"The Ride Ain't Over Yet!"
#ポケモン#Pokemon30thAnniversary
QUESTION OF THE DAY: What does Pokémon mean to you?
It may have taken me a few days to put together my #Pokemon30 celebratory post, but it's finally here! A collage dedicated to all the adventures I've had with Pokémon over the years, featuring photos of me and snapshots I've taken. 30 years (or at least 27 for me) of memories summarized in a single image. Some of these clippings I have never shared individually on here; others have been repurposed to paint this picture. Besides, I kind of hate carousels, only because people never swipe left to see every photo attached to a post. So, while February 27th, 2026, and the Pokémon 30th Anniversary are in the rearview mirror, I am glad I took the time to piece this together the way I want to tell my story.
The great thing about Pokémon is that everyone approaches the series differently. My experiences with it are not the same as someone else's. I don't really have any interest in shiny hunting, nor do I just want to buy and consume every new piece of Pokémon merchandise released every month. A lot of people who are interested in Pokémon do though. That's okay. There are well over a thousand creatures now and counting, and every one of them is someone's favorite. Sure, series like Star Wars or Spider-Man could have many different ways fans are passionate about them. However, you follow specific characters by watching the movies, playing the games, or reading the comics, doing what those characters are already doing.
Pokémon allows everyone's connection to it to be unique. People of any age who don't play the mainline games can still enjoy some aspect of Pokémon. Swap that with the anime, cards, "Pokémon GO," whatever, and there's something that makes people want to be a part of its world. I think about what former 4Kids marketing manager and head sales associate, @joshua_izzo, said on @TaraSandsVO's @4KidsPodcast: "Ash Ketchum is an aspirational hero. I want to be Ash. ... So, the fact that you can put yourself into Ash’s shoes and say, "That’s me." You can see yourself in those characters and say, “I want to do that and go and have that behavior.”" You're not Ash, but his experiences are things you want to individually do with Pokémon, whether in its world or ours. These journeys are even more impactful when connected with others. After all, "it’s about the friendships you made along the way," as Tara once said on her podcast.
From the moment I found out about Pokémon — whether through Nintendo Power or the hoopla in '99 at school — to watching the cartoon soon after, to getting Red version as my first game, and eventually getting that first pack of cards months later (because they were always sold out near me), it's been a crazy ride ever since. One memory I will always distinctly remember is my mom buying me a Base Set pack at a FuncoLand in October 1999, then heading next door to an ice cream shop and opening that pack while there, only to see the "Evolves from Charmeleon"/"Put Charizard on the Stage 1 card" text as I slowly revealed the rare card in the wrapper. That Charizard card, as well as pulling a Dark Raichu from the Team Rocket expansion in April 2000 (before I even understood what "secret rares" where and being confused as to why its card number was higher than the set total), were my top 2 cards when I was into that aspect of the series during those first couple of years. That piece of the series may be a thing of the past for me, but the memories remain.
Anyways, to make a long tale not as lengthy, Pokémon and I have been through a lot together in these 27 years. I have gotten to meet some of the English voice actors. I have come across a lot of other passionate fans on my journey, some of which I consider friends. I have teased my cat, Link, with Pokémon. I helped clean up the environment with a local community by collectively removing over a thousand pounds from the ocean thanks to "Pokémon GO" existing. I have been able to relive childhood imagination through the lens of GO Snapshot. I told my story as a fan-film, which has still yet to be released. I even visited Japan, seeing Pokémon's headquarters, artwork, landmarks, and points of interest along the way in its country of origin.
Even though I am no longer a part of the target audience, Pokémon still remains a part of my life. While it's only one small portion of my life, it has been a memorable one to have lasted this long. I'm not sure where Pokémon and I go next, but the adventure is only getting started. Here's to another 30, Pokémon!
"I Wanted Chicken..." (📸 Date: 05/17/2022)
#GOSnapshot#LinkTheCat#pen_pokemon30
Link The Cat wasn't too happy he was presented with a (Shiny) Magikarp, Pokémon #129, for his meal. He likes chicken, not fish!
猫のリンクは、食事として(色違いの)コイキング(ポケモン図鑑No.129)を出されて、あまりご機嫌斜めだった。彼が好きなのはチキンであって、魚じゃないのだ!
NOTE: If selected, a snapshot without my IG username can be provided.
"The Classic Duel: Batter Vs. Pitcher" (📸 Date: 05/01/2023)
#GOSnapshot#GOSnapshotCelebration#pen_pokemon30
(TCG Hat) Pikachu, Mr. Mime, and Gurdurr, Pokémon #25, #122, and #533 respectively, representing the current pitcher, catcher, and batter in this baseball game being played on a beautiful afternoon at the park!
(TCGハット)ピカチュウ、バリヤード、そしてドテッコツ――それぞれポケモン図鑑No.25、No.122、No.533の3匹が、公園の美しい午後の日差しの中で繰り広げられるこの野球の試合において、現在の「ピッチャー」「キャッチャー」「バッター」を務めています!
