Summary
APokemonfan crafted a pixel-art map of Japan and highlighted where some game regions would fit, based on official information from each title. ThePokemoncartographer was complimented for spotlighting the main series and some entries from fan-favorite side games on their virtual map of Japan.
From the first to the fourthPokemongame generations, the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh regions were based on different Japanese locations, albeit with some directional changes. InPokemon Ruby and Sapphire, the tropical Hoenn region was derived from Japan’s Kyushu region, though Hoenn’s map was flipped 90 degrees counterclockwise. Since the launch ofPokemon Black and White,the vastPokemonuniversehas seen trainers explore regions based on other countries, like the US and France. The Paldea region ofPokemon Scarlet and Violetdrew inspiration from the Iberian Peninsula, including Spain and Portugal.
A Reddit user named kyuweftea shared a pixel-art map of Japan in the world ofPokemonon the r/pokemon subreddit. Though it is an unofficial map, kyuweftea used the art style ofPokemon Diamond and Pearlas the basis for their handiwork. Kanto and Johto were placed toward the center of the map, where Tokyo and Kyoto would be, with the Sevii Islands ofPokemon FireRed and LeafGreenplaced over the Izu and Bonin Islands to the south. Along with Hoenn and Sinnoh being direct parallels to Kyushu and Hokkaido respectively, kyuweftea’s map also included the regions of Fiore, Almia, and Oblivia from thePokemon Rangerside-series. Fiore and Oblivia were plotted to the west of Johto, and Almia was located southwest of Sinnoh. Originally released in 2006,Pokemon Rangertook advantage of the DS touchscreencontrol to give players a different way to capture Pokemon for various missions.
Pokemon Fan Shares Pixel-Map of Early Game Regions Based on Japan
Pokemon Rangerwas followed up by two sequels, 2008’sPokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almiaand 2010’sPokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs.In response to kyuweftea’s cartography, Pokemon fans thanked them for remembering thePokemon Rangergames. Other fans also pointed out thatthe Kitakami region fromPokemon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Maskwas based on a real-world Japanese city of the same name.
Given that the real Kitakami is located in the Honshu region to the south of Hokkaido, that would put The Teal Mask’s Kitakami between Kanto and Sinnoh, based on the established parallels. Though the upcomingPokemon Legends: Z-Awill take players back to Lumiose City in Kalos, it remains to be seenwhere futurePokemongenerations will take trainersnext.
Pokemon
Pokemon is a franchise that needs no introduction. One of the most successful media empires in history, Pokemon spans games, television, films, manga, merchandise, music, and more.
