Pokémon universe facts for kids

The Pokémon universe is a made-up world where amazing creatures called Pokémon live. This universe is part of a huge media franchise. It includes stories and works created by The Pokémon Company, Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures, Inc..

The idea for the Pokémon universe came from Satoshi Tajiri's childhood hobby. He loved collecting insects. This love for collecting inspired the core idea of catching and training Pokémon.

Almost every part of the Pokémon franchise shares these main ideas. This includes the video games, the anime TV shows, manga comics, movies, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In the games, you play as a Pokémon Trainer. Your main goals are to collect every Pokémon in a region and complete your Pokédex. You also want to train the strongest Pokémon and become the best Trainer.

Even though Trainers often battle, the anime shows that humans and Pokémon live peacefully. Pokémon battles are seen as fun competitions between people and their Pokémon. If a Pokémon gets hurt, they can be treated at a Pokémon Center. This is a special hospital just for Pokémon.

Main Pokémon Regions

The Pokémon world is divided into many regions. Some of the main ones are Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Alola, Galar, and Paldea. There are also smaller islands that form their own mini-regions, like the Orange Islands. Each region has different Pokémon and unique legends to discover.

The Pokémon world looks a lot like Earth. You can find vast forests, long beaches, and deserts. Tall grass in forests and rainforests provides homes for wild Pokémon. The world also has oceans, mountains, and places with good temperatures for life. For example, the Hoenn and Sinnoh regions have many different types of landscapes.

Most main Pokémon games introduce a new region. Usually, you can only visit one region in each game. However, in games like Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, and HeartGold and SoulSilver, you can travel between Kanto and Johto.

As you explore each region, you face many challenges. These include Gyms, Contests, and stopping villainous teams. You also find helpful items, meet interesting characters, and get useful tips. The first regions (Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh) are based on parts of Japan. Later regions are based on places like the United States (Unova, Alola), France (Kalos), the United Kingdom (Galar), and the Iberian Peninsula (Paldea). Every region has many 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 Region

The Kanto region is where the first Pokémon games took place. These include Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow. Later games like FireRed, LeafGreen, Let's Go, Pikachu!, and Let's Go, Eevee! are remakes set here. Kanto is named after the Kantō region in Japan. This started the trend of basing Pokémon regions on real places. You can also visit Kanto in some Johto region games.

Sevii Islands

The Sevii Islands are a group of islands near the Kanto region. They were introduced in the Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen games.

Johto Region

The Johto region is the setting for the second group of Pokémon games. These are Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, and their remakes HeartGold and SoulSilver. Johto is based on the Kansai area of Japan. The game's design uses many temples and famous sights from Kansai. These include Mount Fuji and the Naruto whirlpools.

Hoenn Region

A map of the Hoenn Region

The Hoenn region is featured in the third set of Pokémon games. These are Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, and their remakes Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Hoenn is based on the Japanese island of Kyushu. Both the real island and the game region have many small islands and a warm climate. Hoenn is known for its wide variety of natural places, like rainforests and deserts.

Sinnoh Region

The Sinnoh region is the setting for the fourth generation of Pokémon games. This includes Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, and their remakes Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and Legends: Arceus. Sinnoh is based on Hokkaidō, the northernmost island of Japan. The region was designed to feel "northern," with some paths covered in snow.

Battle Zone

The Battle Zone is a special area in Sinnoh. It is on a separate piece of land northeast of the main region. It has three towns: Fight Area, Resort Area, and Survival Area. These areas offer challenges like the Battle Tower and places to improve your Pokémon.

Unova Region

The Unova region is the setting for the fifth generation of Pokémon games. These are Pokémon Black and White, and their sequels Black 2 and White 2. This was the first time a main Pokémon region was based outside of Japan. Unova gets its inspiration from the New York metropolitan area in the United States.

Kalos Region

The Kalos region is where the sixth generation Pokémon games, Pokémon X and Y, take place. This region is mostly inspired by the northern part of Metropolitan France. You can see landmarks that look like the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles. The music and fashion also have a French style. The name "Kalos" comes from a Greek word meaning "beauty." The Kalos Pokémon League looks like Notre-Dame de Paris.

