Gotta Catch Em All!

On January 10, 2000, a whole new world of anime unfolded before my eyes as Italia 1 (Italia Uno), a beloved Italian TV channel nestled under Mediaset‘s canopy, unleashed the Pokémon anime onto our screens.

Every weekday afternoon became a sacred ritual: racing home from school, swiftly finishing my schoolwork, and eagerly plopping down in front of the TV. The excitement buzzed in the air as each episode unfurled, weaving its enchanting spell into our lives.

From the very first episode, I was utterly captivated by the brilliance and creativity of the Pokémon manga. Crafted by the visionary Satoshi Tajiri and illustrated by the talented Ken Sugimori, its transition into the vibrant realm of anime was masterfully orchestrated by the ingenious Kunihiko Yuyama and skillfully brought to life by Takeshi Shudo.

In that mystical realm where creatures roamed free and dreams soared high, I found myself completely entranced by the boundless wonders of Pokémon.

Satoshi gifted us with familiar creatures, yet endowed them with powers and traits beyond our wildest dreams.

The genesis of Pokémon traces back to Satoshi Tajiri’s childhood passion for collecting insects. Amidst Japan’s urban sprawl, Tajiri witnessed a decline in opportunities for children to connect with nature intimately. Longing to revive the joy of his youth, when he and his friends embarked on insect-catching adventures, Tajiri embarked on a quest of his own.

Meeting the protagonist, Ash Ketchum, a spirited young trainer whose endearing clumsiness mirrored my own, was like finding a kindred spirit. For once, I could deeply relate to a character stumbling through life’s challenges, showcasing humanity at every turn. From oversleeping and tardiness at Professor Oak’s doorstep to the pivotal moment of choosing his first Pokémon, Ash ignited a fervent desire within me to embark on my own Pokémon journey alongside him.

As a youngster, companionship was scarce, overshadowed by shyness that stifled my voice and limited my friendships to a select few. In this solitude, I discovered solace in Ash’s journey.

Witnessing Ash forge a deep bond with his Pokémon partner, Pikachu, struck a chord deep within me. Despite their unlikely pairing, their relationship flourished through shared experiences and mutual trust. I longed for such camaraderie and followed Ash’s odyssey with unwavering devotion, sharing in his dream of mastering the Pokémon world.

This journey spanned years, culminating in a bittersweet conclusion aired in Japan on March 24, 2023. Here, we bid farewell to our beloved Ash Ketchum, whom we had accompanied through the highs and lows of his quest to become a Pokémon Master. Heavy-hearted yet uplifted by the memories we’d forged, we celebrated the end of an era, cherishing the lasting impact Ash had left on our lives and the Pokémon universe.

Pokémon unraveled a tapestry of emotions, from pure elation to heart-wrenching sadness, anger, and unbridled enthusiasm.

In the heat of battle, Pikachu and Ash’s harmonious partnership sparked moments of pure joy, their unity a beacon of strength amidst adversity. Reunions following separations orchestrated by the nefarious Team Rocket—composed of the iconic trio: Jessie, James, and the articulate Meowth, under the enigmatic Giovanni’s leadership—infused a glimmer of hope into our journey.

Yet, amid the triumphs lay poignant moments of sorrow, epitomized in the sobering episode “Charmander – The Stray Pokémon.” Here, Brock’s solemn revelation about Charmander’s mortality, tied to the flicker of its flame, cast a somber shadow over our adventure, unearthing the harsh realities of the Pokémon world. Ash’s righteous anger flared against Damian, whose heartless abandonment of Charmander uncovered a narrative thread of strength amid perceived weakness.

Another unforgettable moment from the Indigo League saga unfolded as Ash encountered Team Squirtle: a band of mischievous turtles forsaken by their trainers. United by shared experiences of neglect, they emerged as a quintet of mischief-makers, donning sunglasses as a symbol of defiance while weaving a tapestry of pranks that both amused and united bystanders in laughter.

The thrill of these adventures transformed into an all-consuming passion when Game Freak and Nintendo bestowed upon us a playable masterpiece for the Game Boy – Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version. These iconic games marked the inception of Pokémon outside of Japan, gracing Europe with their presence on October 5, 1999.

As a child, I vividly remember pleading with my parents to get me a particular game. Once it was in my hands, I plunged headfirst into its immersive world. Countless hours were spent tackling every challenge, capturing every Pokémon, and unraveling every mystery.

Years later, as an adult, I found myself reigniting that fiery passion when I rediscovered these classics. Thanks to various emulators on my desktop, I had the joy of reliving those nostalgic emotions once again. It was like stepping into a time machine, whisking me back to the days of my youth, where every victory felt monumental and every setback spurred determination anew.

Among the major emulators are VisualBoyAdvance, NO$GBA, GpSP, BoycottAdvance, and RetroArch. If you want to taste a bit of nostalgia, just log onto your PC and have some fun bringing back some retro memories. However, it’s worth noting that this feeling can’t quite compare to owning a handheld and enjoying the game on the go.

Speaking of which, why not mention the phenomenon that was Pokémon GO? This app/game took the world by storm, blending reality with the virtual world. By adding augmented reality (AR) to the game, it made users feel as if Pokémon were right next to them, while providing multiple tasks and events to complete in order to acquire certain Pokémon. It truly took over the world. I remember back in 2015, running around the streets of Malta’s capital to catch the first-generation Pokémon, some of which were quite rare at the time. I even carried around a battery pack just to keep my device alive while I chased these rare encounters, enjoying the adventure with my friends.

Before Pokémon GO, another big hit on the Maltese islands was the launch of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It created quite a bit of controversy but also captured the hearts of many.

Even now, the Pokémon Trading Card Game continues to thrive, with some cards climbing to top ranks in the world market and becoming collectibles for many fans. Graded cards can range in price from a small amount to hundreds, depending on their age, grading, and quality. I remember buying a deck of cards back then with the money I had saved, feeling like I owned the rarest and most valuable piece of treasure.

This is just a glimpse into my Pokémon journey, a small part of the vast world that we’ll delve deeper into in future articles. Be sure to keep following to not miss out on such exciting content.

Yours truly, SenpaiRyūJinpō: Where Anime Dreams Take Flight.