Halloween 2023: Going (All) Out

So, not much more needs to be explained. Today is a "big day" of sorts for "otherworldly stuff", and it marks Halloween for this year. In the past three years (see below), I discussed about "spooks", moreover because those years had those of a particular kind. Now the "spooks" are less present in the world and people can more or less enjoy things like they used to - and for this day, that means trick-or-treating, something I've already discussed five years ago. This time, though, I want to bring back the discussion, but frame it in a different light while still keeping a Pokémon perspective.

Trick-or-treating means going out on this spookiest of all days, but that's par for the course for any voyaging Pokémon Trainer, like Ash or even me when I open up Pokémon Go while I go to wherever it is I need to go. Of course, on a normal day, there is less worry about the "spooks", whereas on this day, they are of primary concern. Yet it seems that on this particular day, it just means that Trainers will have to be a little more watchful and to deal with them with some care, as they do for other usual daily matters on any other day. It's still a "special" day in a way, so there are still some special considerations for this day.

And then there's the "going all out" part, which I tacked on to the title of this post. That would certainly mean going above and beyond, much like how my faraway friend the other day finally met me and my girl fan where we are, instead of us going to him, which is rather prohibitive for us. That could also mean taking advantage of certain opportunities when they present themselves, especially for enjoying this particular day; this is where trick-or-treating would obviously fit in. More than that, it also means doing the best that one can do under any situation, like the festival convention the other day.

Me: Right, Ash? And Goh?

Goh: I tend to agree.

Ash: OK, so you usually have plans for me today if we're like this.

Me: I do! And you should have been on them. But... Let's save most of it for tomorrow, shall we?

Ash: OK! Man, do we have a story!

Me: There is something we can discuss now, though. While you were on those plans, I needed you to capture as many Yamask (the Unova one) as you could. How'd that go?

Ash: I got a few. There was just one PokéStop around the place, so I had to use an Incense and a Lure Module.

Goh: Didn't you get to walk around?

Ash: I did, but I couldn't get too far. Oh yeah, I used quite a bit of your Pinap Berries too.

Goh: You don't mind, do you?

Me: No, that's absolutely what they're for. And a few is better than nothing.

Goh: So what was Ash up to?

Me: Like he said, it's worth telling the story in a full post. And it's one that involved going out and going all out. Stay tuned.

Ash, Goh: We can't wait!

In any case, going out and going all out seem to go hand in hand, especially given the framing of Halloween, Pokémon, or both. On this day, that would concern tricks and treats, but on any other day, it could be about doing the usual business but taking it to the next level. Whether or not the "spooks" are around - some are obviously here today and do need to be dealt with - going out may still be the imperative for dealing with life, and going all out is making the effort the very best, something all Pokémon fans ought to be familiar with. The tricks and treats of today might just follow suit.

Happy Halloween. 🎃 Let's go out and go all out. 📈

One year ago: Halloween 2022: Relative Spookiness

Two years ago: Halloween 2021: Spooky Branding

Three years ago: Halloween 2020: Facing the "Spooks"

Four years ago: Halloween 2019: Taking My Chances

Five years ago: Halloween 2018: The Tricks to Treats

Six years ago: Happy Halloween!

Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 10/30/2023

There are only two days left in this month, and one of them has a certain predictable happening. That's for the other day that isn't today; meanwhile, because of the above, today has to be reserved for the regular happening of my monthly event rollups in Pokémon Go. In fact, both of these do combine, although that would have to be explained later in this post. It is regardless time to get the event rollup going, and there are a few notable ones this month, besides the predictable one.

While not strictly an event, at the beginning of this month, a special paid item called the Ticket of Treats was added for purchase. It serves to enhance some of the events this month by adding another Timed Research set to the events of concern, three of which will be detailed here. This deserves a mention at least in passing because of its relevance to the events, which are obviously the point of this rollup.

Kicking off this month's run of events from October 5 to 9 was a particularly mind-boggling and mystery solving one. That's because it was the Detective Pikachu Returns event, to commemorate the release of said game on the Nintendo Switch. During this event, many Pokémon featured in the game appeared in the wild, including the much sought-after Pikachu with a detective cap, which now comes with an animated intro and could also be encountered from photo bombs once a day, as well as through Timed Research. Joining the costume cavalcade was a Raichu with the same cap (obtained by evolution) and a Slowpoke with a cowboy hat (found in the wild). Field Research had encounters with three "grassy" but not necessarily Grass-type Pokémon, which became key to the Timed Research and the Collection Challenge. Complementing the event were a new avatar pose in the shop and double XP from PokéStop spins. At this time, it was all about the wit in catching.

October is a month of harvest in many places, so there was the Harvest Festival event from October 12 to 17. This event featured the debut of another Pokémon from Paldea, being Smoliv and its species family. Also of significance was the Pumpkaboo species family with all its sizes and Shiny forms, which could be encountered further by a Timed Research given by the Ticket of Treats, appeared more often from a Mossy Lure Module, and rewarded more Candy with each capture. Other Grass- and Bug-type Pokémon complemented their appearances in the wild and from Mossy Lure Modules, which were extended to two hours. Field Research had Burmy alongside the featured Pokémon, and two Collection Challenges featured those same Pokémon. The harvest might have been a bit suggestive, but it really was in full swing.

Getting a little ahead, an Incense Day event took place on October 21, with special focus on Skorupi, a Pokémon of the Bug and Poison types. These two types also became the focus of the event, for which selections of Pokémon with these types (naturally, when using an Incense) including the featured Pokémon appeared in alternating hours from 11 AM to 5 PM, from Bug to Poison and back. Field Research tasks complemented the capture effort, while one Incense for one coin was available in the shop. For those who like to use the Daily Adventure Incense, its length was doubled during event hours and allowed the capture of some specific Pokémon. The day may or may not have been a wonder for the featured Pokémon, but it might still have been nice to burn through some Incense for it on that day.

As for the main event, that would be the Halloween event, which remains a mainstay. As usual, it is mostly filled with Pokémon of the Ghost and Dark types in all places, and it came in two parts. Its first part ran from October 19 to 26 and had the new features of debuts by the Greavard species family from Paldea (obtainable by Timed Research and raids) as well as Shiny Phantump. During this time, 7 km Eggs had a special selection of three species, and another Timed Research was added for another encounter with Spiritomb, while the Ticket of Treats gave Phantump encounters. The complements to the event were increased Candy all around - double of the regular and more of the XL for hatching, plus more regular ones with better throws - as well as new fashion items and stickers. Most of these would carry over to the second part of the event, where darker things still lay in wait.

For that second part, it continued from October 26 and will last until tomorrow - the big day itself. This second part sees the return of many costumed Pokémon forms, plus two new ones by Pikachu and Gengar, all of which may reward more Candy or Candy XL when caught, along with more regular ones for better throws as above. Shiny Zorua also debuts, and it can be caught pure through a Timed Research, while the one from Ticket of Treats furnished some ghastly goodies. But the most notorious aspect of this part of the event is an added Team Go Rocket takeover, with Giovanni having Shadow Regigigas on hand, as well as the usual novelties: more new Shadow Pokémon, Mysterious Components from Field Research, changed TGR lineups of Shadow Pokémon, more frequent TGR balloon appearances, and the ability to remove Frustration by a Charged TM. Shadow Raids too changed in offerings, and for the weekend on October 28 and 29, Shadow Lugia was also present and could be Shiny. The darkness was indeed appropriate for this time of year.

