Mauville's Progress

I'm amazed by progress in life. It makes me think that all the things we've done have moved us along further in life. As is often the case for me, this also brings to mind certain Pokémon things, and one of those things is Mauville City, the city that lies at the heart of the Hoenn region. Between its first appearance in the original third-generation games and its appearance in the third-generation game remakes, there are lots of substantial changes. And all of that represents considerable progress.

The two appearances are like night and day. In the city's original appearance, it looked like just any other city as depicted within the Pokémon games, with specific buildings of interest and not much else. It was a city, but appearance-wise, it didn't feel like one. All that changed with the city's new appearance, where the city appears as a rectangular building from outside and farther away. Inside, most points of interest from the original city are retained, along with some new ones and even upper levels to the city.

It's hard not to see this as progress. Cities in the real world change from time to time; there are always new things becoming present through the additions and removals of certain elements. So too this is true for Mauville, where the changes more or less represent how real-world cities change. Likewise in the Pokémon world, things come and go - although they mostly do the former - and Mauville City encapsulates that, in comparison of both of its appearances. This is progress in its truest sense.

Mauville's progress is quite amazing. What initially looked almost like a sleepy center to the region became a bustling place filled with activity. That's a big step forward in comparing how it looked then with how it looks now. With all the things now present in Pokémon, it's only natural for a city like Mauville, especially being at the center of Hoenn, to expand in an amazing way. It's as amazing as progress in real life, which I'm also amazed by.

One year ago: Nostalgia: Episode 672 - "Here Comes the Trubbish Squad!"

Lugia Raid Burnout

Well, it's almost the end of the period for Lugia raids, and I can say that I and the people in my raid group have had varying successes. Some people have caught many Lugia but with (almost) no Shiny Lugia, while others have caught quite a few Lugia and just as many Shiny Lugia. In addition, some people have been able to follow through with their capture challenges, capturing most of the Lugia they meet, while others have been hit-or-miss, capturing some Lugia but not others. Whatever the case, it's conceivable that some people may be becoming bored and/or tired of raiding Lugia. This situation is something I would describe as a "raid burnout".

In my two most recent Lugia raids, I failed to catch Lugia, but not because I intended to. Most of my throws landed Lugia in the Premier Ball, but Lugia always managed to escape. This was even with the aid of Golden Razz Berries and throwing curveballs. A few days earlier, the same thing happened to one of my raid mates: two Lugia raids in that day, and neither led to a capture. Conversely, when I participated that day, I landed both raids, and recently my raid mate did the same. And certainly, none of the raids resulted in a Shiny Lugia, for it would be a different story if they did. Plus, I and my raid mate already have had many successful Lugia captures. This becomes a source of frustration and boredom, and thus the "burnout".

This is exactly the situation I want to avoid, and by the presence of Shiny Lugia, as a consequence of when I discussed the pursuit of Shiny Pokémon some time ago. While the discussion then does have implications of the main series, it can apply to Go as well with the presence of certain Shiny Pokémon. I prefer not to be obsessed in the hopes that this situation would not happen. I have said that it is an obsession, and it still is - and now it has become out of the ordinary. That said, it probably may have to stop now, or at least be paused. I've taken a non-Legendary raid and succeeded, and that is good for a pause; I may just decide to shift my efforts to non-Legendary raids and let Lugia pass.

At this point, I'm willing to accept - what with Premium Raid Passes becoming scant and the Lugia raids drawing to a close - that it would take a total stroke of luck to happen upon a Shiny Lugia. One way or another, the obsession has got to come to an end, and the resulting burnout has to heal. Perhaps my raid mate, who has caught many Lugia but no Shiny Lugia, would agree. It may be the time to let up on Lugia, let it go, and wait patiently for the next featured Legendary raid.

One year ago: Ice Is Nice with Pokémon

Takara Tomy Pokémon MonCollé Friends: Pikachu

Typically, Pokémon figures for me are rare items; I'd have to find and get them at events or conventions, or else buy them at a local hobby shop or someone who's willing to sell them, or not at all. So when I was informed by a friend that a set of official mini-figures are available at a local chain of convenience stores, I was glad, since it means I don't have to look in a specific place for them. Recently I got my hands on a couple of these figures, and now I wish to discuss them.

The ones I got are figures of the same Pokémon - Pikachu - but with different poses and expressions. The details on these figures are amazing, as they should be from a major maker of Pokémon merchandise. I particularly like these expressions; the Pikachu on the left looks defensive and the one on the right looks lax, and they appear as if they can come alive at any moment. The colors and features are of course accurate, and that means a lot for these mini-figures.

Because of their poses and expressions, these Pikachu figures are pretty unique. They're unlike common Pikachu figures where Pikachu is standing up, and it's nice to see figures that break away from the convention. There's also a bit of appreciable asymmetry in the poses; the figures as a whole show the body parts unaligned to a single axis, but they still manage to look good doing it. The tail is also another unique part, as it appears to be slightly bendable, though in my case these figures were just recently taken out of their packaging, so they tend to re-assume the original position. Even so, I won't take this "feature" for granted so that the figures remain whole.

Overall, these two are excellent Pikachu figures, and they're well worth the money I paid for them and the effort to get them. This figure set is more than just Pikachu, though - there's a whole load of featured Pokémon that are part of the set. Given these Pikachu figures, I have no doubt they would be excellent as well. I will have to see if my time and efforts allow me to procure more of these figures.

One year ago: Pokémon Mechanical Fan

More on Ali (and the Early Manga)

A year ago, I discussed some of the names that the protagonist of the Pokémon anime goes by. Of the three names I mentioned, one (Ash) is familiar because it's the one I grew up with, and another (Satoshi) is familiar for those well-versed in the Japanese side of Pokémon. The last one (Ali) is an oddball, for it is apparently something entrenched yet unfamiliar. The source of that entrenchment is, as odd as it seems, actually and most likely the earliest Pokémon manga and its adaptation in Indonesian.

The manga is the creation of Kosaku Anakubo, and as I've noted in the post about Pikachu speaking, it is quite different. In it, all the Pokémon talk in human language... except for one, which just happens to be Pikachu, and this strangely becomes a counterpoint to the other situation. Another thing is that the manga is quite exaggerated: Pokémon do inconceivable things, the people do improbable things, and mayhem ensues everywhere. All of these are directed for humor, and a lot of it, sometimes tending towards crude; I read half of the first volume and it felt like I couldn't stand to continue reading, but after some time, I had to continue reading even at least a little bit more so that I could understand the situation a little further. Though the story progression is interesting to say the least (it's episodic, much like the anime), I'm not sure if I could continue to enjoy it, a rarity for me and anything Pokémon. I may or may not try to read more when presented with the opportunity.

As for the Ali thing, that becomes its own perplexing thing. Names in the Indonesian adaptation of this particular manga seem to be directed toward the English names, but many are also quite odd, especially for those who know the English names very well. Some names of people are correctly referred in form (Gary, as the rival of "Ali", and even Gym Leaders Erika and Sabrina), but others are deformed ("Brok" and "Misti"); the same is true of Pokémon, where Clefairy becomes "Kleferi" and Charmander becomes "Karmander". Quite a few of these names seem to appeal to the phonetic side of the English names, though how this came to be is a question in itself. And of course, there's the name "Ali", which is only related to "Ash" by the initial letter, and seems to be the only one that is a true adaptation. It might have been this connection that led to the usage of "Ali" in the Indonesian dub of the anime, or at least very early on, as the dub I saw used Japanese names, though some English names did creep in later on. Even so, it's only a wonder that the names "Red" and "Blue" - or variations thereof - weren't used instead in the adapted manga, as the manga seems to figure into Red and Blue more than Ash and Gary.

Whatever the case, the name "Ali" has an established presence of its own thanks to the Indonesian adaptation of this particular Pokémon manga. This isn't exactly the name that colored my early days with Pokémon, but it may well very have colored the early days of my colleagues. This makes it understandable why some people consider it a "legendary" name, no matter how odd it seems. That's still not half bad for a protagonist who still has different names in different parts of the world.

