Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Forever, As It Will Be

'Cause I'm keeping you forever and for always
We will be together all of our days
Wanna wake up every morning to your sweet face
Always...
-- "Forever and For Always", Shania Twain

The title of this new Pokémon Go season is "Forever Forward". It is (or may shape up to be) a festively profound season specifically for the game itself and its anniversary, though like the previous season, general ties to the big Pokémon anniversary may still be at hand. Because of its "forever" nature, I thought I'd bring up this song, by an artist I occasionally mention on this blog, that also speak of the nature of some things being "forever". It becomes another musical inspiration for discussion, much like for "Hidden Gems" literally nearly three years prior.

By all accounts, the song quoted above is a love song; as can be discerned by its title, it deals with love that can become seemingly eternal, carried from childhood to adulthood and onwards to old age. In fact, the music video for the very song depicts just that: a boy and a girl who are attracted to each other grow older yet still maintain feelings for each other. It can be considered one of the most beautiful things in this world, and it may just happen in Pokémon settings too, whether in actual reality or the reality of that world.

So it is that some fans (including me) may think up of Ash from the old Pokémon anime as a figure of attraction - especially given the "floating timeline" characteristic - inwardly to the Pokémon that he's ever had and outwardly to the fans who admire him. In all cases, there may be the wish that the chorus of the song as the part quoted above is realized (inwardly) and could be realized (outwardly) for all the admiration and attraction that goes on involving him. The feelings and imagery are rather profound in this case.

Meanwhile, taking things back to a more general state of Pokémon affairs, this Pokémon Go season that occurs in the vein of a major Pokémon anniversary may suggest that Pokémon fans can have Pokémon with them for as long as they wish - even if not eternally, at least close to that - if the fans and supporters of this franchise wills it as such. That, combined with the spirit of eternally moving in the forward direction as suggested by the season title, makes for a state of affairs that is evocative of the feelings of the quoted song.

People will always have the desire of being with whatever it is they like, love, and/or appreciate for as long as possible - maybe even close to eternally if the fates can have such a will for them. The current Pokémon Go season and the major Pokémon anniversary is seemingly bringing out that impression for their fans, even if it may already be apparent through certain (character) aspects. With that, as Pokémon continues to color everyone's days onwards to the future, a persistent and seemingly eternal presence may just always be the case.

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Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Cosplay: Kawaii Harmony Festival

Goh: Oh, something came up in the season transition, like last year.

Me: Very observant (see below). This one happened to be on Sunday, although...

Ash: This one was for two days, wasn't it? With Saturday?

Pikachu: Pi pika? ["Two days?"]

Me: Indeed it was. But only the second day (Sunday) was important for us.

Goh: OK, so... "Kawaii Harmony" - cute harmony - I sense a sound thing going on here.

Ash: Yeah! It was all about sound and music.

Goh: Kinda figured it out. Well, I think we all expected a singing competition, then.

Ash: Two of them!

Goh: Two??

Me: Let me explain. So, there was actually one for the so-called "rookie" (novice) competitors and another for the "idol" (expert) competitors. But anyone was free to sign up for either one or both - including Ash (for me, of course).

Goh: Did you... sign up for both? 

Ash: Yeah!

Pikachu: Pika! ["Double!"]

Goh: I hope you two had a good plan for that.

Me: Pokémon songs, of course. This time, it was "Hitoribocchi Ja Nai" for the Rookie competition and our staple "Mezase Pokémon Master" for the Idol one.

Goh: The first one's new for you. Makes sense to put it there.

Ash: And they're both from my adventures in the water city!

Me: Yeah, you know. So you get your Kanto and Johto outfit for that.

Goh: So... I have the schedule for both days, and... wow, yes, no character competitions. Looks like it was full of music acts and the singing competitions.

Me: Yup. Full on about the music.

Ash: It was different for sure!

Goh: And how'd you do with that different new song?

Ash: Um... It came out a little too high for me!

Pikachu: Pi pi pika...! ["So high...!"]

Me: Oh, huh. I thought it would have been just fine.

Ash: And... I messed up the second-to-last line - but I tried to make up for it...

Me: You know, a lot of the parts of this song sound similar to one another. Somehow I kept getting confused myself when I sing it.

