Bulbapedia

Localization

175Togepi.png This article contains fan speculation.
There is no solid evidence for or against some parts of this article.

Localization refers to the translation and regional differences between languages. This includes localization of Pokémon games, anime, manga, and other media.

In multiple media

Pokémon

The Pokémon species' names were introduced in Japanese. Most Pokémon had their names changed in English, French, German, Korean, Chinese, Hindi, and Thai. The English names are used in Spanish and Italian for all Pokémon except Type: Null and the Paradox Pokémon (aside from Koraidon and Miraidon). Several other languages also use English Pokémon names in their anime dubs.

Pokémon types

The names of some Pokémon types changed between languages. These are some of the more significant changes:

  • Psychic is エスパー Esper in Japanese.
  • Dark is あく Evil in Japanese.
  • Fire is ほのお Flame in Japanese.

Pokémon categories

Some Pokémon categories changed between languages. These are some of the more significant changes:

  • Blastoise, Kabuto, and Kabutops (Japanese category: こうらポケモン Shell Pokémon; English category: Shellfish Pokémon)
  • Meowth (Japanese category: ばけねこポケモン Bakeneko Pokémon; English category: Scratch Cat Pokémon)
  • Persian (Japanese category: シャムネコポケモン Siamese Cat Pokémon; English category: Classy Cat Pokémon)
  • Kangaskhan (Japanese category: おやこポケモン Parent and Child Pokémon; English category: Parent Pokémon)
    • The Japanese category refers to both parent and child, but the child is not mentioned in the English translation, most likely because of character limits.
  • The Japanese word ねずみ generally can be equally translated as "mouse" or "rat". In Pokémon categories, this is usually translated as "mouse":
    • Rattata and Raticate (Japanese category: ねずみポケモン; English category initially was "Rat Pokémon", but then changed to "Mouse Pokémon" in Generation III)
    • Pikachu, Raichu, Sandshrew, and Sandslash (Japanese category: ねずみポケモン; English category: "Mouse Pokémon")
    • Cyndaquil (Japanese category: ひねずみポケモン; English category: Fire Mouse Pokémon)
    • Pichu (Japanese category: こねずみポケモン; English category: Tiny Mouse Pokémon)
    • Marill (Japanese category: みずねずみポケモン; English category: Aqua Mouse Pokémon)
    • Bidoof (Japanese category: まるねずみポケモン; English category: Plump Mouse Pokémon)

Pokémon forms

The names of some Pokémon form differences changed between languages.

  • Dynamax and Gigantamax are ダイマックス Daimax and キョダイマックス Kyodaimax in Japanese, respectively.
  • Furfrou's trims use the word "Trim" in English but カット Cut in Japanese (however, these words don't apply to Furfrou's default state, the Natural Form):
    • Natural Form (Japanese: やせいのすがた Wild Form)
    • Debutante Trim (Japanese: レディカット Lady Cut)
    • Dandy Trim (Japanese: ジェントルカット Gentleman Cut)
    • Matron Trim (Japanese: マダムカット Madame Cut)
    • La Reine Trim (Japanese: クイーンカット Queen Cut)
      • This trim uses an English name in the Japanese games, but a French name in the English games.
    • Pharaoh Trim (Japanese: キングダムカット Kingdom Cut)

Characters

Main article: List of characters in other languages
  • Some Pokémon games have multiple suggested names for the player character and/or rival. These names are often different on each language version. For instance, a character may have different optional names in Japanese, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Korean.

Locations

Main article: List of locations in other languages
  • Miracle Cycle is not named in any of the localized versions besides the French one, where it is known as "Cycles à Gogo". In all other localized versions, it is simply named Bike Shop.

