Pokemon Regions

Pokemon regions are the fictional geographical areas in which Pokemon games take place. Each region introduces new Pokemon, characters, and storylines while featuring distinct geography, culture, and themes. Most regions are based on real-world locations.

Overview

Total Regions9 main regions
First RegionKanto (1996)
Latest RegionPaldea (2022)
Common FeaturesPokemon League, Gym Leaders, Professor

All Main Regions

RegionBased OnGenerationGames
KantoKanto, JapanIRed/Blue/Yellow, FireRed/LeafGreen, Let's Go
JohtoKansai, JapanIIGold/Silver/Crystal, HeartGold/SoulSilver
HoennKyushu, JapanIIIRuby/Sapphire/Emerald, Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire
SinnohHokkaido, JapanIVDiamond/Pearl/Platinum, BDSP, Legends: Arceus
UnovaNew York City, USAVBlack/White, Black 2/White 2
KalosFranceVIX/Y
AlolaHawaii, USAVIISun/Moon, Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon
GalarUnited KingdomVIIISword/Shield
PaldeaIberian PeninsulaIXScarlet/Violet

Region Details

Kanto

AttributeDetails
Based OnKanto region, Japan
GenerationI
Pokemon151 original
Gym Leaders8
ProfessorProfessor Oak
ChampionBlue/Lance

Notable Locations

  • Pallet Town (starting town)
  • Viridian Forest
  • Mt. Moon
  • Cerulean Cave (Mewtwo)
  • Pokemon League (Indigo Plateau)
  • Cinnabar Island

Johto

AttributeDetails
Based OnKansai region, Japan
GenerationII
Pokemon100 new (251 total)
Gym Leaders8
ProfessorProfessor Elm
ChampionLance

Notable Locations

  • New Bark Town (starting town)
  • Ilex Forest (Celebi)
  • Ecruteak City (legendary towers)
  • Whirl Islands (Lugia)
  • Mt. Silver (Red battle)
  • Connected to Kanto

Hoenn

AttributeDetails
Based OnKyushu, Japan
GenerationIII
Pokemon135 new (386 total)
Gym Leaders8
ProfessorProfessor Birch
ChampionSteven/Wallace

Notable Locations

  • Littleroot Town (starting town)
  • Mt. Chimney
  • Sootopolis City (underwater city)
  • Sky Pillar (Rayquaza)
  • Cave of Origin
  • Battle Frontier (Emerald)

Sinnoh

AttributeDetails
Based OnHokkaido, Japan
GenerationIV
Pokemon107 new (493 total)
Gym Leaders8
ProfessorProfessor Rowan
ChampionCynthia

Notable Locations

  • Twinleaf Town (starting town)
  • Mt. Coronet
  • Spear Pillar (Dialga/Palkia)
  • Snowpoint Temple
  • Distortion World (Giratina)
  • Battle Zone

Unova

AttributeDetails
Based OnNew York City, USA
GenerationV
Pokemon156 new (649 total)
Gym Leaders8
ProfessorProfessor Juniper
ChampionAlder/Iris

Notable Locations

  • Nuvema Town (starting town)
  • Castelia City (largest city)
  • Dragonspiral Tower
  • N's Castle
  • White Forest/Black City
  • Unova is isolated from other regions

Kalos

AttributeDetails
Based OnFrance
GenerationVI
Pokemon72 new (721 total)
Gym Leaders8
ProfessorProfessor Sycamore
ChampionDiantha

Notable Locations

  • Vaniville Town (starting town)
  • Lumiose City (Paris-inspired)
  • Tower of Mastery
  • Team Flare Secret HQ
  • Pokemon Village
  • Friend Safari

Alola

AttributeDetails
Based OnHawaii, USA
GenerationVII
Pokemon88 new (809 total)
StructureIsland Trials (no gyms)
ProfessorProfessor Kukui
ChampionPlayer/Kukui

