1973 Indigo Plateau Conference Pre-Tournament Write-up

By Ishiro Tsuburaya

6 December 1973

This tournament conference will mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Indigo League, the first professional league for competitive Pokemon battling in the world, and it comes as no surprise to me or other followers of the sport that the level of skill for this particular year has set a new standard.

The world of Pokemon battling is constantly changing. It seems that a week can't pass without some record being broken and a fresh new face capturing the spotlight. There are some who say all the media attention may cheapen the experience, spoil the young Trainers rotten, or endanger young children who would like to fancy themselves the next Pokemon Master. As a former Pokemon Trainer myself, I must disagree. After all, the entire concept of training Pokemon has always been learning to coexist with the mysterious creatures that inhabit this planet with us. Without Pokemon Trainers, much of civilization as it exists today would not have been possible.

The fact that we have no less than three returning competitors from last year at this year's Conference is a sure sign of the passion and determination these Trainers have for this sport. The tension in the air was palpable during the opening ceremony, and the battles tomorrow will be fierce. And so, I introduce to our readers the eight Trainers who will be vying for the ultimate title in Pokemon:

Satoshi Kurosawa

Age: 29

Hometown: Komiya

Satoshi Kurosawa is a Trainer who needs no introduction. He burst onto the competitive scene after single-handedly saving a group of wild Pokemon on Route 8 from illegal poachers using only his Bulbasaur. Since then, Satoshi has had a meteoric rise to the top of the Kanto Region's competitive battling community. Winning all eight Gym Badges in just six years, a new record, and an especially impressive feat given that he is a self-taught Trainer.

Satoshi's skill is undeniable, but his greatest asset may be the air of mystery around him. Satoshi as a person is remarkably private, he declined to be interviewed before the tournament. He keeps his strategy and battling style close to the vest, and his team roster is constantly changing, a habit which has lent him a significant advantage to the more entrenched and famous type-specialists who usually occupy the highest ranks of the League. There are some analysts who say Satoshi represents a new breed of Trainer: someone who moves from city to city rather than seeking an apprenticeship at a Gym, catching dozens of Pokemon, challenging every possible encounter, and learning from each experience. Tomorrow, this famous wandering hero will be put to the ultimate test.

Agatha Larkin

Age: 28

Hometown: Ecruteak City

Few Trainers in the Pokemon League instill the kind of fear that Agatha Larkin does. Taking after her father, becoming a menace to every Trainer attempting to challenge the Ecruteak Gym, Agatha has set the new standard for Ghost-type specialists in the Indigo League. Even after her injury, Agatha accumulated a jaw-dropping 95-match win streak that was only broken after she and her iconic Gengar were fought to a draw in the famous battle between her and her rival, Sam Oak, outside of Olivine City in September of this year.

Agatha's journey to the Indigo Plateau despite her disability has served as an inspiration to many and has upended certain assumptions people had about Victory Road. There are rumors that Agatha may have defied her doctors and her own father in doing so. And despite her win streak being broken, Agatha is undeterred. She expressed particular interest in rematching Sam in the Semi-Finals, which would undoubtedly prove to be a great match, if it happens.

Sam Oak

Age: 25

Hometown: Pallet Town

There is perhaps no Trainer who has been talked about more this year than Samuel Oak. A self-taught Trainer hailing from Pallet Town, Sam has scarcely spent a single day out of the spotlight, whether it was interviews with local papers or national TV spots; there isn't a single fan of Pokemon who hasn't heard the name. It's not hard to see the appeal. From overcoming childhood asthma to defeating several Trainer School students (and graduates), Sam's journey feels like something from a movie, a true underdog tale that any young boy in Kanto or Johto could aspire to.

Sam has a large and diverse roster of Pokemon which he has used throughout his career. There is truly no telling what Pokemon he will be using for this tournament, but his opponents would do well to force him to reveal his hand quickly. Otherwise, they may find themselves added to the long list of brilliant upset victories that Sam Oak has become famous for.

Kurumi Okuno

Age: 27

Hometown: Cerulean City

A former apprentice of the Cerulean Gym and an Olympic gold medalist swimmer, Kurumi Okuno continues the long tradition of Water-type specialists from the beautiful lagoon city dominating the Pokemon League. Like many of her compatriots, Kurumi got her start on the Nugget Bridge with her trusty Staryu, which led to an apprenticeship at the Cerulean Gym, which led her to the legendary Indigo Plateau.

