Cosplay: MCP Coshow 2 & Foodtopia Season 5

Goh: Yeah, that's expected. So, another "twofer" this weekend?

Me: Yup, yesterday and today. That was the thing after Community Day yesterday and all day today.

Ash: And both of them with me in my Kalos outfit! ...I guess it's to make things easy for all of us.

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["Very easy!"]

Me: That would certainly be the point. 

Goh: And we're familiar with both of them because one was earlier this year...

Ash: ...and the other was last year!

Me: Good recall. For that, I also thought of combining both into a single discussion (and since Community Day was yesterday anyhow). So, let's start with the first one. 

Goh: That one was yesterday, I'll bet.

Ash: It was! At the same place, obviously.

Goh: With the same people?

Ash: Sure! But they did bring in a game community - not for us, but you get the drift.

Goh: But beyond that, the entertainment had to be practically the same.

Ash: Dance groups, singers, and games. I saw pretty much the main ones.

Pikachu: Pika pika pika... ["All still the same..."]

Goh: Well, I'm sure the character parade is also still the same, and you got into it.

Ash: No strings attached, so yeah. But I did try to make things different. I started with my cap and gloves off this time and put them on when it happened.

Goh: OK, yeah, that's different all right. Was it enough to get something?

Ash: Yeah! I got Favorite Male Character!

Me: Very nice! The effort can really work out sometimes.

Goh: That is great. And you had a good time at the place with your friends.

Ash: I did.

Me: Then that brings us to the second one, which was today and should be the same old food festival trying to bring in people.

Ash: Same place, same people, and all that. But I did come when there was a cheerleading competition before our stuff began.

Goh: So the festival brings in all kinds of organizers for different things.

Me: Goh is right. This seems to be the methodology for all kinds of festivals here for bringing in people.

Pikachu: Chu! Pika! [imitates cheering]

Goh: Can't blame them for trying. OK, so this time, did you try any of the food? I don't think we talked about that much in any of the past years. 

Ash: Well, back then it was only little bits of things, but this time I got to try quite a bit of things - enough for lunch and dinner. They always have a lot of things going on.

Goh: I would think. But then that also goes for our festival.

Ash: Just some dance groups this time, along with the character parade.

Me: Speaking of which... since you dealt with food, you didn't deal with that.

Ash: No - I thought it could be like three years ago when I came with the same outfit, so I spent the day eating and talking with your friends.

Me: Well, I think that's a good call. I'm sure the winners were "just that".

Ash: Um... yeah. "Just that."

Goh: After eating and talking with friends, then it was back to our friend.

Ash: Yup, just like that.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu. ["All done after that."]

Me: So, after all that, the old saying is true again - the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Ash: But not completely! All your friends are (were) really different for each one.

Goh: I think both of you have your points.

Me: While I'm not sure what or where the next big one will be, there might just be some ways to make it different.

Ash: But Pokémon can always stay the same for us. 

Goh: That's a sure thing.

Me: Absolutely. It's a "go-to" for wherever we go to. You get my drift.

One year ago: Mega Evolution on Parade

Two years ago: On Half Decks and Full Decks

Three years ago: Spoiler Alert

Four years ago: Longing for Pokémon Donuts

Five years ago: The Fate of My Local Pokémon Hangouts

Six years ago: Competitor Ranks of the Silph League Arena

Seven years ago: Personal Branding

Eight years ago: To Judge and Be Judged

Nine years ago: Catering to Old and New Players

Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 9/12/2026

Today is Community Day Classic in Pokémon Go, but I'm going to preface it by saying that apparently, it will be the only kind of Community Day that will be present this month - which means that the non-Classic regular edition is absent. Nothing else has been stated (officially) about the plan, and some Trainers have associated the missing regular edition with Go Fest Mega Finale, with it taking a "bite" (and a big one at that) of the regular edition. Nevertheless, there is a "biting" element to this edition of Community Day Classic as well.

