Pokémon players are speaking up against The Pokémon Company (TPC). They’re unhappy with how things work in Asia’s competitive scene. They’re upset about unclear rules, unfair game setups, and feeling ignored.
Recently, four top players from Korea faced a severe penalty. They got banned from all future Pokémon Korea (TPCK) events. This happened after they used only Metronome move teams in a major tournament as a form of protest. Metronome picks moves by chance, making the game about luck, not skill.
This protest highlights a big problem. In Asia, tournaments often use a one-round knockout system. This setup relies more on luck than the best-of-three formats elsewhere. Players believe this isn’t fair.
Support for the protest is growing. Some players are thinking of using Metronome teams at the World Championships. One player even brought such a team to the Milwaukee Regionals.
Players are also creating art and clothes to protest. They’re using a quote from TPC’s COO, Takato Utsunomiya, about wanting more Asian players involved. But actions speak louder than words. Players feel TPC’s actions are pushing them away, not welcoming them.
One Taiwanese player, Yang-Jie Huang, is making clothes and stickers featuring the protest. He plans to share them at the World Championships in Yokohama, Japan. It’s a big risk. TPC might not like it, and there could be more bans.
Pokémon fans everywhere are watching. They want a fair and welcoming game for everyone, no matter where they’re from. This movement shows players won’t stay quiet when things aren’t right. They’re ready to stand up for a better Pokémon community.