Goh: Well, there you go. That must have been it.

Me: But, uh... this high thing needs a bit more investigation - and it could be troublesome.

Ash: Our usual song was fine, though! Well, almost fine. The judge gave a few expert pointers for us. Think you're up for the challenge?

Me: Well... That might be a difficult commitment, but I'll see what I can do. It's all the pro things that maybe you and I hardly think about.

Goh: Maybe you'd want to think about that some more. Well, after all that, I think something definitely happened.

Ash: Yeah! I got "Runner Up" for the Rookie competition but nothing for the Idol one. A friend of us did for that.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu! ["Very nice!"]

Goh: What do you know. That's pretty nice.

Me: Yeah... but then I'm told that everyone wins something for Rookie. So yeah, it was a given.

Goh: "Runner Up" is pretty good, even with that flub.

Me: Yeah, that. Again, I'll look into it.

Goh: Also, were there not any character festivals, conventions, or such?

Ash: Another friend told me there was one in the same faraway town... but it was more like a wedding reception with a dress code and all!

Goh: Huh. What about nearer ones?

Ash: There was one closer to our friend, but it was also just as far...

Me: I'm shaking my fist at that one. I wish I'd found out about it sooner, so we didn't have to commit to this one.

Pikachu: Chu... pika? ["Maybe... not?"]

Goh: Maybe fate wanted you two to win an award for singing, at least.

Ash: Maybe so!

Me: Even though singing may not be our strong suit (as it was said, it could be stronger), an award is pretty nice, especially with our Pokémon dealings. 

Goh: There you go. 

Ash: It works out for us - even musically. 

Me: That may just be a "cute harmony" in itself.

Seven years ago: A Daily Pokémon Routine
Eight years ago: Missing Ranger
Nine years ago: 3DS Pokémon Badges
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Monday, June 1, 2026

The Season of Forever Forward

The forward movement that I mentioned in the end-of-season post yesterday is definitely (as usual) a hint to what the next Pokémon Go season will involve. As stated, time by its nature moves forward and only moves forward, and that's a certainty for all of it - in other words, meaning "forever". Accordingly, the new season is called "Forever Forward", and by that fact alone, the season is up for all sorts of fascinating things.

By its course, this mid-year season always has the usual happenings of Pokémon Go Fest and said game's anniversary, both of which continue to move on throughout time and develop with all the novelties that they bring. The latter is also special this time around, as it is its 10th - a round number - but that's to be discussed when it's time (ahem) for that, while Go Fest's preview remains a delectable now and as it develops here.

For other Pokémon things not related to Pokémon Go yet have only a semblance of relation, they can be said to be preparing to move on from this year's anniversary and into the next, which would fit in with the season. But before they can do that, it seems necessary for them to present a few special things given that anniversary, and that can stand to be remembered forever (well, almost) as things continue to move forward.

Now is also a good time to discuss the seasonal emblem or logo. It has the season's name emblazoned in big, bold letters, with a pale blue scheme and some celebratory elements in the background of the oval. So, it may be a bit of a carryover from the logo of the previous season and the vibes that it gives off, but that's perfectly fine as it is still representative of a carryover spirit as well, given what has transpired and will transpire. 

With this new season, things in Pokémon Go (and to some extent, Pokémon in general) are seemingly answering to and from time, the aspect that is truly "forever forward" in this case. It has allowed the beginnings of what make Pokémon so great to continue contributing to all present aspects. From there, the things continue to move as time allows them to in whatever direction they may need and the necessary forward one.

Three years ago: The Season of Hidden Gems
Four years ago: The Season of Go
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Sunday, May 31, 2026

The Peak of Memories in Motion

Like in past years, I write up the end-of-season post (for Pokémon Go) on this day, regardless of whether the season ends exactly on the day or not. (This one incidentally has two more days to go.) And as always, it's a "peak" rather than an "end", which has to be discussed with the dynamics of the season, in and out of the game as mentioned. "Dynamics" is a perfect word that describes the season given its title, along with "commemoration" and "commotion" as suggested at the beginning of the season, and now they're up for a discussion as well in order to complete the season's progression.

