Monday, May 25, 2026

Difficult Buddy Pokémon to Play With in Pokémon Go

In Pokémon Go, Trainers will certainly (or hopefully so, with respect to some cases that I've discovered) deal with their Buddy Pokémon, day in and day out. One of the tasks they ought to do in doing that is to play with their Buddy Pokémon - more specifically, "pet" or "rub" them as they are present on the Buddy Pokémon. Yet I've also discovered - perhaps others have too - that some Buddy Pokémon make it a little (or a lot more) difficult for this to happen, so I thought I'd bring it up and discuss how that may be so.

Some Pokémon species are rather small by themselves (like Tynamo or Cutiefly), so when they become (are selected as) Buddy Pokémon, they also occupy a small spot on the screen that some Trainers may have trouble swiping to perform the play action. This could be even more so if the game is played on a tiny screen or something to that effect, like multi-windowing with other apps. In either case, the smallness becomes (a part of) the apparent difficulty.

Then, some Pokémon species have rather wildly shaped bodies, like the serpentine Rayquaza or multi-pronged Kyurem, which sometimes can make it hard to find the spot where one is to "pet" or "rub" these Pokémon by their bodily ambiguity. Though older players will likely become familiar with them over time, newer players might not be immediately familiar with them, and thus the difficulty might present itself in this way.

Mega Evolution can also make things a little difficult for the play action. When the Pokémon that can do so are made to evolve, the spot to invoke the play action may be differently located when compared to the regular form of the Pokémon species, which becomes another thing for a Trainer to become familiar with much like the Pokémon with wild shapes as above. It's apparent that body shape can and does factor into the difficulty of the play action.

Any task that involves a Buddy Pokémon in Pokémon Go might present its own difficulty in different ways and situations, Evidently, this can also apply for the "play with buddy" task by the above circumstances, particularly when different species are involved. It's a difficulty that Trainers will recognize and come to address when they deal with the task.

Four years ago: Pokémon in 1995?
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Sunday, May 24, 2026

Cosplay: Isshoni Tanoshimimashou 20

Ash: Hey, wait! Didn't you say this festival was "barred"?

Me: I did in fact say that a couple of years ago, but I also said that it could take some time to really get it going again... and it looks like "some time" has passed.

Goh: Technically our friend is right, if two years counts.

Me: One of the things I heard is that the 19th edition, which would be last year, wasn't a festival, but a job fair (odd as it is with the title). You could say it was "on probation".

Goh: Oh, that's why it skipped a number as a festival. 

Ash: I guess it makes sense.

Pikachu: Pika pika? ["You think?"]

Goh: But now it's back as a festival... so I hoped they changed from last time.

Me: For starters, it's back where it belongs. 

Ash: At your place of study! But it was still ticketed...

Me: Yeah. I don't think they'd be able to get away from that, especially in this day and age.

Goh: Was it still two days?

Me: Good question - yes! But I'm aware that yesterday was student competitions only, and the actual festival is confined to today. I actually passed by the area then and there was nothing (yet), so that supports that.

Ash: Oh, and it was in a different part of the school.

Me: But it's still where I studied, so it still works.

Ash: I think the people who can't (or don't want to) get in could still enjoy it from the benches of the building across. 

Goh: Maybe that was the consideration. 

Ash: Maybe so!

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["Maybe!"]

Goh: All right, so I guess as usual we have competitions for us - you - today.

Me: We have two: singing and character parade. Unfortunately...

Ash: You entered me in the singing competition, but I didn't get past the qualifier, even with "Mezase Pokémon Master".

Goh: Oh, this is new... or was it like this last time?

Me: It was like this last time, but our straw hat friend got through with a different song, so... ask him.

Goh: Huh. So what did you have to do?

Ash: Our friend recorded a video of me singing, and that was the qualifier a few weeks ago.

Goh: Oh, OK. So if they selected people, then the ones on stage have to be really good. 

Ash: Most were! But one wasn't too good. I wish I made it instead of that person.

Pikachu: Pi pika... ["I think so..."]

Me: So do I.

Ash: But because I didn't make it, I got free entry since our friend paid for the competition.

Goh: Then, what about the other, the character parade?

