Part 1: "General" Questions
1. What or how was your initial introduction to the Pokémon franchise?
It was through the TCG. When I was a kid and in second grade at school (I think, don't remember exactly but that must have been when it was) back in 1999, Pokémon reached Europe and it got extremely popular. Everyone at my school talked about the TCG and many of the kids traded cards with each other as well. At first, I thought it was extremely overrated and I wanted nothing to do with it, but I gradually grew more and more interested (it was pretty hard to resist) and I eventually ended up becoming a fan myself. Thanks to the TCG, I later got into the anime, and then the games too.
2. What was the first Pokémon video game (Main Series) you ever played, and if possible, when did you first play it?
I believe it was Blue, which was my first Pokémon game. It must have been in 2001. I know that before I played Blue, I had bought the GBC version of Lego Island 2 which was released in 2001 from what I can find. I can't find an European release date for it, but I'm guessing it must have been released at around the same time as in North America.
3. What was the first Pokémon video game (Spinoff) you ever played, and if possible, when did you first play it?
It must have been Pokémon Stadium 1 which I played at least once when I visited a friend. Can't remember exactly when but it must have been during the Gen 1-2 days at least. I never owned a N64 or any of the Stadium games myself, but Stadium 1 was still the first spin-off I played. The first one I owned myself was Pokémon Colosseum in 2005.
4. What parts of the Pokémon franchise are you most interested in? (Games, Anime, Manga, TCG, etc.)
At the moment, games (main series mostly) and manga (Adventures), as well as non-anime animations (like Generations and Twilight Wings). I used to be interested in the TCG and the main anime as well, but I have lost most of my interest in both of them at this point.
5. If you had to pick off the top of your head, what would you say was the most memorable moment for you so far as a Pokémon fan?
This is hard, but I have one moment I want to share. It is from the older days, which I feel can be good to say something about for once. As mentioned above, I first got into Pokémon through the TCG. I remember that I first bought a full TCG pack (which must have been
this one) at the local candy shop in the small town where I live. I didn't have quite enough money for it, but the guy at the shop was kind enough to let me have it anyway. But then I lost intrest in Pokémon and gave away all the cards to some friends and classmates. After that, I regained interest in Pokémon again and decided to buy some more TCG cards, this time a small booster pack with 11 cards. I bought it, and I remember that I opened it in the car on the way home from the store. I got very surprised as one of the cards was a
Holographic Blastoise, one of the most wanted and valuable cards that existed at that time (on the schoolgrounds, if nothing else). I'd say that is the moment when I became a Pokémon fan for real. Sadly, I later lost that Blastoise in some stupid trades, but the memory of it will live on for all eternity. So that's my most memorable moment as a Pokémon fan: when I first became a Pokémon fan for real.
Part 2: "Favorite" Questions
6. What is your favorite Pokémon species and/or evolutionary family?
This is hard because there are so many Pokémon I like... but I tend to prefer Pokémon from the newer generations, and my favorite Pokémon line from Gen 8 is Cufant/Copperajah. So I'll go with Copperajah. Close runner-ups are Haxorus, Sylveon and Lycanroc.
7. Who is your favorite human character in the Pokémon franchise?
This is hard as well, but I'll go with... Black from Pokémon Adventures! Because I find him funny, inspiring and relatable.
8. What is you favorite overall "Generation" of Pokémon and why?
Generation 5, no contest. The short answer is because I find the Gen 5 games the most fun to play. When it comes to the things I consider to be the most important in Pokémon, they did the most right and the least wrong. I also love the Gen 5 Pokémon.
9. What would you say counts as your favorite Pokémon franchise music? (From any source, can be an entire soundtrack for all I care)
Entire soundtrack: the soundtrack from the Gen 5 games.
For a single track... I'll go with Black Tower:
10. Who or what is your favorite...
a. Starter Pokémon?
Cinderace. But I am also a huge fan of Primarina, Greninja, Serperior, Infernape and Swampert.
b. Legendary Pokémon?
Right now I'd say Zacian. But I also love Reshiram, Xerneas, Necrozma and many others. My favorite mythicals are Magearna, Keldeo, Shaymin and Zeraora. My favorite UBs are Celesteela and Blacephalon.
c. Shiny Pokémon?
Volcarona.
d. Gym Leader/Trial Captain?
Gym Leader: Clay.
Trial Captain: Mina.
e. Elite Four Member or Champion?
E4 Member: Caitlin.
Champion: Iris.
f. Evil organization and/or organization leader?
Evil Team: Plasma.
Evil Team leader: Colress.
g. Overall region in Pokémon?
Unova.