While top-level Trainers are no strangers to Water-type specialists, Kurumi's battle style is as inventive as it is dangerous, and her competitors will need to watch out for whatever new strategy Kurumi is about to use to redefine what analysts believe the 'typical Cerulean girl' is capable of. As tenacious as she is in battle, Kurumi was noticeably jovial at the opening ceremony, taking several pictures of herself and her competitors with her 35mm camera. She has also made no attempt to keep her strategy against Blaine for tomorrow's match a secret, she was wearing a heavy raincoat and boots at the opening ceremony.

Howard Blaine

Age: 25

Hometown: Cinnabar Island

There are some who would say that juggling a career as a Pokemon Trainer and studying for a Ph. D. must be impossible. Those people have never met Howard Blaine. A native of Cinnabar Island, Howard has become famous in both the worlds of Pokemon battling and research. "Mr. Blaine dedicates himself fully to whatever he sets his mind to," Professor Gerald Rowan, Howard's colleague and world-renowned Pokemon researcher, said.

Howard combines the usual overwhelming offense of Fire-type specialists with his own brand of clever tactics to secure his place at this Conference. Howard is a close personal friend of Sam Oak and Bernhard Pryce, and it isn't hard to see why. He approaches every battle as though it were just a friendly sparring match, and he's always ready for the next challenge, win or lose.

Hirokazu Sakata

Age: 31

Hometown: Cianwood City

A 9th degree blackbelt from the Cianwood Dojo, Hirokazu Sakata has dedicated his life to perfecting his own fighting style as well as that of his Pokemon. Hirokazu is, by his own admission, a member of the old-school style of Pokemon Trainers who once dominated the landscape years ago. Coming from a long line of professional Pokemon Trainers, all of whom owned and operated the Cianwood Dojo, Hirokazu aims to succeed where his ancestors have previously only come close: claim the title of Champion of the Indigo Plateau.

As a Fighting-type specialist, Hirokazu's strategy and team are as straightforward as it gets. Hirokazu, by his own admission, relies more on intimidation and overwhelming force rather than strategy. This approach has made Hirokazu's journey rather easy at the beginning, but it will be put to the test against the finest Trainers in the Indigo League tomorrow.

Bernhard Pryce

Age: 29

Hometown: Mahogany Town

Bernhard Pryce makes history as the first Ice-type specialist to make it to the Indigo Plateau. A self-taught, but incredibly consistent Trainer, Bernhard is the only competitor in this year's conference who never failed a single Gym Challenge. He has become famous for his patient, methodical battling style that has won him many victories while specializing in a Type that rarely sees use at the highest level of Pokemon battling.

There are some rumors that Bernhard may have purposefully waited a few years before making his attempt at the Indigo Plateau. Whether this was a strategic choice, or simply Bernhard preferring to participate in a tournament along with his friends Sam and Howard, is unknown. Regardless, Bernhard is sure to provide an entertaining match in Round 1.

Ryota Kazami

Age: 35

Hometown: Goldenrod City

A top graduate of the Goldenrod City Trainer Academy, Ryota Kazami's career has landed him on the short list of Trainers who have successfully navigated Victory Road and made it to the Indigo Plateau two years in a row. Ryota's journey started when he was given an Eevee by his father; Akio Kazami, president and CEO of Kazami Automotive, which Ryota evolved into his signature Jolteon.

Despite being the oldest competitor at this particular conference, Ryota is as spontaneous and ambitious as ever. There are rumors that he may have replaced as many as three of his team members for this particular Conference. Additionally, it seems that Ryota managed to navigate Victory Road this year without encountering a single other Trainer. No doubt, Ryota doesn't plan to reveal any of his secrets until his first match tomorrow.

Bracket Seeding:

1. Satoshi Kurosawa

2. Agatha Larkin

3. Samuel Oak

4. Kurumi Okuno

5. Howard Blaine

6. Hirokazu Sakata

7. Bernhard Pryce

8. Ryota Kazami

Quarter Finals Matchups (match times are tentative):

Satoshi Kurosawa vs Ryota Kazami (8:00)

Agatha Larkin vs Bernhard Pryce (11:00)

Samuel Oak vs Hirokazu Sakata (14:00)

Kurumi Okuno vs Howard Blaine (17:00)