Unite "Currency Reform" On the Way

The information in this post is a bit early, but it's also in the progress of happening, so I need to "get it out" and write about it; it also doubles as a "public service announcement". So, since its inception, Pokémon Unite has pretty much maintained its currency system, but that is about to change within a couple of weeks, as one of its pillar currencies is about to change - more specifically, it's about to "bow out" and disappear.

Aeos Coins would be that very currency, which as explained has a few roles to play. Many players will currently use it to purchase new Unite Licenses at the shop after they were made available initially with Gems. It can also be used to upgrade emblems in one's collection, which is also a frequent present action for many players. Apart from that, its other uses may be considered to have become "niche", which might explain its retirement.

On December 4, the currency will no longer be given out, and its related boost items will also become unusable. An exchange center will then be opened up to allow exchanges of the remaining currency (and boost items related to the currency) for certain items up until early next year, after which there will be no trace left of the currency. As such, particular efforts to use the currency before that happens is certainly in order.

Its usage to purchase Unite Licenses is a big one. Before the retirement, it is highly suggested that players use the currency mostly for that purpose; that's also because Unite Licenses will then be able to be obtained through a different way, aside from paying Aeos Gems. Its details are still scant and will be explained later on when it actually comes to fruition, but it's clear that there is the necessity to use the existing currency prior to the transformation.

Retirement of the currency also carries other implications. One of them is that the other pillar currencies will certainly take up the role of the currencies, for which Aeos Tickets are being used in lieu of the currency for a present event. It also means that the game is now simplifying its currencies, for which the complexity may have been apparent then and now, which makes this change a welcoming one.

With the way things are and will be, the retirement of Aeos Coins is definitely an important matter, given all the aspects that are attached to it. Particularly, the looming deadline of only a couple of weeks away as of this post makes it necessary to be announced now so that players (like me) have the time to plan things out. Meanwhile, the planned "currency reform" could just be the start of a more "united" future.

One year ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights: Even More Pokémon Parkour

Two years ago: Days of Specific Pokémon

Three years ago: Pokémon Outfits in Café Remix

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/21/2021

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/21/2020

Six years ago: The Hype Cycle and Pokémon

Seven years ago: Traveling All the World

Eight years ago: Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Uptake

Let's Talk About Helping Out Officer Jenny

Goh: Wait, wait... what's this about?

Me: Oh, it's a bit special, so I'm framing it in a "Let's Talk". 

Goh: Well, OK. So now we're talking about...

Me: Officer Jenny - and our dealings with her.

Goh: Isn't that kind of sensitive to you?

Ash: But I think it's also fine when it's about and with us.

Me: That's right. I mean, you two did deal with her once, to help her out.

Ash: I was thinking about that. That was a fun time!

Goh: You have to admit that's true - and kind of needed for our research.

Ash: Yeah, and we got to make good and everything.

Pikachu: Pi pika! ["All neat!"]

Ash: So, what's the sensitive thing for our friend?

Me: I guess it's just that so many things have been happening lately that make other people (and me) uneasy with people like Officer Jenny - in my world, that is.

Ash: They have to do good work, don't they?

Me: I wish it seems that easy to say that for all the people like that.

Goh: But you know, people are all different. So I'm sure there have to be ones who do good work.

Me: You know, that could be true for at least some people.

Goh: You don't have to get involved all the time - just when you need to.

Ash: And you could help them out somehow.

Me: Well, sure. On that note, I did receive a request that we could help them out somehow.

Ash: See?

Pikachu: Pika. ["Nice."]

Goh: OK, so now we have a context. Where'd you get sent to this time? 

Ash: A little far-off town - with one of our friend's friend.

Goh: And this had to involve "Officer Jenny" somehow.

Ash: The person was just like what our friend said, almost like her.

Me: What did you end up doing, for helping out?

Ash: I got to hand out flyers to people and meet students at a school.

Goh: Oh! A little like my school?

Ash: Sure, it was like that.

Goh: That means you did this in the daytime.

Ash: Yup, in the morning.

Pikachu: Chu pi pika. ["Very early on."]

Me: I'm told no other characters were available for this... so we got picked for this.

Ash: And I got something for you for doing it.

Goh: That's pretty nice!

Me: It is. So, after all this, maybe I have less qualms about dealing with them when I need to.

Goh: There you go, when you need to.

Ash: And then we can always do things to help.

Goh: But I guess I can tell if it's still "sensitive" for you.

Me: That. But hey, Officer Jenny is a good foundation for real people like her in my world.

Ash: I'd say yes! 

Me: And after all that, the good in helping can become good things later on.

Ash, Goh: Yeah!

One year ago: Profs and Comrades: Professor Kukui

Two years ago: My Personal PvP Preferences

Three years ago: Cosplay: ChibiCon 2022

Four years ago: Let's Talk About (Im)Perfect Timings

Five years ago: BEMANI-Pokémon Connections

Six years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 2

Seven years ago: A Raid Group Gathering

Eight years ago: On Cosplay Props and Prop Makers

Chasing After Platinum Medals

As noted, the new leveling journey of Pokémon Go involves collecting platinum medals for the Trainers who have reached the lofty milestone of Level 70 and are working on the tasks to level up in the "final stretch" to Level 80. As such, they would be chasing after those medals when they get to that point... or possibly even well before, in preparation for facing the tasks once that point is achieved. It makes for a fascinating discussion for any or all Trainers in those situations and their pertinent conditions, including mine and others close to me.

The other day, another Trainer and I were comparing our platinum medal progresses, and as can be predicted, we have mutually exclusive progressions - I have ones the other doesn't and the other has what I don't, including for partials toward platinum medals. In a way, our focuses are different due to our conditions, so we're chasing after (and thus have) different medals accordingly. Some commonalities were also evident, though, and that's something that other Trainers can also consider to take advantage of.

For that, it is likely that many Trainers will have a significant progress on their type medals for catching specific types, and they can take advantage of them to elevate them to the platinum level. The regularly occurring Community Day as well as the frequently occurring thematic events can be used for this purpose, particularly for the specific medals that aren't already at the platinum level. Some amount of time is also still needed - for most things don't happen in an instant - but they can and will get there.

Meanwhile, for the medals that involve specific objectives, the most sensible effort would certainly be to finish the ones that are closest to completion (region Dex medals could be a contender) and start chipping in effort for longer-term medals (like the Rising Star Duo and Ace Trainer medals) - all of these based on the comparison as above. By the time Level 70 and up comes about, the efforts can then be directed to the other tasks, and the platinum medal task won't be a burden.

It's a given that those who are serious and/or routine about Pokémon Go will think about the upper levels and how to approach them as they approach them. That has been true in the Level 50 past and now again after the level cap change, which resulted in the addition of tasks concerning platinum medals in order to level up in the "final stretch". The result is a chase for those platinum medals - whether they're already in the thick of it or approaching it - and sensible efforts will likely be needed as the chases begin or continue.

