Making Pokémon Merchandise Cheap...?

For those who haven't seen the pattern, since January I've been making a series of posts all within a week for particular Pokémon topic, which I've dubbed as "gimme five", in line with the theme I've set for this year. This month, I've chosen the theme of Pokémon merchandise - but not all of them will be about specific items. Some of them will also be about other aspects or issues of Pokémon merchandise, including considerations and challenges. Incidentally, today's post deals with the latter, and it's a significant one at that.

The challenge or issue is the expense incurred for certain Pokémon merchandise items and how that could be minimized - that is, making things "cheap" or "on a budget". It's a difficult matter to consider, and that might also be reflected in the actual composition of this post for other reasons, though I digress. Yet with the state of the world today and the state of everyone's pockets for Pokémon and otherwise, the matter bears some consideration so that today's fans can get their fix of merchandise without spending a lot.

And that is where the problem lies. Many items of official Pokémon merchandise are expensive because their materials are excellent or their size is large (or both), and they have licensing fees attached to them. Even if something official (in other words, given "blessings" by Pokémon itself) were to be made by a small business, the licensing is expected to be where the costs would lie... which is essentially the case for the PIJ batik shirts, being produced by an actual local entity for Pokémon. As such, it might seem that most official merchandise cannot come cheaply in one way or another.

If fans are interested in cheap Pokémon merchandise, they might have to settle for something previously owned (which is certain to be affected in some way), something not very big in size (which is likely to be priced less depending on other factors), and/or something independently made (which almost surely dispenses the licensing). All of these obviously have their pros and cons in the same way that anything cheap - merchandise or otherwise - does as well, being that one gets what one pays for. Then, the tenets of buying good things for good prices would apply, and at that point, one might settle for official in any case and for support.

"Cheap" perhaps won't ever come to describe most official Pokémon merchandise, but it may still something that most fans think about, especially in this day and age. Some amount of money is still needed to make the world of Pokémon merchandise go around and around, but there may be no fault in fans wanting to suppress that in some way. Depending on what is on offer, at least a few things may be gained reasonably.

One year ago: Tournament: Dusk & Dawn Raid Group Open Great League

Two years ago: Showcasing Pokémon at PokéStops

Three years ago: Making Sense of Field Research Tasks

Four years ago: Go Fest Gets Musical

Five years ago: Everyone's Go Fest

Six years ago: Cosplay: Konbini Anime

Seven years ago: ...However Things Turn Out

Eight years ago: Shiny Stories

Pokémon Go 9th Anniversary

So, that "special day" I had mentioned earlier in the writeup for Pokémon Go Community Day would be the ninth anniversary of the game in question. It's one year shy of it reaching double digits in years, and that's an impressive feat, not to mention close. In fact, it seems that the latter's description is a fitting one to describe all the things that have happened since the last anniversary (one year ago, of course - see below). That "closeness" can be considered to be reflected in various ways for those happenings. 

In a way, the entry of other species from the eighth generation (Galar) is starting the process of closing up the gap between all species represented in the game and all currently existing species - and later, it might just happen more quickly than one would expect. That also goes for Dynamax and Gigantamax forms, certainly facilitated by the addition of Power Spots, and that would mean other unique Pokémon forms are due soon, if not whenever the game feels like it's due for them - as in, "close enough" for their inclusion.

"Close" may also have been the game's state (as well as that of other Niantic Games), in the sense of approaching decline, before they were all sold off to Scopely. The deal has since been made - that is, "closed" - but now there seems to be no telling whatever "close" things might be afoot with the new management. The only thing players (Trainers) can hope for is that the game remains close and closely approachable to them and others to prevent one thing or another from dragging down "to a close".

As is true of years past, there is also the associated anniversary event, which has just happened to "close up" today for the most part. More details of this are better suited for much later on, but this year's edition that started close to the beginning of the month and an instance of a major Pokémon Go event also makes things "close enough" for the concerns of many Trainers. Yet with this month being the anniversary month, things may never be too "close" for whatever it is that Trainers are willing to do.

Of all the senses of "close", the one that Trainers may dread most is the one that means the "end" of things. Though nothing in Pokémon Go may ever really suggest that, at least at the present time and on the surface, many happenings might suggest that Trainers are close to needing to up their game to keep the game on the up-and-up, never mind themselves and whatever else the game will bring in the future. On this anniversary, they might just be the considerations for the close (near) future and beyond.

Happy 9^th anniversary to Pokémon Go.

