On Defining Fans by What They Do

I wasn't originally going to discuss this topic, but seeing that I've discussed how people could be converted to become Pokémon fans, and this topic came to me at the spur of the moment, I've decided to discuss it. Being a fan of anything, including Pokémon, means a lot of things and allows one to do a lot of things. However, some fans may have their own ideas on what really makes a fan, particularly the things that they do. This action of regard is what becomes the subject of this post, specifically in relation to Pokémon things for Pokémon fans.

Describing an actual situation might help to illustrate my point. When Pokémon Go was first released, there was an influx of many players to the game, which for many of them, the game effectively became their first exposure to Pokémon. Of course, others like me are also established fans that were looking for something new, and the game became the answer. It becomes tempting, especially for the latter camp, to dismiss much of the former as being non-fans (or not real fans) of Pokémon even as they continue to be engrossed in the game.

Fast-forward to today, those who are playing the game are now presented with a near-complete subset of all existing Pokémon, and it even has a place in the World Championships to boot. Anyone who still plays the game today from way back when is sure to be a Pokémon fan, even those returning from a long hiatus. Those who are just starting to jump in may nonetheless be considered fans as well, as they must have found some sort of attraction to be able to do so... and looking back, that may just have been the case for many as well.

The point is that fans can be as such regardless of what they do. A figure (or even doll) collector who enjoys collecting Pokémon figures but never or hardly plays the games is still rightfully a fan. Someone who plays Pokémon Unite and finds joy in it and Pokémon elements, even without plans to touch other games (particularly the main series games), is also rightfully one. It is certain that they're doing something with Pokémon to become fans, but what that is exactly isn't or shouldn't be the restricting factor of regarding them as fans.

Pokémon fans have an astounding amount of things they can do today, whether they involve the games or even beyond. Any and all of them can conceivably make a fan, even if they can't or don't cross over to anything else. The key word seems to be "engrossed", as I've mentioned above, not just whatever it is that they do (or not do). That may have to be something to be appreciated by (Pokémon) fans, who can do a lot of things with what it is they like, and indeed, it is their liking and not necessarily doing that is of prime importance.

One year ago: Twilight Wings Addendum

Two years ago: Pokémon Primer?

Three years ago: Picking Battles

Four years ago: Cosplay Cards

Five years ago: Ghosty and Me