"From Worry Seed to Shaymin's Garden" ft. PicnicBlanketDoodles | TRAINER'S EYE #200

PicnicBlanketDoodles 0:24

I'm Picnic Blanket Doodles, and this is my Pokemon story!

David Hernandez 1:07

Welcome to As the Pokeball Turns, where every trainer has a story. Today is a special episode because we've reached our 200th conversation. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to meet trainers from different places, backgrounds, and walks of life. Some found Pokemon through competition, others through creativity, collecting, or community. every conversation has reminded me that there's always a story behind why someone loves Pokemon. Today's guest is no different. I'm joined by Picnicblanketdoodles, an illustrator whose journey with Pokemon has taken them from rediscovering the Sinnoh region to finding inspiration through art and meaningful friendships throughout the Pokemon community. welcome to As the Pokeball Turns, and thank you for being the 200th guest on this podcast. How are you today?

PicnicBlanketDoodles 1:58

Oh my gosh. Thank, thank you so much for having me on your podcast. I feel so honored, like that I'm the two hund- hundredth guest. I'm so happy and excited for you!

David Hernandez 2:08

Absolutely, and I'm excited for you too because this podcast is more about, is not only just about what I do, but also the people who bring the stories on. And I couldn't think of a better person when I was going through the potential guests to have on the podcast, 'cause you've been a supporter. You help me retweet some things on Instagram. and I'm so appreciative, and I couldn't think of a better person. So thank you for just the time to listen to the podcast as well as just coming on. I really appreciate it

PicnicBlanketDoodles 2:30

oh, you're so welcome. I love the mission that you have for, As The Pokeball Turns 'cause it's about sharing people's stories and their life experiences through like Pokemon and like I just find that like really uplifting and I just appreciate that you provide a space for that and that's why like I've followed and like reshared and you know, sent like positive messages,

David Hernandez 2:51

And you know, to dive into your story, we're gonna start with a little fun question to kinda ease you into it, all right? So I want you to pretend you've been given an all-expenses-paid vacation to the Sinnoh region, but you can only spend the entire trip in one location in Sinnoh. Where are you going, and what are you doing there?

PicnicBlanketDoodles 3:08

Ooh, that's a good question. I'd spend it on... I'd wanna like take a vacation in like at Lake Verity. cause honestly for me, when I really got back into Pokemon, when probably around like middle school, I remember like playing Pokemon Pearl for the very first time and when I chose like Piplup as my starter, it was at Lake Verity, and I was just so enchanted by the atmosphere of, the lake and the music that would play for the lake themes. I feel like that's where I'd wanna go. So yeah.

David Hernandez 3:36

I mean, I can resonate with that for a bit because to me Lake Verity specifically, 'cause it was the first lake I think you got introduced to when you got the starter, like you said, just felt like it was so mysterious, like there was more to it. I love the

PicnicBlanketDoodles 3:49

For sure

David Hernandez 3:50

calming. I could probably sleep to the theme of Lake Verity. It's just such a calming sound to it, and it really introduced us into the depth of Pokemon that they were trying to give us to. It's just a taste of it to where you started playing the game even more. It was like, whoa, there's so much world building going on to that game that Lake Verity was just the tip of the iceberg. So I definitely appreciate that

PicnicBlanketDoodles 4:10

oh, same. Like, being in middle school, I feel like I like picked up on that mystery behind it. I've realized as I've gotten older, I feel like, Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, the Sinnoh region, it's a love letter to the Hokkaido region in Japan. And I feel like that love people at Game Freak when they, you know, they worked on the game. I feel like it translated through the atmosphere and in hindsight, it's no wonder why, this is how I got back into Pokemon.

David Hernandez 4:34

Now you said Piplup was your starter. Why was it, well, why was it your favorite starter out of all three of them?

PicnicBlanketDoodles 4:38

Oh, good question. I don't know. I'm looking at my Piplup plush right now, and I guess I just really liked having a cute blue penguin, as my like partner. I feel like a lot of people have really liked Piplup for the same reason. But it feels like a classic, like iconic starter, to me. I mean, I still love all the Sinnoh starters, for Chimchar and Turtwig and whatnot. but yeah, I guess the answer is just cute friend.