Ash: I paid a little more and I got in that one. I was the very last one.

Me: I have to say that I had the idea - and we were very fortunate.

Goh: Looks very much like it. So how'd that go?

Ash: I didn't make it. Only two winners - and I guessed which ones right. And I think the judges know me.

Me: Oh. Tough call (or not).

Ash: The festival was still great. The stands were OK, and a good number of people came.

Pikachu: Pi pika pika chu! ["And did things with us!"]

Me: I heard the promotion on this was sudden and not too extensive, so if it was lengthier and more extensive, a lot more would have come.

Goh: Sure. How about the entertainment? A festival has to have that.

Ash: Dance groups and a DJ at the end.

Goh: OK. The current ones and all.

Me: So, you have to give some credit for the students in getting this thing going again, even if it's only a little like the past ones.

Ash: They did great! They can do even better next time.

Goh: I'm with Ash on this one. I'm sure they can make it better - but this is a start.

Me: It's definitely a start to "having fun together"... to make great times again.

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Saturday, May 23, 2026

A Life Truly Alive

Allow your dreams to dance
Upon the earth that you walk on
Strike and break the mirror
That shows your hatred in the reflection
Chase after all your dreams
Even though you are not adept
Feel the strength of life
With your entire body and spirit
-- "Alive A Life", Rica Matsumoto (interpretive translation)

After Ash's supposed "special day" this year, I want to cover this actually long overdue topic. A couple of years ago, I brought up a song about "life" as a tribute to the new Pokémon anime, and I titled it in a way that it referenced another song about "life" with closer Pokémon ties yet still quite far off. That referenced song is now the focus of this post, and given the lyrics (the first chorus, specifically) as quoted above, those ties are rather evident.

Several years ago, I also alluded how Rica Matsumoto is well-known beyond Pokémon, and the song above is one of those aspects. It's a song for a tokusatsu series - one that involves heroes in suits and riding motorcycles, I trust fans know which one - and it's the opening theme for an iteration of that series. Given the interpretive translation as above, it can be seen how it might be a little "dark", as I've said before above - particularly with the word "hatred".

Yet after giving the song a listen and following that up with many more since the first one, I remain under the impression that Ash is singing it, and not just because the singer is the voice talent. The timbre of the voice is very close to Ash's and is almost indistinguishable in that regard. Certain other fans familiar with the artist might share the same viewpoint, even if yet others may still dispute that by maintaining that the song belongs in its different realm.

Faithful readers will note that I've performed the song (through Ash himself) on two occasions some two years ago, the former non-competitively and the latter competitively, but I've yet to perform the song again since then. It may be a good time to bring back the song at some point, something that I'll decide at a later time and when the opportunity presents itself as good enough for that purpose - in summary, it'll be a "good point" in life.

It may be considered that any life worth living has its ups and downs, for which this other Rica Matsumoto song seems to suggest, and extremely at that. The same could also be considered for Ash during his time appearing on the Pokémon anime, and this song would then carry over as such by virtue of the voice talent singing it almost with the same mannerisms. That then would make that, as indicated by this post's title, a life that's really and truly alive.

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Friday, May 22, 2026

Let's Talk About Heavens and the Earth

Me: It's that time of year again.

Ash: It's a great day!

Goh: It's "your" day.

Me: As usual, it might be a "guesstimate", but as far as certain things are concerned, it might very well be true in some way.

Goh: Yeah, why not. 

Ash: And we always have something to talk about today.

Pikachu: Pika! ["Right!"]

Goh: So, what's the theme today? 

Me: Well, last year (see below) we talked about wild things, but then there was one wild thing I only mentioned at the end.

Ash: Oh, uh... It was the "blue" thing!

Me: Right. The "wild blue yonder" then refers to... can you guess?

Goh: I'm pretty sure you're talking about the sky.

Ash: Sounds about right.

Me: I am. So that's what we're talking about - and I want to couple that with what we're standing on.

Goh: The earth! Totally makes sense.

Ash: There's a lot of Pokémon in both.

Pikachu: Pika... ["A lot..."]

Goh: When I think of the sky, I think of Rayquaza, the one who lives all the way up there.

