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