Anime with Mixed Language Content?

The Pokémon anime is today known all over the world, including beyond its original Japanese rendition. All or part of the anime can and have been adapted in various languages, including English. Even so, some fans may prefer ones in certain languages for various reasons, whether understanding or enjoyment or even others. That leads to the consideration of mixing and matching the content of the Pokémon anime as they are rendered in different languages for the purpose of satisfying particular fans.

For other anime, this has been known to happen. Some people like the English dub content of a particular anime yet also still like the songs (openings and endings) that are in the original Japanese, so the anime is presented with the songs still in Japanese; of course, it may also be that the dub production didn't cover adapting the songs, and the manner of presentation may only be purely a matter of necessity in case of this situation. Still, even in this state, that may already be pleasing enough for some people.

For the Pokémon anime, the situation has in fact happened. The production of the local dub where I am doesn't cover adapting the songs, likely not because they can't but the people don't want to deal with it, as other anime has had a few of their songs adapted. Thus, the anime is often presented with the openings and endings in Japanese, while the episodic content is in the local language. Recently, though, the anime has had the interesting case of having song content in English and episodic content in the local language due to production being based on the English dub instead. Personally, I prefer a full English presentation, but since I connect with some of the Japanese songs, some of the latter can be kept - but good Pokémon content is good anyhow.

Evidently, I have my preferences as do other fans. But it's also hard to deny that besides the original Japanese production, lots of work has been put in to make the Pokémon anime more digestible or palatable to certain segments of people, whether local or global. To that end, there may still be yet some mixing and matching of the language content of the anime - whether necessitated by production or desired by the fans - to make viewing and enjoying the anime more pleasant no matter where fans might be.

One year ago: More Virulent Impacts

Two years ago: Respect for Rica Matsumoto

Three years ago: Throwing Poké Balls

Four years ago: Cosplay: East and West

Reminiscing Pokémon Karaokemon... and More

Today, I went out and did something I haven't done in ages: I went for karaoke with others. (Don't worry, we kept things as safe as could be on both sides.) While no Pokémon songs were involved, I kind of wished they were, just like for contests I used to participate in when they were active. Pokémon and karaoke also happens to go together in another way, as the "Pokémon Karaokemon" segment that used to be present on the English dub of the Pokémon anime, during the "Johto Journeys" season. It becomes something I currently reminisce.

Actually, this segment has also gone by a different name: Pikachu's Jukebox, for the earlier season in Kanto. The premise of the segment, no matter what name it goes by, is still the same; it is a showcase of Pokémon music. It is placed at the conclusion of the episode and is not very long, as whatever songs or music are featured, they are not very long, and they become a sampler to pique interest in the English Pokémon music albums, which were still going strong at that time. Eventually, the segment disappeared along with the music downturn.

The segments essentially also featured a partial music video for the songs that were featured, as all the songs were cut to fit short lengths. For a short follow-up to the airing of an episode, this seems fine, but devoted fans like me would have preferred actual full-length music videos, which would deserve (and have) to be aired outside of the episodes themselves. With the music being unique, the segment can be considered unique as well. It does seem like a shame that both the segment and English Pokémon music eventually fell by the wayside.

Admittedly, there was a bit of excitement that the musical segment (Karaokemon, Jukebox) provided, whether complimenting or in contrast to whatever episodic content was being aired at that moment. Excitement also describes in part my karaoke experience today despite not being specifically related to Pokémon, though it was the "karaoke" thing itself that spurred my reminiscence. It was a neat intertwining of Pokémon and music, just like how today I became intertwined with music for a couple of hours on a mic.

One year ago: More "Countermeasures" for Pokémon Go

Two years ago: Performance Critique: Bunkasai 2019 J-Song

Three years ago: Shiny Obsessions... Again?

Four years ago: Oddest Things with Pokémon

The Hum of (Pokémon) Life

And all the light, will be, will be

And all the future prophecy

And all the waves, the sea, the sea

And on the road, are you and me

...

And all the stars, without a name

And all the skies, that look the same

And all the clouds, that fade, and then

Then all of this, begins again...

-- "The Humming...", Enya

Lately, it seems that life for me has been repeating itself in different ways. This includes affairs of Pokémon or otherwise. The ways that life progresses and then repeats is evocative of a "buzzing cadence", so to speak - a hum, in a way. That is then evocative of this song by Enya, which also becomes even more pertinent to the way that (things in) my life are currently going even with Pokémon, and makes for a thoughtful discussion as well.

If this song can be summed up in a few words, it is that life goes on. The lights on the horizon, the waves on the sea, the clouds in the sky - they all have their ways of going on. Time and moments within it are fleeting, only obeying to the one constant that is change. And everyone, even Pokémon Trainers like me, continue down the road that is set and more likely to change, but also possibly to repeat, like for me recently.

Specifically for Pokémon Trainers, life is a hum. They scout for Pokémon to battle with and the new challenges ahead, prepare for them, battle, and then things begin again. For them, this is a normal way of life, while other things in life progress as evoked in the song. At least a few Trainers would be observant of these progressions and they could naturally adjust their training progressions by what they observe.

