Thursday, August 20, 2026

Getting Poké-Happy with Happy Asmara

The artist of a certain "happy" Pokémon collaboration was not mentioned in the post, and that was for a specific reason: I wanted to deal with the artist as a person in a separate post, and that would obviously be this one. Fittingly, said artist is just as happy as the collaboration itself, for the name of the artist contains the word in question. As well, the artist is dealing with Pokémon in more ways than one, which makes a separate discussion quite appropriate.

Happy Asmara is the artist; the name is a stage name, but her real name nevertheless starts with "Heppy". As mentioned, she is a recognizable artist of the dangdut genre in contemporary times, and she got her career started a couple of decades ago while in her teens. There have been a few ups and downs along that journey, but she has gained a great prominence with all that's happened - and now especially as she becomes intertwined to deal with Pokémon. 

With that, her other Pokémon dealing - or in fact, it can be said to be the one that spurred the Pokémon collaboration as previously detailed - is providing a voice in the Indonesian dub of the continuation of the current Pokémon anime (Horizons). She provides the voice of Emma, which in any case is a fitting character for her. That also makes her another high-profile name to contribute to the local Pokémon anime scene after Isyana Sarasvati as noted last year.

Still, it can be said that there needs to be something to recognize her musical prowess, and that obviously becomes realized in the previously mentioned musical endeavor. It is certainly a way of honoring her musical background, but more to the point, it becomes another "entry point" for Pokémon to mingle with local flavors. No doubt, even a lot of the locals have been surprised with the collaboration, but it is regardless an effective one for the two sides.

For the relatively young artist, her "happy" name very much lends herself to being able to make moves in the local music scene with the dangdut genre, given how "moving" the genre itself is. Making the move toward Pokémon then becomes another approach of "spreading the happiness", whether it's brought by she herself, the music, or Pokémon itself. It's wonderful and quite reflective of all the pleasant elements that every party above can stand to offer.

Three years ago: Cosplay: Utsuru 8
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Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Moving Happily with Pikachu

There's nothing quite like music to get one going and moving. In fact, just as a certain song for a realm that is very much far away from Pokémon suggests, once someone does so, they can become quite happy after that. Bringing things back to Pokémon, an answer to or for this situation may just have been provided, and it comes out of an unexpected (or perhaps, highly expected) place for that situation and circumstance.

Now, Indonesia has a variety of musical forms or genres, one of which is "dangdut", a folksy blend of Hindustan, Arab, and local sounds. It's arguably the most popular one of the country, and many people are fans of it. Likewise, its artists are quite plentiful and have their legions of fans, and they can really make people move - there are even set names for the moves. In fact, they can make things happy (or even happier)...

...which brings me to the point of this post. One of the currently most renowned artists of this genre took one of the genre's classic songs and gave it a Pokémon twist in its performance - mostly the dance, but a little in the lyrics as well. "Kopi Dangdut" ("Dangdut Coffee") is the song, and it's given the "goyang Hepika" ("happy Pika move") to tie the song with Pokémon and to please Pokémon fans with the music.

The once-burning flames of romance
Are warming up like a first kiss
The beating of my heart seems to fall into a rhythm
It is charmed by the attractive melody of Kopi Dangdut...
-- "Kopi Dangdut" (free translation)

Further, in the song's official music video, Pikachu - as well as the singer, which I still haven't mentioned - are clad in golden clothing, and that Pikachu is also available in plush form for collectors to obtain, at least when special events are offering it for purchase. This also makes the collaboration that results in the song an officially sanctioned one, which makes it an impressive one for fans of both where it's given.

With that, it can be said to be fairly easy for music to get people moving and especially in a happy manner. Further, when Pokémon is involved, it can make things that much more special, like in the case of the above collaboration, as surprising it may be for fans of the two elements (Pokémon and dangdut). Perhaps that outsider song may have been right after all, and movement becomes relative to what one really likes.

