Pokémon Regions – The Complete Guide to the World of Pokémon

The Pokémon world is divided into diverse regions, each with its own unique character, Pokémon, and challenges for Trainers. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the major regions featured in the games, anime, and manga, describing their characteristics, inspirations, and significance to the series as a whole.

List of Pokémon Regions

Kanto – the first region

Kanto is the first accessible and most iconic region in the world of pocket-sized creatures. Introduced in Pokémon Red and Green (in Japan) and Yellow, Red, and Blue (in the West), Kanto is based on the real-life Kanto region in Japan.

Features:

• Contains 151 original Pokémon
• Main cities: Pallet Town, Viridian City, Pewter City, Cerulean City
• Important locations: Professor Oak’s laboratory, Mt. Moon, Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town

Gym Leaders:

• Brock – Pewter City Gym – Rock-type
• Misty – Cerulean City Gym – Water-type
• Lt. Surge – Vermilion City Gym – Electric-type
• Erika – Celadon City Gym – Grass-type
• Koga (Gen I) / Janine (Gen II/IV) – Fuchsia City Gym – Poison-type
• Sabrina – Saffron City Gym – Psychic-type
• Blaine – Cinnabar Island Gym – Fire-type
• Giovanni (Gen I) / Blue (Gen II/IV) – Viridian City Gym – Ground-type (Giovanni) / Miscellaneous (Blue)

The League is located on the Indigo Plateau.

Kanto is where Ash Ketchum begins his journey in the anime. The region also appears in Gold, Silver, FireRed, LeafGreen, and the video games Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!.

Johto

Johto is the second region introduced in the series, debuting in Pokémon Gold and Silver. It is located west of Kanto, and together they form a larger region inspired by central Japan. Characteristics:

• Introduces 100 new Pokémon (numbers 152-251)
• Main cities: New Bark Town, Violet City, Goldenrod City
• Important locations: Alph Ruins, Ecruteak City Bell Tower, Whirl Islands

Gym Leaders:

• Falkner – Violet City Gym – Flying-type
• Bugsy – Azalea Town Gym – Bug-type
• Whitney – Goldenrod City Gym – Normal-type
• Morty – Ecruteak City Gym – Ghost-type
• Chuck – Cianwood City Gym – Fighting-type
• Jasmine – Olivine City Gym – Steel-type
• Pryce – Mahogany Town Gym – Ice-type
• Clair – Blackthorn City Gym – Dragon-type

Shares League with Kanto (Indigo Plateau)

Johto is known for introducing the concept of the day-night cycle and Pokémon breeding. The region also appears in the HeartGold and SoulSilver remakes.

Hoenn

Hoenn is the third major region, introduced in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. Inspired by the Japanese island of Kyushu, it features a diverse landscape with abundant water.

Features:

• Introduces 135 new Pokémon (numbers 252-386)
• Major Cities: Littleroot Town, Rustboro City, Slateport City, Sootopolis City
• Notable Locations: Mt. Chimney, Meteor Falls, Underwater Ruins

Gym Leaders:

• Roxanne – Rustboro City Gym – Rock-type
• Brawly – Dewford Town Gym – Fighting-type
• Wattson – Mauville City Gym – Electric-type
• Flannery – Lavaridge Town Gym – Fire-type
• Norman – Petalburg City Gym – Normal-type
• Winona – Fortree City Gym – Flying-type
• Tate & Liza – Mossdeep City Gym – Psychic-type
• Wallace (Gen III) / Juan (Emerald/ORAS) – Sootopolis City Gym – Water-type

The league is located in Ever Grande City.

Hoenn is known for introducing Creature Contests and Double Battles. It also appears in the Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire remakes.

Sinnoh

Sinnoh is the fourth region, debuting in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Inspired by the Japanese island of Hokkaido, it features a cooler climate and mountainous landscape.

Features:

• Introduces 107 new Pokémon (numbers 387-493)
• Main cities: Twinleaf Town, Jubilife City, Hearthome City, Snowpoint City
• Notable locations: Mt. Coronet, Spear Pillar, Distortion World (in Platinum)

Gym Leaders:

• Roark – Oreburgh City Gym – Rock-type
• Gardenia – Eterna City Gym – Grass-type
• Maylene – Veilstone City Gym – Fighting-type
• Crasher Wake – Pastoria City Gym – Water-type
• Fantina – Hearthome City Gym – Ghost-type
• Byron – Canalave City Gym – Steel-type
• Candice – Snowpoint City Gym – Ice-type
• Volkner – Sunyshore City Gym – Electric-type

The League is located at the northern end of the region.

Sinnoh is known for introducing many evolutions of older Pokémon and the mythology surrounding the legendary Pokémon Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina. The region also appears in the remakes of Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which introduces a prehistoric version of Arceus known as Hisui.

Unova

Unova is the fifth major region, introduced in Pokémon Black and White. It is the first to be inspired by a location outside of Japan, namely the New York metropolitan area.

