Pokémon Presents 2-27-23 Thoughts.

Well, this presentation may not have been as juicy as the one last year; but there’s still plenty of interesting topics to discuss. Hello everyone, and here are my thoughts on this month’s “Pokémon Presents.” Let’s open it up and get to it.

The stream was presided over by Takao Utsonomiya and Tsunekazu Ishihara, the latter of which is joined by the cutest moving Pikachu I’ve seen in a long time. The first announcement was for the 2023 World Championships in Yokohama, Japan, along with the special artwork for it. The event will be the first held in the country, and will be live-streamed online for those unable to attend.

Next up is a premium collector product made alongside longtime partners Creatures and newcomers Nendo: the Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic. The set contains all 60 cards in the original base set inside a case that has damage markers, upgraded sleeves and a playfield. Though it’s not usable in tournament play, I’m quite interested in getting my hands on it as a collector’s item for the base set alone.

Though we still have details to be revealed around the 2023 anime and the in-development live-action event series; one pleasant surprise was the spinoff Pokémon Concierge. Taking place at the Pokémon Resort, it will feature Psyduck alongside a young woman acting as a concierge on the island. It will be a stop-motion series done by Dwarf Studio, and I’m quite interested to see it once it streams on Netflix in the near future.

Various spinoff titles also received updates: Pokémon UNITE has added Zacian to the roster. Pokémon Masters EX has introduced a host of new Sync Pairs and content to celebrate 3.5 years, currently in progress. Pokémon Cafe Remix also stealth dropped its newest update prior to the stream, its new event is on till March 16 (I picked Fuecoco and I’m working on clearing the objectives given, as well as claim the Chef Greninja skin). Pokémon Go also dropped an update, and it connects to other topics here.

One big surprise is that Pokémon Sleep not only hasn’t been shelved, but it’s actually coming out this summer. The Pokémon Go Plus + accessory (which I shall call the “Double Plus” to avoid confusion) will also release around the same time.

To start the updates surrounding Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, I shall mention V1.2 went live before the show did; which I’m currently enjoying. Pokémon Go and Pokémon Home integration are also on the way, including bonuses centered around Gimmighoul and Vivillon. Two new Paradox Pokémon are in new raid events, currently in progress. They are Walking Wave (Scarlet exclusive, resembling Suicune) and Iron Leaves (Violet exclusive, resembling Virizion), respectively.

The big reveal is that the long-rumored and leaked DLC expansion is real (especially as someone who doesn’t actively look at leaks or rumors)- it is called “The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero,” and will contain two chapters- The Teal Mask in the fall, and The Indigo Disk in the winter. The former takes place in the Kitakami region during a school trip; and centers around a new monster known as Ogerpon (I especially like the connections to the legend of Momotaro). The latter sees the player undertaking research at the Blueberry Academy, which involves the mysterious new monster Terapagos (both aspects that intrigue me). Though not quite a return to Unova or Kalos yet, I will definitely be opting in once I have release dates for both chapters. I'm actually glad these are coming out later than Isle of Armor/Crown Tundra did for Sword and Shield; and that priority is being given to fixing core issues first.

While it may not have been as big as last year’s presentation on “Pokémon Day” (surprised we haven’t gotten stealth drops of Pokémon Stadium 1 and 2 on N64 Online or Pokémon TCG on Game Boy Online), I still have plenty to look forward to. See you all in March, take care everyone.

Pokémon: The Distant Blue Sky (JP) Thoughts

Pokémon- Pocket Monsters. I traveled across the land searching far and wide; trying to picture the creatures as they moved between my game systems and my TV screens. What did they look like- Mice? Dragons? Turtles? Were the amphibians like palm trees? I kept dreaming of events I thought I’d never see. Then, one day, something happened: I got in.

Now that I’ve got that out of the way, it’s finally time. Here is my look at the anime special “Pokémon: The Distant Blue Sky.” Taking place in the alternate continuity established in 2017’s “Pokémon The Movie: I Choose You,” the special is a great way to honor the past legacy of the franchise and provide a window into its future, so let’s begin.

The special opens on Ash and Pikachu swimming in a lake on their journey, having an encounter with a wild Gyarados and a young man named Ren. He’s going to be one of several characters unique to this special, and I really like this scene of Ash suiting up after his swim. Not sure why, but it’s a kind of element I’ve always had a soft spot for.

