YouTube Pokémon Highlights: The Lighter Side

After discussing about hardships, it is perhaps a good thing to discuss about humor - the lighter side of things - and in particular of Pokémon, which is served up thanks to the video site of YouTube. Humor is a natural fodder for any video site, and YouTube has that in spades. The same goes for humor involving Pokémon, which is also present to a great extent. The channels I'm about to highlight represent just a fraction of that extent, but they should be uniquely representative of what they have to offer regarding Pokémon humor.

Pokémon is and has always been about the games, so it's no surprise that some YouTube humor features them. Some of those are contained in a channel called eno, which features footage of the games (mostly older ones) that are remixed, often with other facets of popular culture. Topics that have been presented have included the moral dilemma of robbing graves, the beat of Violet City, and the disappointment of fishing expectations. For those who have played the games, memories are sure to be rekindled, and at the same time, the humor is sure to strike a chord when the key point is recognized.

Those who are more interested in more current games might be more interested in the things that are offered by the channel of Kyogre (yes, the same name as the Legendary Pokémon). True to its name, many of the videos feature the titular Pokémon in various situations, notably from the Sword and Shield games, as with one interaction with a Shiny Ditto and another interaction against its Shiny form. For something not related to Kyogre, there is one of Wooloo using a move it doesn't typically use in battle. There are also a few videos from and for other Pokémon games such as Unite, but by and large, they mostly pertain to the self-described blue whale with a funny smile.

Moving away from the games, there is the Pokémon anime with its share of funny moments. Many of them have been memorialized by a channel called PokéFun, as with Misty becoming angry with Psyduck, Ash transforming into a Pikachu, and Brock catching a Pineco. This channel is relatively new - having only been started five months ago - but its content is quite attractive for and fondly remembered by Pokémon fans, so the hope is that it may be able to last, just as much as the content has lasting value. Even now, new content is still being posted, which may speak for the desired longevity of the channel, just as long as the memories contained in the clips.

Another channel that preserves fun clips from the anime is called BestGreenBoi. It is called as such because it refers to and honors Cilan, the well-known green-haired guy from Unova. True to the name, many clips feature either Cilan or clips from the Unova saga, such as Ash opening up the watery world of Oshawott and Cilan showing his interest in trains as well as keeping his possessions squeaky clean. Other clips are mixes from later sagas and languages as well. This channel is only about one and a half years old, and its clips are only slightly varied, but they should be likewise entertaining for the respective fans.

The great thing about Pokémon today is that it offers different possibilities for entertaining many people, not just solely through games as it had been in the past. Luckily, that includes humor (or at the least what can construed to be humor) that arise in various situations in the games as the primary medium and the anime as the alternate medium. The people on YouTube are evidently willing to furnish that Pokémon humor in various forms, especially to keep hardship distanced and entertainment available.

One year ago: Worlds Within Worlds

Two years ago: The New PvP Charged Move Mechanism

Three years ago: AFA ID in Memoriam

Four years ago: Cold as the Winds

You Made Me a...

(Pain!) You made me a, you made me a

Believer, believer

(Pain!) You break me down, you build me up

Believer, believer

(Pain!) Oh let the bullets fly, oh let them rain

My life, my love, my drive, it came from...

(Pain!) You made me a, you made me a

Believer, believer

-- "Believer", Imagine Dragons

Pokémon is many things to many people. It can be a source of entertainment, something to accompany days as they go by, and/or a means of flexing one's mind. For the most devoted of fans like me, it can also be a source of self-confidence - something to believe in - to get through each and every single day. That (and don't ask me how else) has led me to think of this hit song from four years ago, which has grown on me recently.

Conceptually, the song is a little bit like another song about believing that I also thought of about a year ago, only love is absent and hardship is more evident (the "pain" as mentioned in the chorus that I've quoted above). Here, the hardship isn't really a hardship but is instead a driving force to get one through life. Of hardships, there is one big one out there in the world right now, and that's a driving force to be sure. But it is also true that Pokémon has displayed its share of hardships as well, in both real and imagined happenings. A personal one of mine can be summarized by two lines that are spoken in the music video of the above song:

"I wanna stop."

"We can't."

