So, this is a kinda late review...(okay really late...I wanted to at least post this in honor of the 20th anniversary)
About 6 months ago, I attended the Pokemon Symphonic Evolutions concert in Holmdel, NJ. Being a musician/former band geek and an avid Pokemon fan, the concert series caught my interest. Although, I wasn't sure what to expect there so I was a bit hesitant to buy a ticket. But finally one day, I cracked and bought one.
As I entered the venue, I saw tons and tons of Pokemon fans, of all ages. I even saw some really awesome cosplays! There was food being sold and a tent set up selling some Pokemon merch (I'll make a list at the end of what I can remember being sold). I brought my DS to the concert and was amazed at how many streetpasses I had gotten (3 in 5 ppl prob had a DS w/ them, but don't count on my stats).
While I waited for the concert to begin, "Who's That Pokémon" was being played on the screen. I loved how almost all of the audience would shout out the answer after the silhouette was revealed!
Finally, the lights were dimmed and the concert began to start. First, we were treated to a rendition of the title theme. Already, the feels came rushing. As the title screen from each of the video games passed, the crowds roared (lol i did too obv ^^'). This is still one of my favorite segments from the concert!!! (▰˘◡˘▰)
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| From the intro |
Finally, the title screen of the next song flashed: "Ancients of Hoenn". Then, a distantly familiar tune began playing...the beautiful, but haunting theme of Meteor Falls. The rest of the song seemed to be a medley of other themes from the game (like the battle music from the legendaries). Again, this might not seem accurate...this was a while ago and it's hard trying to recall some songs. I know the next song was the theme from the route where you collect volcanic ashes to give to the guy that makes flutes and glass furniture for you. I remember this theme well because for a route, it had a unique setting complete with unique music. The next song made me bawl in my seat like a baby: the ending title from R/S/E. I think it also included the Hoenn Champion theme...but I can't be sure (lol i'm too lazy to re-listen to the songs on youtube...and i don't wanna cry about Pokemon again @ 2 in the morning). Anyway, the piano in the ending title is my obsession. This is one of my favorite themes from the entire series, and I hope that one day I will be able to conquer my laziness and bad piano habits to learn the dang song! Overall, I absolutely loved this portion of the concert. It is one of my favorite moments from the concert. The arrangements: spectacular enough to make me cry several times. I could remember myself clearly all those years ago...playing Sapphire on my GameBoy Advance and listening to those same songs, but with those amazing Hoenn trumpets in place.
The next three medleys were from Gen. 4: my first game. SO! Quick story time! Pearl was actually my first Pokemon game. I owned a GameBoy way before, but I never really wanted to try Pokemon until later on when I got my DS. I got a hold of Sapphire sometime afterwards (not tryna be a gen. 3 kid poser! he...he...)
Generation 4 is where I truly feel at home and what I have the most memories with (✿◠‿◠). The only medley I remember clearly in this portion is the first one, "Dreams and Adventures". It basically starts with the part when you begin the game with Professor Rowan (really his theme). The next medley was just a jumble of some of the themes from Sinnoh's routes. Afterwards was a medley dedicated to the Lake Guardians (i always thought their battle themes were pretty cool). Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the arrangements of this Gen. Like the previous generation, this brought a lot of memories to mind and satisfied my thirst for nostalgia. My favorite part was probably Rowan's theme. It made me feel like a kid again, being filled with so much excitement to start my first Pokemon adventure.
With the conclusion of Gen. 4, a 20-30 minute intermission began. Who's That Pokemon began playing on the main screen again. Like many around me, I went on my DS. I got through all my streetpasses and looked at all the passerby on Alpha Sapphire. I battled some people, but left to buy myself a t-shirt (c'mon, Pikachu was wearing a TUXEDO and ughhhhh TOO CUTE)
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| Pikachu shirt ($30) |
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| Intermission!!! |
After the quick break, it was time to return to our little Pokemon journey.
