a particularly poignant one involving Ash and Pikachu. Of course, there was also the addition of May and Max, who prove to be quite a character of their own. As well, the feature films or movies were exciting, in particular the sixth one with Jirachi. These are all wonders too.

Much like my memories of Johto, some of the memories I have of Hoenn are colored with sadness, whether from my enjoyment or otherwise. Yet on the whole, it's the wonders that I remember from this region. There were new and surprising things in both the games and the anime that provided amazement in addition to enjoyment; the fascination with these still carry through to the present day. I'd say that's quite a wonder to remember and perhaps keep remembering from Hoenn.

One year ago: LINE Pokémon Stickers

Hoenn (Fully) Confirmed on Go

A few years ago, on the verge of the release of the third-generation main series game remakes, there was a phrase that was mentioned from the day of its announcement up to its release: "Hoenn confirmed". Today, that same phrase rings true for a different Pokémon game, and that would be Pokémon Go. Pokémon from Hoenn have now more or less fully made their way in, and along with that, there are also special events for a period of time.

This period of time has been dubbed as the "Sky Wave", and for a good reason: Rayquaza, the green dragon of the sky, is now a possible tier 5 boss, which will be the case for approximately the next month. Kyogre will also still be a raid boss, but only for a few more days, as was the case with the transition from Groudon from the "Land Wave" to the "Sea Wave". Raid bosses on lower tiers also seem to be transitioning or have transitioned to other Pokémon. Whatever the case, this does mean greater opportunities for other Pokémon to take the limelight.

Meanwhile, the current limelight is indeed Pokémon from Hoenn, and to that effect, for the next few days, they're almost exclusively the Pokémon available for capture. Even Castform with all its forms and the Beldum and Bagon families have appeared, which means more unique and strong Pokémon for capture and battle. Soon it won't be a surprise to see them intermittently in Gyms and in raid battles too.

And that's not all; there are also special bonuses for everyone. The box item packages are back for two weeks, so it is highly recommended to grab at least one of them while they're available. Lures also last for far longer during this time period, making lure parties more conveniently achievable. These bonuses are huge, so it's hard not to take advantage of them while they're still available and in effect.

For those who are still devoted to the game or have gotten back into it, this is a special treat. The third generation could be considered a pinnacle of sorts for the main series games, and now that it's here in full force in one of its popular spinoff games, it becomes ever more wonderful and intriguing, just as that phrase held wonder and intrigue back when the generational remakes were released.

Hoenn is (fully) confirmed, and it's as real as ever in Pokémon Go.

One year ago: Space

Seeking Confirmation

Lately, some Pokémon players, including me, have been driven to seek confirmation in the games we play. We've been driven to check if the way things happen measures up to what we think will actually happen. This is a big thing for the way we play the games. There are many things we've discovered, and we think they're big indications of confirmation. Yet sometimes reality may appear to speak the other way.

For Go players, the biggest efforts are for the elusive - not to mention exclusive - Ex-Raids. It may seem that based on earlier successful efforts as well as the observations I've mentioned, this is pretty much set. However, these are just deductions based on a mechanism that is not known to players. Coupled with recent information that things may change for who will get Ex-Raids and where they might be located next, it appears that some things may not be completely confirmed after all. I and my raid group are doing our part, though we run into the same obstacles. The pursuit for confirmation continues as more details are proved or disproved.

For players of the main series in the VGC scene, it's always about strategies and usage, which is different in different tournaments and places. There is a tournament right now which I'm neither fit for nor able to attend, but some of my colleagues did attend, and they even had battled in last Sunday's online tournament and had done somewhat well in fact. But this is a much bigger tournament by far, and it can almost be confirmed that there would be a much diverse use of strategies. The result was that they did just well enough to be in the middle, which may mean that some strategies succeeded and others fizzled. Those outside of the tournament also observed certain other successes. Likewise, pursuing confirmation for this becomes a continuous process.

So it seems that confirmation for things in the games is not lasting, but tentative, depending on the particularities that are present and absent. Some things do measure up, but not everything, especially if they're not known or they suddenly change. But we think that some things can still be confirmed, even if they're only apparently stable. It's just when they're clearly not that raises big questions about confirmability; we'll still seek at least some of it no matter what.