Considering the above, October was (and is) a packed month in terms of Pokémon Go events and all the features contained therein. Particularly with the predictable happening, it is as regular as it is a little (or even a lot) darkly nuanced. More than that, they also seem "festive" in some ways specifically for this month. All that has to be notable for any Trainer in Pokémon Go to take part in.

One year ago: Cosplay: Halloweeaboo Cosplay Party

Two years ago: In the Blackest Dens

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 10/30/2020

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 10/30/2019

Five years ago: Community Day Workflow

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Halloween 2017 Event

Cosplay: Toys & Hobbies Week 2023

Me: Being that this is the last Sunday of the month, it's also the last possible event (in practicality) too.

Goh: But there have been events other than on a Saturday or Sunday - like the Comic Con thing.

Me: Absolutely, but they're rare. This one I'm sending Ash to, in fact, actually started on Friday, but of course, for practicality, I can only send Ash today.

Ash: You do what you do, and we'll do ours!

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["For sure!"]

Me: Anyhow, this one could be described as half convention, half festival. It should also be similar to one I sent you to four years (actually closer to five years) ago.

Ash: I think I remember a little bit. But it's gotta be different now than it was then.

Me: The place, at least, you'll recognize.

Ash: Oh, it's the big mall out of town you always send me to for conventions and festivals.

Me: Yeah, so you shouldn't have a hard time getting to it.

Ash: No problem! So, you're sending me with my... with my, um... Hey!

Goh: What outfit did our friend send you with?

Ash: Goh, you'll love this! Should I tell everyone?

Me: Go ahead.

Ash: It's my Journeys or World outfit!!

Pikachu: Pika chu!! ["Very nice!!"]

Goh: Wooww!! I really wish I could be there.

Me: Well, you know, maybe one of my friends can make the effort to send you so you can be together with Ash.

Ash: I really hope so!

Me: So do I. This is, of course, the special thing that couldn't happen at Utsuru or Bunka no Tenkai. And now it's happening here for the first time ever.

Goh: Yeah! I love it! That's why you said it's really special back then.

Me: Indeed. For this occasion, though, that's not the only special thing. You're here to meet two of my friends whom you and I haven't seen in some time.

Ash: Oh! Our girl fan... and oh! Our friend from PFJ and ICC - he came all the way from where he was just to get together with us.

Goh: That's... wow. I guess he's repaying the favor of sending you from your friend.

Ash: I guess he did, huh?

Me: In this case, though, he also wanted to make sure we're all OK, so it has a noble purpose.

Goh: Well, that has to be extremely special.

Me: It has to be. You did get to meet them, right?

Ash: I did! It was his first time coming to us and our first time in person together.

Goh: I... I just don't know what to say. You all must have strong bonds for you to get together like that on a whim.

Ash: I guess we do - right, Pikachu?

Pikachu: Pi pika chu. ["Should be right."]

Goh: So what did all of you end up doing there?

Ash: We enjoyed the festival convention - it was all over the mall, and the mall is pretty big!

Goh: It wasn't all in one place?

Ash: Nope - it was in three halls!

Goh: That's ambitious. But so must have been the competitions our friend put you through.

Me: Oh, yes. For that, I was going to register you early for that, but I hesitated a lot - especially given the payment side of things - and...

Ash: I got us in for the singing competition (here Anisong) and the character parade, without spending money.

Me: Oh, hmm. But this is a push-comes-to-shove kind of thing... Fine, "Mezase Pokémon Master" it is. I thought for sure they'd reject us for trying to register in person.

Goh: It seems you just never know what's going to happen, and it's great that you got in. So what happened?

Ash: I had a really fun time with the singing performance! I walked on and off the stage just like a few others did. For the parade, I only had five seconds, but I did what I could.

Goh: How were the results?

Ash: I didn't win either one. I wasn't one of the 10 picked in the parade or the three for the singing.

Goh: Yeah, that kinda sucks. Hey, but at least you and our friend finally has the "ultimate" outfit now.

Ash: Yeah! I really like what our friend decided for it. I can really wear it everywhere!

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["How nice!"]

Goh: And now that you three met up in person, that must be a joy.

Ash: I'm so glad that it happened!

Me: I'm also relieved as well, because it means a lot for all of us.

Goh: Anything else we should know about?

Ash: There were lots of toys, but I didn't buy one for our friend. I saw a couple of dance groups and a band for the entertainment.

Goh: OK, so the usual fare.

Ash: And... our girl fan went into the dubbing competition and got second place! And she dubbed... me!

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["That was nice!"]

Goh: Well, that's a bright spot for you all.

Ash: I guess. So with everything, I guess they were trying to do three things at the same time: a book fair, a toys fair, and a festival convention.

Goh: Everything for everyone, I guess.

Me: That's a good way to put it. Overall, it was a wonderful day and a wonderful day to wrap up things this month.

Ash: I really loved it!

Pikachu: Pika! ["Same here!"]

Goh: All I can say is... Wow, just wow.

Me: I'm sure we can keep that "wow" going wherever we go and whoever we meet.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 10/29/2022

Two years ago: Holowear Wonderings

Three years ago: Road to 25th Anniversary: Getting Warmer

Four years ago: Psyduck Is Missing

Five years ago: Expression of Care

Six years ago: Three-Line Episode Summaries

Moon Matters, Pokémon Matters

The moon in the sky is full tonight, as I saw it on this day while going back home from certain errands (which may or may not involve Pokémon, but that's a digression). It's an astronomical object with its share of wonderings, even in the world of Pokémon. Some of those wonderings, at least, seem to play very well across both worlds, and therefore I am inspired to discuss them, as "matters" of this distinctive astronomical object and their ties to Pokémon.

Strongly related to this object (and definitively evocative of it) are two Pokémon species, Lunatone and Lunala. The former is an iconic manifestation with its crescent-shaped body (a nod to the characteristic moon shape), while the latter is a spiritual representation with its massive body and in particular wings. As for their types, Lunatone maintains that iconic manifestation with its Psychic and Rock types, while Lunala does the same well for its spiritual representation with its Ghost and Psychic types. On the whole, these two species have fascinating relations and appearances that tie them to the astronomical object.

Over the course of history, people have associated certain images with the moon, from certain figures to specific forms. These seem to be rather translatable to Pokémon equivalents, or at least forms that resemble them. So, if one may talk about finding a Gardevoir, Lopunny, or even a Poliwhirl or Sudowoodo on the moon, then those might people might be justified according to the images that they see on the moon while it is staring back at them. At the least, they may be entertained by these images if nothing else.

It is certain that the moon has many names according to different cultures and languages, like "luna" in Latin, which obviously begets the names of the two strongly related Pokémon species as above. Poetically, it has another name in Latin: Cynthia, which is no doubt recognizable for many Pokémon fans as an attractive female Trainer. Now, "Cynthia(n)" means "of Cynthus", a mountain on the island of Delos in Greece, for which its demonym is "Delian", which is one step away from "Delia", which is also a synonym of Cynthia and recognizable as the name of Ash's mom. It seems like a brilliant way that things work out by the name of the moon.

A full moon, it seems, may be considered to be quite expressive of a lot of different things, including those of Pokémon. Yet that seems to be no surprise, as the moon is an astronomical object that holds sway over different matters of life - both real and Pokémon. And in a state of fullness, those expressions might just be inspirational, whimsical, and/or attractive to the ones who view the moon, including those who deal with Pokémon like me.