One year ago: A Pikachu Wall Hanging

Pokémon in Common Terms

One of the problems I face as a Pokémon fan is to relate and explain Pokémon to other people who may not know Pokémon as well as I do. There are, of course, such people; they may be totally removed from anything related to it, or they may play games or be a fan of Japanese things but are out of touch with Pokémon. If I wish to converse with these people, I have to find a way to communicate with them about Pokémon; in other words, I have to speak or talk with them in common terms.

In a previous post, I discussed about terminology in Pokémon, and evidently, there's a lot of that in it. It may be something that I cannot escape discussing when I discuss about Pokémon, so it would be ideal to discuss this in the simplest of ways. Certainly once others begin to understand, it would be possible to start talking about the terms as they are. This is especially true for the creatures, of which people may know of only one, the ever-popular Pikachu; it would perhaps be best to introduce them first and then talk about them as they are. Others deserve the full understanding, but perhaps on a gradual basis.

Explanation efforts seem to be easier when someone has played games or is a fan of Japanese things. In that case, it may be possible to discuss things that they understand so they have something to compare with, making it easier for them to relate. But then I also have to understand the things that they understand so I can connect to them, and yet that's a good thing - I understand their things and they understand my thing, Pokémon. It's in a way a quid pro quo, a beneficial exchange for us.

With the advent of mobile Pokémon games on smartphones, my task of explaining could be considered to become easier. The most influential of these is of course Pokémon Go, which can be argued to have brought Pokémon to the masses (again). I can use the game as a visual aid for demonstrating other facets of Pokémon, while having a good foundation for that demonstration. Pokémon is highly visual as well, so these games are helpful in that regard. It may just be possible as well to goad others into playing these games to the fullest experience and to have something further in common.

To talk about certain things may be hard, but to talk about certain things that people may not know well is harder. Such is the case for me and Pokémon, which despite its popularity may not be fully well-known. Fortunately, there are a few ways I can discuss it and present a good understanding. As a fan, it becomes my responsibility to be able to discuss what and why I like Pokémon, and these ways to discuss it become solutions to this problem.

One year ago: Cosplay: CLAS:H/ICGP 2017, Regional Edition

Envisioning More Local VGC Tournaments

Even though I'm not quite proficient in VGC-style battles, and will probably never be up to snuff in the near future, that doesn't mean I don't have anything to say about it. One of the things I wish to discuss about it now is the series of tournaments that my national group holds, of which the online tournament back in February was a part. Included in the series are a few live tournaments where players come down, meet in person, and play against each other. This part is perhaps one of the more expansible parts, and more and greater local (live) VGC tournaments could possibly conceived as part of the expansion.

It's not hard to see how this can work out. In Australia, there are a few regional VGC tournaments in different cities, and many players come to compete in each one. There are also larger tournaments that draw even players from outside the country. This is an impressive sight, let alone an undertaking; I'm sure some of my colleagues who have been to these can testify. This grand situation is the vision of what the tournaments might develop into, but it seems things are just not quite there yet.

As I've mentioned in a post about friends last year, many of the colleagues in my national group are actually located close to the economic center. Perhaps as a result of this, the live tournaments only hover close to that center. If anything, the online tournaments (at least the one I took part in) show: the majority of players are also close to the economic center, which means the interest is also pretty high among them. And that is what it may come down to; if the interest isn't pretty high elsewhere, then expansion is pretty much foregone. This becomes the next problem to be solved, though not easily, as it involves finding the players who do have the interest and are willing to band up so that a tournament might become attractive to be held locally.

In any case, the tournaments go on, especially for this year, where with every passing week, the series draws near to a grand finale. This is part of the situation of the "now", with online tournaments and only a handful of live tournaments. But there's always the situation of the future, where live tournaments have expanded to other places and are just as prevalent, as well as even grander than before. At that point, there exists the possibility that I may be able to come down without hassle, play, and experience Pokémon battles in the most supreme of ways. It's a grand situation for a grand future, even for someone whose current skills are not too grand, at least not yet.

One year ago: Slowpoke Moments

Pokémon Go Community Day, 3/25/2018

The last part of what makes this a Pokémon Go weekend is this month's edition of Community Day, which for the first time is held on a Sunday instead of a Saturday. The intent is probably to get a few more participants into the Community Day, and by holding it on a Sunday, this is almost a sure thing. At the least this appeals to many in my raid group as well, especially one day after an Ex-Raid.

This month's Community Day features one of the very first starters, Bulbasaur. As with the Dratini Community Day last month, Bulbasaur predominates encounters and becomes available in a Shiny form, and its final evolutionary form Venusaur knows an exclusive Charged move only available during the three-hour window of the Community Day, which in today's case is Frenzy Plant. Special bonuses are also abound for those who participate, of course.

Unlike last month, this time it was conclusively determined where most of my raid group was supposed to meet, though a few did group together somewhere else for convenience. This time, however, there was a connection issue on my end (or rather, my provider's end), but a senior in my raid group was willing to facilitate a working connection, and so I was saved - for that, I owe a big thanks. Rain was still a problem with Community Day, as with the previous two editions, but thankfully, this time there was a covered area available where play could continue, and still effectively at that. And though the area we met only had three PokéStops, it was still effective for us to take part in. Most importantly, the event was not as glitched up as the previous one.

I should say that the choice of Bulbasaur for this Community Day was both opportune and odd; the reason is that in my locale, Bulbasaur tend to appear often, even before the Community Day. To that end, I already had possessed a few Bulbasaur and even a couple of Ivysaur and one Venusaur from all my previous catches, and further, even after the event ended, I still managed to chance upon at least one Bulbasaur; even so, this Community Day was not to be missed for all the other reasons. Speaking of Pokémon, for this Community Day, I and the others took part in an area known to be a place where Aron often appear, so it felt like a Bulbasaur/Aron Community Day. However, I did not capture Shiny Aron, while I captured four Shiny Bulbasaur, also managing to evolve one plus three regular ones into Venusaur. It was doubly successful in that regard.

I'm always looking for new Pokémon experiences, and this Community Day delivers on that, as was the case with the previous edition. As well, I got to meet friends and do Pokémon stuff, and that's a good thing for a big fan like me. I and my raid group members are already speculating on the next Community Day as to what will be offered and when; whatever happens, if we participate, I'm sure we won't be disappointed.

One year ago: "Grow Old Along with Me..."

(Again a) Local Ex-Raid, 3/24/2018

OK, so one of the things that makes this weekend a Pokémon Go weekend is an Ex-Raid scheduled for today. I received the invitation last week, along with a great deal of my raid group members, by way of an opportune Rayquaza raid two days before it went away. I've missed a couple of the previous ones because of other hassles, so I welcome the opportunity.

What makes this one special is that along with the previous one two weeks ago, there were a lot of participants on record for the Ex-Raid, nearly 100 in all, which necessitated division into several groups. Evidently, coordination is a plus in this effort, whether before or during. One sad thing is that some participants who were able to be present last time couldn't, so this also required others to take care of those who couldn't be present. On one hand this is regrettable, but on the other hand they deserve it also. Everyone deserves thanks for all their efforts regardless.

Also regrettable is that this is the first time I've failed to catch Mewtwo. Despite a nearly flawless battle thanks to coordination, I just couldn't manage to keep Mewtwo in a Premier Ball. Evidently, it seemed that quite a few of the others were also unable to catch Mewtwo, more than usual, although this might also be related to number of participants. I had already said in the previous Ex-Raid that I participated in that this might be something to accept as it could occur to anyone, and now it has happened to me. Sigh. I did make up for it in a way by capturing two Lugia, one before (strangely) and after the Ex-Raid.

Although not necessary, I decided to cosplay today as part of a promise and as a bit of an icebreaker after something that happened earlier this month. I decided to resurrect a costume that I haven't worn in two and a half years, and that would be Red's updated costume. It also serves as a "cosplay test" before the next real cosplay event. I think it worked well this time around.

Guess where I am? 😉

In fact, he has something to say:

[RedMode]

Thanks for letting me have an opportunity to catch Mewtwo, with some comrades of course. It didn't work out for me though, but Mewtwo told me that if I am determined, I will be able to see it again for another chance to capture it. I'm sure I will be able to capture it next time - count on it. I know you'll help me, won't you?

