Going through the 00s

I'm fond of numbers and things one can do with them in addition to Pokémon. I've even made a few numerology-style posts on Pokémon species by their National Dex numbers according to certain patterns and then analyzing the species for even further patterns - at least, my take on them. So, I thought I'd make a few more of these kinds of posts for a bit and put my analytical thinking to a test. For a start, I'd like to consider the species that all have Dex numbers ending in two zeros - natural milestones for things with hundreds of members, of which Pokémon species are a sort.

For these, the relevant Pokémon would certainly be Voltorb (#100), Misdreavus (#200), Skitty (#300), Bibarel (#400), Emboar (#500), Klang (#600), Sylveon (#700), Necrozma (#800), Kleavor (#900), and Gholdengo (#1000). As over 1000 species across nine generations are now known, it becomes feasible to collect all these and have a "motley crew" of sorts, something that wouldn't have been possible even many, many years ago. It also makes other numerical species collections possible... but I'm getting ahead of myself. Right now, the ones above are the pertinent ones.

So, among these species are some cutesy ones (Skitty and Sylveon), some powerful ones (Emboar, Necrozma and Gholdengo), some that are popular in specific ways (Voltorb and Bibarel), and others that are emblematic of how Pokémon can take various facets and make them emblems in species form. Altogether, this selection makes for a fascinating group of species that are representative of Pokémon as a whole, even if their only commonality is the characteristic of their Dex numbers.

All Pokémon are unique in their own ways (including in their National Dex number and precluding the possible regional forms some of them may have), and they also uniquely identify themselves as the eponymous species that they are. That said, identifying some of them purely by their National Dex numbers and seeing what comes out of that is always a fun task, particularly for a Pokémon fan who is also somewhat of a fan of number manipulations and making that work for Pokémon and beyond.

One year ago: Cosplay: Akazora Fest 2024

Two years ago: The Eevee Festival in Pokémon Unite

Three years ago: For Elemental and Pokémon Periodicity

Four years ago: Birdkeepers, the Real and the Imagined

Five years ago: Pokémon Hanafuda

Six years ago: Limited Research Methodology

Seven years ago: The Spirit of Giving

Eight years ago: A Faraway Tournament and a Charitable Spirit

Cosplay: Akiba Fest 2025

Me: All right, something not too different but not too same today. 

Ash: Sounds like a festival! 

Goh: Well, it has "fest" in the name, so you bet it's one.

Ash: So what's different - or the same?

Me: Well, the place is familiar, for starters. 

Ash: Oh, it's the plaza!

Goh: OK, that's one same element about it.

Ash: And... it's a lot like the previous festival there that you sent me to. 

Pikachu: Pika pika chu. ["It's a festival."]

Goh: Mind if I see the schedule? Oh... It looks lively with all of these acts. 

Ash: Most of them were dance groups, but there were three bands.

Me: Oh, those had to be a hoot!

Ash: For me (us), it was.

Goh: Well, I guess can tell what you two like.

Me: Yeah, I'm the vocal sort. So I pass that on to Ash.

Ash: I think that's great. I like doing it for you.

Me: Of course. Now let's see if I can get you to sing in a competition soon...

Goh: Speaking of which, what about one(s) for characters in this one?

Me: Well, for this one, I'm told everyone who sent in a character is already in a competition. It's, um... "characters on the street".

Goh: Oh, so it's a no-brainer for Ash. 

Ash: Yup! All I have to do is be there. 

Pikachu: Pika! ["Easy!"]

Goh: But if so many characters are there, how are they going to pick winners?

Ash: I was told that there would be "secret judges" - but I never got to meet any of them...

Goh: ...and they never came up to you. So you didn't win.

Ash: No. I wasn't called at the awarding.

Goh: Stuff happens.

Ash: You bet. It even sprinkled near the end of the festival and they had to delay a few acts. The stage was in the open, you see. 

Me: That always makes things hard. But you got back... almost unscathed. 

Ash: A friend of yours helped me out, luckily. 

Goh: Hey, that's one good thing that comes of our friend always sending you to places.

Me: Certainly. It's so vital - even more than competitions, entertainment, goodies, food, and whatnot.

Pikachu: Pika chu pika. ["That's very nice."]

Ash: Even if they can be wild at times.

Me: Tell me about it. Also, before we leave off, I noticed that this festival is organized by the same people with one back in January.

Goh: Oh! I think some of today makes sense now.

Me: Indeed. That seems to explain the sameness and differences. 

Goh: But then, some things have to be the same at the very least.

Ash: I don't mind - as long as Pokémon is there, for me and our friend.

Me: Count on it, when it's being put in a discussion. 

One year ago: My Pokémon Communities on WhatsApp

Two years ago: The Scramble for King of the Hill

Three years ago: Classes and Classification of Pokémon

Four years ago: Battle Box for Pokémon Go?

Five years ago: Game Freak with Mario on the Side

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 6/8/2019

Seven years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 6/8/2018

Eight years ago: Poor Zygarde

Ties or Draws in Pokémon Games

Many Pokémon games will surely (and demand to) have battles that result in a victory for one side and defeat for the other. However, in some cases (and rare ones at that), a tie or draw might just be possible, not exactly favoring either side as a result. While being infrequent, the possibility of a tied or drawn result becomes a fascinating one for the Pokémon games in question and demand at least a little bit of exploration for how, where, and when it might occur and what happens afterwards.

In the main series games, a tie would have to involve both sides coming down to their very last Pokémon and both of these getting knocked out near-simultaneously, usually the defender getting hit by a move and the attacker affected by a move/battle effect or status condition. Meanwhile, in Pokémon Go, sometimes a PvP battle will come down to the same state and there's a chance that both Pokémon will use their Fast moves simultaneously for the final hit, in which case both are knocked out and the tie occurs (a check of the Journal will affirm this). Given the non-resolution of a tie, in a tournament, it is likely that another battle (in both cases) will be required to resolve things, whereas the latter's case occurring in the GBL will just be treated as is but with less ill effects when ratings are concerned.

As for the realm of the TCG, since most matches will resolve in someone taking their last prize card to take the win, the situation often precludes one from occurring. Some physical tournaments, however, particularly those with absolute set time limits per round, might be more apt to award a "double loss" - not exactly a tie or draw, but close enough - for matches between players that just seem to drag on and on. In the TCGP sub-realm, meanwhile, the same setup as above in the main series games can occur, resulting in both players earning a point on the same turn and thus a tie, which will be indicated outright on the screen. It's still pretty rare by any means but not impossible.

Then, there's Pokémon Unite. Here, a tie or draw is practically guaranteed not to happen, because even if both teams achieve the same score in a match, it will always resolve to a win and loss, with the win condition (in other words, "tiebreaker") being which team got to that score first. Certainly, the new "First to 500" play mode introduced somewhat recently makes it clear that a team is surely going to win or lose, the latter if the other team achieves the objective instead, and the former if the team achieves the objective as intended. This kind of assurance of the outcome of a match may be the thing that helps keep them going.

Battles in the Pokémon games have all sorts of dynamics associated with them that helps them to arrive at decisive resolutions of wins and losses, but a few might still lead to the indecisive one that is a tie or draw. At that point, it might be up to the players, officials, or the games themselves to make a resolution through certain means and keep the results as decisive as they should be without the tie or draw occurring.

One year ago: LINE App in a "Downturn"?