One year ago: From Draft to Post: The Thought Process of Pokémon Blogging

Two years ago: Pokémon Unite Halloween Event

Three years ago: Being a Scanner or Diver with Pokémon

Four years ago: On Tap for Go

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Repeat, 10/28/2018

Six years ago: At the Movies: Episode 698 - "Movie Time! Zorua in 'The Legend of the Pokémon Knight!'"

The Future of My Pokémon Cosplay Costumes

It's quite evident that by now I've been involved with (Pokémon) cosplay for a very long time - I'll get to this in a few months or so. I'm often thinking about what I want to do in the future in this regard, but then I'm also thinking about the costumes that I have in this regard. I've often avoided discussing this topic because it's kind of "touchy", even though someone has to know sooner or later, and now I feel that through this blog, I have to make it known. It's an imperative I do have to take, particularly with certain circumstances.

For the foreseeable future, my costumes belong to me and only me. I deem myself to be fitting for cosplay for as long as possible, and that means having them on demand to suit any occasion, Pokémon or general pop culture otherwise. The details on this don't really need to be discussed further as they seem evident from what I do and the posts on this blog - or maybe, perhaps, they do, just like the idea for this post, but obviously separately. Regardless, the belonging aspect should be rather obvious.

But what about when I become no longer fit for some reason, for which there could be a time? In that case, I may then want to consider making them available for rent by more fit cosplayers (for a fee, of course - to get a little something in return). It's a "touchy" aspect since I feel that my costumes (particularly Ash's) are still the image of me even if I'm not the one wearing them, especially when I'm still present - more on the converse shortly. Still, it may be something to be considered at times even with the costumes that I have.

Then there's the most "touchy" aspect of what happens in my absence - "forever absence", that is. It's something that I feel has to be officiated by legal means, but it seems hard for me to access those means. So, I might as well say something definitive right here and now: I want them to find a good home or possessor, particularly for the purpose of exhibiting them (including but not limited to wearing them), by the necessary means. Regardless of how this is achieved, I want them to have lasting, remembered fame that even outlasts me - and mine.

After many, many years of (Pokémon) cosplay, I've built up quite a reputation for myself - and a bevy of costumes to support that reputation. That bevy of costumes is something I have to consider in a future still with me as well as one without me. Much of this is still "touchy" to me for the reasons I've disclosed above, but I feel that I still have to leave behind my reasoning somewhere - and why not here on this blog. It's a future that develops with me as part of my involvement with Pokémon and more specifically cosplay.

One year ago: Equivalent Spirits

Two years ago: Road of 25th Anniversary: The Penultimate Resolution

Three years ago: Pokémon Go as a Gacha Game?

Four years ago: Explaining the Supernatural

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 10/27/2018

Six years ago: Expecting Something Special

Let's Go Get the Party Started

A lively feature has been added to Pokémon Go recently. It's a feature that allows Trainers to get into small groups and tackle initiatives together (in fact, in some languages, it may be literally translated as "group play" or some variant thereof), and it's called Party Play. As such, it's yet another part of the recent initiative of bringing people together that Pokémon Go has. And it does bring people together, especially with what it offers. With that in mind, it seems important to delve into it in order to be able to get the most out of it.

To be able to take part in a Party, Trainers must be at least Level 15. They can then start their own Party, positioned as its host or "leader", or join another as a regular member; in the latter case, they will scan a QR code or enter a numerical code, while they furnish either in the former case. Two to four Trainers may join into a Party, and it's obvious that the latter is preferred. Once everyone has joined, the Party is formed, and the Trainers are identified on screen with indicators at the top and all of their avatars on the overworld - a nice touch and further affirmation of the togetherness aspect.

Joining a Party then lets the Trainers deal with those initiatives. The first is Party Challenge, which is a task that the host chooses (from three options) and the members complete together. Completing the task gives a certain reward and the host then chooses another, progressively harder task. The second is Party Power, which gives a boost to a Charged attack while the members are in a raid. The members charge up a gauge, and when it is full, they can then activate Party Power for the next Charged attack. These are (relatively) simple initiatives with neat bonuses, and thus they are to be taken advantage of.

For dealing with the technical matters (creating and joining a Party) and fun matters (keeping track of Party member activities), a new tab is added to the Trainer profile area, next to the Friends tab. This contains the progress on the current Party Challenge and statistics on certain aspects for each member. When the Party ends - more on this in a little bit - members can view some of the activities that they accomplished together, which can be saved in image form and shared for posterity. This effectively serves as its social function, in addition to managerial and commemorative ones.

Of course, as with many feature introductions, this one has its caveats and/or what may be considered its "quibbles". Even with all members staying together, they cannot take on Routes while in a Party. And stay together they must, for if they drift too far apart, the Party will disband; regardless, they can only stay together for a limited time, which at present is one hour no matter what happens. Some Trainers - a few of which are my fellows - have also complained that Party Challenges have a difficulty curve that is too drastic. As with Routes previously, time will tell if some of these deserve to be resolved.

Even before the implementation of Party Play, Pokémon Go has always had a knack for bringing Trainers together, and now with Party Play, it becomes all the more evident, at least for small and close-knit groups due to the size it demands. The bonuses from the initiatives may just be the push to get them to group up, at least for a bit of time, and grow even closer together. It's a lively thing, even at its infancy just like other Pokémon Go features, but that will likely grow just as relationships also grow among Trainers.

One year ago: Censure, Cut, and Correct: Errors in Pokémon Transmission

Two years ago: Pokémon Music on Vinyl?

Three years ago: Usage Experience of Go Plus Peripherals

Four years ago: Tournament: Raid Group Sinister Cup

Five years ago: Two-Sided Stories

Six years ago: Pronouncing Pokémon

Hot Springs with Pokémon

A really, really long time ago, I visited a hot spring; I cannot recall its location, nor am I able to recall the occasion for the visit, but it was surely before I became introduced to Pokémon, and that says something for when that visit took place. Now, I find myself recalling that visit and desiring to incorporate a little Pokémon influence into it. Fortunately, it is not hard to consider how that would be so, considering what Pokémon has regarding this matter.

The most notable location in this regard in the world of Pokémon is Lavaridge Town in the Hoenn region, which indeed has a hot spring that is reputable for all the benefits that a hot spring would provide. In this case, it has the traditional spot where one can take a dip, but it also has a spot for sandbathing - becoming partially buried in sand to let its heat take effect on the body by pressure. It's a fanciful image that is actually not too distant from reality.

In this case, the reality would be similar to a hot spring somewhere in the Land of the Rising Sun - that is, Japan. If I were to ever have a chance to visit, and perhaps for an extended time, I may just be able to make it to a similar hot spring and get the full experience, at least more or less. It might also be possible to couple this with something Pokémon and then allow to replicate some of the experience offered by Lavaridge Town.

For now, I have to contend with what is locally available, perhaps by even recalling wherever it is  the hot spring that I visited such a long time ago. It's a difficult thing but one that is not entirely impossible, as is finding ways to incorporate a Pokémon feel and to have that reflect the offerings of Lavaridge Town. Yet wherever that may be, at least I have the reassurance that Pokémon does go together with hot springs, or I can make it so.