David Hernandez 5:02

I mean, that's all we want in the end, right? We want our starters to be cute. We wanna love them. Like, Piplup was

PicnicBlanketDoodles 5:07

Yeah

David Hernandez 5:08

'cause I was a Piplup starter too for Gen 4, so I

PicnicBlanketDoodles 5:10

Oh, I see. I see

David Hernandez 5:12

it was Piplup, especially when you get me talking about... I feel like Piplup was such a good balance of all three. You got Piplup, Prinplup, and Empoleon. I don't hate any part of that evolution line. I could probably pick holes for Chimchar 'cause I just didn't care for Monferno. Turtwig, I didn't care for Grotle, but I do like the fact that it's a tree on its back. You can go on with Torterra. But Piplup, I just liked it entire- especially when I watched the anime. I don't know if you watched it growing up, but

PicnicBlanketDoodles 5:37

Ho-oh

David Hernandez 5:38

such an attitude in the anime, and I don't know. It felt like a perfect starter for me. I loved it

PicnicBlanketDoodles 5:44

Oh, same. I remember I watched the, anime as well. but when I got back into like Pokemon, like I remember watching the anime, and I think Dawn's Piplup, was just, was so iconic. Like had so much like character and personality. and I felt like what Pikachu is to Ash is what Piplup was for Dawn, and they've been through thick and thin and I think just made really, a really good, just runner Pokemon, so yeah.

David Hernandez 6:06

Now, I think you mentioned how you just re-rediscovered a fondness for Sinnoh. So how has your kind of appreciation for that region specifically evolved as you've gotten older?

PicnicBlanketDoodles 6:15

Well, aside from like, learning that Sinnoh region is based off of the Hokkaido region in Japan, it's really helped that like I finally got to meet people, within the Pokémon community who also love like Sinnoh and, you know, Generation IV and things like that, and in a variety of ways. I know, initially you know, after like high school, I got to like proofread webcomics, for an artist named, Tamarin Frog. And she had a, Pokémon, fan comic, called Random Doom. it was her love letter to like the Sinnoh region and things like that. and I feel like honored that I got to like she, she was an artist based in Finland and like she felt like I could help her with like her English and stuff like that. but you know, I know that story, it was like a ro- romantic comedy action adventure, with, you know, her, about her Pokémon team and you know, the various adventures that, and mischief they'd get up to. but you know, it's like the Pokémon conversing with each other and happening within Sinnoh. but, aside from that, I know I've met more folks. I mean, admittedly and notably, Dynamo Gear, who's like a multimedia artist, who makes like pipe cleaner figurines and and real life Pokémon props. I know he's like big into like Gen IV too, and quite a nerd as well. And like I know we've had like good, we've had like good conversations about Gen IV things. Like there's stuff that he's picked up on and like there's stuff that like I've noticed and like we'd just be like, "Aha, yes." we make these observations together.

David Hernandez 7:38

It's two peas in a pod almost

PicnicBlanketDoodles 7:39

I guess, yeah. Yeah. it's felt like that. But, actually, very meaningfully, I remember, Pokémon GO Fest, 2024, when I returned to New York City the second time, like I got to bake like Poffins with Dynamo and like I've always wanted to do that. but the best part for me was just like, oh, got to bake Poffins for all our friends and like the Pokémon community for Cupcakedex and I's picnic and it was so, so special especially at the picnic, there was about like, I wanna say like, 30 to like 40, 45 people who like showed up,

David Hernandez 8:11

Wow, big

PicnicBlanketDoodles 8:13

It w- it, it was a lot. people broke rules of of how many plus ones they were supp- allowed to bring, but it's okay. it's okay though 'cause, you know, looking back it was still amazing to see everyone there, whether they were, more like, casual fans of Pokémon or they were more like hardcore, a- and stuff. Like I just love seeing everyone and people interacting with each other and it's like over this love for Pokémon And I got to share like Poffins with everybody, so

David Hernandez 8:39

So I was actually, going through, I think I was cleaning my desk cause I was, it was a mess. it's still a mess honestly, but that's another conversation for another day. But I actually kept her invitation she, I think she gave it to me when I met ch- and Dynamo Gear and everybody else at the, some kinda cookie place or whatever, and I kept it. And I was like, "Oh, wait." 'Cause I wanted to make the, the picnic so bad, but I missed it.