One year ago: Pokémon Made Up of Other Pokémon

Two years ago: Cosplay: Seishun! Japan Fest

Three years ago: Pokémon Emblems in Pokémon Unite

Four years ago: Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Unleashed

Five years ago: Till Death Do Us Part

Six years ago: A Theme Event Dream

Seven years ago: Fans of Fans

Eight years ago: Cosplay: MINORI 5

The Currencies of TCGP

This is one post that probably should have come a lot sooner, but it's perfectly fine to be made now with consideration of the understanding gained for the aspect. As with other mobile Pokémon games, TCGP also has a set of currencies for many of its usual functions, or at least items that act as such and in one case can be procured by exchanging real money, making them a "proxy" for it. These items and currencies as such deserves a bit of discussion.

Players would surely frequently encounter the shop tickets, since they'd earn them through Wonder Picks, certain missions, and "thanks" received from other players for various actions. They can be used to purchase Wonder Pick and pack hourglasses at the shop as well as some cards and card accessories, and they can also be exchanged for special shop tickets to obtain "luxury" items, which also command "luxurious" prices. Their usage would also be as frequent as the ways players would receive the currency.

Meanwhile, the "shinedust" item and currency has recently gained prominence as well. This is gained from duplicate cards and certain missions, and was initially used (along with exchanges of those duplicate cards) to obtain "flair", as special effects for cards. Further, it is also what replaces the trade tokens that were formerly used as trading "currency", and existing tokens can be converted into this currency and pack hourglasses as well. Fans will also note a certain parallel of this item and currency to the Stardust of Pokémon Go that fulfill nearly the same role, which is brought about by the simplification as above.

Earlier in my discussion about "warping time" with hourglasses, I had also mentioned the Poké gold item, and this item too in effect acts as a "currency", since putting in money into the game means purchasing the item through the shop's "Purchase Poké gold" section. Besides for recovering pack and Wonder Pick stamina, they can also be used to recover trade and battle stamina at different rates, but they will certainly be used more for the former, since those would be considered primary and frequent actions for many players.

Arguably, there is a currency item for all kinds of functions in TCGP, and the earning and exchanging of them can be considered very much a part of the gameplay, as is using the cards in actual card battles much like in Pokémon TCG proper. Like real currencies and those in other games, understanding their necessity and wisdom is part of the key to many endeavors, even in this game that is a take on the Pokémon TCG and its associated exchanges. 

One year ago: Immersive Cards in TCG Pocket

Two years ago: Focus and Control: Two Keys to Pokémon Power

Three years ago: Scarlet and Violet Unleashed

Four years ago: Living Further with My Buddy

Five years ago: Pokémon "Genealogy"

Six years ago: Drafts Piling Up

Seven years ago: Trough of Disillusionment

Eight years ago: A Little Teaser... and Guessing Game

"Timesink" Pokémon Games

A "timesink" is something that takes up much of someone's time, sometimes with no apparent results, but not necessarily. Games take up people's time as well, although the modern ones do have certain productive results while others are just plainly for pleasure - and then there are Pokémon games, which are popular among many people nowadays. With that, I thought about discussing how certain Pokémon games are or can be a "timesink" for their fans to deal with, including myself as a fervent one.

In the past, when the main series games were pretty much the big and only thing for the Pokémon experience, they can be quite the "timesink" for the most devoted fans, especially once competitive VGC really got rolling. They can still be as such today with the continued presence of both and especially the latter, but they also face challenges from other Pokémon games and competitive endeavors, some of which might be their own "timesink". In any case, that is still the original and major one of its kind.

For the more modern "timesink" games, they'd be Pokémon Go and Pokémon Unite as those competitive endeavors. With their daily play demands, the "timesink" aspect can become rather highly evident, and even more so if competitive endeavors are in play. The puzzle spinoff games - as Café Remix and the earlier Shuffle - could also be considered to have the "timesink" aspect, especially for me personally and if this blog may suggest anything. Things will certainly be different for different players.

Meanwhile, the future holds another potential "timesink" game. The recently announced Pokémon Pokopia has announced more of its unique aspects, as Pokémon that are different from their regular counterparts. This adds to the mechanism of the game itself, which for other similar games also represents a "timesink". Therefore, the new game has a rather high potential in this regard, if it hasn't already been suggested as such. It might be the "timesink" of all other Pokémon games by its inherent nature.

With the way all of these Pokémon games furnish their content, players will certainly have a way of getting "caught up" with them and falling into the "timesink" aspect. Of course, any game can become a "timesink" if players let them become as such, and considering this fact and again the content, Pokémon is no short of example games, both demonstrated and potential. What becomes of these games for players' times is up for them to decide - and make them less or more of the key aspect.

One year ago: Cosplay: Toys & Hobbies Week 2024

Two years ago: End of Main Orders for Café Remix

Three years ago: Fun Pokémon Memes by a Fun Tortoise

Four years ago: Loyalty

Five years ago: Matters of Cosplay and Current Conditions

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/16/2019

Seven years ago: PikaPool

Eight years ago: Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Unleashed

...And Whimsy: Pokémon Go Wild Area 2025 (Global), Day 2

If the operative word for yesterday in Go Wild Area was "darkness", then today's would be "whimsy". For that, I've decided to bring in a little familiar "whimsy" of myself...

Me: ...along with two other people, of course.

Ash: Why not? This sounds like a fun one.

Goh: And shady. Grimmsnarl, huh?

Ash: Hey, I remember the time when Gengar went up against it.

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["What a time!"]

Me: We sure do. It can be said as a "turning point".

Goh: Absolutely. So you battled it yesterday, and now Ash gets to have a go again in your way... right?

Ash: Sure did! I battled it a few times. But I didn't get a Shiny one.

Me: That's OK. I already got one yesterday.

Goh: What else did you battle today? 

Ash: Shadow Darkrai and Bewear! That was quite a bit too. And I got two Shiny ones for the first one!

Goh: Neat! I'd say so myself. 

Me: Today, you're also finishing up a few loose ends, like some tasks with Professor Willow.

Ash: I got them. And the collection stuff too. That took me about half a day.

Goh: Were you not able to find the Pokémon?

Ash: Some of them didn't show up until later. 

Pikachu: Pika... ["Odd..."]

Goh: Hey, at least it got done. 

Ash: That's very true.

Me: And that's all that matters. Now, like last year, there had to be a lot of Mighty Pokémon strewn around...

Ash: And I caught many of them! Some of them had the best stats - with one Shiny, a Houndoom.

Goh: That's awesome!

Me: Hey, that's very refreshing. All of them can and will have their uses. But I'll still be selecting a few of them too.

Goh: And, uh... like last year, there had to have been backgrounds too.