One year ago: Virtual Voices for Pokémon Characters

Two years ago: The New Tournament Pantheon

Three years ago: Type Logic: Of Light and Darkness

Four years ago: One-Upping Ash

Five years ago: Dilemma of Colors

Six years ago: Pokémon XY Pikachu Freezer Bottle

Changing Post Topics on the Spot

Having blogged about Pokémon for nearly a full seven years at this point (and being about to encroach on the eighth), one can imagine that I've gone through just about any challenge imaginable. One of those challenges is when for one reason or another, I have to drop what I'm writing about and completely start over with a new topic. This may be due to the demands of certain happenings or occasions, especially if something unexpected were to happen that made the original topic no longer viable. Regardless, the fact of the matter is that the switch-up can happen (and has happened), and I feel the need to discuss that and what it means for my Pokémon blogging.

About a couple of years ago, this indeed happened when a certain festival event did not go right and I decided to shift gears to a "thematic discussion" instead. I eventually did cover the festival event over a week later with what I had mustered over that time. More recently, this actually happened on the previous Saturday because there was a certain problem with the topic and the title that it prompted (refer to those of previous years that day). The intended discussion eventually was posted on Monday - that is, yesterday, which is comparatively sooner than the previous instance. These are just two instances, and there are others that I can't recall at the moment.

The point is that it seems that this is "par for the course" for Pokémon blogging. Some things happen as they are expected to happen and may be covered in a timely manner. At other times, it may just be possible for things to happen suddenly and/or in a different manner than what was expected, so I may have to adapt to cover them somehow. And if this means changing post themes entirely as with the two instances above, then so be it. It may take a little creativity (and craftiness in some cases) in order to cover what I want to cover, but I need to be certain that they will be fine, even with the prospect of changing topics.

Luckily, this is helped by the fact that I can keep lots of drafts, another aspect to my Pokémon blogging that I've also covered at certain points in time. That means - theoretically - I can write entire drafts even ahead of time and just have them scheduled to be posted at different times, which is sometimes something to consider. But nowadays, however, Pokémon things can and do change from day to day, especially given games that frequently update like Pokémon Go and Pokémon Unite. So, the changing of topics is swayed by these circumstances as much as it does so by still other circumstances.

I have to consider a lot of things when I blog about Pokémon things, which also means deciding what to cover and when that has to happen. Sometimes it's an easy matter and I can just do that directly; other times, it may take something as gut-wrenching as changing post topics, on the spot or on the fly. To contend with that is essentially to contend with all the things that Pokémon has to offer, and then to decide when it is appropriate to discuss them, even as changes may be prompted in that process.

One year ago: Pokémon (Pikachu) Loot from Utsuru KJR

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 10/24/2021

Three years ago: Type Logic: Of Dragons, Fairies, and Steel

Four years ago: Pokémon Annual 2019

Five years ago: Items with a Purpose

Six years ago: Beyond the Boundary... of Languages

Memories of Unova

It's been a long time since the last post I made in my "memories of" series, which certainly concerns reminiscing personal notable moments of a certain region after the Pokémon of that region has been more or less introduced into Pokémon Go. The previous one was for Sinnoh over four years ago, so the next one in line is certainly Unova. For that, I can ascertain that the introduction process as mentioned above has in fact happened, especially a few months ago with the introduction of a certain species family known for having a certain age relationship through Eggs, aptly enough. With that, it is appropriate that I make this post, no matter what the reasons for protraction are and how long it has been.

As with all posts of this series, there are the games to consider. This generation was a "mold breaker" in a way, as its story was told over two sets of two games: the original Black and White and the sequels Black 2 and White 2. The former of these felt like an "attempted reboot" of sorts, although over the course of the two sets of games, they ended up just being another, greater part of the world of Pokémon. While I was making sense of these games, I was also still making sense of the friends whom I had newly found and who also supported me in dealing with these games. The storylines of the games have some depth to them, as one of those friends warned me, and I found that to be true; this was something that helped cement our bond, as did playing the games.

Then there was the anime. Like the Sinnoh saga, the Unova saga also came in pieces to me and had to be pieced together. The initial moments also left a profound feeling of newfound appreciation - or maybe "found again" - and that still persists after I haven't been watching. Fittingly, this saga also provided me with the second outfit set for Ash that I completed, in part thanks to that appreciation. It too has the memorable first opening theme, which also happens to be the other half of the set that gave me my first win in a singing competition. All told, this saga has a number of interesting episodes as well, which I've also covered separately on this blog. Regardless of what happened during this saga, it is (or was) still a fascinating one.

Unova might be one of the most significant regions for me to make a "memories of" post, but then so are all the regions I've featured in them so far. On that note, the next few regions might be a bit less significant in stature - and might take a bit longer before I can feature them in this post series due to the piecemeal nature of their Pokémon Go appearance - but I can assure that they'll be featured when it's time for them to be featured. Then, of course, there's the reminiscence as the ultimate goal of all of that, but that too should come in due time as it builds up to a pitch along with the above.

One year ago: Cosplay: CyFest 2022

Two years ago: Creepy Pokémon Flashbacks

Three years ago: Minimum Play with Pokémon Go

Four years ago: Performance Critique: Akatsuki no Matsuri 2 J-Song

Five years ago: A Storybook and a Reference

Six years ago: A Successor Has Been Named

Cosplay: Tanoshii Matsuri

Me: OK, so no double event this weekend. But what happens today might be kind of unexpected.

Goh: How's that?

Me: For starters, I kind of didn't expect to be sending Ash here today since I wasn't exactly clear on the agenda, but then I found it was the only thing I could do.

Ash: Hey, if it works!

Pikachu: Pi pika! ["True that!"]

Me: With that aside, Ash will likely find this one rather different as well - or perhaps "unexpected", and there's that word again.

Ash: What can you tell us about it?

Me: So, a department store chain in a mall wanted to appeal to different people, and they...

Goh: ...made a festival event for that.

Me: Yeah, you get the gist. Actually, I'm told that this is the continuation of something that happened while I sent Ash on a different and more special errand.

Ash: Oh! I know what you mean. But the errand came first. 

Me: Of course it did. That first time was unexpected on our end... and it seems this time was too. Anyway, at least you got there.

Ash: I did! It was close to the park for Community Day, so I already knew where it was. And you sent me with my Kanto/Johto outfit because that's what you had open for me.

Me: Yeah, so we have to make do. Speaking of... that would mean "Boku no Best Friend e" for the singing competition and whatever you can muster up for the character parade. Did you get in both of them?

Ash: I just made it in! I thought they were going to hold everything outside, but it turns out the competitions were inside on a small stage - all surrounded by clothes. They seemed to have a different festival outside.

Goh: That's unique - and "unexpected", wouldn't you say?

Me: Indeed. That was unexpected, but then so is the fact that we got in. I thought for sure the doors were closed on us.

Goh: That is extremely lucky. I imagine you'd want to be sure Ash got in first.

Me: Normally yes, that would be the usual way things go down. But I got caught up in a few things, so we had to do this in this way. It's an abnormality - don't expect it to be the usual way.

Ash: I understand.

Goh: So you got in, then... how did you do?

Ash: Hmm, I think I slightly messed up on a few other parts this time. I'm really sorry about that.

Pikachu: Pika... ["Oh no..."]

Me: I get you. I'm sorry about that as well. This is great song and we can stand to do much better on it next time.

Ash: Yeah, I really hope that will happen.

Goh: What about the character parade?

Ash: I think I did just fine. I tried to use the stage that had a stair shape to it.

Goh: So, after all that, how'd they turn out?

Ash: No win. Only three winners in both and many competed too. But a friend of us won instead.