In doing so, life really has to go on somehow, even with the involvement of Pokémon in different ways and no matter how that is. With luck, that "buzzing cadence" or hum may just be felt as life goes on, even in a repeating fashion. Personally, as a Pokémon fan, I'm happy for the repeating progress when Pokémon also becomes involved, and it may be the hum that I ought to be feeling as one.

One year ago: Better for the World

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 5/19/2019

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 5/19/2018

Four years ago: On the Mystery of Dungeons

One-Day Pokémon Adventure

Yesterday, I had discussed about certain groups of two-wheelers and how Pokémon could play into my (evoked) fascination with them. Another thing that plays into either or both of them is a sense of adventure involving them. In this day and age, though, there may not be enough time for anyone to commit to a lengthy adventure. Given the case, some may then opt to have an adventure with them that spans only one day. That seems to be a neat take that is worth discussing as well.

Community adventures may be considered a thing with both of them. Certain circles of two-wheelers may be apt to hold a "Sunday morning ride", which could indeed be regarded as an adventure that takes place on that very day. This fact is rather nicely mirrored in the Community Day of Pokémon Go, even though it doesn't take place in the morning or necessarily on a Sunday. It's still an adventure nonetheless for those who not only seek Pokémon but also togetherness with people who possess similar interests. Both accomplish exactly that.

Competitions may not quite be regarded as adventures, but they certainly could be for those who (should) care more than winning or losing. If two-wheelers have their own various kinds of races, then Pokémon has its various competitions like VGC (main series) and PvP (Pokémon Go) battling. Granted, the bulk of preparing for either takes place well before the respective day, but the competitions can and do take place in a day, maybe more depending on the circumstances. Either way, the adventure can be evident in the path that one takes as one progresses.

On a more individual note, some two-wheelers might ride together in a day as one in order to have a bit of bonding time together and get (re-)acquainted with one another. This would, in a way, be reflected as dealing with Buddy Pokémon in Pokémon Go or even raising Pokémon in other games. Whether or not this is an "adventure" may be up to the individual riders or players, but if the efforts involve some kind of voyage - certainly for the party of two-wheelers - or ordeals of some kind, then it may be considered adventurous for whoever is concerned with them, and that should be just fine.

Evidently, the adventure aspect might explain why I'm fascinated about two-wheelers and especially attracted to Pokémon. So much can be done on or with either of them to have a pleasant time in the form of an adventure. That pleasant time might also be able to occur within the span of a day, which is either more than enough or just right. At the least, the world of today can manage to support such one-day adventures and allow one to discover either their riding or battling spirit.

One year ago: Trivia Questions and Answers

Two years ago: Trainer Image Cards

Three years ago: Marathons...?

Four years ago: Pins and Pins

Quickies: Bike for Pokémon

Faithful readers of this blog might recognize that in addition to being a Pokémon fan, I'm also a fan of bicycles and motorcycles, naturally aided by their manifest presence in my current region of residence. Lately, I've had somewhat of a great fascination for them, in addition to the fascination I've always had. It seems it would be once again pertinent to tie the fascinations together again, and I can think of one way: through their extreme quality.

Some bikers, both of the pedal type and the motored type, have the power to go fast, like the Mach Bike in the third generation games. They could be on par with one of the fastest Pokémon out there, Ninjask, while at the same time having the cruising power just like Lugia, which could definitely be ridden on. In fact, the latter might just be the experiential tale for those with the Pokémon rather than a Mach Bike or a motorcycle with great engine power.

Other bikers prefer to go anywhere, much as the Acro Bike also from those same games can suggest. On hills, it's like they're Ambipom scaling trees. On the plains, they might be like a fast Zigzagoon or Linoone in their zigzagged or straight ways like one cannot believe. And with luck, they might go in blazes of glory like the Legendary Pokémon of Entei - though hopefully not to go out with them and hopefully to cut paths where they may.

As with Pokémon, this is a fascination that has a hard time going away, though first and foremost I am a Pokémon fan no matter what. In my mind, it seems the two can at some points in time collide, but that's not half bad. My inner two-wheeler spirit is satiated and my inner Pokémon spirit is pleased. It may be that with the two together, I can go anywhere I please, and both of them lets my world unfold, perhaps even with racing hearts.

One year ago: Everything Is Electric

Two years ago: A Wonderful PikaWorld

Three years ago: Beyond Gyms and Trials

Four years ago: A Pokémon Pencil Bag

Command and Conquer, PvP Style

After discussing the latest new format implemented by GBL, it is simply not possible to escape discussing about the format (themed cup) of Silph Arena for this month, given that I've not done so - and that becomes an imperative. The venue has recently been aiming for formats that turn standard formats inside out, and this month it seems to be no different. It's as if it's trying to aim for one like a certain real-time strategy game... but I digress. It's still Pokémon Go through and through.

