For a while I've been trying to make friends outside of school. I''l be going to a pre-release alone again this month and I don't want to be alone (I usually go with my cousin). I'm extremely socially awkward. How can I approach people properly and maybe start a group?
So are we requiring people who are really into Pokémon?
The easiest way is likely going to be the hardest for you: just be friendly and open with people. I say that as a confusing mess that appears to be an extrovert because I just can't stop talking but am probably closer to an introvert. I just talk a lot and when nervous ramble even more unless I make myself be silent (no happy middle ground).
Spending time around others is also important; there is a reason why most people develop friends with schoolmates, coworkers, people from their church, etc. Even when you've got more general friends, it is likely a person will develop "school friends", "homeroom friends", "work friends", and so on and so forth. If you just want them to go to Pokémon events... maybe you don't need friends so much as to get over going by yourself. I mean, it just seems to be kind of needy or demanding. It is a lot more fun doing these things with friends, but making more friends in general should help with finding a few that will share hobbies with you. Plus even some of my borderline friends were willing to do stuff that they weren't especially into just because they knew their friends loved it.