Pokémon Stickers on WhatsApp

Every so often, I write about the Pokémon stickers on the messaging application of LINE, which I haven't written about in a long time, and that may be another viable discussion topic later on. But before that can happen, I want to expand the context. Many other messaging applications also support stickers, perhaps partially inspired by the ones on LINE. One of those messaging applications is WhatsApp, a popular choice for many users including myself. Some time ago, the application added support for stickers, allowing it to appeal as with other messaging applications with the feature. Some of those stickers happen to be Pokémon stickers, which allows me to discuss about them here. Even then, these are quite different, including the implementation.

Compared to some other messaging applications including LINE, sticker support in WhatsApp is somewhat rudimentary. Unlike LINE, no sound stickers are supported, and unlike a handful of other applications, no animated stickers are supported; thus, all the stickers are static images. Packs of stickers can be added through the "add stickers" feature when viewing stickers, but only a handful of packs are displayed, and the "Get More Stickers" link takes one to a Play Store search (on Android) for "WA Sticker Apps", many of which appear to be from independent providers, even for stickers that have official images. Therefore, much of the available stickers, including for Pokémon, can be considered unofficial. As well, for Pokémon stickers, these are sought elsewhere than by this method, though one will find the packs if one knows where to look. The situation is a bit complicated, considering this.

Adding to that complication is that one can create personal, custom stickers and sticker packs for use in WhatsApp, provided the person has the right tools and images. One would still need to look for them in the right places in order to be able to do so. Still, this is more a blessing rather than a complication, at least for the ones who possess the resources and the know-how. Some of the Pokémon stickers that I have were most likely created in this way by others, including a few from my raid group and beyond. For example, there are a few stickers that were created from fan art, or even official images from Pokémon Go and others that were then embellished with textual captions, including some that are locally oriented. It is complicated, but there is also a great potential for creativity and usage options, particularly if one is willing to share with the world.

And share people do. All stickers, even personally-made ones, can then be used in any chat, and those who read the chats can then "mooch off" those stickers for personal use by tapping "Add to Favorites" when viewing a sticker. All the Pokémon stickers that I have, in fact, were gained through this method, by someone sharing the stickers and me adding them to my Favorites list. I choose not to download sticker packs for the concern that they may be unsavory in different ways, and not to make stickers due to limited resources. Even with the limitations of this method, I have a pretty good assortment of Pokémon stickers ranging from common ones to unique, localized takes. The flavor of the stickers is a little like the ones I have on LINE, though with some distinctions owing to the possibility of new stickers being created.

Admittedly, there is something to fancy about the implementation of stickers in WhatsApp. It is literally an open implementation unlike that of many messaging applications including LINE, especially with custom stickers in the mix. Within that open implementation, Pokémon is still able to make itself present in the mix by way of the stickers people have conceived for the purpose of being used in the chats. It also becomes an impressive display of creativity, with the boundless possibility of conceiving new stickers and sticker packs. As a Pokémon fan, I become inclined to use WhatsApp further and to expand my sticker collection there, not to mention to expect further Pokémon stickers to appear and then be used there as part of the dynamics of my (Pokémon) life unfold through the use of the messaging application. 

One year ago: Looking from Far Away

Two years ago: (High Noon at the) Local Ex-Raid, 5/8/2018

Three years ago: Ash and Pikachu Keychain