NOTE: If selected, a snapshot without my IG username can be provided.
"Is That Me?" (📸 Date: 12/26/2023)
#DOLEWhip#GOSnapshot#pen_pokemon30
Vanillite, Pokémon #582, questions the existence of this DOLE Whip swirl at Disneyland!
ポケモン図鑑No.582のバニプッチが、ディズニーランドにあるこの「ドール・ウィップ・スワール」の存在に疑問を投げかけています!
NOTE: If selected, a snapshot without my IG username can be provided.
"What Do You Want, You Pest? Scram!" (📸 Date: 02/19/2023)
#GOSnapshot#pen_pokemon30#TeamRocket
Meowth, Pokémon #52, keeping intruders away from Team Rocket's Hideout at the Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn event in Paradise, NV!
ネバダ州パラダイスで開催された「Pokémon GO Tour: ホウエン」イベントにて、ロケット団のアジトへの侵入者を寄せ付けないよう見張る、ポケモン図鑑No.52の「ニャース」!
NOTE: If selected, a snapshot without my IG username can be provided.
"Swimming With The Fishes!" (📸 Date: 12/28/2022)
#GOSnapshot#pen_pokemon30#SeaWorld
(Shiny) Mantine, Pokémon #226, taking center stage amongst all the real-life fish seen here!
(色違いの)マンタイン(ポケモン図鑑No.226)が、ここに並ぶ本物の魚たちの中で主役の座を飾っています!
NOTE: If selected, a snapshot without my IG username can be provided.
"Meeting Up With Tara Sands At Nxt Legaci!" (📸 Date: 04/04/2026, 📷 Credit: A Nxt Legaci Staff Member)
#AROfTheDay#GOSnapshot#NxtLegaci
Additional Tags: GOSnapshotCelebration, ナゾノクサ, ピカチュウ, PikachuVisor, ポケモン, PokemonGO, ポケモンGO, TaraSands, ワンパチ
(Pikachu Visor) Bulbasaur, Oddish, and Yamper, Pokémon #1, #43, and #835 respectively, posing for a picture with me and their English voice actress, @TaraSandsVO, at Nxt Legaci!
QUESTION OF THE DAY: Which of these three Pokémon is your favorite?
"The Ride Ain't Over Yet!"
#ポケモン#Pokemon30thAnniversary
QUESTION OF THE DAY: What does Pokémon mean to you?
It may have taken me a few days to put together my #Pokemon30 celebratory post, but it's finally here! A collage dedicated to all the adventures I've had with Pokémon over the years, featuring photos of me and snapshots I've taken. 30 years (or at least 27 for me) of memories summarized in a single image. Some of these clippings I have never shared individually on here; others have been repurposed to paint this picture. Besides, I kind of hate carousels, only because people never swipe left to see every photo attached to a post. So, while February 27th, 2026, and the Pokémon 30th Anniversary are in the rearview mirror, I am glad I took the time to piece this together the way I want to tell my story.
The great thing about Pokémon is that everyone approaches the series differently. My experiences with it are not the same as someone else's. I don't really have any interest in shiny hunting, nor do I just want to buy and consume every new piece of Pokémon merchandise released every month. A lot of people who are interested in Pokémon do though. That's okay. There are well over a thousand creatures now and counting, and every one of them is someone's favorite. Sure, series like Star Wars or Spider-Man could have many different ways fans are passionate about them. However, you follow specific characters by watching the movies, playing the games, or reading the comics, doing what those characters are already doing.
Pokémon allows everyone's connection to it to be unique. People of any age who don't play the mainline games can still enjoy some aspect of Pokémon. Swap that with the anime, cards, "Pokémon GO," whatever, and there's something that makes people want to be a part of its world. I think about what former 4Kids marketing manager and head sales associate, @joshua_izzo, said on @TaraSandsVO's @4KidsPodcast: "Ash Ketchum is an aspirational hero. I want to be Ash. ... So, the fact that you can put yourself into Ash’s shoes and say, "That’s me." You can see yourself in those characters and say, “I want to do that and go and have that behavior.”" You're not Ash, but his experiences are things you want to individually do with Pokémon, whether in its world or ours. These journeys are even more impactful when connected with others. After all, "it’s about the friendships you made along the way," as Tara once said on her podcast.
From the moment I found out about Pokémon — whether through Nintendo Power or the hoopla in '99 at school — to watching the cartoon soon after, to getting Red version as my first game, and eventually getting that first pack of cards months later (because they were always sold out near me), it's been a crazy ride ever since. One memory I will always distinctly remember is my mom buying me a Base Set pack at a FuncoLand in October 1999, then heading next door to an ice cream shop and opening that pack while there, only to see the "Evolves from Charmeleon"/"Put Charizard on the Stage 1 card" text as I slowly revealed the rare card in the wrapper. That Charizard card, as well as pulling a Dark Raichu from the Team Rocket expansion in April 2000 (before I even understood what "secret rares" where and being confused as to why its card number was higher than the set total), were my top 2 cards when I was into that aspect of the series during those first couple of years. That piece of the series may be a thing of the past for me, but the memories remain.
