Tuesday, November 3, 2026

TCGP: The Fusion of Two (and Two Together)

Moving forward, as I've noted, TCGP is to start a new series of expansions or packs, and that has already come a short time ago with the addition of the first of these. The addition, in fact, evokes one of the "yearly themes" I brought up several years ago that pertains to a spirit of dual presence, dual existence, and dual entity. That would be appropriate, since the title of the first new expansion is "Dual Fusion", and it takes on the concept of duality and twos very much literally in many of its aspects.

For instance, it is divided into two sub-expansions, one represented by Mega Mewtwo X and the other represented by the de facto series mascot Pikachu. It has 131 numbered cards and 86 overnumbered cards, which totals 217 cards in all. Compared to last year's Mega Rising expansion, which similarly started a new series and was released at about the same time, it has much fewer cards and one fewer sub-expansion, which is a bit of a "break from tradition" but does what it needs to do now.

Now, the reason why this expansion is called "Dual Fusion" besides by the virtue of the above division is because the highlight card of Mega Mewtwo X ex is composed of two types (Psychic and Fighting), which is the first of its kind in this game. It also reflects the species form's actual characteristic, and it adds another mechanism for players to deal with, as they collect cards both for this Pokémon and to use with it, and for developing a counter strategy should it come up in usage by other enterprising players.

Regardless, there are other cards to deal with in the expansion. Of the numbered cards, 118 of them are Pokémon cards with selected species from the first (mainly) to the ninth generations (which also contains Mega Greninja ex as another dual-type card). The rest of the cards are made up of 4 Item cards, 2 Pokémon Tool cards, 6 Supporter cards, and 1 Stadium card, all of which represent familiar things that also add some new twists to the card battles. Innovation thusly becomes present for these aspects. 

The time to move forward is always at hand when a new expansion is released in TCGP, and the first one of the latest card series for the game has established itself with a new concept in gameplay as well. The concept adds together types for certain cards, and that also compels players to add up their strategies for obtaining cards and structuring decks to make use of the cards in question. That might mean adding more effort to go through the packs, but that will lend credence for the duality of those actions and more.

Three years ago: From Apricorn to Balls
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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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Saturday, October 31, 2026

Halloween 2026: Light Up the Night

The least "least brightest" part of October, of course, and as suggested by the Pokémon Go event rollup, is Halloween - and always will be, regardless of the season moniker. With that, there may still be some opportunities to make the night portion of that time a little brighter, so that also makes a good talking point that I've decided to adopt for this year's discussion of the occasion. Certainly, Pokémon in general as the overarching topic will provide interesting insights into that.

Pokémon species already have a variety of ways to make things flashy, with or without it being night time or Halloween. Their "spark" and "beam" attacks among others of similar nature, as many fans can attest, do appear very bright, and that is even more so for regular nights, let alone that of Halloween. It may then seem fair to say that Pokémon species have a way of "lighting up" circumstances, which would very likely involve the night time and appropriately Halloween as well.

Still, it may take an ounce of valor - like Candela's team name in Pokémon Go - and some Fire types that are also characteristic of that team, and then to mingle that with what's going on. And what's going on this time of year is the spooky kind of thing with the expected species of the Ghost, Dark, and Psychic types, a few of which can mingle with the Fire type as mentioned to bring light by their constitution. That makes them perfect to be brought out today amidst other "least bright" things.

As usual, this "least bright" day demands a little bit more out of me as a Pokémon fan, and that means involving a few other things, not the least of which is a character that I associate and am associated with now...

Goh: Well, of course Ash will be involved, won't he?

Me: Sure he will.

Ash: Oooh, it's Halloween! OK, so what do we have this time?

Me: Well, we have... raids for Mega Chandelure today!

Pikachu: Pika pika chu! ["Spooky bright!"]

Goh: Nice! That really lights up the night (and day), like you suggest.

Ash: Fire and Ghost types. I got a few good ones for you - and three Shiny ones.

Me: Neat! More than I expected. 

Goh: What else was up for you today?

Ash: I met just a few of our friend's friends today.

Goh: And... maybe a little something for the day?

Ash: A little "trick-or-treating" at a few stores... a bit like last year.

Pikachu: Pika... ["Hmm..."]

Me: Hey, why not. It's the spirit and all.

Goh: I guess that's another way of brightening up this night and days to come.