One year ago: Pokémon Go 8^th Anniversary 

Two years ago: Pokémon Go 7^th Anniversary 

Three years ago: Pokémon Go 6^th Anniversary

Four years ago: Pokémon Go 5^th Anniversary

Five years ago: Pokémon Go 4^th Anniversary

Six years ago: Pokémon Go 3^rd Anniversary

Seven years ago: Pokémon Go 2^nd Anniversary

Eight years ago: Pokémon Go One-Year Anniversary

Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 7/5/2025 and 7/6/2025

Having run for many years, some things about Community Day become instantly predictable, like what is involved when it runs for two days as is today and tomorrow. It's also a Classic edition, which means that something from the past is brought back to the present and updated with modern perks. The possibilities are plenty for that purpose, but then that also might be true for the the featured Pokémon, how many of them Trainers catch, and in what ways they'll evolve them (or how they themselves evolve).

If one still hasn't figured things out, the featured Pokémon for this Classic edition is the one, the only, and the variable Eevee along with its evolutionary family. This makes it its third time featured in Community Day after its earlier features in August 2018 and August 2021. The present Classic edition, however, takes the latter as its base, which means that all the evolved forms of Eevee get all the moves as I listed in that post - it's a lot, and it can get kind of repetitive if, well... repeated.

Unlike last time, all the Eevee appear for just three hours (2 PM to 5 PM) as things have normalized, though still certainly with Lure Modules and Incense extended to aid with their capture. The "move window" also now follows that of modern editions of Community Day, lasting for one week after the start of the event from today, along with accommodating changes. For that, like last time, evolution requirements are relaxed: for Espeon and Umbreon, setting as Buddy Pokémon and walking for 1 km is sufficient (the intended way for that time), and Sylveon only requires seven Buddy hearts. 

Meanwhile, other aspects are as expected. There is the main bonus of quartered Egg hatch distance (as before), common and rare Field Research (as is the current norm), the modern background Timed Research set, the paid Special Research (just titled "Eevee Community Day Classic"), photo bombs, showcases, and item bundles galore. All the old perks and modern conveniences blend into the event's experience.

As for why I'm "jumping the gun" and writing all this up today, tomorrow is actually a special day of sorts and has always been reserved for that purpose - and it will stay that way. I did, however, make my way to the place of my local area's meetup just to smooth things over with good people and to evaluate how things will be for the grander meetup, scheduled for the second day. In the process, I've also identified the possible issues that may pervade that meetup while I also deal with the continued process of gaining resources and going through the "hoops" of this event. That much is always certain.

With all the variable quality that Eevee and its entire evolutionary species family has, at least some elements of its Community Day feature will be just that - variable - even for a Classic "rerun" like today (and tomorrow) with all its constants. One of those other constants is evolution, and Eevee has a lot to offer for that in many ways for Trainers to exploit and especially on these two days.

One year ago: The Cooking Festival in Café Remix

Two years ago: Is Pokémon Second-Rate?

Three years ago: Quickies: Living Around Magnets

Four years ago: Poké Ball Luggage Tag

Five years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights - Mewmore Edition

Six years ago: The Art of Pokémon Adventures - 20th Anniversary Illustrations

Seven years ago: Variegated Pokémon Patterns

Eight years ago: I Side with Pokémon

A New Order of the Ages...?

OK, it's July 4 again, so it's the day that the United States commemorates its independence. Since several years ago, I began the norm of discussing it (by a theme related to the country) along with some relevant Pokémon matters, and that remains true for this year. The theme taken last year was a Latin saying found on a piece of national imagery... and yet it's actually one of two on that imagery, like either Plusle or Minun. With that, I figure I need to discuss the second of the pair, moreover since now there is some relevance and importance to some other Pokémon matters.

That second saying is "novus ordo seclorum", which means... more or less the words in the title of this post. Its apparent history is that it's a reinterpretation of a phrase found in a certain classical Latin piece - which I would consider to be of interest to me, but I digress - and it was chosen (along with the saying above) to represent the dawn of the new country, implicatively as a place of independence and freedom, spiritually speaking. It then goes back to the occasion of this day as the commemoration of that.

As for the relevance of this with Pokémon matters, recall that years ago (see below), I had written about how the U.S. can be regarded as a "center" - a focus place, so to speak - of Pokémon happenings. That is still true today, although recent upheavals outside of Pokémon (not to be discussed here) might seem to make that fact a little less on the pleasant side. It's as if the saying above is realizing its premise, only in a darker direction. Even people beyond Pokémon affairs feel exactly this way, as if the spirits above are becoming lost.