[/RedMode]

Sure. And there seems to be an important point here: camaraderie is important, especially in something as majorly shared as this Ex-Raid. It's something to be kept in mind on the eaves of the next one, which I would be only too happy to take part in and make it succeed. 

One year ago: The Many Forms of Pikachu in Shuffle

The "Generals"

First up, I want to say that this weekend might be a busy weekend involving Pokémon Go, so it would be understandable that I'm posting a lot about it. As is true of anything else Pokémon, there are many stories I can stand to tell from Go, so it does deserve some respect. Anyhow, I'm sure it will be great.

Today's story is a term that my raid group uses to refer to certain players. That term, as evidenced by the title of this post, concerns the word "general". That's "general" as in the military rank, a high-ranking officer, and the term is used to refer to certain people within the group. By virtue of this meaning, it does mean that some of these people have certain accomplishments, and in fact, this is true in a couple of ways.

The more common reference for this term is for the players who have reached Level 40, which is the current maximum in the game. There are quite a few people in the group who have accomplished this, and of course, this is no small feat. It comes as a result of extensively playing the game and participating in many, many raids since they were introduced. They are often the most helpful ones in the group, with much information regarding how the game works. They also contribute quite a bit to the raid efforts, whether to inform, start, or even organize them, along with those who are soon to assume the position. Now, there's been word that the maximum level is due to expand soon, so some of those "generals" will likely take new places on the level ranking. Regardless, their help is valuable and appreciated no matter the level, and they should be remembered for that.

The less common reference is for those who have amassed certain things, and recently, the term has been applied to someone who has caught a bunch of Shiny Lugia, while the rest of us are still groping and searching for one. By this logic, it can also be argued that someone in the group who had amassed a bunch of Dratini and some of its evolved forms (prior to last month's Community Day) could be considered a "general" too, though these could be considered lesser accomplishments than the above. Yet this is also respectable in some ways.

The word "general" in the sense of the military rank carries a sense of merit, and that makes it very much an applicable descriptor to both of these situations. And yet, these situations are by no means unique to my group, as many players have accomplished the same things; but even with that, the situations as connected to my experience becomes special things of their own. And this becomes a story worth telling.

I hope we can find "generals" that we can look up to and cooperate with in our Go efforts.

One year ago: Pokémon Food... For Us

Shiny Lugia Obsessions

Every so often, Pokémon Go becomes a lively game due to something added to it, notwithstanding its phenomenal beginnings. And recently, there's been something added that has spurred lively efforts and discussions. Lugia is back in the game as a raid boss, replacing Rayquaza; it's the second time that it has appeared, as it was a raid boss last year when the system was implemented. This time, though, it comes with a new twist: some Lugia captured can actually be Shiny, making it the first Legendary Pokémon in the game with a Shiny form. The efforts and discussions that go into this have in a way reflected "obsessions" among players, including those in my raid group.

Shiny Lugia is not that markedly different from regular Lugia; instead of a blue-tinged breast, it has a red-tinged one, and its entire body coloration tends toward red as well, which may be seen as slightly unattractive to some players. Regardless, it is a Shiny form after all, which means it's special. So special, in fact, that in Go it seems to almost be an assured capture by some reports, barring certain circumstances. These special qualities seem to be what has driven many players to pursue it, even if it might be hard to get.

On the first day of raids after the re-introduction of Lugia and its subsequent Shiny form, some of my raid group members participated in raids for Lugia, and a few did indeed obtain Shiny Lugia, and even a particular Gym was noted for handing out several Shiny Lugia over the course of the day. In the next few days, there were fewer Shiny Lugia to be had, but it had already become a point of interest for those raiding for Lugia. One player has even caught quite a few, which does become a point of envy.

I myself have had success in catching Lugia, but not its Shiny form. As of this post, I've caught five Lugia and a further three ran away. In the raids I participated, I've only spotted one other participant getting a Shiny Lugia, and yet I've raided in the particular hotspots known for having given out Shiny Lugia. More than that, I've spent four Premium Raid Passes on Lugia raids, more than on any other Legendary raid. I must admit I'm still curious about the Shiny Lugia, and while there may still be many opportunities to catch one over the next week or so of its availability, I'm also wary of using up my resources - in-game or otherwise - for this bit of curiosity.

It is still an "obsession" for players like me who are caught in the curiosity to have one. The Pokémon is special by its qualities and even by those who have caught it, which only adds to the curiosity, something that may only disappear once one is caught. Little phenomena like this are what maintains some liveliness in the game, and while they may not be as phenomenal as the game's beginnings, they do make it attractive to still try to take part, as I am doing, even if the glimmer of a Shiny Lugia is now only slight.

One year ago: A Passion for Red

At a Loss... in Lavender Tower

More than a year ago, I discussed a particular incarnation of the "Loss" meme that just happened to involve a Pokémon element. Some memes seem to really get around, and "Loss" seems to be one of them, being popular in all its various guises, whether involving Pokémon or not. And recently, I have been seeing that the meme received another incarnation involving Pokémon:

For those of you who have never played the first-generation games as they appeared on the monochrome Game Boy, this is one of the floors of the Lavender Tower in Lavender Town, which is a place known for its ghostly and spooky encounters. Or at least it could be, since the layout is slightly altered for the purpose of displaying the meme. As I've noted in my previous post, the meme follows an A-AB-AA-AC sequence in a 2x2 grid; in the case of this incarnation, note how the columns of stones divided by the middle row and column of stones are arranged.

On one of the times I saw this image, I saw it with a caption that also had a humorous effect. The caption told of someone stopping to play the game not because of the spook from the tower, but the spook from this arrangement of elements. What this tells me is that whoever wrote the caption also showed an understanding of the meme in addition to Pokémon. The meme is after all a jocular response to a serious issue that wasn't portrayed well, so this could be perceived as a "spook" as well - in a tongue-in-cheek manner - as much as the setting is a spook in and of itself.

For some people, Pokémon speaks volumes, even in some humorous portrayals. For others, the meme of "Loss" speaks volumes, even as unintentional humor. I'd like to think that whoever created this incarnation of the meme (as well as the previous incarnation) agree for both of them, enough that it led to the creation of the memes. The interpretation becomes fun to see too, as the meme gets around.

One year ago: GSC Nendoroid Series #425: Red

The Place to Be

Since the very beginning of this blog, I've stated that the purpose of this blog is to flesh out my experiences and thoughts regarding Pokémon in writing on a regular basis, and it has been a pretty good ride so far, with mostly good responses. And now, based on some recent happenings, I feel that more than ever, I'm doing the right thing. In a way, it is like I've come to "the place to be".

One of those happenings is a recent discussion I had with a Pokémon colleague. He's a much more competitive player in VGC than I am, but that doesn't stop us from getting along. And that discussion was prompted by a "missed opportunity" of sorts. After that discussion, my colleague wanted to cut back on VGC since it takes dedication, and might I say preparation as well, so that some of those may be focused on other things, at least for now; yet it also won't be total detachment from VGC and I surmise Pokémon as well. The thing that speaks to me about this is that I'm not so competitive and I didn't develop as such a player, but I understand the decision. In any case, I respect it, and it's probably what I would do given his circumstances. It would be better to do something else that can be done better and yet not be fully detached from Pokémon; we both have at least one of those things, and for me, this blog is a second one, though it is very much linked to Pokémon. I at least appreciate the opportunity to write.

Speaking of writing, if you've been reading this blog, you might have read about something some months ago that made me question my writing abilities, and to some extent the existence of this blog. Recently, however, I've received a bit of validation that may in fact indicate that I can write well after all, at least in a specific situation. Further, the situation is almost exactly the same as what prompted that earlier post, but with a more positive outcome. In any case, I'm somewhat delighted as this may provide opportunities to spread my wings, and if I can take Pokémon and this blog along for the ride, I would only be too happy. It would perhaps be a pretty good tangent to this.