PicnicBlanketDoodles 9:03

Yeah

David Hernandez 9:04

there's something just special about meeting friends, 'cause, you know, me and Cupcakedex and everybody else, we all online, which I assume same with you.

PicnicBlanketDoodles 9:12

Yes

David Hernandez 9:12

important was it for you to kinda see 40 people? It's a lot. How important was it to see all those people come together from different places and different areas throughout the world?

PicnicBlanketDoodles 9:23

Oh my gosh. I like, I mean, it was so magical and so special, getting to like witness that. I mean, admittedly, I know my brain by the end of it was like... I remember telling friends like, my brain's a fried egg, 'cause, 'cause I was pretty overstimulated and I know this is like the Mama Ursaluna in me, cause I was just like, "Ugh, I gotta talk to every single person," 'cause I wanted to check in on everybody. are they having a good time? Like I didn't want them to feel left out or things like that. But I think realistically I couldn't have done that. But I felt honored that people, they brought their loved ones, to cupcake and I's like picnic and And the fact that it happened in Central Park in New York City, like, you know, after going to New York like three times, like I've learned and see like how, impactful like the s- the city is. like I know I've noticed that like there is like a n- a connection between Pokemon and New York City, growing up and things. And, and I know for me, I've spent the majority of my life, well, my, my life, on the West Coast. so like New York City was just like, that's just a city that's like far off on the East Coast. I have no connection to it, you know? but with New York, it's just I get it now 'cause it's it's really like when people immigrate to like the United States, like at least on the East Coast or through New York, it's like, it happens over there and like, I've never seen how so many d- diverse groups of people and communities over there. and I wouldn't be surprised if that's, how it'll be in my lifetime. but it just felt really important, and And I felt like it was very fitting. and and especially with Pokemon Go Fest, like f- like finally h- like happening in New York City. It's just I get it. I understand.

David Hernandez 11:05

I think you bring up a good point because before Go Fest in New York City, you had no reason to go there. You just thought it was another city. You didn't

PicnicBlanketDoodles 11:13

Yeah.

David Hernandez 11:13

like you said, Pokemon gave you that reason, that gave you that connection for you to make that travels.

PicnicBlanketDoodles 11:21

Yes

David Hernandez 11:22

for me in a way, 'cause I never had, I never was one of those people who needed to go everywhere. It just wasn't my thing. But I remember when I went to Chicago, that was the first Go Fest I went to, I had a reason to go there. You know, Seattle, I had a reason to go there. New York, like you said. have all these reasons now through Pokemon that makes it feel like I'm not just going there by myself, I'm

PicnicBlanketDoodles 11:44

Yes

David Hernandez 11:45

friends, and that's kinda what I feel like you did yourself. You went to New York, you had the picnic, and you know, yes, maybe in a way it was like they brought an extra plus one, but like you said, it was also an honor. this was so important that they wanted you to meet their plus one or plus two or however many people they wanna bring to it, which kinda shows, the, how much they value both you and Cupcakedex and everybody else in that group. Don't you think so?

