Wednesday, August 26, 2026

PokémonXP: From Tournament to Convention

The end of August is drawing near, and so is in fact the Pokémon World Championships, which will in fact be discussed soon. Along with that, I also want to discuss something that very much pertains to the grand event, at least as far as this year's edition is concerned. It is known that the tournament has attracted the appeal of non-competing fans to come and visit (yours truly would be one of them), so along with the tournament this year, something new is (was) introduced that can be said to take it from a tournament to a convention.

For that purpose, that something is a special event called PokémonXP, for which the name might evoke some memories of (by now) a popular but eventually deprecated operating system. It's not that, of course, but both are certainly based on the same root of "experience", which this something new is intended to deliver, especially for those who aren't competing. While the competitors are duking it out as they are expected to in the World Championships, visiting fans can check this out instead to get their Pokémon enjoyment in other ways.

Now, the event is composed of happenings on two stages, a main one for the event itself as well as another one as a "garden stage". As a brief summary, the latter is composed of more fun and involved activities with Pokémon, while the former is composed primarily of many panels, each running about one and a half hours long, with some other fun stuff interspersed. I'll have more on these happenings in a separate post, which I had intended to make much sooner, but now is appropriate and relevant anyhow since I've explained the background.

With the schedule, it can be seen that it's very much a convention, as it's structured in similar ways and has similar content to what one would expect at pop culture conventions - especially ones in the United States, for those familiar with them. Being a convention person myself (obviously with some detailed on this blog through my Pokémon cosplay), it also drives my interest to go to it - although evidently it's too late at this point in time. And while it may or may not be present next year, the World Championships are surely so even then.

PokémonXP is certainly not a replacement, but rather a complement to the grand tournament that has persisted for many years now. Depending on its chance of persistence or appearance in later years, it may also become its own thing, if its content as above doesn't already suggest that it could in fact be considered its own thing. Whether together or separate, its potential to draw Pokémon fans without needing them to be competitive is a wonderful thing, just like any pop culture convention in its most exacting form should be.

Two years ago: Network Connections
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Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Cosplay: "Independence Cosplay"

Ash and Goh have gone back out into the world. But there's a little something going on today, and I still need someone to fill that in. So...

Me: For the first time ever, please welcome Roy.

Roy: Hi!

Me: You, of course, are the "flame child" that I referred to in my previous post, and I've grown to identify with you in some ways.

Roy: Thank you! I'm honored.

Me: Which is why now I'd like to take the privilege to send you to a happening in my world [OOC: cosplay as you] as the first Pokémon character not tied to my previous ones [Ash or his basis].

Roy: Sure! But... isn't today a day where you might need to be doing something else?

Me: Don't worry, today's an off day, which is why it can happen for me and my friends.

Roy: I can see that. I went to the mall that you told me to go to for it, and I met some of them right away. And one of them helped me get set up!

Me: See? And I'm glad you got the help. I was thinking someone might have to do that.

Roy: Oh, and you sent me along with Fuecoco, my first partner. That's very nice.

Fuecoco: Fuecoco! ["Greetings!"]

Roy: OK, so this festival - I guess you could call it that - has... "independence" in it? What's the deal?

Me: Well, last week there were celebrations for that, so this one can be considered a delayed version of that.

Roy: Oh, yeah - I gotcha. People set up shops too, some goodies, some food...

Me: Sure, even if it's a little one in a mall.

Roy: And then more of your friends came. And we talked off and on...

Me: It's a good time. Speaking of good times, the festival also has some entertainment. How'd that go for you?

Roy: I like the singers! The dancing was OK too. And there were games!

Me: Oh, they're probably like the games for last week's common celebration.

Roy: Yeah, they look interesting, but maybe I'm not cut out for them.

Me: I'm not sure either. But for characters, there should be something for them to express themselves.

Roy: It's... a little competition!

Fuecoco: Fueco! ["Neat!"]

Me: It's a little something I call a "character parade" [OOC: cosplay walk] where you also show off what you can do briefly.

Roy: You'd like me in it, wouldn't you?

Me: Of course, even though it's your first time out.

Roy: OK, I can do that with Fuecoco. It could be like the first time we met.

Me: That could work. Others might have something similar.

Roy: Yeah, that's the vibe I got from them.

Me: Well, all right. So you ate (for me), took in the sights, and participated in the character parade. How'd that last one go?

Roy: I got nothing. But the others that got something were great too.

Me: Yeah, that happens. So no "rookie miracle" this time around.

Roy: It was fun, though, on stage!

Fuecoco: Fueco fueco. ["Pretty nice."]

Me: So, after all that, how do you feel about me sending you?

Roy: That's great! It's a different experience from my journey.

Me: I thought so. And you could see a bit of my world.

Roy: And I could help you out with other Pokémon things too.

