Thursday, February 26, 2026

Fourteenth Cosplay Anniversary - Make the Old New Again

So, today as usual is my "cosplay anniversary", as the day I first started cosplaying formally. It certainly started with a Pokémon cosplay and that remains the bread-and-butter of my cosplay efforts even to this day. That's an ongoing effort, and it's also an old effort (especially given how long it has lasted, 14 years to this day), so that brings up an interesting point, in that a lot of my current efforts are also "old" efforts, whether it's bringing up an old character from the rich history of Pokémon or reworking an old cosplay, both of which apply to Ash as my most frequent character. Thus, I thought of discussing the "new" element that can apply to these.

Bringing up an old character in a way makes it still relevant for a cosplayer, and that would be true for me with Ash, who is no longer seen in the Pokémon anime but is still influential for me even now. I can see the same thing in other cosplayers who bring out other characters that are just as old or even older than Ash, yet they too are still relevant for them and even in this modern age. That becomes my vindication that I can still cosplay as Ash or any character from any point in Pokémon history, and that would still represent the relevance of Pokémon to me.

Then, the reworking of old cosplay represents my desire of giving them improvements so that the above process of maintaining relevance can still occur. Even if they're not completely new, at least the spirit is still new or renewed. It's a continuous process that is still occurring for as long I have the costumes, and it's also necessary in many ways in the case that certain "new developments" occur and may preclude any and all cases of my continued foray into cosplay.

What is also affirmed is that the process as mentioned is important, whether for the possibility of new costumes being made or just the renewal of old costumes. I have to keep this in mind, and perhaps others do too - both the cosplayers and the makers - so that they too can also include and experience the "new" spirits in some way.

Regardless, it is with Pokémon cosplay that I've attained many of these realizations, and on this anniversary, that seems important as I've become a long-in-the-tooth cosplayer and Pokémon itself is also "long in the tooth" for its existence.

New things are great, but giving "newness" to old things is also great in some ways, and that may be just as well for my (Pokémon) cosplay.

Happy fourteenth cosplay anniversary to me.

Nine years ago: Fifth Cosplay Anniversary
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 2/25/2026

The "precious path" of this so-called Pokémon Go season is almost at its grand finale. But before that can happen, it is necessary to roll up the game's events that took place in this month, being the final month of the season as well. With that in mind, this month's events themselves can be considered to be just as grand as that grand finale lying in wait, and that's saying just a little to start - with a lot more to follow in the rollup below.

In celebration of Carnival, a grand festival of its own right, Flamigo makes its debut in the aptly titled Carnival of Flamigo from February 3 to 8. It appeared in the wild, Collection Challenges, and rewards from Research, both Field and Timed (the latter also in the free and paid guises with item rewards); it also awarded extra Stardust when caught. Other pink, cutesy, and winged Pokémon - specifically Spritzee, Lotad, and Pikipek - became the complement to the event, also in the same channels, and had boosted Shiny chances. Incense of both kinds were also of double length to enhance the festivities, along with a Catch Mastery event featuring Oricorio  on February 7 (for whichever form is in one's region) involving throwing tasks and bonuses for accomplishing them. This Carnival was really "for the birds", in some ways.

After a year's absence, the Valentine's Day event returned from February 10 to 15 in its true form. Along with the return of being able to obtain the Heart Trim for Furfrou, this edition featured lovely couples and pink buddies, as Nidoran of both genders (with their crown-costumed evolved forms in raids) and Gardevoir and Gallade (also in raids along with their special move when caught or evolved into) along with baby species (in 7 km Eggs, of course) and Audino - many with certain Shiny boosts. A Global Challenge focused on sending Gifts also unlocked a Timed Research featuring Spinda with the heart pattern alongside capture (XP) and Gift (Rare Candy) bonuses. XP from catching and Stardust from Gifts were also increased. On the big day - February 14 - there was a Raid Day for Enamorus in its Therian Forme, and this was followed by a Battle Day for Gigantamax Meowth the next day (February 15). The return of the event was lovely as all the basics of its particulars.

