Three Years: Making My Moves

This is it. This post makes it a full three years that I have posted about Pokémon, what I do with it, and what happens around it. In doing so, there are now over 1000 posts on this blog. It's an astounding effort for one Pokémon fan to make. And on the subject of making things, it seems appropriate to describe those efforts using another Pokémon concept, much like I did last year (see below). That concept is the concept of moves, which is key to many Pokémon games, not the least of which is its main series games. With this blog, I feel that I have made my moves, along with other things that I do involving Pokémon.

Whether on-the-spot like in Pokémon Go or by turns as in the main series games and a few others, the point of a move is to cause an adversary to yield. In this way, the other party achieves success. Moves can also benefit oneself or another so that more of them can be made. With two parties, the exchange of moves may be considered a kind of "dialectics" to see how things work out. In the same way, I make my moves with Pokémon in order to see how the things I think will happen will work out, and to pursue at least some sort of success. Unfortunately, as evidenced by some things throughout this year, many things didn't quite work out and success seemed minimal. But then other things did work out and led to great success, which makes it great that those things happened.

Last Sunday's happenings bombed, also as I've noted yesterday, and not in a too-good way, at least solely based on the competitive results. Then again, the same could apply to a good deal of events and conventions this year. I haven't done that well either in actual Pokémon game competitions as well. They're kind of like the High Jump Kick that ends up missing or a Thunderbolt that ends up canceled by a Lightning Rod, or else I ran into someone's Protect or Spiky Shield. They just didn't work out the way that they were intended to be, but that's OK - at least they were attempted.

Of course, there was also the other kind of happening that I also noted yesterday. It's one of the few successes I have outside of competitions, though I also had ones in those earlier this year. Those are the moves that actually succeeded; they're the Brick Break that went through a Reflect or the Bullet Seed that hits five times, or even the Surf that hits two opposing Pokémon. They're all valuable sure hits that will surely remain in memory, and most of all, they were the efforts that really worked out and succeeded.

The example moves above are all moves that make the adversary yield. But through this blog, I also make moves to benefit oneself or another, for example by partaking and reporting in game events, providing tips and tricks on certain things, and display wonderful things to make others inspired (and desire). They can be likened to Helping Hand for a battle partner, Lock-On to make the next move hit, and Sweet Scent to sway others. They're all potentially useful and may lead to further successes as above.

Moves have been essential since the very first Pokémon games, and they remain a very key concept today. They have to be appropriate for Pokémon to take advantage of them in battle to outdo adversaries or elevate capabilities. In much the same way, for what I do with Pokémon and with what happens around it, I'm also making my moves. It may not be successful every time, but I can't expect it to fail all the time as well. There are many such moments that are strewn around over the three years of this blog, and this blog serves as a log or history of the moves that I've made, one that is indeed visible to many and can serve well for making my next moves.

This is certainly not the last that I'll be making my moves. I'll be continuing to make them, especially when it comes to Pokémon. It too will have moves of its own, so I have to respond with mine. And if things permit, they will certainly be posted on this blog. With that, I must thank those who have read my blog over these past three years. Let's see if we can make our (Pokémon) moves in the next year and beyond. Cheers! 😀

One year ago: Two Years of Evolution
Two years ago: One Year Full of Pokémon

(Extra-)Ordinary Days

I wanna kiss you
Just not ordinary miss you
It's an ordinary day
I would like to do the same tomorrow...
-- "Ordinary Day", Ace of Base

Some things on this blog have to remain the same, such as discussing a song that I think is representative of my journeys with Pokémon to close off the year - or rather, the day before that happens. For this year, that would be this song by the same pop group behind another song that I just recently discussed. It seems to be appropriately describe how I deal with Pokémon day in and day out, even in this year where it seemed that many out-of-the-ordinary things have happened; each day seems like an "ordinary day" despite what happens.

This song, like many expected out of similar pop groups as the one above, is about love, particularly about a significant partner. The partner would be one who is loved no matter what happens. I liken how I deal with Pokémon in the same way; no matter what happens, it's with me, and it's what makes my day. It makes each day a kind of ordinary day when I'm dealing with Pokémon, and like the chorus of the song as quoted above, it makes me spirited to do the same the very next day, and the next, and so on and so forth. Though the "kissing" thing is absent, the process still leaves an impression.

But that's not to say there aren't extraordinary days. There are days like yesterday, when it was a major bomb and I did not get much of anything. On the other hand, there are also days like one month ago (exactly), when something spectacular happened. I take both in stride as I proceed. What remains true is that it's hard for me to abandon Pokémon and "walk out in the rain", as the song suggests. It may be that each day with Pokémon is ordinary, but then it keeps me going and perhaps encounter what could be extraordinary. I suppose that would be the "not [an] ordinary miss you" part.

Once again, this seems rather interpretative, but then that's what I've been doing with this blog in the almost three years that it has been around. Each day, I'm interpreting my Pokémon experiences, which has become an ordinary task for me. But each day, I'm also holding out hope for the extraordinary - hopefully positive and not so much negative. And that remains the task for tomorrow and the day after... or in this case, the oncoming new year. What's on this blog is a reflection of my (extra-)ordinary days, certainly with Pokémon in tow.

One year ago: One Day, in Life
Two years ago: When I See You Again

Cosplay: MC & "Reflections of Love" End of Year Events

Ash: Wait, there are two events today?

Me: Yes, there are actually two events on this same day in my local area, and I'm sending you to both of them.

Pikachu: Pika pika... ["Hmm, interesting..."]

Me: So, first up, we have the "MC End of Year Event". This one has a real good (actually, not so good) story behind it, one that everyone should know about. This theme event was actually supposed to happen last week.

Ash: But there was a convention last week!

Me: Exactly. And the way that this event was organized, it would make no one go. The event itself seems to be free, but the price to get into the competition was exorbitant, beyond the budgets of most, including you and me. From what I hear, there were even communication difficulties about what should be in it. That was why a few of my friends declined to support it, preferring instead to go to that convention.

Ash: And then it got delayed to today.

Me: Yes, though they say the reason for the delay was more technical. In fact, I'm not entirely sure what would happen, so I've sent you to find out what happens and see if we can get something good out of it.

Ash: On it!

Me: OK, so what happened?

Ash: Well, the place seems OK - it's small but it's really nice. You told me it's a character performance, and you were right!

Me: How'd you do with your Hoenn outfit and the first opening as the background music?

Ash: I did OK with what you gave me. There were a few things I and Pikachu wanted to do but didn't get to do. The judges saw that.

Pikachu: Pika chu, pika pika. ["Maybe, it could be better."]

Me: Hmm. I do have to apologize a bit, since this was kind of short-notice to begin with. And then this event was dodgy from the start.

Ash: The other characters got lots of criticism from them too. Nothing seemed perfect.

Me: Well, that's rough and tough. So who did win?

Ash: There were a few characters that you and I know that won something, so it's good for them. But out of the 12 characters and 7 prizes, I didn't win anything.

Me: It can't be helped. I think the problems just got to us.

Ash: They did seem desperate to show off something toward the end. The concept is OK, but it can be improved - maybe like what I did on stage!

Me: There you go. Let's just move on for now. Now you have to get rolling to the second one.

Ash: Yeah!

Pikachu: Pika! ["Let's go!"]

Me: It should have been simple for you to get to the place of the other event from that one. Did you have any problems?

Ash: No, but the road was a bit busy.

Me: Well, that's kind of a given this time of year. OK, so now we have the second event, as the "Reflections of Love End-of-Year Event". Compared to the other, this one was a little better organized, but there were still a few hiccups. I was thinking of having you go just to this one, but since the other event happened conveniently just before this one, I wanted you to go to both.

