Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Staring to the Sea Like Jasmine

The Gym Leader of Olivine City, Jasmine, has been depicted in some instances to stare out toward the sea - even in certain places beyond her own region of Johto. This act is definitely representative of a contemplative effort by said Gym Leader, not to mention if it's done by everyday people, including yours truly and other Pokémon fans. With that, the matter is also seemingly of interest to be contemplated, at least in brief.

For those who have done the same as Jasmine, such an act can have the potential to stir up emotions - at least internally - wherever and whenever it's done. Olivine City as the home of Jasmine is indeed next to the sea, and it seems a natural thing (for her) to juxtapose the roiling of her internal emotions with the roiling of the sea. This act taking place in similar settings in other places then transports the associated emotions and movements.

Meanwhile, Jasmine herself specializes in dealing with Steel-type Pokémon, which have a popularly given repute of having a strong ("steely") resolve. After dealing with challengers - possibly several of them, as Gym Leaders are wont to do - even such a resolve might become prone to a weakening. Thus, for Jasmine, the opportunity to stare to the sea is one to "steel" herself, not to mention her Pokémon through a necessary healing.

Staring out to the sea can be quite an experience for people, whether or not they are Pokémon fans or characters within that very world. Of the latter, Jasmine can be said to embody the experience wherever she might be and within the act, especially given her Gym Leader background. In the contemplation of the act and the experience, there may just be a "steely resolve" to be had with how that occurs for Jasmine and others.

One year ago: For Pidove and Peace
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Monday, April 20, 2026

More on Benefits

Several years ago, I wrote a post on benefits as would be applicable to me and the Pokémon things I deal with. However, the focus of that post was economic benefits, as it was written in conjunction with the other themes of "profit" and "loss". I've decided to bring back the topic for discussion - certainly still with Pokémon matters in tow - but this time, it's related to a different context for the discussion, one that I've previously brought up in what could be considered another topic series.

That previous topic is "hobby", which I've previously discussed against "passion" and then before that against "responsibility". One component of the previous discussion (the former) that I seem to have left out is indeed "benefit", so the discussion of this component with relation to the other two components is to explore how that becomes relevant to me and whatever I do with Pokémon. And if the previous discussion about benefits is of any indication, there is quite a bit to be explored.

With concern to benefits, it can be said that a hobby may or may not have evident benefits for the people who possess one and/or others they influence with it. Some of the Pokémon things that I deal with may be like that in that respect, especially if other people are considering them, yet as long as they're done in good faith, I prefer to consider that the benefits are already evident somehow - like the peace of mind after a Café Remix session or a workout after a Pokémon Go activity.

As far as passion goes, it can be said that a passion should have evident benefits already, if not within a short time ahead. Under such a consideration, this blog as a "passion project" should already have its benefit for a lot of the in-game features I choose to explain or events (of any kind) that I feature, in informing and entertaining fellow fans. And then there are my cosplay efforts, which gets me out to public spaces and meet other people, fans, and cosplayers - like at last Sunday's convention.

It's admittedly a bit hard to point out benefits, whether by the previous components as recently discussed or the previous-previous components as discussed way back when. Yet the involvement of Pokémon as something that I am a fan of and that other people are also fans of seems to make that effort a bit easier. Benefits still have to come one way or another with all the things that I and others do, for Pokémon or otherwise, and that should be discernable with other aspects ascribed to it.

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Sunday, April 19, 2026

Cosplay: Ganbatte Idol Fest 2026

Ash, Goh: We're back!

Me: Good timing. There's this convention I'd like to send Ash to, and it's today.

Goh: I see that. This looks like it's new - for you at least.

Me: It's indeed new for me (us). It's been going on for a couple of years, though; I just never had a chance to do anything about it until now. 

Ash: And now I get to deal with it!

Pikachu: Pi pika! ["Let's do it!"]

Me: Of course. Now, the place should be familiar...