Just as grand as love is (was), there was also the occasion of the Lunar New Year, bringing forth its event from February 17 to 21. This year is the year of the Fire Horse, so a special feature was made for Blitzle and Darumaka (with Shiny boosts) - though both Ponyta forms were still present. They and other reddish, fiery, and charming Pokémon were in the wild and Field Research rewards, and were part of a Collection Challenge. Gimmighoul through its means was also Shiny boosted, and some PokéStops could turn gold without the Golden Lure Module. Lucky Pokémon and Lucky Friends were also boosted, and the extra paid Timed Research had charming rewards, all for this charming and festive celebration.

Closing up the month is a grand run-up to the Global edition of Pokémon Go Tour with the Road to Kalos event from February 23 to 27. This event features "daily specials" of Pikachu with Trainer caps from each prior region (some newly appearing, others returning from past Go Tour editions), caught from Incense, raids, and Timed Research; daily Legendary raids with special moves, and new special backgrounds from raids and returning ones for Unova from last year's Go Tour; and daily wild appearances (including first partners) and Field Research tasks. All this is wrapped up with 2 km Eggs containing powerhouse Pokémon and halved hatch distance, Frustration removal by Charged TM, increased daily remote raid limits for the entire event, and a special Go Pass that also serves the Global edition of Pokémon Go Tour with grand rewards and bonuses, free and paid, for the grand finale weekend to come soon.

Even as the "Precious Paths" come to an end, some grand things and celebrations still manage to accompany those paths. Yet that also fits into the grand scheme of what "precious" might mean to many Trainers still playing this game, and those paths along with their conclusions have been laid out for all of them to traverse, enjoy, and truly complete at this season's end.

Seven years ago: Meeting of the Minds
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

(Really) Stuck on You

Stuck on you
I've got this feeling down deep in my soul
That I just can't lose
Guess I'm on my way
Needed a friend
And the way I feel now
I guess I'll be with you 'til the end
Guess I'm on my way
Mighty glad you stayed
-- "Stuck on You", Lionel Richie

After the matter on "you" in the previous post, I thought I'd run with the theme and present a song that also relates to Pokémon experiences with relation to that theme. Its anniversary is also coming up quickly, so there has to be something related to that, and this song also fits the bill. It's also similar in some ways to a certain song that I brought up a few years prior at around this time, which makes it even more appropriate.

This pop (and slightly country) song, which is by a well-known singer of old times, is about a certain attraction that a person just can't let go of - likely a romantic one in the vein of similar songs. Other themes involved in and for the attraction, as expressed in the song, are relations, yearning, and thankfulness, especially if that attraction has been in progress for quite some time. The hope is that the attraction can last in the times ahead.

Of course, for Pokémon fans, the attraction would be for Pokémon itself - thus, being "stuck on Pokémon". That's how it may have been from the beginning, whether from the start of a fan's attraction or from the start of the existence of Pokémon itself. It's especially significant for the occasion of this anniversary, which is pretty long, so this song might be of significance to those certain fans - and especially me, who has also been in it for a long time.

For the people embedded within Pokémon itself - that is, whose popular moniker is Trainers - they might just be stuck on the individual species that they train, befriend, associate with, and so on and so forth. The sentiments in the song apply very well in this regard (in some cases [ahem] also romantically, as the actual suggestion of the song), and the attachment becomes quite evident for those who bear the specific moniker as above.

It's been a real long time for Pokémon and all of its fans everywhere, and their attachment to the franchise has to be evident and true at this point. The "you" song as quoted above could be construed as a reflection of their sentiments, moreover as the character(s) they identify with and the eponymous species they are linked to. With that, every fan of Pokémon is "on their way" and should be glad that it has stayed all this time.

Three years ago: The Hoenn Cup of GBL
Four years ago: The Johto Cup of GBL
Seven years ago: Don't Forget Our Roots
Nine years ago: Memories of Johto
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Monday, February 23, 2026

It's All About You

Regular readers might notice - aside from the recent pacing of posts - that apart from those made in "conversation" style and/or with special addressing, I've seemingly shied away from usage of the word "you" to refer to other Pokémon fans, players, and/or any other relevant parties. Yet it's such a vital way of referring to others not only textually but also personally. To that end, I've decided to take a post to regroup my thoughts on the matter while also still including the necessary Pokémon references for support.

