Story by Carlos Eddie Hernandez, Staff Writer

Photo Courtesy Buzzfeed

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first part of a series written by Staff Writer Carlos-Eddie Hernandez, as he celebrates Pokémon’s twentieth anniversary, providing the most updated information on the brand’s merchandise.

Nidorino Vs. Gengar. Two decades ago, these two creatures engaged in a battle in a game that launched an entertainment powerhouse which is still thriving. That powerhouse is Pokémon; the turn based creature-sparring game that continues to challenge trainers of all ages with the increasingly impossible task of ‘Catching them all.’

This year, the Pokémon franchise is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. And with what Pokemon has planned for this year, 2016 feels like a twentieth birthday celebration. From a massive legendary giveaway, to a real-time fighting game, to the revolutionary Pokémon GO!, this year promises to be a year that will fill the hearts of fans across the world almost as much as it will drain their wallets, like the move Giga Drain on a water type. And because I have been a dedicated fan of the franchise for over 12 years, I thought it would be an honor to bring the latest Pokémon news to you all. So, join me, won’t you? The year of Pokémon has just begun! And what better way to start the year of much news than…

Mew: a creature so elusive, so rare, and so immersed with legend it is the object of many trainers’ affections. It’s more than just legendary Pokémon, it is a Pokémon that hides deep, deep, deeeeeep in the most remote realms of the Pokémon universe. It is part of an elite club known as the Event Pokémon.

These creatures are so rare, they make normal legendaries seem like easy captures. This secret society of Pokémon have sorely tested the will of trainers to complete their Pokedex throughout the years…until now.

You heard me right. During the year of 2016, these Pokémon are coming out of their hiding places to make friends in the year-long legendary Pokémon giveaway. Starting in February with Mew, these fabled Pokémon of mystery will be available to us all at either Gamestop or the Nintendo network, depending on the event. Throughout the year, prepare to open your team and welcome Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Darkrai, Manaphy, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Keldeo, Genesect, and Meloetta, all in order of their respective months. These Pokémon will be available from the first to the twenty fourth of each respective month.

The best part? There is no catch (no pun intended)! These Pokémon are free to download when they are available. And that is just the beginning, so remember to mark your calendars and stock up your bank accounts. The year of celebration and abundant amounts of merchandise has just begun. ALL ABOARD THE HYPE TRAIN!