Ash: Oh, it's the usual big mall for conventions and stuff.

Me: Well, sure. And inside there?

Ash: You said it. Just like the usual. Communities, goodies, and characters. I met the vehicle community and the tile game community.

Me: It's good to spend time with them... which hopefully you did.

Ash: I did spend time with both. I got a picture taken with the first and had a couple of good games with the second.

Pikachu: Pika chu. ["Good job."]

Me: Well, there you go. Did you find the rest of the booths interesting?

Ash: I got a couple of goodies... and that was it. I just had small talk with the rest.

Me: Uh-huh. Speaking of talking, where has Goh gone?

Goh: Hi!

Ash: Oh! You're actually here!


Me: Well, what do you know. Someone actually sent you in for real this time.

Ash: Maybe I should have had my world outfit instead of my special journey one. 

Me: And then I had been requested to have you with your Kalos outfit, but it wasn't exactly convenient. 

Ash: I guess we did what we can. 

Goh: Hey, doesn't it seem like there aren't a lot of characters around here?

Ash: But it's a big convention! There's still a good number.

Pikachu: Pi pika. ["Quite a bit."]

Goh: That's true, even if it's less than what you'd expect. 

Ash: I guess the ones who came were really serious about this one.

Goh: Well, you know, there's the character parade and the performance competition... but the latter isn't for you, and I think you need to deal with the former.

Ash: Oh, yeah! I need to do that.

Goh: I'll see you back after I do some stuff.

Ash: Sure!

Me: OK, so then there's the two competitions. For the character parade, did you have any trouble getting in?

Ash: Well, the people asked me to sign up for something, but I got around that somehow.

Pikachu: Pika chu? ["Tricky?"]

Me: Yeah, usually that's a bit of a sign. But I'm told this on had a lot of prizes?

Ash: Yeah! But a lot of characters wanted it too, so a lot still didn't win anything... and I didn't.

Me: Still a "lottery". Now, based on my research, the performance competition is a regional edition that is a part of Indonesia Cosplay League (ICL) for a global series called GICOF, so a different one but still in a related vein to ICGP for WCS.

Ash: Oh. That does make it hard for us to get in. But all the teams (I saw) really had great performances!

Me: I'm sure they did. OK, and on top of all this, you must have met my other friends.

Ash: A lot of them - even one dressed in black... and... white?

Me: Sounds interesting, that one friend. Oh, and what about other entertainment?

Ash: Dance groups - but they were all in a stage in a separate space.

Me: OK, that's the "fest" part covered.

Goh: I'm back! So, after that person sent me, I guess we can say that the convention is like a smaller version of other conventions that are usually here.

Ash: Like ChibiCon and C4.

Pikachu: Pika! ["Like that!"]

Me: I'm told it's not meant to be this small. I heard that there's another convention some distance away and yet another one in a neighboring town.

Ash: Oh, so some people might have gone there instead of to this one.

Goh: That seems to explain things. But hey, I'm sure you still had a great a time - I know I also did.

Ash: And it's the first time for this one too!

Me: It's a first time (for us), and a bit of a "strange" time, but it made for a great time. This one is definitely in the books - and spirits, as the spirit of "ganbatte".

Four years ago: Scoring in Pokémon Unite
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Saturday, April 18, 2026

Remote Trading in Pokémon Go

Alongside the new and "ultimate" friendship level that was introduced in Pokémon Go a few months ago, I had noted that there is another feature that comes with it, and that I would discuss it later because it's significant - and that time is now. For those who have friends from faraway places and have attained high friendship levels with them, they may have the desire to trade with them beyond the limits of the regular trading feature, and this new feature allows them to do just that. Accordingly, it's called the Remote Trade feature.