Goh: Well, definitely not our day - except for our friend's friend. Anything else we should know about today?

Ash: Everything did end up moving outside after the character parade, so then it really was a festival.

Goh: Nice! I guess it must be like those few other times. How about other entertainment?

Ash: They had a few games, two dance groups, and a band.

Goh: Oh, that wasn't much.

Ash: But it was really crowded. I'm sure the store had a great buzz from the people who came.

Goh: That's for sure.

Me: In any case, it could be argued that they made things work with little effort and got big results. I wish we could have done the same on our end.

Ash: You did what you could for us! That much is already pretty good. We'll get it next time!

Pikachu: Pika pika. ["For sure."]

Goh: Yeah. Just because it couldn't work out this time doesn't mean it can't the next - it was, as you say, "unexpected".

Ash: But we still need at least some more prep next time. Something to expect.

Me: All good points. While we can only expect the unexpected, if we can have fun like at this festival (which is what the title means, by the way), then anything goes. Good stuff, and hang on tight for the next expected one.

One year ago: Stamp Events in Café Remix

Two years ago: Just Waiting on an Absol

Three years ago: On the Variety of Go Plus Peripherals

Four years ago: A (Not So) Little Anniversary

Five years ago: Resilience

Six years ago: Cosplay: Arigatoo...!!!

The First-Generation Wild Pokémon Battle Theme

In the past, I've discussed the first-generation themes for zipping through land and crossing the sea, but I've yet to discuss what may be perhaps the most very well-known piece from that time that relates to action. That would be the wild Pokémon battle music, one of the pieces that any player of the games will hear as they are thrust into the first moments of action. That action would define many of the critical moments in the games, and thus it is fair to say that it is an iconic piece along with the others. 

The game arrangements (in certain games) of this piece are classic and timeless, but so is the arrangement used in the Pokémon anime, transforming it from a chiptune nicety to an orchestral wonder that satisfactorily accompanies the battle scenes there, even not necessarily involving wild Pokémon in battle. Though the contexts may be different, that does solidify its reputation as something representative of the games, and for that, it's the arrangement that I enjoy the most and consider well-done.

So classic is the piece that Pokémon Go essentially reinterpreted as well as interpolated the piece for use in Pokémon encounters, both wild and special ones (Field Research, raids, and so on and so forth). This also further affirms the classic quality of the piece, recognizable even for those whose experience with the actual first-generation Pokémon games are scant, as well as something for Pokémon as a whole.

On a list of things that are definitive of Pokémon, this piece of music has to be somewhere on that list for its pioneering nature, certain intensity, and wide recognition. Pokémon itself as a whole may be considered to have some of those qualities to certain extents, and that ought to be something amazing - just as amazing as hearing this piece for the first time and every time a significant wild Pokémon appears to be battled (and caught).

One year ago: Possible Participation in Pokémon Unite Tournaments?

Two years ago: All for Pokémon Communication

Three years ago: "To the Sea" with Pokémon

Four years ago: Some Pokémon Commercials

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 10/21/2018

Six years ago: Pokémon Brand Parodies

Tabletop RPG for Pokémon?

Nowadays, Pokémon games have spanned a good variety of genres, expanding from its original electronic adventure RPG roots. Yet one genre that might present a significant challenge for Pokémon expanding into it is tabletop RPG. It's obviously worlds away from its roots, and that seems to be the key reason. Also, it's apparent that it's not as simple as that, and in fact, things may be rather elaborate. It seems to make for a bit of a fascinating discussion, especially for its elements.

First up, it helps to delve into the genre, even as succinctly and briefly as possible. Tabletop RPGs involve characters that are designed - defined, even - by the players, which then enter play by action descriptions. Guided by a game master (GM for short), these actions then lead to certain results that then advance the game further. The result is a bit like interactive storytelling or even an "audio drama", which is another matter entirely. It's no wonder that many games in this genre are of the fantasy kind, though this is something Pokémon can have too. These factors also lead to their inherent elaborateness, although Pokémon is elaborate in its own ways as well.

Having said that, a lot of things about Pokémon are already predetermined and established by certain definitions (like types, base stats, skills and abilities, and so on and so forth). The interactions among them are also mechanically determined, often by some sort of calculation that is also established in method. Playing any Pokémon game, even something distantly related like Café Remix, shows how the rigidity is well-defined, even with whatever room to improvise through certain items like TMs or things to be held.

It seems that for a tabletop RPG with Pokémon, it must have a way of bypassing most of that rigidity and allow for greater improvisation, which ought to be believable as like people, no two Pokémon are exactly the same in capabilities. Some rigidity still has to be present as is the case with other tabletop RPGs, yet that rigidity has to be able to work in a more fluid manner in this case. Perhaps most importantly, it has to be simple enough for anyone as the appeal of Pokémon is universal, even for children, who could conceivably pick up the game and start playing it accordingly.

Even so, one tabletop RPG involving Pokémon in a way is known to exist. And... it's a parody of it and the Cthulhu Mythos, which has its own established tabletop RPG. Not surprisingly, the game is called Pokéthulhu, suggesting a fusion of both universes or at the least their elements. Its overall rating, though, as linked on the site, seems to be mediocre, which may be partially due to its humorous nature as a parody. An actual Pokémon tabletop RPG should do one better while still containing true Pokémon elements.

At present, it may seem that a Pokémon tabletop RPG is up in the air due to the many factors involved. But that's not to say that it can't happen, even if an exemplar of it is only something to be taken lightly of. If the expansion of Pokémon to other game genres beyond an electronic adventure RPG is of any suggestion, then something might just be able to break through and contribute for the franchise in this regard.

One year ago: Pokémon Species Fan Collectives

Two years ago: Battling Against Pokémon... and Algorithms

Three years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights - Comic Dub Special

Four years ago: Cosplay: Akatsuki no Matsuri 2

Five years ago: Santorini and Sootopolis City

Six years ago: To Genwunners: Get with the Program!

Changing Map Elements in Pokémon Unite

Like most modern and portable games, Pokémon Unite goes through progressive updating and stands to benefit from that. One of the ways that happens is by changing the elements of existing maps (in contrast to changing them entirely, as when Theia Sky Ruins was first introduced for Ranked matches). This changing process has occurred once in the past and has in fact had occurred again to different extents. These make for a good discussion, but I also wish to frame them in the context of why the changes occurred.

One of those reasons is to make things fairer. When Theia Sky Ruins was first introduced, the top lane only had a single Sitrus Berry, so if two Pokémon were to occupy the lane - rightfully as with the previous Remoat Stadium map - they would be competing for that Sitrus Berry. As such, this was changed just after this became apparent, to become two Sitrus Berries as has effectively been standardized, and it has stayed that way since - likely because of the evident fairness. Whatever happens, fairness is important, so this was a welcome change.

Even Pokémon Unite is not immune to bugs in maps, which are a consequence of progressive updating. One of those bugs just happened to occur in Shivre City with Electrode. Initially, if Electrode underwent Explosion, the Pokémon that attacked it would still gain points even without defeating it; this was changed so that points are gained only by defeating it outright. It stands to reason, then, that points gained not from defeating Pokémon outright or from the ground is a bug, and therefore the change makes sense as it shouldn't happen.