Ash: Yeah, I guess it's great that both happened like that.

Me: Now, this one was going to happen whether or not the other one happened, so I set you up for this one and its character parade. What did happen there?

Ash: Well, at first it didn't feel like the theme events you usually send me to. It felt kind of like a lot of things at once.

Me: Yes, there is a fashion and ethnic dance competition along with the character parade. I'm sure they titled the whole thing "Reflections of Love" because it's supposed to represent how we truly love what we do, whether it's this one or that one.

Ash: OK, so you want me with the Hoenn outfit again?

Me: Certainly. It saves you and I a lot of effort.

Pikachu: Pi, pika! ["Me too!"]

Me: Sure, why not. Now, how'd it go?

Ash: The people here seemed more welcoming than in the other one. I and the other characters even got to walk around the park nearby and showed off. Oh yeah - I caught a Virizion too from a raid with one of your raid group friends!

Me: Ooh! That's delicious; you'll have to tell me more later about it. What about the parade?

Ash: It was neat. There were 19 characters including me. It was a bit late, but everyone still enjoyed it. It was a little like a usual theme event at the end.

Me: And of course, there has to be the results. What can you tell me? I hear the prizes are nifty.

Ash: Yeah! But I didn't get any of them, even though there was a good chance of winning. Two good character friends of mine did, and it was the second prize of the day for them after winning something from the other one.

Pikachu: Pi, ka. ["Ouch."]

Me: Rats. A two-for-one deal today and we got nothing.

Ash: But the second event really felt nice. Maybe we should've just gone to this one.

Me: Maybe, but at least we tried something and got a new experience out of that.

Ash: Things weren't too good today, but you'll still send me to events and conventions, right?

Me: Sure. It's only right, as "reflections of love", like the second event. It reminds me of "Reflections of Passion", a piece by Yanni.

Ash: Hey, I heard that one from the concert earlier this year! I think I get your point.

Me: And that's why I keep doing that, and I have this blog. For now, though, we're out of events or conventions for this year and almost out of this year as well, so... see you next year, in whatever's to come.

Ash: See you! Count on us!

Pikachu: Pika! ["See you!"]

One year ago: Local EX Raid (Above and Beyond), 12/29/2018
Two years ago: In Lieu of a Book

Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 12/28/2019

December is always a merry month for many people. For them, this has to be reflected in the many things that they do. In Pokémon Go, that would be through its various events, for which there is also an assortment for this month. That said, the assortment this month appears to be rather diverse, which can show just how merry this month really is, so it's time that I discuss them before the month ends and the merriment from them disappear.

Early this month, there was a brand-new kind of event. The event, called the Evolution Event, was a week-long festival that celebrated the many sorts of ways that Pokémon evolve. All around and in greater availability, there were Pokémon whose evolved forms come about in different ways, as well as the tools to assist them, as the evolution items. Lure Modules were even extended for an hour to aid efforts. It even came with its own Raid Day, which featured all the first-generation starters in raids in a random assortment of Level 1, 2, and 4 raids corresponding to their evolutionary stages. Since this last part was held the weekend prior to Community Day for this month, this neatly set the stage for that. Altogether, this made for a unique event, which likely deserves to be repeated with new features later on.

There were also a couple of small things with big effects that occurred a little later in the month. The first was an Egg Shakeup wherein all Eggs received new assortments of Pokémon that hatch from them, which made things a little wild for those who expect good things from Eggs. The second was a Special Raid Weekend with Lugia and Ho-Oh as extra Level 5 raid bosses, which happened to be exactly the same as the previous year. By now, this latter thing is a small thing that keeps returning, but it's a small thing with big demand by its frequency. The hope is that after these small things, there will be bigger effects afterwards.

Right now, however, the biggest thing is this year's edition of the Holiday Event. For this year, the perks are also pretty much the same as last year - sectioned bonuses and free incubators - but with half the duration. If last year Pikachu wore a Santa hat, this time Pikachu and its kin are wearing beanies, and this year they are accompanied by Stantler with bells, which can also be Shiny. Like last year, icy Pokémon also take the stage, with Cubchoo and Cryogonal making their first appearances, the latter being exclusive to Glacial Lure Modules. The event is not much different, but it remains lively and possibly quite helpful to carry the end of the year.

Though the Holiday Event is shorter this year, another event makes up for some of it. Today, there was something called the Winter Weekend, which involved a menagerie of icy things. Glacial Lure Modules lasted for two hours and allowed Glaceon evolved through their usage to gain the Community Day move of Last Resort, while Regice appeared as a Level 5 raid boss and one can receive extra free raid passes to raid them, a little like a Raid Day. It made for a nice little kaleidoscope of the (northern) season and what might happen in Pokémon Go in a year. It is also rather complementary and assistive to the Holiday Event, and by my experience, is also worth repeating primarily due to the camaraderie that it incites.

Those events are quite the merriment, even in contrast to how this month last year went. This month is indeed a time for exactly that merriment, for whoever and wherever, and to try to include that merriment in many places. Evidently, Pokémon Go is no exception, as it has to be able to have that merriment. I'm quite sure this year's events deliver on just that, enough to carry on things through until the next year's batch of events start.

One year ago: Soul-Searching and Pokémon
Two years ago: From Journal to Blog

Pokémon and the Furry Fandom

In yesterday's post, I discussed more of my connections with a special someone who can be considered a friend from my early years with the Internet through discussion forums. As I noted, through my interactions with him and what I've discerned through his profile, he is a "furry", a person who likes animal characters that act in many ways like people, and part of its greater "furry fandom". It seems like these things may have little to do with Pokémon, but they in fact do have some interlink, which makes for a worthwhile discussion as well.

Most of this discussion is aided by information graciously given by WikiFur and its article on Pokémon. If, by the definition as above, a furry is interested in animal characters that resemble people in behavior, then Pokémon has the latter in spades. Many Pokémon show semblances to the ways of people, including in appearance, intelligence, independence, and perception. Some can walk bipedally like people, many can speak simply (at least to people), a few can and do form humanlike "colonies", and exceptional ones can really show how they feel. This, coupled with the fact that it's practically everywhere (especially today thanks to Pokémon Go), makes it popular even within the furry fandom.

In the furry fandom, each furry has a "fursona" as the representative character identity of that person. Extending this to Pokémon, each furry may have a "Pokésona" as the alternative representative Pokémon species, or in some cases it may in fact be one's "fursona", which I'm sure it might be for diehard fans like me. Some people may be expected to have Pikachu or Piplup (family species), for example, as their "fursona", while others may have less common ones like Braixen and Delphox, two species that came to my mind as I was ruminating for this discussion. A very popular choice for a "fursona" is apparently Lucario thanks to the movie that featured it, and I can see why; from its depictions, it's a total furry fodder, not the least because it is bipedal and canine. Of course, the choice is up to the furry to make with all the Pokémon species there are.

All this fur talk does beget a specific question: do Pokémon have fur? It's a hard question to answer. The depiction of Pokémon in the Detective Pikachu movie appears to suggest that this may be the case, as I've noted way back when the first preview came out. Aside from species that are clearly based on things that don't have fur to begin with, many Pokémon that have animal origins can conceivably be considered to have fur; Aipom is particularly evident as the plot device early on in the movie. Other canines like Mightyena and most recently Lycanroc can pretty much be considered affirmative for this. All things considered, this does make Pokémon further lend itself to the furry fandom.

As for me, I'm not a furry, but I can relate to the fandom. I have a friend who is one, and we get along just fine - in fact, better than fine, and I'm not worried. (That sounds like a particular Pokémon song.) I like Pokémon, but I'm not a furry, even though Pokémon can be made to relate to its fandom. That said, given the possible relations that could be made to the world of the furry fandom, maybe for Pokémon fans like me, there is a little bit of "furry" in all of us after all.

