The 8 regions as of 2020
Every region is matched with a generation.
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A new generation brings forth a new region, new pokemon and new content to the Pokemon Universe.
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The universe can be examined through the manga, the anime, or the video game series.
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The Johto Region
Regardless of their proximity, the people of Johto and those of Kanto are set apart by many cultural differences. Johto is based on the real Kansai region in Japan. This trait is most noticeable in its geography; however, the Kansai influence also defines the culture in Johto.
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As previously noted in the Creation section, The shrine to Celebi in the Ilex forest is located in Johto; this is where the Shinto-like design of the shrine comes into play.
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Being influenced by Japan, the Johto Region is the richest in my opinion in cultural and religious happenings. Outside of the Ilex Forest Shrine, Johto is home to Lugia and Ho-oh!
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The ritual of honoring Legendary Pokémon through dance circulates from the Johto region, specifically to Ecruteak City.
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Legends from the game say that 700 years before the modern time, the people of Ecruteak built two massive towers in hopes of creating friendship with the Pokemon in the area. The towers were the Brass in the west, which was said to awaken Pokemon, and the Bell Tower in the east where Pokemon were to rest.
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The two legendary birds, Ho-oh and Lugia made these towers their roost, and while unknown what made the residents revere the Pokemon, a seperate tale indicates that Lugia had come into contact with humans before. Stopping a war on the Whirl Islands, which were a single island at the time and became the home of the legendary bird.
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In game events see Kimono girls gathering and dancing at the Whirl Islands to help the player contact the Legendary Bird,
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The towers remained strong and tall for about 500 years until a lightning bolt struck the Brass Tower. The tower was engulfed in a raging fire until a sudden downpour put out the blaze. Unfortunately the tower had burned to the ground and the three nameless Pokemon inside had perished.
Ho-oh descended shortly afterwards, resurrecting the three Pokemon that were made to embody the three powers that had destroyed the tower.
Raikou: for the lightning that struck the tower.
Suicune: for the downpour that put out the fire.
And Entei: to represent the fire that burned the tower down.
When the Pokémon appeared, they struck terror in those who saw their rise. The three Pokémon, knowing their own power, fled, running like the wind off into Johto's grassland. Similarly, both Lugia and Ho-Oh flew away at the sight of the growing distance between people and Pokémon; while they never returned to Ecruteak, they yearned for a person to touch the hearts and souls of Pokémon once more.
The Sinnoh Region
Click here for Sinnoh Information
Zekrom, representing ideals
The Unova Region
The Unova Region is based geographically on New York City, and while it lacks the cultural aspects of the Johto Region when compared to Japan. Unova has a rich mythology.
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The Unova mythology is based mostly on Taoism, and Chinese Culture and Religion; this can be seen most through the two Legendary Pokemon who represent Yin and Yang.
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In myth, Unova was created by uniting the warring peoples of the land, by two twin heroes. The two twins used a singular dragon Pokemon in battle, until the brothers begun arguing over their beliefs; the elder brother wanted truth whilst the younger wanted ideals. The persistent arguing split the dragon into Reshiram, who sided with the Eldest, and Zekrom, who sided with the younger. Since both dragons were born of the same one neither could defeat the other in battle and the brothers declared that there couldn't possibly be a right side.
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"By accepting different ideas, this world creates a different chemical reaction… So I met many different Pokémon and people and heard so much… And that's how my world quietly grew bigger… By being with Pokémon, humans can continue toward new horizons. By being with humans, Pokémon can exhibit their true power. That's what Reshiram taught me: the truth for Pokémon and me. And someday both truth and ideals will come together… Then Pokémon and humans will be freed from the oppression of Poké Balls."
- N, Pokemon Black and White 2
However the fighting could never stop, and eventually continuing the fight, the dragons destroyed the Unova region with fire and lightning before disappearing from public eye.
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According to a legend from Lacunosa Town, a long time ago, a large meteor came from the sky containing a terrifying monster.
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The monster would appear in the town along with cold winds and take away humans and Pokemon to eat them. The residents surrounded the town in a wall to keep the monster out and forbid anyone from leaving at night. People of Lacunosa Town still stay inside their houses at night regardless of belief of this old legend. The legendary monster in question was Kyurem, the remaining third Pokemon, of the trio. The result of the separation of the Primordial dragon.
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Reshiram, representing truths
Each of the members of the trio has control of their own types and sides. Reshiram represents the concept of yang and controls Fire, Zekrom represents the concept of yin and controls Thunder, and Kyurem represents the concept of wuji (the absence of yin and yang) and controls Ice; in its alternate forms it can also control Reshiram's fire and Zekrom's thunder to some extent.
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Based on the indigenous Chinese philosophy of Yin Yang, The culture of the Unova region possesses the same inherently paradoxical value orientations as the Ancient Chinese. thereby enabling them to embrace opposite traits of any given cultural dimension. They are very fond of the dragons, much like in Chinese Cultures where Dragons are important in the marking of the New year.
The Hoenn Region
Home to a trumpet-based soundtrack, and tons of water. The Hoenn Region was revamped recently, and introduced to the region was the Draconid people.
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The Draconids were originally a tribe of Dragon-Type trainers living in Meteor Falls, during a time when meteors constantly showered the surface and Primal versions of Groudon and Kyogre fought for dominance, Groudon fighting for the land, and Kyogre fighting for the Seas.
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The ancient Pokemon were eventually brought to a stop by Rayquaza, and a thousand years after the fight, a meteor struck what is now Sootopolis City.
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The meteor awakened Groudon and Kyogre and the Lorekeeper stood with a rainbow stone, wishing for Rayquaza to return. When it returned, that wish allowed Rayquaza to Mega-evolve, and after a fierce battle Groudon and Kyogre both retreated to the depths, and Rayquaza to the sky.
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The Draconids built the Sky Pillar, a place where they could summon their Lord Rayquaza. The Sky Pillar is decorated with murals painted by the Draconids, and after a thousand years of peace, they foretell that a meteor will strike again and Oral tradition is to be kept alive to summon Rayquaza to prevent it from striking.
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The Rainbow Stone that the lorekeeper possesses is a key-stone carried by Draconids; reacting with Rayquaza's mikado organ allowing the mega-evolution.
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"As the Lorekeeper, Zinnia is a traditionalist and has peculiar morals. She sticks to her course, doing what she believes is right, no matter what other people say. Therefore, Zinnia is neither a villain nor a hero, occupying a role in between." - https://pokemon.fandom.com/wiki/Zinnia
The lorekeeper is a role within the Draconid society, serving as Rayquaza's Summoner.