Ash: I got ones for Darkrai and Bewear! 

Me: I didn't get one for Cresselia yesterday, so I'm a little bummed about that. But that's OK.

Pikachu: Chu pika.. ["I'll say."]

Goh: Oh, and Go Safari Balls.

Ash: I used most of them for the Mighty ones. But then I "blanked out" at the last big moment...

Me: Sorry about that. Maybe it's time for me to deal with a solution to help avoid that.

Goh: So, tasks done, battles done, Shiny and stuff done. All good!

Ash: Yeah! 

Goh: That leaves the question of you being around instead of our friend. Festivals? 

Me: Um... yeah. Again yesterday and today. But they were strangely "unavailable" for us due to location and venue constraints.

Goh: Well, Pokémon is always available, so it's a good option.

Me: And I actually sent Ash to somewhere a little far away to deal with a few Lucky Trades with faraway friends.

Ash: We got there, and that we did!

Pikachu: Pi pika! ["Very nice!"]

Goh: Neat! But I guess it was the last thing you wanted to do.

Me: Yeah... but it was kinda needed.

Goh: This year's Go Wild Area was really something.

Ash: It was really wild, like its name.

Me: I'm sure that will continue to mean good things for it over time.

After "darkness" and "whimsy", the most enthralling experience for Go Wild Area is to be had, now and later. It brings together people and things, and that is definitely the wildest it can get.

One year ago: Encroaching Upon the Wild Area

Two years ago: A Fascination for Noctowl

Three years ago: To Cart or To Download?

Four years ago: Connectivity

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/15/2020

Six years ago: Cosplay: Mini Futsal Cup 2019

Seven years ago: The Detective Goes Live!!

Eight years ago: Go My Dear One, and Pursue Your Dreams

For Darkness...: Pokémon Go Wild Area 2025 (Global), Day 1

And now, there is the big Pokémon Go thing this weekend, as the second run of the paid event that was only introduced last year. The event's progression last year was also wild, befitting its name, by introducing a lot of new things through some organized elements. This year, the paid event is to retain a lot of those elements while introducing even more new things, and that's a good reason to go through the event in order to write it up and break it down.

As with last year, there is a Max Pokémon debut to be had, and this year, that would be the formidable Grimmsnarl, the grim and dark thing I had previewed earlier. It is actually the fully evolved form of Impidimp, which evolves to Morgrem first before evolving to that species form. For this edition, Grimmsnarl appears exclusively in its Gigantamax form in Power Spots, while Impidimp itself makes its debut in the wild (and photo bombs) along with its Shiny form - automatically meaning Grimmsnarl too has its Shiny form. As is expected, many Trainers will have to group up to take down this rather formidable Pokémon, including through whatever means necessary, even by remote battling.

The entire species family is of the Fairy and Dark types, so like last year, the day is structured with alternating habitats with selected species of or related to each type. Field Research suits the alternating habitats with certain tasks and rewards for them, while this time, the Collection Challenges are based on the day with different assortments for each day - but I'm getting ahead of myself. The reward for completing one of these is a special costumed Bewear wearing a cape, which could also be Shiny. This Bewear could also be encountered as part of the Go Pass for the accompanying event (separate details on that one) or through three-star raids.

That said, the raids of this edition besides the one just mentioned are of the Shadow variety - specifically five-star ones of Cresselia (today) and Darkrai (tomorrow). It's a more modest selection compared to the previous year, and it also means that Trainers don't have to work them too hard, except for the Shadow portion of the program. Yet that also means that they're radically different, and they're of interest regardless; Trainers will still need to take them on in groups as for the Max Battles.

Meanwhile, Mighty Pokémon return in the same way as last year, though certainly with a different assortment, for this day and the next. Their "surge" also happens at the last 15 minutes of the day's event instead of after. Likewise, they'll likely need to be caught with Go Safari Balls, which will drop from balloons and can be gotten from PokéStops, or else paid with coins. One change this year is that the balls received today can be retained for use the next day, though while still during the event hours of 10 AM to 6 PM.

Most other bonuses also still require the purchase of the event ticket, including the Special Research, which branches out and guides Trainers in achieving mastery of either type of the featured species. They can get more Max Particles, spin for more 5 km Eggs and hatch them with less distance, participate in more raids, get more Candy from captures, catch more Pokémon from extended Lure Modules, and incur more Special Trades as well as trade for less cost. Further, since Shadow Pokémon are involved, Frustration can also be removed by a Charged TM today and tomorrow during event hours.

I have to say that I got through the Max Battles just fine and got good results out of them, but I also got good results out of the Special Trades with some Lucky Friends as well. As well, I got most of today's Mighty assortment, missing out on at least one; it seems I'm somehow fated to miss a few of the assortment, though I can somehow make up for them sooner or later. Like last year, Shiny Pokémon also seemed rather scant - others even said they got less than they would have expected by last year - but the background ones seem to be fine. I had perceived a certain different "darkness" today, but that also didn't completely manifest.

It's only been two editions of Go Wild Area so far, and the paid event is starting to solidify with its elements just like Go Tour did a few years ago. This year, based on its main species feature, it can also be described to solidify around the themes of "darkness" and "whimsy", which may not be a bad thing. The best course of action is certainly to take advantage of both themes for what they bring to the "wild table" for Trainers.

One year ago: The World According to Ursaring

Two years ago: Pokémon Monuments of Our Hearts

Three years ago: Preparing for Scarlet and Violet

Four years ago: Pokémon Cafe Delights

Five years ago: Cosplay: The Bros Contest

Six years ago: Sword and Shield Unleashed

Seven years ago: Seeing Red: Cosplay Teaser for 12/2/2018

Eight years ago: Ma? Ma? Ma? Marshadow...!

Favorite New Staff Colors... of Limited Pokémon

Closing off this week of "gimme five" discussions related to Café Remix, I want to discuss another set of subjective favorite things. I had actually intended to bring up "favorite outfits" again, but quite a few things from that are still applicable, so I couldn't bring it up in the same vein. Luckily, I can (could) restructure it a bit and still talk about favorite outfits... just of different colors and different applicability to certain Pokémon.

Those Pokémon have the basic staff outfit, but they have colors not from the usual leveling. In fact, they were created by Leah (the café owner) as part of certain events; according to her, she is trying out new colors for the staff outfit, and certain Pokémon - associated with the events, surely - get to try them out first. They may or may not be extended to other staff members, but in the meantime, they're still fanciful for the staff Pokémon that do get them.

One of these new colors is called "stylish night sky", which is a dark navy blue color that is reminiscent of a good sky at that time of day. Rayquaza and Inkay are the representative Pokémon of this outfit color, and it quite befits them, with the former having its domain where the color is, and the latter being contemplative within that space. It may be that the color has its own intrigue in addition to interest.