Ash: Our friend can really use it!

Me: Wouldn't you know - that would last beyond today's occasion. Great work.

One final note: Pokéween has taken on a spirit of its own in more recent times, including in a distant place with a celebration in the sky, lighting it up. But of course, I can't be there, so I have to "light up the night" in other, nearer ways.

It's amazing how Pokémon can neatly provide a way to make Halloween even more stark in its counterplay of brightness and darkness. For that, a Happy Halloween 🎃 is in order - and make sure that it's as bright and dark as you like. 

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Friday, October 30, 2026

Pokémon Yonkoma Comics

Meanwhile, to take the edge off the Pokémon Unite situation and in part a heaviness from the rollup of Pokémon Go events this month, I thought I'd put in a lighthearted discussion about a certain Pokémon aspect. It involves Pokémon comics (manga) with four distinct panels, which in Japanese are called yonkoma (4-koma). Yet they also appear on social media outside of that region, mostly on accounts relating to other regions in Asia. Despite the case, they have some global perspectives - not to mention Pokémon ones - so they ought to be explored. 

Said comics notably appear on Instagram on the Pokémon Singapore account in English and faithfully translated, and in other languages in other accounts, though the translation may be less so faithful there. In any case, the comics are written and illustrated by Takahiro Yamashita, and the translations retain the Japanese "sound effects" and the right-to-left reading order, even if their panels are scrolled in the reverse of that order (and might be a little confusing for the uninitiated). Nevertheless, the English translations give the comics global weight.

The four panels of the comics also follow the traditional ordering of exposition, development, climax (including a surprise or twist of some sort), and resolution, where the last two of these effectively present the gag or punchline of the comic itself. In fact, the entire body of comics can be considered to present a "gag a day", even though the comics themselves are spaced more than a day apart. Though the above characteristics apply for similar comics outside of Pokémon, they also seem to lend themselves well for Pokémon and its species.

With regard to content, some of the most recent comics have featured Pokémon species that have Mega Evolution forms, such as Steelix, Sharpedo, and Altaria. Prior comics, meanwhile, have featured species from Scarlet and Violet. In either case, they also feature relevant first partner species from those games and Legends: Z-A as the "Mega Evolution revival". All the Pokémon in these comics have their antics - whether they're of the highlighted species or the first partners - and they cast themselves in a humorous light with those antics.

Comics like these show how unique Pokémon can get with its content, particularly on social media, as well as how unique creators can be with placing elements of the world into some different contexts. In this case, it's about some funny business involving Pokémon species that transpires over four panels and becomes great entertainment for those who read and view them. Further, it makes a useful diversion from the current state of other Pokémon things, if the above is of any indication, to more ideal and pleasant circumstances.

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Thursday, October 29, 2026

Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 10/29/2026

Last month, I had said that October would be the "least brightest" - meaning, the darkest - month of this season of already less-bright paths. Now that said month has come, and in fact is almost gone, it's time to roll up the events that have transpired in Pokémon Go as usual and see how that "least brightest" situation becomes realized in all its ways in the game's events, whether they're obvious and evident, or just apparent and perceptive. 

Meanwhile, I also brought up the mention of something "rotten" for the Harvest Festival, and that would be an instance of Taken Over for it, which neatly spanned October 2 to 5. This time, Team Go Rocket brought about Shadow Zekrom from Giovanni and Shiny Shroodle, along with puffy and smoky Pokémon in the wild. As usual, they also brought about a few new regular Shadow Pokémon, had Shadow Pokémon with more varied IV, and appeared more frequently, while Frustration could be removed by TM and extra Field Research tasks appeared. The weekend, though, burned a little bright with a Gigantamax Cinderace Battle Day with all the usual fixings, also somewhat complementing the end of the main event itself. 

The first "least bright" - or actually, a little more bright than "less" - was the World Space Week from October 4 to 10, coinciding with the last moments of the previous event. This mini global event featured the global debut of a Pikachu in an astronaut costume that is also in part a collaboration of the game with ESA for a different, local event. Regardless, for the event, said Pikachu appeared in one-star raids and a Timed Research set, a minor but still significant appearance that becomes the first of the game's "foray into space" this month.