Since Totodile has already been done, it's obviously for a different Pokémon that can bite, and that would be for Gible, last seen in June 2021. When it's fully evolved to Garchomp through Gabite, it still learns the special move of Earth Power, and the bonus also remains triple XP for those who still seek it. As usual, there are extensions for Incense and Lure Modules, both with their modern lengths of three hours and and one hour, and photo bombs. Thus, the effort of updating past editions with modern features is still an ongoing one for this edition.

For that, some Gible in the wild as well as encounters from Field Research, Timed Research (community), and Special Research (paid, still with the title of "Just a Nibble") have the modern special background; the last of these also has the modern structure. Of course, those who still want to make the most of it can encounter a few more Gible past the main event hours by putting up Lure Modules up to 9 PM, which is also the cutoff for obtaining the special move as above and represents another added modern feature.

New this time is a Collection Challenge that is completed by catching a Gible and evolving it through its evolution line to earn Garchomp Mega Energy. This makes it the first time that the feature has returned since March this year, which is what I hinted in an earlier post. Certainly, it is well-deserved and becomes a novel implementation for it.

Meanwhile, as for my dealings with this edition, it's not exactly "mine", and there are good reasons for that, which are to be explained with the help of others...

Me: Right then, so it's the Gible line today. You have one, don't you?

Ash: Yeah! And we all know Cynthia has a Garchomp.

Goh: And then there's Mega Evolution and all that jazz.

Ash: You had me take care of this one in your area today. Luckily, I met a couple of your friends who could help out with that.

Pikachu: Pika pika. ["Good thing."]

Me: Well, don't expect it to happen every time with them. (I don't expect it to happen for myself either.) But at least today worked out somehow.

Ash: Yeah. We met at the mall and walked a little bit past it. I caught as many Gible as possible, completed the challenge, and then... went off for something else.

Goh: Well, if there's a "something else", that means our friend has something in mind - something that happens locally.

Me: Certainly. But that's for a separate discussion soon enough.

Without a regular or non-Classic edition for this month, it might seem that something is afoot with Pokémon Go - perhaps, not in this particular context. But having the ever-popular Gible line return for Community Day might be a satisfactory way to take a bite off the big things.

One year ago: Theia Sky Ruins, Subterranean Edition

Two years ago: No Lies... and Lies

Three years ago: A Win for the Ages

Four years ago: One-Minute Cooking in Café Remix

Five years ago: Hidden Tracked Statistics in Pokémon Go

Six years ago: Let's Talk About Household Creatures

Seven years ago: And Intelligence

Eight years ago: Proud to Be a Clean Cosplayer

Nine years ago: Poké-Mobile Devices

When Pokémon Was 5...

When Pokémon was 5 - that is, five years old - it was in its infancy, and the Internet was about to head into its adolescent years. Back then too, blogging wasn't too much of a thing, social media was still "around the corner", and artificial intelligence was rudimentary - all things that may or may not have contributed to the execution of this blog as you see today. Yet it was also at that time that the franchise was shaping up... and the world effectively shaped up as well. 

When only five years had passed, the franchise was into its second generation and the third was "around the corner". They laid down the foundations for longtime fans like me that are also incidentally very strong in the face of certain hardships - at least for the dedicated ones. Those fans would also develop their potentials for remaining within the vein of the main series games or potentially branching out to others when the time came for them to be present.

When the games were a concern then, there were only really the main series games to deal with, and not much else beyond that or even on other devices, unlike the way things are today. Yet they were (and still are) good for instilling what matters about the namesake species of the franchise, including their associated lore and capabilities, which regardless of their presence in games or otherwise would remain relevant somehow, even if fans may not actually realize it.

When Pokémon was five years old, the world also experienced a big "blot" on a certain day... and that day is today, incidentally this year being "five by five" (that is, 25) years after the fact. It will be the only time I make a reference to it (and rather indirectly at that) since even Darkrai would likely feel inferior to that "blot" - and Darkrai wasn't even around when that happened. In any case, it scars the mind of people as it happened, whether or not they are Pokémon fans.

