Lightning Energy

This week we’ll look at the last of the starters from Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Originally discovered in the Johto Region, Cyndaquil and its relatives are notable for having the exact same stat spread as Charmander’s. Its movepool consists mostly of Fire and Normal-type moves that don’t work off its higher Special Attack, but it’s one of the more unique Fire-type starters that’s based off an equally unique animal.

Sometimes a Pokémon’s inspiration is straightforward. One glance at Pidove, for example, easily shows it’s meant to be a pigeon. Others are slightly obtuse: Mightyena seems like it’s a wolf, but it’s based off a hyena. Then you have Pokémon where their origins aren’t very clear. Today’s subjects, Remoraid and Octillery, have baffled a good majority of Pokémon fans since their introduction in 1999.

People end up liking a Pokémon for a variety of reasons. It could be due to how well the Pokémon performs in battle, particularly what types it has or what moves it learns. Generally, though, Pokémon become popular because of their design. A Pokémon’s physical appearance is the very first noticeable attribute, and how loved the Pokémon is strongly dependent on first impressions. Luckily for today’s subject, they flew – or, rather, rolled – straight into people’s hearts. It’s fair to say that the Alolan Starters are all popular, but Rowlet is likely the most popular of all.

Few creatures maintain a hold on impressionable imaginations as the dinosaurs. Yet despite the clear popularity of dinosaurs – both in Japan and worldwide — Pokémon did not introduce dinosaur-based Fossils until Diamond & Pearl. It wasn’t until X & Y that creatures of the stereotypical dinosaur body plans were introduced. The inspiration for Tyrunt] & Tyrantrum are somewhat obvious at first glance: they’re based on the carnivorous dinosaur. The star of Jurassic Park and every other piece of dinosaur media. The most famous predator to ever roam the planet, waiting to devour any hapless animal that got too close. I am talking, of course, about Tyrannosaurus rex[/I].

I’ve enjoyed every main series Pokémon game I’ve played, but if I had to choose, Pokémon Black & White[ would be my absolute favorites. I also love the Pokémon introduced in Generation V. I think every single design fits perfectly and each one is special. A lot of my favorite Pokémon come from Gen V: Haxorus, Krookodile, Vanilluxe, Klinklang, Galvantula… and my favorite starter of all. The one people mocked when it was first unveiled: the Water-type, Oshawott.

Some of the most iconic Pokémon are the ones you receive from the Professor at the beginning of the game. Known as “Starter Pokémon”, they are a beginning Trainer’s first partner that often sticks with them throughout their journey. Each generation’s starters are marketed intensely during that generation’s life span, but most fans would argue that Kanto’s starters – Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle – are the most well-known of all (outside of Pikachu, anyways). For 2021’s Pokémon Day, the series’ 25th anniversary, we’ll take a look at the very first Pokémon listed in the National Pokédex. Some would say this guy’s the most underrated Kanto Starter, but for Bulbagarden, Bulbasaur is always number one.

The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) has released the new ruleset for competitive battles. These Series 9 rules will be standard for all competitions, including Ranked Battles, Players Cup events, and the Championship series, taking effect as of May 1st, 2021. These Series 9 rules are the same as the Series 7 rules, where "restricted" Pokémon (most Legendary Pokémon and all Mythical Pokémon) were not permitted to battle.

Citing guidelines set by the World Health Organization, Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, and other national health authorities, The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) have announced they will be pushing the 2020 Pokémon World Championships back to 2022. The event will still be hosted in London, UK as originally planned.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game has reached another price record, the third in only a handful of months, with a complete collection of the original Base Set selling for $666,000 United States Dollars on Goldin Auctions. The set had been professionally graded, and awarded a "PSA GEM-MT 10", or "virtually perfect", condition.

Illusionist Uri Geller issued an apology for preventing Kadabra from appearing in the Pokémon Trading Card Game due to a lawsuit he filed in 2000. He has stated that he will now allow Kadabra cards to be printed again. In November 2000, Geller claimed that Kadabra was based on his likeness, citing the Pokémon's Psychic type and habit of carrying a spoon. Geller subsequently sued Nintendo for £60 million, saying "Nintendo stole [his] name and [his] signature image." Masamitsu Hidaka, a director and storyboard artist for the Pokémon anime, confirmed in 2008 that Kadabra would not appear in the Pokémon Trading Card Game until an agreement was reached with Geller.

When the Pokémon Trading Card Game was released in 1999, the cards had little to no value. As Pokémon's popularity surged, so did card prices. Most veteran Pokémon fans can name the most popular -- and expensive -- card from the Base Set expansion: Charizard. Featuring high HP and damage counts alongside a glorious picture of the Pokémon breathing fire, Base Charizard was -- and perhaps still is -- a (if not the) Holy Grail of Pokémon collecting. Even now, the card sells for at least $80 or more. Logic, a retired rapper, Twitch streamer, and suicide prevention advocate, recently obtained a PSA Grade 10 1st Edition Base Set Charizard for $226,000, about the price of a house. This amount breaks the record for Nintendo collectibles.

Pokémon Masters, the latest mobile game, has received some tune-ups lately. With the addition of Eggs, new Sync Pairs, and new Story Events, it was only fitting that the game's name was adjusted to reflect the additions: Pokémon Masters EX. Naturally, in this age of social media, the official Pokémon Masters EX Twitter created a hashtag in their August 25th post announcing the change. This was posted in conjunction with a poll asking followers to vote for which Sync Pair should be boosted to a Rank Six. At this point it should be noted that, while the official account started the hashtag, they did so with proper capitalization. Some fans, however, did not. And quickly took notice.

After they first began being installed last year, there are now a total of 100 different Pokémon manhole covers in Japan. The newest batch (seen below) are located in Serigaya Park, Machida, Tokyo, being the first of these covers to be located in the metropolitan area. Last year, Japan began installing Pokémon manhole covers as part of the Pokémon Local Arts project in an attempt to increase local tourism. Known as Poké Lid (ポケふた Poké Futa), the manholes have been installed in numerous prefectures, including Hokkaido, Iwate, Fukushima, Kagawa, and more. Manhole-spotting is a popular pastime for travelers within Japan: people enjoy checking out the different designs within the country. As more Poké Lids are installed, tourism should experience the expected increase. Curious visitors can use this site to locate the various Pokémon-themed manhole covers across Japan.

Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze, the third major expansion in the Sword & Shield series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, was released on August 14, 2020. It is now available at participating retailers around the world. Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze features the debuts of the Legendary Pokémon Eternatus in its Eternamax form. Additionally, Gigantamax Charizard, Grimmsnarl, Butterfree, and Centiskorch also appear as Pokémon VMAX. The full expansion includes: 7 Pokémon VMAX 14 Pokémon V and 9 full-art Pokémon V 17 Trainer cards and 4 full-art Supporter cards 4 new Special Energy Cards