Pokémon Go Community Day, 8/8/2020

Yes, Community Day in Pokémon Go came fairly early this month, somewhat earlier than most months. Usually the month after (a series of) Pokémon Go Fest editions is just as lively as the Pokémon Go Fest prior to the month, and it is, but that needs to be explained later. That seems to essentially force Community Day to be held early on. And right now, this is perhaps one of the most enigmatic Community Day editions ever, perhaps in line with another theme that incidentally started off today.

The featured Pokémon of this Community Day is... Magikarp. Really, no kidding. This pushover of a Pokémon with its not-so-pushover evolved form of Gyarados takes the star this time around. Gyarados gets the exclusive Charged Move of Aqua Tail when it is caught or Magikarp evolves into it during the event hours. It is also pretty well-known that Gyarados has a Mega Evolution, and this edition seems to prepare Trainers for that being imminent in many ways, whenever that may come. To entice capturing further, the bonus is triple Stardust for captures, and this may just help for the above as well as other endeavors.

As with the most recent editions, this is supposed to be a "Play at Home" edition with all the bonuses or "perks" remaining more or less the same. This time, there was a bit of a variant on the revised Poké Ball assistance. The Daily Free Box remained with its intended composition, and this time a second one-time free box was added, containing the 30 Ultra Balls. Apart from this variant, there was practically nothing else new... at least, except for the extra paid Special Research. It is appropriately titled "Making a Splash" for the way that Magikarp shows its presence. Due to the Candy requirements for Magikarp to evolve, Field Research tasks now could also reward additional Magikarp Candy in order to rectify the situation.

Today, one of my friends whom I hadn't seen in a very long time wanted to play - as most recently that friend of mine became attracted to Pokémon Go. We decided to meet up, although there was a bit of a confusion as to how that should have ideally taken place. In the end, I and my friend also decided to meet up with one of my raid subgroups in a place where I and them frequently play so that we all could have an opportunity to connect, and so we did. We spent the afternoon to play and occasionally to raid. Overall, I evolved the standard menagerie of Pokémon as well as a few for PvP purposes, and collected so much Magikarp Candy stock. The turnout seemed to be rather OK.

Like Gastly for the previous month, this Community Day featured a Pokémon with an already-released Shiny form - it was, in fact, the first one released. This time, however, the Shiny forms are attractive-looking as the golden Magikarp and the red Gyarados. One last difference is that this is the first Community Day with a Pokémon of only two stages of evolution, discounting Mega Evolutions, for which its system in Pokémon Go is still shrouded in mystery. Again, however the system may be, there is a sense that everything is being prepared, including those who will receive the goods.

There is a certain enigma in expecting the unknown (at this point) that is Mega Evolutions in Pokémon Go. There is also a certain enigma in having the family of two Pokémon with intense contrasts - one pathetic, the other fierce - as well as possible preparations for the latter's Mega evolution for this Community Day. It seems to make for a lively start to this month, which is hot on the heels of a Pokémon Go Fest and might promise to be as exciting as that. All that's left is to let the rest of the month roll.

One year ago: The Other Side of "Childhood"
Two years ago: Making Decisions in Magikarp Jump
Three years ago: Pokémon Wrapping Paper