One year ago: A Tripartite Conversation
Two years ago: I Can Hear Your Voice

More on Sunner and Me

Nearly two and a half years ago, I wrote about my Pokémon presence on online forums, in reminiscing about how in the old days of the Internet, most (if not a good amount of) communication was done through them. The post was also made to commemorate the birthday of one such user, whose screen name was "Sunner" or a variant of it. Some developments have occurred since that time, so it's well worth to write about them, not the least in part because Pokémon is involved.

Three months ago, when I was making my post on personal branding, I searched for my own name on the Internet. What came up was not only the things that I described in that post, but also a page on a web site called FurAffinity that contains the very artwork I described in the "forum persona" post as above. Checking out his profile on the same site revealed that he has alternative contacts, one of which is his Steam account. Since I have Steam, I proceeded to add him as a friend there; he eventually accepted, though it did take a bit of time. But when that happened, we finally reconnected, after having grown apart for a few years, which makes me appreciate the moment.

As for that artwork, it too is worth discussing here. Sunner depicts me as Ash, while he depicts himself as Louis the swan from an animated feature titled The Trumpet of the Swan. Our nutty relationship, and the reason for the "chase" metaphor, is because on the forum we used to post in, we often cross-posted (posted within a short time of each other) and kept bringing up the matter, shadowing each other all the while. The respective characters also happened to be our profile pictures ("avatars") at the time most of these occurrences happened, aside from being things we like in general.

The original...

Now, that artwork was formally conceived on January 2007, which means by now it's pretty much 13 years old. A lot has happened since then, including my meeting with people from all walks of life, including a certain girl fan who is as big a Pokémon fan as I am, plus a great illustrator to boot. I showed her the artwork and asked if she could redraw it; she gladly took on the challenge, and we think she did a great job.

...and the new version.

Her drawing is imbued with her own illustrative style, which is rather unique and anime-styled, as Sunner puts it. But that's not the only thing unique about this particular one; she made a "sequel" to the drawing, which in a way represents and commemorates my reconnection with Sunner. We both also like how this was executed.

The sequel. (The Japanese writing means "Long time no see, Louis.")

Even with this, my reconnection with Sunner underscores an important point. Sunner is a "furry", someone who likes animal characters that exhibit human traits, and specifically those that have fur, hence the name. He also admits as such when I showed him the drawings. Further, within the "furry fandom", he has another screen name, Folgrimeo, as indicated in the profile above as well on WikiFur, an apparent wiki for furries. I'd like to discuss the "furry fandom" in light of Pokémon, but that's better reserved for a different post.

After all these years, the connection is still impressive. We barely deal with Internet forums nowadays, but we can still communicate in other ways through the Internet. We like what we like, but it seems almost magical that they can and did cross over. That said, I'm sure we've developed some appreciation of what the other likes through our strange connection. Whether it's Pokémon for me or furry for him, we have great things that we like. The same is true for our strange connection, which ought to remain for as long as possible.

One year ago: Wallpaper: 20th Movie - Remember and Continue
Two years ago: The First: Episode 001 - "Pokémon - I Choose You!"

I Like Christmas, Merry Christmas

Nobody don't like Christmas
It's the happy day that everybody loves
It's the snowflakes driftin' down
As the folks all over town
Are trimmin' trees and knittin' gloves! ...
-- "Nobody Don't Like Christmas", from Pokémon Christmas Bash

I mentioned "present" in my post from yesterday, because today is indeed Christmas - so Merry Christmas for those concerned. And in discussing Christmas on this Pokémon blog, the Christmas Bash album is inescapable. There are many great songs on this album, but one song in particular could be considered rather dicey. That song would be the one titled "Nobody Don't Like Christmas" as above, sung by the late Maddie Blaustein as Team Rocket's Meowth. The title itself seems innocent enough, but the messages in the lyrics may or may not be so innocent.

Without going into too much detail, Meowth sings about what is liked about Christmas in comparison of what is not liked about some other certain days of the year. The point of contention lies here, in that some people may feel "inferior" - for lack of a better word - about themselves. While it does befit the nature of Meowth as an antagonist, I can't help but think that it's going "over the edge" a bit. I personally think that this could have been handled in a different and better way. Meowth can still represent itself as an antagonist, but perhaps a bit more elegantly while still tied to the theme of the song.

The song itself could also be considered to end on an anticlimactic note. While the premise per the title is "there is no one who doesn't like Christmas", that seems to be not entirely true. Unfortunately, the same situation could also be considered to be true in parts of the real world, as some people may just be unsavory in regard to this special day for one reason or another. I don't have the privilege to intervene in their affairs regarding this special day, but at least I can do something about myself.

So, I've chosen to "put my foot down", so to speak, and say that I like Christmas. This is a bit of a clarification, if posts from previous years (see below) don't show the indication. Having experienced it in different ways, I know how the ones who celebrate it really celebrate; I'm happy if they're happy, and if it means we all can remain happy and content, no matter what they like or I like. That said, Pokémon is inherently linked to my experiences with it, especially so with the presence of the Christmas Bash album.

I have to eventually discuss this bordering-on-sensitive topic given the presence of the album and especially the song above. For some people, today is truly a blessed day in a significant manner, so they must like it. While I can't say the same for others, I'm sure that there is no place for anything but joy in this world; many things will surely help in making this a reality, including this day for some, Pokémon for me and others, and both for those who transcend the two spaces.

I like Christmas. Merry Christmas. 🎄 (Especially for those liking and celebrating.)

One year ago: Christmas Bash: Concept Album?
Two years ago: Merry Christmas!

Let's Go Play with Buddies

In a post three days ago, I noted that sometimes new innovations in some Pokémon games also bring new problems, and Pokémon Go was recently affected by one such innovation. That innovation would constitute an upgrade to the Buddy system, with it being hailed as a "version 2" of sorts. Previously, a Trainer can select a Buddy Pokémon, which would then "walk" along with the player and every so often collect Candies... and not much more than that. With the so-called "version 2", so much more can be done.

Trainers can now play with their Buddy Pokémon by going to the Buddy section (tapping the Buddy icon on the overworld or the Pokémon on the profile), then tapping the "Play!" button or even just the Pokémon. Here, Trainers can pet their Buddy, take a picture of the Buddy, or feed Berries to the Buddy until full. After becoming full, the fun begins, as the Buddy will then appear on the overworld directly, whether in the air for hovering or flying ones, or on land for walking and running ones. The Buddy will become a "real partner" for as long as it has "stamina", which may be increased by further Berry feeding; when it runs out, the Buddy disappears.

Buddy Pokémon also now have levels akin to Friendship levels - Good, Great, Ultra, and Best - that are augmented by getting hearts for the Buddy. Walking 2 kilometers, feeding Berries until full, taking a picture, battling, playing (petting), and visiting new places all count as getting a heart; three hearts can be obtained each for the first two and one heart can be obtained for the rest each day. Further, Buddy Pokémon now have moods that identify their feelings, and among these, the most important is the Excited mood, which allows a Buddy to earn double hearts for all of the above actions and cut Candy distance by half for as long as the mood persists. It may be quite tricky to achieve this mood, but the sure-fire way to do so is to feed the Buddy a Poffin, a newly introduced item that may be obtained in the Shop for 100 coins. It's up to Trainers and their Buddy Pokémon to see how they can really get close.

