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So long, Ash Ketchum
Plus, a Pokémon fan game 8 years in the making

Howdy Cooltrainers and happy September! Does anyone else get that HeartGold or Unova Autumn feeling this time of year? And speaking of nostalgia, let’s all raise our Poké Balls to Ash freaking Ketchum. Happy retirement, dude.
Here’s this week’s rundown (estimated read time, 3.5 minutes):
At long last, say farewell to Ash
Relive Ash’s ENTIRE 25-year journey with the fan game, Pokémon Fire Ash
Announcing Sept. 2023 Community Day: Grubbin
Pokémon: Paldean Winds premieres


Pour one out for Ash
Grab a box of tissues and get ready for a shot of nostalgia straight to the heart: at long last, the English dub of Ash’s journey concludes with “Pokémon: To Be a Pokémon Master.”

“Genga” (original art) of the Squirtle Squad.
This collection of special episodes launches on Netflix this Friday, September 8 and features fan favorites such as Brock, and Misty. Even if you don’t plan on watching the farewell (or aren’t ready for a goodbye 25 years in-the-making) the trailer is guaranteed to give you all the feels.
Happy trails, and thanks for the memories, Ash.

Pokémon Fire Ash: a massive 8-year fan game
🎶 Eight years in the making, patiently waiting. 🎶
…Fort Minor reference, anyone?
If you’re sad that Ash is hanging up his hat, have I got the solution for you: Fire Ash is a fan-made Pokémon game by Hunter Hoesch that’s been in development since 2015 and is still actively updated.
The game, designed in the style of Fire Red/Leaf Green, “loosely follows the adventures of Ash Ketchum throughout his entire journey in the anime. You travel from Kanto all the way to Galar, including the Orange Islands and Battle Frontier.”

If you’re thinking Fire Ash must be ginormous, you’re right! It features 50+ gyms, 800+ Pokémon and battles against Ash’s traveling companions and rivals. I just started it and personally love the way the “iconic” Pokémon from Ash’s teams are acquired. Your playthrough can match the show’s storyline exactly, or you can build any team you want through traditional wild encounters. The maps have been overhauled to be closer in design to the anime as well.

Grab yo Grubbin on September 23
Ready to rustle up some grub? Too much?
Anywho, the next Community Day is coming our way on Saturday, September 23, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time, featuring the Larva Pokemon, Grubbin.
To evolve Charjabug into Vikavolt and get the featured Fast Attack, Volt Switch, you’ll need to find or just a Magnetic Lure during the event or up to 5 hours after. Four-star Raids also feature Charjabug but remember, remote raid passes cannot be used to join these.
Event bonuses include:
3x XP for catching Pokémon
2x Candy for catching Pokémon.
2x chance for Trainers level 31 and up to receive Candy XL from catching Pokémon.
Lure Modules activated during the event will last for three hours.
Incense (excluding Daily Adventure Incense) activated during the event will last for three hours.
Take a few snapshots for a surprise!
One additional Special Trade can be made for a maximum of two for the day from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. local time.
Trades require 50% less Stardust. from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. local time.

Don’t miss Paldean Winds
The latest Pokémon animated web series is here and doesn’t disappoint. The first episode of Paldean Winds launched today on YouTube and features some stunning animation.
Running at just over 11 minutes, it’s well worth a quick break to watch. Here’s the episode synopsis: Just before the arrival of a certain transfer student, three students at an academy in Paldea are tasked with making a video showcasing their school.
The reserved Ohara is a skilled flutist, but she’s feeling under pressure due to an upcoming concert. In addition, she’s doing her best to help with the video, but it just isn’t going right.
Fed up with it all, she runs away to Glaseado Mountain, under the pretext of doing the academy’s Treasure Hunt activity.
Card of the Week
This full-art Poliwhirl from Scarlet & Violet—151 is absolute drip. 💧

Random encounters around the internet
MYSTERY GIFT: Enter code L1KEAFLUTE to get a Lv. 50 Cetitan that has the Ferocious Mark and the title “Cetitan the Rampaging.” (You’ll understand after you watch the first episode of Paldean Winds).
Audios, Dexter: the Pokémon Trading Card Game Card Dex app will be removed from the App Store and Google Play Store on September 20. It allowed players to scan cards and document their card collections. Unfortunately, data is not exportable or transferable in any way.
Obscure Pokémon Fact of the Day (from u/Mx_Toniy_4869)

Until next time,
Cooltrainer Ace