“Pokémon Center” by Othree
Author: @othree
Creative Commons License: Some Rights Reserved
License URL
Almost immediately upon graduating, I was submerged in a world of 401ks, mortgages, and imposter syndrome. While my coworkers were complaining about their children and retirement, I was still struggling to make a doctor’s appointment without my mom’s help. Living 4 hours away from home, with my nearest friend being a quick 45-minute drive in South Florida traffic, I felt out of place and alone. Desperate for relief from the stresses of adulthood, I found myself grasping at passions from my childhood, but nothing seemed sustainable.
Fast-forward to Christmas of last year, I was experiencing the whirlwind of emotions that come with living out of a suitcase in your childhood home. Nostalgia hit hard and I began looking through boxes in the closet filled with our family pictures and memories. After shuffling through thousands of pictures, I moved to the back of the closet and picked up what felt like a box without many pictures in it. To my surprise, it contained my brother and my Pokémon collection from the ’90s. I was immediately transported to my childhood and an influx of memories began to flood my mind. Finally, something that would be sustainable.
Pokémon means more to me than a piece of cardboard. It represents my dad rewarding me with a trip to the comic store for going to Costco with him or being on A Honor Roll for school. Pokémon cards symbolize happy family times, something I was so desperately yearning for as I began to go off on my own path and attempt to forge my own way. I selected the image above because it illustrates my realistic experience of going to the store for Pokémon cards. In the world of Amazon, a lot of Pokémon collectors buy their cards online. Through my own consumer behavior, I learned that I like the process or ritualistic characteristics of going to the store in person more than I like the cards. I believe it is this aspect that brings me back to the security of my childhood than the actual cards themselves. I enjoy seeing children there with their parents eagerly waiting for the latest Pokémon drop. I smile at children begging their parents for the latest Pikachu plushie and promising to “be good” until the end of time. Although it is not always peaceful in the store, such chaos brings peace to me. Ultimately, I think this photo is a great depiction of how I manage the stresses of adulthood through my childhood vice.
Because I knew the topic of my blog post was about utilizing my childhood interests to help navigate the reality of adulthood, I wanted to select a nostalgic audio clip that embodied the characteristics of childhood and Pokémon, without sounding like a videogame. I think the song through its composition as well as the title enhances the meaning of the photo. It’s not just about the cards; it’s the excitement of going to the store, uncertain if they even have the cards in stock. I’d like to continue the same traditions that my father established and I hope to carry it on with my own kids. I cannot wait for the day one of my children asks me if I can take them to the store to get Pokémon cards. Although I never would have thought I would manage the stresses of adulthood through my childhood vice, buying Pokémon cards with adult money has allowed me to heal both my inner child and my present adult self.
What is your general reaction to the image and audio selected? Without reading the text, when just seeing the image and hearing the audio I feel a sense of peace. I got the sense that the photo represents happiness.
What meanings are conveyed by the image and the audio when viewed separately (each on its own) vs. combined together? Does the sound enhance, alter, and/or transform the meaning/s of the image? If so, explain the effect. On its own, the image conveys more “excitement” perhaps. From my own personal experience in being in comic book shops, I see that image and I feel excited or anxious. By itself, the audio could be interpreted as either peaceful, nostalgic, or perhaps represent someone recalling sad memories in a way. When you combine the two, the sound tones down the excitement of the image, making me understand that it must be representing more of a memory perhaps or have a more peaceful feeling. Personally, I loved the audio that you picked. I fit very well with the text that you wrote, and as I read, I could really feel the emotions in what you had written.
What other audio choices can you think of that might create interesting or unexpected meanings when combined with the image? You could have chosen a cliche cinematic orchestral piece that was intense and driven that might represent some of the characteristics of Pokemon characters. If very sad music was playing, it might imply that you had a dramatically negative or sad experience with Pokemon.
Hi Lauren!
I love the concept behind your post, and as someone who grew up with a similar love of Pokemon, I’m really impressed by how well you captured the feeling of winding your way through the busy comic book store without even using music that came from the game (which I’m sure would be a copyright nightmare). Although the music doesn’t sound like video game background music, it’s still reminiscent of that style of music, but I think the peaceful piano melody adds to the feeling of peace you’re describing.
I love the point you made about the difference between ordering cards online and showing up to the store with some uncertainty about what you’re going to find. There’s something about making that purchase in person that makes it so much more memorable!
While I was always a big anime fan, Pokemon was never one that I managed to get into. (Somehow, however, Pokemon Go has completely captured me. The only days I miss is when it’s too completely miserable to go outside.) I can just feel the nostalgia and melancholy in every sentence of your description — and hear it reflected in the music.
Speaking of the music, it reminds one of those scenes in an anime where you have a melancholic shot of the main character in front of a window, rain pouring down outside, as they contemplate recent events. You’ve done a fantastic job of bringing that same pensive feeling with the music.