Characteristics:

• Introduces 156 new Pokémon (numbers 494-649)
• Main Cities: Nuvema Town, Castelia City, Nimbasa City, Opelucid City
• Important Locations: Dragonspiral Tower, N’s Castle, Pokémon League (on top of a mountain)

Gym Leaders:

Black & White

• Cilan/Chili/Cress (depending on starter) – Striaton City Gym – Grass/Fire/Water-type
• Lenora – Nacrene City Gym – Normal-type
• Burgh – Castelia City Gym – Bug-type
• Elesa – Nimbasa City Gym – Electric-type
• Clay – Driftveil City Gym – Ground-type
• Skyla – Mistralton City Gym – Flying-type
• Brycen – Icirrus City Gym – Ice-type
• Drayden/Iris (depending on version) – Opelucid City Gym – Dragon-type

Black 2 & White 2

• Cheren – Aspertia City Gym – Normal
• Roxie – Virbank City Gym – Poison
• Burgh – Castelia City Gym – Bug
• Elesa – Nimbasa City Gym – Electric
• Clay – Driftveil City Gym – Ground
• Skyla – Mistralton City Gym – Flying
• Drayden – Opelucid City Gym – Dragon
• Marlon – Humilau City Gym – Water

The League is located in the northern part of the region.

Unova is distinguished by its more urbanized character and the introduction of triple and rotational battles. It also appears in the sequels Black 2 and White 2.

Kalos

Kalos is the sixth land, debuting in Pokémon X and Y. It is inspired by France, with the central city, Lumiose City, modeled after Paris.

Characteristics:

• Introduces 72 new Pokémon (numbers 650-721)
• Main cities: Vaniville Town, Lumiose City, Shalour City, Anistar City
• Important locations: Prism Tower, Pokémon Village, Championship Tower

Gym Leaders:

• Viola – Santalune City Gym – Bug-Type
• Grant – Cyllage City Gym – Rock-Type
• Korrina – Shalour City Gym – Fighting-Type
• Ramos – Coumarine City Gym – Grass-Type
• Clemont – Lumiose City Gym – Electric-Type
• Valerie – Laverre City Gym – Fairy-Type
• Olympia – Anistar City Gym – Psychic-Type
• Wulfric – Snowbelle City Gym – Ice-Type

The League is located in the central area.

Kalos introduces the concept of Mega Evolution and the Fairy type. This region is known for its beautiful architecture and diverse landscapes.

Alola

Alola is the seventh major region, introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon. It is inspired by Hawaii and consists of four main islands and several smaller ones.

Features:

• Introduces 88 new Pokémon (numbers 722-809)
• Main islands: Melemele, Akala, Ula’ula, Poni
• Important locations: Aether Paradise, Ultra Space, Mount Lanakila

Instead of Gyms:

Note: There are no traditional Gyms in Alola; instead, there are Trials with Captains and Grand Trials with Kahunas.

Kahunas (Grand Trials):

• Hala – Melemele Island – Fighting
• Olivia – Akala Island – Rock
• Nanu – Ula’ula Island – Dark
• Hapu – Poni Island – Ground

Captains (Trials):

• Ilima – Melemele Island – Normal
• Lana – Akala Island – Water
• Kiawe – Akala Island – Fire
• Mallow – Akala Island – Grass
• Sophocles – Ula’ula Island – Electric
• Acerola – Ula’ula Island – Ghost
• Mina – Poni Island – Fairy

The League is established at the end of the game on Mount Lanakila.

Alola introduces regional forms of Kanto Pokémon, trials instead of traditional Gyms, and Z-Moves. This region also appears in the sequels Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

Galar

Galar is the eighth region, debuting in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Inspired by Great Britain, it features a blend of modernity and tradition.

Features:

• Introduces 89 new Pokémon (numbers 810-898)
• Major Cities: Postwick, Motostoke, Hammerlocke, Wyndon
• Important Locations: Wild Area, Dynamax-capable stadiums, Slumbering Weald

Gym Leaders:

• Milo – Turffield Stadium – Grass
• Nessa – Hulbury Stadium – Water
• Kabu – Motostoke Stadium – Fire
• Bea (Sword) / Allister (Shield) – Stow-on-Side Stadium – Fighting / Ghost
• Opal – Ballonlea Stadium – Fairy
• Gordie (Sword) / Melony (Shield) – Circhester Stadium – Rock / Ice
• Piers – Spikemuth Stadium – Dark
• Raihan – Hammerlocke Stadium – Dragon

The league is a tournament format and takes place at Wyndon Stadium.

Galar introduces the Dynamax phenomenon and Gigantamax, regional forms of Pokémon from different generations, and the Wild Area concept. The region was expanded to include the Isle of Armor and the Crown Tundra in DLC.

Paldea

Paldea is the newest, ninth region introduced in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. It is inspired by the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal).

Features:

• Introduces new Pokémon, including the starters Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly
• Main cities: Mesagoza (inspired by Barcelona)
• Important locations: Naranja Academy/Uva, open-world areas
• Introduces the Terrastalization phenomenon

Gym Leaders:

• Katy – Cortondo Gym – Bug
• Brassius – Artazon Gym – Grass
• Iono – Levincia Gym – Electric
• Kofu – Cascarrafa Gym – Water
• Larry – Medali Gym – Normal
• Ryme – Montenevera Gym – Ghost
• Tulip – Alfornada Gym – Psychic
• Grusha – Glaseado Gym – Ice

The game’s structure allows for free exploration and choosing the order of challenges.

Paldea stands out for its open-world design and the ability to explore in any order, a new feature in the main series.

Each of these regions offers unique experiences, Pokémon, and challenges, encouraging Trainers to travel and discover new adventures in the fascinating world of Pokémon. From classic Kanto to modern Paldea, this world is constantly evolving, providing fans with new experiences and opportunities to catch them all.