Leah also made the "stylish spring" color, and its recipients are (or were) Flabébé of the Red Flower sort and Fidough of the Shiny sort. It is perhaps a coincidence that the two Pokémon are those of different sorts, but then again they may be quite symbolic of variety. The color itself is also a rather "punchy" or "highlighting" yellow-green and may be considered befitting of being symbolic of variety as with the two Pokémon.

As a last color I'm featuring, there is the "stylish plum" color. It is a dark purple that is quite reminiscent of the namesake fruit, and Maushold and Dolliv were chosen to wear it. These two are from the ninth generation, and the newness and novelty of the color stands out along with the two species as part of the latest cohort. At the very least, they also bear the "stylish" aspect pretty well alongside the other colors above.

If the "stylish" moniker is of any indication, it is that these outfits can become select favorites of players without them being different in appearance from the regular outfits, aside from the color. Such is definite for the three colors I've featured above, and it may well be true for the other colors that I haven't featured - and likely possibly to come as well. And after some time, Leah might also gain newfound appreciation for them to expand them even further.

One year ago: Profs and Comrades: Professor Elm

Two years ago: Doing What's Necessary: Transferring (Releasing) Shiny Pokémon

Three years ago: Tunnels of My Heart

Four years ago: The Shops of Unite

Five years ago: Graduation of Regionals?

Six years ago: The Music of Shuffle

Seven years ago: GTS and Wonder Trade in Pokémon Go?

Eight years ago: 1000 Episodes!!!

My Main Order and Extra Order Progress in Café Remix

As part of the "gimme five" featuring Café Remix, I also want to take the time to update on my progression with regard to the main orders and extra orders that are in the game. It's arguably somewhat more subjective compared to the other more objective content throughout this week, but at least it keeps the theme going, not to mention my writing process. It also might be revealing of other intents, but that's to be made evident as things go.

Thus far, I'm on main order #2222, which means I'm 179 main orders short of completing the entire run of 2400 main orders. Admittedly, it's been rather slow-going for me to complete the main orders since recently I'm more focused on playing through the events, which can take up their own time - and quite a bit at that. Having them available for certain Pokémon is also a concern, although it may be the time to minimize that somehow.

Meanwhile, I'm on extra order #475, which is still a long way off from the 1600 extra orders that are there. At least, this one has its own incentives for completion, as every 25 of these completed rewards Golden Acorns and Tarts; at higher numbers, a few other rewards await, including a recently added signboard for the café. The incentives may be the only thing that keeps this progress going, to devote Stamina to it whenever possible.

Considering either of these progressions, something that's key to them is having Stamina available for playing the orders - though this is less of a problem now that the recently added event modes use up items rather than Stamina. In that regard, jumping in may not necessarily be a problem, but perhaps finding the right moment to do so is, in particular right now with all the things that happen at the end of the year even for the game.

It seems that the intents as revealed by the above progressions are to advance them while also to keep them manageable for other purposes. Satisfying those intents may turn out to be the real challenge, aside from whatever the main orders or extra orders put out as they come up. That too may be a bit of a subjective matter for my own ordeals with the game, but others who play could just decide on that matter objectively by what I put forth.

One year ago: The Compact Battles of TCG Pocket

Two years ago: Finding a Diancie Amongst Carbink

Three years ago: Evaluating Elite Raids in Their EX Raid Places

Four years ago: Inspiration from Characters

Five years ago: The Spirit of Brothers

Six years ago: Shuffle Special Stage Play Limits

Seven years ago: Marshadow and Mimikyu Keychains

Eight years ago: Cosplay Assistants

Kitchen Notes, Wherefore Art Thou?

As part of the overall framework for Pokémon enhancement in Café Remix, items that are called "kitchen notes" allow some Pokémon to unlock a fourth, extra skill in addition to the skills they learn when they level up. However, for quite some time recently, there have been a dearth of them, whether for new Pokémon and old ones alike. Thus, I feel the need to make this post - a second time in a more recent timespan and for the same topic - further as a part of this week's discussion as the chosen topic for "gimme five".

The last time kitchen notes appeared, they were in a Pokémon visit event from somewhat an unfathomably a long time ago, providing just enough to unlock and slightly level up that Pokémon's extra skill. After that, they seemed to have "disappeared" for new and returning Pokémon alike in certain events. Of course, that's not to say they have "disappeared" entirely as a feature or item, since existing ones are still available, and there may be the incentive to use them instead of holding on to them.

It seems that the more recent focus has been on making use of the available skillset of both new and old Pokémon rather than introducing new skills through utilization of the aspect or feature - or in IC terms, it may be that the Pokémon haven't developed something that they can reliably use as new skills that can fit into the new challenges of the café, as in through the new play modes. In that sense, the imperative to use some of the existing kitchen notes may be justified for all possible uses in existing play modes.

Will there be more kitchen notes for new and old Pokémon in the future? The skills they unlock may certainly be significant in some usage cases, and they're not expected to disappear or be removed, so the possibility may be there. However, given the aspect or feature's long absence, it is possible that it might just be changed to something more accessible (for example, having the new skills be unlocked with Golden Acorns instead) and the kitchen notes be converted to them much like how "outfit materials" became "outfit grades" so long ago.

Having been out of the "limelight" for quite some time, it might appear that kitchen notes in Café Remix have become "forgettable" in a way. Yet it is important not to forget that they're (part of) the facility for the Pokémon to unlock greater skills in dealing with orders in the café, so things need to be done with them on both sides of usage. Whether that means keeping them and doing more with them or changing them to something else, there's a greater good that could be involved with or without them.

One year ago: The Tricks (No Tricks) to Card Collection in TCG Pocket

Two years ago: Cosplay: Foodtopia Season 2

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/12/2022

Four years ago: Perfection Under Imperfection

Five years ago: The Little Cup of GBL

Six years ago: Performance Critique: Mezase Pokémon Master feat. Maestoso

Seven years ago: Rediscover Cosplay

Eight years ago: Cosplay: Japan Pop Culture 2017

Spending (and Saving Up) Golden Acorns

This next post for the topic of Pokémon Café Remix could be considered half objective and half subjective, but it should illustrate the condition and quandary of most players, including me, about the way of things in the game. So by now, players are certainly familiar with the usage (or more precisely, spending) of Golden Acorns in the game for a variety of things, and that is perfectly fine and in some cases even necessary. Yet like real money, there is some wisdom in trying to save it for certain better uses, and these two aspects make for a good discussion on where and when they may be appropriate.

Some players, even me included, might sometimes spend Golden Acorns for Stamina Shards, including for the ever-present Stamina Pack in the shop as well as the 180 piecemeal for the purpose of Staff Training or multiples of that to top up to the max. When no leftover bundles are available and there is no time to wait, they're definitely viable, but others may be better off waiting the time and getting the Stamina Shards that way, thus saving the Golden Acorns. Some justifiability is surely subjective for this spending.