With that, what would be needed for this "center" to become viably pleasant for Pokémon players - since a few Pokémon events (like the World Championships) are invariably held there - is... perhaps the phrase itself, but in a better direction for the country. What's done is done, and it's clear that the current situation of an age shift has been nightmarish, but that doesn't mean it can't change again for the better, as far as all Pokémon fans are concerned.

Independence for this country has been a wonder such a long time ago, which might just explain the choice of using the saying in the national imagery. That seems equivalent to the wonder Pokémon has aroused in a fraction of the time of that independence. Time keeps on changing and ages keep on shifting, and for all that is good (like Pokémon) in this world, the ages may need to shift again for the country before it's too late.

But what is never too late is wishing well for the independence of a country, especially as the pertinent occasion comes up for Pokémon fans there and all other people of interest. On that note, that is just what I'd like to do - to wish well on the occasion - and hope that the ages may newly turn for the better.

One year ago: Blessed Be These Efforts

Two years ago: From Sea to Shining Sea

Three years ago: The U.S. as a "Center" of Pokémon

Four years ago: Searching for Myself... with U.S. Included

Five years ago: A Few Words about U.S. (Us)

Six years ago: Welcome to the Jungle

Seven years ago: Metal Reversed Cap Pikachu Keychain

Eight years ago: The Subdued Hometown Themes

Redecorating with Café Remix

I had noted in this year's anniversary post for Café Remix that the present one is a "visual" anniversary because of something recently added to the game. That feature is rightly called "customization", but it's also really about "redecorating" because... that's what it really is. It's still pretty early, but the gist of the feature seems to be readily understandable even now, so I thought I'd go ahead and make a discussion out of it.

The customization involves placing Pokémon and furnishings in different parts of the café in order to make it look unique, reflecting what the players may like. The ten different areas of the café can have specific Pokémon placed in them (some more than one), while the Entrance and Lounge (currently) can have different furnishings. It's pretty much a certainty that other areas might have furnishings later on as a development.

Customizations are made by going into the feature from the main café screen and selecting a specific area to start. Here, one then places Pokémon with specific outfits - and if applicable, furnishings for areas that have them - and then confirms the selection. Layouts can also be saved as "blueprints" and then restored at any time, and even Pokémon can offer layouts automatically. They're all pretty nice touches.

How does a player obtain furnishings? Many of them can already be obtained through certain achievements - including the star front signboard for completing main orders - and some can be obtained through exchanges at currently ongoing events, which has resulted in their shops expanding for this purpose. As such, the feature is essentially being ingrained as "spiffy extras" for those who can and do go the extra mile.

Although for some players the café already looks great with the way that it has always looked, some may certainly want to make it look even better, and so the addition of the customization feature satisfies the desires of those players. Yet everyone can still take advantage of the feature to make their café really their own, and with that, players are bound to go on a "redecorating" spree for celebrating this "visual" anniversary and beyond.

One year ago: Team Rocket Apparel from Pokémon Center

Two years ago: Possible Alternatives to (Preserve) Pokémon Go?

Three years ago: Taking on the Unite Challenge

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 7/3/2021

Five years ago: More Pokémon Go "Goofs"

Six years ago: I Splurged, for Once

Seven years ago: Pokémon Yellow Pikachu Shirt

Eight years ago: Spicy Tamato

TCGP: In the Garden of Eevee(lutions)

TCGP continues a sensational run of new expansions with a recent introduction of one more of these, as a mini expansion or Themed Booster Pack. After the "crisis" of the previous one, it seems that there is a need to relax and let loose - and what better way than in a garden full of Pokémon, specifically one with a bunch of familiar ones with four legs. So it is that the new Themed Booster Pack is called "Eevee Grove" (incidentally, just "Eevee Garden" in the Japanese version) for its primary focus on this species family.

Being a large species family, it literally offers something for everyone, and so the Themed Booster Pack has all members of the species family in question in common card form and rare full art form, some of which are also in the ex variant. Any or all of them will likely be the targets of players, whether or not they'll use them in battle - though like the other expansions, there are suggested decks that illustrate how certain species may be or are meant to be used, and from there it's just a leap away from custom decks with greater powers and more species.

Speaking of more species, besides the Eevee family, the mini expansion also contains other Pokémon to pad out the expansion to 69 numbered cards, as with the previous Themed Booster Pack. Even so, the mini expansion does seem to be following on the Alola momentum of that and the previous major expansion, and still contains many Pokémon from this region. Meanwhile, the full art and Shiny Pokémon cards continue their role of adding bulk to the mini expansion and offering other rare possibilities for players to collect.

