P25 Music for Life?

The P25 Music program has been a great program for celebrating, in musical form, the big Pokémon anniversary of 25 years. Yet for some fans, they may desire the continuance of the program even beyond the 25th anniversary of Pokémon, likely indefinitely or "for life". It's a wonderful desire to be sure, especially since there are a few reasons that support its continuance, but there are a few implications for that continuance as well. With the program in general being a good thing, it seems important to discuss its possibility of continuation and all the things that go with that.

A reason for keeping the program going is that some fans feel that there is a dearth or a lack of Pokémon music, particularly for non-Japanese audiences. Japanese audiences regularly receive Pokémon music through the various opening and ending themes for the anime as well as other music related to the anime and some that bridge the games as well, so they have a good selection. Western audiences are typically stuck with (but also prefer) long-lasting identifiable themes, including for the Pokémon anime, but they can and should benefit from more interpretative songs for everything about Pokémon, which was once frequent in the far past but not as frequent in the near past or even the present. Years ago, I heard an auditory complaint about the lack of non-Japanese Pokémon music, and that seems to remain the case today, but alleviated thanks to the P25 Music program. Therefore, a continuation of the P25 Music program would bode well to increase the amount of Pokémon music that is available for and can be enjoyed by non-Japanese audiences.

Increasing the amount of available music also means the greater possibility for the involvement of more artists with the program. Preferably, more big-time artists - along the lines of Katy Perry, who is already a part - could be encouraged to get involved along with the considerably lesser artists as with Mabel. The selection could also tend toward artists with "cleaner" and less shady backgrounds, being that one of the selected artists for the program had generated a slight controversy. That artist would be Post Malone; some of his other songs, which did appear in his virtual concert earlier this year, are slightly if not more controversial, and his general appearance has drawn some criticism. While his musical talent may not be up for dispute and his contribution to the project does not need to be questioned, the aspects that are more controversial due to greater focus on him may clash with the appeal of Pokémon for everyone. More artists, especially well-known and excellent ones, should be able to increase contributions while diluting any further controversy.

As for the actual continuance of this program, if it is desired as such, the name would have to be changed to reflect its would-be continued state. It has to be unique - just plain "Pokémon Music" would probably not cut it - and it has to reflect the variety of content forms that Pokémon that can take up as well as the possibility of artists joining that provide not only vocal songs but also unique instrumental pieces that complement the pieces that already exist in the anime, games, and other forms. All of these present challenges that, if met, would lead to a better and greater program.

It may be hard to tell at this point whether the program can continue, but for the reasons above, the program should very well continue for the benefit of the franchise as well as its fans. Music is arguably very important to Pokémon as it conveys a variety of moods regarding whatever happens within its world, which has been proven time and again even with the existing music. A continuance of the P25 Music program, likely under a different name and possibly incorporating certain considerations, ought to be rather beneficial beyond its original objective of celebrating an anniversary, and a big one at that.

One year ago: The Values of Posts

Two years ago: By Words, By Sound, By Video

Three years ago: First Anniversary of My Raid Group

Four years ago: Under 100 Hours?