Let's Talk About Phones and Gadgetry

Me: OK, so I've decided to have another chance to talk about some things that matter to us both.

Pikachu: Pika! ["And me!"]

Me: Yes, you too, Pikachu. It may matter to you as well.

Ash: Well, I'm always up for it, so that's great.

Me: So today, I want to talk about gadgets, the little devices that we use to get through our lives. The Poké Ball can be considered one of them, but that's not part of this discussion.

Ash: Oh, I get it - so it's things like phones that we can we use to talk to people, keep track of things, and stuff like that.

Me: Yes, they're exactly that. Even for Pokémon, I'm sure you've dealt with a few.

Ash: I guess the Pokédex would count?

Me: In some ways, but then there's also the PokéGear that you used during the Entei happening.

Ash: Oh yeah! Things like that. So I guess I do use a lot of gadgets.

Me: You'll no doubt remember the Rotom Dex; even though it's got Rotom in it, it's still a gadget in some ways, at least I would think based on my usage of it.

Ash: It's a fun gadget, but it can be annoying sometimes.

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["Really!"]

Me: Right? You've had your moments, and I'm sure any Trainer who got one while in Alola will know when it's fun and when it's not.

Ash: I think I've got you.

Me: And now we have the Rotom Phone, so now it looks more familiar - to me at least - so you get to have a ball with that. 

Ash: Well, I've seen the phones in your world, and they look like it without the Rotom bits.

Me: Absolutely. And my phone is my gateway to catch Pokémon when you're not being tasked to do it.

Pikachu: Pika chu! [imitates an "Excellent" throw]

Ash: I know it's your gateway to your friends, people you know, and other things you like. I commiserate for your loss that one time.

Me: I know. Don't think about it. What's gone is done, yet even now, my position hasn't improved. So I've got a little something for you to do.

Ash: Yes?

Me: I want you to check out a few phones while helping a few friends out. Maybe you could find something I could be interested in. Did you get to do that?

Ash: I did, and I found something you might be interested in when you can spend for it. And I got a nice little gift for that.

Me: Neat. And I've got your recommendation. I may just consider it when I really need it.

Ash: I saw a few of your friends and my friends. It was great, but as you told me, I had to stay safe while doing it. I tried as hard as I could.

Me: With stuff going around, you absolutely need to do so.

Ash: You're not kidding.

Me: So for us both, gadgets are important in a number of ways. It lets us connect, be informed, and even do stuff, that perhaps we would have a hard time doing without.

Ash: And we have to be able to be smart with them and not let them annoy us, like Rotom Dex did every once in a while.

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["That's a must!"]

Me: For as long as we'll need to have them and use them, which will be for a long time, that should remain true.

One year ago: Livestream and Let Livestream

Two years ago: Cosplay: SJF - Tomodachi 3

Three years ago: Iron Trainers?

Official Representative Pokémon for Regions

Different regions of the (real) world often have certain things that are chosen to represent those regions. Most often, this would be a plant of some sort (either a tree, or perhaps a flower) or particular creatures (like birds or insects). Less commonly, this could be something esoteric such as a certain kind of food. With Pokémon having greatly expanded and becoming well-known around the world, representation by Pokémon could become something to be considered. It would be one of those esoteric things, but that may be a nice thing.

A few regions in Japan have, in fact, named certain Pokémon to represent the regions of concern, given how Pokémon is ingrained there and among the people. For other regions in other parts of the world, Pokémon is much less ingrained, but it might make sense if in those regions Pokémon has a good following, or people with direct links to or who have become renowned by Pokémon hail from those regions, and thereby a representation would commemorate that fact. By and large, the representation could be considered to be only relevant for the local fans or the people for whom Pokémon is concerned, but with the potential for Pokémon to appeal to everyone, the representation may be welcomed by anyone regardless, which would then extend to the people in the entire region.

That does leave the question of which Pokémon best represents which region. It could be based on the other kinds of (official) representations as a way to remind people and fans about them, which could be just as important; Ho-Oh, for example, bears a likeness to certain national birds and conceivably can represent to remind that fact. As for multiple representations being the same, other kinds of representation can also have the same things for different regions. Therefore, there would be no need to struggle over duplicate representations, though there would still be work involved in order to select a unique representation if desired. Still, even today, there are only so many Pokémon, so duplicate representations are pretty much inevitable in many cases, and that may not be such a big deal.

The representation of a region through certain things is to embody certain things about the region, whether expected as with flora and fauna or unique as with odd everyday items. A representation with Pokémon would certainly fall into this latter camp, but if the people accept the representation, it may be as normal as representation by any other odd everyday items. It would be as much a representation of the fantastic world of Pokémon as much as it is a representation of something that is real for a real-world region.

