Ball State Pokémon fans celebrate cards, cartoons, nostalgia

The Pokémon Trainer’s Union president has been fascinated since 1998. When Nintendo introduced the “Pokémon” craze to the U.S., it captivated him with a television show, a card game, video games, movies and a Snorlax’s weight worth of merchandise. Fifteen years later, Nate Golub, a senior, addressed fellow “Pokémon” enthusiasts in a Burkhardt Building lecture hall. Students glanced up from their games to acknowledge announcements about new “Pokémon” cards and upcoming tournaments rolling across a screen in a classic Gameboy font. Pokémon Trainer’s Union gives fans, such as Megan Kalman and Will Voss, a place to explore their hobby together. Voss, a senior genetics, biochemistry and pre-med major, said he likes “Pokémon” because he can personalize each of his teams to suit his identity. Kalman, a junior early childhood and special education major, said she thinks the fictional creatures are adorable. “I just like the cuteness of all of the pokémon,” she said. “It’s been my whole life — I grew up with the TV show and the games.” Golub described “Pokémon” as his No. 1 passion in life. “It was just something that never really got old for me,” he said. “And as I got older, and I noticed other people didn’t really like it anymore, I just kept holding onto it,” Golub said he appreciates the franchise because of its themes of friendship and working tirelessly toward goals. He also said “Pokémon” offered relief during hard times in his childhood. “It was really nice as a kid to be stressed out with something and just escaping into that world for a short time and not having to worry about anything except which pokémon I was catching next or how I was going to beat the next gym leader,” he said. Other students reminisced about “Pokémon”’s presence in their youth. Jack Bowen, a sophomore English and Japanese major, said he collected “Pokémon” cards as a kid. He played the card game with his older brother and other kids in his neighborhood. Golub founded the Pokémon Trainer’s Union in February after visiting Pennsylvania State University for a “Human vs. Zombies” invitational. At the invitational, a large, live-action “Pokémon” role-playing game inspired him. “I also made it with the base intent of just bringing people together,” he said. “Everyone who loves ‘Pokémon’ can come together and share and revel in that love and that interest.” Golub said his mission to found the group was difficult because potential faculty advisers ran away at the mention of “Pokémon.” He found a willing partner in Japanese professor Guohe Zheng, who acts as a faculty adviser for both the Pokémon Trainer’s Union and the Japanese Animation Society. Zheng said he interacts with Golub on a daily basis. “I believe I have been the adviser of student organizations for more than 15 years and this is the most active club,” Zheng said. Golub said Zheng is active in his role as faculty adviser. “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him,” Golub said. “He’s actually taken the time to read his son’s ‘Pokémon’ books to learn about ‘Pokémon’ so he could help out and know what he was fostering.” Every meeting follows a rotating set of themes including the anime and manga of “Pokémon,” the trading card game, the video games and a random special event based on what week of the month it is. “The great thing about ‘Pokémon’ is it’s such a big fan franchise that the possibilities are endless,” he said. The Pokémon Trainer’s Union meets from 7-10 p.m. Thursdays in the Burkhardt Building Room 100.