Ash: We passed by when we were in a city once.

Goh: Oh, I heard about that. There was a chaos with a Pokémon from out of nowhere.

Ash: I think it came from beyond the sky.

Goh: Well. So you never know.

Me: But closer to the earth, there are more familiar ones... say, two siblings?

Ash: Latias and Latios!

Me: Yeah, you know them all too well.

Goh: Besides the one that you helped, like last year?

Ash: There were two in a watery city, but then... there was one...

Pikachu: Pika, pika! ["Wait, wait!"]

Goh: Oh, um... I think we might have to hold off for this one.

Me: So, let's talk about the earth, then. 

Ash: That's easy. Everyone's right here.

Goh: But then there are the really "earthy" ones, of the Rock and Ground types.

Ash: There's also a lot of that, from the little Geodude...

Goh: ...to the big Regirock, and even bigger Groudon. 

Me: Yeah, you get the gist. Of course, the earth supports plants, water, and so on...

Goh: So, a lot of Pokémon - and people is supported by the earth.

Ash: Where would we be without it? 

Me: Very true. 

Pikachu: Chu pika. ["So true."]

Me: Now, philosophically, those who have left us are said to go into the heavens, while their remains become part of the earth.

Goh: There you go - I guess that's why you picked this theme today (aside from mentioning it last year).

Me: Yeah, and like Ash was about to say, it can pertain to Pokémon too. Latios, right?

Ash: Uh-huh.

Goh: Mm-hmm.

Me: And then... there's the lasting impression of "my Delia" who's gone there, which I think we've talked about.

Ash, Goh: Yeah.

Goh: Don't worry, you have us, and you'll have great things too.

Ash: I second that!

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["Third for me!"]

Me: So, there's a certain relevance for "heavens and the earth" in our lives, especially our Pokémon lives.

Goh: I can see that. 

Me: And with today being "your" day, I think there's a special sense for it, don't you think? 

Ash: I think that's great.

Goh: It can be special for you too - everyone, in fact.  

Ash: I'm sure it is. We all make it that way.

Me: On that note, there's something to be said about making our glory reach as high as the heavens - even with us still being on the solid ground of the earth.

Ash, Goh: Yeah!

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Thursday, May 21, 2026

My Mezastar Tokens and Progress

I had mentioned Pokémon Mezastar in my post about arcade Pokémon games, and that's for a good reason, besides the fact that it exists: I have actually played the game, at least as it is localized for where I am currently present. That means I've also obtained the tokens that are used for playing the game, through the game itself and by other means. This post then serves as a discussion of those tags and my plans for them as I deal with this game.

Currently, I have ten tags, comprised of Pokémon rated two stars (4 species), three stars (1 species), four stars (3 species), and five and six stars (1 species each). The last of these, the ones for Pinsir and Lunala, are extremely fortunate acquisitions - more so for the latter - so they can also be considered quite rare; that also means they'll certainly stay with me for as long as I have the opportunity to play the game (and it remains playable).

Needless to say, those will also be my "workhorses" in future playthroughs, though it too may depend on the Pokémon that come up. For that, the species rated four stars will also fill in the third slot interchangeably and accordingly. I can particularly see Haxorus and Meowscarada becoming the "pinch hitters" depending on the situation, so they'll have to be prepared for whenever I have the chance to play and to make it rather worthwhile. 

Even so, I have to say that not all of these tokens were obtained by purely playing the game. The four-star tokens in particular were the result of me "adopting" the tokens from another player since I had very few workable tokens to play effectively when I first started playing. In theory, I could also "adopt" tokens for higher-rated Pokémon, but that's something I want to avoid unless it's necessary or the situation comes by courtesy. 

Meanwhile, I'm also considering obtaining containers and/or cases to hold and protect these tokens, particularly the six-star Lunala one since it has a glittery and sparkly design. That would also make it a little easier and convenient to carry these tokens around for whenever I think I would have the chance to play the game - though that may become a bit of a guess even in the near future, as does that very consideration itself.