Achieving greater Buddy levels will unlock nifty bonuses with the Buddy Pokémon. They may assist in captures by heading back a thrown Poké Ball that got headed by a Pokémon to be captured; they may also find items, souvenirs, and new places, and even obtain a CP boost at the Best Buddy level. All these are neat, but they take time to earn, as it has been known that even with best efforts (the Buddy becoming Excited each day and all possible hearts earned), it takes a minimum of half a month to get to the Best level, and this feature has only been around for about a week. And if one is interested in putting to work as many Buddies as possible, one can do so, but it means a lot of work, not to mention the fact that swapping Buddies is now limited to 20 times a day. Therefore, more has to be seen as time goes on with this new system.

As mentioned, this innovation brought about a broken feature as a "problem", but it seems that that is not the only "problem". At present, those who play on phones that are incapable of AR+ can take pictures of the Buddy Pokémon - and only that; trying to take pictures of any other Pokémon leads to the loading of the AR+ intro, leading to a useless stub. I can imagine those who can play with AR+ are unaffected, but for those who can't, this is a major issue, especially for Research Tasks that demand specific pictures to be taken. The hope is that this will be fixed soon if not immediately, and that the "problem" train ends here.

Despite the "problems" that were brought along with it, this "version 2" of the Pokémon Go buddy system is truly an important upgrade. It's a way to get close to Pokémon and a proving ground for dedication to them. It's almost as important as the spirits of the times, which is why I've let this post take precedence in comparison to posts from earlier years below. Let's just say for now that the incredible advancement of this feature is a "present" for everyone, for all Trainers in Pokémon Go and their Pokémon.

One year ago: Keeping Homes in Hearts
Two years ago: Cool Wintry Song

December for Love

Love in December
I will always remember
A summer with passion
A fatal attraction
Colors are fading
Like the leaves in November
What's left of the magic
We felt in the springtime
-- "Love in December", Ace of Base

As noted in a post in October, I have a small subset of monthly songs for the last four months of a year. I've already explained the ones for September, October, and November, so now it's time for the last one, December. Granted, I've been around the block and have a bit of appreciation for this musical group, evidenced by four of their other songs on this blog. But it's an appreciation that goes hand-in-hand with Pokémon, as those previous posts can attest. So now there is this song for this month.

This song is actually a little hard for me to tie into Pokémon because of its messages. Specifically, it's a depressing one, as this song could actually be considered a "break-up song" based on its lyrics. But then, Pokémon has had its share of depressing moments, even ones close to or are pretty much "break-up" moments. The early Mystery Dungeon games has theirs, as does the fifth movie or feature film; I trust that those in the know will know. Another one happened not too long in the Pokémon anime, and it involved a scene that is reminiscent of the northern hemisphere winter, something that many will think of when given "December".

I've had my own depressing moments with Pokémon. To experience the moments above is certainly depressing to some extent. I still feel a small amount of longing for some of the Pokémon fans I've met in earlier years, whether I know or don't know if they're still around, what they're up to, and if they can be contacted. Actually, while yesterday's convention did result in many fun moments, it also resulted in a couple of depressing moments, ones that I've realized just now, after the convention has ended - somewhat (in)appropriately timed, I'd say. In pretty much all of the above cases, I feel some of the sadness that results.

Not everything in Pokémon or in life or love ends up as they should be - in a way, like a "fairy tale". That exact bit is also mentioned in another part of this song, and it is one bit that one can only imagine, if it doesn't end up happening for real. For all those other times, there is the rest of this song, which also seems to work out for my Pokémon experiences as well. It seems apt to describe relationships that don't work out as it should, whether it's this month (December) or any other.

I dedicate this song to those who are having tough times with their experiences and relationships, Pokémon or otherwise.

One year ago: Quick Ball Tin and Pokémon Coin
Two years ago: Perspective

Cosplay: Chibi Daisuki! Japan Fest 2019

Me: OK, as I've promised, this is the big day. This convention's always big, even if it's got the "little" (chibi) tag on it.

Ash: Yeah! And I've got my Kalos outfit, just like the preview.

Pikachu: Pika chu! [enthusiastic]

Me: This is the convention that one month ago I said is going to be held in the same place as that one. And... did this improve on that?

Ash: Yeah, I guess! It looks a bit more open. Even some of the outside was taken up for it. It might be a problem if a person wasn't interested, but maybe the person will pay anyway to get in - especially to get out of the weather, which was hot in the morning and rainy later on.

Me: What about the inside?

Ash: It looks a lot like last time, but there's a little bit less, so that's why it's open. But when it gets busy, it gets real tight.

Me: Well, OK, so there's at least a little bit of improvement. I think the problem is just that there are too many people in a not-so-large hall.

Pikachu: Pi ka! Pika pika! [confounded]

Ash: Pikachu can't seem to believe it all. You might be right. Oh yeah, some of the stands have a few of my character friends, and maybe a few of yours too. They sell their own goodies. Can I sell goodies?

Me: I've actually been meaning to get you to do that, but I need to think up of the concept. I still would like to get you rolling.

Ash: Yeah! I want to. The rest of the stands look pretty much the same like last time, but I guess there's still something to enjoy.

Me: Enjoy it. It's their stands, and they need some support. Now, I sent you here for the character parade, which is the little big thing. How was it?

Ash: Five out of 35 or one in seven seems pretty good, but I didn't win. I saw lots of really nice characters that I thought would win but didn't.

Me: That seems to be the "lottery effect" happening.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu. ["Seems so."]

Me: We'll have to see what happens next time. All right, what was the entertainment like there?

Ash: There were a couple of dance groups and a few bands, and two of the bands we know about. There was also a vocal group and a DJ. But none had something special today.

Me: Hmm, I guess they were just being themselves today. That's OK. By the way, I sent a different character here last year, and he reported a lot about my figure group. They're not around this year, huh?

Ash: No, and I only saw one person from your group, and not even with Pokémon figures.

Pikachu: Pika. ["Hum."]

Ash: And you say, this is a "little" convention, right? I don't think this is quite "a little" - it's more like "a lot", even if the place is "a little".

Me: That's the impression I got from last year. You know, I think no matter how they do things, they will always seem big. This year and every year.

Ash: You said it!

Pikachu: Pika! ["Yes!"]

One year ago: A Pikachu Hand Puppet
Two years ago: I Claimed My Team

New Innovation, New Problems

The great thing about some Pokémon games is that they keep up with time, whether in the form of a completely new iteration as with the main series games or continuous updating as with the mobile games or even some of the console games. The newer versions of these games often bring about new innovations. However, in the process, some of these innovations sometimes bring about new problems as well. They may not necessarily affect gameplay too deeply, but they may still be a source of bother. That has been the case for a couple of recent innovations in more current Pokémon games.

In the new main series games of Sword and Shield, Max Raid Battles can be played over the Internet with a friend or two, which facilitates those living far away to play. This entails the creation of a "lobby" with a four-digit link code or "password", which then is shared to another player to link up. However, as there are only 10000 possible combinations and some players may not create a unique enough number, sometimes someone would run into a number for another player's Max Raid Battle. Some trades over the Internet also work the same way. This code/number issue became a bit of a hot topic last month among my main series fellows, just a week after the games were released. While lack of more recent discussions may or may not suggest continued problems, this was definitely a case of a new innovation causing a new problem.

Pokémon Go is no stranger to new innovations causing new problems, as it is a constantly updated mobile game with new features and adjustments. In a recent update, the game received a load of new feature innovations - which I will discuss soon, but now's not the time - but some other features of the game became "broken". Specifically for the latter, several search strings that are very useful to find Pokémon according to their stats became unusable after the update. The issue is that these comprise a feature that shouldn't be disappearing without a good reason, so the update should have been able to keep the feature while adding new ones - unrelated ones, at that. The feature has been rectified with another updated version, but not everyone may have updated or can update quickly enough. Though the new innovations did not directly create the new problems, the process of preparing the update with the new innovations seemed to have done so.