I foresee having Pokémon for the longest time possible, and while these two happenings may only be loosely related to it, at least they provide reassurance that this may be the case. To that effect, it does seem like I have arrived at "the place to be", where I can continue to have Pokémon and do things with it, which includes this very blog with all my thoughts and experiences. And by the looks of things, I may just be able to go places, even within that place.

One year ago: Cosplay: Daisuki Japan 7 - Wanderlust!

PokéTerminology

For many game series and franchises, once they have established themselves and/or expanded into further versions and variations, they begin to have something in common: they at least have a body of terms for all the elements of their games. Pokémon is no exception, as it has accrued a great deal of terminology from its long-running main series games, which can then be used in other games, especially where core mechanisms are similar. This has prompted me to discuss what they constitute and how to deal with them.

There are, of course, terms that have been around since the beginning, like Pokémon "species" and "moves" and all the terms for their associated statistics. And then there are terms that came as a result of new things added to the games, like "Abilities" and "Berries". Some terms are exclusive to certain games, as the "Enhancements" in Shuffle and "Incubators" in Go; other terms can cross over, though their references are different, like IVs and TMs in both the main series and Go. There are obviously many more terms than these, but these serve as examples of the terms involved in the Pokémon games.

It is a certainty that players should know about them, and that's where things like guides and walkthroughs would help. However, since the terms are used in communication both orally and in writing, it would be helpful to have and establish standards for their usage; as an example, names of Pokémon, which constitute terms of their own, are used as they are whether referring to one or many. Such usage standards would conceivably have to deal with different languages as well, since Pokémon is known in Japanese, English, and several other Western and Eastern languages, not to mention other language communities where the people may default to borrowed English usage. If anything, this would at least ease communication where these terms may be used.

The point is that Pokémon as a wildly popular series and franchise has expanded so much, and this is also true regarding terms that are used in all the games. Such a popular series and franchise is only due to expand further in the future and will only accumulate more terms as part of that expansion. Management of these terms then becomes as important as knowing what they are, so that people can talk about the games as well as they play them.

One year ago: Cosplay Hair

"You Shall Not Pass" - Hard-to-Access Gyms and PokéStops

A fascinating thing occurs when I play Pokémon Go. In my area, there are two Gyms that are particularly well-known for their difficulty to be accessed. One is located in an open area that is gated and not frequently opened to allow in visitors; the other is in a packed residential area so packed that it's just plain difficult to get to. Then, there are also two PokéStops that used to indicate places within a building, and now the building is not there anymore, as it's fenced off to make way for a new building (in other words, now it's a construction site). This leads me to consider the qualities of such places.

First, a reminder. When opening the game, one of the things the game tells players to not do is to trespass while playing. This is absolutely right; players shouldn't barge their way into specific and/or restricted areas just to enjoy playing the game, as similar enjoyment may be obtained elsewhere. So in the case of those areas, if they are not accessible at all, especially at certain times, they may be skipped over and play can continue elsewhere. Yet the issue of how to deal with those places remain.

Some players in my raid group have suggested that the "Report Critical Issue" function in the game might be used to call attention to these restricted places so that they may be removed, especially if they'll remain indefinitely hard to access and/or out-of-date enough to be completely ignored. Historically, there has been a precedent in removing certain PokéStops and Gyms because they're oddly placed or inaccurate, so this may be a viable option for the PokéStops above, though it may be a detriment for the Gyms as they may still have some utility - more so with raids nowadays - when they can be accessed.

An alternative to reporting the places is to have a "curator" be informed of the place as it exists in the game and manage access to the place. This includes letting players know how and when a certain place can be accessed, if it is still possible to do so. Back during the days of the initial boom of the game, establishments went as far to promote the existence of PokéStops and Gyms around them, so this alternative could be taken as a more modern form of that, and one that doesn't make the places unplayable.

The kinds of places like the ones I mentioned are by no means exclusive to my area; there are most likely such places in other areas, with similar challenges as to their accessibility. All the same, they do need to be dealt with so that players who pass them no longer need to worry about their existence or the access to them and simply enjoy playing the game, for which the latter point is the ultimate objective of any game, including Pokémon Go.

One year ago: Alton : Food :: I : Pokémon

What's Played, What's Not, and What's Next

Up to this point, I've played many Pokémon games. Conversely, up to this point, I also haven't played some of the other Pokémon games. But some of that's hardly my fault; after all, Pokémon has expanded far beyond just a single series of games, and every game appeals to different fans as much as they themselves are also different. Even so, it's worthwhile to keep track of which ones I've played and which ones I haven't, and to see what direction to take this in.

I've played at least one of the main series games in each generation up to now, and this is something that I will continue to do for as long as these games continue to exist and have a place in the hearts of fans, which will likely be so. Something I probably won't do is to pursue achievements in the games I haven't played (in particular the oldest ones), and there are a few reasons for this. One is that the old games are old, and unless I obtain the Virtual Console versions, it's just hard to make the ones I have work. Another is that my time is dwindling, and these games take a long time to be played to perfection. So I'm happy with the way I've played the games and to keep this going later on.

A good number of the games I haven't played are the spinoff games, with the exception of some recent ones like Shuffle and Picross. This is an area where I'd like to play some of the games I haven't played, especially if they're radically different from the ways of the main series games In fact, for some of these games, I already have a precedent: I've played Mystery Dungeon but haven't gotten around to the most recent one, as an example, and courtesy of a friend, I've started but not finished the second PokéPark game. There are still many potential directions here and I want to try to take them up for new experiences.

Related to the spinoff games are the mobile games, another area in which Pokémon games have taken hold of. As evidenced by many previous posts, I've had a rousing time (re)playing Go, and this is something I'll continue as it works for me and provides a lot of fun. I'm also interested in playing the likes of Duel and Magikarp Jump as they seem attractive as well, though I'm not interested in replaying Shuffle on mobile as I already have a good thing going on the 3DS. Meanwhile, it's not hard to expect that there may be other Pokémon mobile games in the future, so I'm looking out for this as well.

In the end, I'm now mostly interested in new directions in Pokémon games, and those are present in the spinoff and mobile games, though I'll still play the main series games. Regardless, these remain viable directions for any major fan of Pokémon for playing the games. I know I can't play everything, at least not at once, but as a fan, I'm appreciative of many of the games and expectant of playing them.

One year ago: Pokémon X Food Network ...?

Our Glory of Love

I am a man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero you're dreaming of
We'll live forever, knowing together
That we did it all for the glory of love

-- "Glory of Love", Peter Cetera

Since I've started this blog and covered my adventures in Pokémon cosplay, I haven't had the chance to win something, or at least something really major, as I did indeed win something last year, although the prize was minor notwithstanding the achievement. It's a bit frustrating, but then at the same time I want to try again and hope for better results. This circumstance as it happened on Sunday led me to think of this song and even to hear it.

Yes, I know this song happens to be part of the soundtrack of a movie only distantly related to Pokémon. But at the same time, it made me realize that I love what I do (cosplay) and love the characters that I work with (Pokémon cosplay). Many of them have and can be described as "heroes" and I rightfully agree; their efforts to become great, like training Pokémon, journeying through the world, and keeping evil away, is nothing short of heroic (and passionate, thus realizing the fourth line of the chorus). I can't help but think of these when I cosplay, and in fact I think this only strengthens the effort. So the second line of the chorus as above could be considered to be realized with this effort, even more as to make it real and not just a dream.

And then, this song could be thought of as aspirations of the characters. They fight, but they do it alongside the ones most closely associated with them, including their Pokémon. It can in some ways be considered to be associated with love, whether romantic or otherwise. It's a bit of a stretch, but at least if they're not aligned with evil, it would be noble (and therefore, glorious) as well. Everything that happens, as mentioned in the rest of the song, is all a part of that noble love. For a lack of description...

[AshKetchumMode]
You know, this love and glory thing makes sense. I love the thrill of being on the battlefield, and I know that with the bond I have with my Pokémon, we can achieve things like we never have. I also can't forget about the bonds with my friends - they're the ones that help me to my success, even if they're on the other side of the battlefield. As for the events, I know we'll get something big someday. When that happens, I know it will be our glory, based on love.
[/AshKetchumMode]

Well, there you go. We do it, and this is our glory of love.