When Pokémon was in its fifth year, the franchise was effectively "coming to terms" with what can be possible for it in the present and future, while the world was "coming to terms" with the fact that it would effectively never be the same again. Yet that may be important as today is the result of yesterday, and things in life run their course. After 25 years, the world as well as Pokémon continue on their course, and what remains is all the developments up to today.

One year ago: My Pokémon Unite Boost Emblem Progress, Revisited

Two years ago: Why Do I Still Play Pokémon Unite?

Three years ago: Another Pokémon Watch

Four years ago: The Intricacy of Declining Raid Invitations

Five years ago: Greater Friendship Levels in Pokémon Go?

Six years ago: Getting Feline with Pokémon

Seven years ago: This Is It

Eight years ago: Cosplay: Club Cosplay Party

Nine years ago: Pokkén BanaPassports

Quickies: Getting More Boxed In

I actually live - specifically, at this very moment - in a rather confined space, being surrounded by houses in two of the four cardinal directions and environments that I can't modify in the other two. As such, in a way, I'm essentially "boxed in" with regard to my surroundings... and it seems that is becoming more of the case as the specific environments change on their own or are changed by other means. Of course, I'm inclined to regard it in a Pokémon manner and in doing so also bring it up on this blog.

For that concern, it may be said that on one side, a Stakataka has been brought in to help "box out" one of those sides for its purposes. Obviously, this means that in turn, I'm the one getting "boxed in", further than the state that it's already in. Though it's helpful, said Pokémon species can also be somewhat quirky when it comes to others closing in on its territory. That means exercising further caution than what may be needed, and that then implies a further "boxing in" by way of just trying to stay clear.

Meanwhile, it has been also the case that the wildlife - in this case, being interpreted as wild Pokémon species - have also been closing in on the territory of the place where I live. Some of these (like a wild Espurr) are in a way benign and at times welcomed, while others (like a group of miniature but still "savage" Durant) are much less so for both of the mentioned qualities. With their presence, needless to say, it's another way I'm becoming "boxed in" despite not being literally the case around them.

Anyone would understand that getting "boxed in" is not exactly the best of feelings, whether or not the feeling can be interpreted to have certain Pokémon elements with it. The above is my Pokémon interpretation of the "boxed in" situation within which I'm currently present, and it's fanciful if nothing else for this Pokémon fan. It's still a hard thing in any case (and harder still if things don't change for the better), but Pokémon seems to make it a little easier on my mind and perception for all it's worth.

One year ago: The Set Shop in Pokémon Unite

Two years ago: High-Score Skip in Café Remix

Three years ago: Cosplay: Bocchi Noizu Mini Gathering

Four years ago: Quickies: Building with the "Builder Trio"

Five years ago: Wallpaper: Journeys Gap Ad

Six years ago: Multilingual Pokémon Go

Seven years ago: Gym Tours

Eight years ago: (A Further) Local Ex-Raid, 9/10/2018

Nine years ago: Cosplay: BJF - Shizen ni Modoru

Come on Over by Twilight Trails

Get a life, get a grip

Get away somewhere, take a trip

Take a break, take control

Take advice from someone you know, oh

Come on over, come on in

Pull up a seat, take a load off your feet

Come on over, come on in

You can unwind, take a load off your mind...

-- "Come On Over", Shania Twain

The Pokémon Go season has transitioned - specifically, just yesterday - and the new season is at hand. Yet just like for a season from three years ago, I'm inspired to mark the transition with a musical interpretation, moreover since I had provided one for when the previous season began. As with three years ago, I kept the song choice to one by the same artist, and the song that is quoted above seems to fit the bill to mark the seasonal transition from the end of one to the beginning of another.

Being also the title track of one of the early albums of the singer, the song itself is an upbeat invitation to go somewhere and relax, which is especially evident by the parts I've quoted, being the first verse and chorus. It's enthusiastic, optimistic, and opportunistic - even more so for the artist of the song, who could have been said to be on the rise at the time of its and its album's release. The same could be said to apply to Pokémon matters too, especially with regard to the above situation.