Innovations in games and especially Pokémon games are great, of course, but what's not so great is the issues that may arise as part of (the process of implementing) those innovations. Yet, games themselves are human innovations as well, and there's another kind of innovation that people can create, which is the innovation to improve situations and resolve issues. The latter has certainly applied to the latter, and the hope is that the former may apply to the former. All that's left to do is to await further innovations to the Pokémon games that I and so many others love, with the hope that they won't cause (too many) problems as they are conceived.

One year ago: Dreaming Big, Making an Impact

Two years ago: Friend Faves

Sitting Pikachu Keychain

Perhaps the greatest challenge I face as a blogger and a writer in general is to be able to write a lot about something that's only a little thing. A case in point is a certain piece of Pokémon merchandise I recently got, from a (not so) festive anniversary theme event. It's only a little thing, which might make it seem insignificant and uninteresting, especially to write about. But then, I am interested in putting it up on this blog, so that's a challenge I have to face for this post. Here goes.

As the title of this post indicates, the piece of merchandise I wish to discuss is a certain keychain that depicts Pikachu. It might seem like it would be related to another Pikachu keychain that I recently obtained and discussed as well, due to antonymous keywords - "standing" vs. "sitting" - but they're actually very different. This keychain is a flat image keychain, whereas the other is a figure keychain. It also doesn't have too many details to describe, whereas the other does. In that way, this is simple and the other is a little more intricate.

Yet, I can still note much of its details. This is a standard acrylic keychain, with an image sandwiched between two acrylic sheets. It's a simple way of making image keychains, but I surmise it might actually not be that simple to make. As well, it would be too simple to put an image on just one side, so this one has it on both sides, only flipped on the other side. The left ear off Pikachu is also clipped, but the rest of the keychain is OK. It is odd just as much as it makes sense. Due to the simplistic nature, the keychain may not have much collection value, but it does have quite a bit of utility value, in that I would use it with my regular keys. It's not too bad for a keychain.

With that, I've been able to write quite a bit about this keychain, which may seem to lack detail otherwise. Evidently, it may seem insignificant at first glance, but there are some significant details about it, which I've described as above. I've pretty much fulfilled the challenge of writing lots about a little thing, and in that way, it's a little thing that isn't... which also goes for my appreciation for Pokémon, enough that it led me to get this little big thing and make a little big deal about it in writing.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 12/20/2018
Two years ago: Movie Manga!

Creations Without Drama: Cosplay Teaser for 12/22/2019

Yesterday's post on the anniversary of an ill-timed split is actually perfectly timed with something that I should discuss. This year, a familiar convention, as part of its festivities, contains the campaign of "creations without drama", which means that one should create positively rather than overstate, especially those of others and in a negative manner. It could be considered an adjunct to the adage of "actions speak louder than words", which is something noble. In the years since that ill-timed split, I have followed that adage to a good extent.

Since then, my creations, in particular regarding cosplay, have expanded greatly. I have many sets of Ash's outfits throughout the anime series, and I could stand to cosplay in them at any given time. I used to be averse to competitions, but now I try to partake in them as much as possible to refine what I can do for characterization and possibly vie for prizes as well. The accomplishment of a Pokémon cosplay project with others allows me to speak not for myself, but also others. I stand to be able to do more and speak further, but like with actual speaking, sometimes there is a time and place. That's for me to discover and to place myself in.

Beyond cosplay, I've proven my singing ability with Pokémon to some extent, enough to result in two collaborations with locally well-known bands; admittedly this is a more recent way of "speaking" with my actions, but I've spoken with them nonetheless. I admit that in the realm of actual "speaking" within the original realm of the Pokémon games I have not been able to speak much through my actions in them, but this partially assisted through another manner of speaking, which is through this blog. Yes, much of it does constitute words, but they could be construed as "actions" as well to demonstrate advanced capabilities with words, which someday will perhaps manifest in a different form but still incorporating Pokémon.

I've been overstated once, back then, and the result was ugly. But instead of direct recourse through overstatement, I've let much of that recourse take place through what I do. Some of the ones who witnessed that recourse and saw me develop afterward have the perception that I've successfully made my recourse through what I've done since then, and I have to say that I agree. I've been able to speak by my actions rather than my words and prove my worth. To have it be able to involve Pokémon becomes the part that makes it all the more impressive to me as a Pokémon fan, and perhaps also for others.

As for that convention, it will take place on Sunday, and I will be taking part in it and its cosplay walk as well. Like certain editions before it, I'm obligated to make this teaser; in fact, the teaser is to contain an invitation to come to the convention and to support the campaign through a hashtag - the execution and the rest being up to me. My take on it is, of course, to have the character I cosplay do the teaser, and to do it the way I communicate best, which is why I have furnished the translated version of the hashtag. Whatever happens, these are merely my words for now; they'll become my actions when the convention happens.

Me: So, are you ready?

Ash: OK, I'm ready. Here goes!

Me: This teaser is posted on my Facebook profile. Check it out there as well.

[Ash] Hey everyone! I want you to come to Chibi Daisuki Japan Fest 2019 and see me there. Maybe we can have a Pokémon battle, or do other Pokémon things and enjoy it too. But whatever we do, let's make what we do speak well for us. Let's do our very best - that's what matters! 

#CreationsWithoutDrama 

#PadatKaryaTanpaDrama

One year ago: The Four Pillars of Pokémon
Two years ago: Nostalgic Returns

A Cosplay Departure

Nowadays, my cosplay efforts, particularly my Pokémon cosplay efforts, are quite celebrated. But it wasn't always that way. There have been ups and downs among those efforts, and one moment from the latter group occurred exactly six years ago - on the same exact date and on the same exact day, no less. And if one pays attention to the date, it is exactly one week before the happy time that is supposed to be Christmas; instead of festive cheer, I instead received despair on that day. It made me question my cosplay efforts, even made me consider quitting.

At that point, I had gotten along with a group of other cosplayers for over a year. I met regularly with them, talked about costume progressions, took note of upcoming events or conventions, shared tips and tricks, and generally helped each other out. As much as we were helpful to each other, however, there were times that I felt singled out or even "unwelcome". They have interests of their own, which don't necessarily correlate with mine; I of course like Pokémon, but others only seemed neutral about it, while on the other hand, they like anime, serials, games, music, and others that I may or may not be partial to. As for cosplay, I supported them in what they chose to do even if it didn't pertain to me, but I couldn't tell if they did the same for me... until one fateful day, today six years ago.

On that day - more specifically that evening - it was decided that they would no longer accept me as part of their group, a "hard" departure or abandonment of sorts. It was a difficult and sorrowful moment. I wanted to continue supporting them in the hope that they would continue to support me as well, but that was not to be the case. I had also hoped that my Pokémon cosplay vibe had spread and we could get together for a project, but this never happened during the time I was with them. At that point, I lost some worthwhile connections with some knowledgeable people; I even learned that some of them couldn't do much to defend my participation in the group and were shocked that this happened. It was, in many ways, a low point and a negative one in my cosplay efforts.

But all wasn't bad. I did gain some relevant knowledge in the one year and a little bit that I was with them. I learned about the creation and usage of cosplay cards, which I still apply to this day. I eventually reconnected with a few of the people I lost connection with, though not as the group proper - in fact, as multiple groups. As for my cosplay efforts, I ended up not quitting; it went on thanks to my appreciation for Pokémon, which since then has guided further steps along my path of cosplay. I eventually got to connect with others still and finally execute a real Pokémon cosplay project. And then there have been a good deal of successes all along the way, of which one might have been helped thanks to this, plus a great amount of appreciation by others. It has been quite positive since then, and I intend to keep it that way.