One year ago: (Not) Sparkling Names

Two years ago: My Town, Pokémon Town

Three years ago: What's in a Name?

Circus You Create

While the current Silph League Arena season is still young with the first of what will be a number of themes, I'd also like to discuss something that essentially became a prelude to the season. In September, the SLA allowed voting on a "Player's Choice" cup or theme, and the result became the (semi-)official cup or theme for the rest of the month, though obviously it wouldn't qualify for rankings. After the voting concluded, one cup or theme came out on top, and that one is called "Circus".

Like all cups or themes, this one also has criteria on what is included and excluded. For the inclusions, they are simple in that they consist of Pokémon of any of five types. The types involved are Fighting, Poison, Psychic, Flying, and Fire. It's a unique mix of types that represent all the things that can be present at a circus - the strong people, tricksters, jugglers, high wire actors, and fire breathers. The collection of types also have some relations, in that Psychic plays into Fighting and Poison, and Flying plays into Fighting as well. But being that they're not many, it's obvious that the secondary types will remain important in many ways.

For the exclusions, there are also quite a few. No Legendary or Mythical Pokémon are allowed, which forces battles to replicate a Premier Cup style and locks out a few Pokémon that could predominate, like Moltres and Cresselia, as well as Mew and Victini. Alolan Forms are not allowed likely for the very same reason, as some in the past have been known to take over themes, like Alolan Marowak. There is also one specific species ban directed at Altaria, as it is an all-around Pokémon even in open Great League battles with no restrictions, such as for the Go Battle League. That's a good amount of exclusions, but they are necessary and have to be workable.

As noted, this cup or theme is a prelude, and therefore it's a preseason cup as well. I didn't take note of it until I browsed the SLA web site for information about the first cup or theme for this season. It also seemed to escape the radar of the ones who are keen with PvP among the members of my raid group, but then it's my raid group for a reason, and we've been busy with all the events all last month. Furthermore, it does not allow the possibility of ranking anyway, and for some, that alone may provide little point in proceeding with it, instead preferring to go all out when the season starts. Whatever the reason, there is an apparent sense of unimportance.

As unimportant as it may be, it's still a cup or theme that is part of the corpus of SLA and therefore deserves at least a bit of discussion. It has complexity like the regular season cups or themes, even if that complexity doesn't show themselves in actual rankings due to being a preseason cup or theme. Moreover, the fact that it results from community voting still makes it unique: it is, for all intents and purposes, a "circus you create", by those who conceived the idea and who made their choice upon it. 

One year ago: Gym Progression in Pokémon Go

Two years ago: Starters and "Pseudo-Starters"

Three years ago: The Old New Thing: Second-Generation Games

The Sun Also Rises... on SLA

A new season of the Silph League Arena (SLA) has just started, and with it comes the first of its thematic cups. As a new day dawns, the first thing that occurs is the appearance of that great big orb that brings light to the day, otherwise known as the sun. Likewise, this first theme or cup kicks off the season just like the sun rises to start off the new day. Accordingly, the theme or cup is called "Sunrise" to mark the momentous occasion, and it becomes the one for this month (October) and all tournaments held within it.

As expected by its name, the theme or cup permits all Pokémon types that in Pokémon Go are boosted in the Sunny weather, which would be the Grass, Fire, and Ground types. For an added measure, it also permits Flying types and Normal types, the latter being one of the two that are boosted in Partly Cloudy weather. The other one, which is the Rock type, unfortunately is part of the ban list, in addition to Mega Evolution, and... that's pretty much it for the ban list. All other types in conjunction with any of the five allowed as above, as well as special Pokémon of Legendary and Mythical category, are fair game for this brightly shining theme or cup.

In the meta, a few things appear to stand out. There are the Flying squadron, the water and mud boys, the strange Grasses, and the big hitters of various types. The Flying squadron has a likely role in keeping the water and mud boys at bay as well as fending off the strange Grasses. Meanwhile, the strange Grasses may fend off the water and mud boys, while putting pressure on big hitters. Some of the big hitters, especially those with the Fire type, may be able to deal with others of their own kind and a select few of the type groups. There are also "outliers" in the form of Drifblim and Galarian Stunfisk that can keep the big groups at bay. In all, the meta appears intricate enough even for an initial theme such as this one.

As stated, this is the first theme or cup for the season. Being that this theme has very few restrictions, other than the ones that result from the inclusions, it becomes a good way to start off the season for everyone. It makes sense to allow both absolute beginners and seasoned veterans to start off on the same simple footing as a warm-up to the dynamics of this season. Speaking of dynamics, it is notable that the biggest dynamic introduced in Pokémon Go thus far, being Mega Evolution, is (forced to be) absent. It would be expected, as likewise Mega Evolution is absent from Go Battle League, and both require more measured approaches to battling. Not much can be said about their inclusions as of now, but perhaps time will tell.

