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Pokémon, Outside the Box...
Though I'm a big fan, I don't really consider myself a Pokémon collector, compared to my collection of My Little Pony. Besides the obvious like Nintendo Pokémon games I've enjoyed and DVDs of favorite movies and episodes, I own a small collection of trading cards (in a Master Quest [2003] binder), a proudly-displayed complete set of set 23K Gold cards and Pokéballs (1999), an adorable plush talking Pikachu (2005), and a few other favorite things throughout the years including a growing family of Sinnoh and Unova Pokémon plushies on my computer desk as well as a Pikachu-shaped soap dispenser (1999) that's still used every day.
But there is one kind of item of which I have quite the Pokémon collection, and it's one that's surrounded by controversy, in a society where people are more likely to sue the manufacturer¹ rather than use their own judgement - character-based novelty food items. Long before and long since after the few short years grocery store shelves were lined with Pokémon cereal, Pokémon Pop-tarts, Pokémon mac & cheese, Pokémon Popsicles, Pokémon waffles, and Pokémon jam, extreme special interest groups and angry parents have been fighting to keep characters out of our supermarkets and the corresponding foods out of kids' reach. Now I won't argue that marshmallows and sugary glaze are nutritious or anything, but health issues seem to be just a cover for parents to condemn the characters they are already against. In the case of the infamous Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood*, the name says it all, this issue having become even more evident based on the growing trend in which popular characters are featured on healthier foods (fruits, veggies, yogurt, whole grains, organics, etc.), and they're still complaining²;
However, because this type of advertising usually takes place during the character-of-the-hour's 'fad' era (1999-2000 for Pokémon), parents shouldn't really get too upset since most of these products are offered for a limited time only, so it's unlikely that a box of Spongebob, Dora, or Pokémon cereal will have your kids eating like May's Munchlax. My advice is to 1) buy the product once, 2) allow your kids (or yourself!) the occasional indulgence if you choose, then 3) save the box, and you've got a collectible that will last a lot longer than the product will be on store shelves. And while this issue may no longer apply to Pokémon (but, wait...look! DP Sinnoh Region Kraft Mac & Cheese!! [4/08]), there's always another wave of up-and-coming characters that'll find their way into our kitchens...how often they end up on your plate is up to you!
*For more information, please conduct your own internet search; We All Live in a Pokémon World... does not provide links to adversarial sites of any kind.
It's sad to look around and see the numerous (and ironically TV-,web-, and even game remote-based!) campaigns that have popped up based on the concept that kids now have to be forced, tricked, or bribed into going outside to play...even sadder is the fear parents have that once that set number of minutes of play are up, all of their remaining waking hours are spent in front of the TV/video games/computer/other screen...the same parents who are likely never without their laptop/phone/tablet/etc... Over the years, Pokémon games have been easily lumped into this stereotype, and despite the obvious, there's nothing that feels forced or deceptive about the Pokéwalker - a pedometer packaged with Pokémon Heart Gold/Soul Silver (U.S. 2010) that not only helps any one of your Pokémon, otherwise raised within the game, level up and become friendlier, but also allows you to find items and discover more Pokémon, all while you walk. And last time I checked, walking is something we humans already do - every day. And no disrespect to those who do, not every kid enjoys playing sports (and after suffering through five days a week of required, humiliating P.E. classes, the more I'm convinced that gyms are for Pokémon!); walking has long been considered the best exercise...now for both you and your Pokémon!
"I'm so glad that there are Pokémon! There isn't much else that gives me the thrill that Pokémon do!"
-Ace Trainer Destiny (Pokémon Platinum)
¹"Can We Stop Advertisers from Targeting Children-and Encouraging Obesity?" article published in Vegetarian Times magazine (September 2006); includes info on a study that names character-based food items as the sole cause for childhood obesity and a lawsuit against Kellogg's over Spongebob Squarepants cereal.
²"Can Children's TV Favorites Get Them to Taste More Veggies?" article published in The Star Ledger (September 12, 2007); explains how despite manufacturers' best efforts to market healthy foods featuring Spongebob, Dora & Diego, etc., parents' groups are still unhappy with the characters' appearances on food packaging.
Text and artwork copyright © 2000-2012 by Kimberly (RageOfInnocence)
Pokémon © Satoshi Tajiri, Nintendo/Creatures, Inc./Game Freak, The Pokémon Company International
The beautiful screenshots of Ash, Pikachu, and their friends and Pokémon are from various themes and episodes from Pokémon
(Kanto/Orange Islands/Johto series), Advanced Generation, Diamond & Pearl, and Best Wishes!/Black & White |
kimsites.net
Dream Valley | Oak Branch Woods | We All Live in a Pokémon World | Kimberly's Attic
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