Road of 25th Anniversary: Going to the Far Side

With each passing month, the major 25th anniversary of Pokémon is gradually fading away, unlike a certain thing that has cast a gray cloud over it and pretty much everything else in life. Regardless, life goes on, and the anniversary goes on as well, in line with what I've suggested last month. Now, the anniversary is approaching "the far side", as the "half-anniversary" for the next one. Though it will still be a couple of months before that, a few things may still be considered to the progression towards that - especially next month, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Accordingly, there are the happenings of this month.

Since I've started to cover it last month, I ought to do the same now. This month, by the official anniversary web site, the featured region is Unova, and the exhibit for that region is open. Unova is in a way a special region in terms of the main series games, being the first one based on some place other than Japan, in this case the vicinity of New York City. I have my moments with this region, but that will have to be detailed later and separately, as this post is not really for that. Those who really do want to celebrate can really seek things related to this region for their celebration focus.

Last month, the P25 Music program finally showed off the collaboration with Katy Perry that resulted in an exceptional song with a zappy flavor. Now, the song has also gained a lyric video as well as a peek behind the scenes. Lyric videos to some may be second-rate compared to actual music videos, but the lyric video for this song is quite well done, as it includes silhouettes of various kinds of Electric-type Pokémon. This led to the video being dubbed as an "embedded" or "renewed" form of "Who's That Pokémon", which is a fancy yet tongue-in-cheek way of saying such. As for that peek behind the scenes, it's somewhat insightful and deserves, well, a peek, for those who enjoy all things about it.

At this point, it's also important to consider where the anniversary has gone and where it is going. The anniversary has been quite comprehensive across all kinds of Pokémon things (like the TCG and merchandise), even some where perhaps few thought it could go (like the music project that is P25 Music). For a major anniversary, that is only appropriate and fulfilling to be able to celebrate in as many ways as possible and for as much time as possible - evidently, more regions are still to be exhibited as above, for example.

And much of that is about to transcend into "the far side" in about two months. While the transition is about to occur, many things can still be enjoyed now, even with a looming gray cloud over all things and not just Pokémon. Yet even with clouds overhead, rays of sunshine may still break through, and Pokémon with this year's major anniversary may just represent those rays of sunshine. Hopefully when the clouds dissipate, it will really be the time to bask in the sunshine and celebration that accompanies it.

One year ago: A Virtual Figure Gathering

Two years ago: The Path of (the) Silph

Three years ago: Go Gets Social

Four years ago: LINE Pokémon Themes