Similar stop-or-go moments have been present in many of my Pokémon experiences, whether in the games and related media, or even in social efforts like this blog (in fact, this post itself has suffered from stop-or-go moments as I'm writing it). In the end, due to my attraction to Pokémon, much indeed went on and little didn't. So there are actually two driving forces in this case: Pokémon itself and the hardships that may be equivalent to pain in connection to Pokémon. In effect, as with the chorus, I broke down, built up, and became a believer with many of my Pokémon efforts.

Of course, to truly enjoy Pokémon, one does not need to (and in fact, shouldn't) put oneself through hardships intentionally. Yet life happens - in the current case, life really is happening - and one may be subjected to hardship as it happens. To still enjoy Pokémon with that may be considered a hardship in itself. But if the song above is of any indication, it may be that the hardship is intended to instill continued faith that the above can still reasonably happen.

One year ago: Let's Play and Pokémon

Two years ago: Pokémon and Music Games, Revisited

Three years ago: (Late and Great) Local Ex-Raid, 9/3/2018

Four years ago: Bandai Pokémon XY Swing - Pikachu

Countermeasures for Pokémon Go: A Necessary Outreach

Along with the Season of Mischief, Pokémon Go has implemented its latest round of "countermeasures". It is known that early last month, controversy arose over them due to what was planned by Niantic and how that was to be executed, neither of which were quite appropriate. After mulling over them, including getting the community involved, a few things were finally decided with this "necessary outreach" in order to maintain the connection to the greater body of Trainers in the game.

The first and foremost regards the PokéStop and Gym interaction distance. After being reduced back to the 40 meters that was the standard prior to current conditions as a test in certain areas, the error was realized as some of these areas worsened in condition, necessitating the return of the increased distance. With the voice of the community and the findings of the task force that revealed the benefits for many Trainers, the new and increased distance of 80 meters is now agreed to be the current standard and was implemented globally the week before the new season began.

There are also additional countermeasures for everyone, not just for specific regions of the world. These are tripled XP for spinning new PokéStop (down from 10x from a previous regional test), 1-hour Lure Modules (doubled from 30 minutes), increased Incense effectiveness especially while walking, increased damage from Trainers raiding remotely, guaranteed Gifts from PokéStops, and more gifts from Buddy Pokémon. Some of these had been planned to be cut or reduced as well, but in the end, they stayed. There was one casualty, though: free raid passes are now just one a day for all, and thus remains as is.

The PokéStop distance debacle - and the resulting experience - brought about an important realization: it is not practical to treat different regions of the world differently, and as a result, now these countermeasures are made in line with the current season to apply for everyone around the world. The reasoning makes sense; though different regions are different, the current conditions have a degree of sameness, especially in volatility. Therefore, the treatments have to be equal, just as much as fans of Pokémon (and Pokémon Go) are equals in their own regard.

As for the issue of communication, a few pledges have been made to rectify the issue. One of those pledges is to release a periodic developer diary (perhaps much like the "insights" of years past) for additions and improvements. Communication in the form of talks with the community, similar to what was spurred by the debacle above, is also to be made regular. The "Known Issues" page, which remains as center of reported bugs, is to be updated and clarified for perusal by all Trainers. The fulfillment of these pledges will be a key thing and therefore has to be made to happen.

After what transpired previously, the hope is that the few lessons that have become apparent have really been taken to heart by Niantic, and it appears some have been, in fact, thanks to the new implemented "countermeasures". Perhaps the most important lesson to be taken to heart is how much communication matters for a game like Pokémon Go and what happens if that goes wrong. For now, the "necessary outreach" is a good compromise for Trainers to keep their play spirits up even when the world is down.

One year ago: Mega Evolution Quibbles in Pokémon Go

Two years ago: Two Flavors of Pokémon Stickers

Three years ago: Cosplay: Utsuru! -the fifth-

Four years ago: (Self) References

The Season of Mischief

Oh yes, it's certainly true. The next season in line for Pokémon Go is one that is likely to contain many (potential) shenanigans, and it's appropriately entitled the Season of Mischief. It's obvious that in two months there will be a certain festivity for mischief, but that's for later. Right now, it's the implementation in Pokémon Go that matters, along with what kinds of signs that are suggested in the greater world of Pokémon that fits along with the season. In addition to the definite things, there is some room for indefinite things, and both certainly need to (try to) be discerned.