Me: That's a real possibility. Now, I currently don't have a future plan yet for you, and I might want to change up a couple of things to make it better for you.

Roy: That's fine with me! Take your time to make it the best.

Me: With that, you can go back to your journey, and I can go back to mine.

Roy: OK! I'll see you whenever I see you.

Me: Got it. And I'll see you then.

As I say, this is not "moving on", but "embracing the future". It's an "independence" in and of itself, which seems to be appropriate.

Six years ago: The Principle of Life
Seven years ago: Expecting the Cards
Eight years ago: PokéMusicians
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Monday, August 24, 2026

Ode to a Flame Child

OK, this post will be a bit cryptic for many of the uninitiated, but for others, it should be rather obvious what I'm talking about - even the title might be already so for some people in both camps. It's modeled after an ode, which is a kind of text that praises someone and is normally formed in poetic style, but for this post it's written in regular prose. And the subject is a certain "flame child" who has gained a certain prominence, which when linked to Pokémon becomes a given - and for that reason some praise for the person becomes deserved.

Now, the "flame child" can be considered a serendipitous find due to the way that the child's most trusted allies happened upon the child, and it's a find that will simultaneously define both the child and the allies. Their development, especially from a Pokémon standpoint, is stunning to cover and track, and I'm sure other fans would agree on this point. That point is certainly deserving of praise all its own, particularly when I can get to it myself.

The "flame child" is called as such - at least by my own terms - by the Pokémon that is very much identified with the child and furthermore develops along with the child. It is truly one of flames - even being slightly "spiritual" in its appearance and nature. For that, it also has to be praised for what it can do alongside the child and even further beyond that.

Some praise also has to be directed toward the child's vocal abilities, which is also helped by the accompaniment of the Pokémon that I just mentioned, again with regard to development. For someone interested in vocals such as myself, that's also a partial inspiration.

It's amazing how a child can exemplify so much, especially given the descriptor that applies to the child and how that relates to other things. All of those truly deserve praise somehow.

And after all that, I can say that the "flame child" will become important in the next post.

Four years ago: The Fighting Cup of GBL
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Sunday, August 23, 2026

Cosplay: Wibufest Cosplay Competition Vol. 9.3

Ash: Hey, they're busy again.

Pikachu: Pi pika? ["Again?"]

Me: Yup, this one's about them again.

Goh: I can see that. Um... "Vol 9.3"?

Me: I think they wanted to indicate that they've been around and about. But this one is local to my area.

Ash: Just like last time.

Goh: So, I guess that would apply to the place, the competitions, and the rest.

Ash: Yeah! I thought they wouldn't have a singing competition again, but they did.

Me: Oh, huh. I don't have anything fresh in my mind for you... so, will "Chiisaki Mono" again be fine with your world outfit?

Ash: OK. I guess that will make up for last time.

Pikachu: Pi pika pika. ["Again, I guess."]

Ash: But I did make it different. I went full Japanese this time.

Goh: Nice. Not your usual mixture self.

Me: Well, I guess it would be nice sometimes. What else is different, other than your outfit?

Ash: The communities were also different. A little bit.

Goh: There's got to be something different for the competitions.

Ash: Some of our usually in-character friends tried the singing competition. A few were OK.

Goh: OK, and then for the character competitions...

Ash: They made the registration simple this time. I went for both.

Pikachu: Pika! ["Simple!"]

Me: That just leaves how you did in all of them.

Ash: I got nothing.

Goh: Not even for singing?

Ash: Only two winners for that one - and they're both girls, the only two in it.

Goh: That sounds a little fishy.

Ash: How about a lot? I saw... uh... "The Forbidden One", to borrow what some of your outside friends say.

Me: Oh no. The person is still trying. How'd you know it was him?

Ash: Your other friends confirmed it. And we did address each other.

Goh: A little like that time.

Pikachu: Pika chu... ["Oh dear..."]

Ash: He might have been in it even before. All the winners had to sign something this time like last time, and I don't think they all got their prizes.

Goh: That's the "something they dealt with"!

Ash: Yeah, that.

Me: [sigh] I guess we'll need to mark this one as a red flag for now.

Goh: And I hope they can resolve things pretty soon. Otherwise they'll be "very busy".

Me: Maybe not in a good way. Anyhow, thanks to you two for helping to make this busy weekend more bearable. You can go back on your outing.

Ash, Goh: Sure!

Me: And I've got other business to attend to... literally.

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Saturday, August 22, 2026

Cosplay: Sportainment at "Wonderful Festival"

Me: Well, the next few days seem like it's going to be a busy stretch of sending characters, so with that, I'm going to need your help after all.

Ash: No prob! Good thing we're still here. And I'll put in my world outfit just like at Community Day.

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["That's right!"] 

Goh: And while I may or may not be sent, I can still offer my views.

Me: Sure. Anyway, this one happens locally in the town where I live.