Two years ago: Silph Arena Factions S2 Postseason Metas

Three years ago: NADWPKMN - The Video Series: Episode #3 - The Games I Play

Four years ago: Mastering Balls of Hands and Feet

Five years ago: It's a-Mario Time

Six years ago: Going Big in Galar

Seven years ago: Pokémon Archetypes

Eight years ago: New Paradigms

The Light and Shade of the Moon Islands

According to the lore, two islands are associated with two Pokémon species on the tail end of the Pokédex for those of the fourth generation. The islands have "moon" in their names, and they evoke the all-too-familiar duality of "light" and "shade" (or "shadow") that is part of the struggle of daily life. Despite the circumstance, the struggle is lively, which also applies to the Pokémon that are involved; this then becomes something to explore.

One of the islands is called "Newmoon Island", and the Pokémon associated with the island is as dark as the face of the sky object in this state. That Pokémon would be Darkrai, and of the two, it's a Mythical Pokémon, which is slightly strange but expected due to its abilities and powers of bringing in the darkness - as any experienced Trainer can attest. With that kind of strength, only full-on darkness is to be expected.

The other island is accordingly and expectedly called "Fullmoon Island", and this one obviously brings brightness and clarity. That happens through its Pokémon, Cresselia, so named for the crescent moon, which is not as bright as the full moon, but it still works for the Pokémon through its lunate appearance and light appearance. It's also a Legendary Pokémon, and that makes its brightness and clarity-bringing powers sensible.

Both of the Pokémon above have had their struggle episodes with each other. Most recently, that occurred in the TCGP through a Themed Collection named for the two places above, with the objective of collecting the cards for both Pokémon. In the past, it also had occurred in Mystery Dungeon in the Explorers series through a pursuit story involving the latter going after the former. And then there were others - but those are for another "moon".

With the way that these Pokémon are, including the islands associated with them, they present a dynamic that is substantiated not only in familiarity but also in the constant nature of the transfer between the two. For as long as the moon hangs over the heads of all people and Pokémon, there will certainly be the matters of light and shade to contend with, and those are something that the two Pokémon only aim to provide, even on their islands.

One year ago: A Pokémon Performance Dream

Two years ago: Notes on Development Notes

Three years ago: Prankster Possibilities

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 6/6/2021

Five years ago: Repetition for Reputation

Six years ago: Be with You, Always with You

Seven years ago: (The Least) Local Ex-Raid, 6/6/2018

Eight years ago: Pokémon Direct, 6/6/2017

Quickies: Weather Institute Interests

Aside from the introduction of a vibrant region along with the Pokémon species that originally hail from the region, something else the Hoenn region is known for (and perhaps an easily forgettable one) is the Weather Institute. The institution is designated for the study of the weather, which explains why both Team Aqua and Team Magma wanted to control it for their respective interests. These interests aside, the institution would certainly have vested interests of its own, at least with consideration of its real-world analogues.

Some of those interests might just be related to the ocean and sky, which are definitely evocative of their Legendary Pokémon denizens, as Kyogre and Rayquaza. The former also further explains the targeting by Team Aqua for the interests of control of that Pokémon and its respective environment. Meanwhile, the institution will likely work with sky factors and therefore Rayquaza (albeit indirectly) with the simple interests of ascertaining the workings of that environment - with the resulting work for both environments being the weather.

For the "earthly" aspect involving Groudon, the institution might have a more hands-off role and a little less to do with "aerial weather", but that might be exactly what Team Magma was looking for when they went in for the institution. Still, making sense of ways to increase the sun's output and having Groudon and the "underground weather" jive with that would be a priority interest, where the latter might be a more realistic concern, at least for the institutions that actually do deal with just that. 

It's not hard to see that the dwellers of the land, sea, and sky as mentioned above are in some ways affected by the weather, and Hoenn's Weather Institute becomes an easy target for those with the interests to summon and deal with these beasts. More realistically (and practically), the Weather Institute might have more common interests for all, as indicated by the above in light of what the real-world versions do. That may just be the thing to not be forgotten, even if the Institute faces this predicament more easily.

One year ago: Flying Pokémon Flags High

Two years ago: Come to Me, Hidden Gems

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2022 (Global), Day 2

Four years ago: Venture Past Cliffs and Old Paths

Five years ago: The Pokémon Battlefields

Six years ago: Holding Hands

Seven years ago: Raid Preferences

Eight years ago: Sympathy for Villains

Pokémon Spin on Art

Some people are artistically oriented; they have what it is to appreciate art and may be able to make some of their own. The same would be true for people in the Pokémon world, who may have the same orientation - and can even be part of their own kind of art. For that, it seems that it may not be hard to think of how the latter can be realized, with respect to certain pieces that might just be realized with a little bit of Pokémon elements incorporated.

For example, Drowzee carries a metal charm tag that it uses to hypnotize people and Pokémon alike. Such a charm tag may very well have the possibility of being over- or under-sized, or even becoming bent or deformed (especially with frequent use). All these used and/or out of shape charm tags may find themselves on a field, whether hanging in the air or laying on the ground; then, there would be Durant crawling in some places, wondering if they can make use of these charm tags. It's somewhat "out there" and impressionist, yet seems plausible.

The eighth generation has Applin - with its family - and Mr. Rime, two very unique Pokémon to be present in modern times. They might appear together or even individually by themselves in a certain scene, and they might do so while floating or even falling from the sky. Even the cane of Mr. Rime is unique by itself, and if it does appear on its own, it might lead some people to construe that it may or may not be what it appears to be, also a unique situation. It seems that in all of these cases, there may be more than meets the eye about these species.

In the Hoenn region, Slateport City has a beach that is known to be popular with people (in particular, Trainers) of all ages. It can be construed that the beach would be popular on an afternoon, and especially on a Sunday at that, the last day of the week in many circumstances. Such a scene could make for an interesting sight, even with beach umbrellas replacing trees - which there aren't any to begin with on the beach - and the dynamics of the people and Pokémon that are present on the beach would be the highlight.

Art is a wonderful thing, especially if people can develop appreciation and/or skills to create pieces for it. For fans of Pokémon, this could also be the opportunity to integrate the elements of the world into the created pieces - in particular the ones that have been suggested or alluded to as in the above. It may take a certain penchant to create the art pieces, and it seems even more so for being able to marry them with Pokémon to create a unique spin.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2024: Chasing Brightness and Darkness

Two years ago: Cosplay: ChibiCon 2023

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2022 (Global), Day 1

Four years ago: Quickies: Getting Acculturated with Pokémon

Five years ago: Legendaries and "Pseudo-Legendaries"

Six years ago: A Noble Mission

Seven years ago: Keeping It Free... or Augmenting It

Eight years ago: Ball Redesign?

TCGP: A Crisis of Extradimensional Proportions

As is true of the physical TCG, the greatest crisis that one can face in TCGP is likely in a battle against someone else, whose deck may or may not stack up to the competitor. Most recently, though, the game has added a new "crisis" - in a figurative sense - with the entry of some otherworldly and cryptid-like beings that are known by a "super" characteristic. Thus interred, there is the new Themed Booster Pack called "Extradimensional Crisis".

The beings in question are of course Ultra Beasts, and they make their entry in this minor expansion. Specifically, they are also marked on the upper-right corner with the label, just in case the uninitiated needs a way to tell them apart from other Pokémon, particularly Legendary and Mythical ones. More practically, however, some Trainer cards in the same expansion tie into these Pokémon, and this helps to relate them in that regard.