In pursuit of least-dark things on the path (or not) was the Fall Marathon event, with it being subtitled "Buddy Trek" from October 13 to 19. Much like the previous two iterations (for spring and summer), exploring 42 km rewards another marathon Pikachu by Timed Research. The other focuses of this edition were on the debut of the vagrant Bramblin line through regular Incense and the Go Pass, as well as the Super Max level and the extra Charged move for Mega Manectric. They were also complemented by Pokémon species that are similarly vagrant, zippy, and/or zappy in the wild and from Incense and Field Research, plus some increased Shiny chances and the Go Pass of 60 ranks with bonuses of extended Incense and more Mega Energy by walking with Manectric, not to mention powered-up items and a Hatch Day for Sandile on October 24, which made for an evident path with just a little darkness.

After the first "foray into space" above, the Minior Showers event became a second one, and is to be a multi-part event like the previous event. Coinciding with real meteor showers - this time the Orionids - from October 19 to 24, the event brought about the debut of Minior, a space Pokémon with multiple colors and forms; this iteration was for the Green Core form. While it could appear at any time of the day, it was more frequent from 5 PM to 9 PM, along with star flares in the sky and a Timed Research set that prompted the use of a Star Piece. The "Lake Trio" Dynamax Battle Day on its final day further casted a heavenly light with the event. 

Finally, this game's customary Halloween event to mark its "prime time" came with Part 1 on October 27 and will last to November 1. New this time is another costumed Pikachu plus newly costumed Zubat and Sinistea (the first and third of these also in raids) along with the return of several Pokémon with costumes in the wild... which can appear by spooky boxes that may also have species Candy - the three mentioned earlier - or Rare Candy. A Timed Research is all treat and no trick with six Candy tasks ready to be claimed, with a costumed Pikachu awaiting at the end, while Field Research has encounters galore. Other new facets cover gothic avatar items and a couple of new stickers, while returning facets cover old stickers, the Lavender Town music, and a pumpkin orange-decorated overworld. There is also a Go Pass for the Halloween event in general... but that has to wait for Part 2 that comes conveniently next month.  

Understandably, in particular with the last of the above events, that's as dark as it's going to get for Pokémon Go events this month, which is a fulfillment of the "least bright" theme of the season. Yet they all provide or provided paths for Trainers to traverse, and that is also the act for this season, which also becomes convenient in thematic manifestation. 

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Wednesday, October 28, 2026

The Last Unite Journey: End of Service

Well... this post is a difficult one to make for obvious reasons, but it has to be written up in some way. Yesterday, it was announced that Pokémon Unite will end its service - not now or soon, but next year. The state of the game is thus as such that the inevitable has to happen, and it becomes a regrettable one. It's also important (and necessary) for me to cover the situation, given that I've played the game since the beginning and have a dedicated category on this blog for posts that pertain to it - including the "beginning of the end".

Here's how things break down (ahem). As of the announcement above, Aeos Gems - as well as Unite Club memberships - cannot be bought anymore. For the latter, renewals have also been stopped, but an ongoing membership will continue until it ends. The game will still remain playable for now, but the "fatal day" is set for March 23, 2027 at midnight UTC, at which point gameplay ends and login will no longer be possible. As such, there is still five months left to enjoy the game as much as possible before, well... it's not possible anymore.

The regular events of the game will understandably cease - some sooner than others - but starting in the middle of next month, there will be a special "finale" event that also includes a "library" feature update to allow viewing of accomplishments locally even after the service for the game ends. Then, there is the game's final tournament, called Aeos Crown 2027 - a kind of "WCS outside of WCS" - which will start its qualifiers in early December before progressing to further stages up to its finals, which will coincide with the game's end of service.

Now, as for how I feel about the situation, I feel that it becomes a "hollow victory" for certain other MOBA games, of which Unite is one. It also comes at the hands of the "mistreatment" of both the game and its players, forcing them to jump through "paywall" hoops in order to get the best of what the game has to offer, and themselves. Yet the world of MOBA games is apparently a dog-eat-dog one ("every Fidough for themselves"), so it could be in part not a surprise if one folds... although this particular example had a thing going for it.

Regardless, the announcement is a done deal, and now the game faces its final journey toward end of service. After several years of uniting with other players to accomplish many things in the game, it is quite disheartening and difficult to "disunite" with them as well as the game in general. Still, that final journey still takes some time to go through, and within that time there will be some developments - and perhaps a few insights for the game and Pokémon. With that, the "beginning of the end" for Pokémon Unite presents its last challenge for all.

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