Rare collectibles, meet-and-greets, and more: Highlights of Pokeverse 2024
It's not too late to be a Pokémon fan, and you're never too old to fulfill your dream of catching them all at the very first Pokeverse Expo that's happening in Manila.
The event gathers kids and kids at heart at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong so they could start their journey to the Pokémon universe and enjoy all sorts of fun activities.
Pokeverse, which is said to be "made by fans for the fans," features official licensed collectibles, Trainer quests, daily cosplay contests, card and video game competitions, live musical performances, and more. But perhaps one of its biggest highlights is the chance to meet Veronica Taylor, who provides the original voice of the Pokémon anime's protagonist Ash Ketchum, and Jason Paige, the singer of the anime's legendary Pokémon theme song.
PhilSTAR L!fe had a chance to explore the convention and enjoy its various programs, activities, and displays. Here are some of the best parts of Pokeverse 2024, which will take place until Sunday, June 2.
Food and goods galore
Pokeverse Expo's layout takes inspiration from the 8Bit Gameboy games back in the 90s, featuring cities and towns that are prominent in the Pokémon world.
One of the largest areas is Maritime City. Located at the center of the convention, this place acts like a real life Poké Mart where you can check out official merchandise and collectibles to take home with you.
You can find goodies such as trading card bundles, adorable plushies of all shapes and sizes, fancy pins, waterproof stickers, stylish keychains, Pokémon-themed shirts and hats, and Funko Pop figures.
For some really rare finds, there's also a booth that sells vintage Pokémon games along with video game consoles, such as Game Boy. The titles include the original Pokémon Red, Gold, Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, LeafGreen, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black 2, and White 2 versions.
Next to Maritime City is Demeter Town, where you can fill your tummy with all sorts of delicious food. There's one booth that sells cream-filled donuts shaped like a Bulbasaur, a Poké Ball, a Pikachu, a Charmander, and a Jigglypuff.
Admire the heated battles
It's no secret that one of the primary things that made the Pokémon franchise so popular is the battle aspect of the games, where Trainers pit their Pokémon against each other to see who comes out on top.
While seeing Pokémon battles in real life is next to impossible, you can still witness some heated competition at Pokeverse in the form of the trading card games and video game championships.
The matches are held in the appropriately-titled Victory Road area of the convention. Fans will definitely feel the thrill of the competition especially when the best trainers from all over the country show off their carefully planned strategies and brilliant tricks up their sleeve against one another in an effort win the coveted Pokémon Champion title.
If you're one to play the games competitively, then this is your chance to learn from the very best and develop your own clever tactics to surprise your opponents.
See Pokémon characters in real life
You may not see any real Pokémon creatures at Pokeverse, but you can see dedicated cosplayers bringing to life some iconic and memorable characters from the games.
The event has its very own competition where fans strive to embody their favorite characters by getting all decked out in detailed costumes and striking accessories.
Some of those who caught our eye during our visit cosplayed as a Team Yell grunt and the Ghost-type gym leader Allister from the Pokémon Sword and Shield games, the Fire/Ghost Pokémon Ceruledge, the Psychic/Fighting Pokémon Gallade, and of course, the one and only Ash Ketchum.
Meet your idols
It's no secret that Ash Ketchum is an inspiration to many Pokémon fans for never giving up in becoming the best Trainer there is despite his many losses, but he wouldn't become the iconic protagonist he is today without the talented vocals of his original voice actress Taylor.
In a quick chat with Pokémon fans at the affair, Taylor said that it's "so cool" that so many Filipinos have watched the Pokémon anime when they were little with their parents or grandparents.
"Now so many of you watch it and share it with those younger, whether it's siblings or your own children or someone else's child. But it's ultimately that passion that brings us all together, things that you love kind of define you and you get friends because of it," Taylor said.
The anime has also inspired many to, as Paige sings in the legendary theme song, "become the very best."
Paige, meanwhile, told his fans that he is "finally glad" to be in the Philippines as she had been wanting to visit the country since 2016.
When asked for advice for the next generation of fans who are rediscovering themselves, the singer said, "Let your imagination empower you to self-realize, to self-actualize so you can find the power that's inside."
The Pokeverse Expo continues until June 2. Standard tickets cost P500 for students, P1,000 for adults and kids, and P2,500 for a three-day pass, while VIP tickets cost P6,000 for adults and kids, P2,500 for the barkada package, P2,000 for the family package, and P15,000 for a three-day pass.