Moves

Main article: List of moves in other languages

Moves introduced in Generation I

  • Acid Armor (Japanese: とける Liquefy). The Japanese name indicates that the user itself is melting. This is lost in the English translation, but is referenced in the move descriptions from Generation II onwards.
    • The Japanese name does not include the words "Acid" or "Armor" in any way. "Acid" may have been added in the localization because this is a Poison-type move, even though several non-Poison Pokémon are able to learn it. "Armor" may have been added in the localization because this move raises the user's Defense.
  • Cut (Japanese: いあいぎり Iai Cut). The Japanese name refers to iaido, a Japanese martial art. Specifically, it refers to the technique of drawing a blade from its scabbard, cutting down the opponent, then re-sheathing the blade.
  • Guillotine (Japanese: ハサミギロチン Pincer Guillotine). Several Pokémon that use this move have pincers, such as Kingler and Gliscor.
  • Lovely Kiss (Japanese: あくまのキッス Demon's Kiss). In some games, a small demon appears in the move animation. This is related to Generation II move Sweet Kiss (Japanese: てんしのキッス Angel's Kiss).
  • Metronome (Japanese: ゆびをふる Wag Finger). The Japanese name refers to the wagging finger associated with the move, implying the user is randomly deciding a move from a list. The move's English name refers to the regular ticks associated with the move, which sound like the device it is named after.
  • Mirror Move (Japanese: オウムがえし Parrot Mimicry). The reference to a parrot (a real-life bird) may be related to the fact that several Pokémon that can learn this move are birds, such as Pidgey and Chatot. However, this is lost in the English translation.
  • Pay Day (Japanese: ネコにこばん Coin for a Cat). The Japanese name of the move is an idiom equivalent to "to cast pearls before swine." The coins depicted in the move's animation are koban, gold coins used in the Edo period of feudal Japan, the same type of coin as the one on Meowth's head.
  • Rest (Japanese: ねむる Sleep).
  • Swift (Japanese: スピードスター Speed Star). The move's animation includes stars being thrown at the target.
  • Tail Whip (Japanese: しっぽをふる Tail Wag). The move's description mentions that the user "wags its tail cutely, making opposing Pokémon less wary".
    • The English name "Tail Whip" may incorrectly imply that the user strikes the foe with its tail like a whip, which is not the case in the games. However, in the manga Pokémon Adventures, the Tail Whip user sometimes actually strikes its opponent with the tail, which may be consistent with the English name.
  • Thunderbolt (Japanese: １０まんボルト 100,000 Volts). The number "100,000 volts" is mentioned in the Japanese name, but this is lost in the English translation.
  • Waterfall (Japanese: たきのぼり Waterfall Climb). The English name is simply the word "Waterfall", without mentioning the act of climbing waterfalls. Some move descriptions in the games further clarify that the user is actually charging with enough force to climb waterfalls.
    • When this move debuted in Generation I, the moves didn't have in-game descriptions in the core series yet. As a result, in the English version of the Generation I core series games, there is no indication that this move is related to climbing waterfalls.
    • The description about "charging with enough force to climb waterfalls" debuted in the Japanese Pokémon Stadium (which was not released in English). This is also mentioned in the later games Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Stadium 2, not only in Japanese but in English as well.
    • In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, the Japanese move description also mentions "charging with enough force to climb waterfalls". However, the English version was shortened to simply "An aquatic charge attack." The only reference to climbing waterfalls in the English text is when Clair says only once after being defeated: "RisingBadge will enable your Pokémon to use the move for climbing waterfalls." From Generation III onwards, the English move description is closer to the Japanese version, indicating that the user is charging with enough force to climb waterfalls.
    • In several games, a waterfall appears when this move is used in-battle. This may incorrectly suggest that the user is summoning a waterfall, which would be inconsistent with the move description.

Moves introduced in Generation II

  • False Swipe (Japanese: みねうち Strike with the Back of the Sword). False Swipe's Japanese name is a reference to katanas, which are designed to have a single cutting edge on one side, while the other side is mostly flat. Thus, striking the opponent with the flat side of the katana would not be fatal.
  • Rain Dance (Japanese: あまごい Rain Prayer). This is the amagoi, a Shinto prayer and rituals for rain.
    • The Japanese name of this move is unrelated to dancing, therefore this is not a dance move. As such, Rain Dance is unaffected by Dancer, and Tierno does not request to see a Pokémon with this move in Pokémon X and Y. In several anime and manga depictions, the user is not seen dancing at all.
  • Sweet Kiss (Japanese: てんしのキッス Angel's Kiss). In some games, a small angel appears in the move animation. This is related to Generation I move Lovely Kiss (Japanese: あくまのキッス Demon's Kiss).

Moves introduced in Generation III

  • Aerial Ace (Japanese: つばめがえし Swallow Return). The Japanese name references Sasaki Kojirō's "Turning Swallow Cut" sword technique, so named due to its resemblance to the motion of a swallow's tail in flight. The cut is usually construed as a quick upward slash followed by a second one down the same direction, same as the move's animation. As such, it is learned by many Pokémon that are not Flying-type.
  • Assist (Japanese: ねこのて Cat's Paw). The Japanese name is likely a reference to the saying 猫の手も借りたい neko no te mo karitai, which translates to "I would even like to borrow a cat's hands" ("I would even like a cat to assist me"), which means "I need all the help I can get". This is reflected by the way the move works, and that many feline Pokémon are capable of learning it. In some games, a cat's paw appears in the move animation.

Moves introduced in Generation IV

  • Sucker Punch (Japanese: ふいうち Surprise Attack). The Japanese name is unrelated to punching. This move can be learned by some Pokémon without arms, such as Arbok, Gastly, and Electrode. It is also unaffected by the Ability Iron Fist, which raises the power of punching moves.

Moves introduced in Generation VI

  • Nuzzle (Japanese: ほっぺすりすり Cheek Rub). Most electric rodent Pokémon, who have electric cheeks, can learn this move.
  • Oblivion Wing (Japanese: デスウイング Death Wing). Most likely changed to remove explicit references to death.