We were welcomed back by the familiar sound of the Pokemon Center (aka the only place that doesn't stress me out in the game!). It was such a cute rendition!
Then we jumped right into the music of Generation 5 (Pokemon Black/White). I know the beginning of this section started with the title theme (the one before the game starts and N is getting crowned). It jumps right into the theme of the Pokemon League. I could already picture the towering buildings and ALL OF THOSE STAIRS. Like I still can't get over the amount of stairs they put in the game when you're going up to battle the champion! Then came the really epic part, ROUTE 10. From my memory, this is the route that leads you to the Pokemon League from Opelucid City.
Finally, this medley drew to a close as the one dedicated to N began. Gosh all those feels from the game...I wanted to cry during Farewell. Anyway, back to listing the songs. The N medley (titled N-Counter...ha...ha) started with the theme from N's Castle, in which scenes from the game entering N's castle and Zekrom/Reshiram's appearance are shown. It then leads into the battle music with N, with footage above. Finally, Generation 5 closes with the emotional "Farewell". THE FEELS. Reminded me of how great a character N was in the games. Pokemon took a really emotional turn in this generation
(;﹏;)...
Now we enter the final set of games: Pokemon X/Y.
I remember hearing the sounds of piano from AZ's flashbacks. After that, we were greeted by the sounds of "Welcome to the Kalos Region!". I just love the beginning themes of these games. It makes me feel like a new adventure is beginning (which it is!) and brings back memories to when I first started the game. The intro then leads into the theme of Vaniville Town, Professor Sycamore's theme, and the theme when your character parts with their friends after battling them. Suddenly, the emotional music breaks into the epic gym leader battle! ۹(ÒہÓ)۶
After grabbing onto the edge of my seat, a calming song washed over the audience. When I looked up the song, it was called "I'll Go With You" and it apparently plays before that song at the end called "KISEKI".
When the walk through memory lane ended, we finally arrived at the encore portion. Before it started, a couple of guys walked on stage (I forget who their names and what their jobs were...) and thanked us all as we applauded them.
Then, the encore began with one of my favorite songs of the show (OBVIOUSLY). It was "GOTTA CATCH 'EM ALL" and IT WAS AMAZING. I really loved how pretty much the whole audience stood up and sang along. We were all united by this set of games and this one song. Anyway, I heard some performances had a live singer, but this one didn't so everyone filled in the gap. While this was played, scenes from the anime were shown up on screen, however they were only from the new seasons. Maybe because this company didn't have the rights to show the older seasons...? But anyhow, this song was still AMAZING.
The final show of the night was KISEKI, which is the X/Y ending. I remember there were words that showed up as this was being played in the game. I thought this was a poem or something, but it was really a song! At the concert, the same words were displayed up on the screens. Some of us tried our best to sing along but I totally forgot how the tune went. (^^ゞ
Then the show was over. What a night.
THE VERDICT: I totally recommend this to any Pokemon fan who loves the games. It's a great way to relive your favorite games without actually playing them!
If you'd like to check out upcoming shows and buy tickets go to pokemonsymphony.com
THE MERCH: There were two kinds of posters being sold (I forget how much they were, but at the show I went to they had a lower price if you bought the two posters). One was white with Pikachu wearing a tux on it and the other was black and had Pikachu feat. the Generation 1 starters. They were also selling the shirt with Pikachu on it for $30 (see the pic above for what it looks like). A giant plush Pikachu was being sold there for $40 as well. As my memory serves, this was all that was being sold there.
BONUS: Here's an attempt at trying to take a pic of all my Nintendo devices and Pokemon games as a tribute to the 20th anniversary. Still cannot believe it (༎ຶ⌑༎ຶ)
Pokemon was a part of my childhood and I have lots of memories with it. It also introduced me into the world of anime, inspired me to draw more, and inspired me to learn to play the music from the show and games as a kid. To Tajiri-san and the people who made this franchise possible, thank you for creating this wonderful part of childhood for people across the globe.