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Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Finding My "Triangle" (with Pokémon)

In a recent seminar I attended - yes, I attend seminars if at all possible for my life other than Pokémon - one of the speakers suggested to find a "triangle", as three things that define oneself, which can then be shaped to make a successful life, professional or otherwise. Of course, if it's going to be on this blog, it's got to be related back to Pokémon somehow... and that's certainly the intent of it all, as well as to see how it can be applied in that manner.

According to the speaker, the "triangle" consists of what one can do, can deal with, and/or is interested in, forming the three corners of a triangle. The "can do" or "can deal with" part is rather obvious as everyone should have something they can do to make a living, but the "interest" part can be rather different and may just define one's position. Or, in different terms, it can be said to be the "added value" that makes the triangle unique for every person. Of course, the other two corners can be unique in their own ways, which adds to that.

Now, I certainly have Pokémon going for me, so that is placed in one corner - but more specifically, it's an element of pop culture, so it and the rest of pop culture make up that corner. Then, I have the expertise of languages and its science (linguistics) in another corner, which becomes mostly what I do as well as a major interest. As for the third corner, I have my other interests as well as what I can do with them, for example a partial interest in technology and its innovations, which allow me to take care of things in the other two corners.

Using this "triangle", I can then define and seek out opportunities to support myself and allow growth that no one else may be interested to take up. In fact, I've already started to seek a particular example, though I can't say what it is just yet nor discuss how successful I'd be in taking it up. It would be a further way of dealing with Pokémon and pop culture, and one that would allow me to peruse aspects from the other two corners of the triangle. If it were to be successful... then it would surely be a vouch for this particular "triangle" approach.

This approach is also somewhat reminiscent of a different one that shares the same number of sides, though that is more reserved for gathering and dealing with information, to make sure that is as intended. Still, the approach in this post does deal with information in a way, only more about oneself - and in my specific case, how to involve Pokémon.

Much of what I have discussed above can and should be applied differently by different people, but the core principles of the approach will remain the same. There would also be the same spirit of making a living with the tools that one has or will have, and if one of those tools happen to be Pokémon somehow, then it might surely be a good life. 

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Monday, August 17, 2026

Flowers of Freedom

Like all posts in past years, this one will address the special day linked to my experiences, in particular Pokémon. Yet also like last year's post (see below), I'm still not comfortable to address it directly. Therefore, I'm addressing Pokémon directly again instead but with influences from that special day. I don't know how long it might persist, but that may just be the case for some time. 

Last year, I addressed fauna or animal life - specifically birds of the kind that might be pertinent to national symbolism. Now I want to address its conceptual kin, flora or plant life - specifically flowers as a part of their anatomy, and a beautiful one at that. Some Pokémon also have bodies made up of flower-like anatomy, and while they may not constitute flowers themselves, they could be construed as the flowers they resemble.

Many nations likewise have flowers as part of their national symbology, and where I am is no different. One of the pertinent flowers for the current place is a large, reddish, and speckled flower, much like the head of a Vileplume - or in fact the reverse is true, as the Pokémon takes inspiration from this very flower. Both of these flowers, though pretty, also have detracting qualities, which people of both worlds have discovered.

Meganium, meanwhile, has a showy collar that very much resembles a flower in and of itself. The same is true of the Phalaenopsis orchid (aka the moon orchid) that is also very showy, and it happens that the collar of said Pokémon can be considered to resemble this flower's shape to some extent. As for color, that may be another matter, though the orchid may have color variants that are reasonably close in shade.

Not all flowers are big and showy, certainly. The jasmine is small and elegant for its stature... and so is Floette, particularly in its White Flower form, which may be considered to bear resemblance to that very flower. Though Floette and especially this form are rare, compared to the more common jasmine, they might just become common at some undiscovered place, showing off their existence elegantly much like the jasmine.

Now, flowers are also associated with some "withering spirits", which could be said to be the case for my discussion of the special day on this blog along with Pokémon. Yet it may also be necessary to bring flowers at times to bring liveliness to periods of "withering" and "rising" spirits. This post can thus be construed to do just that, bringing real and Pokémon flowers to keep some special things lively.

