Monday, November 2, 2026

Pop Mie x Pokémon: Spicy and Sparky

Earlier, I had mentioned the Pokémon collaboration with Pop Mie as another one within the sphere of Indonesia, and that it could stand to be written up as a post on its own. Now I can stand to do exactly that and bring in more details and perspectives about the collaboration. Now, Pop Mie is a brand of instant noodles in a cup, so I'm obviously going to have to bring in the discussion of flavors, naturally, and those flavors can be described as "spicy" and "sparky" per this post's title, and that has interesting implications as well.

The flavors of this collaboration are "Spicy Torimen", which is represented by Charmander, and "Chicken Yuzu", which is represented by Pikachu. The latter is dry (the noodles are softened in hot water first, drained, and then given seasonings) while the former is soup (water and seasonings are added as usual). What makes the flavors "pop" are the garnish toppings; the soup noodles have a "fiery burst" topping - I liken them as "dragon balls" - and the dry ones have a "pop spark" topping, essentially "pop rocks" to be sprinkled on the noodles.

Personally, from a noodle (connoisseur) standpoint, the spicy soup noodles are standard-tasting but delightful, especially with the "dragon balls" as above - though by experience they may or may not burst. The dry noodles have to be the most unique of the two with their refreshing citrus note and the "pop rocks" sprinkle, which could be a little weird even for many people, but may still be pleasant as an occasional treat. Of course, I love to have either one regardless for as long as these flavors are available.

What may be the most attractive may not be the noodles themselves, but the sticker bonuses contained within - if one is lucky to get them. They're identified for the three Kanto starters as well as Pikachu, with all of them having their respective evolution lines on the stickers. So far, I've obtained all of them except for Charmander, which may be indicative of how many packs of the noodles I've consumed. Of course, I can always trade stickers with others who have gotten them, given that trading is a "pillar" of Pokémon.

If this collaboration is of any indication, Indonesia and brands from the country can have a way of serving up hospitality, which in this case would be some "spicy" and "sparky" noodles for Pokémon fans who are fiery and electrifying, and love species of those qualities. Both kinds of noodles are emblematic of the species and their types, and even with their eclectic quality, they're pretty neat and can satisfy a noodle craving in a pinch - which is indeed the intent of this brand. Having Pokémon along with that just makes it all the more fun.

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Sunday, November 1, 2026

Cosplay: Dreams in Harmony

Goh: Hey, something going on today.

Me: Yup, it's a festival. Actually, it seems it's a little more than that, but that's for later.

Ash: The title is really neat! 

Goh: "Dreams in Harmony", huh. Makes me think of the Munna family. 

Ash: Oh, right! They're the dream time Pokémon.

Pikachu: Pika pi-ka! ["Very dreamy!"]

Me: That's a very good point. Another good point is where it's being held.

Ash: The creative center!

Goh: Well, I suppose the people holding it must be really creative. 

Ash: Yeah! After I signed in to get in, it was all about art.

Me: So, there you go. It's an art exhibition with a little festival. 

Goh: Like that one time that Ash didn't get in.

Me: But not this time.

Ash: Everything was so neat! Someone told me I could vote for one that I liked with a flower, and I did.

Pikachu: Pika chu. ["Nice work."]

Goh: What else was there besides art?

Ash: A few communities - a local game maker was there and I tried one of their games. I think our friend might just like that one. It's just click and go.

Me: I'm sure I will. Hey, um... by any chance, was this on the floor with the two big rooms?

Ash: Yeah, with the little food stands and all. They did get a little blocked off.

Goh: Either the people holding it will have to compensate, or the visitors bought enough.

Ash: Could be both. I met a lot of our friend's friends.

Goh: And I'm sure there were way more beyond that.

Ash: Sure!

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["Always the case!"]

Me: Also, just prior to this happening, I sent Ash to get spiffed up a bit.

Ash: It was to get my hair done for you! And for me too, to look more the part.

Goh: Oh, that's different. I don't recall our friend doing this before for you.

Me: Actually, I did this once before, but not when Ash was around.

Goh: Oh, I see. Got it.

Ash: He's an interesting one too. Hey, now we have something else in common.

Goh: I guess you'll now try to be in whatever competition this has.

Ash: There's a character parade!

Pikachu: Pi pika! ["Perfect!"]

Goh: But I'll bet others wanted in on this too - and that there weren't many prizes to go around.

Ash: Yeah. I talked with a good friend of our friend's about that... and we could predict two out of three winners right away - but then that friend also won.

Goh: Hmm. That happens.

Me: Well, at least we gave this one a try somehow.

Ash: Yup. I just did what I could.

Goh: What about other things on stage?

Ash: Just a couple of dance groups and a dance-off. Not much for five hours.

Goh: That's not much in any case.

Pikachu: Pika chu... ["Not much..."]

Me: But there was a lot of art to be explored at the exhibition.

Ash: You bet! They all had one of four things as their theme, and when you bring them together, you get this exhibition.

Goh: That's a pretty neat concept - even if it seems like characters were brought in just to make it lively, which I can see for this one by how it went.

Ash: I think Munna would love it! All the people and all the art could be so inspiring for everyone - even the Pokémon.

Goh: That would explain the "harmony", then. I'm right there with you.

Me: Sometimes it takes something like this to see how that could be.

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