Pokémon Go definitely brought back a few happenings from the past (the "memories") and put them into motion alongside newer happenings throughout the past three months. That becomes a reflection of how the game's content has developed from then to now, and that also could be construed to be a bit of "commotion" in the lead-up to the game's actual anniversary, which will be in the next season. The further dynamics and motion that proceed then will be a testament to the ones here.

Meanwhile, other areas of Pokémon have had their own dynamics and "commotion" that on one hand may be considered as "business as usual" but on the other hand have their own ways of reflecting this year's special Pokémon anniversary, like the novelties in Unite, more packs in TCGP, the development pause for Café Remix, and of course the introduction of Pokémon Champions. The commemoration may only be spiritual (given the above season's ties) but can still be perceived somehow.

There are many memories present among these and other Pokémon games, and the ways that they move are as different as the memories themselves. It could be like Pokémon Go this year with some of them resurging by the special quality, like Café Remix with them coming around by necessity, or like the other games with them manifesting for a good time. They can all be part of the same good Pokémon celebration.

Whatever happens, the way to go for memories - then and now - is forward, by alignment with time itself, and that's how things will always be when time is involved. Time certainly comes and goes with all of these Pokémon games, including Pokémon Go as the one that brings the seasonal idea for this purpose, and time brings the end of this particular one, ready to move into the next season soon with its own ideas.

Three years ago: The Peak of Rising Heroes
Four years ago: The Peak of Alola
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Saturday, May 30, 2026

The State of Nominations, Part 40

After having been subjective in the past few installments (this is two months ago) of updating the progress on the process of nominating PokéStops for Pokémon Go (as well as Wayspots in general for Niantic Games), for this, the 40th installment, it seems that I need to go back to a more objective manner for doing it. For that, I have a few updates lined up regarding that specific process and a little bit on my progress for that undertaking.

First up, the Wayfarer web client has been updated quite a bit, and it is now possible to submit nominations through the web client. It means that I can submit the nominations without having Pokémon Go open, which can be kind of clunky and arduous at times - and now, even taking a toll on battery power. I've already used it to make a couple of recent nominations (to be explained shortly), and this is definitely a welcome change.

Wayfarer statuses have also been revamped to factor in all past and present nominations as well as reviewing and editing activities, calculated with a points system. They also come with new titles on a five-point scale, for which as of the update, I'm a Wayfarer Expert - one tier below Champion but still a long way to go for that. It's fairly reflective of my progress over time, even if I'm still subject to the system's whims for my progress.

Now for my own progresses aside from the system's. I've been still somewhat very cautious since Part 38 in January, and for that, I've only put in a couple of nominations just within a few days to "test the waters" and see if it's reliable for me to submit once again. Even if the results are positive, I may still want to keep things as conservative as possible and not submit any nominations that are out of the ordinary or stretch their limits.

The monthly impact numbers also still continue. For March, there were 27439 visits by 1611 players, and for April, there were 27720 visits by 1482 players. The averages of both continue to increase, even if they tend to fluctuate between the months like they did two months ago. Aside from my tracking progress, which I'm not updating now, this may be the most objective metric of my progress to this day, and I'll always try to report on it.

Even with all the objectivity above, some things remain subjective, like my cautiousness and the conclusions I derive from the "official" metrics as above. What remains objective is that the nomination process remains necessary for many places, including my local one, which always could use some more. Perhaps "some more" is also needed in the affirmation department for all that I've ever done and will keep trying to do for the process.

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Friday, May 29, 2026

Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 5/29/2026

A Pokémon Go season that is dubbed as "moving alongside memories" is coming to an end, and before that happens, it's got to be finished with one more event rollup for the last month of the season, being this one. With that being the case, it has to be said that the events in it are evocative of a "last dash", and as usual, that has to be made evident in what the events are (or were) and the content they offer, which is also the usual essence of the rollup.

Going back to last month, there was the Steeled Resolve event, which I had mentioned also held a dark secret... or not so secret, actually, since that would be a "Taken Over" portion by Team Go Rocket as its latter half, from April 31 to May 4. Much of the latter half of the original event and its Go Pass are dedicated to this portion, which also replaces the previously standard Special Research with the inclusion of a Super Rocket Radar. Meanwhile, this edition brings about Shadow Landorus (Incarnate) as Giovanni's target and Shiny Varoom in 12 km Eggs, as well as new Shadow Pokémon from the sixth and seventh generations. Then, there's the usual bonuses of more Grunts, changing out Frustration, leader rotations, and varied Shadow Pokémon IVs, plus Field Research tasks. Last month's "strong movement" thus also has a strong "last dash" to it.

