The Old (City) for the New Championships

It's been a long time coming, almost precisely three years ago, but it's now here. The Pokémon World Championships are back this weekend after that long period of absence beset by a cancellation, though now it faces a new world unlike what it was back then. Its location this year is also something to behold in its oldness as well as novelty, especially compared to the editions of the past and including the above. The content has also been known since last year, though it has shaken up a little since. It may be considered that there is an old thing-new thing going on this year and in more ways than one.

This year, the location of the World Championships is in London, UK, instead of being in the US as in the past three editions. For those who may have been there or read about it for various kinds of studies, it's obviously an old city with a rich history, and now it gets to host the Pokémon World Championships anew after its absence. It's also very much appropriate as the eighth-generation games (the latest known) are set in the region (Galar) that is the "proxy" of the geographical region where the city is located. It's a little old by now, especially as it was due to host two years ago, but today is a new day.

As above, all of the pantheon of content made it, with one important addition: Pokémon Unite is also included, if earlier posts didn't already make it clear. It thereby skips the exhibition "stage" that Pokémon Go went through, and that's an immense feat, especially with the game being only one year old. Effectively, as stated in the anniversary post, the game has reached a certain state of maturity as well as acceptability, and that bodes well for its future, both in the World Championships and beyond - it's a new "age" of Pokémon championships.

Unfortunately, there is a bit of a parting with the old as well. This year has been divulged to be the last time that Pokkén (Tournament, in its DX incarnation) takes part as an official division in the World Championships, and in effect it's also the awarding of the final title. As previously noted, the game only seems to have a niche popularity as far as Pokémon is concerned, and the time for it to depart the world stage seems to be now. At least, it has had a welcoming presence in its six years in the World Championships.

Much of the world is new today, but the city of London remains an aged beauty that today plays host to a newfangled kind of Pokémon World Championships, with old standbys and new waves alike. It's a celebration worth waiting for after a few years of absence, and if my notes from Pokémon Presents are still in order, the old and the new have to be able to spark and shine with the brilliance that they so possess.

Whether things are old or new, this weekend is certainly festive and competitive for Pokémon fans of all kinds. As always, good luck to those who are competing, and may the spirit of the old be able to usher in victories of the new.

One year ago: In the Mix: Pokémon Presents, 8/18/2021

Two years ago: Too Many Items from Raids?

Three years ago: This Is My House

Four years ago: Local Ex-Raid (and Changes), 8/19/2018

Five years ago: Pikachu Image Pillow