Anyway, Ash makes a stop near Tonari Town; getting a call from his mother Delia at the Pokémon Center. She says that his father will be around soon, and has something for him. I think that’s a sweet way of handling that aspect, and we’ll come back to that in a bit.

He heads off, none the wiser of a familiar looking trio hiding from behind newspapers. That night, as he’s resting; they make their move.

The next day, Ash is woken up by the lick of a Lickitung, and Pikachu is nowhere in sight! Also, remember the stones that have Gengar on them- it will be important later. Ash heads to find Pikachu, emerging from the tree he was sleeping under. Fortunately- a helpful young man saw where he was taken and shows Ash where he went: His name is Haruto; and he will also be important later.

Team Rocket has stuck Pikachu in a shockproof jar (guess the burlap bag would have been too easy): though they only have one biscuit to celebrate, they say there will be more later. Ash drops down after scoping them out, and while they say their motto; Ash simply unlocks it with the key while they’re distracted. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best.

After reuniting with Pikachu and sending them blasting off, Ash and Haruto are formally introduced. Also, the way Haruto doesn’t reach back when Ash extends his hand will be important later.

The two decide to observe the wild Pokémon in the forest, and hijinks ensue as an arrangement of the Kalos Friend Safari theme plays in the background. Highlights include getting dragged around by Diglett, trying to ride a Dodrio, getting a huff of Stun Spore and Sleep Powder from a Venonat and having to run from a swarm of Beedrill.

After all the rushing, the two decide to look for something to eat. They find a patch of Oran Berry bushes, and a cabin nearby. Inside is a reclusive artist painting skylines, with Haruto saying his favorite is right by the stool. 

Looking over his shoulder, Ash is greeted by a woman holding a basket of fresh baked bread as the artist emerges from his house. Her name is Sae, and the artist his her husband Soh. She agrees to give Ash some of the berries along with the bread, and I like how that functions as a subtle callback to the fourth movie as well. It won’t be the only one either in this special.

Ash meets back up with Haruto, who saw a Pokémon in the vicinity. After expressing interest in having his favorite dish (his mother’s croquettes), he offers to help Haruto search for the Pokémon he saw.

It turns out that he saw a tribe of Mankey, and one of them klepped Haruto’s hat! Ash also mentions how that happened to him before, which also means “Primeape Goes Bananas” is canon to this continuity as well. How about that: the hat was also a gift from Haruto’s father, and we’ll come back to that.

Pikachu offers to go in at full voltage; but Ash decides on a different approach. Of course- while they’re not hurling rice balls/donuts or crashing through rocks, the ringleader with the hat is as mischievous as Ukiki from Super Mario 64. 

Ash reclaims Haruto’s hat, and proposes an exchange for the dismayed Mankey- his own. This also explains why he has a different one in Yajima’s movies and the Mewtwo Strikes Back remake, more on that in a moment.

Ash returns with the hat to Sae and Soh, and the latter is surprised at how he got it. Here’s the reveal that made this special work so well- it turns out that Haruto wanted to be a Pokémon trainer like Ash, but he was very sick in the past. The exact illness is not mentioned, but the messaging is clear: Haruto died a year prior to the OVA’s events, and Soh has been painting the skies in his home ever since. This also explains why he didn’t take Ash’s hand or share any of the food with him.

Continuing on, Ash points out Haruto’s favorite painting; and they confirm it’s from the last time they saw each other that the sky looked like that. I genuinely like the symbolism of the shadows here; and how it connects to Ash’s own father.

Soh then decides to continue his art to honor his late son Haruto, even expanding to Pokémon and other landscapes. Before he leaves, Ash grants one last request to Haruto- to know what a Pokémon feels like. Using his ability to sense aura to pull it off, this also seems to imply the eighth movie and the DP series are canon to this continuity as well.

Though something came up with Ash’s father all of a sudden, he did leave him with a gift- his hat from the original series! I was wondering before how I’d approach my OC variant of Halloween cosplay this year- now I’m certain.

Ash then sits down to a dinner of his favorite croquettes. Honest thought as I pose this question: what if Ash getting his OS hat from his dad as a gift is a way of the anime letting us know it's ok to say goodbye to him; and to still enjoy the anime? Maybe this being the end can also be a new beginning for him, Pikachu and us as fans.