For players who have gotten far in the stretch of main orders, they may no longer need to shuffle customers unless a rare Shiny Pokémon comes up, at which point spending for this is likely in order - an instance of both saving and spending. They also may not need to spend the 900 needed to continue an order after moves have been depleted, knowing that it may be better to start over on the order instead, but in rare cases, especially when one is left in a pinch, the spend (instead of save) may just be needed.

Most players today are likely to save their Golden Acorns for the Delivery function instead, which can be attested to take up lots of those. But then, the same would apply for the feeling of "disillusionment", which then leads to savings instead. With the recent addition of the two "monetized modes" for game events that use Golden Acorns as a proxy in part, there's even more of an effort to strike a balance between spending and saving to go through them, get what's necessary, and leave out the rest of their fluff.

Certainly, spending and saving are two sides of the same "coin" (ahem), whether it's for real money or game currency as in the case of Golden Acorns in Café Remix. Sometimes, it does seem it can be a real toss-up between both of those efforts to make further headway in the game of concern, but either effort can and does seem to find their own ways of becoming evident, and that may be all that most players need.

One year ago: Little Things, Little Packages: TCG Pocket

Two years ago: Cosplay: Bocchi Noizu First Anniversary

Three years ago: Changing Deliveries in Café Remix

Four years ago: Wingull Place Mat

Five years ago: PokéJournalists

Six years ago: A Story of Bands

Seven years ago: Cosplay: Manga no Kiseki & Japan Pop Culture 2018

Eight years ago: Heroes, Veterans, and Special Ones

The Full-Belly Adventure in Café Remix

Well, this week will be a puzzling week - not in that sense - for a different Pokémon realm, but I've got to be making my "gimme five" series this month somehow, and I've chosen this week in order to do just that, given its characteristic. For real puzzling matters, there's Pokémon Café Remix as the prime contemporary Pokémon puzzle game, and that becomes the main topic. The subtopic for this post is a brand-new event mode that has a lot of similarities to another recently introduced mode but also some important differences.

The new mode, as can be discerned, is called "Full-Belly Adventure". Succinctly described, it has the sensibilities of that mode while combining it with the framework of One-Minute Cooking for a Pokémon visit, becoming the "action" counterpart to the "strategy" of Café Pop-Up. One is also to play the mode up to five times freely daily using the food storage boxes, and then up to 20 more times total throughout the event period by paying 1000 Golden Acorns for each additional food storage box, forcing payment but also limits.

Since One-Minute Cooking is involved, there is no stage redraw, being that it's just one stage with cycles. As well, players are still to level up the visiting Pokémon and get more points for them than as with "normal" visits. However, some item exchanges for the earned points are now limited to the point of certain levels, so players will really need to put in effort to earn points and level up for making the exchanges, also just like regular instances of Pokémon visits without this new event type.

Meanwhile, the event type also features its own selections of Mighty Menu, which are very much directed to increasing the level of the Pokémon further to allow certain rewards to be earned, furthermore more quickly and effortlessly. Thus, the "monetization" aspect is being ingrained here as well, along with the usual Premium Pass and High-Score Skip functions that do exactly that for regular Pokémon visits as well. Whether players will use them is another matter, but some likely will.

Given this new event play mode and its similarities to another recent event play mode, it seems that the push for "monetizing" even more things in the game is becoming more and more apparent. Other than that, with or without the aspect, players can still enjoy the same gameplay as they have with the "non-monetized" incarnation of the gameplay mode and satisfy the appetites of visiting Pokémon, as the title of this mode suggests. That could be the only other puzzling thing to contend with.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/10/2024

Two years ago: The Money Deal: The Main Series Currency

Three years ago: Ed's "Starry Expanse" with Pokémon

Four years ago: Asymmetrical Friend Levels?

Five years ago: Life with a Go Plus Peripheral

Six years ago: In the November Sky

Seven years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/10/2018

Eight years ago: Mission Cards in Shuffle

Bottle Caps, Now in Pokémon Go

It was only about two years ago that I postulated and proposed that Bottle Caps could make their way into Pokémon Go, and especially if the will is strong. Fast-forward to the present, and in fact, the items have now been implemented in Pokémon Go. Unfortunately, this discussion is long overdue in one sense and right on cue in another, in part due to certain limitations. Yet the matter of fact is that they are indeed present and a discussion can be made out of them, further to elucidate what took me so long for that and their workings.

As suggested, both of its variants are indeed in: the Silver Bottle Cap and the Gold Bottle Cap. They also do what they are expected to do, with the former increasing one kind of IV, and the latter increasing all kinds. Remarkably, they are so powerful, in fact, that they can turn a Pokémon with the worst IVs into the best. Regarding their introduction, the latter was introduced in the lead-up to Pokémon Go Fest back in June, and the former is about to be live in the lead-up to Wild Area this coming weekend, which explains the discussion timescale.

Of course, raising IVs is not as easy as just giving the item; the Pokémon (and Trainer) have to work for it. The way they do so is through what is called "Hyper Training", which consists of a series of timed tasks to be completed sequentially, with each completed task raising an IV point. The time for these tasks, as for the Gold Bottle Cap, is one year. Thus, Trainers may need to be proactive when a Bottle Cap is used, more so when a lot of IV points need to be raised. Appraisal will also show a barbell mark on IVs of Pokémon that are raised in this way.

Understandably, with the way this game is, there is a price to be paid for the item as well. The Gold Bottle Cap had to be gotten from the Premium track of the Go Pass for the event that accompanied Go Fest back then (Ancients Recovered) by completing it, and then it had to be used within the week after the paid event, lest it just turn to Stardust. The Silver Bottle Cap will also be earned and used in the same way within this week for Wild Area. All this is separate from the paid events themselves and demands even more spending beyond them.

Then, as for the usage cases, the Gold Bottle Cap is recommended for use on a Mythical Pokémon, something that cannot be caught again, or at the least something that cannot be traded (since trading is more practical for "rerolling" IVs), with the exception of Shadow Pokémon that have their own "free will". The Silver Bottle Cap may have a bit of its own leeway and can be used on any Pokémon that need the IV boost. Of course, one is free to ignore any or all of these recommendations and use the items on whatever matters.

Something that's evident from all of this is that the game demands payment for attaining perfection, and a lot of that, which is why I passed up the Gold Bottle Cap's initial offering. Many will conceivably still have at least one Pokémon that could benefit from a treatment of either Bottle Cap - even me, as I had discussed previously - and a lower price for even just one instance may be helpful. Whether that can happen in the future may be up to the strong will of the people to make things happen in and for the best way.

Even with all the strings attached to them, the entry of Bottle Caps (in both forms) into Pokémon Go is still something of a wonder, but a bit of a necessary one at that. While that necessity may only be to achieve perfection on whatever species - more specifically, their instances - that Trainers deem as "perfect" or needing to be as such, it just becomes another example of their strong will. Ensuring and expanding that strong will may just be the next task, especially when the time of perfection is at hand.