Another change would be to make the pace manageable. The Catch 'Em map initially had Rotom at the expected places, but this was later changed to a Vespiquen herd. Rotom is actually superfluous with the other two "legend pits" containing Pokémon that can do a similar job. Therefore, this change was for the better, to remove the deduplication and not overwhelm goals with many threats, in addition to actually forcing teams to go into the "legend pits" to take care of the Pokémon there and use them - yet another welcome change.

Meanwhile for a previous change, it was made to heighten tension. In Auroma Park, Abra was initially worth less points, but it was then changed to have the 20/25 points (the latter in the Final Stretch) that it has now. Because it is more valuable now, teams that can take control of it can take control of nearly the whole match, so the heightened tension is there. While it's still a maddening element in matches due to its teleportation, what may be more maddening is a team that can actually make it a leverage for gaining lots of points.

It may be considered that there are many reasons for changing things that are already there in existing maps rather than adding new ones, but if any of the above changes are an indication, an overarching reason is to improve on what's already there without having to utilize totally new concepts (entire maps, specifically). While one may never know what further progressive updating may bring to Pokémon Unite, at least some of that updating directed to current staples may just make them... more of a staple.

One year ago: Pokémon, Lucky Love in Teenage Heaven

Two years ago: Breakthroughs Involving Pokémon

Three years ago: The Challenges of the Juvenile

Four years ago: Pokémon Movements in Pokémon Go

Five years ago: Being Young and Proud

Six years ago: PokéNumbers

Quickies: Gifts of My Heart

The giving of gifts is a prevalent one in Pokémon games, which can be said to be heralded by the Mystery Gift function in the main series games. Now they come in many forms, from the traditional square pack of Mystery Gift to the modern pyramidal pack of Pokémon Go (along with the "hobo bag" of leaves by Pokémon) and something as simple as a "mail gift" of Pokémon Unite. They're all unique in their own ways - some more so than others - but they all have the common purpose of furnishing much-needed or fascinating things for the recipient, and in that way, they're all important in their respective ways. Yet they're also important in another, more sentimental way.

What seems to be also important is that they are also ways of giving one's heart through what is contained in them - or at least I like to think so based on the gifts I have given and received. It's a little similar to the spirit of a certain song about giving gifts, but it's also irrelevant presently, and moreover, I have a certain disdain for it. That is less true of Pokémon and all the gifts passed around therein, but the spirit of the "heart" is still quite relevant. While I'm in effect giving away parts of my heart in giving gifts, the ones I receive also recover those parts. And no matter their eventual fate, my heart always remains whole with Pokémon.

In the next few months, the giving of gifts will be on the up-and-up, in effect starting from simple sweet ones at the end of this month to ones that might become more elaborate at the end of the year, and even personal once it turns over. What's clear is that for Pokémon fans like me, this process will still be intertwined with Pokémon in some manner, and that is something pleasant to be kept in mind. Hopefully just as pleasant to keep in mind will be the feeling that hearts will be going around just as gifts are going around, including whatever Pokémon element is carried with them.

One year ago: On the Giving and Taking of Collections

Two years ago: Keeping Pokémon Cities Weird

Three years ago: Starting with the End in Mind

Four years ago: October (on the) Road

Five years ago: The Moves Pokémon Know and Use

Six years ago: Second Remakes?

Mission Bingo in Café Remix

For those who have continued to play Pokémon Café Remix, it might have been possible to notice that the events have become more "radical", in a way. They've become more demanding and more connected, though also more rewarding in that regard. One way that occurs is through a new event format or more appropriately "aggregator", and it's called Mission Bingo. As a system, similar ones are present in certain games beyond the realm of Pokémon, but the implementation in Café Remix is certainly one of a kind.

As it's called Mission Bingo, the system indeed involves boards of this kind of game, and in typical fashion to this game, rewards are gained as spaces are marked off and lines are cleared. Each space contains an objective of some kind, and when completed, the space is marked off. By marking off all spaces and clearing all lines, the board is cleared and the best possible rewards are obtained. It sounds like it might become demanding at times, and that is exactly what happens.

The system or format made its debut late last month, and it became concurrent with two other events: Jolteon's Halloween with a currency-based One-Minute Cooking format, and Flareon's Halloween with a team-based format. Some of the objectives demand achievement of certain things in the events (like certain scores in the former, or certain levels in the latter), both of which required some rather intensive play. The current Mission Bingo, meanwhile, is effectively an event of its own - Vaporeon's Halloween - and the rewards tie into that.

It's easy to see why this event format is both an "aggregator" and an event in its own right. It is able to link the separate events mentioned above and furnish its own rewards as is true of any rightful event. Going through the event means going through a "double duty", but this also means a sense of doubled achievement instead of going through each of the events individually and getting the impression that the effort is singly directed at certain rewards. It is efficient even with its demands.

Now that Mission Bingo has been implemented, it adds on to the tasks of players. At the same time, though, they may already be tasks that are required to be completed in order to progress through current events, so the effort may not be wasted at all. It's still a "radical" effort for what it is, creating more weight for and linkages among events, but it also serves them well with its own additional rewards. That much should be the justification for its inclusion as an additional framework - literally.

One year ago: A New Set of Pokémon Dolls

Two years ago: My Qualms in Taking On Ranked Matches

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 10/17/2020

Four years ago: Wallpaper: Pokésoft Mix

Five years ago: The First Sinnoh Saga Japanese Opening Theme

Six years ago: Pokémon and Trains

Pokémon Go Community Day, 10/15/2023

Me: So, here's that special Pokémon assignment.

Goh: Oh, of course it's Community Day.

Me: Yeah. It's been scheduled way before the convention, so I still had to deal with it - or rather, with the convention, Ash had to deal with it.

Ash: You know, I'm always happy to take care of this for you.

Pikachu: Pika! ["So am I!"]

Me: OK, with that covered, as always, there was a special Pokémon being featured - and yesterday, it was Timburr.

Ash: That's a Pokémon from Unova! It matched my outfit.

Goh: Well, I guess it made sense why our friend sent you with that. So, Timburr evolves twice, to Gurdurr and then Conkeldurr.

Me: Right, and that last one of the three - all of which I call the "builder trio" - got the move of Brutal Swing.

Goh: It's a Dark-type move. So... maybe it's not that great?

Me: I'm hearing reports from analyzers that it might come in handy for battling other Trainers but not much else. So you shouldn't have evolved too many to get it.

Ash: Yeah, I think I see how that can be a problem.

Me: Furthermore, Gurdurr evolves to Conkeldurr by spending lots of Candy - 200 of them - or by trading it. So you would have had to pick and choose what to evolve, or find someone to trade with and evolve what you got.

Goh: That's brutal, like the move it got.

Me: I'd have to agree. But then the usual bonuses should have become an offset for that: double Candy and doubled chance for Candy XL, extended Lure Modules and Incense, picture popups from Timburr, and of course an extra Special Trade and discounted trades. Then there was the main bonus of tripled Stardust.

Ash: You got me set up too with Professor Willow to go through some paid tasks - research called "Muscle Memories". He also talked a lot about Timburr and its evolved forms.

Goh: That should have been pretty nice.

Me: I always set this up because it's so worth it. Now, you may or may not have needed to raid Gurdurr in order to get more Timburr appearing, but you should also have gone through tasks from PokéStops and opened Gifts for special stickers.

Ash: I did!

Goh: So, what happened yesterday?

Ash: I went back to the same park you sent me a few months ago, met your friends, and caught a lot of Timburr. There was a lot more people than the last time I was there, and some of them were kids.