The next morning, Ash catches wind of Entei running through the area. Delia feeds him a piece of toast for breakfast on his way out, and we close this special on Ash heading off with Pikachu by his side; complete with archive narration from the late Unsho Ishizuka.

“Pokémon: The Distant Blue Sky” is a beautiful special, and a great way to start closing the book on this chapter of the anime. Much like the films in the alternate continuity it takes place in, it honors the legacy of the anime’s past while also laying foundations for its future.

Though I may have my concerns about the reboot going forward, I will say this: I am choosing not to be sad that this phase of the journey is ending, but glad that I got a chance to experience it. On that note, I will continue to not only explore the vast legacy of content in the anime in new ways; but also expand coverage of the video games as well. No matter what happens with this update, I intend to give a full review of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet once I have completed the main story. That will be all for now.

RIP Leiji Matsumoto (1938-2023)

I wanted to have my next review out sooner, but this just happened and I thought it could use a post. Legendary artist Leiji Matsumoto has died of acute heart failure at age 85.

Matsumoto was the creator of works such as Space Battleship Yamato and Captain Harlock; with his art being highly influential even in the west. Daft Punk notably collaborated with them on the film Interstella 5555, set to their highly-acclaimed album Discovery. His wife Miyako Maki is also a respected creator in her own right, notably being the creator of Licca-Chan.

I wish the best for those close to Matsumoto at this difficult time. May he rest in peace. 

Review- "BDN/And Between The Wasteland and Sky" (Trigun)

Well, this is interesting- I will start reviewing more episodes of the original Trigun; especially as someone who's decided to let someone else be the lab rat for the reboot. So let's open the first couple ones up. The first part of this story I have chosen to review is entitled "BDN," so let's get started. 

The title of the first part comes from a massive luxury steamer train, which will be our setting for this two-parter. Before that, Vash is being thrown a party for his exploits in the previous episodes; with the townsfolk giving him food and spirits for warding off bandits.

After that, Vash falls asleep; and while I am glad that they got Johnny Yong Bosch back for Stampede, I still have to wonder why it took so long to just say it. Wouldn't be the first time an anticipated series was seen though less than ideal optics; even in recent memory.

The next day, it's time for Vash to go; and it's the maiden voyage of the BDN! Meryl and Milly are also hurriedly packing and trying to find a way to get on the train. This also attracts the attention of the kids he helped before; and less welcoming, a group of ominous transports. Also, one of the kids is called "Thomas," whose toy popgun he borrowed previously. OK, this episode walked into this one.

Of course, the engineers aren't really buying it's really him sleeping in the bulkheads. I may have my reservations about the reboot; but at least I know I can always enjoy this.

Anyway, Vash goes to visit the lavatory; when he has someone dropped on him from an air vent. Seeing the knife hidden in his overalls, Vash correctly deduces his attacker is a stowaway and an orphan. Though the kid himself is skeptical of his own alibi, Vash agrees to play along for now.

Elsewhere on the train, Meryl and Milly are undercover working the concession stand; and the dinner order is only slightly pricier than your typical Amtrak galley! Let's see Roberto try this and pull it off.

Vash hides the stowaway in his cabin, giving dinner to the "growing boy" who attacked him before. He is then incapacitated as the kid ducks back into a vent; heading towards the conductor's cabin. Outside, a group of bandits is set to make their move light up the night in 30 minutes time!

Right on cue, they're ambushed by the Badland Gang; who figuratively and literally light up the desert! Their leader is Brilliant Dynamites Neon; who gives the title of this episode multiple meanings! As they board the train, we find out the stowaway is named Kaite Trevesick; whose late father designed the train. Naturally, they want the train as retribution. They also attempt to attack Meryl and Milly as they're getting ready for bed- big mistake.

As they ready their next move, Vash has a brief dream about his surrogate mother Rem (we'll talk another time) before he starts moving around the vents. BD kills the conductors; and is using Kaite as leverage to try to get into the safe! Even when he's held at gunpoint; Kaite will not relent as Vash breaks into the cockpit from the outside! The two cling to the outside of the train as two of BD's goons are knocked out and thrown into a storage compartment. BD now has control of the train. To be continued, right now!