One year ago: Time

(It's a Wonderful) Local Ex-Raid, 2/8/2018

Did I mention that I received another Ex-Raid invitation for today? Well, I should have, because that's exactly what transpired. I received the Ex-Raid invite and pass the same exact way as I received ones for the previous Ex-Raid, by a successful raid at a coordinated place, which was the same exact one, no less. I'm informed that this method for Ex-Raids may not necessarily work again with recent updates to the game, but I'm at least pleased that it worked one more time.

Unlike the previous Ex-Raid, and more like the one before it, the current Ex-Raid was scheduled in the afternoon rather than in the morning. In fact, the situation this afternoon was almost exactly like that time; not many attended, or rather were able to attend - although invites were sent to at least 30 members - and the rain didn't help matters much, forcing some members to count on some the ones that were able to come for a bit of assistance. Still, it was a fairly good turnout.

As before, our combined efforts were able to drop Mewtwo, and this led us to the bonus challenge of catching it. This challenge went nearly flawlessly for most everyone, though some couldn't quite get through it to catch Mewtwo, something that also happened in the previous Ex-Raid. It might be something that has to be accepted for any raid, including the Ex-Raid. I was lucky and thrilled that the challenge went well and that I caught my second Mewtwo, being a part of the successful side of things.

The ones who braved the rain. (I'm second from right.)

After a slight regroup, we decided to pursue two tier 5 raids just slightly uptown, and they of course involved Kyogre. Someone suggested that a weather boost might occur to benefit the captured Kyogre, but alas, this didn't occur. The Kyogre raids did occur, though, and surprisingly, they also went well - I caught both of them! Yet on the first one, there was panic when the game froze on my phone at the end of the raid, forcing me to close and restart. However, as soon as I went back in, I was immediately presented with the bonus challenge after the successful battle, and the rest proceeded as normal. I'm quite thankful that it did.

All in all, I was 3 for 3 today: the Ex-Raid and two Kyogre. I've never been this successful in raids, let alone a series of them in one day! Once again, I can't thank my local raid group enough for the camaraderie and coordination, something that is quite necessary for these raids to occur and be successful. Now we'll just have to see where and how far the latest updates in the game will take us for raids in the future. Perhaps it may be just as wonderful as today.

One year ago: Serena-Shipping: "Heaven Help My Heart"

An Eye for Pokémon

After several experiences that I went through recently, I can say that I have an eye for Pokémon. That is, I can almost readily identify just about anything that involves Pokémon or has Pokémon on it. While this ready identification applies to many things, it seems to be particularly stronger for Pokémon; there is a certain amount of greater affinity for identifying things related to Pokémon. It is very much like a sense that I have about them.

Not long ago, I went out for a gathering with certain friends, and I spotted some of them playing a card game from far away. Oddly enough, I noticed that the card back image looked vaguely similar to the image of third-generation Ash and Pikachu... which it actually was, when they confirmed it for me. From where I saw it, it was not immediately obvious, but there was a red cap and blue and yellow coloring around it, and this was what led me to think that way. I'm quite amazed that it was right - it was like I acutely sensed it.

Then, just the other day, I spotted a child wearing a yellow shirt. As I got closer, it appeared that it could be a shirt with elements of Pikachu on it. Lo and behold, it was what I expected - the front showed the front body elements and the same for the back, with the added elements of the Pokémon logo and a Pikachu label. Again, I was amazed that I could speculate and pinpoint these details from a cursory glance, and then be confirmed about them with a closer look. The same could be said to be true with the encounter of "little Ash" way back at this year's Japanese World.

Perhaps this is a consequence of being such a dedicated fan. One becomes aware of the minute details, even if they don't appear clearly at first glance. They become "hard-wired", so to speak, allowing for detection of them. The reward is of course when the details are confirmed to be actually present, becoming a source of joy and reassurance for being a fan. That seems to be how I felt in the situations above.

I'm quite happy to be able to detect that there are Pokémon things around me and to seemingly have the capability of doing so. It's a fascinating and rewarding sense, even if it's just a more directed and acute variation of typical observation skills. And yet, it's a part of me and my experiences with Pokémon, just like how all my other senses are innate to me.

One year ago: Conserve and Cooperate

Life with My Raid Group

I've spent several months now with my local raid group for Pokémon Go, and I can say that we're a lively bunch. We keep tabs on each other via a group chat in a popular instant-messaging app, and that's where everything happens before we meet and undertake raids, or even before special events like the Community Days. It may seem like a lot of things happen in the group, and they really do.