The "seemingly" part may be due to my attempts of shifting tones on posts to try to discuss the matters in them in a more authoritative (in a way, formal) manner, even if the matters are more liberal (again in a way, casual). Pokémon matters are expected to be more of the latter than the former, so it might be unusual or even a little nonsensical to try to make things out as the former if it's not completely necessary to do so. The bottom line is that there is room for interpretation in either direction regarding the discussion of Pokémon matters.

What may be just as important is to consider the feelings and relevance toward the parties I might potentially refer with the word "you", which might involve any or all of the ones whom I had already mentioned above. In that regard, something like the aspects of Pokémon Go that occasionally causes trouble for some of you (ahem) players out there or the merchandise items that you (ahem) collectors obtain might provide an opportunity for sentimental connections to be made by inciting the reference with the word.

Given the above considerations, there might still be room for the usage of "you" in various non-conversation and non-special discussions on the posts of this blog, even if I might still shy away from its usage from time to time. In order to try to reach out to others in a more relaxed manner, the usage of the word - perhaps in the ways that I have put forth as above - might be necessary. Pokémon remains something that is personal to many people (including yours truly), and that personal connection may be needed for you and me - us. 

So, as the final word: you (Pokémon fans, fellows, friends, or whoever) are awesome, and you are you - and Pokémon makes all of us who we are.

One year ago: Cosplay: Utsuru 9.5
Two years ago: AFA ID Returns
Four years ago: Good Builds for Unite?
Seven years ago: Let's Go Take Pictures
Eight years ago: Community Days!
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Sunday, February 22, 2026

Passion vs. Hobby

Around a couple of years ago, I wrote a post that discussed "hobby" and "responsibility" in contrast to each other while keeping it relevant to Pokémon. The discussion was based on the views of a certain person that I also had heard at around that time. Now, I'd like to go off on a tangent and add another dimension to that, which would be "passion". This too is based on a something (specifically, a talk) that I was exposed to fairly recently, and that made me think of the earlier relation as well as how to make sense of it with Pokémon.

Like in the previous discussion, some definitions are in order. According to the talk, a "hobby" is something that one does for fun, which is also likely the only outcome, while a "passion" is something that one does regardless of whether it is fun or not so fun. Thus, "responsibility" as discussed earlier would fit right in with the latter, although as stated, it could be construed more accurately as a dimension. And then, of course, there is the matter of fitting in Pokémon and what its fans do with it into this state of affairs.

It is a given that many Pokémon fans are in it for the fun, and when the not-so-fun matters come up, they are likely to pull out or disengage. For them, Pokémon would indeed be a "hobby" since only the fun matters are relevant. Yet it cannot be denied that some people are into Pokémon with all its ups and downs - whether they are responsible for those matters or not - and for them, Pokémon is a "passion", since they are in it for enjoying the fun aspects and navigating ("weathering") the less fun aspects.

Then there are me and my Pokémon dealings, and this blog as a subset of the latter. A lot of Pokémon has been fun for me (playing, watching, interacting), but then there have been the struggles ("grinding" the games, showing off with cosplay, and - as of late - even writing posts on this blog). With that, Pokémon is a "passion" for me since I deal with the fun aspects and not-so-fun aspects amidst everything else that I do. Whether they are or aren't my responsibilities, the "passion" has to be evident.

"Hobbies", "responsibilities", and "passions" will always be relevant for many things or realms, if the talks that mention them are of any indication. The same would be true for Pokémon, where all of them can be applied in different ways. Evidently, when "fun" is involved in some way - which is something that is rather expected for Pokémon - the dimension of "passion" against "hobby" becomes very much relevant in that case. Every fan, including me, can make their own considerations (including "responsibility") for what applies.

Eight years ago: Trainer Caps, and a Teaser
Nine years ago: Back in the Park
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Playing the TCG with Only Dice

Still on the subject of physical TCG equipment, having mentioned dice as one of the possible kinds of supplementary equipment in the previous discussion, I thought I should discuss it further. A radical proposition (by one consideration, at least) regarding this kind of equipment is that it's possible to play through entire games or matches of the TCG using only dice as the supplementary equipment. How that may be possible becomes something that can be (and in fact should be) discussed, and that becomes the point of this post.