Much of the mischief that has occurred in Pokémon Go recently has been due to the "lord of the rings" that is Hoopa, and that has been hinted to continue as this season progresses. Eventually, Hoopa itself will manifest, but not before Trainers go through hoops (some pun intended) in order to allow Hoopa to do just that. And then there is that festivity of mischief, which has always been and will be part of Pokémon Go, just as well as it has gotten along with Pokémon in general. Much more is to unfold (gradually), and that's something to keep track of - but that will certainly be for later posts.

Meanwhile, in the general realm of Pokémon, it becomes evident that the release of Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the newest members of the main series games, will coincide with this season. While the release itself likely won't be or linked to any shenanigans, what happens surrounding the release might be considered alike to them in different ways. It will still also be a little more than two months before that happens, but it's worth it to remind myself - even continuously - to avoid the potential shenanigans that might occur before I have the chance to deal with things.

And to deal with things is the key, for the mischief for Pokémon can take various forms, if any loyal and devoted fan have things to say about them and how they usually occur. Hoopa has already had its say with the shenanigans that have just occurred in Pokémon Go, and the fans have had their say when they awaited the Sinnoh remakes for a few years. Both of these will have their answers soon enough as the season that has been "branded" with mischief occurs, and the things that take place will define the shenanigans - or perhaps it could also be the other way around.

One year ago: Let's Go Mega Evolve

Two years ago: Cosplay: Creators' Super Fest by AFA (Regional)

Three years ago: Between Bugs and Features

Four years ago: Takara Tomy Pokémon XY&Z Pikachu Halloween Mascot - Ver. D

The Peak of Discoveries

It's been three months, and that means the Season of Discovery in Pokémon Go is coming to a close. This time of year - the one of the season - is always impressive, given that it contains the anniversary of Pokémon Go itself, and in normal years the multitude of festivities that are associated with that. But then, it hasn't been a "normal" year for more than that time, and that may seemingly be the case for some time ahead. Yet I'm also reminded that discovery can be and is in fact an everyday thing, and that can be reasonably applied to all the discoveries that have occurred during this season, essentially becoming the proving ground for the viewpoint.

The eighth-generation Pokémon from Galar coming into Pokémon Go was a total curveball but also constitutes a significant discovery, given that it is leaps and bounds ahead of what is expected. Overall, so was the entirety of Pokémon Go Fest, even with the entirety of the agenda being known; I'm sure that many Trainers can vouch for what they got on both days of the event, especially me. Some matters will (at the least, may) have to be resolved in the upcoming season, which is now known and will be detailed soon enough.

Then, there's this year's big anniversary and the upcoming future of Pokémon. The anniversary point may have long passed, but more and more tidbits are still being divulged. The same is true for the games that will make up that future along with their details. What it seems to look like is that many discoveries are still to be made as the releases of those games draw near and well beyond afterwards, affirming what will likely be their everyday continuity.

In my initial post to mark the end of seasons, I noted that I loathed to call it the "end" of things, and with the Season of Discovery, I feel somewhat validated. The end of the season is just the peak for things, and they can and do always continue even after the seasons end. This is all the more true for discoveries, which have a way of making themselves evident.

The next season begins tomorrow, appropriately. While it may not be possible to sleep tonight and rediscover the world as it was before the next day, at least Pokémon and other discoveries today might help to tide over the seasons as they continue to change.

One year ago: Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Two years ago: The Start of a Decked-Out Adventure

Three years ago: Solidarity Making

Four years ago: Reunions!

Raids on Different Platforms

Today is a Monday, but there's an out-of-band Legendary Raid Hour for Zamazenta. Similar practices have been conducted before for Legendary Pokémon introduced not on a Wednesday with a limited timeframe that doesn't allow it to reach another Wednesday for a regularly scheduled Raid Hour. That is fine, but it's only half-related to what I want to discuss. It is likely that for these raids or any other raids in general, Trainers will likely find ways to schedule and initiate them, including the usage of different platforms to assist in doing so.