One year ago: Cosplay: Kaioken Fest

Two years ago: Stuck in a Rut... or Rank

Three years ago: Running (through) the World with Pokémon Shoes

Four years ago: Pressing the B Button... Realistically

Five years ago: Stepping into the Marsh

Six years ago: Tournament: Raid Group Ferocious Cup

Seven years ago: 3D Printing and Pokémon

Eight years ago: (Mid-)Generational Updates

The Grimmest and Darkest Wild Area Edition Yet

Last year, Pokémon Go introduced the Wild Area paid event, which was quite warmly received by Trainers. This year, as part of the most "transformative" season yet, Wild Area is returning - or more precisely, has returned, to be explained shortly - and this is one of the premises that I had brought up when the season itself started. And so it is that it becomes a good time to make the preview for this year's edition of the paid event, for which this year is not only within the vein of transformation, but also within the vein of "grim darkness".

That's because the main feature of this year's edition is a species whose Gigantamax form is a real titan of darkness, especially as a certain someone might attest, having battled it once. The species is also the fully evolved form of a species family with three members with a little grim and silly thing going on for them. Regardless, they'll be featured to some extent - perhaps not in the same vein of a Community Day, but has "shades" of it - and I'll have more on these when the event goes into full swing for me and others locally.

I say "locally", because like last year, there is a Live edition of the event, which is taking place this weekend (right now) in Nagasaki, Japan. Due to the fact that Max Battles can now be taken part in remotely, some will have already obtained the Pokémon from Trainers who are enjoying the event now over there, and that may be all they can enjoy unless they're actually there. That then just leaves next weekend for the Global edition of the event and all (that is, the rest) that it has to offer.

For that, the rest of the features will be in rough correspondence to last year, with a number of other species being featured in different ways. There are other additions as well, including the aforementioned remote Max Battles (although this has already had its effects well before the event), but most can be considered further niceties to make the event more attractive. As attractive as it is, it may seem clear now that the paid event is set to be an annual thing at around this time of year instead of biannual as I postulated last year, but that may be fine.

All the paid events of Pokémon Go have their own kinds of offerings, and so does Wild Area as the pertinent one of the moment. Last year, it was also evidently transformative in many ways, which then makes sense for it to be brought back within this season for all its transformative quality. This specific edition plays with that as well as a number of shady things - or perhaps a lot more than a number - and is set to be the grimmest and darkest one yet. Still, the light of the paid event might just find a way to shine.

One year ago: Profs and Comrades: Professor Oak

Two years ago: Quickies: Sailing on the Seas with Pokémon

Three years ago: The Varied Hues of PokéStops

Four years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights: Other Species Channels

Five years ago: The Beautiful Game(s)?

Six years ago: Fantastic Beasts (and How to Battle with Them)

Seven years ago: A Raid Dream

Eight years ago: Too Much Information, Too Much Excitement?

Pokémon Unite Interface Changes Rollup

Over the most recent times, Pokémon Unite has changed somewhat, not only in terms of the content being added to the game but also in terms of the features of its interface. And there have been quite a bit of those during that time, both big and small. Even then, I felt that I could not put some of them into their own dedicated writeups (here as posts) due to their scope. Now that there has been a lot of them, though, I can roll them up into a single post and finally have my say on them. 

A big change is that the previously separate shops (apart from Aeos Gem purchase) are now integrated into a single screen, though the background may still bear the mark of their old respective shops. The shop categories have also been rearranged and reorganized, with ticket exchanges for both fashion and Holowear grouped together and other shops clustered roughly closely. As a functional one, this entire body of changes seems to be both sensible and attractive to all players who use them.

Prize machine selections have also improved - and multiplied. Many past customizations, which include Holowear, have become available to pick and earn in and from their sets, for which sometimes in the past two sets at the same time have become available. Now, even more than two could - and have - become available, and the selection screen is expanded for that purpose. Yet it's still a matter of luck (and certainly buying Aeos Gems) if players still desire most any or all of the offered customizations.

Meanwhile, avatar display has taken a big step: in addition to displaying the player Trainer face, they can now display icons of Pokémon. A few of them have recently been made available through a special event - and one more through the Halloween event - and surely more of them are to come. It may seem like the addition of Pokémon icons alongside player Trainer icons makes the display a little more "generic", but at the least the options for them are expanded, and that may still be favored by certain players.

Then there are other customizations that can be gotten from the shop. License art allows a player to change the appearance of their Unite Licenses as seen in the pre-battle lineup display as an alternative to the generic Pokémon display without Holowear being equipped, though players can still display them even with Holowear equipped. As well, some custom notification appearances can also be obtained to make them stand out and look different, something that may be familiar to those who (may) have a Unite Club membership.

If all of these changes have anything in common, it is that interfaces matter just as much as content offerings and can be used to furnish even more of those content offerings as well. It seems Pokémon Unite has taken to this to heart with the most recent changes to some of the game's interface outside of battles, implementing them not only for added convenience but also for added flair. Whether this will continue to keep existing players engaged and/or attract new ones is still uncertain, but the appearance changes are certainly novel.

One year ago: The Busiest of Poké-Days

Two years ago: Six Places, Six Types

Three years ago: Quickies: Feeling (and Healing) Like a Snorlax (Again)

Four years ago: From Games to...

Five years ago: A New Series of Legendary Pokémon

Six years ago: (Out of) the Mainstream

Seven years ago: Local EX Raid (vs. Rain), 11/7/2018

Eight years ago: Closer and Farther PokéStops

TCGP: Parading Mega on the Rise

While on the subject of TCGP, it seems that the game just couldn't wait for "the next big thing" that I had mentioned in a post dealing with a pertinent condition of the game. It is, after all, within the game's first anniversary, so it seems to make sense. Meanwhile, that "next big thing" isn't just big - it's Mega, and thus it also fits with the current momentum of the latest Legends: Z-A game and the Mega Evolution resurgence that it brings along with it. For that purpose, TCGP then delivers its own take on that.

And that take is a new expansion, which is appropriately titled "Mega Rising". It's a full-on expansion with three sub-expansions, and it's also the first expansion of the B series cards (all cards up to the Deluxe Pack ex have been part of the A series) - which is why I call it "the next big thing". Its structure is certainly a callback to the very first expansion, and it is very much apropos in starting the next series of cards, which many players would have expected - even if it seems it may come a bit too soon.

The focus of the new expansion is certainly on Mega Evolution; its three sub-expansions are represented by Mega Gyarados, Mega Blaziken, and Mega Altaria. There are also a few other Mega Evolution forms for species of a few other types for some variety, and some other Legendary Pokémon strewn about to pad out the cards. The species also run the gamut of several generations, which makes for a great deal of diversity - which is even more so, considering the total number of cards it has.