Meanwhile, the expansion also contains a number of other Pokémon from the region of concern - Alola, as with the earlier Celestial Guardians expansion - as well as a few supporting Pokémon from other generations, some of which are Shiny. By and large, however, the Ultra Beasts are still front and center for what the expansion has to offer, and they'll be the ones players are seeking the cards of - especially the full art ones.

Being a minor expansion, there aren't many numbered cards to deal with; there are only 69 cards in all, similar to the very first Themed Booster Pack. It's the overnumbered cards that, as with most other expansions (both major and minor), add bulk to the expansion and reiterate the above point that most players will be looking for cards in this section. Still, getting at least some of the other cards is needed for good play.

Even the world of TCGP needs a bit of a shakeup every now and then, and the latest form of that is the entry of extradimensional creatures into the game, wreaking (at least) a little bit of havoc on decks and battle dynamics. That may or may not be considered a crisis in a unique form, but having the Ultra Beasts in a specially designated Themed Booster Pack is unique enough for players to "resolve the crisis".

One year ago: You and Me, In Our Life Struggle

Two years ago: Rising Troubles, Falling Embers

Three years ago: The Forge of the Trainers

Four years ago: Nights of Raging Battles

Five years ago: Trainers of Might and Sorcery

Six years ago: Local EX Raid (Time and Again), 6/3/2019

Seven years ago: Classical and New HP Heal Amounts

Eight years ago: 3DS Pokémon Themes

Cosplay: Uchiwa no Michi + DakFest Photo Shoot

Me: Well, since there was a seasonal transition on Saturday and Sunday, those had to come first - so we're talking about this (these) not on the day.

Ash: I get that.

Goh: Totally makes sense.

Pikachu: Pi! ["OK!"]

Me: So, on Saturday, there was a mini festival, which was...

Ash: ...at the "Community Base" mall!

Goh: Oh, interesting. So, not something full by them.

Ash: Yeah, it started in the late afternoon.

Goh: I'm guessing there wasn't much in the way of entertainment.

Ash: No, just one band and four dance groups.

Goh: That's nice. But then there must have been a character parade if our friend sent you.

Ash: Oh sure! But I wasn't in it.

Goh: Um... Our friend?

Me: Well, did you see the parade?

Ash: All of it. I got a nice view.

Pikachu: Pika chu pika. ["We saw them all."]

Me: And I'm sure you could tell who was going to win and who wasn't.

Ash: Yeah - I got almost all of them. And we all know each other.

Goh: I see. So, it wasn't going to happen for Ash.

Me: That's pretty much the case. And I'd rather not surrender even a little bit of cash for that at the moment.

Goh: I know you wouldn't. But the rest was really a festival, right?

Ash: It was. A few food and goodies stands - but I didn't go through them too much.

Goh: I guess this festival was still a success for at least some people.

Me: That's important, even if not for us. Although... the meaning of its title ("inner circle") might be somewhat ominous.

Goh: Tell us about it. What about Sunday, yesterday?

Me: Oh, that's different. No festival or convention - just an afternoon photo shoot.

Ash: But I got to it really late. I battled G-Max Rillaboom first with your friends.

Goh: Wow!! Fully evolved Grookey!

Pikachu: Pi, pika chu? ["Nice, isn't it?"]

Me: I knew you'd like that.

Ash: But yeah, it took half of the afternoon. So I was late to the photo shoot.

Goh: Were our friend's friends there?

Ash: A few, even ones from the other day. But almost all the characters wore some kind of armor...

Me: Oh, I forgot to mention. The photo shoot was actually somewhat focused on that, so I didn't want to commit Ash for that right away.

Goh: And then there was the G-Max battle, so I get you.

Ash: So I didn't get photos taken. But meeting your friends again is enough.

Me: Sure. That's an important point even without photos. All the same...

Ash: Some of the people said there could be something like this in the future.

Goh: Will you get Ash in if that happens?

Me: As long as it's possible, definitely.

Ash: Great!

Pikachu: Pika! ["Great!"]

Me: Anyhow, last weekend was entertaining in some sense for both Pokémon and characters.

Goh: I could see it being improved for next time.

Me: Of course. And not necessarily packing everything in.

Ash: That would make for a really great time!

Me: With the seasons changing, there's always the possibility of good changes too.

One year ago: Never Too Late for Pokémon

Two years ago: Lost (Last) and Innocent in Silph Arena

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2022: A Marathon Incoming

Four years ago: Display Case Ideas for Pokémon Fans

Five years ago: Pokémon and Sign Language

Six years ago: A Daily Pokémon Routine

Seven years ago: Missing Ranger

Eight years ago: 3DS Pokémon Badges

The Season of Delightful Days

The operative words - as previewed in the end-of-season post - for the next Pokémon Go season are certainly "delightful" and "days", which taken together suggests a pleasurable time; the next three months are set in the Northern Hemisphere summer, after all. The season of "Delightful Days", as it is titled, looks to promise "fun in the sun" for all Trainers, even if some background processes may still be rumbling about. Still, the season is at hand (or rather, coming up), so it's time to discuss it.

For this season, the opening act is of course Pokémon Go Fest, which has been previewed a few days ago and in fact has gotten going, bringing in a bit of the season early just before it starts. The season will properly start on Tuesday and bring in the rest of the Go Fest dealings and their associated wonders, as well as the usual cavalcade of other wonders brought in by the regular events a season typically brings. And they'll be a delight, even if Trainers might already know (of) them beforehand.

Beyond the realm of Pokémon Go, there have been only inklings of what's in store in the future, even over the course of the three-month period that is this season, so they'll have to be dealt with once the inklings fully manifest into what they represent. Also, the "delightful days" may very well not necessarily be in this season, but surely they will be had when their time is to be had - a delightful moment indeed.

Regarding other particulars, the seasonal image has hints of orange and yellow with blue, reflecting the fact of the summertime setting as above. This further ties into something also important not only for Pokémon Go but also Pokémon in general, which will be due in a couple months, again with the above footnote. That one will be truly a "fun in the sun" indeed, or at least something to be hoped for.

Many days are surely delightful, both in and out of the three-month period that will be this Pokémon Go season, but it is a sure thing that Pokémon itself will be a general factor to realizing this. On that note, as the new season is about to begin, may all of that be ever delightful as the fun days in the sun.

One year ago: The Season of Shared Skies

Two years ago: The Season of Hidden Gems

Three years ago: The Season of Go

Four years ago: The Season of Discovery

Five years ago: Taiko Adventures with Pokémon Songs

Six years ago: Techno-Poké-Captain

Seven years ago: Everyone's RPG vs. Hardcore RPG

Eight years ago: (Self) References

The Peak of Might & Mastery

OK, so the end of the Pokémon Go season is here - well, almost here, since its actual end will be in a few days since its start was also a bit delayed, much like for the previous season. But since all other season-end posts are on this day (see below), it makes sense to continue the tradition. In any case, there will still be a small blurb about it. Anyway, as noted initially, this season's title consists of two elements while it may give the allusion of a third for some. After all that's happened over its course for Pokémon Go and Pokémon in general, I thought I'd go over those elements and see how they apply. 