I have to admit that I relish to discuss this moment, but it is something true that happened, and today happens to be its exact anniversary timewise, right down to the date and the day as well as its ill timing. But I have to say that I have Pokémon to thank partially for helping me to get over this moment and, as something I highly appreciate, pointing me in the direction that I needed to go. And that direction is what makes me today as a Pokémon fan who is also dedicated to and celebrated for its cosplay. That becomes "festive cheer" enough, for this time or any time of year.

One year ago: Screenplay Writing
Two years ago: Good (Life)Times, Again

Pokémon Go Community Day Weekend, 12/14/2019 and 12/15/2019

There's one more topic that I've also put on hold, in some ways also inadvertently. That would be this month's Community Day in Pokémon Go. For those who played and recall, last year, December's Community Day became a "super" wrap-up with all the featured Pokémon over the course of the year. This year, Community Day for this month was much like that in many ways. But it also featured some novelties, not the least of which is everything featured over this year. Yet, there's a bit - or a lot - more to it than that.

Unlike last year, this year's "wrap-up weekend" was only two days long, covering Saturday and Sunday. But over the course of that weekend, there were quite a bit of things. Pokémon from all editions of Community Day this year became more present in the wild from 9 AM on Saturday to 9 PM on Sunday, a period of 36 hours for all parts of the world, made convenient since "localized schedules" were introduced this year. The usual three-hour period of bonuses happened on both days from 11 AM to 2 PM, and it featured all the possible bonuses of increased XP, increased Stardust, decreased Egg distance, and extended Lure Modules of any type; Field Research Tasks also became "Catch 3 Pokémon" during that time, while a Special Research introduced on Saturday with only one page of tasks, all of them to catch 19 Pokémon, assisted and celebrated efforts at the same time. Also, during those three hours, featured Pokémon from the first half of this year (Totodile, Swinub, Treecko, Bagon, Torchic, Slakoth) dominated appearances on Saturday, while those from the second half (Mudkip, Ralts, Turtwig, Trapinch, Chimchar) did so on Sunday. That was great for those looking to complement or supplement their efforts this year.

What was even greater was that featured Pokémon from last year's editions also joined in on the fun in many ways. Over the course of the weekend, they appeared in Level 1 raids and in 2-kilometer Eggs, allowing a chance to get at the very least Pokémon from last year's editions with good stats. But there was a good reason to do so, because the move window, the same period as above, for this Community Day was for ALL Pokémon involved in the series of events from last year and this year, which made it possible for anyone to obtain Pokémon with their exclusive moves, including the case of Leafeon and Glaceon with Last Resort, making this effectively their debuts as they themselves debuted this year. The fun is therefore shared for everyone.

And like last year, I shared the fun in two places. On Saturday, I took part in my local area, catching a good number of the featured Pokémon and evolving a few others that deserve or need to be evolved; others set up the Lure Modules and I and a few friends enjoyed the festivities. On Sunday, I took part as I enjoyed the theme event on that day; I set up my own Lure Module on one of two PokéStops in the area and caught as many as possible there. I had hoped that someone would also do the same, but this didn't happen, yet I did keep many that I caught for possible trading later on. Overall, I improved most of my Community Day stock and left some room for future improvements or twists later on should they occur.

Community Day has always turned out to be a spectacular event since its introduction in Pokémon Go, and it has proven to be lucrative for all. Its end-of-year "super" wrap-up bash is also spectacular, especially with the way it's executed this year. That spectacular quality and lucrativeness will surely persist, as will the things gained from each edition. I'm sure I and my Pokémon Go fellows will not "put on hold" future editions and the spectacular things that they may bring.

One year ago: Raid Dramas
Two years ago: Hoenn Pokémon Are Go!

PvP: After One Year

There's a topic I've neglected to cover (in a way, put on hold), and yet it's important because of its relationship to my current Pokémon experiences. Last Thursday was the one-year anniversary of the addition of the "Trainer battle" (better known as PvP) feature to Pokémon Go, and it's a very important one. It establishes the game as a full-fledged Pokémon game, at least in terms of being able to battle one another directly. One year since then, the feature remains important in many aspects for all players concerned, including me.

Few systems are perfect from the get-go, and the Pokémon Go PvP system is one of them. The system has underwent a few revisions since its initial introduction, some cosmetic for a few little issues, and others technical in order to rectify what shouldn't be. One of the latter kind in fact came a few days ago, particularly regarding how the Attack stat has a role in battle, and this has wrought havoc with best practices ("meta") for SLA's Timeless theme, causing some strategies to have to be re-thought and re-applied for battling under these circumstances. These revisions are necessary, of course, for them to become as good as possible to facilitate Trainers no matter what happens in battle.

And of those battles and competitions, they've been rather rife, primarily by way of the Silph League Arena and its various monthly themes. While my raid group is keen on holding one or at least not too many a month, other raid groups elsewhere may be apt to hold more than one per month; 90 km or so from where I live, competitions are live per week based on the SLA, which should appeal to Trainers there. Even so, the SLA is not the only one that furnishes styles of competitions; others have taken to do so, though its organization may still depend on the SLA. One in fact became the last tournament that my raid group held, and I may or may not take to discussing it here since the occasion has already well passed. But I might just do so, considering its uniqueness and relation to Pokémon. With this current state, there's quite a bit to go for in competitions.

But soon, there might be more to go for. As noted at the end of October, the GO Battle League is on tap, and it might be something to really go for. There have been a few more details revealed about the system, though the system itself is yet to be seen. It also seems to be critically different than the SLA system, so it remains to see how the latter will jive with the former. If anything, GO Battle League is an apparent "standardization", and it's highly likely to point the way for inclusion of Pokémon Go in the Pokémon World Championships, with a proper system for weeding out the best of the rest. The PvP system may not need more changes in light of this, but the system will likely dictate how Trainers should battle.

Battling is what I consider to be one of the "four pillars of Pokémon" and it thereby is something to be present in its more sophisticated games. So too Pokémon Go is a sophisticated Pokémon game, which is why PvP was a demand for inclusion way back when. After one year of that inclusion, it has gone through quite a bit, and looking at what's ahead, it may be due for a bit more. Regardless, the stakes remain high for PvP, which as part of a "pillar" of Pokémon should be rightfully so with how it further develops.

One year ago: Pokémon Asia McDonald's Happy Meal Toys, Waves 3 and 4
Two years ago: Balanced Systems Stimulate Civilization

Cosplay: Panniversary 3

Me: Well, I've got a lot of things to do, but at least I can send you to a little something.

Ash: Hey, this is that anniversary event from last year!

Me: Indeed. This is this year's edition of that. I know you and Pikachu had at least some fun, right?

Pikachu: Pika! ["Right!"]

Me: So, I figure I'd send you two back for at least a little bit more. Now, last year, I sent you here to sing, and guess what?

Ash: I'm doing that again.

Me: Exactly. This time, I was going to have you sing something a little different, but I had to put it on hold, just like a few other things - I even put on hold a few other things for this. So I want you to sing what you sang last year.

Ash: But can I make it a little different?

Me: Absolutely! In fact, I want you to do that. Based on responses to how singing competitions went over this past year or so, I want you to play with your vocals a bit and see how that works out.

Ash: Yeah! I can do that. But, uh, it seems the sound people couldn't play right with the sound. It popped really bad during the first part of the singing competition. I feel sorry for the first few people.

Pikachu: Pika, pi pika! ["So noisy!"]

Me: I know what you mean. But did yours at least go well?

Ash: I think it did.

Me: That's great. OK, so I sent you not only for the singing competition, but also the character competitions, both performance and parade. Got your "special journey" outfit?

Ash: Yeah, I do! Wait, does that mean you want me to perform...

