This is going to be pretty rambly so fair warning.
When I was in middle or high school, can't remember which, I was up at night on the verge of tears because I so desperately wanted Pokémon to be real. I go through periods of being genuinely distressed over this, searching for "Pokémon IRL"-themed things to watch and read and yearn over. Tonight is one of those nights.
I just need it so badly. I need to walk around and see trainers and their Pokémon walking about. Flying-types in the sky. Grass-types in the bush. Cuddling and riding and battling. A two-part harmony.
I recently confirmed the Pokémon world (like you'd see in the main series games and anime) as a hearthome. One of the deciding factors was taking that memory above, and comparing it to when I asked an online queer chat if breaking down when you learned about how your body would change in pubescence is normal.
It's not, on both accounts.
So I swear on Legendaries and my favorite anime opening is "Pokémon World" because of the lyrics and I was ecstatic over Pokémon GO's announcement and I daydream about scenarios where Pokémon physically enter the world and I get to interact with them as living beings, not just data.
I want to take a moment to emphasize how strong the need to be around Pokémon and live in a Pokémon world is. I'm not even talking about taking on the League necessarily (though I'd love that so much), just living with them would make me overjoyed. And although I'd love to visit the unique locales, I'd be fine living in the "real world" if we had physical Pokémon, so the hearthome aspect is sort of feeling at home in a particular lifestyle or... world configuration, I guess, of humans and Pokémon. I desperately want to be living that life.
Other things that feel resonant:
- The "welcome to the world of Pokémon" opening sequence from Giratina and the Sky Warrior.
- Fanfics where characters from the real world or other fiction suddenly get Pokémon or go to the main Pokémon world.
- The Detective Pikachu movie.
- The scene in Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!where Ash dreams about a Pokémon-less world (which made me very upset that that was my situation).
- Pokémon IRL blogs and Pokémon roleplay in general.
- Having a friend who I consider my rival in competitive Pokémon, and who considers me hers.
- WolfeyVGC's videos where he's animated as actually going through life events with his Pokémon.
- The Pokémon Company referring to fans as "trainers," especially during Worlds.
- "Real Pokémon" media in general.
- Wearing an old sweatband with a Poké Ball on it as "trainer gear."