We've all been asked the same question.
It's not really a hard question to answer, when you really think about it. So howcome when we open our mouths to answer, all that comes out is a perfect, "I don't know"? Maybe it's because there're just too many reasons not to love the show. Maybe it's because we're not really in the mood to answer. Or . . . maybe it's because we haven't really thought about it.
In my case, I guess the reason why I still have no clue as to why I'm still the Pokemon Girl in my town is because . . . I don't really need a reason. When you like something, you like it. No explanation needed. You can just go and tell your mom to buy you a pathetic-looking video game and when she asks why you like it so much, you just shrug and say, "Because I like it." And she'll spend the rest of the day scratching her head, trying to figure out how your brain works.
We all know Ash and Pikachu are the ultimate duo. That they're unbeatable and inseparable. But what is it about them that draws us into watching the anime series? What is it about them and the entire show itself that . . . hooks people? That's what I'd like to discuss today.
For a typical, non-Pokemon fan, the show would merely be about a young boy who, with his electric animal, sets off on a journey to become a Pokemon master. Along the way, he meets and befriends two people who become his friends and companions. But for a big fan, it would be a hero with his electrical partner, and together, they travel through the whole Kanto region in a quest on catching every Pokemon and wining every battle. While they're at it, they meet Misty and Brock who helps them improve their friendship and battle strategies. The two of them help Ash achieve his goal to be the very best trainer there is.
What's the difference, you ask? Both of them are the same summaries of the whole series, so what makes them so different? If you look closely, you'll notice that a big fan would have a much more detailed but focused summary of the series. They know much more about the show than typical people, so description wouldn't be a problem for them. But then they forget to pay attention to the other characters too.
When you're watching or reading something that doesn't really . . . get you but doesn't annoy you either, your judgement stays neutral. But when you hate what you're reading or watching, it's like you can't wait for it to be over. Therefore, you can't really pay much attention to it. Because you're focused on something else--for it to be done so that you can move on with your life.
The same thing happens when you're feeling too . . . involved. You feel like you can't get enough of the show, so you glue your eyes to the TV screen or page, depending on the activity. What's more is that you're focused only on the main character, or at least the character whom you want to see in action. Then, by the time the show or book's over, you're frustrated, begging for more. Sometimes, that's a good thing. It could mean that you've enjoyed whatever you were doing so much and that your time was not wasted. But on other times, it could cause you to miss some very . . . "catchy" parts.
When you're focused so much on one thing and one thing only, sometimes, your judgement becomes clouded. Whenever the point of view switches to another character, you skip a few pages or stop watching the show for a while because you can't wait for your favourite person to be the one beneath the spotlight again. That could be a problem. Sometimes, it's the minor characters who play the big roles in the story. Sometimes, they're the ones who hold the important and juicy stuff. And sometimes, it's only the main character who helps the reader or audience know about those things and make sure that they remember it. There's always a point in a show or book where the characters you've always thought the lowest of, are the ones who gives the story its glow.
Personally, I think that's why many people can't really find the answer as to why they like Pokemon so much. It could be that they're so focused on one or two characters only that they've forgotten about the others. You can't really say you liked Pokemon because Ash was such a cool and hot trainer, right? That would seem so . . . irrelevant. And you can't really say that you liked Pokemon because Pikachu was the cutest Pokemon ever. That would seem kinda' . . . shallow.
Thing is, when people ask you why you still like something after all the time has passed, it's because they're curious. They want to know what exactly it is that's been keeping you hooked after everything that's been going on. They want to know what it is about that certain thing that's gotten you talking about it all day, non-stop. They want to know what it's really about. And honestly, I think the reason you give them could determine their perspective of you.
You could seem like the deep and inspirational type just by saying that you like Pokemon because it shows that you can do anything if you just believe in yourself and have determination. Or you could seem like a dreamer if you say that you like it because of the whole fantasy plot. You could even seem like the smart and geeky type by saying that you love it because you're eager to learn about Pokemon, their natural behaviour, size--in length and weight--or even their attacks by level.
But for me, I don't really need a specific reason on why I love Pokemon so much. I just love it. When people ask me why and persist when I don't answer them straight, I look them in the eye and say, "Because it's awesome." It's true anyway, right? At least half of the people who love Pokemon as well have answered that at least once or twice in their lives. It just seems like the most appropriate answer. It's awesome. Everything about it. From Ash to Giovanni. From Pikachu to Mewtwo. From Rattata to Arcanine. All of it. Not just the whole plot, either. It's the rivalry. The spirit. The passion. The emotions of everything and everyone. Their love and care for Pokemon. Their respect and trust for their trainers. Everything.