Me: Yes, that sequence again, for the performance. Even though the last time it won, maybe it could be made a little better. Plus, we have to try it here. The character parade should be obvious.

Ash: OK. So I did it and it was OK. But I was the first one up and I couldn't hear the sound cues clearly. And, last time Pikachu fell over; this time my cap fell when I was "chasing" Pikachu.

Pikachu: Pikachu pika pika. ["I wonder why those things happen."]

Me: I do too. How are the results?

Ash: I wasn't picked in the parade, even though it was three winners out of six. The singing competition was tight, and the better two out of four won the performance.

Me: So, a total bust.

Pikachu: Pika pika pi pika. ["Nothing at all."]

Me: Well, the good thing is that less effort was busted on this one compared to what would happen with every effort two weeks ago.

Ash: Maybe so. Maybe it's not for us to know?

Me: Maybe. How's the venue?

Ash: The place is different, even though it's in the same area as it was last time. The old place is now something else. But it looks fine, mostly. There was lots of room.

Me: And what about everything else?

Ash: They seem standard. It looks a little like the event where I first sang with a band, but with a lot less - or maybe that "cat invasion" one, only wider. I didn't see our girl fan, though.

Me: She must either be busy or have other plans. What do you think about it overall?

Ash: I don't know. This one was good in many ways, but it was also not as good.

Me: But it was fun, right?

Ash: Yeah! I know you have a lot on your plate, but it's great that you could still send me here. Maybe next time we can win something!

Pikachu: Pika chu, pika pika! ["Let's do our best!"]

Me: We hope, and we hope next time we can do it with style.

One year ago: Only for You, For Your Eyes Only
Two years ago: The First-Generation Surfing Theme

Putting Things on Hold

So many things are going on in my life. This includes things for Pokémon and otherwise. As much as I'd like to do them all at the same time, there is a limit to what I can humanly accomplish with the resources that I have. So, whether I like it or not, I can only handle a few things at one moment, and for the other things I want to handle, I have to pause their handling - which is otherwise known as "putting them on hold". And unfortunately, that does include a few Pokémon things as well.

Without a Switch of my own, and without the respective games no less, I can be said to be putting a hold on the main series games. I've already fleshed out the details to some extent in a "preparatory" post as well as a little bit in an "uptake" post. I certainly don't intend to do it; I started out with the main series and have to continue its progression if and when possible. But right now, that just isn't the case, and I have to put its progression on hold. The hope is that this won't happen for too long and I can get back at the soonest time, picking it up again and begin playing. For now, this continues to be on hold.

However, some things may be forced to be on indefinite hold. One such thing would be the TCG, specifically the localized version at that. The tournaments for it continue to be in full swing, and in fact, there were two of them last week in my local area. I had thought about signing up for them, but as I hadn't updated my deck since I bought it, I might not stand a chance against those who have decks that are fully thought and built out. Updating my deck would require investment of time and money, things I seem to be short of these days. Plus, I've found that the localized cards are a bit of a problem for me because they are... local, and for someone whose frame of mind is somewhat beyond "local", it seems like a challenge. All I can do now is to keep it on hold.

Yet, by the same token, I can also put on hold a few other things for Pokémon, though not for a very long time. Today, that happened for a certain Pokémon thing that lasted all midday, though it really takes up half of the day. I'd love to cover it in a post on this blog today, but the thing actually continues tomorrow, so I can't really cover it half and half due to it being an "inseparable union" of sorts. That said, its coverage, in a way, will also be put on hold, owing to some other things to be done, even at the same time. So, one thing puts on hold another and vice versa.

What is not on hold is my appreciation for Pokémon, of course, if this post and this blog are of any indication. At this point, it stays picked up and active for as long as possible. It just so happens that a few specific related things at one moment or another do have to be put on hold, but not the entire body of things. The ones that remain active are the ones that keep the entirety from being put on hold. At least with my abilities and the resources that I have, Pokémon and my life can go on without having to be put on hold.

Now, I have to put on hold a few more things for something to do, and even a post or two here on this blog.

One year ago: Local EX Raid (Double or Quits), 12/14/2018

Two years ago: Tears of Life... and Being Moved to Tears

Performance Critique: Pokémon Theme feat. Otaku

OK, there's a certain old topic that I have to get out of the way fast, or otherwise it'll keep nagging. That would be more on the most recent collaboration I made, and perhaps the best one yet; it is of course me with one of the most well-known bands in the scene of local theme events and conventions. That is revolutionary to be sure, but it's also revolutionary because of the song we performed. Yes, as unbelievable as it is, I sang "Pokémon Theme" with the band, an English song for a Japanese-origin fandom, at a Japanese theme event. What was a dream with only a remote possibility turned into reality at the drop of a hat, and we fulfilled the previously-mentioned collaboration scenario accordingly. It is beyond amazing.

With that, I also want to critique it. Admittedly, this post will be half a story and half a critique because there's so much that went into it, but they're all interrelated, so I have to discuss them as much as I can. As noted, the band - or rather, its leader/manager/guitarist (Instagram: @sunnyshvr) - asked me if I wanted to collaborate with them the week before the day of the performance, and I accepted, knowing that this would be especially rare, perhaps "once in a blue moon" or even rarer. Since its members are all over the place, there wasn't any practice for this collaboration, as the leader notes after the performance and in a post on Instagram. That said, I was given a "draft" guitar and bass track, so actually there was a bit of an "indirect practice" for it. Still, with minimal practice, it was amazingly successful.

The momentous occasion of the prank.

At the time of the band's performance, they called me onto the stage to sing the song, which became third in their setlist. Before it happened, though, they also played a prank or trick by playing the first part of a song for a "different kind of monster", and this caught me off-guard as well. To some extent, it was slightly amusing as it was confusing. The audience didn't seem to mind, and all was forgotten when I and the band performed... or almost, if a recording happened to exist. I got a recording off of a special source; I was actually waiting and hoping for a different recording that I knew existed before writing up this critique, but even now this still hasn't surfaced. The special recording thus becomes the basis for these images and this critique post.

"You teach me and I'll teach you - Pokémon..."

I've stated that I have the lyrics memorized, and I did perform it well, except maybe for really one part: the line in the chorus that goes "...and I'll teach you". In the rechecking of lyrics and minimal practice for singing the song, I seem to have elided the "I'll" part into "I", which then also occurred during the performance at some points and lends a slightly different meaning. What seems to have happened is a case of "jamais vu", which is the inverse of deja vu, where I'm not recognizing something familiar as such. It's like if one keeps saying "door" a few dozen times and then starts to doubt that "door" is a word - that's jamais vu. And it was like that for this.

Saluting the leader, after I saluted the band. 

For this performance, though the band stated that they followed the arrangement of the original song, the live performance is actually a bit faster because the performance is a few seconds shorter compared to the original song; I actually measured this. It's nothing bad, but it's definitely a unique take. Also, at least based on the special recording, I'm able to hear myself sing through most of the performance, which I'm sure is an improvement. And if the band played a trick at the beginning, then I can consider myself to have played a trick at the end with my salute to the band - though I'm not sure if they already knew about it based on my earlier blog posts. That is of course adjusted to the name of the band, and goes like this:

"GIVE IT UP FOR OTAKU BAND!!!"

Legends on stage.

As I've noted a few times, I have choir as my musical and vocal background. This background shaped my musical and vocal ability, which helps in realizing things like this. Yet I think of myself as a versatile singer, which is one reason I dived into J-Song or karaoke competitions. Another reason is to realize collaborations like these, and certainly the first one that happened prior. It has been said that it takes only one "yes" to be successful, and now I've had success twice over with the bands I know. And while I wasn't brought up singing in a band, I'm also slowly learning how to work and sing my heart out with them. Even for an upstart, I seem to have done a really great job.