The first one is of course "might". With the nearly weekly cadence of events, Pokémon Go has proven its might for keeping Trainers busy... but then TCGP also did the same in almost a monthly manner for new expansions that come at a surprising rate. The contents of both are (were) also surprisingly "mighty" in terms of the Pokémon that are involved. And then, it seems that the feeling is mutual for the physical TCG, with old concepts coming to a head in new, unique ways that exemplify "mighty" in a sense.

After that comes "mastery". For a lot of other Pokémon things at present, it might appear that this is the best descriptor, less so than "might". Café Remix has seemingly gone down this path with recent content, focusing on honing one's puzzle skills without putting in Pokémon of great power, at least to an extent. Then there's the continued dealings of things like Unite and VGC, which by now could be construed to be less an issue of "might" and a full-on issue of "mastery" - though this might depend on other views.

Meanwhile, that third element is "magic", the one I said would be out of place (here) and yet in place, at least given the first of the two. It might seem to be a kind of "magic" to pull the other two elements for discussing them outside of Pokémon Go as warranted, but going back to Pokémon Go, it also has been "magic" to put together the two elements above as has been seen through the events and content over the past few months.

It seems to be a delight (if not a lot of effort) to put the first two elements together as seen in Pokémon Go, but it may also be considered delightful to try to bring that back out to other areas of Pokémon, becoming a lead-in to the third element as alluded and mentioned above. With that having happened, one can and ought to be able to reap all the results of the delightful efforts and carry them into (hopefully, great and bright) days ahead.

One year ago: The Peak of World of Wonders

Two years ago: The Peak of Rising Heroes

Three years ago: The Peak of Alola

Four years ago: The Peak of Legends

Five years ago: Tournament: Raid Group Forest Cup

Six years ago: A New Pokémon "Wave"

Seven years ago: Off We Go... to Alola!

Eight years ago: I Need More Rumble World Players

Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 5/30/2025

It's the last month of a Pokémon Go season that has had a lot going on, and that was no different for this month. Accordingly, those goings-on in the form of the regular events are to be rolled up in a post (this one), and - for the last time this season - unpacked and repacked for the purpose of presenting them. And for this final month, there seems to be an element of "maturity" imbued in all of the events. 

First up, there was a little Growing Up to do from May 2 to 7. This event featured all kinds of young Pokémon, most of which evolve into grown-up versions of themselves; they appeared in the wild and Eggs. A Collection Challenge dealt with the latter, while bonuses were focused on double evolution XP, double hatching Candy, and greater chances of XXS and XXL sizes as well as Shiny forms for certain Pokémon, plus a few others for those in Japan and Korea on May 4 and 5. Field Research tasks with encounters, an extra paid Timed Research set, and showcases completed the package for a period of "maturity" development.

"Maturity" also came and took place with sights to see through the Crown Clash event from May 10 to 18. They were composed of the debut of Kingambit (evolved from Bisharp) and crowned Nidoqueen and Nidoking. True to the event, it also featured Pokémon with evolved forms that are literal and figurative "kings" and "queens", appearing in the wild and raids; these also became the bulk of a Collection Challenge for the event. Bonuses took the form of double evolution XP, greater Shiny chances for certain Pokémon, and King's Rock drops from Slowpoke. Field Research tasks with encounters and showcases were also a part of the clashes, as well as a weekend with Dynamax Suicune on May 10 and 11. It also seems that the first four days of this event would be a prelude to the real clash... 

...because the remaining days of the event (May 14 to 18) were Taken Over by none other than Team Go Rocket. They brought in new Shadow Pokémon, two of which are the fossils from the sixth generation, and another being Shadow Dialga through clashing with Giovanni in the usual hunting mannerism with a Special Research set. Shadow raids and Strange Eggs (12 km) also rotated out a few Pokémon, and the usual set of bonuses - more appearances and TM out Frustration as well as varied Shadow Pokémon - intensified the clash. This was further the case with a Raid Day for Shadow Regigigas, the complementary weekend event, on May 17. As Field Research tasks rewarded items, a paid Timed Research rewarded extra items and encounters, and showcases presented even more "clashes" - if there weren't already a lot of them over the course of the event.

Once things have "matured", it was time for the Final Strike from May 21 to 27. For this, the Kubfu obtained at the start of the season can now evolve to Urshifu of either style. Pokémon that are real battlers, further when evolved, became the highlight in the wild and raids. Field Research tasks rewarded encounters, while two Timed Research sets - one free and one paid - rewarded bonus items and encounters galore, and the season's Special Research presented its end. Double XP from raids, greater Shiny chances for certain Pokémon, and an extra free raid pass (after completing the free Timed Research) set were the bonuses; other niceties were special moves for specific Pokémon, new poses, a Global Challenge for free Community Day Special Research, a return of the paid second Kubfu, the usual bevy of showcases, and a Battle Day for Gigantamax Machamp on May 25. This event also doubled as this season's Go Battle Week with the usual increased number of battles each day and a Timed Research set for it. In all, it was a pretty dense finale for the lead-up to the season's end.

After all the happenings of this intensely packed season, at least some things may have "matured" over the course of it, and the above events may serve as some of the indicators of that state. Perhaps like the Kubfu (family) introduced with this season, there may be some of that to be had with the season's transition that will occur soon enough.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 5/30/2024

Two years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 22

Three years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 16

Four years ago: Quickies: Ice, Pokémon, and Chilling Out

Five years ago: Team Rocket, Minus Motto

Six years ago: Woodblock Art with a Pokémon Twist

Seven years ago: Old Adventure, New Sensibilities

Eight years ago: Ad Astra per Aspera... and the Third Games

The State of Nominations, Part 34

This is a killer week(end) for things related to Pokémon Go, but all the things that I've covered or about to cover need to be done as such. That includes the discussion on the status of my PokéStop nominations, which as usual in recent times is made every two months. Admittedly, this discussion is becoming slower and slower with time, but the bimonthly pacing may just be slow enough to complement the pace of the nomination progress.

With that, also as usual, the numbers are at hand. As of today, I have 172 Accepted nominations, which is four more than last time. The nominations that were Not Accepted remain the same at 66, partially helped with some of their conversion by Appeals. Since I have a limited number of these, it'll be slow going to convert more of them, and then there are ones that cannot because of them no longer being apt to become PokéStop in some way. 

Meanwhile, I've managed to check one of my unchecked but Accepted nominations, bringing it down to just 3 remaining. The absent and non-PokéStop nominations are still as they are with 6 and 7, another slow change. Furthermore, I've also just loaded on 6 more nominations In Queue, which might also be slow in waiting for them to be reviewed and decided as worthy to become PokéStops. At least, the process keeps on going despite being slow.

At this point, it's also helpful to bring up the success rate for my nominations. Overall, considering the Accepted ones and some leeway for the Duplicate ones, I have a success rate of 68 to 70 percent. This is somewhat better than it was in the past, and while it may never reach beyond 80 percent due to the same constraints as above, it's still pretty good for what it is, and even minor improvements are welcome and sufficient.

Even with the way Pokémon Go keeps its Trainers busy - especially over the course of the past season, which is due to end soon, as well as the tail end of this week, becoming the "killer" part of it - some things still need to be explained, like my usual PokéStop nomination status. There might not be a place for "slow" with all the goings-on, although those PokéStop nominations might differ in that somehow.

