Having written up a post about Pokémon collaborations in and with Indonesia, I thought I'd throw in one more, but because it's so significant, it deserves a full post of its own. Now, one of the "claims to fame" of the country is wayang, a form of shadow puppetry with a highly artistic quality about it, including the show that accompanies the performance. And it's a real show, for it can also involve various settings and additionally be adapted in various ways... and now its time has come for it to meet Pokémon, with both adapting to each other.
With the country's Ministry of Culture (and Creative Economy) giving blessings, a collaborative wayang show that features Pokémon was born, and it's called... "Poké Wayang", of course. The show presents a story about a place where sense of time has been lost, and it's up to the Pokémon to sort things out and restore order. The show can already be seen on YouTube on the Pokémon Asia channel with English subtitles, which allows the broader world of Pokémon fans to understand the show and enjoy its experience.
The accompanying introductory video (in part also a behind-the-scenes to a capacity) is also fascinating to watch. It shows the creation process for the puppets - specifically, the species ones - which in actual light are faithful to their appearances. It also includes some words from the script writer (Akihito Toda) and a few words from the national wayang association. Much of it concerns doing justice to both the art form as well as Pokémon, and many would consider that feat accomplished with what has been presented.
Meanwhile, as for my thoughts about the whole thing, though the show is only 15 minutes in length, it's still impressive for what it is. Its few human characters - yes, there are some - help to ease in the storyline and the fact that it's not a run-of-the-mill wayang show. Many will also have noted the gamelan version of some familiar Pokémon music pieces, which may or may not have anything to do with future Pokémon initiatives involving the country, but that is nevertheless impressive and helps bring everything about it together.
Culturally, wayang is a significant heritage of Indonesia, and like many such things, it certainly faces the challenge of trying to remain in existence in modern times. One answer for that challenge is to embrace facets of modern times, like collaborating with Pokémon as per the above show. The results may just turn out amazing as well, and it bodes well for the heritage art form, fans of either or both, and those with prospects of appreciating them. That will open doors into the past, present, and future of both wayang and Pokémon.
One year ago: My Staff Member Progress in Café Remix
Two years ago: Pokémon and Steampunk
Three years ago: Memories of Unova
Four years ago: Cosplay: CyFest 2022
Five years ago: Creepy Pokémon Flashbacks
Six years ago: Minimum Play with Pokémon Go
Seven years ago: Performance Critique: Akatsuki no Matsuri 2 J-Song
Eight years ago: A Storybook and a Reference
Nine years ago: A Successor Has Been Named
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