Whenever an upper-tier raid occurs somewhere that most of the members might have a chance of attending, someone starts an attendance list to check just who and how many members are interested and can execute the raid. The coordination then continues by determining at what point players are to enter and perform the raid, as well as how many groups to do it in, if there happens to be many players that want to join. Not all raids are posted, though; just the most important ones are, including the Ex-Raids. Otherwise, when we're not engaged in raids, we update on other Go tidbits, which may just affect how we execute raids.

One interesting bit of fun that we have is that occasionally, someone becomes generous enough to start a quiz. Based on something that the person has done, everyone else puts in guesses (for example, guessing the CP of a particular Pokémon). The one(s) who have the closest guesses win prizes, and sometimes they're not too shabby. I've only taken part in two of them, and I almost won the first one, if it weren't on a technicality. Perhaps I'll win the next one. Regardless, these quizzes are fairly entertaining and keeps the group together.

As for the members in the group, we're a varied lot. There are over 100 members in the messaging group, but as is typical of these groups, only a small percentage of that is actually active. Those who are active are even more varied; although I don't know their ages for sure, I can at least ascertain some things. I'm rather sure that many of the members are about the same age as me, or maybe only off by a few years, but what's very interesting is that there is at least one person who's quite older than probably most people in the group. And as seen by the photos I posted for the previous Ex-Raid and the one before that, most in the group are men, though there are a few women. All this just speaks to the appeal of the game and Pokémon in general.

I'm very much thankful that I'm a part of this raid group. It really makes raids more coordinated, which is vital for the upper-tier raids and especially so for the Ex-Raid. On top of that, we have a lot of fun doing the things that we do. Whatever the game holds out for us in the future, I'm sure we'll have more fun with that, thanks to the camaraderie and coordination provided by banding together.

One year ago: Alola-Exeggutor - From Humanoid to Coconut Tree Dragon

I Need a Laugh - Pokémon Humor

After the devastating turnout in yesterday's tournament, I feel that I could use something lighthearted to soothe my Pokémon spirit. And what better way to do it than also with something that makes people laugh - in other words, some humor. Fortunately, Pokémon is in some ways also suited to humor, and that becomes a fascinating and appreciable aspect.

By several accounts, I'm informed that the latest adventures of the Pokémon anime as the Alola saga is not only designed to be even friendlier toward children, but also to have more humor. Ash has been seen to make a few expressions that he hasn't made previously, and even some scenes may elicit a chuckle - in one scene, Solgaleo is seen to be licking Ash with its yellow tongue, which is odd and quite humorous. The latest adventures do qualify for a good bit of humor, but so do some parts of the earlier adventures, if one looks hard enough.

Within all the seriousness of the games, there are also parts that can be construed as funny, Hau's acts throughout the main story as well as certain things done by Team Skull in the Sun and Moon games have been at one point or another regarded with humor; Hau is well-known for his love of malasadas, and as villainous as it is, Team Skull does things in non-orthodox and less-than-serious ways, which make fodder for comedy. Even in the spinoff games like Mystery Dungeon there are moments of humor, like when Victini proudly shows off its V-Wheel in Gates to Infinity. So the games too have moments that appear to be funny.

In another area of humor, it's also clear that quite a few things Pokémon are also made into memes, whether from the game, anime, or otherwise. Last year, I posted something about "loss", and that is a meme by current standards. Even my discussion of Snorlax's awakening was partially based on an image that could be considered a meme. Even so, this is an area I tend to steer clear of, since I find a good portion of the humor isn't quite exacting to my taste, though this might also be true for the other situations I mentioned above.

Still, it is hard not to laugh at several things that Pokémon have to offer. It doesn't detract from the more serious aspects, and in fact, it may enhance them by providing a very different point of view. I'm fine with that, and it seems so do others that feel the same way.

Now that I've enjoyed some humor, I feel relaxed - ready to take on other serious Pokémon matters.

One year ago: Itasha Revisited

Tournament: PTC18 Online Tournament 2

After a long time, I've finally been able to enter a tournament. I wasn't originally planning on entering this tournament, but they said they were lacking participants, so I decided to enter. It turns out just to be able to enter was a miracle, as I had to go through several obstacles just to be able to register, and I did it in the nick of time. It was then just a matter of checking in and heading forth into the matches. Admittedly though, quite a few people made it in, so it wasn't quite as lacking as I thought, and it came out to a good, even number.