One year ago: The State of Nominations, Part 28

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 5/29/2023

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 5/29/2022

Four years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 10

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 5/29/2020

Six years ago: Lure Modules Evolve

Seven years ago: The "Attractors"

Eight years ago: A Hero Looks to the Sky

Pokémon Go Fest 2025: Royal Mechanisms

Every year as usual, there is the defining series of events for Pokémon Go that is called none other than Pokémon Go Fest, and in most years, I attempt to round them up somehow. This roundup is nicely (or not so nicely) timed as the events straddle the goings-on of the seasons - the current one that is ending soon and the next one that is about to start - and it seems to demand to be done at this specific point. It is also important to glean into the apparent themes of the festivities and draw insights from them.

First up, there's the matter of locations. This year's festivities will take place in Osaka (Asia, May 29 to June 1 - that's this weekend), Jersey City (Americas, June 6 to 8), and Paris (Europe, June 13 to 15) - some royal, noble, and regal settings for them. All of that occurs as the new season gets rolling and in consecutive weeks as well. They'll have the usual workings (mechanisms) of gameplay, merchandise, and congregations, though they might have other niceties for anyone who wants to go the extra mile while they're there.

Not to mention, there will also be the Global edition on June 28 and 29 - two weeks after the aforementioned world tour, for those who can't make it to any of the stops in the above locations. As usual, a lot of it will be similar to the regional editions and act as a kind of proxy to them, and as with last year, the Global edition becomes a finale of sorts for festivities that seem to come hard early on and establish a royal presence.

Then there is the content, which might have something to do with the suggested theme as given in the title of the post above. The Pokémon that are to appear in these editions are suggested to be knightly, luxurious, and fantastic, perhaps also potentially powerful. And if they're knights, then their implements might be involved, being the key (or at least one such) to their power, for which this event will help to manifest.

It's always a royal time in Pokémon Go when the annual Pokémon Go Fest series of events comes around. For the case of this year, that royal quality seems to be about to be evident in not only the usual content being furnished but also the places and mechanisms that are involved. That might just be very good for all those with knightly spirit.

One year ago: "Pokémon in Concert"?

Two years ago: Master Ball, Now in Pokémon Go

Three years ago: Chasing Competitive Dreams

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 5/28/2021

Five years ago: Pro Job, Fun Job

Six years ago: Memories of Sinnoh

Seven years ago: Helix Fossil Understands

Eight years ago: Takara Tomy Pokémon XY Pikachu Plush Doll

Sweeping Changes to Pokémon Go Battles

Recently, a few changes have been implemented to some of the battles in Pokémon Go, specifically with respect to some of the aspects that concern them. These changes are usually made incrementally and not within a short time of each other, but in the recent case, they're closely related in both relevance and time, making them more than what they seem. As such, I've dubbed them as "sweeping" changes for what they are, and they accordingly deserve a bit of a writeup and discussion as well.

The first set of changes concern remote raids, applying onwards. As of two weeks ago (May 13), the daily limit for remote raids have been raised - doubled, in fact - to 10 from 5, the initially imposed "normal" limit; certain events can still have further raised limits. Shadow raids, which had initially been unable to be raided remotely, can now also be raided as such, with the change having been tried out last January during the Shadow Ho-Oh Raid Day. Both of these changes mean a lot for what they are and thusly "sweeping".

Changes also occurred in the realm of Max Battles, the second set, and likewise applying onwards. As of a week ago (May 19), Trainers can also partake in these battles remotely as with raids, both directly and by invitation; doing so requires the use of a Remote Raid Pass along with sufficient Max Particles. More of the latter can also be stored (up to 1500 with surplus), while those that don't partake remotely will receive more XP and Premier Balls as bonuses. In a way, the remote concept has "swept" through these battles as well.

With these changes, it can be seen that flexibility has been added through newly implemented or relaxed remote battle mechanisms. In particular, it's been about a year since shadow raids were introduced (see below), and being able to battle in them remotely is a big enabler. The one thing that is still a stumbling block is the procurement of Remote Raid Passes, the crucial item for these efforts, which are still rather expensive except under certain circumstances. A total "sweep" of changes may need to consider these items too.

"Sweeping" changes like these don't occur very often in Pokémon Go - and given the recent situation, may not indicate that the developers have "turned over a new leaf" - but they are still welcome to certain extents, especially for those who are distanced or distant from other Trainers who play. In that sense, the changes are still significant, particularly given the scope and the timeframe in which they are made, and Trainers can make use of them to "sweep" through battles just like the changes.

One year ago: The Dragon Carnival in Pokémon Unite

Two years ago: Introducing Shadow Raids

Three years ago: Living in the "City on the Trees"

Four years ago: Electrify Your Power

Five years ago: Coffee in My Coffers?

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 5/27/2019

Seven years ago: Long Raid's Journey Into Night

Eight years ago: A Test of My Resolve: I Still...

Sidekick Pokémon in Café Remix

In addition to being the leader Pokémon for taking orders (playing stages) as well as support Pokémon in those circumstances, some Pokémon also have another role. They can become what are known as "sidekick Pokémon", and they can affect the actual puzzle play without being visibly present in them. They too have other details and features associated with them that can go unnoticed - even for me, who has been playing for quite some time - so there is an impetus to go over those details and features for the benefit of everyone.

All currently available sidekick Pokémon are of the Legendary or Mythical category, and incidentally (or not), they have been obtained through an event of some sort - the first one of these being Mewtwo through the inaugural edition of One-Minute Cooking. Up to three of them may be involved in play, with one designated as the Chief. Mewtwo was the only one at the time it was introduced, so everyone conceivably used it; now with there being many of them, players can (wisely) choose and use different ones among them.

That's also because each of these Pokémon have different skills, from adding more time to One-Minute Cooking to increasing score to decreasing megaphone creation cost. Further, the skills can be made to be stronger by powering them up with the use of Sidekick Candies... which players should have obtained along with the Pokémon from the associated event. The maximum is level 5, which takes a lot of the item, but level 3 is fairly accessible and should be a primary goal for players and the Pokémon that will be most useful and frequently used.

Pokémon with sidekick skills can be used just like any other Pokémon as leader and/or support in an order (stage), but that would mean taking them out of the sidekick lineup, even just for the purpose of training them. It's most likely, then, that leveling up the active ones would use tarts and the others can be trained as usual. Nevertheless, it's the sidekick skill that's most important to be powered up, and the Pokémon leveling can be done whenever it's feasible and as the lineups - for actual puzzle play or sidekick - are changed out as necessary.

Speaking of, players should ideally change the sidekick Pokémon lineup to suit the puzzle being played, but if they're like me, chances are they'll forget and tend to leave the lineup in a specific formation, particularly when a certain major Pokémon visit event is ongoing with the usual formats (One-Minute Cooking or Slow Cooking in all their incarnations). At the least, changing the sidekick lineup according to these formats and whatever puzzle content is involved with them would still be a good approach.

Understandably, it would seem that sidekick Pokémon are an easily missed aspect of the orders or stages in Café Remix. Yet, there is quite a bit of potential that lies with the aspect, especially for those who have played through the events to get the Pokémon for which the aspect applies. All that is left is to consider the Pokémon that are involved and select them for usage in the various puzzles while also upping their capabilities, making them truly what they are for their powers of puzzle assistance.

