Summary
- A Pokemon fan made a pixel-art map of Japan with game regions accurately placed.
- Pokemon regions like Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh are based on real Japanese locations.
- The Pokemon Ranger series was referenced, inspiring fan discussion on real-world parallels in game regions.
A Pokemon fan crafted a pixel-art map of Japan and highlighted where some game regions would fit, based on official information from each title. The Pokemon cartographer 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 fourth Pokemon game generations, the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh regions were based on different Japanese locations, albeit with some directional changes. In Pokemon 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 of Pokemon Black and White, the vast Pokemon universe has seen trainers explore regions based on other countries, like the US and France. The Paldea region of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet drew inspiration from the Iberian Peninsula, including Spain and Portugal.
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A Reddit user named kyuweftea shared a pixel-art map of Japan in the world of Pokemon on the r/pokemon subreddit. Though it is an unofficial map, kyuweftea used the art style of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl as 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 of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen placed 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 the Pokemon Ranger side-series. Fiore and Oblivia were plotted to the west of Johto, and Almia was located southwest of Sinnoh. Originally released in 2006, Pokemon Ranger took advantage of the DS touchscreen control to give players a different way to capture Pokemon for various missions.
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Pokemon Ranger was followed up by two sequels, 2008's Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia and 2010's Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs. In response to kyuweftea's cartography, Pokemon fans thanked them for remembering the Pokemon Ranger games. Other fans also pointed out that the Kitakami region from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask was 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 upcoming Pokemon Legends: Z-A will take players back to Lumiose City in Kalos, it remains to be seen where future Pokemon generations will take trainers next.
- Created by
- Satoshi Tajiri
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.