So don't worry if you still haven't thought of the reason on why you love Pokemon so much. You're not alone. Even I can't fathom it. And I've been a Pokemon fan ever since I was around six or so. What matters is that you love it. But just make sure that you're not just focused on one character only. Because your reason may be lying there. Who knows? You might finally discover your reason just by paying attention to May or Max. Or maybe even Dawn or Iris or Cilan. Just keep an open mind. It'll help you enjoy even more.
So let me ask you. Why do you still like Pokemon?
We all know Ash and Pikachu are the ultimate duo. That they're unbeatable and inseparable. But what is it about them that draws us into watching the anime series? What is it about them and the entire show itself that . . . hooks people? That's what I'd like to discuss today.
 |
| Misty and Brock |
What's the difference, you ask? Both of them are the same summaries of the whole series, so what makes them so different? If you look closely, you'll notice that a big fan would have a much more detailed but focused summary of the series. They know much more about the show than typical people, so description wouldn't be a problem for them. But then they forget to pay attention to the other characters too.
When you're watching or reading something that doesn't really . . . get you but doesn't annoy you either, your judgement stays neutral. But when you hate what you're reading or watching, it's like you can't wait for it to be over. Therefore, you can't really pay much attention to it. Because you're focused on something else--for it to be done so that you can move on with your life.
The same thing happens when you're feeling too . . . involved. You feel like you can't get enough of the show, so you glue your eyes to the TV screen or page, depending on the activity. What's more is that you're focused only on the main character, or at least the character whom you want to see in action. Then, by the time the show or book's over, you're frustrated, begging for more. Sometimes, that's a good thing. It could mean that you've enjoyed whatever you were doing so much and that your time was not wasted. But on other times, it could cause you to miss some very . . . "catchy" parts.
When you're focused so much on one thing and one thing only, sometimes, your judgement becomes clouded. Whenever the point of view switches to another character, you skip a few pages or stop watching the show for a while because you can't wait for your favourite person to be the one beneath the spotlight again. That could be a problem. Sometimes, it's the minor characters who play the big roles in the story. Sometimes, they're the ones who hold the important and juicy stuff. And sometimes, it's only the main character who helps the reader or audience know about those things and make sure that they remember it. There's always a point in a show or book where the characters you've always thought the lowest of, are the ones who gives the story its glow.
Personally, I think that's why many people can't really find the answer as to why they like Pokemon so much. It could be that they're so focused on one or two characters only that they've forgotten about the others. You can't really say you liked Pokemon because Ash was such a cool and hot trainer, right? That would seem so . . . irrelevant. And you can't really say that you liked Pokemon because Pikachu was the cutest Pokemon ever. That would seem kinda' . . . shallow.Thing is, when people ask you why you still like something after all the time has passed, it's because they're curious. They want to know what exactly it is that's been keeping you hooked after everything that's been going on. They want to know what it is about that certain thing that's gotten you talking about it all day, non-stop. They want to know what it's really about. And honestly, I think the reason you give them could determine their perspective of you.
You could seem like the deep and inspirational type just by saying that you like Pokemon because it shows that you can do anything if you just believe in yourself and have determination. Or you could seem like a dreamer if you say that you like it because of the whole fantasy plot. You could even seem like the smart and geeky type by saying that you love it because you're eager to learn about Pokemon, their natural behaviour, size--in length and weight--or even their attacks by level.
But for me, I don't really need a specific reason on why I love Pokemon so much. I just love it. When people ask me why and persist when I don't answer them straight, I look them in the eye and say, "Because it's awesome." It's true anyway, right? At least half of the people who love Pokemon as well have answered that at least once or twice in their lives. It just seems like the most appropriate answer. It's awesome. Everything about it. From Ash to Giovanni. From Pikachu to Mewtwo. From Rattata to Arcanine. All of it. Not just the whole plot, either. It's the rivalry. The spirit. The passion. The emotions of everything and everyone. Their love and care for Pokemon. Their respect and trust for their trainers. Everything.
So don't worry if you still haven't thought of the reason on why you love Pokemon so much. You're not alone. Even I can't fathom it. And I've been a Pokemon fan ever since I was around six or so. What matters is that you love it. But just make sure that you're not just focused on one character only. Because your reason may be lying there. Who knows? You might finally discover your reason just by paying attention to May or Max. Or maybe even Dawn or Iris or Cilan. Just keep an open mind. It'll help you enjoy even more.
So let me ask you. Why do you still like Pokemon?
No comments:
Post a Comment