One year ago: Cosplay: Helloweebs Spotlight Event 2024

Two years ago: Silph Arena Factions Postseason, Season 2

Three years ago: The Advancement of TMs

Four years ago: Road of 25th Anniversary: On with the Show

Five years ago: Friendship and Community

Six years ago: Gatherings for Blessings and Success

Seven years ago: Reconsidering Trade Evolutions

Eight years ago: What's Appenin' (Mobile Games)

Cosplay: Navastra Cosplay Festival & Shin Edo Matsuri

Goh: So today it's about the festival from yesterday and... there's another one?

Me: Yup. The second one is today. And... likewise it's actually interrupted by a Pokémon (Go) happening. But let's deal with them one at a time.

Ash: OK. Well, the one yesterday was by another place of study.

Me: It's not mine, but it's close by, and the students help organize it too.

Goh: I see "art" in the last three letters, reversed. Was there art - like an exhibition? 

Ash: Oh yeah! There was an alley full of art. But I didn't go in there...

Goh: ...because you needed to pay? 

Ash: Yeah, that's it. Plus the art looked like I could break it if I wasn't careful. 

Pikachu: Pi~ka pika... ["Delicate..."]

Goh: If you didn't go in there, where did you go? 

Ash: The food stands and the stage. A lot of people went there too. 

Goh: OK, so I guess those were open-ish. So according to the schedule, there were just two character parades... two?

Me: Oh, let me try to clarify those. I think one was for everyone and the other was by students.

Ash: But I didn't see the second one, and for the first, everyone had a different music.

Me: Oh, so it's like a "semi-performance".

Ash: And... I guess that's why I couldn't sign up for it on the spot, huh. Someone told me the deadline for signing up was the day before.

Goh: I'll bet if Community Day Classic wasn't a factor, our friend would sign you up early on.

Me: Very much so. And I'd still have you with your special Kanto journey outfit, which you wore yesterday.

Ash: And today too!

Me: We'll get to that shortly.

Goh: Oh, and there were three dance acts... and that's it. The festival ended in the late afternoon.

Me: That's right. I got through them all.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu. ["Short but sweet."]

Me: So yesterday was "the Community Day that wasn't". As for today...

Ash: It was a festival in a coffee shop! I think it was by a community.

Goh: Interesting. They must have collaborated.

Ash: I think so. But I came really late - I battled G-Max Machamp first before going there. 

Goh: Oh wow! I guess that answers what the interrupting Pokémon thing was.

Ash: I came in the middle of a dance group performance. I think it was most of the festival.

Me: Based on what I can find, I'm sure of that. And... I think you missed the character parade anyway, since it was in the middle of the battle.

Goh: Maybe Ash could never make it work anyway?

Me: I have reason to believe. Although, I'm not sure this would also apply to the one in the other festival.

Ash: I just met our friend's friends for the rest of the festival and enjoyed what was left of it - and a bit of the coffee shop too.

Me: That's always a good thing, even if I'm a bit cash-strapped nowadays.

Goh: Oh, I'm sorry. I hope it gets better for you. 

Pikachu: Pika chu pika. ["Hopefully."]

Me: Thanks. Anyway, from what was had, yesterday and today were mostly normal runs of festivals but with some changes in settings as well as other Pokémon things going on.

Ash: It's almost like... "the weekend where everything happens"!

 

Me: We've had those from time to time, and from reports, some of my other (Pokémon) friends may feel it's the same way for this exact weekend.

Goh: At least you made things happen the best way you can, with Ash.

Ash: Sure. It was still a nice weekend.

Me: Whatever unusual things there may be just could be made up with (more of the) usual efforts.

One year ago: Cosplay: M-Cell Grand Opening

Two years ago: SA Factions: The First (and the Last) Cycle

Three years ago: Pokémon in 1995?

Four years ago: Pokémon SM KFC Toys: The Rest, Part 2

Five years ago: Safe, Pleasant, and Beneficial for All

Six years ago: Best of the Rest: T-Shirt Contest

Seven years ago: Read, Play, and Enjoy

Eight years ago: A Camera and a Pikachu Doll

Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 5/24/2025

Let's get straight to it: today's edition of Community Day Classic might necessitate some Trainers to "punch above their weight", perhaps if they haven't already dealt with all the more recent shenanigans that Pokémon Go has given out. For those who have, they might still need to do so, but for the resources offered by the "second round", as any Classic edition is in technical terms. It too also gains recently introduced perks, so all of the reasons above may be fair game for putting in as much effort as possible in the event.

If the hint above hasn't made it clear, then let me clarify: this Classic edition brings back Machop, which was featured back in January 2021. Likewise, it also brings back the Charged move of Payback for Machamp, its ultimate evolution, as well as the triple Stardust bonus. Extended Incense and Lure Modules as well as photo bombs follow in similar capacity, while paid Special Research (just titled "May 2025 Community Day Classic" this time), background Timed Research, and Field Research all follow the current standard for the perks; the Special Research can also be gained for free through the perk of a current event. Showcases and item bundles in the game shops similarly close the deal.

Most of the rest of this discussion is to be carried with the help of two characters whose links to me and other fans are very well-known.

Ash: Machop is great!

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["Very great!"]

Goh: You can say that for the evolved forms too.

Ash: I caught lots of them for you to get the Candy and stuff.

Me: Thanks! I already have plenty from the initial run and catching more of them at times, but in this case more is definitely better.

Ash: And I took care most of the tasks for you.

Me: Very good. The rest is for me to deal with, as usual over the next week.

Goh: But if you're having Ash do it... then there must be something else.

Ash: I did all this while at a festival!

Goh: Oh, so not with our friend's community? 

Ash: No. Unless our festival friends count as a "community".

Me: Better not to risk it. In fact, we'll need their assistance tomorrow - as much as it pains me to say - so let's save things for that. And it looks like it will be an up-and-down day too.

Goh: Yeah, I sense a full-blown explanation for this tomorrow.

Ash: But I think we still punched it up today!

Pikachu: Pika! ["*punch*"]

Me: I'm sure you did, even if there were a few hiccups.

Goh: OK. That seems really great anyway.

All things considered, the Machop family is a real display of power, whether it's with two arms or four arms. This Classic edition of Community Day revives the fighting spirit involving that power in its previous incarnation, and with the situation of "punching above one's weight", there's more power to be had.

One year ago: For the Very Little Ones: monpoké

Two years ago: Tournament: SWEEP JR vs. Budak_Korporat.ID (SA Factions)

Three years ago: Sensitive Parts of Pokémon

Four years ago: Pokémon SM KFC Toys: The Rest, Part 1

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 5/24/2020

Six years ago: T-Shirts in Distress

Seven years ago: Trading Items?

Eight years ago: Retro Rendezvous

Pokémon Things on TV Screens

There's a song out there about what is (are) shown on TV screens, but it's kind of obscure and I'm not sure I want to put it up along with this post. That said, this post does deal with those same TV screens, and moreover, it necessarily has to involve and consider Pokémon as the main topic of this blog. It's also kind of "cheesy" to discuss, given its obvious scope, but it still makes a whole lot of sense given how people and fans deal with Pokémon day in and out.

Most obviously, there are Pokémon "fancies" to be shown on a TV screen, most likely coming from the anime but also possibly from other sources. This could be the characters people like, the species they enjoy, and the action, scenery, and story - all, again, offered by the anime in most cases. Yet this also could come from certain other Pokémon features that are externally created, and that may be just fine, for as long as the "fancy" is what is being shown on the TV screen.

