Pokémon universe facts for kids

The Pokémon universe (fictional) consists of the Pokémon media franchise, including stories and fictional works produced by The Pokémon Company, Nintendo, Game Freak and Creatures, Inc. Insect collecting started the idea of the Pokémon Universe. It was a hobby from childhood of the creator of Pokémon, Satoshi Tajiri.

Nearly each rendition of the Pokémon franchise, including the video game series, the anime series, the manga series, the film series, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game, features these themes of gathering, training, and combat. Pokémon Trainers are portrayed by the gameplayer of the video game. There are specific quests that must be completed but all tie into the same two goals: collect every Pokémon and complete the Pokédex for that given fictional region and have the strongest Pokémon and become the strongest Trainer and win the Pokémon Championship.

Even while disputes between Trainers are frequent, the anime encourages peace between humans and Pokémon. Pokémon battles are viewed as joyful rivalries between people and other Pokémon, and they may be treated at a Pokémon Center, a hospital created just for Pokémon.

Main series regions

The Pokémon world is split into several regions, Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Alola, Galar, and Paldea. Off these regions are islands that are not part of any region, grouped together to create one small region like the Orange Islands and the Sevii Islands. There are some major differences between the regions, such as what Pokémon are located there and what legends there are waiting to be uncovered.

Earth and the Pokémon universe are very similar in looks. Forests can be found, with an almost never-ending looking tree line. Long beachfronts and deserts make up much more of the landscape. The large amount of tall grass that grows around forests and rainforests also provide shelter for wild Pokémon. Several features seen in the Pokémon universe resemble oceans, mountains, and inhabitable areas with livable temperatures to support life. The Hoenn and Sinnoh regions include a variety of diverse landscapes.

Each of the main series generation releases shows a new region although you cannot reach but one region in each game. A majority of the regions stick to the fictional universe, even the Pokémon anime and spin-off games. One exception is that Kanto can be accessed from Johto and vice versa via the sea in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold and SoulSilver versions.

Many challenges (Gyms, Contests, and villainous teams) must be completed while catching the different types of Pokemon that are found in each region. Different types of helpful items, characters, and tips can be found in each region as well. The earliest regions were introduced as being based on parts of Japan (Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh) and later regions being based on parts of the United States (Unova and Alola), France (Kalos), the United Kingdom (Galar), and the Iberian Peninsula (Paldea). Every region consists of several cities and towns.

Pokémon world in relation to the real world

Pokémon region	Real world location basis
Kanto Sevii Islands	Kantō, Japan Izu Islands and Bonin Islands, Japan
Johto	Kansai, Japan
Hoenn	Kyushu, Japan
Sinnoh/Hisui Battle Zone	Hokkaido, Japan Sakhalin, Russia
Unova	New York City, United States
Kalos	Metropolitan France
Alola	Hawaii, United States
Galar Isle of Armor Crown Tundra	England and Wales, United Kingdom Isle of Man Scotland, United Kingdom
Paldea	Spain and Portugal (Iberian Peninsula)

Kanto

The Kanto region is the setting of Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow and their remakes, Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. Based on and named after the Kantō region of Japan, this setting started the precedent of basing the geography and culture of the game's region on a real-world setting. This region is also visited in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold and SoulSilver.

Sevii Islands

Johto

The Johto region is the setting of the second generation of Pokémon games, which includes Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal and their remakes, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. Again, based on an area of Japan, this game's geography is based upon the Kansai, Tokai and eastern Shikoku areas of the country. The game setting draws upon the Kansai region's abundance of temples, the architectural design of the Kansai region and its geographical sights, such as Mount Fuji and the Naruto whirlpools.

Hoenn

A map of the Hoenn Region

The Hoenn region is the setting of the third generation of Pokémon games, Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, as well as their remakes Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. This time being based on the Japanese island of Kyushu; the real world and game region share an abundance of smaller islands around the main one and a subtropical climate. Like Sinnoh, this region is known to have a large range of various natural environments, such as rainforests and deserts.

Sinnoh

The Sinnoh region is the setting of the fourth generation of Pokémon games, which encompasses the setting of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum, as well as their remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It is based on the northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaidō. The region was meant to have a "northern" feel, with some routes being entirely covered in snow.

Battle Zone

The Battle Zone (Japanese: バトルゾーン Battle Zone) is a sub-region of Sinnoh located on a separate landmass northeast of the mainland. Three settlements are located in the Battle Zone: the Fight Area, which holds the entrance to the Battle Tower in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and the Battle Frontier in Pokémon Platinum; the Resort Area, where one can find the Ribbon Syndicate; and finally the Survival Area, home in Platinum to the Battleground and a Move Tutor's home.

Unova

The Unova region is the setting of the fifth generation of Pokémon games, which encompasses the setting of Pokémon Black and White and their sequels Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. For the first time in the main series, the region was based on a region outside Japan, with Unova taking inspiration from the New York metropolitan area.