Now, this is an online tournament. For this one, all matches are conducted over the online connection feature of the Pokémon main series games, which in this case means Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon as per VGC 2018 rules. Pairings are announced for each round, and the opponents seek one another independently, battle, and report the results. This continues until several rounds are reached, which in this case is five. The overall results are then shown, and the winners are determined.

As for the results, I didn't do so well tonight. Out of the five battles that I fought, I lost them all. In other words, I got creamed. The most promising battles were Rounds 2 and 5, but then the momentum shifted midway. In the other ones, the momentum was just never there. Part of it is attributable to bad strategy, while another goes to bad prediction. But the biggest part is probably directed to the team and the preparations that went into it.

And I must say, I got caught in a situation of under-preparedness, much like the only tournament I entered last year and the dirty little secret behind it. I fell into the same trap, and perhaps at a worse position. I may have to do something drastic to take myself out of this trap. I know I will need a bit of assistance in doing so, so I wish to take that to my advantage, yet also make a part of the effort truly mine.

The consolation is that this is the second out of a series of online tournaments this year, and there will be a few more. The first one happened right around the time I was discussing something that makes this game what it is. For the rest of the online tournaments, it is something to keep in mind as I attempt to pull myself out of this rut, in hopes that the next one will at least be a bit more favorable. There will be a few more chances; I'll see to it that this happens.

One year ago: Pokémon and Mahjong Tile Games

Formality of Ownership

This might be a topic that, when discussed, weakens suspension of disbelief, but may be worth discussing to some extent. The topic concerns who really has ownership of a Pokémon, whether captured in a Poké Ball or otherwise and concerns specific people. It might seem that the answer is simple - being that whoever captures it owns it, and so goes for the one who says so - but situations in the game and the anime might suggest otherwise. It makes an apparently simple relationship a little more complicated.

An issue that ties into this topic is that some Pokémon genuinely identified with an owner are often seen not in a Poké Ball. The most notable case is of course Ash's Pikachu, which despite having a ball of its own, is almost never seen in it; the reason given is that Pikachu hates inside being inside the ball. But then again, in situations that involve farms and ranches, the Pokémon aren't inside Poké Balls, despite the apparent convenience - they're kept as they are traditionally. It may be, then, that Poké Balls are reserved exclusively for Trainers, but then that doesn't keep Trainers and non-Trainers from participating in battles with the Pokémon that they own, though never captured with or never seen inside a ball.

Another issue related to this topic is the lending of Pokémon to other Trainers, which has occurred in the anime involving several characters on a couple of occasions, and occurs regularly in the games where so-called "rental" Pokémon are involved (Stadium, Colosseum, et cetera, and one of the Battle Frontier attractions). Here, the issue is not so much ownership but usage and obedience, but ownership in a way still has some relationship. In the case of the rental Pokémon, who do the Pokémon belong to? For either case, how apt are Pokémon actually in obeying the Trainers they are lent to? It may be simple to assume that the answer to the former is that the Pokémon belong to the proprietor and to the latter is that they simply are told by the actual owner to do so, but these are only plausible ones.

A discussion about ownership wouldn't be complete without regarding issues of its transfer. For the most common way of transfer by trade, ownership is simply exchanged. However, it's not implausible for someone to give a Pokémon to someone else without expecting a return, and it's not hard to expect that it would simply be passing the ownership, though this is not a guarantee that it will be without a hitch. The issue of ownership loss factors in too; for a release by its Trainer or owner, then the answer is clear as the ownership itself is simply relinquished. But what about owners that don't intend to relinquish ownership yet are forced to, as an example with the loss of their physical being? In that case it's plausible to assume that the ownership is just lost, but that's only a supposition.

Given these situations, it might seem hard to come up with a cohesive general explanation. However, I offer the theory that ownership is an "emotional bond", and that this bond is extended (to others, as with rental or lent Pokémon) or limited (when ownership is passed or lost) based on the situation. The Poké Ball, as a capture device, then becomes simply a facility of formally indicating ownership for a Trainer as well as the "emotional bond", while the latter takes precedence in any situation.

In any case, Pokémon can and do identify with just about anyone, ownership issues aside. I'd like to think that this is true based on the situations I've described above. For that reason, this is an interesting topic to discuss, but not to overthink about, and to just "let it ride".

One year ago: The Sweetest Days - Ash and Pikachu

Pictures Worth Thousands of Words

An old saying states that "a picture is worth a thousand words". It means that a picture expresses many things that words alone can't sufficiently express. The same is true of pictures from Pokémon, in particular those that directly come from the anime. They say a great deal of things, even for those who rarely or almost never watch the anime. For someone who really loves the anime, such as me, they become something of a great value.