Alola Region

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

Galar Region

The Galar region is the setting for the eighth generation of Pokémon games, Pokémon Sword and Shield. This region is mainly inspired by Great Britain, especially England and parts of Scotland. You can see landmarks that look like Big Ben and Hadrian's Wall. Two extra areas, The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra, are based on the Isle of Man and Scotland. The Galar Region also appeared in the Pokémon Journeys anime.

Paldea Region

The Paldea region is the setting for the ninth generation Pokémon games, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. This region seems to be based on the Iberian Peninsula. This area includes both Spain and Portugal.

Spinoff Regions

Besides the main games, there are many other Pokémon games called "spin-offs." These games often take place in their own unique regions.

Pokémon Island

Pokémon Island is the setting for the game Pokémon Snap. In this game, you take pictures of Pokémon in their natural habitats.

Fiore Region

The Fiore region is where the Nintendo DS spin-off game Pokémon Ranger takes place. Its name means "flower" in Italian. In this game, you play as a Pokémon Ranger, not a Trainer.

Almia Region

The Almia region is featured in the Nintendo DS spin-off game Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia. Like Fiore, it has Pokémon Rangers instead of Trainers. A school is one of the main features of this region.

Oblivia Region

The Oblivia region is where the Nintendo DS spin-off game Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs takes place. This region is a group of islands far south of Fiore and Almia. It is known for its many old ruins and legends.

Orre Region

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

Trading Card Game Islands

The Trading Card Game Islands are where the video games based on the Pokémon Trading Card Game happen.

GR Island

GR Island is an island featured in the sequel to the Pokémon Trading Card Game video game.

Tumblecube Island

Tumblecube Island is a unique area in the game Pokémon Quest. All the Pokémon in this game look like cubes, which is different from other Pokémon games.

Holon Region

Holon is a region that was first shown in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It is known for being home to special δ Delta Species Pokémon.

Ransei Region

The Ransei region is the setting for the game Pokémon Conquest. This game combines Pokémon with strategy battles.

Ferrum Region

The Ferrum region is where the fighting game Pokkén Tournament takes place. In this game, Pokémon battle each other in a different style.

Pasio Island

Pasio is an artificial island introduced in the mobile game Pokémon Masters EX. It was created by Lear, who wants to be its king. Because it's man-made, Pasio doesn't have any wild Pokémon. It's believed that the Pokémon Hoopa brought many famous Trainers, Gym Leaders, and Champions from other regions to Pasio.

Aeos Island

Aeos is an island introduced in the MOBA game Pokémon Unite. A special energy called Aeos energy fills the island. This energy makes Pokémon stronger and gives them special abilities. Trainers from all over the world come to Aeos to compete in Unite Battles.

Pokémon Universe History

According to stories in games like Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, and Legends: Arceus, the Pokémon universe was created by a powerful Pokémon named Arceus. Arceus is called "The Original One."

Arceus created several other important Pokémon. These include Dialga, who controls time, Palkia, who controls space, and Giratina, who controls antimatter. Giratina was sent to another dimension. Arceus also created Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie. These three Pokémon represent willpower, emotion, and knowledge. In these early times, Mew, an ancient Pokémon, also appeared. After creating the world, Arceus went into a long sleep.

Later, Groudon, who represents the land, Kyogre, who represents the sea, and Rayquaza, who represents the sky, were born. They are sometimes called "the weather trio" because they can change the weather. Their battles are said to have shaped much of the Earth's surface. Regigigas also moved land to form continents and regions, creating places like Mt. Coronet. Stark Mountain and Heatran were also formed during this time.

Many years later, the prehistoric era began. The first prehistoric Pokémon appeared. Scientists have found Fossils and other remains that prove these ancient Pokémon roamed the land. The number of Mew Pokémon may have decreased during this time as other Pokémon species became more common.

Pokémon and Human Evolution

According to myths in the Sinnoh region, Pokémon and people were once the same kind of being. Mew is believed to be the ancestor of all Pokémon. The first records of humans date back to the Stone Age, millions of years before the modern era.

Pokémon Works

The Pokémon universe appears in many different types of media.

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)