We enter the second half of this story, called "And Between the Wasteland and Sky." BD makes his next move on the captain, drawing a wire from his wrist! Elsewhere, Kaite and Vash are still incognito; and Vash conks the former on the head and demands thanks for being saved. Like a way of saying, "get a hold of yourself, mang!"

Anyway, if BD doesn't get the contents of the safe; he'll crash the train into the canyon! Well, the Eastwood Ravine is a good spot for it. Meanwhile, Meryl and Milly plot a countermeasure against the gangsters while hidden in a pantry.

Kaite laments telling the "Bad Lads" that his late father designed the train; as their relationship was strained before he died- He feels he cared more about the steamers than he did about him. Vash then states the fact of the matter- they need to stop the train; and Kaite is going to be the one to help him do it.

He then pulls out a copy of the blueprints his father made, softly remembering what he was told before they make their move. The first step is to take out some of the Bad Lads and get their weapons, and confront BD!

Basically every time I hear people un-ironically praising Stampede and their Vash. 

After leaving the above pictured note on one of the guards, BD decides to play along with Vash; and Vash is all too happy to indulge in his game. 

Vash hands Kaite a pen with a comlink in it; so they can keep contact while they both split up. However, this ends up going pear-shaped when a couple guards come from outside the door! He shoots them both, but since there no veins or vital organs hit; he tends their wounds, much to Kaite's surprise. He himself has been hit, and I think his iconic red trench coat hiding the blood is a much better way of framing this than just having Knives pull an "A-Train" on the Nebraska brothers.

Making his way up the central stairway on the third floor, he takes down another guard; and with 7 minutes till final destination; they try to bottleneck Vash! Bad idea- be like trying to send all your units in a strategy title right into the line of fire.

As Vash continues eluding the Bad Lads, Kaite recalls his father's death and his own words. After remembering what Vash said to him, Kaite guides him to the service tunnel; where BD and the Bad Lads are waiting.

Kaite is captured, and BD draws a bead on Vash. but the other guards are defeated by two in their ranks: it's Meryl and Milly! They slipped into the Bad Lads' outfits in an earlier scene after incapacitating them. They also reveal their names as "Derringer Meryl" and "Stun Gun Milly!"

The train has almost reached its final destination, and BD tells his remaining followers to stand down- it's time for him and Vash to settle this!

Vash agrees to the duel on the condition BD stop the train should he win. BD agrees, and the two step out front for their duel! Until the day comes for a direct manga adaptation, I will relish every opportunity to relive the grit of this version. No matter who tries to claim otherwise, Stampede still just looks too clean to me.

Parts of the canyon start coming down on the train, but Vash and BD just shoot through it! Though a different stylistic approach than fellow anime Cowboy Bebop, it's definitely one that works in its own way.

Vash wins the duel, but his injuries from before open up again! BD congratulates him, but the e-brakes are jammed! The conductor orders a full stop of the engines; but then the steering is out! Kaite emerges with the schematics; and gives the crew instructions on how to stop the train!

The crew is reluctant to accept help, but Kaite insists; and Vash corroborates the directions from his comms pen from earlier. Kaite and the crew put on insulated suits, and Kaite activates the emergency stop from the lower levels of the train! 

With only 800 yards to go, BD gives one last assist by slowing the train down with his own transport caravan! Kaite wakes up in the infirmary with Vash, with the former having sustained burns even with the protective gear. Vash also had his wounds tended to again, and the two witness the sunrise atop the train. We close on Kaite singing a song that's familiar to Vash; and we will touch on that again in the future.

Funny how what was meant as a small review to ease into 31 years of life turns into a much bigger project that takes a whole month to get out; but I did enjoy it either way. This won't be the last time I revisit the original Trigun this year either; with the 25th anniversary and ongoing discourse around the reboot. For now, "BND/And Between The Wasteland and Sky" is a great way to start off my look back at the series. I won't be going over every single episode; but much as I did with Cowboy Bebop; I will examine ones that stand out at me and are key to the overall story.

Now, I intend to not take so long with the next review; as I'm lining up a few candidates for my 700th post here. I may even do something for "Singles' Awareness Day;" depending on my mood. That will be all for now. Later.