Now, then: the themed cup for this month is titled "Commander", and like the previous Prismatic Cup, there is a certain setup for it, which is crucial and needs to be discussed first. For the standard team of 6 Pokémon fit for the Great League for the Silph Arena, one of these Pokémon is designated as a "Commander" and must be selected from one of 10 species: Shiftry, A-Marowak, Jellicent, Poliwrath, Munchlax, Noctowl, Steelix, Empoleon, Escavalier, and Bronzong, which are exempt from further type restrictions. The rest of the 5 Pokémon are to be made up of species with at least one of the Rock, Electric, Psychic, Poison, and Ice types - a pretty "mechanical" selection, considerably.

For those 5 Pokémon, restrictions are abound. Steel types are restricted, except of course for the "Commanders". Mega-Evolved (a current standard), Legendary, Mythical, and Shadow Pokémon are disallowed. Finally, there are seven species that are banned, which are Abomasnow, Wobbuffet, Pachirisu, Stunfisk, Medicham, Galvantula, and Drapion. Interestingly, four out of these seven species are currently being offered in GBL rewards, which affirms their place in PvP battling. In total, there are around 200 species to choose from and make teams with, which should be great in variety.

As for selecting different species in particular, all of the "Commanders" are viable for usage, though some will take more effort and cost to prepare, and they ought to define the rest of the team. For that, best bets on the cheap end include Venusaur, Raichu (either form), and Beedrill, while the middle of the pack even includes newcomers like Barbaracle and Dragalge, and from the premium end, G-Rapidash, Lapras, and Ampharos are viable choices. More fine-tuning of teams is still quite necessary.

If anything, PvP battling in Pokémon Go is its own real-time strategic implementation compared to other forms of Pokémon battling. But add in a "commander" for an "army" of Pokémon to battle similar others, and that becomes something unto itself compared to the way that things are normally done. That command of specific teams should allow Trainers to conquer others in this real-time fashion, and then become the best possible along with the established battalion of Pokémon.

One year ago: A Multicultural Cast

Two years ago: Carry On Carryin' On

Three years ago: The Living Dex

Four years ago: Pastrana and Pikachu

Pokémon Go Community Day, 5/15/2021

After one month - and a restful one month at that, at least for a certain group of people - Pokémon Go Community Day is back in action. It almost feels like that restful one month has put everyone on the ground, and now everyone is ready to take to the skies, which is more than apropos for this current edition. And those who participate will really need to "take to the skies" for this edition in order to get the most out of it.

This month, the featured Pokémon is Swablu. It might seem like an odd choice, until it is considered that some parallels can be drawn with Magikarp, which has had its Community Day last year. For now, though, there are the standard particulars or "bones". Evolving it to Altaria (or catching Altaria directly) allows it to possess the Charged Move of Moonblast. The bonus is reduced Egg distance, which ought to help with 2 km Eggs that may have Swablu in them. The paid Special Research is titled "Cotton-Winged Bird" owing to the appearance of the species family. And because current conditions have not resolved themselves, those particulars (extended Incense and so on) continue to apply.

Now it's time for those parallels. Swablu, like Magikarp, needs an immense 400 Candies to evolve; the paid Special Research provides 300 of those, not counting ones begotten from the included Swablu encounters. In Pokémon Go, Swablu has also had its Shiny form released previously, but like Magikarp, only certain Trainers - a good number, but still relatively not many - possess the Shiny form. For at least one of my friends, it was therefore an opportunity to obtain this "cotton bird" in golden form, which also becomes a golden Altaria. Lastly, while the Swablu family only has two species, its evolution Altaria does possess a Mega Evolution, and this becomes key now that Mega Evolution is somewhat established in Pokémon Go.

For the matter of Mega Evolution, that becomes something unto itself. If one had the opportunity to go around PokéStops, one may have found ones with "catch-3" Field Research tasks rewarding 20 Altaria Mega Energy. After the period of Swablu appearances end at 5 PM local time, Mega Altaria then appears in Mega Raid boss eggs that appear onwards, making this essentially its debut. Those who have obtained enough Mega Energy for a Mega Evolution from the Field Research tasks may not have to raid, but everyone else will likely have to, in order to gain what's needed. In any case, this is a completely new approach to Community Day that factors in Mega Evolution.

Today, I had the opportunity to go out and do a couple of errands, which I also did to take advantage to scout out a few PokéStops and go through Community in almost live fashion. I did not meet people I was expecting to meet, however, but that afforded me the opportunity to go home early and take care of the rest of what I needed to or can do at home. After the appearances ended, I evolved the best Swablu I had, the best Shiny I had, and one that could be useful in PvP affairs. Not to forget, I also got involved in a couple of Mega Raids for Mega Altaria and earned just enough Mega Energy for the Mega Evolution, which could be useful at some point and nicely caps off the day.

For a Pokémon like Swablu and Altaria, it's only appropriate that Trainers "take to the skies" with it, especially for the purpose of Mega Altaria. The Community Day for Pokémon Go also has something good going for all three with a novel approach that may stand to be repeated for other species families with Mega Evolution. After that, it may just be possible for one to go wherever they want to go, maybe even on the wings of a cotton bird and beyond.

One year ago: Coming Full Circle

Two years ago: Everything Old Is New Again

Three years ago: 15 Minutes of Fame

Four years ago: Adventuresome Pikachu