Anyways, to make a long tale not as lengthy, Pokémon and I have been through a lot together in these 27 years. I have gotten to meet some of the English voice actors. I have come across a lot of other passionate fans on my journey, some of which I consider friends. I have teased my cat, Link, with Pokémon. I helped clean up the environment with a local community by collectively removing over a thousand pounds from the ocean thanks to "Pokémon GO" existing. I have been able to relive childhood imagination through the lens of GO Snapshot. I told my story as a fan-film, which has still yet to be released. I even visited Japan, seeing Pokémon's headquarters, artwork, landmarks, and points of interest along the way in its country of origin.
Even though I am no longer a part of the target audience, Pokémon still remains a part of my life. While it's only one small portion of my life, it has been a memorable one to have lasted this long. I'm not sure where Pokémon and I go next, but the adventure is only getting started. Here's to another 30, Pokémon!
"Cannonball!" (📸 Date: 10/29/2025)
#AROfTheDay#GOSnapshot#Pokemon30
Additional Tags: CabanaBeachBayResort, GOSnapshotCelebration, コダック, ピカチュウ, ポケモン, PokémonGO, ポケモンGO, Psyduck, ScubaPikachu, UniversalStudios
(Scuba) Pikachu, Pokémon #25, making a grand entrance and jumping into a swimming pool, much to the dismay of two annoyed (Swim Ring) Psyduck, Pokémon #54!
QUESTION OF THE DAY: What are you looking forward to most in the year of Pokemon's 30th anniversary?
"Déjà Vu" (📸 Date: Date: 10/29/2019)
#AROfTheDay#GOSnapshot#HalloweenAR2025
Additional Tags: DisneyWorld, フシギダネ, GOSnapshotCelebration, JapanPavilion, ヌケニン, ポケモン, PokémonGO, ポケモンGO, WaltDisneyWorld
(Shedinja) Bulbasaur, Pokémon #1, catching some quiet time at the garden in the Japan Pavilion section of Walt Disney World's Epcot!
QUESTION OF THE DAY: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, or Pikachu? Which one had the best Halloween costume that debuted in 2019?
"Have An Applin!" (📸 Date: 05/10/2025)
#AROfTheDay#GOSnapshotCelebration#HalloweenAR2025
Additional Tags: GOSnapshot, カジッチュ, PAXEast, ポケモン, PokemonGO, ポケモンGO, Scarlet Violet, スグリ
Applin, Pokémon #840, calmly sitting in the hands of its Pokémon Trainer, Kieran, as he waits for you to trade him a Pokémon back!
Cosplayer: Cee (@ShinyWoopWoop)
QUESTION OF THE DAY: Which character from "Scarlet"/"Violet" was your favorite?
"Blue [Mon] Group" (📸 Date: 11/01/2019)
#AROfTheDay#GOSnapshot#HalloweenAR2025
Additional Tags: AnimalKingdom, デスマス, DisneyWorld, GOSnapshotCelebration, ポケモン, PokémonGO, ポケモンGO, WaltDisneyWorld, ゼニガメ
(Yamask) Squirtle, Pokémon #7, excited to be right at home next to the waterfall in Animal Kingdom's Pandora - The World of Avatar!
QUESTION OF THE DAY: How excited are you for "Avatar: Fire and Ash" when it hits theatres in December?
"Psyduck's A Little Camera Shy!!" (📸 Date: 05/10/2025)
#AROfTheDay#GOSnapshotCelebration#HalloweenAR2025
Additional Tags: AshKetchum, GOSnapshot, *モクロー, コダック, PAXEast, ポケモン, PokemonGO, ポケモンGO, スターミー
Psyduck, Starmie, and Rowlet, Pokémon #54, #121, and #722 respectively, posing for a photo with their Pokémon Trainers, AshKetchum and Misty, at this year's PAX East!
Cosplayers: Lewis Boble (@elbobsiwel) [Ash Ketchum] and Jaclyn Boble (@jaclyn_hugh) [Misty]
QUESTION OF THE DAY: Who is your favorite Pokémon Trainer (in the anime, games, or manga)?
"[Wailord] Reporting!" (📸 Date: 10/06/2025)
#AROfTheDay#GOSnapshot#GOSnapshotCelebration
Additional Tags: KirovReporting, ポケモン, PokémonGO, ポケモンGO, RedAlert2, StatueOfLiberty, ホエルオー
(Fourteen) Wailord, Pokémon #321, floating past the Statue of Liberty at dusk and celebrating 25 years of "Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2" (as a bunch of Kirov airships did the same exact thing during that game's loading screen)!
QUESTION OF THE DAY: What is your favorite strategy/RTS game?
I just mentioned it to Yooosz-san, but there might be a work around. If you search for the phrase without the hashtag, like ARofTheDay instead of #ARofTheDay, every post with that phrase should show up in the search when sorted by latest (regardless if the post uses more than three hashtags).
It's not as convenient. However, it helps solve some of the issues with this problem.