PicnicBlanketDoodles 12:08

Oh, I, I do actually, And it has been the case for me 'cause it's just you know, Pokemon is what brought me to New York City. and even to Anaheim, California, which, I mean, I'd been there before, but 'cause I got to go to Worlds like last year. But, but I just wanna note, for New York, I, I realized throughout my life, I feel like there's a lot of like puzzle pieces, that have some kind of relation to New York City. 'Cause I remember I was born in like Anchorage, Alaska, and I remember I know it's not like Pokémon related, but like I remember I watched the Don Bluth film, "American Tail," s- so many times as like a preschooler, for some reason, I met a cl- had a classmate in like third grade who, like Sorry, to preface, I like, even though I was born in Anchorage, Alaska, I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, and that's where I grew up. and, I had a classmate who, actually moved from New York City to Vegas, she tried like being my friend and stuff like that, but but it's just like I know through her like I got to got to meet a childhood friend, thanks to her like, New Yorker like culture, attitude, upbringing. you know, that, childhood friend, ended up having an important like role in my life. And, finally just to wrap it up, when I played, you know, Pokémon White for the very first time, like aside from Sinnoh, I actually really loved, Unova. and I was just as charmed and enchanted, by the world of Unova as well. And it's my second favorite region and it hits different, now after having gone to New York and, And I also replayed, White, after my first trip. and it just feels more special to me, and it's just "Oh, okay, I get it." And this is how like New York you know, changed my life, and I joke, that you know, since 2023 I or I guess we are living in the post New York timeline, so. Yeah.

David Hernandez 13:52

But it's kinda true though, right? 'Cause, you know, you play Unova, it's based off New York for those who don't know. And at first, you know, I didn't... I understood, I love the game myself, but I didn't realize how much they took away out of New York to put in the Pokemon game until I actually visited. And then revisiting the game afterwards, it's like, whoa, I get the references a lot more now than I did back then. It's great

PicnicBlanketDoodles 14:13

Yeah. it really is, and that's, that was definitely the case for me. it's funny. I remember talking with, friends about when I re-re-replayed the game. for me, playing through it, it felt like tourists made the game which makes sense. Which makes sense. But, it felt like that for me. not that I'm complaining, but it's just, it's more of an observation that I noticed.

David Hernandez 15:15

What other memories come to mind whenever you think of Pokemon Black and White and even Black and White 2? what sticks out to you compared to any other Pokemon game?

PicnicBlanketDoodles 15:22

I'm actually, really fond of, the starters, in the region. very specifically, like Oshawott and Tepig. I remember, I played through, I had a hard time, like, deciding who to choose for my starter, but it didn't matter because I ended up, having, Tepig and Oshawott, both on my team. but, I know they felt really s- special to me, because, like this is to another, actually to another related game, but, I love Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, actually. and, just to clarify, objectively, I think Explorers of Sky is, the best, Mystery Dungeon game. But if you wanna know me as a person, on, an emotional level, Gates to Infinity is my favorite. And, I played through the game, as a Tepig. her name is Bonnie, and, and my partner was, like, Oshawott, or was an Oshawott. His name was Maurice. but I just remember playing through that game and, I mean, I really liked the relationship between, the hero and the partner in that Mystery Dungeon game. and, and I also, really love the characters and the music and the theme and the story, 'cause, I end... I cried really hard

David Hernandez 16:24

Aw.

PicnicBlanketDoodles 16:24

playing that game. like in a, it was in a cathartic way. but yeah.

David Hernandez 16:28

for those who don't know, who haven't played it, what is it, the appeal behind them that you enjoy that there are people missing? Let's even focus more on Explorers of Sky. What makes that, one of your most favorite games to play Pokemon-wise?

PicnicBlanketDoodles 16:40

Oh, I mean, I really love the story. I really love, the art style and the music too. I mean, I'm pretty biased that you know, the majority of my, favorite Pokemon games are on, our DS game era. but

David Hernandez 16:52

Is that intentional or just accidental?

PicnicBlanketDoodles 16:54

Oh, that's a good question. maybe it's intentional? or I don't know. I feel like it's not an accident that it's like the majority of my favorite Pokemon games are DS games. but at least with Explorers, Red Rescue Team, X to Infinity, and s- and even Super Mystery Dungeon. Like I don't know. It's just you have your story of it's like you have Pokemon who are talking, and like they're talking about like life, and like you gotta save the world, from i- from imminent danger. And, like it's a lot at stake, but it makes for I don't know, an emotional story I feel.