In the numbered section, there are 226 cards, while in the overnumbered section, there are 105 cards for 331 cards in total. One of the latter is an "immersive" card for Mega Blaziken ex, which makes for a fascinating target for that sub-expansion. Meanwhile, the 105 cards in the overnumbered section is a lot, and many are not expected to be gotten quickly, but they may just tide players for a bit of time, at least until the next members of the B series cards come about - hopefully not too soon.

Now that Mega Evolution has also pervaded TCGP, it too continues its recent "parade" through various Pokémon games and other realms for its resurgence. Coupled with the "rising" subtitle, it also becomes something to be had in the game by its climb to prominence, furthermore as "the next big thing" that starts off its big run and certainly would have other "rising" things of its own. With that, Mega Evolution isn't too bad as a starting point, and its presence defines itself for other potentially big things.

One year ago: Conforming to and Deviating from Terms

Two years ago: The GS Ball That (Never) Was

Three years ago: Cosplay: 5USUME! Spirit of the Winter - JMS 5th Anniversary

Four years ago: Quickies: Yawning Away Matters

Five years ago: The Flying Cup of GBL

Six years ago: Performance Critique: Project "Untitled" J-Karaoke

Seven years ago: Let's Rule the World, Together

Eight years ago: Triplets and Pairs

More Ways to Get Cards from Friends in TCGP

Some months ago, I had discussed about the trading function as implemented in TCGP along with some of the potential changes to it. Those changes have in fact happened, and so have a few other changes that allow cards to be gotten from friends in different ways. They are certainly just as fascinating as the initial incarnation of the trading function, and they deserve to be discussed to certain extents.

The most novel change is the addition of a "share" feature, which allows players to literally "give" or "transfer" a card to another player. The cards are limited to those with rarities of one to four Diamonds, but the cards to be shared do not necessarily have to be cards that the recipient doesn't already have (more on this shortly, also for trading). Players can share as many cards as they have friends, but players can receive only one card a day from someone. Regardless, the feature is a great no-frills way to obtain cards from friends.

Meanwhile, there are those changes. Cards of the two Star as well as both Shiny rarities (one and two Shiny Stars) can now be traded, though still with equivalents. Players will still have to consume Trade Stamina for them, but the Trade Token system has been abolished in favor of the currency usage - which I still need to get to and discuss. Trades below the threshold for the former Trade Token system are still free except for the stamina, but the currency will surely have to be used as well in order to trade for the rarer cards.

For either feature, a player can also find out the cards that other players are likely interested in obtaining through the processes. In using either the trade or share feature, they can view lists of the cards that another player hasn't gotten, or the cards that another player has marked to be interested in as part of their "wishlist". Certainly, players can still trade cards beyond the confines of these lists, but they will still likely and primarily work with them, as their addition was to remove the "guess-and-check" that was initially needed for trades.

With these changes, including the addition of the new way above and leeway for the players involved in the processes, getting cards in TCGP now has quite a bit of freedom to it. It's something that's surely welcome - further with the age of the game - but especially so in the realm of player interactions. They also become fascinating points that will also further add to the fascination of the cards themselves.

One year ago: More Changes to Slow Cooking in Café Remix

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/5/2023

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 11/5/2022

Four years ago: The Structure of Factions

Five years ago: Spending Afternoons with Eevee(lutions)

Six years ago: Where My Voice Gets Heard

Seven years ago: Dexterity, Pokémon Games, and Me

Eight years ago: Team Harmony

More Pokémon Go Transformations Beyond Levels

The biggest (and latest) transformation in the ways of Pokémon Go and its associated season occurred last month, and it's certain that the focus of every Trainer was on the new journey that it also brought forth. However, the update that brought about that new journey also brought about a few other aspects and features, some of which for some Trainers might have been just secondary. In this post, I'd like to promote them to bring attention to them and make a bit of discussion out of them.

Along with the new leveling system, some XP earning screens got a makeover, particularly those that involve tens of thousands of XP being earned. Now, a progress bar that includes the level progression is shown for those screens, and the "use a Lucky Egg" option is moved here to allow more opportunities for that to happen (regardless with Friendship XP). It's certainly a nice touch, and usability is increased at the same time - something that is definitely needed along with the level cap increase itself.

Meanwhile, during Pokémon capture, the ball animation has been made even faster. This is actually the second time that it has happened, after the same had happened a few years ago. In any case, this is good news for those who catch Pokémon the conventional (not rapid-fire) way, as it means they can go through the process faster - a real instance of "hurrying it up". It will certainly satisfy those who had thought it could be even faster, and now it is in fact. Some XP can also be hurried up as a result.

On the daily routine side of things, a new Daily Adventure Egg has been added with its own incubator. Each day, one of this Egg is found, and it is to be hatched by walking 1 km. The Pokémon that is hatched from the Egg is a random starter or first partner; it also awards 10 thousand XP and counts toward any Egg hatch tasks. This is a fascinating addition alongside or in the same vein as the Daily Adventure Incense, and the rewards are somewhat worth it for all old and new seekers of XP and more.

Having transformed everyone through adding new levels and restructuring XP earnings, it seems that for Pokémon Go, a few other transformations of various aspects could also be tacked onto that. Evidently, that has been what happened with the addition of the above features or aspects alongside the big transformation. In this season of transformation, even little ones could be just as significant as large ones - or the largest one - and Trainers can hope to discover all those significances.

One year ago: Quickies: Metal Sounds in My (Pokémon) Life

Two years ago: Cosplay: ChibiCon x Ghosty's Comic

Three years ago: The Halloween Cup of GBL... Ultra League Edition

Four years ago: A Glimpse into Faction Battlefields

Five years ago: Hype and Habit and Pokémon

Six years ago: Cosplay: Erafun Cosplay Contest

Seven years ago: Cosplay: Art and Cosplay Stage "PANSOS"

Eight years ago: How Many Is Too Many?

Quickies: Hurrying It Up

Sometimes one just needs to get through things in a faster amount of time - that is, hurrying them through. A few of the means (as provided through items) for making this effort happen in Pokémon games are the Bicycle in the main series games (movement), the Super Incubator in Pokémon Go, and most recently the various hourglasses of TCGP. These means are certainly optional in their use if one doesn't need to hurry up, but when hurrying up is demanded, they then become absolutely essential in that regard.

Yet even with the means or items for hurrying up, at least some effort is still by and large needed. One still needs to move even with the use of a Bicycle and Super Incubator (also furthermore when Eggs are of concern) as above, and then there's the effort to earn - or rather, specifically purchase - the hourglasses of concern. The hurry-up effect may only be evident in the way that these means "fold time" (in a way) to achieve that effect specifically, and it may not necessarily speak of the still-needed effort.

