Not Rousseau, but Confessions all the same
Feb 03 '00 (Updated Feb 21 '00)
If the little picture I used to use didn't already clue you in (an exeggutor), I do enjoy Pokemon. However, I have heard Pokemon critics, ranging from exasperated and broke parents to religious extremists that claim Pokemon is satanic. Well, here is m two cents on the whole issue.
First, due to our nature as societal creatures, we humans are going to follow trends. This is even more true during childhood, when conformity is all the more important. When a number of children take a liking to a certain thing, others will get into it, even if their interest was only originally tepid. Pokemon isn't the first case of this happening; when I was five, I wanted as many Transformers as possible. And, like doting parents, mine gave me several. I think I eventually had over fifty. Others my age got into G. I. Joe, and the girls had their My Little Pony and Rainbow Brite. In short, everyone has fond memories of something that was basically an overglorified commercial. Really, you might be like that now, if you're fond of a certain product, like Pepsi or Coke.
Basically, Pokemon isn't doing anything that some other property wouldn't do in terms of economics. The difference is that Pokemon is actually a rather clever concept. Kids like interesting creatures. While boys will tend to ones they find 'cool' (I, for example, hunted for frogs and toads when I was younger), girls will gravitate towards 'cute' ones. Pokemon combines both, sometimes in the same monster. for example, take the ubiquitous Pikachu. You don't have to look hard; it's cute. It's a bright, cheerful color, with red cheeks, and has a small, high voice. It's just cute. But for the boys, the little rodent can send out a powerful electric charge. The fact that both boys and girls can get into it shows that it has broad appeal and that maybe those that grow up with the same broad memories will value equality better. Alright, maybe that's a pipe dream, but a liberal can hope, right?
The game itself appeals to me as a role-player. I've discussed this already in a review, so I won't reiterate. However, what I can say is that the game is text-heavy, and requires some planning and thought to succeed in. Building language skills and effective reasoning in children is an excellent idea; I know some 'adults' who could probably use them too. Not only that, but it will bring fans of the game into other role-playing games, which usually concentrate more on plot. Thus, Pokemon helps that currently niche market.
The cartoon show is a mixed bag for me. Perhaps, as an anime fan, I am spoiled by some much better series. But the show is anime, which means that more children will go on to watch other anime offerings. Before you panic, much anime has excellent plotlines, and are intellectually stimulating. Before you worry that exposure to anime may lead children into the more questionable end of anime, let me ask you this: you think Bugs Bunny cartoons are going to convince people to watch "Wizards" or "Heavy Metal?" I don't, and I wouldn't worry about where the cartoon comes from.
Perhaps Pokemon is just having its day in the sun. However, as it encourages reading, strategy, planning, teamwork, and appeals to both genders, I think that it is one of the best things that could appeal to young children. In a world where there are games and children's shows with gut rending violence and no strong characters, it's nice to see something with good qualities make it big. To Nintendo: you may be just a bunch of suits going for money, but thanks for the fun.
Additional comments (2/7/--): One issue that has come up with some parents concerns amount of time spent playing the games, possibly neglecting chores, family, schoolwork, and friends. These complaints come up with any sort of entertainment. If we really caved into such demands every time they came up, we'd be Puritans again. Anything, from Pokemon to television, from a sport to eating can be an obsession, and it's never healthy. It is the responsibility of the parents to insure that Pokemon, or anything else, doesn't interfere with other parts of a child's life.
Another, more interesting complaint levied against Pokemon is that it encourages gambling. First, I will admit that to some extent, it does. However, little do many people realize, many children gamble. I played poker with my friends regularly in fourth grade. Betting on sports contests was commonplace for my peers by around that time as well. So yes, I was a ten year old gambler. And I bet that I wasn't the only one. And we never bet toys, or cards, or anything like that. I bet good old fashioned cash. Guess parents should sue the government for printing out pieces of paper that the children want to collect (in this case, money). If your kids are gambling, it isn't Nintendo's fault, nor is it Wizards of the Coast (the ones responsible for the card game in the first place), it's because the kid wants to gamble. If the kids don't have Pokemon cards, they will gamble something else - other toys, baseball cards, candy, or maybe even money.
Admittedly, Pokemon can be a problem. But anything can be. If you think they aren'tenjoying the game properly, spend time with them. Good parenting doesn't come from protesting a company; it comes from being there for your child.
And I'd also like to sarcastically thank all the people out there who made those last couple of paragraphs necessary.
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32_Footsteps
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Member: Rick Healey
Location: Boston, MA
Reviews written: 234
Trusted by: 278 members
About Me:
Back from E3 - tiring, but worth it.
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