Admittedly, Mezastar is becoming a bit of interest for myself, given in part by its accessibility where I am and the gameplay at least in some part. Collecting its Pokémon tokens then becomes an effort that is on par with collecting Pokémon in other gameplay realms, one that can reflect my progress with the game to an extent. That may just be reflective of the game's status as a (local) Pokémon arcade game wonder.

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Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Focused Pokémon Collections

There is a trend among younger Pokémon fans, particularly in Japan and particularly those who collect Pokémon merchandise - in great quantities, no less. These fans and collectors have shown their tendency and effort to collect a lot of merchandise that specifically tie to one particular Pokémon species, perhaps even similar models (like dolls) related to them. I've taken to call this particular style of collection as "focused collections", and now I also want to discuss their merit and demerit, as well how it might apply to me and other Pokémon fans I know.

A big merit is that the process (as a trend) shows its dedication, much like how I have nearly all of Ash's outfits for cosplay. It would show that they really like that Pokémon and they want it in as many forms (maybe even sizes) as possible, and with different fans liking different Pokémon, it can show that all kinds of Pokémon can have their dedicated fans, much like these ones. The only real demerit would perhaps be the impression that they seem to be "hogging" all the Pokémon merchandise for the particular species, even if they didn't go and buy it all from one store. Other fans pose the same considerations, given their comments on these collections.

As for me personally, I tend to be eclectic in collecting Pokémon merchandise, so I may not exactly be described as a "focused" collector. That said, I do have a fondness for Pikachu, so that forms a basis of my collection, essentially becoming a "partial focus" in a way. Others may or may not show such a focused tendency; for example, one of my friends who likes Sylveon might just be interested in getting a lot of things tied to it if given great amounts of resources for that purpose. Meanwhile, I have another friend who is practically in the "Mimikyu fan club" but that friend doesn't go overboard with "focused" merchandise like the specific fans above.

The idea of collecting all kinds of Pokémon merchandise for a selected species might appear to be insane - and it is, if the pictures of these collections are indicated to be as such. Even so, there is a certain heart, as possessed by the collectors, in these "focused collections" that is only matched by those collectors who are more diverse (or eclectic, as in my case) in collecting Pokémon merchandise. With that, some Pokémon merchandise collectors may indeed "focus" themselves in other to diversify them and the merchandise, and that trend could just persist.

One year ago: I'm On to Your Vitals
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Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Yo! ...Pokopia

The recently released Pokémon Pokopia game may still be fresh on the minds of many fans, including yours truly and even if they are beset by certain challenges that make it hard or even nearly impossible to play the game. That "fresh on the mind" aspect may then prompt other thoughts that involve the general outline of the game and expanding it to some other realms, where the game's aspects may not be as prominently involved... or perhaps rather differently.

Specifically, I've thought up of such a realm. It's about a group of friends - of whom only one is a human - exploring various situations in a world that seems to arise out of nothingness. That seems to be in parallel with the premise of Pokopia, where the main Ditto character assumes a humanoid form and deals with other Pokémon in the same way. Furthermore, I've already given a not-so-obvious hint in the title of this post, which may take a little rearrangement.

Meanwhile, that group of friends is composed of other creatures, which would be understood naturally as Pokémon species in the Pokémon sense. Two of them would be a Donphan as a persistent friend of the humanoid Ditto, and a Dachsbun as a playful companion to said character. The interactions of these three would define a lot of the dynamics that go on in the realm I'm thinking of, and especially if the realm were to be placed in Pokémon vice versa.

Yet they are not the only ones, for those who know what I'm thinking of. There is also a bird that doesn't have a lot to say most times, but when it does, it could be quite expressive - for which it could perhaps be described as a Chatot. Then there is a duck that might be thought of having a personality of its own (but not entirely clueless), for which a Ducklett would be fitting in this regard. The Ditto would interact with these two as well to explore the situations.

With all of that, it should be fairly obvious what I'm bringing up, at least for Pokémon fans who like and recognize the other realm. Somehow, it too could tie in well with the spirit of Pokopia as a recent Pokémon game spinoff that presents a neat premise and lovable characters - and so too does the other realm. It is then not hard to see how the two realms could go together, at least in the mind, to show that there is something to be built and gained from various times.

Three years ago: Need Some Help, Niantic?
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