In order to be able to make use of Remote Trade (in contrast to regular trading, now called "Local Trade" to differentiate), two friends in Pokémon Go have to attain the Forever Friends level, which will unlock the first Remote Trade opportunity. After performing a Remote Trade, the two friends then need to interact again for 90 days to re-attain the Forever Friends bonus and the next Remote Trade opportunity. So, the opportunity might not come very often, but it is significant just as the new Friendship level is significant.

Of course, they also need to be able to see what Pokémon that the other can offer, so the feature also comes with a special Pokémon tag for a Remote Trade. Within a few days of one's first Forever Friend, one can start labeling Pokémon with the tag for that purpose. It also goes without saying that one should make use of the feature as much as possible by labeling as many Pokémon as possible, especially once more Forever Friends come about who may just make the request for a Remote Trade at any time.

Then, there is the process. One of the Trainers starts the process by reviewing the other's tagged Pokémon (including moves) and selects up to three from the set to make the Remote Trade request. The other Trainer then reviews the request and makes selections to confirm the request, and then the originating Trainer makes the final confirmation. The trade is then made, and the two Trainers receive the Pokémon. It's a little similar to the process in the distantly related game of TCGP, only somewhat more involved.

Some other notes also apply to the process. Obviously, if the two friends are Lucky Friends, the Remote Trade will be a Lucky Trade as well. As for Special Trades, a Remote Trade can allow for an extra Special Trade to be made for that purpose, separate from ones for a Local Trade. In light of the above, it is also advisable that two friends who have attained an opportunity for a Remote Trade to take advantage of the opportunity, considering that it is gained from the continued dedication to interact as friends.

Remote Trade in Pokémon Go is regardless a very useful addition to Pokémon Go, especially for Trainers who are friends with others from all around the world and even those who are separated by great distances. Although it does require that they maintain friendship and increase that level to the "ultimate" degree, once that happens, a lot of things can become fair game through a Remote Trade opportunity. That might allow for just-as-lasting mementos to result, in a way affirming the "forever" quality of the friendship.

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Friday, April 17, 2026

Chasing After and Catching Up with Suicune

If there's a Pokémon that could embody the spirit of a pursuit somewhat well enough, it could perhaps be one of the Legendary beasts of the Johto region, being Suicune. As most Trainers recognize, in the original games it appeared, a literal pursuit had to be made across the region for the purpose of encountering them - never mind getting a chance to capture them. This pursuing effort is definitely one that gets Trainers to chase after it and make it possible to develop a bond somehow with the Pokémon.

Of course, in the "third version" of Crystal, Trainers didn't need to chase after said Pokémon and could simply encounter it in one of the towers in Ecruteak City. This allows the "bond development" to take place sooner, especially with a capturing process involved, without the complications of the pursuit as above. In this way, one could be considered to have "caught up" with the Pokémon for all its relation, even if the relation is only specific to that one game. Yet it's still important in this case somehow.

Now, as for why this post brings up the topic and ideas above, there might be a few personal aspects that are to a certain extent related to the ideas, which brings about the topic. In particular, there is the relation to this very medium, for which some might have noticed a certain peculiarity even if the consistency remains... which I won't discuss too much in obvious terms. As for its relation to the topic at hand, perhaps Suicune itself might know - but that'll demand an actual chase-after and catch-up.

The games where it becomes pertinent to chase after and/or to catch up with Suicune may be considered to have their own points about meaningful pursuits, specifically for the Pokémon that is mentioned as such. Trainers may make interpretations of that in ways that are relevant to them - and that includes yours truly for certain pertinent affairs - but the "blue streak" that is the Legendary beast as mentioned above will likely have its own interpretations of the pursuit that truly embody situations at hand.

Four years ago: Rotating to Objectives
Seven years ago: Choosing Pathways
Eight years ago: And Again, I Dream
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Thursday, April 16, 2026

Paper Crafters, Wherefore Art Thou?