Me: Oh, yes. I forgot to mention that my friends decided on a secondary theme for this edition: "Family Community Day".

Goh: That makes sense. The kids must really like Pokémon.

Ash: But so did everyone! At the end of the day, there was a giveaway for teams of two people who are family members.

Goh: So it was a family day in a broader sense. If only you could participate.

Me: Yeah, sadly Pikachu isn't related by blood, and it would have been pretty hard to get your mom, Delia, to be with you.

Ash: That's OK. We deal with it.

Pikachu: Pi pika. ["That's fine."]

Ash: But they still had giveaways for solo Trainers! I just didn't win any of them.

Goh: They were for Shiny Timburr, weren't they?

Ash: Yeah, with the best stats, most caught, tallest, and so on.

Goh: So you weren't terribly lucky for this one either. I'm sure you still evolved some, though.

Ash: Like our friend said, I just evolved three to battle in all leagues. I didn't evolve a Shiny one, even though I got one from a friend of our friend - and I even traded a few with another friend and got a few Lucky ones!

Me: Don't worry about the Shiny Timburr. I evolved that one today so it wouldn't get Brutal Swing.

Ash: I also got a lot of Candy and Stardust just in case you need them.

Me: I always do.

Goh: By the way, anything to show of the group?

Ash: Here it is:

Ash: Sorry it's a little dark. You know how it is after sunset.

Me: Great! That's completely fine. So all told, this time was a unique circumstance - having Pokémon builders, family affairs, and an extra convention to boot.

Goh: You know, I guess they all "build things" in some way.

Ash: That's a neat way to think about it.

Pikachu: Pika! ["Nice one!"]

Me: That said, let's keep on building and see where Community Day, Pokémon Go relations, and conventions take us. That ought to be... quite the construction.

Ash, Goh: Yeah!

One year ago: Taking Raids to the Elite Level

Two years ago: Quickies: Real Interest in Pokémon Sweet Treats

Three years ago: Hunting for Rewards from the Go Battle League

Four years ago: Where I Want to Go

Five years ago: (Improving the) Local EX Raid, 10/16/2018

Six years ago: Trainer Fashion

Cosplay: Road to CHoCoDays 10th

Goh: Wait, two days in a row?

Me: Indeed, and there's more to come.

Ash: It's CHoCoDays! But... it's earlier...? 

Pikachu: Pika? ["What's up?"]

Me: In a way, yes. But it isn't the actual convention itself; it's more like a prelude. And if the convention is usually far away, this prelude is actually closer to me, so I have less of a problem sending Ash.

Goh: Oh, I see here that... Japan Culture Daisuki is the organizer?

Me: They have been, for many years now. This convention started out as an independent thing, but then it got folded into their lineup.

Ash: That's why it's so great year after year!

Me: Yeah, Ash can attest. So, this prelude takes place...

Ash: ...where Utsuru was! It even looked almost the same, with community booths, a stage, and food stands.

Goh: Well, the organizer's the same, so that was coming a mile away.

Ash: Our friend sent me with my Unova outfit like yesterday, and I had some fun for a couple of hours. But then...

Me: Ah, yes. You weren't able to attend this one fully, because I had a special Pokémon assignment for you, and you had to go somewhere else for that.

Goh: So that's why you didn't discuss competitions at the beginning.

Me: Exactly. Now, you have the schedule, and there's a character parade at... what time?

Goh: It says 3:30 PM.

Me: That's smack-dab in the middle of the special Pokémon assignment - whether or not it might run late - so no way Ash can take care of both at the same time.

Ash: I can think of a way!

Pikachu: Pi pika...! ["Wait, um...!"]

Ash: But I think Pikachu is also right. I don't think it might work.

Goh: And this is a popular convention, so it's a character lottery anyway.

Me: Obviously it is. We'll discuss the special Pokémon assignment tomorrow, but in the meantime, we can try to figure out the convention by the schedule and whatever Ash observed and did. So, according to the schedule, we had...

Goh: Bands, dance groups, and a karaoke group. The usual.

Ash: I met the karaoke group at their booth. They let me sing "Pokémon Theme" and a song from a school idol group.

Goh: Interesting. Will our friend make you sing that last one at another time?

Me: Don't get your hopes up. That's something really obscure - even if it does sound good - and it's an even harder sell than even the "straw hat song". Ash and I need to focus on Pokémon first if possible.

Goh: I understand completely. OK, were there other communities you and our friend were interested in?

Ash: Not much else, just that one.

Goh: I see. Were you able to get back after the special assignment?

Ash: I could, and I could just catch the last dance group and the karaoke group. And meet other people too.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu. ["We just made it."]

Goh: OK, so I guess overall... there's not much more to be said. It's Utsuru 8 part 2, or a local edition of CHoCoDays.

Ash: Haha - well, I guess both are true!

Me: If you put it that way, then we didn't miss much by sending you to the special Pokémon assignment. And you two are absolutely right.

Goh: By the way, what's the "10th" for?

Me: I want to say, but let's save it for when we make it to the actual convention.

Ash: One of your friends also went to the special Pokémon thing after going to the convention.

Me: Well, I guess now we need to wrap things up about the convention and discuss the special assignment next.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 10/15/2022

Two years ago: Chiki Balls Pokémon Coins: Expanding the Collection

Three years ago: Strange Eggs, and Getting Estranged with Eggs

Four years ago: Rekindling Old Games

Five years ago: Ultra Ball Hanging Ornament

Six years ago: Cosplay: MAXcited

Cosplay: MCP Mini Contest

Me: Um... So, I said last month was busy, and it was. It seems this month will be too, for Ash and me.

Goh: Let me guess, lots of festivals and conventions?

Me: Pretty much, and they happen when you don't expect them. Anyhow, there's this one.

Ash: This one looks great!

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["Looks great!"]

Me: As you can tell, it's a mini contest, so it does involve a character parade.

Goh: Of course it does. Who's the organizer?

Me: The same one as "TM Town Festival".

Goh: Nice! Will Ash get to sing?

Ash: Yeah! Our friend set me up for that. I thought "Best Wishes" would be great, and...

Me: The straw hat character talked to me again, and he said he wanted you to sing that song again - for real this time.

Goh: Sounds like you two know this straw hat character well.

Ash: I think he might have watched one of my battles, so yeah.

Me: And sometimes I get to talk to him when I'm free - but let's not discuss this too much. In any case, you'll need your Unova outfit for "Best Wishes"... and I've made little change for that. 

Ash: The hat is new! It looks so good now.

Me: I thought you'd like it. That's why I've been bringing it out lately, so I could improve it for you.

Ash: Thanks!

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["Thank you!"]

Goh: So how was the contest? And your performances?

Ash: I did OK on "Best Wishes". I think I was a little slow this time because I had a little problem hearing the music.

Goh: How'd that happen?

Ash: I think it was because the speakers were all in front, away from me.

Me: Yeah, that can be a problem. Didn't you check the sound?

Ash: I did! I thought it sounded fine...

Me: Well, things happen. And the other song?

Ash: I did good on that one. You know what? The straw hat character also joined me on stage, sent by one of our friends. We sort of had a performance together.

Goh: Wow! That is a surprise. You must have been surprised too.

Ash: Yeah, I was!

Pikachu: Pika chu pika! ["So was I!"]

Goh: So, do you think this can happen again?

Me: Maybe, maybe not. I think the stars would have to align before I can get Ash to pull this off again - and the results will certainly be not the same.

