The Beginning

Pokemon is a household name in gaming and pop culture, from video game icons such as Pikachu and the Kanto starters to the Pokemon anime. As a kid, I remember my first ever exposure to Pokemon being the anime and the cards, along with flash animations and POGs. Strangely enough, I would only start playing the mainline Pokemon games in around 2020 when I got a switch, with my first game being Pokemon Sword and Shield. While Sword and Shield was rather divisive in terms of the storytelling and lack of difficulty, I didn't mind it. I would spend lots of time in my (still somewhat ongoing) shiny Quagsire hunt and wonder trading random Pokemon.

Another gateway into Pokemon was how commercialized it was; how it was practically everywhere. With it being one of the biggest franchises in the history of ever, it is bound to be advertised almost everywhere, from books and manga to trains and airplanes. Even several Japanese prefectures have associated Pokemon. Fun fact: the Mie prefecture is represented by Oshawott, Fukushima is represented by Chansey, and Kochi is represented by Quagsire (my favorite).

Pokemon Cards

Pokemon Cards have been a staple of my childhood, from trading to collecting. I do not collect to play the card game, though. I collect because I like the art and simply because I like the act of collecting trading cards. As of today, I have a binder sitting next to me which is still incomplete, full of mostly full-art Pokemon cards. My current binder also houses a hyper rare Koraidon ex card, which can be seen below. Another one of my prized possessions in this binder is a Chinese Raichu GX rainbow rare. My first Pokemon card was a Pikachu. I don't remember when I got it, but it was most likely bfore I entered middle school.

Moncolle Figures and Other Sweet Pieces of Merch.

As a rather casual fan, I would find myself being pulled close to its merch. I felt that even collecting the merchandise was like filling out my own personal Pokedex, from the trading cards themselves to other merch releases. I had shirts, Moncolle figures, plushies, and even a sticker book. Although these little PVC figures don't serve much of a purpose, I like looking at them and turning them around in differen't angles, or lining them up against each other in a very autistic way.

While this might come off as childish to some, to others like me, this is fun. Even if I'm still young, I'd still like to hold on to things people deem childish It didn't just bring a sense of comfort, but it makes me feel nostalgic (even if my wallet wants to punch me in the face for it). Although I didn't grow up in the late 90s when Pokemon Red and Blue were released (I was in single digits during the 5th and 6th gen era), I still feel attached to Pokemon because I always thought it was cool. Then again, that's because my interests are generally rather nerdy.

Extras

Q. What is your favorite generation/mainline game?

A. Generation 6/Pokemon XY :3

Q. Who is your favorite gym leader?

A. Clemont!

Q. What's your favorite Pokemon?

A. Gothorita :D