"Folding time", indeed, may be the name of the game, as hurrying up certain things can then allow other things to be hurried up, for example achievements that are attained after hatching Eggs. It's a useful thing for many players in many circumstances and - I have to admit - even myself, even though it's not a complete necessity for me personally. It's when things go beyond necessary that I'd have to really make use of the hurry-up means... which might even have some relevance to the actual writing of this post (being a "Quickie" after all).

For now, though, I may really have to contemplate the hurrying up of some Pokémon and other things..

One year ago: Cosplay: Aratana Matsuri - ITTAF Exhibition

Two years ago: From Apricorn to Balls

Three years ago: Cheer Moments for Pokémon Games

Four years ago: Going for an Arena Brawl

Five years ago: Singing My Hearts Out: After One Year

Six years ago: Cosplay: Project "Untitled"

Seven years ago: The Joys and Sorrows of Raid Marathons

Eight years ago: Late-Night Lure Party

Cosplay: Utsuru X

Me: The highlight of this year!!

Ash: It's Utsuru!

Me: Indeed it is.

Goh: Oh, so this must be the "something important" you sent Ash earlier to take care of with the card game people. 

Ash: Yeah! It was for getting in today. Our friend wanted to go along with them.

Goh: Well, that's one way to do it. So... what's different this time?

Ash: The place! It's now where Daisuki! Japan Fest (DJF) was back then. 

Pikachu: Pika pika pika? ["Isn't that great?"]

Goh: Oh wow! So it's like a revival - only not.

Me: I would think so. Either the usual mall is booked or they wanted something special - this is number 10 after all.

Goh: Hey! You know, I think it's the second. 

Ash: That makes sense.

Goh: OK, that means today would be like past Utsuru and DJF combined.

Me: Some people already feel that way. One of my friends already call it "Daisuki Utsuru".

Goh: Perfect!

Ash: So, yeah. Community stands all in the middle of the arena, and food and goodies outside.

Goh: Exactly that.

Ash: And a lot of people!

Me: Just like both conventions on their usual days. So we're pretty much on the dot.

Goh: And as usual, there must have been a character parade, yes?

Ash: Yeah! I got into it with my journeys outfit.

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["A great one!"]

Ash: But then, yeah, so did a lot of other characters. There must have been a hundred or so.

Goh: And not many winners, I presume. 

Ash: Right.

Goh: Well, we can forget about that.

Me: I'm with Goh on this one. Let's move on to the communities.

Ash: So our card game friends is one of them.

Goh: Was there a good-looking one?

Ash: A mecha one - they won the "best by voting" award. 

Me: Any other awards? 

Ash: Another card game one won the "best by scoring" award. 

Goh: OK, those are neat. Well, I have the schedule, and it looks like the entertainment is all dance groups and bands - plus that karaoke group at the end.

Ash: There were character groups too! I really liked their performances.

Goh: Oh, right. And I suppose you watched the bands, not the dance groups.

Ash: Yeah, just like our friend would do.

Pikachu: Pika chu. ["Pretty nice."]

Goh: Along with that, you must have met many of our friend's friends, character and all.

Ash: Yup! I thought I would meet many of them, and I did. I also thought I'd meet a few others, but I didn't. 

Goh: With so many people, a few were bound to get lost somehow. 

Ash: I guess we'll meet them next time somewhere.

Me: I hope so. I always have a few things to work out with them.

Ash: So today was really great! The place brings back a lot of memories, and the convention was pretty good this time too.

Goh: I can't be there, but I'd have to agree. Speaking of "bringing back", this convention being held this way wouldn't have anything to do with how things will go later on... will it?

Me: Um... I can't say for sure right now. We have to see what happens.

Ash: I read about the history of it in one stand. It's a long one.

Pikachu: Pi-ka... ["Long-ish..."]

Goh: It seems there will always be things up in the air. 

Ash: But we'll try bring it back down!

Me: And we'll see what holds up, after ten years and counting.

One year ago: Cosplay: Card Game Shop Halloween Party

Two years ago: Slow Cooking in Café Remix

Three years ago: Pikachu and Togekiss Mini Figures on the Cheap

Four years ago: The Currencies of Unite

Five years ago: The Pokémon Evolution (and More) Music

Six years ago: Pokémon Go: A Colossal Discovery

Seven years ago: Balance of Topics

Eight years ago: Kids (...or Trainers, Fans) These Days

Burning Up, Down, and All Around

Ill wind blows the road to go

How many times we've told you so

(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)

(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)

No rhyme or reason

No way to make it easy 'til it's done

(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)

(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)

So you cross onto the other side of the street

(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)

(Burn you up and I'll burn you down)

Should know better but you keep turning up the heat...

-- "Burn You Up, Burn You Down", Peter Gabriel

It is well-known that Pokémon has the Fire type, for which its various species have various ways of inciting flames and burning things to a crisp. Even then, some species not of the type may still be able to use moves of the type (or not necessarily) to inflict characteristic burns of their own. For me, that seems oddly reminiscent of a rather fiery song that I've gotten to know quite well through other means, and that would be the above song. 

The part that I've chosen to quote is its second verse, which is where the ideas expressed in the title are first mentioned in the song as "responses" to the "calls" of the verse. The part in its entirety may represent the struggle that a Fire-type Pokémon may have to go through in order to bring the heat to other Pokémon and/or other things. It's a struggle that may have its twists and turns, considering the invoked imagery of streets.

Meanwhile, the song itself overall is a pop-rock number, and much of it can be considered to have to do with making things work for oneself and others in the face of certain obstacles (for example, falling rain). It's especially evident in the chorus, which may be a little less "friendly" in consideration of Pokémon - not quoted here and further doesn't contain the titular ideas - but if the song is of any indication, then it too perhaps can be made to work somehow.

As an aside, this song has had a few different versions, but one version will resonate with fans of a certain thing, as it was used within one iteration of that "certain thing" - in two guises, no less. It's also even been alluded as recently as two posts ago. Obviously I resonate as such, but then I also resonate with having this song tie into Pokémon, hence the purpose of this post. Some ideals seem to transcend, after all.

Perhaps the most important line - "you can make it happen..." - which is sung near the end of the song, also encapsulates its general sentiments. Whether that would be for Fire-type Pokémon species trying to make their (burn) mark or people in general trying to accomplish what it is they need, there might just be a way for all of that to happen. And with that, their fervor can burn in every which way possible.

One year ago: Gigantamax in Pokémon Go: Harrowing Magnitudes

Two years ago: Cosplay: District 18 Halloween & Cosplay Party

Three years ago: Shiny Pokémon in Café Remix

Four years ago: My Current Unite License Targets

Five years ago: The Halloween Cup of GBL

Six years ago: Later, Psyduck

Seven years ago: Hardcore (Dis)United

Eight years ago: Duff Knows Pokémon