CINCINNATI — After years of relentless dedication, local man Jeremy Fischer, 32, announced Monday that he has finally achieved true fulfillment after catching his 900th Pokémon, confirming his belief that the secret to inner peace lies entirely within a Nintendo cartridge.

“It’s been a long journey, but I can say with certainty that nothing in life will ever top this,” said Fischer, staring in admiration at his meticulously arranged Pokédex while ignoring a pile of unpaid bills on his kitchen table. “People search for meaning in relationships, careers, even religion, but they’re all missing the point—it’s about capturing every last one of these little guys.”

Friends and family report that Fischer, once burdened by existential dread, now moves through life with an air of serene confidence typically reserved for monks or retirees who just bought a boat. “I used to lie awake at night, wondering what my purpose was,” he said. “But then I caught a shiny Gyarados, and suddenly, everything clicked.”

Experts suggest that Pokémon’s ability to provide structure, achievable goals, and a clear sense of progress makes it a superior source of fulfillment compared to traditional pursuits like professional success or personal growth.

“The human brain craves a sense of accomplishment,” said psychologist Dr. Elaine Browning. “Earning a degree takes years, but evolving a Magikarp? That’s just a few hours of grinding. Which one sounds more rewarding to you?”

At press time, Fischer was seen quietly contemplating whether true happiness required catching all regional variants as well, before shrugging and concluding that enlightenment is a lifelong journey.