So great, in fact, that I fulfilled the objective that I outlined in the critique for my previous collaboration. I sang better, the performance was a hoot, and I achieved the ultimate goal of working together with a highly-admired local band known in events and conventions around the same area. Now I have no qualms of collaborating with a band, and I might think the same applies conversely. I can only think that this could get better with time for me and whichever band may decide to collaborate next time. And behind it all, there is the spirit of Pokémon that drives everyone to do and become the very best - words to live by from this exact song that we performed.

One year ago: Trainer Battles Are Go!!!
Two years ago: Will You Be There?

Sword and Shield Uptake

As with Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon two years ago and the Let's Go games a year ago, I have to make a post covering the uptake of the newest main series games, which would be Sword and Shield at the moment. Like the past two games, I have not received the game as of the time that the post was made, but because they've set a precedent, it is OK. In fact, that may be a good thing, because by making the post, I may end up outlining what I'm missing, which will inspire me to obtain the games - or at least just one, for which my choice is already definite. But that's for another time, when it happens.

For now, it's worth noting that I've tried to delay this post for as long as possible so I could obtain more information to make it. The previous posts were made somewhat closer to the release date, and I feel that may not have allowed for much input. But this post is closer to one month after its release, so there should be at least a few more insights that I can include from over the course of that time. And it seems that may be the case, given the observations I've been able to make regarding its uptake.

These observations are based on my main series group, my figure group, and to some extent even my raid group. The first one is where the most action is expected, and that seems to be very much the case. Having lagged during the later period of the 3DS games, my main series group has been abuzz with activity after its release. A chat group for the group, in fact, ballooned with new members, many of them seeking players to join in online Max Raid Battles, in addition to the usual requests for trades and practice battles as per main series games of yore. Altogether, they're activities that have not been seen en masse since a few years ago, at which point the group was smaller by comparison. That activity has clearly indicated uptake by the interested players.

Meanwhile, in my figure group, only a few have the game and the console, but those who do are interested to play. That is why the gathering which I missed last week was in collaboration with a gaming group; it is specifically with a Nintendo Switch group, who may have Pokémon players, though not necessarily figure collectors. Based on the picture report from that gathering, there seems to be many enthusiastic players. I can't say the same, however, for my raid group, despite the fact that some possess the Switch; the bleaker situation is that most don't. They all seem content to go on with Go, and specifically for those who have the Switch, the Let's Go games, which are most likely in possession. With these two groups, the uptake seems to be hit-or-miss.

While there are no explicit positive statements nor negative complaints among those who I've observed playing, the fact that they keep playing seems to have little bearing on the deficiencies of the games and only highlights their more positive aspects. This too is what seems to draw more people into playing the games, thereby increasing its uptake. As for my uptake, I've stated that this will be for another time, and that's what I expect to happen. Eventually, I will have to play as I am a Pokémon fan at heart, but that will have to wait on different things. In the meantime, covering the uptake of the game by others seems satisfactory, until the point where it becomes my uptake.

One year ago: Much Ado About Figures
Two years ago: The Rainbow Feather of Ho-Oh

Rethinking Game Linkages

One of my Pokémon fellows recently offered a theory on how the main series games are linked, especially those beyond the first major generational games. For the latter, I'm accustomed to thinking of some of them as "third games" and "remakes" - which I've also discussed a few times on this blog - but this person had offered something different. Based on when the games were released and what content was offered on which console, the games can be considered to be more linked in more intimate relationships. It's a different way of thinking that also seems to make a lot more sense.

According to the person, the early "third games" (Yellow, Crystal, Emerald) are essentially "variants" of the games they are based on (Red/Green/Blue, Gold/Silver, and Ruby/Sapphire respectively), but as Platinum from Diamond/Pearl offers a few more new things, it is more fitting to call it as a "remaster" or "definitive edition" of the pair. And because Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon work the same way compared to Sun/Moon, they fall under the same heading, though they are a pair of games. Fire Red/Leaf Green, Heart Gold/Soul Silver, and Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire are considered "pure remakes" since they are on different consoles than the games they are based on, and so is Let's Go, Pikachu/Eevee... because they are really remakes of Yellow; additionally, OR/AS also includes an "integrated remake" of Emerald due to its post-game. At this point, the only odd ones out are Black/White, which have Black 2/White 2 as sequels, and X/Y with seemingly nothing.

Looking at the progression of the main series games, a new generation comes out every three to four years, at least based on Japan time. Between all those times, there seems to have to be a "stopgap" measure, which results in all these novelties, because something novel should be brought to the table to tide the legions of fans while they await the true new "step" - a new generation. Speaking of new steps, the console being different for a "pure remake" is a given, and it seems to be two steps ahead, save the Let's Go games, which are a "quantum leap" of sorts. With that being the case, the next novelty seems to be a remake of the fourth-generation games on the Switch (possibly including an "integrated remake") and/or a sequel of the Sword and Shield games, which are all entirely possible given past novelties. Then there would be the ninth generation, and afterwards other possibilities based on the technologies to come.

This way of thinking is quite different than my old ways of thinking, including what I outlined as a "new paradigm" way back when and is effectively obsolete at this point. But a lot of it does indeed make sense based on their timings and relationships, especially how the first major generational games become refined. The main series games are already a complex bunch with what they offer. And yet, the way one of my Pokémon fellows sees it, there's a different kind of closeness within that complexity. I'm only happy to recast my older views accordingly, and I can only expect further refinements to this later on.

One year ago: Passing It On: The Next Generation
Two years ago: Pikachu Head Collectibles

Pokémon Center Pilot Pikachu Plush - Narita Airport Ver.

I've already discussed a kind of merchandise that I don't have and will likely never have, so now it's time to discuss a kind of merchandise that I do have. Remarkably, it is another kind of Pokémon merchandise from far away, but it's one that I do have in my possession. As the title of this post suggests, it comes from the Land of the Rising Sun. And while I haven't been there lately (and may not be any time soon), this one did come into my possession by way of someone who has been there just recently.

But first, the details. This plush is as expected, which is Pikachu in a pilot suit, looking exactly like the illustration on the tag. Though it's a little bit hard to see, Pikachu has the shirt and tie under the pilot coat. As this is the Narita Airport version, Pikachu dons a coat tagged with NRT, the respective airport code. The attention to detail on this one is impeccable, especially considering its size: it's only slightly smaller than my outstretched palm, but it has so much detail to it. It is, in a word, amazing.

The details continue to its backside and top side. The cap also comes with a chain and a ring, which means this can be attached to anything as one sees fit. In fact, I can already think up of a scenario involving this plush: it can be hung from the hooks or zippers of a backpack and carried with a person as one travels. The plush is of course travel-size, and it has the theme of "travel" in general, with Pikachu being a pilot and all, possibly about to go places with the one who possesses it.

As noted, this came by way of someone who has just been to Japan. The person went there with other agendas in tow, but between all those agendas, there was the opportunity to have a bit of fun. And one of those bits of fun is sneaking in a visit to a Pokémon Center and getting a gift for a friend of the person who is also a great Pokémon fan - that would certainly be me! As for the person, a faithful reader of this blog might have seen him once or twice, perhaps in the character of a good friend of a friend of me. You get my drift.

This plush may be small, but that is the least thing to worry about it. It looks dapper and yet very playful, especially with the suggested "travel" theme and its facility for portability. I appreciate this plush just as much as I appreciate the efforts of the person who brought back this one especially for me. It makes me want to go places - even if I really can't at the moment, at least not to faraway ones - and perhaps that might include the suggested locale of where this plush originates, right down to its details.

One year ago: Stage Coin Tricks in Shuffle
Two years ago: Cosplay: Utsuru F!