I'm agreeing about the Pokemon GO article being disappointing; as a Pokemon fan and a weeaboo myself, I have to say I’m a bit cheesed off.
First of all, he’s dragging out that old chestnut used every time whenever something you don’t understand becomes popular; rather than point out the actual flaws, just insult the players enjoying it. After all, if they’re all zombies for playing something you don’t, that by default makes you smart and different, right? It’s not smart, it’s not funny, and certainly not original.
I’m pretty sure he’s never actually played the game either, as it does quite the opposite of making people stare into their phones. As the stops and gyms in the game are actual locations, people are instead looking round trying to find all these hidden areas. Go has actually made me explore nearby towns and villages I’ve never been to before, and I’m discovering so many things I never knew existed; blue plaques, information signs, historic buildings, art work, beautiful parks, memorials, all sorts. It genuinely makes you look at and appreciate your local area.
He’s dropped the ball on the Pokemon descriptions too. Pikachu isn’t based off a raijin, he’s based off- brace yourselves- a
pika! There
is actually a raijin though Pokemon- Raikou, whose Pokedex entry literally describes it as ‘descends on lightning’.
I am baffled by what a big deal he makes over Froslass being based on a yukionna as well, especially since the franchise is loaded with yokai and other creepy things. Like Mawile (based off futakuchi-onna, a woman whose hair is a maw of teeth that devours men). Bonus shout out to what must be FT’s mascot Pokemon:
Elgyem and
Beheeyem.
Also in the Strange Days article, I think whoever wrote it got Go mixed up with the main Pokemon games. Which make me kinda worried about this future article they mentioned. Please FT, get an actual Pokemon fan to proof read it, I'm dreading it being a cringe-worthy 'we're hip and down with the kids' piece.
Otherwise, I kinda liked this issue. I'm really happy the Illustrated Police News now has a book, that's definitely for my Christmas list!