Ash: Who knows?

Me: Well, there's that. As for the contest...

Ash: I got in, but just to entertain people, since I already sang. So there was nothing from that.

Me: That's fine. Some people wouldn't even let you do that. But I'm sure you got something for us for singing.

Ash: Yeah! It's not much, but it should help us.

Me: Very good.

Goh: Who won, though, for the character parade?

Ash: The straw hat, and another friend of us, who sent a dragon tamer.

Goh: Oh wow. I guess they got a good thing going.

Me: We can try to get that going too at another opportunity.

Goh: Anything else we should know?

Ash: The contest was just for the evening and there were games to pass the time.

Goh: So it was just like that mini gathering last month, more or less.

Ash: I think I can say it was on the "more" side of things.

Pikachu: Pi pika chu pika. ["Definitely more."]

Me: And this was for a Saturday, which tends to not be too crowded. But from what you said, they did a good job.

Ash: I think so too.

Me: By the way, you should have recognized the place it was in - it was the same as Outfest over a year ago.

Ash: Yeah! Now I remember. But now things are better.

Goh: So things improved, and we improved. Sorta.

Pikachu: Chu pika. ["Huh, I guess."]

Me: Any improvement is good to take, even if that comes in different and unexpected ways.

One year ago: The Evolution Cup of GBL

Two years ago: A Pokémon Best Friend Dream

Three years ago: Workouts, Exercise, and Fitness with Pokémon

Four years ago: Community vs. Central Management

Five years ago: Cosplay: Akatsuki no Matsuri

Six years ago: Never Stop Exploring

Unexpected Collaborations with Pokémon

Now that Pokémon has persisted for over a quarter century, it's time for it to collaborate with different parties. And if the present is of any indication, then the time is rife for them. In fact, among some of these collaborations, there are or have been some "unexpected" ones, involving parties that could be thought of as some of the last to collaborate with Pokémon. Yet they do occur to the wonderment of fans, and for all their wonderment, some of them deserve to be discussed - particularly the most significant ones presently.

In that regard, one significant one - if not the most significant one right now - is a little something called "Project Voltage". It's a collaboration between Pokémon and Hatsune Miku, representing Vocaloid in general; more precisely, it's another edition of that collaboration, as a Snow Miku collaboration had been realized a while back. The scale this time is even greater: it started by showing off Miku as a possible Pokémon Trainer of each of the 18 types, which was then followed by songs created by well-known Vocaloid producers, making this both artistic and musical. That scale makes it significant as well as unexpected, especially considering what results from the collaboration.

A little less significant yet a whole lot more unexpected is a collaboration of Pokémon and the Van Gogh Museum - yes, as in the impressionist artist. As can be discerned, this is an artistic collaboration to a high degree, and it resulted in six Van Gogh paintings given a Pokémon twist. One of them, the "Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat", was also turned into a promotional TCG card, and it was released... to unexpected flurries among certain collectors. The objective of this certainly involves kids in a way, as it is designed to get them interested in art. Still, interest in art seems to know no bounds, and fans of both ought to have appreciation for that.

One last collaboration is one that goes back to the past for a bit, and it's a more locally constrained collaboration, specifically where I am. Yuri, a company that makes products for personal hygiene, had once released a line of soaps and shampoos featuring... well, understandably so. They were specifically under the "dee-dee" line for products intended for children, as with this collaboration, the previous one, and other forays, no doubt Pokémon is also geared to appeal to children. Granted, this was more of a licensing deal of sorts rather than a collaboration, but it's as close to a collaboration as they could get, and it's still fitting to mention it as such.

Something that could be gained from the collaborations of Pokémon and different things or parties above is the flexibility of the former to suit a lot of things, even those that are distantly related in spirit and form. In that sense, the "unexpected" quality that the collaborations then possess is the result of realizing a sense of wonder and interest, for which all of the above can and do generate. Given a history of 25-plus years and continuing, it's only very well that it can happen with Pokémon... and other parties embracing each other.

One year ago: Pokémon Café Remix Burnout?

Two years ago: Tournament: Raid Group "Relaxed" Lunar Cup

Three years ago: The Day-Night Cycle and Pokémon Games

Four years ago: Cosplay: KAI ESports Exhibition

Five years ago: Pokémon and Adventure Games

Six years ago: Respect for Ikue Ootani

Performance Critique: Bunka no Tenkai J-Song

This is a little unexpected, but things work out anyhow, like for a performance critique I made over a year ago. The current one certainly concerns the performance from a festival event from last month, where I performed another song ("Boku no Best Friend e") for the first time, and thus it's a debut performance - incidentally, the same set of circumstances as for the previous critique. And that seems to be significant to be discussed, as it also seems to play into the results of that performance.

I am able to make this critique, certainly, because I have a video recording of it. A friend wanted to repay the favor for my recording of something else (not related to Pokémon) at a convention, so that meant recording this J-Song performance. I was going to retrieve that recording a few days post facto, but then problems happened that prevented me from doing so and thus making this critique. I was only able to retrieve the recording just recently, which allows me to make this critique.

The start of the performance.

So, as noted, besides the common thread of "debut performance", there is another common thread: messing things up, no matter how slight. The first of these is lyrical flubs, as in messing up what to sing. I actually made a minor flub near the start of the second verse, which happened because I nearly blanked out at that point. After listening to the recording, however, I couldn't seem to tell the difference, even if I had sung the part as intended. In that sense, I had a good recovery, especially as it didn't lead to further lyrical flubs down the line.

The supposed lyrical flub at "hadashi no mama"?

Next are tempo flubs - going too fast or too slow while singing - which I have to say is a rarity for me since I consider myself to be rhythmically aware. In this case, though, by way of nearly blanking out earlier, that seems to have affected my perception, and I went a bit fast after the minor flub above. While I did recover close to the end of the second verse, the flub had already been realized and it can't possibly be fixed - in other words, "fait accompli". Beyond these two minor yet technical flubs, nothing else occurred, which is somewhat commendable.

The tempo flub, realized at "kokoro tsunaide..."

After the performance, I received a comment from one of the other competitors, who said that the performance was enjoyable. Although we didn't discuss the specifics of the performance, it seems that we were able to overlook its flaws and just consider it for what it is - or was, by the time we discussed it. Yet that might also be because people nowadays tend to not discuss criticism in public, no matter how positive it might be and even though it might be sought, as in the case for making this critique.

The end of the performance, with Pikachu in hand.

Of course, that then does beg the question: what would constitute a good, winning singing performance for my case? I've been in many competitions for several years, and that seems to be a hit-or-miss affair, notwithstanding technical flubs like the ones above or any other issue that might affect a performance. While I'm constantly seeking the answer with my continued participation in singing competitions, the answer to the above question seems to elude me just as much as it might seem obvious.

My experience with them, also as has been mentioned earlier, still seems to highlight the fact that I need to "break in" songs before I get used to performing them, and that seems to be needed for this song as well. It demands to be performed at another (competitive) opportunity to see how far I can take things with the song. While it may not provide the answer I need regarding how I can achieve good results, that should at least be able to reflect what I like (Pokémon) and how that manifests musically for me.

One year ago: Pokémon Café Remix Personal Feature Wishlist

Two years ago: Thrills and Spills in Quick Unite Battles

Three years ago: The Deprecation of HMs

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 10/12/2019

Five years ago: Finding and Re-Finding Players

Six years ago: The (De Facto) Series Mascot