Three years ago: My Land, Never Gone
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Sunday, August 16, 2026

Pokémon Go Community Day, 8/16/2026

Community Day time for this month is at hand, and it's a tricky one for several reasons. First up, it's on a Sunday, which hasn't happened since prior to the season when Daily Discoveries were introduced; it was actually initially scheduled for Saturday before being rescheduled to today. Then, the featured Pokémon species of this edition was determined by voting a couple of months ago, with the candidates also being tricky. That's a lot of tricks for an edition - and it's not even October 31 yet - and they have to be made clear with a post that covers it.

With that, the featured Pokémon is Nickit, a Dark type Pokémon that evolves only once to Thievul; it beat out three other species that also evolve once, making them all "tricky" as it is an unusual pattern for Community Day - in fact, it is unprecedented for a Pokémon species without an alternate or related form of some kind. Nevertheless, the latter Pokémon gets the special move of Icy Wind, which has an effect in PvP and effectively setting the destiny of species usage. As well, its appeal may also be reduced for that reason as well as its relative unpopularity.

But things carry on, and the edition still has its particulars. The main bonus is triple catch Stardust, which may be the only part that "salvages" this edition. The usual series of bonuses - double catch Candy, double Candy XL chance, 3-hour Incense, 1-hour Lure Modules, photo bombs, trade discount, and an extra Special Trade - still makes the event what it is. Of course, Research is also still there with Field tasks, Timed tasks for communities, and a paid Special set titled "Wily Whiskers", which affirms that Trainers need to be as tricky as the featured Pokémon.

Meanwhile, Ash and Goh are back from their soiree - temporarily - and they (mostly the former) are given to deal with this edition:

Goh: Nickit, huh?

Ash: Just like the ones we saw in Galar!

Pikachu: Chu pika. ["Exactly that."]

Goh: Right, and then there's the leader that evolved to Thievul.

Me: Obviously you two are familiar with them.

Ash: But as usual, you want me with your faraway friends.

Me: Well, of course. There's always January 2025 to consider. 

Goh: Anyway, how'd the Nickit hunting go? 

Ash: I really got a lot! But I only found two Shiny ones...

Goh: Huh. You'd usually find at least a few. 

Ash: Some of the others also didn't find a lot.

Me: OK, it might be an anomaly, or it might not.

Ash: As usual, I really was with them - with my world outfit, of course. 


Goh: Well, all right. That's rising to the occasion.

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["Pretty good!"]

Ash: Hey, it just had to happen.

Goh: But I also can't help to think that our friend also wanted you somewhere.

Me: Let me give you a hint: if this was on Saturday as it was initially intended, then that would have happened.

Goh: I see. That's pretty tricky. 

Ash: Not as tricky as the Nickit!

Me: If anything, the Nickit may have more tricks than they seem to appear to have.

Tricky or not, every Community Day edition offers unique potentials that every Trainer can stand to take advantage of. For this one, that would be having an interesting and unique species for PvP battle, and that is a trick in and of itself. Whatever other tricks that this edition and future ones might have may or may not be fully known, but the final trick for these tricks is to participate in them with a community and to have a good time.

One year ago: Everywhere and Nowhere
Five years ago: Thoughts of Cards, Again
Seven years ago: Capital Convergence
Eight years ago: Getting Lucky with It
Nine years ago: I Want to Splurge
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Saturday, August 15, 2026

I'm Already There (and You're Always There)

I'm already there
Take a look around
I'm the sunshine in your hair
I'm the shadow on the ground
I'm the whisper in the wind
And I'll be there until the end
Can you feel the love that we share
Oh I'm already there
Oh I'm already there...
-- "I'm Already There", Lonestar

When I bring up a song that has no apparent relation to Pokémon on this blog, it can be reasoned that the song ties into my thoughts or experiences involving Pokémon things. The song quoted above speaks to the second of these two realms, and rather strongly at that. It used to be a song that I wouldn't have second thoughts over, but I now truly have those second thoughts with subsequent listening of the song - specifically for Pokémon experience.