I love to collect many pictures from the Pokémon anime. In the past, I had connections with someone that would furnish me with pictures - especially ones of a requested nature - but I've lost contact and haven't been back in some time to request pictures; by this time I'm not even sure if the person is still furnishing pictures. I'd love to get back and have a source for pictures from the Pokémon anime, but image searches are still sufficient for now, even if they're not as comprehensive or sufficient.

Collecting pictures also serves another purpose, and that is the purpose of reference. They're obviously useful for my cosplay efforts in all stages, and I've discovered time and again. On a more artistic note, they're also useful to be remixed into a variety of artistic pieces, including a wallpaper that I shared nearly six months ago; having more images increases flexibility for the remixing to occur. And then, they can also be posted in other places on the Internet - not to mention this blog - to illustrate and clarify things, as in my episode write-ups.

I should note that the pictures that I post along with my episode write-ups on this blog came from a different source, but one that I treasure just as much as my earlier connections. Out of respect, I've kept them limited and at a low resolution - they're just there to illustrate the points I need to present. This is of course where the principle comes in, because words are good, but pictures are even more helpful and can explain where my words fall short, at the least in a sufficient manner.

Whatever the case, pictures say a lot of things. Pokémon is to a large part made up of pictures, and this is no more true than in the anime. Each and every one of its scenes say things and hold much information for those who like it a little or a whole lot; it's a lot of information and things that make up thousands and thousand of words - perhaps amounting to a book. In light of the Pokémon anime, then, that saying could be amended: a picture is worth a thousand words, and a myriad of them make up a tome.

One year ago: Pokkén Sentiments

The Workings of Raids

I've been in several raids by now in Pokémon Go and I can stand to give a general idea of how they work, as well as how they tie into my general experience. It is this general experience that also may be useful for other players considering to undertake raids. It's by no means comprehensive, but at the least it may help others in their course of action. In that regard, there is a good deal to know about raids so that they may be beneficial.

First up, raids occur intermittently, though almost assuredly in the active portion of the day and night, when people are likely to be playing the game. A symbolic egg appears in a Gym and hatches to the raid boss after a set period of time, signifying the start to the raid and prompting Gym Pokémon to "hide"; raids also last for a set period of time, at which point the Gym returns to normal. Sometimes I've seen raid eggs appear almost suddenly when playing, which is why it's a good idea to check every so often.

Players need a Raid Pass to participate in a raid; by spinning a "Gym stop" (the photo disc for the Gym), players can get one daily if one is not already present. This means that a player can effectively participate in two free raids each day: one if they already have a Raid Pass that they didn't use the day before, and two by getting the daily free pass. This is in fact a good practice that I follow - grab a Raid Pass on a day I cannot raid, then save it for a day when I'm active, or use it the very next day and save the next one I get. After that, players need to spend Pokécoins on a Premium Raid Pass. Ex-Raids have their own pass, given when one is triggered, and are counted separately.

After selecting a raid to partake in, players surrender their Raid Passes and select a group to participate in; after a two-minute wait for other players, the raid begins. A raid battle proceeds like a normal Gym battle, except that it is one or more players against one more-powerful-than-normal Pokémon. A victory awards players bonus items and experience points, as well as Premier Balls based on performance (including teams, which may become a good impetus for creating private groups) to be used in the Bonus Challenge for catching the raid boss. Whether the catch is successful or not, the victory is still a victory.

I've stated earlier in my post on claiming a team that I cannot raid alone, but that is not entirely true. It is possible to raid alone, depending on the raid tier and Pokémon; currently, I can do tier 1 on my own, but need assistance on higher tiers - meanwhile, some of my raid mates can manage to raid even tier 3 ones by themselves, while beyond that, we'd need to huddle together. Still, a raid is designed to be a concerted rather than individual effort, which is why I value cooperation (and find fun in it) rather than going solo. For that, I encourage trying to find local groups and congregate and collaborate with them.

Raids are not only novel when it comes to Pokémon battles; they're also unique and especially rewarding when done right. It's worth knowing some of the "bones" regarding the experience so that players can take advantage of it. I've done quite a bit of that, and I've found what makes them that way. I can stand to offer the same for other players so that they may really get into this part of the game.

One year ago: Poké Ball Food