My Thoughts on Pokémon

Everybody has a favorite part when it comes to the phenomenon known as Pocket Monsters (or Pokémon for short). For some, it’s battles and the strategies, while for others, it’s the Pokémon evolving into different and stronger forms, which is usually because of hitting a certain level, using an Elemental Stone, friendship and time of day, among other factors. Me? I like all the aspects of the Pokémon phenomena.

So with that, here’s my reasons for why I like Pokémon:

1) Cooperation

The game of Pokémon is quite complex, so talking with other fellow Pokémon fans, especially when comparing battle strategies, is a good idea when it comes to figuring out the game — and Pokémon is a good thing in that way, since it happens to be something that gets kids talking with each other. :)

2) Strategizing

Pokémon is a good thing for another reason: it teaches how to think strategically. Unlike some popular toys with little or no educational value, Pokémon is different in that it requires chess-like concentration and the ability to think ahead in sophisticated ways.

3) Lessons about Life

There are so many amazing examples of how this game teaches about life — and not just by quotes, either.

For example, in the games, there is a Pokémon called “Magikarp”, which is considered the most useless and weak Pokémon in the game. But after struggling, hard work and determination, the Magikarp is able to evolve into an extremely powerful Pokémon known as “Gyarados”. The Pokémon was one of the most powerful in the Generation 1 games, defeating nearly everything in its path.

And that shows a good lesson there: if you don’t struggle, you don’t improve.

4) Reaching Goals

In Pokémon, the Trainers and their Pokémon learn that never giving up eventually pays off in the end. For the Pokémon, it’s learning to succeed, and that’s usually by practicing with their moves and doing well with them — basically sharpening old techniques and learning new ones. For the Trainers, it’s completing the Pokédex and battling other Trainers (sometimes in rematches). Like the old saying goes, “Practice makes perfect”, which is very true, along with “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”. In other words, the more you practice at something (especially if it’s a talent you have, or something you simply love to do), the better you get at it.

5) The Importance of Rules

In order to be a Pokémon master, the player has to teach his or her Pokémon to follow the rules. It’s a basic rehearsal for life; if one follows the rules, they get rewarded (although there are exceptions, such as changing the writing rules when writing fanfiction, but that’s another story).

“The age-old theme of the journey is played out here, and one faces good vs. evil in the quest for the holy grail, i.e. becoming the greatest Pokémon master. This mirrors development — cognitive, social and psychological, across the life span. We all have monsters to keep at bay and mysteries or problems to solve throughout our lives.

“Pokémon provides a stimulus for learning and practicing life skills and other learning skills that will be useful later. Children are drawn to this challenge because of their very nature, needing to deal with their fears and vulnerabilities.”