Recall that I had mentioned a few aspects of this when I started with the local TCG such a long time ago, and those aspects are still relevant. Usage of a die to call for odds or evens in lieu of the heads and tails from flipping a coin obviously allows the former to stand in for the latter, and it can then be considered a way to obviate or supplant the use of coins. In fact, I've also seen a Pokémon-themed die with Pikachu on it that can indeed serve this purpose very well. In this way, a distinct supplementary equipment is rendered unnecessary.

Dice obviously have values on them, so they can stand in for damage counters as well, but quite (more than) a few may be needed for Pokémon that have over 240 HP (which can be represented with four regular dice showing sixes). As a "supplement" to this supplement, it may be possible to borrow the "doubling cube" from backgammon to represent greater damage in a more succinct manner. Yet for those who possess a large number of regular dice, this probably won't matter much, and the fact remains that the substitution is possible.

Then there are other markers that don't seem like they could be substituted with dice yet in fact seems quite possible. An ability that has been used could be marked with a die showing a six horizontally. Certain statuses could be indicated with dice showing certain values (or even a one for simplicity, if not many of them are in actual play) with the dice being placed on the Pokémon slightly turned to resemble a diamond. The system can totally work out and therefore make usage of only dice rather attractive. 

With the above points, it seems very much possible that a player in a TCG match could use a set of dice for their entire set of supplementary equipment - aside from the ones that affect the cards themselves - and be able to use them to represent just about everything that goes on in that match. By that account, it seems to be not such a radical proposition after all (except maybe considering the perceptions of dice themselves as game equipment), and at least in some cases, usage of only dice in TCG might just work out, and very well in fact.

One year ago: How to Say "Farewell"
Six years ago: Hobby as a Partner
Eight years ago: Quirky Raids
Nine years ago: Secret Garden
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Friday, February 20, 2026

Custom Equipment for the Physical TCG

Today is a Friday, and this is one of the days when my Pokémon TCG fellows gather for a weekly tournament. I can't be there for certain reasons, so instead, I thought about discussing something related to that. Now, besides the cards themselves, it is known that some supplementary equipment is needed in order to assist and keep track of what's going on during play. In fact, some of the equipment can be custom-made for that purpose, and that's what I want to discuss in this post for all their value. 

If starter kits for playing the game serve as guides, the basic supplementary equipment is composed of coins, status indicators, and damage counters. The last and the first of these are certainly the most frequently used among the three, so they will be needed in some form. Custom coins and damage counters could then stand to be made, and the latter doesn't even have to be in the form of "counters", as in specific numbers; they could be in dice form, something that can be discussed separately due to the broad scope.

As for status indicators, many decks don't have Pokémon that can inflict statuses, so many players can actually get by with or without the indicators. Having them - ones that are custom-made, certainly - would then be more for posterity and completeness. Yet it should be noted that some cards have abilities that can only be used once (implied or not), so a custom "ability used" indicator is actually useful for this purpose - and in fact, some of my fellows do have such indicators, affirming their usage potential.

Card sleeves are in some ways an unspoken necessity for this and other TCG realms, and they can be custom-made as well, as some players can attest. They can be as simple (or not) as an insert for some sleeves, or they can be the sleeves themselves, the latter of which is definitely convenient. Either one will certainly demand some effort in their creation, but custom ones can surely even be had, especially with regard to Pokémon. They're perhaps the equipment that reflects the custom nature the most.

Yet with all this custom talk, it should be noted that when official tournaments are the destination, the custom equipment may not fly for them. Players may be asked to keep their equipment either official (from the sets themselves or from, say, Pokémon Center) or generic (as in clear card sleeves or plain dice or markers). Therefore, usage of the custom equipment may only be reserved for tournaments that are less official in nature or just for casual play. It's still fine to have the custom equipment in these other cases.

Regardless of that last fact, the realm of equipment for Pokémon TCG is a broad one, and in that broadness, there is also the presence of custom equipment. Their purpose in assisting play and keeping track of things that go on in it remains something that cannot be denied, even if their scope may be kept in check. For my TCG fellows as well as any other TCG player out there, the equipment remains necessary for good play, and the choice of having that custom-made may still be a good one.

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Tour: Kanto
Six years ago: Living with My Buddy
Seven years ago: Poké-Tourism
Eight years ago: Pokémon "Cover Songs"
Nine years ago: Venice and Alto Mare
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)