I wish I hadn’t seen it. In fact, if I had waited until the episode dropped on Netflix, I might have been even happier.

But it was spoiled. The people of Shibuya had it plastered all over the giant screens downtown. It’s official.

Ash Ketchum is the strongest Pokémon trainer in the world, defeating the literally unstoppable Leon to claim the title in a heartfelt, wonderful tribute to everything this series has done.

I’ll still watch the episode when it drops here in the states, probably some time next year. I’ll still watch it with my boys. Still get excited over the twists and turns. Still get pumped when he finally wins (which, duh, is happening).

But I think learning this now, in the critical year of my life, 35, is important. 25 years is a long time for a journey, but I’m happy to have been part of it. Now to see what can happen when you stick to something, even in fiction (especially in fiction), is enough of motivation for me to keep going.

35 isn’t done. I got a lot to do.

(Doing NaNoWriMo? Find me here.)

Thanks for reading,

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Contact: robertmichaelacosta@gmail.com