David Hernandez 17:27

It sounds like it's a combination of emotional storytelling as well as good score telling combination from what you've told me so far

PicnicBlanketDoodles 17:34

Oh, yes. y- yes, that's the case. And I mean, admittedly, I'm also biased too that it's just I know through my, my, my personality, like when I play video games, I really enjoy like the story, like the emotional like journey that the player or characters like go through. so I mean, I know it's also that too. but yeah, I've found like value in that and then I also think it's fun that a- aside from Gates to Infinity of being... Like I, I played through those games as you know, characters that I have. like I think it's fun to be like, what Pokemon are you? if you transformed into a Pokemon or just woke up as a Pokemon one day." Like I, I just think that's really fun. and also like too, I remember one of my favorite scores in, Po- Pokemon, Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, like it's like the team base theme. But like I know like this is gonna sound super nerdy, but when I'm like going about my day and I just "Ugh, I gotta get tasks done," like I'll listen to that 'cause I don't know, there's this sense of you know, we can do stuff. we can like-

David Hernandez 18:35

Gets you motivated and gets you going kind of thing.

PicnicBlanketDoodles 18:38

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh. Exactly

David Hernandez 18:42

I mean, that's not nerdy. You're on a Pokemon podcast, so we're all nerds here, so don't worry. You're in good company here.

PicnicBlanketDoodles 18:47

true. My kind of company.

David Hernandez 18:50

yes.

PicnicBlanketDoodles 18:51

of company

David Hernandez 18:52

I will say, let's... I like that question. let's roll with it. If you were to wake up as a Pokemon, what Pokemon would it be, and why?

PicnicBlanketDoodles 18:58

Oh, um,

David Hernandez 18:59

You asked it, by the way, so

PicnicBlanketDoodles 19:01

I did, I did. I like, I'm like looking at my Pokemon plushies being like, "Hmm, who would I be?" Um,

David Hernandez 19:08

me, pick me, pick me,

PicnicBlanketDoodles 19:10

I know, yeah, yeah. That's, that's what I'm like hearing right now. maybe Chansey, or Blissey. that's what I'm thinking. 'cause I don't know. I know with Chansey, like the Japanese name is, is like lucky Maybe it's just like life la- lately and just, like ever since I started hosting picnics and things like that. But, but I don't know. Maybe like I'm trying to like channel that like gotta get lucky kinda like energy,

David Hernandez 19:34

I gotcha

PicnicBlanketDoodles 19:35

gotta try and be lucky and gotta try and be caring, you know? cause I actually like... I know there's an entry for Blissey where it's like, I think it's like fur or something, like can detect when like someone is like feeling sadness or something. And I remember seeing like a, a comic like on Tumblr one time. I wish I remembered the artist, but they just showed like this like Blissey they sensed someone was sad, and then like the Blissey just crashed through the wall and was like, "I'm here for you. let me help you." And I feel like that's the kinda energy I, like I try to like channel, so, or I want to channel. So yeah.

David Hernandez 20:11

I mean, I get it. 'Cause I just imagine like the Kool-Aid Man just busting through and just saying "You need a pat on the back," and that's Blissey right there.

PicnicBlanketDoodles 20:18

Exactly. Exactly. It's the same energy. yeah.

David Hernandez 20:21

Oh, man. See, there's a part of me that wants to say Primeape because I always... You know, I'm

PicnicBlanketDoodles 20:26

Ooh

David Hernandez 20:26

the opposite way of you to where- or similar but opposite to where I always imagine myself, I'd be high energy, but I'm very, mellow.

PicnicBlanketDoodles 20:33

Yeah

David Hernandez 20:34

I like the idea, I like the idea of waking up as a Primeape and just going crazy everywhere. my curiosity would be Wailord just 'cause I feel like there's so much mystery in the ocean. you

PicnicBlanketDoodles 20:42

Ooh

David Hernandez 20:42

know what's down there. There's so much you couldn't see, and I feel like a Wailord could probably sh- I could see things that I probably wouldn't see otherwise as a human. So it's, I'm a tie between those two, my curiosity and my inner desire to be an angry monkey. I don't know which one to choose

PicnicBlanketDoodles 20:58

No, that's, those are really good choices. especially for Wailord, 'cause yeah, I g- I guess Wailord would go, into the depths of like the ocean and stuff 'cause you know, the ocean is like, still needs to be like explored and stuff, and it's it goes deep, so

David Hernandez 21:13

So I was curious, so with all the Pokemon you've mentioned, is your favorite Pokemon? Is it Chansey or Blissey, or is it something you haven't been named before?

