I finally met Jason Paige!

Picture this: It's June 22nd, 2023, and I'm at Nishi Market, heart racing with anticipation. But let's rewind a little, shall we?

Flashback to a few months back, April 2023. Jason Paige, the voice behind the iconic Pokémon theme song, was in the Netherlands. I couldn't make it to his event, and boy, did I regret it. But guess what? Destiny had a plot twist waiting for me. As I scrolled through Instagram, a post by Rotterdam Comics caught my eye. Jason Paige was making a comeback, and this time, I was all in.

Fast forward to June 22 2023, and there I am at Nishi Market. The owner of Rotterdam Comics, who I had been chatting with on Instagram, welcomed me. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of an unforgettable day.

Walking in, I scanned the scene. Jason's table was adorned with a treasure trove of Pokémon goodness – trading cards, VHS tapes, magazines, and more. Jason Paige Gold Cards glinted under the lights, alongside other exclusive merch. His signature banner, a staple at his events, proudly hung behind the table. The excitement in the air was palpable, with Pokémon and Jason Paige fans uniting under one roof.

Despite arriving a bit late, I held onto the hope of meeting the man himself. The schedule was a dream: Meet & Greet, live performance, and a joint viewing of Ash and Pikachu's final episode. What more could a fan ask for?

And then, it happened. The owner of Rotterdam Comics appeared by my side, introducing himself and fetching none other than Jason Paige. And there he was, the legend, greeting me with a grin. "Yea! Aruba is in the house!!!" he exclaimed, recognizing me from our online exchanges. The rush of being known by someone you admire – unforgettable.

The connection was instant. Jason Paige and I started chatting like old friends catching up. I spilled the beans about my journey from The Hague, right after work, just to meet him. Other fans joined in, some already acquainted with him, others just as starstruck as me. And then, the moment I'd been waiting for: I presented my prized possession, a Mewtwo Funko Pop! figure, for his autograph.

Jason's signature graced my Funko Pop! with my name on it too and not just that, I got my hands on two Jason Paige Gold Cards – one for me and one for my fiancée, each with our name on it and a plain Jason Paige Gold Card. The excitement was through the roof. With my phone capturing every second, Jason Paige autographing the items for me, the special shout and later that evening Jason's guitar chords and his voice that filled the air. I kindly asked Jason Paige if he could do a shoutout for me and for my Facebook Page and Instagram. He kindly accepted.

We watched Jason Paige perform Ash's "Last Goodbye" song, live and electric - in front of us. Goosebumps ran down my arms as his signature tune echoed through the room. A collective gasp, a shared smile – it was a moment forever etched in memory.

Jason took his TikTok live, giving his followers a glimpse of our gathering. Fellow fans joined in, and amidst all the laughter and selfies, the camaraderie felt incredible.

Among the fans present was another Aruban, just like me. Jason reminisced about meeting Aruban fans before, even though I had missed his previous event in April. I recalled the time I asked him about visiting Aruba during his Instagram Live. Little did I know that I would meet Jason Paige as I was hoping and wishing for.

As the day drew to a close, I thanked Jason for the magic he'd woven into those hours. For the autographs, the photos, and the genuine conversations. As I left Nishi Market, a sense of gratitude washed over me – this day was a gem, and I was grateful to have been a part of it.

June 22nd, 2023 – a day that marked a meeting of fandoms, dreams, and a genuine connection. Who could've guessed that missing one event could lead to something so spectacular? As I looked ahead to Heroes Dutch Comic Con on June 25th, I knew one thing: the journey was far from over. Jason Paige, until we meet again, keep rocking on! 🎤🎉