Goh: OK, so it's sports, entertainment, and a festival. I think I see culture too.

Ash: I saw that, actually. It was at the local stadium, and I read up on how it got built.

Goh: Very interesting. I'd love to know how that came about.

Me: I can fill you in later. So, apparently this is a celebration for the wonderful things about where I live.

Ash: And they want characters - us - to make it lively!

Goh: Sounds familiar to all of us.

Pikachu: Pika chu... ["Uncanny..."] 

Ash: Well, yeah. The people holding the character part were the ones usually from the mall rooftop.

Goh: There you go.

Me: You didn't have to pay to get in, did you?

Ash: Luckily, no. The sport entertainment thing is on a stage outside, not inside with the concert.

Goh: I seem to remember a concert and character going on... wait, this one. It wasn't that, was it?

Me: No, this is different.

Ash: Yeah! It's way different than that.

Me: And I know there's a character parade. Did you get in?

Ash: I did! I thought I'd have to pay for that, but it was totally free.

Pikachu: Chu pika. ["Fortunately."] 

Goh: How about actual entertainment - for us?

Ash: Just dance groups and the final for a game we don't play.

Me: Mm-hmm. Did you actually see the festival, though?

Ash: I did stop by, but I didn't get anything from there.

Goh: Well, I guess we might have reasons for that.

Me: By the way, how did the actual character parade go? I heard there was a different system for that.

Ash: Oh, there was the usual stage perform, but we also went out to get "likes" or votes from other people.

Goh: Wait, also like that one time at the mall!

Ash: By the same people!

Pikachu: Pika pika chu? ["Coincidence?"] 

Goh: OK, so...

Ash: Yeah, the stage perform was OK, but I forgot that I needed to stay on stage for a bit.

Goh: Oof.

Ash: Yeah. And the voting was fine. I got 12 from people.

Me: That doesn't sound like much.

Ash: But it got me... THIRD IN VOTING!!

Goh: Wow!!

Me: Hey, and just like that time too.

Ash: Yeah! I thought it wouldn't work out, but it did.

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["It works!"] 

Me: It worked out nicely for us.

Ash: And many of your friends. They also came here with their communities.

Goh: That works out for sport-entertainment.

Ash: But... I peeked inside the stadium and it was mostly empty. And I guess the main festival part wasn't too popular either.

Me: I'm hearing reports that there were controversies the day before, when there weren't characters.

Goh: The day before? You mean this is a multi-day festival?

Me: Yes - it's from Friday to Sunday (tomorrow). But characters are only relevant today.

Goh: Like Ash said, it's to make things popular.

Pikachu: Pika chu pika... ["To make it work..."] 

Me: Well, I think they at least recovered and kept us and characters busy.

Ash: I hope they can make it more wonderful next time.

Goh: Sure enough. Speaking of busy things... what else is in store for us?

Me: Well, that comes tomorrow. But at least today really was busy in other ways.

One year ago: Narrowing Down Pokémon Types
Four years ago: The Summer Cup of GBL
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Friday, August 21, 2026

Returning to Pokémon Circumstances

A certain song out there with pop and folk characteristics - perhaps the title of this post could become a hint for that song, but I don't feel like "borrowing" it for this discussion - speaks of some "circumstances" that one could return to in a life that continues to pass by. It's a rather fond song with regard to the memories that it evokes for those who listen to the song, and as expected, this post takes (some) inspiration from that song for applicable Pokémon dealings.

Some Pokémon dealings involve journeys, particularly if they pertain to Trainers, for which that can be an extended or long one. Returning, in this case, can take some time (especially if one ends up far away) and may not necessarily line up with a schedule. But for closer distances, one could potentially return in time for whatever that lies in wait at the place of return. It is certain that any Pokémon along the way might just (want to) help to make that happen.

Then there are those things that lie in wait at the place. They could involve maintenance of elements that are already present - in particular, some Pokémon species - and enjoyment of simple pleasures from those same present elements. The possibilities for this are extensive (including taking stock of Combee and watching Swablu fly) given how Pokémon species are, so people are free to interpret this in any way they like while still involving Pokémon somehow.

Meanwhile, it is likely that people who like Pokémon - that is, its fans - will pass on their liking to others and especially further generations. In that case, when it manifests, it may become a sentimental moment for the ones involved. It's a "return to circumstance" in some ways, and that's something to be believed for the possibility of it being able to happen. In fact, much of the above can also be believed as implied in another "returning" song from many years ago.

Even without the pertinent details of the song being discussed, it becomes rather evident that the song promotes certain sentiments through those details, and if one looks hard enough, one can find ways to make them reflect Pokémon or relate to it in some way. The "return" to those "circumstances" may be something that every person for whom Pokémon has meaning looks forward to happen within their current and future lives to bring about some fondness.

One year ago: #YesToPokemon
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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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