PicnicBlanketDoodles 21:20

Oh, shoot. I mean, I know my, my go-to's like Shaymin. I love both forms of Shaymin, so Land and Sky. But I, I guess with Shaymin, I still I remember like back in 2008 when Shaymin wasn't technically, like available in the US, unless you had an Action Replay or something. and I remember watching YouTube videos and I saw like someone was doing like Professor Oak's event, where you give the letter, and there was like, Sh- Shaymin who appeared, and like I remember like listening to like the, s- the soundbite, or I guess soundbite. And I was just like, "Oh my gosh, this is so This is such a cute Pokemon." and you know, I of course adored the art style of of you know, Gen 4 and and Sinnoh and stuff, and like I was just so I don't know, enchanted, by just like Shaymin and and also like Shaymin's what Shaymin represents is gra- gr- gratitude, like as the gratitude Pokemon. and I know one of my realizations with Gen 4, or like at least with the story with like Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, is just you know, you have you have Pokemon like, like Dialga and Palkia and Arceus. and you know, they represent like time and space and the universe. and and there's like all these like themes about of of revolving around that. but I feel like with Sh- Shaymin being present, and especially at the, in the post-game, like after you beat the story and things like that, it's like there's this question of you know, why are we here? Why do we exist? Like what, what do we do with our time here? And like, how do we make the most of it? And I feel like Shaymin's like the answer of just of just you know, getting to exist is like a wonder in itself and like something to be grateful for. 'cause like life is short and it's very limited and we gotta make the best of it. So, I, I feel like Shaymin represents that. And then, I know that's like cheesy and stuff, but like

David Hernandez 23:12

Oh, no, y- you're good here. I like cheesy. You're good.

PicnicBlanketDoodles 23:15

Good. Good. that's Gouda.

David Hernandez 23:17

You better believe it.

PicnicBlanketDoodles 23:21

Yeah. And, and aside from the Gouda cheese, and then I also remember a-again, you know, back 2008, 2009, like, on a more like silly note, like I remember you know, I mentioned how, I got back into Pokemon like, through Sinnoh and stuff. And I got back into it because I had discovered there's a whole community, a Pokemon community on the internet. And, you know, I discovered that through fan art that people would share, fan fiction, and things like that. And I remember there was this one artist, her name was like In- Invader Kari, and at the time, and, like I remember she like, drew a bunch of Shaymin like with different flowers and things like that. And I remember just being like, "Oh, that's really cool," and I would wanna like try and draw stuff like that too. It was like, poorly drawn and stuff, but like it still made me happy though.

David Hernandez 24:12

So it was just you seeing artists draw your favorite Pokemon that kinda inspired you to kinda start drawing? Is that kinda how your artistic venture kinda began?

PicnicBlanketDoodles 24:19

Oh, yes, yes. like still to this day like I find it magical thanks to technology, a lot of people or folks can like put their art on the internet and whatnot. And, I know if you go through like tags of things, like you can just see the like creativity that, you know, people are capable of. And, it's very inspiring to see. and admittedly daunting too, cause people can be so very skilled, and whatnot. but still, I've been inspired by like so many people, so many artists, And especially now I've gotten to meet like, you know, artists in person and and crafters and and especially for, folks who do crafting and things, it's really changed my like perception of how I would like, perceive and, approach my own art and stuff like that.