One year ago: Multilingual Pokémon

Ash and Pikachu, DJF 2018 Style

You might have noticed something else that's odd when I posted the Pi Day celebratory parody the other day. If not, then let me point it out: that something odd is the Ash and Pikachu image in the offset circle on the lower left. Believe it or not, that is exactly the Ash and Pikachu image as styled for promotional materials for Daisuki! Japan Fest 2018 last Sunday. It made perfect sense for inclusion in the parody, in keeping with the DJF teaser motif, and there's a bit of history behind it as it relates to me, as well as many interesting things about it.

The history goes all the way back to the beginning. Back when the event or convention was first promoted, there was an image of Pikachu, but Ash was nowhere to be found. When it came time to register for the cosplay walk or parade, I still couldn't find one, so I went with my best judgment as to which outfit Ash might have, and I chose the first- and second-generation "classic" outfit. It turns out with later promotional materials, including the ones used at the venue, it was revealed to be the third-generation outfit. I'm a little regretful that I couldn't match my costume choice to the one depicted, but it is what it is. Perhaps next time. Yet aside from all that, the image is fascinating.

Now, the art style for the image is as unique as it is odd. For those who are well-versed in manga and anime, especially those for children, you'll notice that Ash and Pikachu resemble Shinchan of Crayon Shinchan in appearance - in fact, so do all the characters featured in the promotional materials, including Ara Akazora (the mascot for Japan Culture Daisuki, the organizers, who appears on the upper right of the teaser image). The theme is "throwback" after all, but admittedly the way that it's done is also amusing. With all the humorous elements, as a Pokémon fan, I appreciate that the details of Ash's outfit are quite accurate, making it quite enjoyable.

As for the image that I used in the parody, that's actually a photo of the image as it appeared on one of the vertical banners (perhaps they could be called tapestries) that drape the sides of the stage, back at the event or convention. All the featured characters appear likewise, as if they are looking out from a window. And yes, that means I was able to obtain one of the vertical banners that contains Ash and Pikachu.

I really think the art team of, or for, Japan Culture Daisuki outdid themselves on this one, so that becomes a rationale for preserving the banner. Another is that because they took the effort in printing such a large banner, as the entire banner with three characters is 1 x 5 meters; if the banner is not to be used for any other purpose, it would go to waste, especially if it's only to be used as a mat or tarp later on, as an associate of mine tells me. As told, it would be better that it's in my possession, and I quite agree; I would rather have it preserved for the effort taken to create it and its art value. Now I'm thinking of cutting the Ash and Pikachu section so that I could reformat it as a poster or hanging art.

I know this might seem somewhat odd, but I really do like this image, as I do anything else Pokémon. This image is a testament to creativity in merging and presenting Japanese fandoms, as well as camaraderie in being a witness to the gathering of people at the event venue. With all its good and quirky qualities, it brings me joy and pride to preserve this and keep the memory of the event going, just as much as anything that involves Pokémon. It has been said that someone's trash could be someone else's treasure; this is my effort in preventing something from becoming trash and turning it into my Pokémon treasure.

One year ago: A Psyduck Headache

It's Pi Day!

Aside from being a Pokémon fan, I'm a bit of a math geek. I like knowing things about math, and I've studied it for a good number of years. By doing so, I'm also absorbed into its quirky and odd sides, and one of those just happens to be today. Today is what is known as Pi Day, because when the month and day of today are written in numbers in that order, they make up the first three digits of the constant Pi (π = 3.14...) before and after the decimal point. This may seem insignificant, but the constant itself reaches far and wide, even in a way being applicable to Pokémon.

This constant is most commonly tied to circles. The ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle always equals this value, so by knowing one, it is possible to know the other. The beauty of this is that circles occur as much in the Pokémon world as they do in the real world, so this mathematical feature conceivably applies as much there as it does to the real world. If the history of Poké Balls is accurate, as depicted in the fourth Pokémon feature film, then Poké Balls were not quite circular (spherical) at first, but later on they became as such. This development tells me that at some point the Poké Balls were redesigned so that they were nearly perfectly spherical-circular, and thus the calculations for this design might just involve the constant Pi. If the world of Pokémon is much like the real world and calculation of circles is needed, then the constant is also very much needed. This ubiquity of Pi (as well as in other fields of science) makes it worthy of a celebration, and thus, Pi Day.

Which brings me back to the celebration portion. That celebration is today, as I've mentioned, and in fact it goes back to 30 years ago this year. While it may be considered a Western thing, as the celebration started in the West, I'd rather believe that this is important and rightful all over even in the East, which is why I'm writing about it and how it can relate to Pokémon as well. And the reason why I didn't do this last year is because... I forgot, purely and simply. One other thing: "Pi" in English is pronounced like "pie", as in the pastry that is also often circular, so that opens the door for these pastries to be part of the celebration. One of those well-known pastries is apple pie, and apples have a connection to Pokémon too, because they are the namesake of the Leppa Berry, the Berry that restores 10 PP in battle in the main series games. Of course, Berries can be eaten by people too, and maybe in a pie, so the celebration can and may hold true. That leads me (and I just can't resist) to make something to try to bring together all of these things with a bit of humor...

Some explanation is in order. If you've read my teaser post, then you know I needed to post an image on Facebook in regard to what I cosplayed in order to participate in the cosplay walk or parade back in last Sunday's event or convention. It turns out that this image also got parodied, once by a staff member, and again at the event as a photo spot. This is my parody on that image, bringing in Pokémon elements as well as the elements of today. It might be considered an East-meets-West kind of thing, but then again Pokémon is as adored in the West as it is in the East, and the same goes for Pi (although just considered important). Also, the event or convention in question may have passed, but at least this will embed the memory of it for some time. I still think this parody is hilarious and befitting of today.

If numbers are equally important inside and outside, within and outwards of Pokémon, then this has to be one important number too. It's deserving of a celebration, and I don't see why I can't bring Pokémon with that too.

Happy Pi Day!

One year ago: Pokémon and Puzzle Games

Yes, Even More Pokémon Stickers

As I've mentioned in my previous post about stickers, I love them because not only can they be cheaply gotten from wherever I get them, but also they are memorable enough in regard to the occasion. If I'm lucky, sometimes they're also uniquely designed, and that just so happens to be the case for a pack of Pokémon stickers that I got from the most recent event or convention.

A few things make this pack of stickers unique. The stickers are on the small side, being about 1.5 inches (4 cm) wide, but the fact that I was able to get six of them in one pack is awesome, which means I wasn't limited to one or a couple of images. Another is that the stickers are quite glittery; the printed images have a special coating that makes them sparkle when held up to the light and moved around. This latter quality is one that I only occasionally see when it comes to stickers.

Then there are the images themselves. I got three kinds of Poké Balls (sorry, an Ultra Ball wasn't able to be found, but I did get a different ball instead) and three different Pokémon. The Poké Balls themselves are shown with the front perspective, which is OK and typical. The Pokémon, which are Charmander, Pikachu, and Togepi, are drawn in a style not unlike that found in some children's books, so that becomes something else unique about them.

I quite like these stickers, although like the previous packs, I haven't decided if and where I will stick them. Regardless, these are still pretty nice and sufficiently unique for Pokémon stickers, which makes me glad that I got them. The event or convention wasn't as sparkling as I had wished it to be, but it was still sparkling enough in different ways, including with these stickers, making them a perfect memento.

One year ago: Every Day We're Shufflin'

Taking the Go Train

In Pokémon Go, PokéStops and Gyms can often be located in odd or otherwise unexpected places. As I've written previously, I do enjoy trains to a particular extent. So by research, I've discovered that many of the train stations in my region have at least one PokéStop or Gym, or both. This leads to the proposition that it might be possible to take a train through all these stations and still enjoy playing Go. This experience is what I have dubbed "taking the Go train".