In the middle of the month, Trainers had to really "dash", for the Spring Marathon event was at hand from May 12 to 18. The event featured the debut of the Flittle species family, as well as a Pikachu in a marathon costume... for those who can complete a task of exploring 42 km in a Timed Research set, the same as a real marathon. Flittle, meanwhile, is caught from Go Pass encounters and hatched from 5 km Eggs - alongside other Pokémon with flower crowns, also found in Field Research encounters. Speaking of, the Go Pass has 60 ranks and bonuses of more XP for spinning PokéStops and halved Egg hatch distance, along with premium items for all and ultra-premium items for those who pay for Deluxe.

Now, this month actually has one more event, but like for last month, I'm going to shove it into next month's rollup due to its thematic connotations and in a way to make writing the rollup much easier for it and other events. So, this is a "last dash" that isn't, in some way.

Of course, there are the Community Saturdays of this month, as with the previous two months, other than for the two Community Day editions on May 9 (regular) and May 16 (Classic). Those were for a Raid Day for Shadow Entei on May 2 in line with the "Taken Over" event as above, and then a Super Mega Raid Day for Mega Falinks on May 23. These had their usual bonuses (more free passes, extra paid ticket for premium bonuses, and so on) as well as an opportunity to use Link Charges in the latter - and hopefully to meet good people.

The "last dash" evident through the above events might seem like a mixed bag of "dashing" for things, but it also makes it evident that some things need to move, and Trainers also need to move for them. That is perfectly in line with "Memories in Motion" as it wraps up so that Trainers can stride into the next season.

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Thursday, May 28, 2026

Pokémon Go Fest 2026: All Ace Bosses Awaken

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Pokémon, so its happenings in that time have to be extra-special. That also goes for Pokémon Go, which would correspond to something special (aside from the one about to be covered in this post) to be covered later on. This time, though, it's about the usual summer happening of Pokémon Go Fest, which also as usual I'm "rounding up" early - or it may be better described as a preview. So it is that I'm making the writeup for that at the same time of the year as last year (see below) for convenience and in some sense also by necessity, for what the happening has to offer this time around.

Par for the course is its scheduling and regional allocation. The settings this time are Tokyo (Asia, May 29-31 - yet again this weekend), Chicago (Americas, June 5-7), and Copenhagen (Europe, June 11-13). Each of these is hosted by a team leader - Blanche, Spark, and Candela respectively - and they come with the Pokémon that are often ascribed or associated with them. They also bring forth the usual gameplay and niceties, for they are truly the "aces" of their respective teams and followers... not to mention Professor Willow as well.

Meanwhile, the Global edition will be somewhat farther off this time, being scheduled for July 11 and 12 - that is, the month after next. It will also feature nine hours of gameplay each day, which means that it'll be intense, a test for the true "aces" of this game. Of course, everyone can and should deal with things however they can, not necessarily as the "aces" would demand them how to do it, but as best as possible following their best advice (hopefully) and the best practices of others so they can be "aces" in their own ways with the caught Pokémon.

Now, as for why I subtitled the post as above - besides inserting it as a theme - it concerns the content of this year's festivities. Among the "aces" this year are a supreme Legendary Pokémon of the Psychic type, a novel Mythical Pokémon of the Electric type, and other raid bosses of similar stature where you'd find them. Then there are the "lesser aces" of wild Pokémon and more, but that's for Trainers to discover in all the "ace" editions of the event as outlined.

With that, all the "aces" are arising or "awakening" in various ways for this year's edition of Pokémon Go Fest. That will then lead to dealing with them in all the usual ways and perhaps a few unusual ones as well depending on the circumstances. In doing so, Trainers will surely be preparing their own "aces" for those purposes and more, and they themselves might measure up to become "Ace Trainers" who will be proven (right) by the ace bosses soon to awaken. 

Two years ago: "Pokémon in Concert"?
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