Kalos

The Kalos region is the setting of the sixth generation of Pokémon games, which is where the games Pokémon X and Y take place. This region is inspired almost entirely by the northern half of Metropolitan France, with landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles having representations here, along with a French style of music and fashion. According to Junichi Masuda, the name "Kalos" comes from the Greek word κάλλος, 'beauty'. The Kalos Pokémon League is based on the Notre-Dame de Paris due to its castle/cathedral-like exterior.

Alola

The Alola region is the setting of the seventh generation of Pokémon games, Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. This region is based on Hawaii, marking the second time a main entry Pokémon game setting has been inspired by a U.S. state. The name itself is a play on aloha, the Hawaiian word for both "hello" and "goodbye".

Galar

The Galar region is the setting of the eighth generation of Pokémon games, which is where the games Pokémon Sword and Shield take place. This region is primarily inspired by Great Britain (mainly England and parts of Scotland), showcasing landmarks inspired by Big Ben and Hadrian's Wall. Two additional areas, The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra, are based on the Isle of Man and Scotland respectively. The Galar Region was also introduced in Pokémon Journeys.

Paldea

The Paldea region is the setting of the ninth generation Pokémon games Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. The region seems to be based on the Iberian Peninsula, which encompasses both Spain and Portugal.

Spinoff regions

Pokémon Island

Fiore

The Fiore region is where the Nintendo DS spin-off game Pokémon Ranger takes place. Its name is Italian for "flower".

Almia

The Almia region is where the Nintendo DS spin-off game Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia takes place. The region is similar to Fiore, in that Pokémon Rangers are present instead of Trainers. One of the features of the region is a school.

Oblivia

The Oblivia region is where the Nintendo DS spin-off game Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs takes place. This region is an archipelago composed of several islands located far to the south of both Fiore and Almia. It has many ruins and legends.

Orre

The Orre region is where the Nintendo GameCube spin-off games Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness take place. It is based on Arizona.

Trading Card Game Islands

The Trading Card Game Islands are where the Pokémon Trading Card Game and its sequel, Pokémon Card GB2: Great Rocket-Dan Sanjō! take place.

GR Island

Tumblecube Island

Tumblecube Island is an area exclusively explored in Pokémon Quest. All of the Pokémon in that game are in voxel/cube-like shapes, unlike the other games.

Holon

Holon is a region introduced and explored exclusively in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It is a known habitat of the unusual δ Delta Species Pokémon, also introduced in the TCG.

Ransei

Ferrum

Pasio

Pasio is a region introduced in the mobile gacha game "Pokémon Masters EX," which was originally called "Pokémon Masters". It is an artificial island made by the soon-to-be King of Pasio, Lear. This region, being man-made, does not have any natural wild Pokémon. Hoopa is thought to have brought some of the citizens there, which include Gym Leaders, Elite Four Members, and even Champions from the eight main regions of the franchise.

Aeos Island

Aeos is an island introduced in the MOBA game Pokémon Unite. A mysterious energy known as Aeos energy permeates the island, making Pokémon stronger and giving them enhanced abilities. Trainers from around the world come here to compete in Unite Battles and to harness Aeos energy.

In-universe chronology

According to dialogue in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Platinum, and Legends: Arceus, the in-game lore suggest that the Pokémon universe was created by a creator deity and Pokémon Arceus, a creature described as "The Original One". Several other Pokémon were made by Arceus: Dialga, the embodiment of time, Palkia, the embodiment of space, and Giratina, the embodiment of antimatter, who was banished to another dimension. Arceus then created Azelf, Mesprit and Uxie; the spirits of willpower, emotion and knowledge respectively. At this early time, Mew, the ancestor of Pokémon, appeared in the universe. After creating the Pokémon world, Arceus went into an eternal sleep.

After Arceus' creation, Groudon, embodiment of the land; Kyogre, embodiment of the sea; and Rayquaza, embodiment of the sky; were born. They are sometimes unofficially known as "the weather trio", as each of these Pokémon possess weather-changing abilities. The clash of these three Pokémon was said to have created much of the Earth's surface. Mt. Coronet was created at this point of time as Regigigas moved landmass to form continents and regions. Stark Mountain and Heatran were also created at this time.

Many years after, the prehistoric era began and the first prehistoric Pokémon came into being. The games state that scientists proved that prehistoric Pokémon roamed the land, as Fossils and other paleontological remains have been found to contain the DNA of Pokémon. The Mew population on the planet may have decreased at this stage, as they slowly gave way to other Pokémon species.

Evolution

According to the in-game myths of Sinnoh, Pokémon and people were originally the same species. Mew is the ancestor of all Pokémon, and the first human recording was in the Stone Age, millions of years before the modern era.

Works

Video game series

• Pokémon video game series
  • List of Pokémon video games

Animated series and films

• Pokémon television series
• Pokémon film series

Card game and board game

• Pokémon Trading Card Game
  • List of Pokémon Trading Card Game sets
• Pokémon Trading Figure Game

Books and manga

• List of Pokémon books
• Pokémon manga
  • Pokémon Adventures

Detective Pikachu game and film

• Detective Pikachu (video game)
• Detective Pikachu (live-action film)