We were welcomed back by the familiar sound of the Pokemon Center (aka the only place that doesn't stress me out in the game!). It was such a cute rendition!
Then we jumped right into the music of Generation 5 (Pokemon Black/White). I know the beginning of this section started with the title theme (the one before the game starts and N is getting crowned). It jumps right into the theme of the Pokemon League. I could already picture the towering buildings and ALL OF THOSE STAIRS. Like I still can't get over the amount of stairs they put in the game when you're going up to battle the champion! Then came the really epic part, ROUTE 10. From my memory, this is the route that leads you to the Pokemon League from Opelucid City.
Finally, this medley drew to a close as the one dedicated to N began. Gosh all those feels from the game...I wanted to cry during Farewell. Anyway, back to listing the songs. The N medley (titled N-Counter...ha...ha) started with the theme from N's Castle, in which scenes from the game entering N's castle and Zekrom/Reshiram's appearance are shown. It then leads into the battle music with N, with footage above. Finally, Generation 5 closes with the emotional "Farewell". THE FEELS. Reminded me of how great a character N was in the games. Pokemon took a really emotional turn in this generation
(;﹏;)...
Now we enter the final set of games: Pokemon X/Y.
I remember hearing the sounds of piano from AZ's flashbacks. After that, we were greeted by the sounds of "Welcome to the Kalos Region!". I just love the beginning themes of these games. It makes me feel like a new adventure is beginning (which it is!) and brings back memories to when I first started the game. The intro then leads into the theme of Vaniville Town, Professor Sycamore's theme, and the theme when your character parts with their friends after battling them. Suddenly, the emotional music breaks into the epic gym leader battle! ۹(ÒہÓ)۶
After grabbing onto the edge of my seat, a calming song washed over the audience. When I looked up the song, it was called "I'll Go With You" and it apparently plays before that song at the end called "KISEKI".
When the walk through memory lane ended, we finally arrived at the encore portion. Before it started, a couple of guys walked on stage (I forget who their names and what their jobs were...) and thanked us all as we applauded them.
Then, the encore began with one of my favorite songs of the show (OBVIOUSLY). It was "GOTTA CATCH 'EM ALL" and IT WAS AMAZING. I really loved how pretty much the whole audience stood up and sang along. We were all united by this set of games and this one song. Anyway, I heard some performances had a live singer, but this one didn't so everyone filled in the gap. While this was played, scenes from the anime were shown up on screen, however they were only from the new seasons. Maybe because this company didn't have the rights to show the older seasons...? But anyhow, this song was still AMAZING.
The final show of the night was KISEKI, which is the X/Y ending. I remember there were words that showed up as this was being played in the game. I thought this was a poem or something, but it was really a song! At the concert, the same words were displayed up on the screens. Some of us tried our best to sing along but I totally forgot how the tune went. (^^ゞ
Then the show was over. What a night.
THE VERDICT: I totally recommend this to any Pokemon fan who loves the games. It's a great way to relive your favorite games without actually playing them!
If you'd like to check out upcoming shows and buy tickets go to pokemonsymphony.com
THE MERCH: There were two kinds of posters being sold (I forget how much they were, but at the show I went to they had a lower price if you bought the two posters). One was white with Pikachu wearing a tux on it and the other was black and had Pikachu feat. the Generation 1 starters. They were also selling the shirt with Pikachu on it for $30 (see the pic above for what it looks like). A giant plush Pikachu was being sold there for $40 as well. As my memory serves, this was all that was being sold there.
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| My games and consoles |
Pokemon was a part of my childhood and I have lots of memories with it. It also introduced me into the world of anime, inspired me to draw more, and inspired me to learn to play the music from the show and games as a kid. To Tajiri-san and the people who made this franchise possible, thank you for creating this wonderful part of childhood for people across the globe.
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