Yesterday, Pokemon GO finally launched in the UK, so I’ve spent the last 24 hours roaming around Penkhull in Stoke-On-Trent attempting to catch ’em all and my train journey to Devon later today is going to be interesting!
Pokemon: The Fad, The Fun & The Frantic Tears That Time Ash Left Pikachu
I was about 7-years-old when Pokemon first arrived in the UK. Like millions of other children I instantly fell in love with the Gameboy, the adorable pocket monsters, the badass battles and the anime that aired on Saturday mornings. To this day I still have a huge box brimming with Pokemon cards of all kinds hidden under my bed, including those ones that create a picture when flipped over and fitted together.
I have many fond memories of trading cards with friends at school, having heated Pokemon battles (aka Pokemon Top Trumps) with my brother and crying uncontrollably at the episode where Ash leaves Pikachu. Fun fact: Pokemon cards were banned from my school because Rosy conned a disabled child. Later, I even recorded a Smosh-style lip-sync video to the theme song with a girl who clearly didn’t know the words, but I did because I was number one cool. Don’t worry: you will never see said video.
As time went by I admit I began to lose interest in the games and I haven’t watched an episode of the show for well over a decade. Instead, I switched over to shows like Dragonball Z - which makes me think I find comfort in consistency. Whilst Rosy and Jonny stayed loyal to the brand, I just played Ruby whenever the urge to catch Pokemon struck. I did download Black on my PC when it came out, but I just wasn’t interested in the new gens. I mean, there’s one that looks exactly like an ice cream: can you blame me?
We All Live In A Pokemon GO World
Now Pokemon Go is here my love for Pokemon has been well and truly re-ignited like a Charmander’s tail. Yes I’m 24-years-old and yes some childish things should be left in childhood, but Pokemon GO is more than a new fad for many of us. For Pokemon fans who used to trade cards at primary school, remember excitedly waiting for the show to begin on GMTV’s Diggit and knew all the words to Pikachu’s Jukebox and Karaokemon, Pokemon GO is a wish come true. Finally, after all these years we can truly catch ’em all.
Pokemon GO Merch
So, I obviously had to make this week’s Friday Finds about Pokemon GO somehow, and I thought I’d track down some items that will be perfect for anyone who wants to take their real-life Pokemon adventure that one step further. There isn’t a lot of official Pokemon Go merch out in the UK right now, but the wonderful sellers on Etsy and eBay are all over it.
1 Team Valour T-Shirt | eBay - £20.97
2 Poke Ball Snapback Cap | Merchoid - £19.99
3 Pokemon GO Plus Real Wood Cover | PokeWares, Etsy - £11.64
5 I’m Going To The Gym Phone Case | eBay - £1.25
4 On My Way To A Pokestop Badge | TheSquarePenguin - £1.10
6 Team Mystic T-Shirt | theshirtzink, Etsy - £15.53
7 Invisible Monster Hunting In Progress Travel Mug | LulahBlu, Etsy - £11.99
8 Ash Ketchum Hat | eBay - £1.97
9 House / Team Instinct T-Shirt | WasabiTees, Etsy - £13.97
10 Gym Life Mug | eBay - £11.65
11 Magikarp Pokemon Pouch | eBay - £15.53
12 Going To The Gym T-Shirt | eBay - £7.95
13 Starter Pokemon Key Hanger Rack | TheNerdyArtisan, Etsy - £19.42