While the current theme or cup may not be as complicated as that of the story of a lost generation, it still is quite complicated and promises lots of great battles as it heralds a new season of the SLA. After what could be considered as a season with an anticlimactic progression last time, there is the hope that there is a kind of renewal or invigoration, that this season will progress in the best of ways even during the worst of ways, which the world is unfortunately still in. With that, a new day has dawned on the SLA, and the sun has risen for the occasion.

One year ago: Dub Reunion, Dub History

Two years ago: A Strongly Brilliant Thing

Three years ago: Feelings for Female Trainers

Gotcha Good, Like I Should

I'm gonna getcha while I gotcha in sight

I'm gonna getcha if it takes all night

You can betcha by the time I say "go," you'll never say "no"

I'm gonna getcha; it's a matter of fact

I'm gonna getcha, don'tcha worry 'bout that

You can bet your bottom dollar, in time you're gonna be mine

Just like I should - I'll getcha good

-- "I'm Gonna Getcha Good", Shania Twain

The word "gotcha" is a familiar word for those who are familiar with Pokémon. Half of the time, those who deal with Pokémon will likely be dealing with catching them, and when this is successful, this word becomes relevant; it is, after all, a condensed form of "got you" - as in, "I've got you". Personally, when I think of the word, I also think of this hit song by this artist. It also happened to come to my mind again with the recent "GOTCHA!" music video.

Many of the hit songs of this country and pop artist discuss about and pertain to love, and this one is no exception. It's a message for those playing "hard to get" that if the feelings are definite (and mutual), it's best to "enjoy the ride" together. And even if the feelings aren't there, then the togetherness may allow the feelings to appear, and that should satisfy both the people who seek love and to whom love is directed. In the end, there are promises of fun for everyone.

That said, the song could be construed to apply to Pokémon sensibilities. For any Pokémon Trainer who desires to pursue and catch certain Pokémon, whether common, uncommon, Shiny, Legendary, Mythical, and so on, the spirit may essentially be similar. And once caught, then the fun begins, as it may become a friend for life, a loyal partner or companion, a valiant fighter on the battlefield, and so on. There is further similarity between these and the "love" of the song.

With that concept, I'm inclined to create an AMV with the song, even if it may not measure up in quality to the one for the other song. I suppose that some scenes could feature things as they work out in Pokémon Go as something popular about Pokémon right now, while the rest could be as things work out in the other games and the anime. All of these, particularly the former, present a myriad of opportunities where the "gotcha good" ideals really apply.

As it stands, the word "gotcha" has a special place in Pokémon affairs. It's where the pursuit of capturing Pokémon ends and the pursuit of other great things begins. If anything, with this song, it is recognized that similar things can and should happen in the realm of love, and thus there is this song to encapsulate those feelings. Bringing it back to Pokémon, it's not only a pursuit that is necessary but also valuable, for the love of the creatures and beyond.

One year ago: Preparing for Sword and Shield

Two years ago: The Items of Shuffle's Special Shop

Three years ago: When an Iris Blooms: Episode 669 - "The Bloom Is on Axew!"

I'm Gonna "GOTCHA!" Good

No matter what fate awaits us,

I'll take your hand in mine and never let go.

Next to you (next to you) here by your side,

Our souls cry out that this is where we belong.

And when our reasons shine bright,

Embracing us in their light,

I want you to see how you look in my eyes,

(Next to me) (next to me) in the good seats.

I want you to know that you're here.

That's how this all began.

-- "Acacia", Bump of Chicken (official translation)

In the announcement of things to come on the road ahead for some Pokémon games, I noted that something really special was shown at the end of it. That something special would be a song (in Japanese) and its accompanying music video, of which the final part I've quoted above as the official translation provided as subtitles in the video. The music video itself is titled "GOTCHA!", though the song is titled differently as above. It is awesome in many ways, which is why I chose to "expand" its discussion in a fully separate post.

It is true that the song and its video was shown at the end of the announcement, thereby "expanding" it so it's not just a 7 to 8-minute announcement. Yet, there's a little bit more to it than that. Those who have played the first-generation games may have checked the TV in the home of the player's Trainer and found a movie with a scene of "four boys... walking on railroad tracks". The music video for this song indeed contains this very scene at the beginning and near the end, and therefore this is an "expansion" of that. It's also an "expansion" of a reference to another popular Japanese movie, so it goes in multiple ways.

Meanwhile, the artist of the song has a big name as far as Japanese pop culture is concerned. Bump of Chicken is an alternative rock group composed of four members, and they've had many songs featured in different anime series, whether as openings or endings, and one of them is something I'm familiar with. As a result of being featured, their popularity extends to other things, including music games (and others) where their songs are featured. Of course, this Pokémon thing is new and could be construed as an "expansion" as well.

