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Got into Pokemon in 1998 at the age of 8. Saw the anime playing early mornings on my local TV channel and got into it immediately. Back then, the eps were local syndication and reset at episode 40 or so whenever Charmeleon evolved. The next year Kids WB picked it up and aired after that and it truly became a big hit.
Got the game for christmas 1998, played it religiously with bulbasaur as my starter thereafter. Eventually as I had another gameboy and blue version my team was Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Articuno, Alakazam, and Rhydon. Was fully immersed in the peak Pokemania at the time and our schoolyard was full of the urban legends and hierarchies you had everywhere else. When the movie came out I was super psyched. I was so excited for Pokemon Stadium that I got it launch day and played it so much I strained my neck.
Was excited by Gold/Silver when it came out, but never quite got as into it as the prior games. I ultimately didn't even beat the game, and had completely stopped watching the anime around the same time. By Ruby/Sapphire I had completely lost touch with Pokemon, instead more interested by DBZ and eventually Yu-Gi-Oh.
Now approaching my mid-30s, I miss these days and times desperately. 1998-2000 Pokemania was truly a special time. The most hilarious part is It'll only gets worse.