In more recent times, it has become possible to stream the International Championships for Pokémon games for certain regions, and if the streams could be placed on TV screens, then they would become something else that is present on those screens. Also important is the fact that this can serve to facilitate critical commentary and "watch parties" for those tournaments, in particular as the goings-on happen in real time. That becomes something to behold for avid players.

At any rate, it is the games themselves that can be shown on TV screens today thanks to the Nintendo Switch affording this capability in addition to portability, and that also makes it an obvious thing if not more important. This applies for games of both the past and present, further made possible by the Virtual Console. The gameplay would be the main thing, but this could also play into the "fancies" thing as above. As such, there may be different interests in play (literally).

Going back to that song, it specifically deals with nice things - even, "beautiful" things - that one really wishes could be real even beyond the TV screen. For Pokémon fans, having that become a possibility for its elements would be their wish, and at the least, having them on a TV screen (or more) could be considered as the first step in hoping that will happen. In any case, sometimes the TV screen might just serve as the closest proxy for this happening.

One year ago: The New State of Pokémon Go Item Boxes

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 5/21/2023

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Goodies

Four years ago: The Laissez-Faire Approach to Pokémon

Five years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 4

Six years ago: A Friend and Fellow Pokétaku

Seven years ago: Favorite LINE Pokémon Stickers, Again

Eight years ago: Becoming a Connoisseur

Let's Talk About The Wild Yonder

Me: And then, there's this day.

Goh: Oh, yes - it's your "special day".

Ash: Happy "birthday" to me!

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["Happy day!"]

Me: As I remark on it every year, there may or may not be a truth in it, but you two are truth to me and other people.

Ash: Sure!

Goh: We'll accept that.

Me: That's great. As for the theme this year, I want to talk about "wild things over there". It's always a pertinent topic for us.

Goh: Of course! There are always wild Pokémon to be found, caught, and even connect with.

Ash: I'm with Goh on this one. Who knows? Some of them might even become new partners for me in the future.

Me: That is very true - even if I and others won't know about them. 

Goh: But even if we don't catch them, at least we can always help them out and do things with them - and they'll do the same for us in return.

Ash: I've always done that. And even after my time with Goh, that still happened.

Goh: Oh? Do tell!

Ash: Well, I helped out a Latias, and then the Latias helped me out with all kinds of things.

Pikachu: Pika pika. ["Sure enough."]

Me: That much I heard too.

Goh: That's impressive! It's like what happened with me and Suicune - but not as broadly.

Ash: Yeah. And you know, talking about wild things reminds me of the Wild Area in Galar.

Goh: That definitely counts as something wild. 

Me: And there was even a "live" edition of it recently.

Goh: Yup. We remember that too.

Me: Certainly, you don't have to go through the Wild Area to find wild Pokémon. 

Ash: You can find them even right here, right now!

Goh: If you look hard enough - but then you don't even have to do that either.

Me: It's a wild place we live in, and it's even a wild time too... for us.

Ash: I guess our journeys have been wild - but is your journey also being wild?

Pikachu: Pika pika? ["I wonder?"]

Me: Surely. A lot of things have changed - even in the process of us talking now - and it has been a wild ride, not necessarily for the better. You know, people, technology, the world...

Goh: I get what you mean. But you still have us and Pokémon - that seems wild enough.

Ash: And it's always wild, if you ask me. 

Goh: It's wild, but we take it in stride.

Ash: Hey, that's a good way of looking at it.

Me: I'll accept that. And it may just be that the future is also wild.

Ash: That might just be true too!

Goh: It can only get wilder with Pokémon.

Me: So it is. So, on the occasion of your "birthday", there are always good things and wild things to deal with here and over there, and... I guess it's wilder not to deal with them.

Ash: You got it. Don't be too blue about it too.

Pikachu: Chu... pika. ["So wild."]

Goh: All the wildness is for us to tame - for something bright.

Ash: I like the sound of that. 

Me: May your days be as wild as the Wild Area and the wild (blue) yonder.

One year ago: Let's Talk About Remembrance

Two years ago: Let's Talk About Perpetual Connections

Three years ago: Let's Talk About Meaningful Things

Four years ago: Let's Talk About Filling in Things

Five years ago: Let's Talk About Some Moments

Six years ago: After All These Years

Seven years ago: GiRL (Gyms in Real Life)

Eight years ago: To Japan and Beyond

Pokémon Sunrises and Sunsets

The term for retiring things (as applied for the Pokémon TCGO, the previous virtual TCG platform) in a certain parlance, "sunset", is obviously derived from the natural phenomenon that is the dipping of the sun below the horizon at the end of a day. Its initial counterpart, then, is the phenomenon of sunrise, the appearance of the sun at the day's beginning. These phenomena are also a given for the world of Pokémon - being a mirror of this world - and they can then conceivably have the eponymous species attached to them.

Starting at the beginning, as is proper to be done, there is the sunrise. It's the time of day when many Pokémon species are expected to be active, like the members of the Pidgey family in gathering up food (possibly in the form of other preyed-upon species). Then, there would be appearances of other species of the Grass and Fire types - Chikorita and Fuecoco come to mind - to take advantage of the warming day, which then prompts even more species of other types to do so. Regular life is always a bustle at this time, or at least it would be a prelude to that, and it may not be all that different for Pokémon.

For the other end of the day with the sunset, it may be considered not only as the time for the winding down of the above, but also for more uncommon activity. The Wailmer family at sea might be seen spouting water from their blowholes at this time, and the Morelull family might be seen in forests to fill them with their light. The more darkness-oriented species, particularly of the Dark and Ghost types, can then use the occasion of the disappearing light to prepare for their acts of making the eventual night seem more "nightly" than it already is. In a way, there are transitions of more than one kind to be concerned with at this moment.

Regardless, transitions are the key to both of the phenomena of concern, and this seems especially more so when Pokémon becomes a second or additional concern. The phenomena are the expected changes in the day, and the people and Pokémon anticipate them for what they can and need to do in that day. And while some things "sunset" and disappear, the days go on (and on) with the two natural phenomena bookending the starts and ends of the days... hopefully with Pokémon for those who expect them.

One year ago: A Slowing Down for Pokémon Go?

Two years ago: Cosplay: Harusaki no Matsuri - COSMO's 9th Anniversary

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 5/21/2022

Four years ago: Anime with Mixed Language Content?

Five years ago: More Virulent Impacts

Six years ago: Respect for Rica Matsumoto

Seven years ago: Throwing Poké Balls

Eight years ago: Cosplay: East and West

I'm On to Your Vitals

Every breath you take

And every move you make

Every bond you break, every step you take

I'll be watchin' you

Every single day

And every word you say

Every game you play, every night you stay

I'll be watchin' you...

-- "Every Breath You Take", The Police

Pokémon training is reputedly not (in fact, never) as simple as just being with a Pokémon. A Trainer would have to be watchful and mindful of the things that the Pokémon would do, and guide that Pokémon to become the best that it can be. Thinking about this leads me to think about this not-too-upbeat but not-too-mellow song for someone's significant other, which leads me to the application of it to Pokémon affairs.

This song specifically deals with that significant other as distance grows between that person and that someone. The essence is that as the former becomes farther from the latter, the latter still has the heart for the former. It should be noted that the song was in a way "remade" years later on, but it doesn't have the same connotations as the original version, and moreover I'm personally not fond of it, so it's the original for me and Pokémon affairs, including this one.