Aside from the four-boys-on-a-railroad scene as above, the music video contains many familiar faces from Pokémon games from the past to the present, and they are depicted very vividly in animated form as being part of the "Pokémon stories" of two of the boys, which includes the company of a Pikachu and an Eevee. In short, it is more or less an anime music video (AMV), but the animation style is somewhat different from the style of the current Pokémon anime. The video ends with one of the boys attempting to catch Mew as a display of the "GOTCHA!" title and theme.

The AMV has resulted in certain reactions. Because of the vividness of the characters in the video, some have stated the desire for an anime series in similar style. I would support it, though I wouldn't discount the anime as it is today, still with Ash in some capacity. Some who have viewed it but have been away from Pokémon (that is, "out of it") have even shed tears, and I would say it's amazing that it can do that. And then there are some who have watched the video numerous times because of its excellent quality; I think I may be close to doing the same thing, and I cannot argue much about its quality - it is that good and vivid, so much that each time I watch, I pick up something I missed previously.

Pokémon is and has always been about the creatures and the people who catch them to befriend them, struggle with them, and live life with them. The song rather encapsulates that in its lyrics and the video only serves to reinforce that further. It also couldn't have come at a better time the other day as "the road ahead" for Pokémon games expanded and for fans to take in all the expansion that has happened, including with this one. On that road ahead, I'm sure there's always time to be together with Pokémon (the creatures) and that any time is the right time for a "GOTCHA!".

One year ago: The Singapore Pokémon Center

Two years ago: (Welcome Back to) Local EX Raid, 10/2/2018

Three years ago: Preparing for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

The Road Ahead: More Pokémon Game News

As mentioned in my previous post, I had debated on whether I wanted to write a post on that particular topic or on some newly revealed Pokémon information. I chose to write about that topic and therefore to delay the discussion of the new information. Now that I've been able to take the latter in (in other words, find out for myself), I can write about the topic. It had actually been revealed just two days ago (in an announcement on YouTube), so I'm a little late to the party, but it doesn't matter. More to the point, the information concerns two of the most popular Pokémon games today, and the information can be described as "the road ahead".

First up is information that concerns the current main series games of Sword and Shield on the Switch. Those who have purchased their respective Expansion Passes will be glad to know that the second part of that, the Crown Tundra, will "open its gates" later this month on the 22nd. This is, of course, the follow-up to the Isle of Armor, which had been open since June. Among the highlights of the new content are the return of many familiar faces... of Pokémon, that is, including past Legendary Pokémon, as well as new features like new regional forms, Dynamax Adventure, and Galarian Star Tournament. All told, they're significant new additions to keep Trainers busy, if they aren't already so in and out of Pokémon.

The other popular game is of course Pokémon Go, and soon (before this year ends) the game will be able to link with Pokémon Home, a linkage that has been promised since the service was first released. This too will be significant, especially as its implementation promises significant bonuses: Mystery Box and Shiny Meltan - plus a celebration event - for the Go end, and a Melmetal capable of Gigantamax on the Home end. As significant as they are, a few details are still sketchy as of yet aside from when it will be implemented and the certainty that it's one-way from Go to Home, including what it will entail and how it will be implemented; some controversy has already brewed in relation to this. This is still something big that demands to keep tabs on.

There are also other bits that I can roll together under the theme of "retro expansion". The Sword and Shield games will be getting a release next month that includes the Expansion Passes built in, which could be good news for people like me who haven't gotten them. Codes are also being released for Pikachu with regional caps for the current games, with one addition: the World Cap Pikachu, which is of course from the current anime series. The World Cap Pikachu will also be available in Pokémon Go through a Spotlight Hour this month, though this was announced by the Pokémon Go team separately; it's still related, so it bears mention. One final "expansion": at the end of the YouTube announcement, something extra special was also shown, and it's an expansion in many ways - I'd like to discuss it, but I've chosen to expand this in a post all its own. What is clear is that all these expand things from the past, hence the theme.

There was a lot to be gained from the 11-minute announcement (actually 7, since the last 4 minutes were for that extra special something). It was predominantly for the current Sword and Shield games, but Pokémon Go had some relevance, and may even be pivotal for making the leap to the main series; likewise, the latter maintains some relevance. What unites them is that they're all on one path or road: they're the destinations to be served by the main series games plus Pokémon Go in tow, and the path has been big from the past, as that extra special something can and should affirm. And they're all up ahead for Trainers to enjoy.

One year ago: Renewing the Anime

Two years ago: I Wanna Be a Pokémon (_____)

Three years ago: Playhouses, Children, and Pokémon