The caveat is, of course, that Go is still technically a walking game, and not really a game meant to be played while traveling in a vehicle. Anyone who has ever tried playing Go in a moving car (hopefully, while also not driving the car in question, as the game warns not to do) has experienced seeing the "You're going too fast!" popup, which can be dismissed by tapping the "I'm a Passenger" button, but travel progress is still not recorded where the player is moving beyond Go's speed limit. Considering this, a train moves at even faster speeds than a car, and this would render playing Go nearly impossible at those speeds. So how could "taking the Go train" be realized?

The key to playing Go on a train is perhaps to play as a train is pulling into or out of a station that a train stops at. While it really doesn't work to play as the train is moving, it would be possible to play Go on a train if its course is taken into account. For an "express" train that stops only at a few stations (or none other than the starting and ending points), it wouldn't be feasible to play while traveling, but for a "local" train with many stops, it might just be possible to do as above: opening Go just as the train is pulling in, do things depending on how accessible the PokéStops and Gyms are, then exiting just as the train is pulling out. There should be just enough time in transit to grab items, knock out a small Gym, and/or deposit a Pokémon in a Gym.

Some trains may also stop for an extended time period in order to wait for other trains to pass, whether at a station or not. In that case, it may also be possible to reach PokéStops or Gyms that are just out of reach, especially if it is permitted to get off the train while waiting. If not, it may still be possible to reach them while walking from one cab to another. It would at least be a great way to pass the time as even Pokémon may appear in places that are not close to PokéStops or Gyms, and it may help to capture them. Likewise, the time may just be sufficient to allow this to happen.

While Pokémon Go is a walking game, in certain cases it may also be possible to play while on a vehicle, and one of those vehicles may be a train. With PokéStops and Gyms being located in the stations, it becomes an additional incentive to try to play while traveling on a train. At least this would give an additional purpose to riding on a train other than to go somewhere. With that, I've become excited to see if on my next train journey, I could also "take the Go train" as well.

One year ago: Worldly Inspirations for a Small World

Cosplay: Daisuki! Japan Fest 2018

[AshKetchumMode]

Well, as my friend promised, I've been asked to go to this big event or convention, as I did the previous year. It's very popular, and I can see why. It's the place where everyone goes to enjoy stuff like food, collections, and communities, and meet characters... like me! Haha. I'm sure many people agree, and that's why from year to year it's always crowded, which is still true this year. But that's a great thing, 'cause it means more people to meet and have fun with. That makes me so excited.

I came with my Kanto-Johto outfit today, again as my friend promised. My friend told me that today was supposed to be a throwback, and he asked that I wear this one 'cause it's a throwback for him and me too, so I agreed. But then I saw pictures of me in my Hoenn outfit, which I wasn't expecting. At least people should and will know that I have different outfits for the regions I've been to. I even got interviewed for the radio as soon as I came, which was something I haven't done since I was in Johto. Everything's still good.

But the most important thing today is that I was in the character parade, as my friend also promised. It was something that wasn't there last year, and we missed it, so when we knew it was there this year, we just had to get in. My friend had already arranged for everything to happen, so I needed to come and do my stuff. I thought I did great within the 20 seconds I was given to perform. Aside from the new shoes, which I tested last week, I thought I'd try something different in the performance, and it seems to work. Even someone who knew me and filmed my performance told me it turned out great. Sadly I came back with nothing - and some of my character friends that I know well also didn't win. It was us against almost 100 others, and only five won best of show. Maybe this time wasn't the best time for us.

Pikachu: Pi, Pikachu! [cheering up]

Thanks, that helps, Pikachu. I had the chance to walk all over, and I can say that all the stands were a lot like last year, even almost in the same places! But maybe that's a good thing, since it worked last year, and whatever works, stays, right? But you know, some of the guest stars seem unknown to me, except for the ones I already know well. It still doesn't matter, because they're all great. I always like to see them no matter what, and today was a good day to see them. Maybe next time it will be more fun.

I had a good time today. It could have been slightly better, but it's still good. The convention was a success, which I'm pretty sure of. I know my friend is excited about sending me to the next one, and we think it really will be great then. We can't wait.

[/AshKetchumMode]

One year ago: Have You Seen My Childhood?

Action or Strategy?

I've done three posts in three days with question marks in the titles, and I suppose I'll just do another one before I have to break the streak with a (hopefully) very special post to come tomorrow. Why not.

This time, I want to discuss two general principles that apply to games and how they relate to Pokémon. Recently there was a suggestion that the Pokémon main series games might be different on the Switch, and the reason is due to the two principles, which I've mentioned in the title of this post. I personally disagree with fiddling with a system that works, but both principles are worthy of consideration. From this consideration, it turns out Pokémon games, including the main series, apply some of both.

In principle, "action" means that the player is demanded to advance by pressure caused by active enemies or time limits, which would otherwise cause negative results without response, while "strategy" means that the player is demanded to advance by beneficial and thoughtful executions to avoid negative results. It would sound like both principles are mutually exclusive, but even in games unrelated to Pokémon, some of both may be necessary. So it would help to think of both principles as a "continuum" - different games and their parts have their places among two ends of a line.

Back to Pokémon, the main series games are highly strategic, since the only action required in the battles is inputting moves and actions which are then exchanged accordingly, while there's a lot of preparation that goes into planning out which moves and actions to have and how they will interact within that exchange. Of course, with the advent of VGC battles, time limits are put in place, which create pressure for action. Go has battles, but the preparation is somewhat different (though vaguely similar to the main series), the enemies are active, and the battles are time-limited, which is rather action-oriented. Similarly, Pokkén is a real fighting game and therefore demands action, as are some of the interactions and mini-games in PokéPark. Shuffle has stages that demand strategy by moves and action by time. For all of these games, different parts demand different amounts of action or strategy, though there are places where either becomes prominent.

Thus "action" and "strategy" are present in the Pokémon games, though not always clear-cut and to the same degree. But in particular for the main series games, the mechanics are so well-established for each game that it's hard to see them totally reworked in a way that strays too far from the original intent. I say let things be, but understand the demands of each game, especially in regard to the two principles as they continue to apply to Pokémon games.

One year ago: Thank Heaven for Little Boys

Father Figure?

Many of the things featured in the Pokémon anime are not too perplexing, save for things that only the games can dream of doing. However, there are other perplexing things, and one of those perplexing things (if not the most perplexing thing) is the question of just who Ash's father is. It's a natural question to ask, really; it's reasonable to assume that Ash has a father, given that he has a mother (Delia being her English name). But as to who Ash's father is, that remains an unanswered question.

Further, this is practically true; in two occasions in the anime, the father issue has been brought up - by Delia herself, no less. The first time was early on in the episodes, and the second time was in the most recent Pokémon movie. This clearly points out that Ash has a father, but whoever and wherever he is has not been clearly determined. The issue remains open to be addressed, so in the future, this may be fully fleshed out in a Pokémon adventure that rivals any previous ones.

For now, there is a semi-official explanation, though it is still quite open-ended. The explanation is that Ash's father is undertaking a journey to become a great Pokémon Trainer - the very same journey that Ash is on, which takes him through many places and different lands. However, much like Ash's journey, it is also (seemingly) unfinished and/or unresolved; this is the open-ended part of the explanation, and it's anybody's guess how things have progressed.

Even with this explanation, as well as by consequence of it when considered, there are conspiracy theories as to who Ash's father may be. One of those theories state that Red is Ash's father, given the journey and lack of contact: it has been known that Red is reclusive, at least if the second-generation games are to be believed. Another theory states that in a Dark Side™ twist, Giovanni of Team Rocket is Ash's father, given the lack of contact and the unresolved state. These theories are fanciful, but I prefer not to subscribe to them (yet) in the hope that the situation may be resolved someday.

This issue of Ash's father is admittedly quite a perplexing one, with not much in the way of clarity and a great deal of mystery and conspiracy. Still, it's an issue that has managed to make itself present and is a natural consequence of the way things are. Perhaps if it were resolved, we'd find another reason to appreciate the great big world of Pokémon as much as Ash would appreciate knowing one half of the reason he is present in it.

One year ago: Tonight, We Honor the Hero

Cultivate or Gather Berries?

