PokemonGen 10 may still be a ways off withPokemon Legends: Z-Aconfirmed to be the franchise’s next mainline title, but such a big milestone for the beloved series has warranted a heavy amount of rumors and speculation. A big part of the discussion surroundingPokemonGen 10 is the game’s setting, specifically what real-world country or region the game’s map will be based on. While the most populartheories suggest Gen 10’s region could be based on Italyor Australia, there is a solid case to be made forPokemonto return to a region based on Japan.
Although recent entries in thePokemonseries have had regions based on various European countries—such as Gen 6’s Kalos region being based on France, Gen 8’s Galar region being based on the UK, and Gen 9’s Paldea being based on Spain and Portugal—Pokemonhas historically used the various regions of Japan for its in-game map inspiration. Most of Japan has been covered either by regions from the mainline series or in spin-offs. However, there are a few regions that haven’t been used for inspiration, and with Gen 10 marking a major accomplishment for the series, going back to where it all started could be the way to go.
Pokemon Still Hasn’t Covered Some of Japan’s Most Interesting Geography
A Region Inspired by Parts of Japan’s Chugoku and Shikoku Regions Makes a Lot of Sense
ThePokemonfranchise has covered a lot of real-world Japanese territory with its region inspiration. However, the Chugoku and Shikoku regions of the country have largely been untouched by the series. Specifically, the western halves of these regions that include prefectures like Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Shimane, Kochi, and Ehime are prime candidates left unused by the series so far. WhilePokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Teal Mask DLC features the region of Kitakami as a new location based on an unclear part of Japan,Kitakami is most likely based on the northern Tohoku region.
Sinnoh Region
Hokkaido
Cianwood City from the Johto Regionis seemingly based on Tokushima City in Shikoku, but otherwise, the region is based on Kansai.
In addition to the regions of the first four mainline games, thePokemon Rangerspin-offshave also featured maps inspired by parts of Japan. The Fiore Region from the originalPokemon Rangerseems to be based on parts of western Kansai and eastern Chugoku, including the Okayama and Hyogo prefectures, and the Almia Region fromPokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almiaseems to be based on the Oshima and Hiyama prefectures of Hokkaido. The Oblivia Region fromPokemon Ranger: Guardian Signsappears to be based on the Oki Islands to the north of Chugoku, but this still leaves the western regions of both Chogoku and Shikoku free for a new region to explore.
What a Pokemon Region Inspired by This Area Could Look Like
ThePokemonseries doesn’t have a clear city inspiredby the real-world city of Hiroshima, which is surprising given how important the city is to Japan’s industrialization as the largest city in the Chugoku region. Other major cities included in this area are Matsuyama, home to one of Japan’s few surviving feudal castles, and Yamaguchi, which has been described as the Kyoto of the West. The combination of these three cities would make for a diverse region that can cover several different parts of Japan’s history.
Another geographical feature that makes this area ripe for aPokemonregion based on it is the Seto Inland Sea. This body of water separates Shikoku from the Hiroshima prefecture and is home to several islands that make up the Setonaikai National Park. The balance of land masses with an island-heavy body of water in between would make this areaperfect for a diverse Pokedexof critters to call home and an ideal place for a Pokemon Trainer to explore.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
WHERE TO PLAY
The school that you’ve enrolled in as you playPokémon ScarletandPokémon Violethosts a special independent study project. The theme of this assignment is “A Treasure Hunt.” Explore the world and seek out your very own treasure!Three stories will be woven into your adventure while traversing the sprawling Paldea region. Along Victory Road, you will go to Gyms in different locations in order to to achieve Champion Rank. On the Path of Legends, you can join Arven in search of rare ingredients. And in ★ Starfall Street ★, you’ll challenge Team Star, a group of delinquents causing trouble for the school.These stories are set in an open world, so where you go is all up to you. A world teeming with Pokémon and people to meet is waiting for you—traverse the Paldea region wherever you heart desires.