Spiritually then, the song carries a certain relevance for Pokémon that are already distant from their Trainers, although it's also perfectly applicable to the ones that are still close as well. The hope may be that the latter takes the nurture of the Trainer and they become great themselves while the Trainer still supervises, and the former takes what has been nurtured and they become great with their current environments under a figurative supervision.

Come to think of it, the song could be applicable to Trainers themselves, especially those who are being seen in the light of others, like Ash - or maybe even me in a sense. The others, as the "watchers", have hope for the ones being watched, even as the latter makes slip-ups (which are bound to happen, as no one is perfect). And if a critical response is generated, the only hope is that improvement would occur and chaos is downplayed.

Watching over other people (and Pokémon as the analogue of creatures) might be considered an expected thing for people, especially if they develop relationships with both of the entities mentioned above. All vital aspects might just be a concern for those who are watching, for which the above song then gains a certain relevance. It's a matter with some significance, maybe on par with every breath taken.

One year ago: My Pokémon Boost Emblem Progress in Pokémon Unite

Two years ago: Tournament: Arcaviary Tournament - Arcana Cup

Three years ago: BJ Podcast: The Varied Nature of Japanese Fans

Four years ago: Reminiscing Pokémon Karaokemon... and More

Five years ago: More "Countermeasures" for Pokémon Go

Six years ago: Performance Critique: Bunkasai 2019 J-Song

Seven years ago: Shiny Obsessions... Again?

Eight years ago: Oddest Things with Pokémon

The Deprecation of Community Day Goodies

Since Community Day in Pokémon Go began to get more organized, one of its draws had been the distribution of goodies for those who attended the meetups for the event as they're organized by communities (through Club Campfire where applicable). However, in February of this year, said goodies were not present, and this was also the case for successive editions of the event and its community meetups. The situation more or less confirms that the goodies have essentially been "deprecated", which becomes a bit of a regretful state that also demands to be discussed with regard to the factors related to the situation.

It can be argued that the deprecation is a part of "cost-cutting measures" at Niantic, who had always claimed many times that profits from the game had (recently) been declining - to what extent, players may not know. Eerily, the deprecation also came shortly before it was reported that Niantic would sell off the game and others related to it to Scopely, which was followed through one month later. As such, the sale also becomes a possibly related factor to the deprecation. Regardless, the action is done and gone - no more goodies to be had.

Personally, I consider the goodies as the most novel aspect of the recently established norm of meetups hosted by communities, even if it was the initiative of Niantic and not really one of the communities. If anything, they did encourage members of the community to come and be present for the event, even if it was somewhat of a "bribe" and not everyone took the "bribe". They then might see that Community Day is more than the "bribe" or just the in-game tasks, and then be able to frequent their communities more, as I and others had done.

On the other hand, the deprecation may be a subtle hint that communities can and do need to conceive ways to bring together their members for this event and other Pokémon Go events, as through giveaways, contests, and even other side agendas - all of which incidentally have been done by my local community, despite the ever-greater distance between me and other members. Other communities would need to be able to do the same, and that's something to be observed by me along with the game's representatives, if they're still around now.

Now that the goodies for Community Day are essentially a memory, there is a sense that focus is shifted back to the in-game tasks, as well as (and more importantly) the local communities themselves, the ones for whom the event is named. In that sense, there may no longer be a need to feel regret over the disappearance of the goodies, and the important feeling would be happiness (mostly) for the power of communities in Pokémon Go.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 5/19/2024

Two years ago: Need Some Help, Niantic?

Three years ago: Bits and Pieces of Pokémon Merchandise

Four years ago: The Hum of (Pokémon) Life

Five years ago: Better for the World

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 5/19/2019

Seven years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 5/19/2018

Eight years ago: On the Mystery of Dungeons

Cosplay: Soundgaku - Echoes of Instruments

Me: OK, this one's a little different but it seems all the more the same.

Goh: Oh, we're going to have "sounds" today.

Me: Sure. The title is a blend of the word "sound" and "ongaku" - Japanese for "music" - so you bet that today will be about those.

Ash: It sounds like it's gonna be a full-on concert!

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["Rock on!"]

Me: I think you might be right. I'm going to be up front and say that there doesn't seem to be any competitions, so that supports that theory. Meanwhile, you'll recognize the venue. 

Ash: Hey, the creative center again! 

Goh: The place must be really becoming popular for the creative people.

Me: Right. When it first opened, it was really sleepy. Now it seems all sorts of people are using it for all kinds of events.

Goh: Including this one. 

Ash: Yeah. It's even in the same theater as the "character space" gathering from back then.

Goh: OK, so for sure this isn't really a festival or convention, but it's more than a gathering. 

Ash: It was just like our friend said - a concert! 

Goh: Anything else beyond that?

Ash: Oh, the mecha model community gathered up and showed off their things.

Goh: So that's one community.

Me: I'm afraid it's not the only one. I also need you here for a side agenda of a meeting with our character community, and...

Ash: Oh. I'm going to miss a bit of the concert, am I.

Pikachu: Chu... ["Aww..."]

Me: Plus, I don't know how I'd get you in without saving at least a bit of cash, since things have been tight for me (us) recently. If it weren't for the meeting, I'd just have you go in regardless.

Goh: I'm sorry about that. But the community meeting should have gone well. 

Ash: Yeah, it wasn't too much of a bother. I think our friend might need to deal with the things that came up.

Me: I'll see what I can do.

Goh: So you went back to the theater, and- by the way, we haven't talked about your outfit recently, didn't we?

Ash: Oh right! I was in my special journey outfit. I also used it for the last festival and Community Day.

Goh: Well, I think I see now how our friend wants to save money.

Me: Uh-huh. Anyway, Ash was there, but you couldn't get in, so...

Ash: I hung around with the mecha people. But then one of your friends gave me an extra ticket, and...

Goh: You got in. Hey, that's pretty neat! Good thing our friend has many friends.

Me: That's a neat perk, if I do say so myself.

Pikachu: Pika! ["Nice!"]

Ash: So, they had a band setup and everything for the concert. But I missed three of the bands and got in as the fourth was playing. Then I got to see the rest.

Me: According to the poster, they had eight bands. So five bands is still pretty good.

Ash: One of them was a guitar group.

Goh: That's pretty good for variety. I assume the rest were all rock bands.

Ash: Pretty much. I think our friend would know some of the songs.

Goh: I'll bet there were no Pokémon songs.

Ash: One got really close.

Me: If it were me, I'd have you singing a Pokémon song, definitely. 

Ash: I'd love it if I could do that!

Goh: After all that, you still had some fun, at least - in and out of the concert.

Ash: Sure. The bands were all great, and I got to meet our friend's friends as usual.

Pikachu: Pika chu. ["Like that."]

Goh: Anything else we should know about? 

Ash: They picked people with unique outfits - but not me. The prize was just a goodie bag.

Goh: I assume related to the concert scene, so that would make sense.

Ash: Yeah, I guess.

Me: So, it was still a pretty good day for a concert - and meeting people.

Goh: They might just try this kind of event again.

Ash: I'd be up for that.

Me: In these strange times, music and friends are still great things, and necessary ones at that.

One year ago: And Now, We Go

Two years ago: Every Day Is a Grind

Three years ago: New Factions Battlefields and More

Four years ago: One-Day Pokémon Adventure

Five years ago: Trivia Questions and Answers

Six years ago: Trainer Image Cards

Seven years ago: Marathons...?

Eight years ago: Pins and Pins