In the Pokémon main series games, there have been two primary ways of obtaining Berries: gathering them as they drop, or cultivating them and harvesting the results. The first method was present as early as the old second-generation games and more recently in the seventh-generation games, while the second method was present in the games between those generations. While it is not possible to assert which of either method is better, it is still possible to outline the pros and cons of each and to assert personal preferences.

In cultivating Berries, a lot of effort goes into getting them. After initially obtaining Berries by gathering, Berries can be planted in soft soil or in Berry Pots so that more of them are produced. This is made to progress by watering them with a certain water pail and additionally enhanced with fertilizers to grow them quicker or more plentifully. The good thing about this process is that it's highly personalized, as the player makes the effort to get even more Berries, but that's the bad thing as well, because it is in effect virtual gardening, however simplified it may be. I like this hands-on process but dislike it for the same reason.

The alternative of gathering Berries is much simpler. Berries exist on the trees and are simply taken from them, or from the ground as they drop. Practically no effort is needed as Berries simply grow back where they are and the only thing to do is to collect them. Admittedly, though, the hands-on quality is lost, and there is only a fixed schedule for the Berries, much like growing them without the use of fertilizers. That I do not have to do the work to get Berries is nice and effortless, but I do miss the ability to enhance this.

These two approaches can be considered opposites of each other. One is more involved with the possibility of greater results, while the other is less involved with just consistent results. Again, the preference of either approach is totally dependent on individual players and how they see the pros and cons of each; the same applies for me. Regardless of the approach, it is a certainty that players can and will collect Berries if and when they're needed in order to enhance their Pokémon with the powers of the respective Berries.

One year ago: Pokémon and Music Games

How Many to a Raid?

As I've mentioned in my post about how raids work, it is possible to undertake the raids in Pokémon Go with only a few people, even just one. This does beg the question: just how many people does it take to raid? The short answer is not as many as one might think (and often indicated by the "Suggested Group Size"); the long answer is that it is dependent on different factors, whether they be of the Trainers, the Pokémon involved, and the environment (weather). All these influence the successes of particular raids and therefore those that can or want to participate.

It has been proven that just one Trainer can sufficiently raid even up to Tier 3 raids, but they would have to have sufficiently strong and able Pokémon with CPs in the thousands, which means the Trainer Level has to be high as well to sustain those Pokémon. Legendary Pokémon obtained through Tier 5 raids also help too, though there is merit among some Trainers that try not to use them for Tier 3 and below. Beyond that, Tiers 4 and 5 practically demand cooperation among many Trainers and the most powerful Pokémon possible.

As raids are Pokémon battles with the possibility of cooperation, basic strategies that apply to Pokémon battles also apply here, especially for those who are familiar with how the main series games work. There are differences in type interactions (though minor, and this is also present in similar ways in Shuffle, for example), move structures (two moves instead of four), and battle method (action-based rather than turn-based), but the basics remain the same, where certain Pokémon are better suited against others. This may be the trigger for cooperation if desired and necessary, when a Trainer lacks the suitable battlers.

Weather too plays a part. Weather does not determine which raid bosses appear when, but it does affect how a battle progresses, which may prove beneficial to Trainers or not. On the other hand, some raid bosses are not only stronger in certain weather, but also have the potential to be Shiny, in which case interested Trainers should make a concerted effort to obtain them. Weather is regardless a potential factor to be considered for those wishing to take part.

The bottom line is that so many factors go into raids and so many different outcomes may result, though successes are indeed possible even without a great number of Trainers. It is up to them to decide when they can succeed in smaller groups and when they need reinforcements. But as I've said in my previous post, raids were (and still are) designed as cooperative activities, and that's where I see the enjoyment, as much as there is also enjoyment in taking down very powerful Pokémon and catching them as part of the loot.

One year ago: To Be Continued... maimai ORANGE (PLUS)

Bipeds and Quadrupeds

Way back during the onset of the seventh-generation Pokémon, there was a bit of a furor that the final evolution of the seventh-generation Fire starter - Incineroar - was once again bipedal, continuing a trend that has persisted since the first generation, and in contrast to its prior evolutionary forms. Some players questioned whether a Fire starter will ultimately have a quadrupedal form. This has gotten me to think about the state of Pokémon that walk on land with two or four appendages.

Many land-based Pokémon are clearly bipedal: they walk on two legs much like a human. Humanoid Pokémon like Machamp, Hariyama, and Gallade are naturally as such because they do very much resemble humans. However, so are some simians (monkey-like creatures) of the Pokémon world, including Primeape and Infernape, the fourth-generation Fire starter final form. Even more so are the wyverns or two-legged dragons of the world, like Charizard and Dragonite, at least when they're not flying. So there's a great deal of variety of bipedal Pokémon.

The same also goes for quadrupedal Pokémon. Naturally many felines and canines fall into this category, as Incineroar's prior forms Litten and Torracat, and as early as Persian for the former, while Arcanine and Rockruff are the respective examples for the latter. Other Pokémon like Rattata (Kanto form), Zigzagoon, and Yungoos are also quadrupedal, in resemblance to their respective real-world creatures. This situation is certainly expected, and yet there are others that somewhat differ.

Those that differ is what I would term "variables", being in the gray area between both patterns. Meowth seems to be one of those "variable" Pokémon as some are quadrupedal and some are bipedal (notably, that of Team Rocket). Zangoose is often depicted as bipedal when still and quadrupedal in motion, as is Pikachu as the de facto series mascot, though both also possess the opposite pattern. Even Typhlosion, one of the final form Fire starters, seem to be a variable, as it can move and attack both as a bipedal and a quadrupedal creature. These are the ones that don't fit either pattern generally, or rather fit into both patterns rather than just one.

It's not hard to suppose that this is just the realization of variety. Some Pokémon are bipedal by appearance and quadrupedal as is naturally expected of them, and that's respectable. But then there are those others that can be both in certain circumstances. Given this, it's as reasonable to expect that new Pokémon will be classified as either pattern as they are crossing over between the patterns; of course, Fire-type starters seem to have gained expectations of their own regarding the two patterns. Whether the next Fire starter meets or does not meet these expectations remains to be seen.

One year ago: Ride the Pokémon

Being a Pokétaku

Along with the support given by one of my fellows the other day when things went wrong, the same person also introduced an interesting term to me, one that seems to mean even more now to us both and perhaps to other major Pokémon fans. That term is the one I put into the title of this post: Pokétaku. It's a term with equally fascinating roots and considerations, but more importantly than that, it shows how major fans of Pokémon can forge links with each other.

First, it would be helpful to understand the derivation of the term. "Pokétaku" is a portmanteau of two words: "Pokémon" and "otaku". The Pokémon part is obvious; the other part needs a more demanding explanation. The word "otaku" is a Japanese word that describes someone who possesses certain obsessions, in particular for anime or manga. Pokémon has both of those, not to mention a highly successful series of games, so the combination of both words makes sense. The term "Pokétaku" can then be taken as someone possessing an obsession for Pokémon things.

Given this meaning, I would indeed classify myself as a Pokétaku. I'm at the point where some people may consider it a full-on obsession. I wouldn't disagree to a certain extent, yet I would also classify it as a "fascination", since I'm as much fascinated as I am obsessed about all things Pokémon. The fact that my fellow uses the term must mean that the classification also applies. There is something that appeals about Pokémon for both of us personally that we pursue anything and everything related to it, even Go, which we also take up. We're Pokétaku people, and we enjoy it. And we're not the only ones.

My fellow has also stated that Pokétaku people are a family, and they will support others in their pursuit of Pokémon things. Based on what has transpired recently and in the past, I'd say I agree and that this is true. Many others whom I also would consider Pokétakus have shown support for each other in various ways and for various things, whether they're the games, the anime, and even merchandise. And through this forging of links, we're at the point where we can call ourselves a "family". This is a greatly appreciable thing, even now when things went wrong.

I'm happy to be a major fan of Pokémon, and I don't mind being a Pokétaku, especially with others who can also claim to be such, and more importantly give much-needed support when warranted. Beyond the term's roots and considerations, we can say that we're all in this together. And that carries a lot of meaning.

One year ago: I'm Swept Away

How Do I Live, Without You?

