The Beautiful Game(s)?

There are many ways that a game or games in this world can be described. One of those descriptions is "beautiful", as for a game whose players play it with a certain elegance. Now, I don't really need to say (in other words, it goes by itself) that in popular parlance, this term really only refers to one game: soccer, or in other parts of the world called (association) football. Yet in my mind that is wholly influenced by Pokémon, I'd like to think that the term could also apply to Pokémon. It also seems relevant to explore other relations between the two subjects.

It could be said that the reference of the term to soccer became popular with a particular athlete of the game for the experiences with and life in relation to the game, though the term was made to refer as such by an observer in relation to another athlete of the game. Nevertheless, the former remains the most illustrious example of the usage of the term, and it befits the athlete's brilliant career in the game. For many, the game itself is also brilliant for the way it's played, what it entails, and how it affects people's lives, which may be very well ingrained in them.

For those reasons, I'm of the opinion that Pokémon deserves its share of association with the term, as a personal preference in part as well. I have nothing against soccer - though today I mostly deal with it as a tinkerer - but I do consider that Pokémon is also brilliant enough to warrant reference in relation to the term. Good Pokémon battles demand quite a bit of the ability of Trainers, for which if they can deal with the situations that involve them rightfully will result in a spectacle. In that way, Pokémon (more specifically the battles involving them) can be referred with the term.

And then there are other relations between the two realms. Pikachu and other Pokémon have partially supported the Japanese national soccer team on one occasion. The newest region of Galar, being based on the same region soccer hails from (England), also contains a load of connections. In the region, the Gym battles are held in Gyms that much resemble soccer stadiums and for all intents and purposes can be considered to work in the same way. One should also not forget that the Scorbunny species family practically embodies the development of a soccer player from novice to amateur (Raboot) and pro (Cinderace). Those relations are quite significant.

Soccer is a subject that is not too relevant for me personally, at least beyond a cursory involvement. Meanwhile, Pokémon is a subject that is very much relevant for myself and a good deal of its fans in different places around the world. The former is sometimes referred to as "the beautiful game" for the ways that it presents itself in and within life. The ways of the latter may be considered similar in some cases and has even had its connections, and it's rather conceivable that the same term can apply. It seems apt in this case to consider that there may not be just one "beautiful game", but two "beautiful games" in their own right.

One year ago: Fantastic Beasts (and How to Battle with Them)

Two years ago: A Raid Dream

Three years ago: Too Much Information, Too Much Excitement?