Of these platforms, they are likely to utilize rudimentary messaging platforms such as the apps of WhatsApp and/or LINE. Here, the raids are likely to be initiated with simple details of what to raid, when and where, and a list of participating Trainers that is to be filled in to confirm participation. Though the platforms certainly are not low-tech, the method of scheduling and initiating certainly is. Still, it works perfectly, especially if all or most of the participants are already friends with one another, and thus it is suited for close-knit and/or local communities. In this way, it's also convenient given the limits of the platforms involved.

Trainers who opt for a more sophisticated approach might go into platforms that allow chat bots like Telegram and Discord. Some groups (or "servers" in the latter case) are likely to be equipped with bots that allow raids to be initiated and scheduled, keeping track of the same particulars above but in a more organized and workable manner, though usage of the bots might dictate some experience first-hand. Yet it could become the preferred approach once everyone becomes familiar with it.

Some helper applications for Pokémon Go have grown in sophistication that it includes their own raid coordination feature, particularly for those not in the current region. It also allows one to "jump the gun" on some raid debuts. However, from my discussions with others about the features, they may be regarded as "finicky" at times with long waits and raids not coming to fruition. Therefore, while they seem to be OK, they may have some caveats.

Evidently, a degree of coordination is needed in order to make raids in Pokémon Go happen as they should, and the various platforms above allow a range of options from the basic and rudimentary to advanced and complex. They seem to depend on the whims of the Trainers to make things happen, whether in local communities or reaching out to Trainers who are farther away. And of course, they have to help whether in extraordinary circumstances like the out-of-band Raid Hour today or ordinary ones whenever raids take place.

One year ago: Competitive Stage Progress

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 8/30/2019

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 8/30/2018

Four years ago: Stories That You Don't Know

Respect for Veronica Taylor

I've thrown the name a couple of times around on a couple of posts on this blog, but I haven't directly addressed the person - not in four and a half years - behind the name much like the ones behind the Japanese voices for Pikachu and Ash - in other words, their voice talents. And yet, she's foundationally important as the first English voice actress for Ash. I'm speaking, of course, of Veronica Taylor, the one who filled the role of Ash so characteristically for the first few years of the English dub of the Pokémon anime. This foundational role makes her deserving of respect, and this post serves to do just that.

For those who don't know me, I grew up with the English dub of Pokémon. Therefore, I grew up being exposed to her distinctive characterization of Ash, and so did many viewers of my generation. It's easy to see why the "voice chaos" happened - one part of which is due to the attachment to this fact, as viewers hold her in high regard. Long after the "voice chaos" has passed, her role is still held in the same high regard; the evidence is that the presentation of old episodes still have her voice among others. If that weren't true, everything would have been redubbed by now, but that's not the case. And that's a good thing regardless.

Now on to her voice capabilities. She's important for voicing Ash, to be sure, but she's also important for being able to voice other characters, one of which is also fundamentally important for Ash as well as the Pokémon anime in general, at least early on: Delia, his mother. As with any voice talents under any agency, she can fill and has filled the roles of other characters, some of which I also had the opportunity to watch and listen to. Yet it cannot be doubted that her work on the Pokémon anime is extensive and even "legendary", and thus she is and always will be best known for that.

As I've noted early on in this blog, before the age of social media and smartphones, she made the effort to reach out to fans by a web site and even a mailing list. She utilized this to promote the Pokémon Christmas Bash album, which allowed me to pick up the album in time. Evidently, she can sing in character as well to a certain extent, given her presence on a few tracks on the album. That becomes further support for her "legendary" work on the Pokémon anime involving different kinds of vocal work for the first few years that laid solid foundations for the existence of the English dub.

If nothing else, that commands respect, and a lot of it. Someone once said - in comments for a different kind of sound work - that being legendary isn't necessary, but being foundational and especially for new kinds of things is always important. Veronica Taylor's contributions to the Pokémon anime, particularly the English dub, is exactly that, being foundational for its existence. But with her work still remaining a hallmark and masterpiece of the Pokémon anime today, the "legend" status is still very much worthwhile. It goes back to the respect that needs to be given as it is due.

One year ago: The Social Value of Pokémon Go

Two years ago: Adventurous Families

Three years ago: Media Master

Four years ago: Catching Up