“Pokeverse” a Pokemon fan convention held in partnership with the Make-A-Wish foundation, has become a viral disaster comparable to the infamous Glasgow Willy Wonka rip-off experience.

The convention was held in Mandaluyong, Manila, and was advertised by the organizers as “the premier Pokémon-themed expo in the Philippines made by fans for fans!”, featuring cosplay contests, game tournaments, as well as celebrity guest appearances from Veronica Taylor, one of Ash Ketchum’s voice actors, as well as Jason Paige, singer of the original Pokemon anime English theme song.

However, as documented by BintuRina on X/Twitter, the convention was not only smaller than advertised, but also had very little Pokemon-theming. BintuRina also criticized the organizers for poor management of the event, including concerns over security and child safety.

You can read BintuRina’s full account of the event here, or check out some highlights below:

Let's talk about POKEVERSE PH
THE POKÉMON THEMED WONKA-DASHCON-FYRE FESTIVAL of the PHILIPPINES

Let me take you on a day by day journey through the PREMIER POKÉMON EXPO!

‼️A MEGA THREAD‼️ pic.twitter.com/H38b4pLL6T

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

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

There was also an art gallery that was selling pokemon paintings but for some reason their table was like, 5 meters away from art gallery

The prices of the paintings weren't even on the paintings, they were at the table so you had to walk the stretch to even check pic.twitter.com/VjICUToSwg

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

After getting a star and finally entering the venue you are greeted with the most marvelous sight….

Welcome back dashcon.

"Try the inflatables! Theyre fun"

An organizer says to me while I watch in amazement. The pumps inflating these beauties sound like jets. pic.twitter.com/E35Ss7xUhV

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

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

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

Following this viral thread, the Pokeverse organisers issued an apology to BintuRina, admitting that they needed more time to prepare and would investigate her concerns.

Pokeverse responded with this. pic.twitter.com/UPzHKKGVNt

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

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.