Now, the song is about a man reassuring a child and significant other, being separated by a great distance from them, that he is always present wherever they are and they will remain together, at least spiritually. It became popular over two decades ago likely because it spoke to the experiences of people separated in this way due to a certain conflict - not for discussion here. The quoted part above is the final chorus, a blending of the first two that preceded it. As such, the strength of feelings that pertain to this song becomes somewhat evident.

Since the parting of Ash in the anime, it could be regarded that even if he's not around in it anymore, he's still somewhere just like how it's a certain time of day in some place. With that, the spirit of the choruses - and maybe a little bit of the verses - apply for those who still appreciate him for who he is, like me. The new anime won't erase the legacy of the old, and that would apply to the presence as well. Surely, Ash will be present in some way at some place, and that would be felt through the elements that are mentioned in the chorus.

Then... there is a sense that the song could be understood to apply to those who have departed - as in, forever. I've had to experience one of those departures several months ago with my "Delia", who in many ways is also relevant to my Pokémon appreciation. This day, in fact, happens to be related to her as it's her "special day", even if in the past I've struggled to remember and not remember it because of how things have been even with her presence. And now, that presence only becomes "spiritual", again thanks to the chorus as mentioned.

For those who are always there, the assurance and perception that they will be as such may be difficult to establish. Yet this song presents some of the ways that can be realized, even for specific Pokémon matters and others that are only adjacent to it. Once assured and perceived, the hope is that people will understand that they've always been there all along, even if not physically. At that point, (Pokémon) life goes on however the presence may be.

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Friday, August 14, 2026

Introducing the Explorer Gadget

Trainers of Pokémon Go will no doubt be familiar with "accessory devices" (or what I in the past called "Go Plus peripheral"), which are used to help them catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops. Since they're "devices" or "peripherals", they're necessarily physical. However, now the game has a virtual or in-game equivalent that is now available to most Trainers after having been tested with a smaller number of them. Per the title of this post, that would be the feature called the Explorer Gadget, and it is worthwhile to discuss its specifics.

Essentially, the Explorer Gadget is a virtual version of the Pokémon Go++ device, which catches Pokémon and spins PokéStops automatically, the former of which doesn't happen with other accessory devices. Like said device, though, one will need to have a ready supply of Poké Balls and ample bag and storage space, lest it won't function optimally. Furthermore, this feature as it is implemented is only active when the game is running but in the background (closed). This is unlike a device that runs as long as the game is running.

Now, the game also places a daily limit on how many captures and spins that can be made, which at present is 76 each. It also needs to be started manually each day, but it can be paused and resumed as needed until the limit is reached. It is also quite possible that later on, the limits will be changed and the feature can be activated several times a day... but at a cost, which would make sense as another way to rake in profits and with the fact that the physical devices are likewise purchased for use. Yet at least some freebies are retained for it.

As for best practices, it is certainly a good idea to turn on the feature when one can't be bothered to have Pokémon Go open and needs to do other things, keeping it in the background. It also should work well with the screen turned off while one is venturing, although this seems to be iffy at certain moments and especially now for Android users, while Apple users seem to have a better experience. It seems that further tweaks to the feature are needed to make it work in all kinds of probable situations.

Why the feature was implemented could be answered to a certain extent as well. It is known that the world is currently facing a "semiconductor crisis" that makes devices of all kinds more expensive, including Pokémon Go accessory devices. Even without the "crisis", it seems that the specific device in question (Pokémon Go++) is being rather finicky for existing users, and an alternative implementation is needed. Therefore, the virtual implementation of the Explorer Gadget serves that very purpose and is to try to resolve both issues.

If the Explorer Gadget can be described in terms of its facilitation, then it makes an accessory device experience (albeit a limited one) available to all Trainers of Pokémon Go while solving a few problems for them as well as itself in the physical form. Though the feature may not yet be free from issues and it is still in its infancy, its potential for future development may be great to an extent, and Trainers can still take advantage of it in different ways presently to add on or improve their Pokémon Go experience, if only with a virtual accessory device implementation.

Seven years ago: Who's That...
Eight years ago: Worldly Reverence
Nine years ago: All in Good (Life)Time
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