Way back in the first year of this blog, I covered papercraft involving Pokémon as an outlet of artistic Pokémon expression - one that has some personal ties to me - with particular focus on a specific site that furnishes the patterns for the art form. Many years later, I've decided to bring up the topic again, but this time the focus is on the art form seemingly having gone into obscurity, which is why the "wherefore art thou?" title tag is involved. And when that becomes involved, the associated matter can become rather weighty.

For this specific matter, I was made aware of it by one of my Pokémon figure fellows who I hadn't seen in a long time. We had the chance to meet each other a couple of weeks ago, and among the Pokémon topics we discussed, this topic became one of them as we practically introduced each other to it and mutually delved into it even in the time that we were mostly apart. As such, I thought about discussing that topic on this blog, and now its time has come; others brought up during that time may just be discussed in time.

Now, for the aforementioned site, it has apparently not been updated since 2022 (four years ago), with the last pattern that was posted being the one for Liepard on February 4. Prior to that, there was a "Halloween special" with the Gothita species family just a little over three months earlier. It goes without saying that the site itself hasn't been updated to include the ninth generation, although there have been a few sparse patterns for Pokémon of the eighth generation - and that's about it. Their fates and others are up in the air.

Though it has to be admitted that paper models like these do take time to develop - if some of the monthly gaps are of any indication - the lack of updates in the years between that last pattern and now is in a way something of concern. I had e-mailed the authors many, many years ago prior to starting this blog, but I didn't receive a response then... and given the state of the site as it is now, it seems unlikely that I'll ever receive a response if I try to establish contact. There is also no indication that the site may have noticed this blog.

Presently, I have other concerns that keep me from building papercraft models, even Pokémon ones, from this or any other source. However, to hear and see that the site I used to frequent for those purposes has practically gone "defunct" becomes an important concern, sufficient to be addressed on this blog (in a way especially so, since we're on the same Blogger platform). The question tag I posed in the title, as with other posts that have the same tag, thus becomes relevant to ask about and wonder, particularly for this site of Pokémon papercraft.

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Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Emblems in TCGP

Many Pokémon games seemingly have elements that players or Trainers can seemingly and easily overlook, and TCGP can fit into that regard. One of its elements is a nicety that serves a representative role for players in showing some of their accomplishments in the game from the past to the present. By the title of this post, that aspect is called "emblems", and it's an element that could deserve a bit of an explanation for posterity.

As stated, accomplishments are the primary things that the emblems represent. Many of them pertain to battle ("PvP") events in the game, from victory-based battle events to Ranked play seasons. They're earned when a player achieves specific milestones in the events (primarily for the former) or completes the season at a certain level (as is true of the latter). These are real accomplishments, and the emblems certify them as such.

Emblems are also obtained by completing the Dex Missions and earning Emblem Points, which can then be exchanged for an emblem of one's choice (or sometimes, the only one) for a particular expansion, through the in-game shop. Then, there are also emblems for special occasions that are given out through associated events. In this way, they're representative of the card collection and game progressions for the player.

Three emblems can be shown at a time in the player's profile by tapping the profile icon, going to the Emblems section, and choosing whichever three one would like to display for others viewing that player's profile. From this selection, then, others might be able to tell if the player is being rather competitive in the game or may just be involved in card collection and thusly less competitive - either of which are surely representative.

Now, another reason this becomes a pertinent topic for discussion is that starting with the next expansion, Dex Missions and Emblem Points are to be deprecated and replaced with a system that allows the same emblems to be earned through card collection. As such, this post also serves to remind players that if there are any emblems that haven't been exchanged by the manner above, it may be of their interest to do so before the system changes.

In any case, the planned system change for "Dex emblems" and the accomplishment-based system for battle emblems may be the indicators that the element seems to be overlooked by some players, even yours truly. For all their posterity and worth, it seems important to take note of them to take advantage of their appreciable benefits, and the discussion regarding the element as presented above can present some of the prompts for doing so.

One year ago: Spiritually Lost
Four years ago: Love Nature, Find Beauty
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