With regard to the current Pokémon Go season, its title is definitely suggestive of paths (as "trails") by which Trainers in and of the game can venture through, possibly to encounter new challenges, opportunities, and so on. As such, the "coming over" suggestion is fulfilled by this imagery, and the above song fills in the rest of the imagery nicely. Even so, the "twilight" portion of things seems to be suggestive of not only pertinent matters at this time of year but also other shady matters (to be detailed later) that may come over.

Generally, the song's upbeat premises, in the other parts of the song beyond the ones I've quoted, are also something that Trainers of all kinds may stand up for and support each other for their achievement. Overall, the song itself could also be construed as an invitation for Trainers to keep up their Pokémon journey on whatever paths they go on (whether or not that pertains to Pokémon Go), as well as to "come over" and gather with other Trainers to deal with the paths they have treaded on - perhaps even against each other.

Pokémon certainly wasn't on the mind of the artist, as part of the songwriting team, when the song was first released (after all, it was only a year old at the time). Yet framing the song with a Pokémon context obviously works out quite well, in particular with the seasonal transition of Pokémon Go as I've intended it to be. With that, after the occurring transition for the latter game's season, now the effort lies in treading the "twilight trails" as suggested... and Pokémon species and Trainers can "come over" along the way.

One year ago: Possibility of a Universal Event "Claim All"?

Two years ago: Quickies: Odd Architecture, Here and There

Three years ago: The Lucky Wheel in Café Remix

Four years ago: The 2022 Silph Arena Continentals Meta

Five years ago: Capturing Toward the (Pokémon) Future

Six years ago: More Music from Pokémon Go

Seven years ago: The Music of TCGO

Eight years ago: Cosplay: Tachiagare

Nine years ago: My Book of Days

Celebrity Favorites for "Pokémon 30"

Ideally, the post I write up for today should have come (a lot) sooner - perhaps applicable in more ways than one - but it is what it is. Earlier this year, I had written up about the "What's Your Favorite?" campaign, which is also effectively a star-studded commemoration for this year's big Pokémon anniversary. For that, I do want to identify the celebrities that are part of the campaign, along with the species they state as their favorite, and to give a personal breakdown of their selections - in particular, those that were featured on the Instagram post.

Some of the featured celebrities are those who deal with the world of music, one of them being the aforementioned Lady Gaga (whose favorite is Jigglypuff); the Pokémon is known for its 12-octave range and it therefore meshes with her musical style. Then, there are Jisoo of K-pop girl band Blackpink fame (whose favorite is Eevee) who has cited the transformative nature of the species, perhaps much like the girl band itself, and Young Miko (whose favorite is Gengar), a Caribbean rapper who could be construed to have a sharp and distinct style, and so does the Pokémon species of choice. They're all well-liked for these well-liked artists.

Then, there are a couple of featured athletes. Charles Leclerc (whose favorite is Arcanine) is known for his prowess behind the wheel of an F1 car; it's speedy, but so is that very Pokémon, who might just be able to stand in for the vehicle if he lets it - which could seem to be the case. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal (whose favorite is Zygarde in its Complete Forme) had just recently helped Spain to earn a soccer world champ title, and both are particularly known for their abilities - extreme ones at that, both off and on the pitch. If these two athletes have something to say, it may be that their favorite species also define themselves and back.

As for the rest of the featured celebrities, they may be considered "offbeat" ones. Comedy fans will likely recognize Trevor Noah (whose favorite is Psyduck) from his show ventures, especially one on the air; the choice of the Pokémon may be one of bewilderment, with particular regard to psychic and comedic power. Then there's Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (whose favorite is Luxray), an actress who is likely recognizable from some contemporary roles, including one for an animation in a neighboring universe... which might partially explain the choice of the species in addition to its Electric-type personality. They're "offbeat" yet so are their complements.