Notable cards in this mini expansion include the three-Star full art Eevee ex card as its only Immersive card with a special, familial showcase, as well as the game's first "pick one of two" card as an Item card. Either of these will surely see some use in battle, though it is likely the former that will see greater use since it is the key to having more evolved forms of Eevee (that is, "Eeveelutions") in battle. But then, for collectors, all cards are notable - even the rare ones that are hard to get.

Paradise is often said to be hard to conceive, let alone to find, though many conceptions will invariably involve a garden of some sort. For those involved with Pokémon, such a garden would likely contain a variety of Pokémon species, and some of them might just come from the family of Eevee. That imagery is what the TCGP seems to have gone for to introduce another expansion to continue a sensational run of them, and now all players can enjoy and relax in the conceptual paradise of cards.

One year ago: The New Successors of Silph

Two years ago: Cosplay: Akazora Fest

Three years ago: Architect(ural) Futures (Features)

Four years ago: The Element Cup of GBL

Five years ago: Descending into the Catacombs

Six years ago: Fast Captures in Pokémon Go

Seven years ago: Let's Go Trade

Eight years ago: Speedblogging Like a Ninjask

The Vibes of Go Fest... and a Festival

Me: Well, I said "friends" would be involved, didn't I?

Goh: OK, that's fair. If you say that, then Ash must have been involved too.

Ash: I'm here! And was there at Go Fest. And... I guess this makes it three years in a row.

Me: Yeah, something always seems to come up on the second day.

Ash: I'm fine if you're fine with that.

Me: Why not?

Goh: So this was for the second day, and you battled Zacian in raids.

Ash: It's an awesome Pokémon! With Zamazenta too - remember that time in Galar?

Pikachu: Pika pika pika! ["It was a big time!"]

Goh: Sure. That was a really big time - and now you two got to experience it (again).

Me: I hope you got all the spiffy Zacian just like I did for Zamazenta yesterday.

Ash: I got three Shiny ones and seven ones with a card image.

Me: Excellent! Just like that exactly.

Ash: And I traded one each of the card image ones with your friends. It wasn't perfect, but it looks like it'll be OK.

Me: Great!

Goh: Aren't these the "friends" you two have problems with?

Ash: I was with the ones who still hit it off OK, but then... there were the hard ones being hard - even if they weren't being hard on me.

Goh: Oh. That must have made you not comfortable.

Ash: Yeah... so I just moved after I couldn't stand to raid more.

Me: Luckily, there was a little festival I could have you drop by instead.

Ash: It was perfect!

Pikachu: Pika chu pika. ["Good thing."]

Goh: OK, so you actually went to that instead, not like in past years where you didn't.

Me: Emphasis on the "drop by", since Ash wasn't actually in attendance and can't partake in the usual things - so I (we) can't even say too much about it.

Goh: I see. And the usual things - you mean, like a character parade, if there was one.

Ash: There was, but like our friend said, I couldn't make it in. I just went on with mostly Go Fest stuff while at the festival while I met your other friends - good ones.

Goh: Hey, should be better than the ones before. Did everything work out for Go Fest?

Ash: I think I might have missed a couple of things, but I really did try to catch the Pokémon. 

Me: Well, let's see what I can do to make things up if there is an event with similar content. 

Goh: So then... our friend mentioned "vibes". I guess we have to talk about feelings as well.

Ash: Our friend really said it - this Go Fest is "royal", and big time, at that.

Goh: I can't disagree. Zacian and Zamazenta do make things that way.

Ash: And for the festival, it had really great vibes too for the characters and entertainment. I think they were mostly dance groups.

Pikachu: Chu pika... ["Good vibes..."]

Goh: It might be the usual vibes, same as Go Fest in general.

Me: But something always makes both of them different - the festival this time while we're on Go Fest, and for Go Fest it's obvious.

Goh: You can make them however you want to make them.

Ash: And they'd be great with the right people - and friends! 

Goh: Why not? 

Me: If the feelings are good, then they'll be mutual. 

One year ago: Tournament: Retro - Rainbow Cup by AIGA e-Sports

Two years ago: A Virtual Cosplay Card

Three years ago: Supporters and Speedsters, Wherefore Art Thou?

Four years ago: It's... Bidoof Day?

Five years ago: The First of Us

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Custom Team Keychains

Seven years ago: Cosplay: ENNICHISAI 2018 + CLAS:H/ICGP Nationals

Eight years ago: My Offerings (or, What I Am Not)