My Top 5 (Pokémon)

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Pokémon became a big craze during my early elementary school days, so naturally my brothers and I were all in. We collected the cards, but we never learned how to play the game. My mom was anti-TV, but we watched as many episodes of the show as we could. I think my mother tolerated the show because its chapter books were how she got my dyslexic older sister to read. We got VHS tapes of three or four episodes and went nuts for "Who's That Pokémon?" 

We also played the games on the Gameboy Color. Mine was solid purple and we called it a "Gamegirl," for anyone who is curious. I never actually finished a game, because I would tire of the repetitive battles and take a long break, then start over. Pokémon t-shirts were passed down from oldest to youngest child. We could name all 150 originals, and even a few after that. 

My fandom only stretches as far as 'Pokémon 3: The Movie.' I remember the starters from that generation, but not many of the rest. For a while I was resistant to more Pokémon being continuously added. I had a bit of an "originals only" attitude about it. I don't think that way anymore, but I still couldn't name any of the new ones. My top five are likewise limited. I am aware that there is a ghost teapot Pokémon. That may sound like my jam, but that's all I know about it...so it does not make the cut.

Charmander

I played with all the starters in Pokémon blue, but Charmander quickly became my top choice. I was a dragon-obsessed kid who liked the idea of having a big, fire-breathing, monster on my side.  His personality on the show was cheery and loveable. I loved the episode about him leaving his jerky trainer. I was certain I could train one better than Ash! I liked to imagine myself holding an umbrella over my little friend's tail while we walked. And if my tea got cold, I could just hand it to my buddy for a second. Plus, he's adorable. What's not to love?

Mew

Even when I hated pink, I loved Mew. I mean...who doesn't? This Pokémon is charming and adorable. It spends most of the movie zooming around, hopping on pink bubbles, playing on windmills, and living its best life. When it does face Mewtwo, it tries to deliver some grade A wisdom. Mew is the perfect intersection of mysterious, powerful and adorable. I also made a silly mistake related to Mew, that helped my auditory processing disorder get diagnosed, and inspired my first embroidery project in a long time.

Ghastly

This one is all because of his episode in the show! In the episode, the protagonists are going to a tower that is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman. They are then terrorized by a variety of ghosts, monsters, and scary situations. Naturally, they leave. In the end, it is revealed that the crew was being messed with by Ghastly! It turns out, he does this to keep pesky Pokémon trainers from bothering the actual ghost there. When he talks to her, he is a perfect gentleman. Out of all the ghost Pokémon (that I know of) his motives are the purest. I can respect that calling. Good for him! 

Jigglypuff

Now, now, hear me out. I understand that this pink tennis ball is not the most popular...But her confidence! I love the attitude that this Pokémon has! She is going to take center stage, and she's going to sing whether you like it or not! And how DARE you fall asleep during her show (even though it's totally her fault)! She'll show you! Jigglypuff is unapologetically extra, and I think (if she wrote one) we could all benefit from her self esteem blog. 

Dragonite

I love dragons, and writing letters. Dragonite is the center of that Venn Diagram! An adorable dragon Pokémon (that is much more laid back than Charizard) who flies with a messenger bag to deliver letters. It's clear that the postal service is essential in every universe. If I were in this universe, I wouldn't mind working with the postal dragons. I also like messenger bags. The side character practically writes itself. Bottom line: Dragons are awesome, you should buy stamps directly from your post office, and support the USPS.