The Protagonist

Pokémon is turning 30 this month and the thought has been living very rent free in my head. I’ve been feeling all sorts of nostalgic about the series that holds a very special place in my heart and wanted to say a thank you.

There is so much to share about this series. Where do I even start? I couldn’t decide (because it’s more than just my favourite games or Pokémon), so I’ve done a confessions list instead!

Recently, I was on a podcast with RPGamer on their Backtrack episode about Pokémon. This was my first time on any podcast, and I couldn’t be more happier to have it be about Pokemon. Feels full circle and canon AF.

Just another quick note about RPGamer: I recently joined their team and they are a lovely bunch of people. Keep your eyes peeled for more Elena coded content coming their way in the future too!

My Favourite Pokémon

So here’s something I prepared earlier. Years ago, in fact.

As you can see, I don’t have any Pokémon from the last few generations, but this chart remains accurate. I haven’t loved any of the new Pokémon designs so much to call them a favourite.

If I had to pick my top 3 out of the list, it would be: Milotic, Lucario and Tyranitar. I don’t care if these mons make me basic, I love them. Milotic is an absolute icon, Lucario is all aura and Tyranitar is the king that carried me in VGC.

Here Are My Confessions

1. The Pokémon Anime Was My Jam

Pokémon was one of my first anime before I even knew what anime was. The series used to be on TV in the morning on a kids show (Cheez TV, anyone?) and I would wake up early before school to watch it. I remember some episodes in the first season were scary to me; particularly the Ghastly one and the Sabrina episodes. Also, because we had it as an English dub, I was always confused why the rice balls in the anime were called ‘sandwiches’ or ‘donuts’! I have never seen any sandwich or donut looking like that here in Australia. But, they sure looked delicious.

I will always be upset about that Butterfree episode. And, curses to Damian for ditching that poor Charmander and giving him trauma for life.

The anime was also the reason I thought Vaporeon was the coolest Eeveelution, only to find out in the games that Acid Armour doesn’t do what it did in the anime. It’s okay, Vaporeon is still my favourite.

I am not up to date with the anime anymore, I think I stopped after X/Y, but maybe one day.

2. The Pokémon Trading Card Game is Actually Fun

Before I began card collecting, I did in fact learn to play the trading card game. I say that because it might come as a surprise, since a lot of people just enjoy collecting the cards and don’t play the game. Back in the early 2000s, my best friend introduced me to the game with her uncle’s crazy cool collection, and that’s where my humble beginnings in the rabbit hole started. I then played the video game Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), which was honestly so much fun. As far as TCGs go, it’s definitely one of the easier ones to get into, compared to say Magic: The Gathering with complex rules. It’s pretty outdated now since there’s been many more sets out since the time this game was released, but it explained the fundamentals well. It was also nice having a story too. I did dabble in the online Pokémon TCG for a few years as well. The neat thing about the online game was that it allowed you to scan your physical cards into the virtual game.

I used to love unboxing the cards too of course. I have been clean when it comes to collecting cards for a couple of years now… Though who knows what the future will hold.

3. I Had a Pokédex

Back in the early 2000s again, when I was in primary school, my mum bought me a Pokédex —and I loved that thing to bits. I remember bringing it with me to school and showing it off to the other kids. It was my most prized possession (other than the Pokémon games of course)!

The Pokédex looked just like the ones in the anime series and had entries for the first 151 Pokémon. From memory, each entry showed an animated pixelated Pokémon, some stats and moves, along with a summary. It was a walking encyclopedia but didn’t talk though!

I seem to have misplaced my Pokédex ever since I moved out, but I have a feeling I’ll find it again someday. And it’ll be like opening a time capsule.

4. New Pokémon Mystery Dungeon When?

I know I’m not the minority here when I say Pokémon Mystery Dungeon is one of the best spin-off series that Pokémon has ever had. Absolutely played the crap out of those games, and even though we were blessed a few years ago with Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, I’m sorry for being insufferable, but I want more. I need a new PMD game. I will continue to manifest it.

The story is so wholesome, the OST slaps, and I just love running around as a Pokémon and being my own boss. With my very own start up and no trainer to listen to. Just me and my Pokémon buddies running around, saving the world, one dungeon at a time. I am not typically a dungeon crawler type of player, but this series also brought that out of me.

5. The Day That Pokémon Go Came Out

I have fond memories of playing Pokémon Go when it was first released. I remember when it came out, I was on a trip for the long weekend, in the sleepy town of Lakes Entrance. The game couldn’t have come out at a better time. Me and my friends were out running around catching Pokémon and I just remember a feeling of pure joy. It felt like I was reliving my childhood dreams of being a real trainer somehow. I think this a core memory for me because it reminded me of what Pokémon games have always been about to me: feeling young and connecting with others.

I was Team Mystic, for those who were wondering. Articuno all the way!

6. My Favourite Quote From the Games

It was tough. Because on one hand, Professor Oak’s wise words have always stuck with me through random moments in my life and in general, it is a useful quote.

But then, my one brain cell really likes shorts. What can I say, they’re comfy and easy to wear!

There are heaps of funny NPC quotes throughout the games over the years though.

7. The Type of Trainer I Would Be

I know we’ve all thought about it at some point, surely Or just me? Like if you had to be an NPC in a Pokémon game, what type of trainer would you be? A hiker, a fisherman, collector, beauty, ranger… the choices are endless.

I have always considered myself an Ace Trainer, probably because the Pokémon I’m typically drawn to are the ‘cool but strong’ types. Clearly, I had dreams of being a cool kid. Regardless, that was my internal trainer identity for myself for years.

What would Ace Trainer Elena do? – Elena

8. Pokémon Centers Are Magical Places

I had the pleasure of visiting Pokémon Centers in Japan for the first time last year, and it was everything I thought they would be, and more. I’ll spare you the details in this post, but every time I walked into one, it just felt like home. I just wanted to buy EVERYTHING.

9. I Wrote a Pokémon Fanfic… and a Poké Rap

Okay, the START of a Pokémon Fanfic. I haven’t touched it in years but it kinda works as its own stand alone chapter. Every year I’ll pull it out again and read it, or sometimes show people— I know, cringe. It’s unfinished, but I still remember the plot I had in mind like it was yesterday.

Maybe I’ll put it up on the site one day, but for now, all you need to know is that it was based in my favourite region of all time, the Hoenn region.

I really enjoyed writing it because there was something about writing from the perspective of a kid. I hadn’t really done that deliberately before. Maybe there’s a children’s author in me yet!

The Poké Rap was in my VGC era, and based off my team that starred Tyranitar. I was a young, ambitious lass back in my streaming days, and it was my hopes to see the rap fully produced one day. I don’t think I wanted to be the one rapping, per se, but I probably would have “done it for the content” back then.

10. I Met the Pokémon of My Dreams

I went to my first Pokémon concert back in 2022. Not only did I have a blast with my siblings, I bought a cute Riolu plush and met a big Twitch supporter of mine at the time (she’s a top Pokemon VGC player too so I was humbled).

I also met a Lucario IRL, while wearing my Lucario jersey!!!

Best day ever!

Thank you again, Pokémon

Although Pokémon isn’t the same as it used to be, I am proud of how far it’s come as a series. I will always treasure the memories I have of it because it’s made me the gamer that I am today. I hope there’s plenty more to come too, especially with Pokémon Pokopia and Gen 10 around the corner.

Look after yourself,

Elena