With these celebrities, the selection represents a great swath of pop culture media and lifestyle, which can be said to be the same for Pokémon nowadays in all its forms. Whether or not Pokémon can be verified to have an impact on said celebrities, the impact of their stated favorites may just be very effective for existing fans and captivating for those for whom Pokémon may be only a cursory interest. They make their favorites especially attractive for themselves and fans in general, and that is definitely worth it for this year's big anniversary.

One year ago: Sharing Results in (and from) Pokémon Unite

Two years ago: On Getting Rained Out and Rained On with Pokémon

Three years ago: The Persistence of Theia Sky Ruins in Pokémon Unite

Four years ago: Like a Headless Torchic... or Pokémon

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Multiple Pokédexes, Realized

Six years ago: Pokémon Documentaries?

Seven years ago: The New Flavors of Pokémon

Eight years ago: Other Uses of Pokémon Go

Nine years ago: Incubators in Pokémon Go

Cosplay: Cosplay Creator and Community Convention (C4) 2026

Me: Well, I think you two already gave it away - Goh by sense, Ash by happening.

Ash, Goh: C4!!

Ash: But this time it was on time, not like last year.

Me: Indeed. So on schedule that in fact it had to coincide with the Go Fest Max Finale.

Goh: Coincide...? So this was yesterday and two days ago, like it usually is?

Ash: Nope, just yesterday.

Goh: Huh. I wonder what happened.

Pikachu: Pika chu, pika pika? ["Me too, curious?"]

Me: Maybe they didn't want it to not work out just in case things happen, like last year. Or the organizers are "broke", in a manner of speaking.

Ash: Well, they still seemed to have everything just in one day - the booths, stages, and so on. It kind of looked like ChibiCon for one day.

Goh: Did it have a throng of people too?

Ash: Yeah. Right when I bought my ticket to go in and all day.

Goh: All day, minus the time you were at the Mega Finale meetup.

Ash: Yeah, that.

Goh: I'll bet you missed a few things.

Me: Well, I'm sure he'd miss any semblance of a character competition.

Ash: I know that would happen. 

Pikachu: Pika... ["Well..."]

Me: And maybe he'd miss certain acts on stage... like a certain band.

Ash: Aw man! I saw their name on the stage bumper but didn't see them while I was there, before and after.

Goh: Well, maybe you'll see them sometime else.

Ash: Sure - whenever that'll be. 

Me: Oh, I've just realized: I sent you with your Kalos outfit again like last year, but you didn't deal with anything related to characters.

Ash: It was mostly for the Mega Finale, which is from Kalos, right?

Me: Right you are. I was mostly thinking about that.

Goh: I guess you can think of this year like an extension of last year instead of a new experience.

Pikachu: Chu pika. ["Makes sense."]

Ash: Well, that's true.

Me: But you did get to meet my friends as usual, right?

Ash: Yup - the ones near and far. I spent the morning with one.

Goh: And then you got involved in the communities.

Ash: A bit with the tile game one this time. Oh, and I just browsed through all the merchandise and didn't get anything in particular.

Me: That's OK. You didn't have to this time - maybe at a future convention, either this one or something else.

Ash: Hey, but the future looks good for this one.

Pikachu: Pika chu pika! ["Looks real good."]

Goh: As long as it doesn't hit a snag - or our friend runs into a snag with a Pokémon thing.

Me: Well, that. But life goes on.

Ash: Gotta get next year going, then.

Goh: And don't you have other things to get going too?

Me: That's very true - for Pokémon and else, for conventions and else. 

One year ago: Cosplay: Dalbo Fest Fifth Anniversary

Two years ago: Cosplay: Small Business Showcase

Three years ago: Paldea in Pokémon Go: Catching Up, Skipping Out

Four years ago: Rising to the Occasion: Theia Sky Ruins

Five years ago: Chiki Balls Pokémon Coins: More Selections

Six years ago: The Charisma of Pokémon Personalities

Seven years ago: TCG, Order and Chaos

Eight years ago: Artistic Routine

Nine years ago: Pokémon Song, Indonesian Flavor