David Hernandez 25:01

I mean, I feel the same way 'cause I always am impressed. I don't even think impressed is the right word. Probably amazed. I'll say flabbergasted by how creative the Pokemon community can be, whether it is drawing, whether it is crafting, whatever have you. It's amazing to see people can do who are very artistically skilled, it's almost humbling in a way, 'cause like you said, it's daunting in a way, but it's daunting because you feel "I don't even know if I'm on that level." it humbles you a bit not compare yourself, but you kinda just wish you can kinda do something as amazing as they can, you know? And I I love how you tied in your favorite Pokemon 'cause it is, you know, based off gratitude, I find it so interesting how Game Freak decided to make a Pokemon based around gratitude a mythical. 'Cause mythicals are more rare than legendaries. They're not even... They're questioned to even exist, it kinda makes you wonder, like, how Game Freak views gratitude. maybe Shaymin's kind of something special about it, you know? It's something that you don't, you get lucky to see

PicnicBlanketDoodles 25:58

Oh, yes. I mean, that, that's a good-- that's actually a good point. I, you know, I didn't I didn't consider that. but I feel like that actually, drives in my point more of just Sorry, I'm just like, I'm just like thinking, thinking,

David Hernandez 26:11

it's, I just thought of it my, on the top of the head because, you know, for those who don't know legendaries, they're rare, they're seen... I don't even know how to compare this. Maybe you can help me out this. There's just between a legendary and a mythical. Mythicals are questioned to exist. Legendaries we know exists, we just don't see them. if Shaymin is based around the idea of being gracious or gratitude, and Game Freak created it from an artistic perspective, almost feels like maybe the idea of gratitude is something that's not seen enough, or maybe not even questioned to still exist, Or maybe that's how Game Freak felt at that time. You know? it's such a difficult way to word it. That's the best way I can with my feeble mind on the top of my head. So that's kinda where I was thinking about it.

PicnicBlanketDoodles 26:51

I think it's like I wanna say even if it's s- that rare or just Are you... you can't Shaymin might not exist, only in like myths and things like, Oh, I guess Maybe in like in the Pokémon world, like, when people are like sharing stories of like mythicals and things, and like even though they're of, they're just stuff of legends, like I guess maybe Shaymin would represent like trying to teach the story of gratitude to people, 'cause it's I think maybe in the world of Pokémon, you know, it parallels like our own world's, of like real life and things. And I know, I remember like I wanna say Shu- Junichi Masuda has said this too, but, both real life and the Pokémon world's like, they like parallel each other. but, you know, through the power of like storytelling, and also like maybe stories of like Shaymin, like it could help teach those lessons of, like gratitude. And, also I just remembered, I, and I didn't mention this, earlier, but, I saw Shaymin is A- as I've gotten older, Shaymin is like the mascot Pokémon for, Hanami. and if you're not familiar, like Hanami is when, like I know people in Japan go and see like the cherry blossoms that are in bloom in the springtime. and like cherry blossoms, they have such a short, short window of just the blossoms are only around for a week, two weeks, depending on where you're at and things like that. And, with Shaymin, 'cause I noticed like the design, earliest land form has design that looks like a, a sakura like petal. and like I think that also, drives into the point of, gratitude and, gratitude and, even though it can be like, tempting to just be like, "Oh, life is hard and it sucks," and like things like that. But, I feel like with Shaymin as like a figure, it could remind us of just oh, life is fleeting, just as the cherry blossoms are fleeting, and like we still gotta make the best of it, so

David Hernandez 28:37

And maybe that's what we learn from Shaymin. We learn how to be gratitude and think about what it does when it feels gratitude. You know, it spreads flowers around, and maybe if we become more like Shaymin, we can spread that joy to other people. food for thought for sure

PicnicBlanketDoodles 28:51

Oh, yeah, absolutely. For sure

David Hernandez 28:54

So we go to a beautiful Pokemon, to a beautiful region, the Kalos region, Pokemon X and Y. What was your relationship like with Pokemon at that point when they debuted? Were you still into Pokemon? Were you out of it? what'd you think of the Kalos region?