Notable Locations

  • Iki Town (starting town)
  • Four islands (Melemele, Akala, Ula'ula, Poni)
  • Altar of the Sunne/Moone
  • Ultra Space
  • Aether Paradise
  • Battle Tree

Galar

AttributeDetails
Based OnUnited Kingdom
GenerationVIII
Pokemon96 new (905 total)
Gym Leaders8 (version-exclusive)
ProfessorProfessor Magnolia/Sonia
ChampionLeon

Notable Locations

  • Postwick (starting town)
  • Wild Area (open world)
  • Wyndon (London-inspired)
  • Energy Plant
  • Crown Tundra (DLC)
  • Isle of Armor (DLC)

Paldea

AttributeDetails
Based OnIberian Peninsula (Spain/Portugal)
GenerationIX
Pokemon120 new (1,025 total)
StructureOpen world, three storylines
ProfessorProfessor Sada/Turo
ChampionGeeta

Notable Locations

  • Cabo Poco (starting area)
  • Mesagoza (academy city)
  • Area Zero (crater)
  • Tera Raid dens
  • Kitakami (DLC)
  • Blueberry Academy (DLC)

Regional Features

Pokemon League Structure

RegionStructure
Kanto-Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Galar8 Gyms + Elite Four + Champion
AlolaIsland Trials + Kahunas
Paldea8 Gyms + Champion Assessment

Regional Professors

RegionProfessorSpecialty
KantoOakPokemon-Human relationships
JohtoElmPokemon breeding
HoennBirchPokemon habitats
SinnohRowanPokemon evolution
UnovaJuniperPokemon origins
KalosSycamoreMega Evolution
AlolaKukuiPokemon moves
GalarMagnoliaDynamax
PaldeaSada/TuroTerastallization

Evil Teams by Region

RegionTeamGoal
KantoTeam RocketPokemon theft, profit
JohtoTeam RocketRevival
HoennTeam Magma/AquaExpand land/sea
SinnohTeam GalacticCreate new universe
UnovaTeam PlasmaPokemon liberation
KalosTeam FlareWorld beautification
AlolaTeam Skull/AetherChaos/Research
GalarTeam YellSupport Marnie
PaldeaTeam StarRebellion

Sub-Regions and Special Areas

Special Areas

AreaRegionGames
Sevii IslandsKantoFireRed/LeafGreen
Battle FrontierHoenn/SinnohEmerald/Platinum/HGSS
White Forest/Black CityUnovaBlack/White
Ultra SpaceAlolaUSUM
Wild AreaGalarSword/Shield
Area ZeroPaldeaScarlet/Violet

DLC Areas

AreaRegionContent
Isle of ArmorGalarKubfu/Urshifu
Crown TundraGalarCalyrex, legendary raids
KitakamiPaldeaOgerpon
Blueberry AcademyPaldeaTerapagos

Region Connectivity

Connected Regions

RegionsConnection
Kanto + JohtoDirectly connected, accessible in Gen II/IV
Orre + Hoenn/KantoGameCube games connect
Hisui = Ancient SinnohSame location, different time

Isolated Regions

  • Unova is notably distant from other regions
  • Alola's island chain is isolated
  • Galar and Paldea are also separate

Geographic Inspirations

Japanese Regions

RegionReal LocationKey Features
KantoKanto, JapanUrban, classic
JohtoKansai, JapanTraditional, temples
HoennKyushu, JapanTropical, volcanic
SinnohHokkaido, JapanNorthern, cold

International Regions

RegionReal LocationKey Features
UnovaNew York CityUrban, diverse
KalosFranceElegant, artistic
AlolaHawaiiIslands, beaches
GalarUnited KingdomIndustrial, royal
PaldeaIberian PeninsulaOpen, historic

See Also

References

  1. ^Pokemon Game Series — Game Freak / Nintendo (1996-2024)
  2. ^Official Pokemon Website — The Pokemon Company (2024)
  3. ^Pokemon Regions — Bulbapedia (2024)
  4. ^Pokemon Game Locations — Serebii.net (2024)