And tell me now
How do I live without you?
I want to know,
How do I breathe without you?
If you ever go,
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I, how do I, oh how do I live?
-- "How Do I Live?", originally sung by LeAnn Rimes

Something harrowing and regrettable happened after I shared the previous post I made on how earning PokéCoins are a lot like investing to my raid group. It made me feel very, very sad, something I haven't felt in a long time and not with a group of people who like Pokémon. One of my fellows has told me that things will be OK, but still, the damage had been done. It got me to think of what things would be like had I not become a Pokémon fan, and this in turn brought up this song. This song in actual fact has absolutely nothing to do with Pokémon, but to me it very much has connections to Pokémon.

It is very hard for me to imagine what my life would be like without Pokémon. As I've noted in this year's anniversary post, a reader said that Pokémon is a "savior" of sorts; I share the same sentiments. Without Pokémon, maybe I would have grown up to become a delinquent and caused lots of trouble for others, or maybe I would have grown up constantly feeling sad and empty, but I didn't. Pokémon filled the void that could conceivably have been filled by the negative sentiments I've mentioned, and possibly more. And I wouldn't have this blog, or any of the things now people know me for. It's like every bit said in the verses of the song, in particular one line: "I'd be lost if I lost you."

To take this connection one step further into Pokémon, I feel that this song also ties into one of the greatest links in the franchise: Ash and Pikachu. Based on the events of a particular adventure and the anime series overall, I'm convinced that Ash also can't become what he is without his partner. I would think that perhaps Ash would get up in the middle of the night and say the things that are sung in the song... or perhaps sing it outright. The connection seems not only believable but also powerful.

And now, I still feel quite a bit of sadness in my heart, but things go on. I still have this blog to write in, and I still have many, many Pokémon things to deal with so that I could put them into this blog, all with the hope that I can lift myself from this sad situation. It would be perhaps sadder still without Pokémon. I don't know how I would live and what things would be without Pokémon, but perhaps... that's not for me (or Ash) to know.

One year ago: Two Pokémon Notebooks

Investing for PokéCoins

Recently I've been investing for a kind of virtual currency. No, not that virtual currency that has aroused both positive and negative reactions alike, but a different kind of virtual currency, one that applies to a game. By the title of this post, that currency is of course PokéCoins, which are used for buying extra items in Pokémon Go. They can be gotten by spending actual money, but it's also just as fun (and cheaper) to get them by playing the game. And it is this process that could be considered tantamount to "investing".

First things first: a primer would be useful. PokéCoins are earned by putting Pokémon in Gyms that belong to a Trainer's team (which means this is another advantage of claiming a team). However, it's not as simple as that. A Trainer can only earn 50 PokéCoins a day, and this is more or less equivalent to about 9 hours of defending a Gym in one particular day. This point becomes important, because the first (few) Pokémon that return(s) from a Gym will return bearing PokéCoins, while the others won't. Think of it as a quota: the first Pokémon that returns having defended 9 hours on that day (using up the quota) will earn the maximum, and others that return that day won't; meanwhile, a number of Pokémon that defend for less time will earn coins proportionally from the quota, but once a Pokémon comes back using up the quota or what's left of it, others in the day won't earn coins.

Herein lies the "investing" portion. Gyms could be thought of as places to "invest" in for PokéCoins, based on activities that occur in them. Gyms where Pokémon rapidly go in and out can be places to earn some coins quickly (a "short-term investment"), while Gyms that don't have as much activity can be places where coins can be earned at a later time (a "long-term investment"). If coins are needed and they haven't been earned, Pokémon can be placed in a very active Gym, and the Gym can be battled and changed out as much as needed to earn the coins, or someone (most likely from a raid or playing group) can be asked to battle a not-so-active Gym with a stationed Pokémon to get coins. Of course, like any investment, there are risks; here there is a chance of Pokémon returning too quickly and not furnishing enough returns in PokéCoins, too many Pokémon returning and not providing returns at all, or Pokémon staying for too long and not providing returns at the right time.

This investment analogy seems to make sense. The Pokémon that Trainers have are their capital, while the medium of investment is the Pokémon Gym, and the returns are in the form of PokéCoins. Every Trainer that puts Pokémon into Gyms is effectively participating in the PokéCoin trade with the ultimate aim of generating as much return as possible for a single day's worth of PokéCoins, which may not always work out. It's much like what people do in the stock market, except that occurs with real money.

Notwithstanding the ability of Trainers to get PokéCoins by spending real money and the fact that this is needed to get more coins than the daily limit, the process to get coins by playing the game is quite an involved one that is in effect "investing". It bears resemblance to real investments, with many of the things associated with them. I personally find this fascinating and appreciable, that I can apply principles of the real world in a game; I'm now interested to see if I can do the same in the other direction and invest some of my own real money to get more of it.

One year ago: To Pre-Order or Not to Pre-Order?

Pikachu Cable Holder

In addition to the stickers that I got from the previous event and detailed the other day, I also obtained a distinctive and different kind of merchandise. It looks like a pair of Pikachu that would be commonly seen on a keychain, but connected by a band. It was explained that the item in question is a cable holder, designed to tie up loose cables and organize them. It essentially has the functions of zip ties, only this one is non-permanent and removable.

How it works is simple. Cables are put across the band, and then the two Pikachu ends are brought together and fastened; behind the Pikachu are button clips that hold the cables within the band. Undo the button clips, and the cables are loosened again - it's that simple. The concept is not novel by any means, but the appearance lends a unique quality to the execution; it's unlike any Pokémon merchandise I've seen or possessed so far, indie or official alike.

The central functional premise of the item is noble, but the premise of non-permanence is meaningful. It means that I can use the item for cables that I carry rather than the cables that don't move around. This includes cables for USB devices, chargers, and so on and so forth. In fact, I can immediately see where this would be helpful: when I carry my 3DS and I have to carry the charger along, for extremely long trips - I can use it to bind my 3DS charger cable, something that more often than not gets tangled up badly, by experience. Even so, I can still use it on cables that stay put, if only for the sake of demonstration:

Sometimes the most interesting merchandise are ones that do uniquely useful things, like this cable holder. Stickers and keychains may be pretty, but they're also somewhat typical. The cable holder is not only pretty but also works wonderfully. It may be regarded as a cue that can be considered for the creation of other merchandise, including Pokémon ones. If they're as uniquely interesting and functional as this one, I would be very, very happy to have them in my collection.

One year ago: Love My Life - Pokémon Too

Can't Get Enough of Pokémon (and Pikachu) Stickers

I really love getting Pokémon stickers from Japanese-themed events or conventions. They're among the cheapest merchandise that I can currently obtain, and they make great mementos of the event or convention. I've been to different ones and also have gotten different stickers each time; they look somewhat great too. Here are some of the ones I've gotten, including recent ones:

If it seems like there's a second running theme in all these stickers, you are not too far off the mark, since four out of the five stickers here are Pikachu stickers. But that's hardly my fault - Pikachu is after all the de facto series mascot and is the Pokémon most well-known by everyone, including those that are not deep fans of Pokémon. So stickers may always feature Pikachu in addition to other elements of Pokémon, and I say that's fine and good.

Now for some thoughts and tidbits about each sticker. The leftmost Pikachu sticker is clearly an independent artistic creation, as it is markedly different in style from official images. I must say that I've forgotten from which event I got this, but I'm certain that it was special. For the sticker in the middle, I officially received this from the AsiA event back in January, though the same indie stall has been present in some later events; moreover, a friend (and a fellow character) who knew it was my birthday bought the sticker for me as a gift, which is a nice consideration. The other three stickers, including the Pokémon logo sticker, came from the most recent one from Sunday, and it was great that I could get them then, for I had been eyeing the stickers for a while. The latter four stickers feature official or at least close to official images, which may be considered appreciable.

I haven't decided if and where I'll stick these stickers, as per their intended function. While I take my time for this consideration, it's still nice to have these stickers regardless because of the images present on them. It's hard to beat getting things that are so cheap and in most cases so memorable as well. I just can't get enough of them, and I will certainly get more in later events or conventions to come.

One year ago: Posters