PicnicBlanketDoodles 29:07

Oh, Kalos. oh, interesting. I remember when I was... So I know, Kalos, had, well, at least X and Y, released in, 2013 and stuff. And, I mean, for me, I know I've, liked Pokémon and things, like, Well, just to, clarify, I know I actually got, you know, I first played Pokémon Snap and, my first mainline was actually, Pokémon Silver. But, you know, I was a very young child and things like that. And, and I would still have, the games and things, in Gen 3. but I didn't, play them as much 'cause, you know, at the time, I, had moved to, you know, moved from Anchorage to Las Vegas and, younger me was like, had a hard time, like, adjusting to that, to life at the time. And, when I got back into Pokémon through, you know, Sinnoh, that was when I was like, oh, getting, I became more, accustomed to life in Vegas and, became more confident as a person and things like that. But, fast-forward to Kalos, I remember I, I was actually more, I was studying, well, I was considering, or I was studying like animation, like field of animation, because I was actually considering that, as a career option for me. so I was actually more focused on like I, I watch more like movies, and shows, and that were animated. And like I spent a lot of time, doing like more non-Pokemon stuff. but of course I've still played through Kalos and, but I feel like for me though, like when I played, Legends ZA, for the first time, I have actually a deeper appreciation for, the region. And I'm really glad, Game Freak made another Legends game. And, and I remember like after playing, Legends Arceus for the first time, I remember thinking like, "I would love to play Legends Zygarde," or like Oh, Legends Kyurem. 'Cause 'cause I felt with Kalos, like it was, I felt like it wasn't as, explored as much as, like other, generations and regions and things like that, because, I know after, Kalos was Alola, and, you know, for Alola, Sun, Moon, Gen 7, that was, Pokemon's 20th, anniversary. So, they had more of a focus on that, and I felt like Kalos was sidelined. but with Legends ZA, I felt like they gave, a proper, revisit to the region. And, I guess uns- unsurprisingly, 'cause I can't shut up about New York,

David Hernandez 31:18

You're good.

PicnicBlanketDoodles 31:21

I, I know, at least with, Z- as, well, ZA, you know, you're playing in Lumiose City, and, Lumiose City is based off of Paris. And, you know, Paris is a real sister city or sibling city to, to, New York City. And I've never been to Paris before, but, I'm getting a sense of, oh, if they're like, if they're like sister sibling sittings, cities, then it's just it's like I liked, running around the city, and this is where I feel like, Legends Arceus and Legends ZA, they feel like two sides of the same coin. where it's like Arceus, you know, you're exploring the vast wilderness of, the Hisui region, in, rural Japan, rural Hokkaido, Japan. and what I am thinking is between the 1860s to the 1880s to, ZA, where it's like, you know, present day, modern day Pokemon. And, you're exploring, Paris, France, and, going through a bustling city, day and night. they're two contrasting, experiences, but, they felt really, fun to explore, for different reasons, And I felt like also the stories in both those games, reflect that, so yeah.

David Hernandez 32:24

Well, Picnic Blanket, we're coming to present day where your story is currently at, and I wanna finish this episode on a final question to close it out. At one point, you were a kid trying to find your confidence in a new place. You moved from Anchorage, Alaska to Las Vegas, Nevada. Nowadays, you're sitting at a picnic surrounded by people, putting your Mama Ursaluna on, making sure they're all having a good time, and you're around people who make you feel like you belong. If you could go back and talk to your younger self, what would you want them to know?

PicnicBlanketDoodles 32:53

I would tell them that Okay, I think what I would say to my younger self is just like you don't know it yet, but you're actually going to You're going to have the opportunity and the privilege to go on these adventures, that'll take you to places, to places beyond your wildest dreams. and you're gonna meet so many people from all over the world who immediately have different personalities, but that's okay because, that's part of life and like- Getting to know people, but, also to them, to say to them, "I know you feel shy. I know you feel very timid. I know, I know you're in speech class where, it's hard to, talk and things like that, but just trust me, like, one day, you're gonna be able to, talk with people and, have conversations with them and, and even, look after them. you know, and, But you're gonna do this through your love of Pokemon, because Pokemon will have this, way that you're able to, connect with people in ways that, you have yet to imagine and experience. hang in there and, you've got this. it's gonna be great."

David Hernandez 34:01

thank you for listening to As the Pokeball Turns, where every trainer has a story. if this episode resonated with you, share the episode with a fellow trainer and follow the podcast for more voices, more journeys, and more memories. I'm David Hernandez, and remember, your next Pokemon adventure begins here!