Thank you for the public service that this was a thing!

Thank you for coming to this meeting today. Nobody asked for it and I sent you the Outlook request last minute on a Sunday, so it’s wild anybody showed up. Just please consider Pokémon next time you get to alter reality!

At the end of the day, what the Pokémon world brings is it is caring, comfortable, and adventurous. Maybe at times it lacks some of the excitement of other fictional worlds, but what it brings is an experience you get to ACTUALLY and STATISTICALLY benefit from and enjoy.

6 cont.) Out hiking and need a fire set up? Easy with any fire type! Need to get somewhere to meet a friend? You can fly there quickly on a bird or dragon (if not taking public transit)! Need help taking care of household chores like watering plants? Almost too many options!

6) As a final positive, though, Pokémon are often thought of for battling, but purely practically, they are perfect companions! Friendly, intelligent and caring, but also able to help with tasks of daily living that allow the adventuring shown in the series.

5c) That being said, at least you will not find yourself in a world-ending scenario where you have zero means of engaging with it. You are a part of the world and have Pokémon of your own, so you at least have the tools to understand, relate to, and help the situation.

5b) When we get into the legendary Pokémon, apocalypse events are possible. The games and movies deal with these through their plots and require protagonists to save the day. This more puts Pokémon on par with other universes than anything, but still, you’re not 100% safe here.

5a) Organized crime does plague the world. Team Rocket, and more are active and problematic. They clearly also will target children, but their main goal is often poaching as opposed to violent crime. While some are inept, others are more capable. Caution is required.

5) The world is also rather safe in comparison to some of the other popular choices, but… honestly this point breaks down a bit. While 10 year olds are regularly leaving home to go on grand adventures around a country that clearly cares about their safety, there are issues.

4) As mentioned previously and in stark contrast to these other fictional worlds, almost everyone has a Pokémon companion, if not multiple. The resource that makes the world unique is not limited to a chosen few, so you basically are assured to be part of the world’s in-group.

3) Walkable. Cities. Pokémon is full of them! Not only are these communities walkable, but they have expansive bike infrastructure, towns are connected safely via maintained walking paths and trails, AND many regions have high-volume, eco-friendly public transit systems too.

2) The Pokémon world provides free or low cost healthcare! Not to be too American, but it’s hard not to value that when you see the alternative. Humans aren’t often seen receiving care in the series, but we’ll assume here based on the precedent set by Pokémon Centers.

1) Pokémon are cute and fun and unique creatures! Friendship and companionship is the main thrust of the entire series and often a central teaching of all protagonists and allies in the series. This is a world that values kindness above everything.

But it doesn’t necessarily end there as the Pokémon world has lots of additional benefits to offer its inhabitants!

2) Low stakes. While some Pokémon can be quite dangerous and the plot of the movies and games can trend towards cataclysmic events, most of the stories have incredibly low stakes.

1) Having a Pokémon is not special, so high likelihood that you get to enjoy and be a part of the central pillar of what makes the world unique.