And here we are kicking off this years A to Z challenge! My 2016 is Pokemon, due to a high level of current nostalgia and looking forward to the new games coming out later this year (Sun/Moon & Go!)
A is for anime. For those that don’t know, anime is a Japanese style of animation, which is where Pokemon originated from, as do many other great things.
The anime follows Ash, the main character, as he travels around the regions of the Pokemon world, encounters new people, catches and builds relationships with all his Pokemon, earns gym badges and competes in challenges and leagues.
It’s been going on since 1998 in the English language, so yes I do remember waking up early Saturday morning, running downstairs, and switching on the TV for Saturday morning kid’s breakfast and tuning in for that week’s episode, as they are currently running over 919 episodes, with several seasons passing through the different generations. No I am not up to date with the anime, but given how nostalgic I’m feeling, it’s something I might go and re-watch.
Although the games are said to be the main part of the Pokemon universe, the anime is way to introduce the Pokemon and world in a more specialised fashion, and each episode will typically involve a new Pokemon. There was even a feature (which may or may not still happen) over the break where they would show the silhouette of a Pokemon and make you guess it – “Who’s that Pokemon?”.
Yes, this is technically a kids cartoon show, but as I keep saying, nostalgia can play a big part, and because it is aimed at kids, you not only have the people who grew up with Pokemon, you attract the young generations in as well, and thus the Pokemon continues to be exceedingly popular.
And, of course, with any TV cartoon or anime, you have the theme song. It’s changed over the seasons, but the original one still has a special place in my heart.
Pokemon of the Day
A is for Arcanine.
Fire type, canine like Pokemon with orange/cream fur and black stripes a bit like a tiger, it evolves from Growlithe (with the aid of a fire stone).
Arcanine is one of my all time favourite Pokemon, mainly because I think he’s a bit like a tiger, would be super fluffy, and you could totally climb on his back and ride him, and when he is rumoured to reach top speeds of over 200mph that would be awesome. They are also super loyal, as long as you are loyal to them, so they make great partners. That, and their natural habitats are often volcanoes, and I do love me a volcano.
Oh my god, you’re doing the challenge on Pokemon. I can’t hit “follow” fast enough. lol
I was an enormous Pokemon fan when I was younger…it came on at a weird time of day when I wasn’t quite home from school yet, so I stole the VCR from the living room, painstakingly learned how to set up a record timer, and recorded every episode on piles of VHS tapes. They’re probably still cluttering up my parents’ attic somewhere. lol
These days though, I still get a big kick out of it, particularly since my 5-year-old has gotten a little into the craze. She’s got a Pikachu hat that she loves, and last month when my hubby offered her a treat for being good while we were out shopping all day, she picked out a three-pack of little Pokemon figures. I was so proud. lol
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I am so happy that you found me and my theme this year ^_^ Pikachu finds a way into everyone’s generation, I had this old squishy backpack in a pikachu shape. It’s probably still at my mum’s house somewhere. Along with a whole bunch of the movies on VHS! Man, thinking about VHS makes me feel so old.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the month, lots more Pokemon things to come!
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Yeah, even just SAYING VHS kinda makes me feel like a geezer. lol
But, but…I just recently found my special Pikachu-version yellow Gameboy Color, and it still had Pokemon Yellow in it, and oh my god I need to play it now. lmao
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I love that you’re doing your challenge on Pokemon! I also loved the anime and the games, although I have trouble completing the games because I get so OCD that I literally have to “Catch them all” before I can move on to the next in-game region… >_< Anyway, I'm looking forward to checking out the rest of your blog and seeing your posts every day — I'm also doing AtoZ, with a daily dragon, if you feel like stopping by! 🙂
Jamie Lyn Weigt | Writing Dragons Blog
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A dragon a day! I am going to have to come by and check this out!
Super pleased to have you come by, and I hope you enjoy the month of Pokemon coming up ^_^
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Thanks, I’m certainly loving it so far! 🙂
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So much fun!
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Thanks for stopping by! Hope you come back for more fun during the month 🙂
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Yeah… I’m well into my twenties now but pikachu still makes me smile – though in my head there are still only 101 pokemon. Looking forward to the rest of your posts 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you during the rest of the month. And yes, I have to agree, that every time they add another 100 Pokemon in, it gives me a case of ‘I remember the original set’ 🙂
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Pokemon are very cute characters. I remember when my students were engrossed with collecting the cards.
Ann Bennett @annbennett12
Too Much To Choose FromScience Ladybug
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I still know some people that are engrossed with the card game! Thanks for coming by 🙂
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I never followed Pokemon (too old!) but I so enjoyed your writing last year that I’ll be checking in regularly. Looking forward to it!
Debs Carey
@debscaringcoach
http://www.bunnyandthebloke.com
http://www.caringcoaching.co.uk“
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Aw ^_^ Thank you so much! I look forward to seeing you around the place. (and you are never too old for Pokemon!)
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