Pokémon Fan Convention Is Being Compared to the Fyre Festival Amid Online Backlash

Pokémon fans in the Philippines gathered to attend a convention known as Pokéverse last week, but what they found was an experience that’s already being compared to catastrophes like the Willy Wonka Experience and Fyre Festival.

The Pokéverse website called the event the “premier Pokémon-themed expo in the Philippines made by fans for fans.” Included in its attractions were promises of officially licensed collectibles, quests, cosplay contests, Pokémon tournaments, and even live music. It even told fans to expect meetups with iconic stars from Pokémon history, including original Ash Ketchum voice actress Veronica Taylor and the singer of the Pokémon anime theme song, Jason Paige.

When attendees finally arrived at the SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall in Mandaluyong on Friday, May 31, they were apparently met with late start times, large open areas that offered few Pokémon-themed activities, mis-communicated events, and an individual who is being called “The Ravioli Man.”

While Taylor and Paige were indeed on-site for fans to interact with, many have taken to social media to air their grievances with Pokéverse and those who organized it.

Eventually RAVIOLI MAN was escorted out but only after he took a sponge and started rubbing it on one of the sponsors booths.

Though later in the EXPO, security still let him back in.

I thought ticket rates were going into Crowd control and security?

— Rita WAS @ POKEVERSE (@BintuRita) June 4, 2024

One attendee was Pokémon fan and cartoonist on X/Twitter, @BintuRita. She says the convention seemed to have been “extremely downsized” from what was initially promised, while one large area was dedicated to event sponsor Frigga, a company that sells Chinese zodiac lucky charms. Meanwhile, another convention activity that was said to be a “Pokémon Themed Baking Session (DIY Event)” was later revealed to be a promotion for a cake and drink printing service.

The second day of the event apparently revealed more inconsistencies and oddities, with one notable example being an open space filled with inflatable activities that had no clear tie to Pokémon. Rita says the diversions sounded “like jets,” adding that a nearby resting area was swarmed with a “relentless” camera crew that filmed every second of the event they could.

FOR SOME REASON THE CAMERA CREW WOULD NOT LEAVE THE REST AREA ALONE.

THERE WERE CHILDREN LYING DOWN ALONE ON BEANBAGS AND COSPLAYERS MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO THEIR OUTFITS IN THIS AREA.

THIS PLACE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A NO PHOTOGRAPHY ZONE BUT CAMERAMEN IN THIS EVENT WERE RELENTLESS

— Rita WAS @ POKEVERSE (@BintuRita) June 4, 2024

In addition to claims of poor security, lackluster activities, and more, Pokéverse came under fire due to its ticket prices. The Pokéverse website had listed a standard 1-Day Pass for ₱1,000 (around $17 USD), while a 3-Day Pass cost ₱3,000 (around $50) and a VIP 3-Day Pass asked for ₱19,500 (around $330). While some believed the higher costs were to support more expensive attractions, such as appearances from Taylor and Paige, the Ash Ketchum actor says she wasn’t compensated for her time at Pokéverse.

Pokéverse eventually responded to one of Rita’s posts with an explanation and promise to offer better events in the future. It also acknowledged that it would remove a video of contestants singing on camera but made no mention of whether it would remove footage that was captured without consent.

“It’s our first event with very little time to prepare but we do agree that a lot of things need to be improved for another season,” Pokeverse said, “but we appreciate your participation and will continue take your feedback to do better next time.”

I looked up in Sheer. Horror.

Immunocompromised, terminally ill children were escorted onto the stage wearing medical face masks. One of them COULDN’T STAND (they had to get them a chair).

WHAT ON EARTH WAS POKEVERSE THINKING EXPOSING THESE KIDS TO AN ENTIRE CROWD OF PEOPLE??!? pic.twitter.com/vFcldLdcUE

— Rita WAS @ POKEVERSE (@BintuRita) June 4, 2024

While many came away from the convention with concerns, there are many videos online from those who enjoyed meeting up with Taylor, Paige, and other Pokémon fans at the event. IGN has reached out to Pokémon, Pokéverse, and Taylor for comment.

For more on other events that have faced criticism in the past, you can read up on our coverage of the Willy Wonka Experience.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.

Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.