Moves introduced in Generation VII

  • Baneful Bunker (Japanese: トーチカ Pillbox). The Japanese name is a military term referring to a guarded fort.
  • Smart Strike (Japanese: スマートホーン Smart Horn). Most Pokémon that learn this move have horns.
  • Double Iron Bash (Japanese: ダブルパンツァー Double Panzer). Panzer is a German word that means "armor", often used in other languages as a loanword in the context of the German military.

Moves introduced in Generation VIII

  • No Retreat (Japanese: はいすいのじん Last Stand). The Japanese name of this move literally means "to fight with one's back to the river," an idiom for a desperate last stand. The idiom originated from the historical Battle of Jingxing, where the now-renowned Chinese general Han Xin ordered his army to fight with a river at their backs and no way to cross, successfully routing an enemy ten times their number. The move's animation is a reference to this.
  • Octolock (Japanese: たこがため Octopus Hold). The Japanese name refers to a wrestling hold of the same name.

Abilities

Main article: List of Abilities in other languages

Abilities introduced in Generation III

  • Battle Armor (Japanese: カブトアーマー Kabuto Armor). The Japanese name of this ability refers to Kabuto helmets.
  • Shield Dust (Japanese: りんぷん Scales). The Japanese name of this ability refers to insect scales.
  • Serene Grace (Japanese: てんのめぐみ Heavenly Blessing). Most likely changed to avoid references to heaven.
  • Arena Trap (Japanese: ありじごく Antlion). The Japanese name refers to the burrowing habits of Antlions, used to trap prey.

Abilities introduced in Generation IV

  • Aftermath (Japanese: ゆうばく Induced Explosion). Most Pokémon with this ability can also learn self-destructive moves like Explosion, and the ability is similarly prevented by Damp.
  • Forewarn (Japanese: よちむ Prophetic Dream). All Pokémon with this ability are Psychic-type.
  • Storm Drain (Japanese: よびみず Pump Priming). The Japanese name is a plumbing term that refers to the introduction of fluid into a pump to prepare it for operation.

Abilities introduced in Generation V

  • Big Pecks (Japanese: はとむね Pigeon Breast). The Japanese name, Hatomune, is a pun, as it can also be taken to mean "a proud heart". The name "Big Pecks" itself is also a pun, referring to both pecking with a beak and the pectoralis major.
  • Zen Mode (Japanese: ダルマモード Daruma Mode). The Japanese name refers to Darmanitan's basis on a Daruma doll.

Abilities introduced in Generation VI

  • Primordial Sea and Desolate Land's Japanese names match; (Japanese: はじまりのうみ Sea of the Beginning) and (Japanese: おわりのだいち Land of the End) respectively.

Abilities introduced in Generation VIII

  • Gorilla Tactics (Japanese: ごりむちゅう Obsessed Gorilla). The Japanese name of this Ability is a pun, combining 五里霧中 gorimuchū (a saying meaning lost in a fog) with ゴリラ gorira (gorilla) and 夢中 muchū (obsessed). The English name is a play on guerilla tactics.

Items

Main article: List of items in other languages

Items introduced in Generation I

  • Three Poké Balls introduced in Generation I had their names changed in the English localization. Only the Master Ball kept its Japanese name.
    • Poké Ball (Japanese: モンスターボール Monster Ball)
    • Great Ball (Japanese: スーパーボール Super Ball)
    • Ultra Ball (Japanese: ハイパーボール Hyper Ball)
      • The Ultra Ball retains a letter H on its design, referencing its Japanese name.
  • The Potion and its improved variants introduced in Generation I use the Japanese word ぐすり Medicine, which does not specify the type of medicine. The word "Potion" would indicate a form of liquid substance; it was introduced in the English translation. With the introduction of item sprites in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, these items are depicted in-game as bottles designed to spray liquid substances, which may be compatible with both the Japanese and English names. Some of these items have also been depicted in official art and TCG cards as spray bottles since Generation I as well, including the Potion and Super Potion cards.
    • Potion (Japanese: キズぐすり Wound Medicine)
    • Super Potion (Japanese: いいキズぐすり Good Wound Medicine)
    • Hyper Potion (Japanese: すごいキズぐすり Amazing Wound Medicine)
    • Max Potion (Japanese: まんたんのくすり Tank-Filling Medicine)
    • Full Restore (Japanese: かいふくのくすり Recovery Medicine)
  • The drinks introduced in Generation I had their names changed in the localization:
    • Fresh Water (Japanese: おいしいみず Delicious Water)
      • Fresh Water is collected from Mt. Silver, according to the Japanese item description in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, and Stadium. This is also mentioned in the Korean item description from Pokémon Gold and Silver. The reference to Mt. Silver is not found in the English item description.
    • Soda Pop (Japanese: サイコソーダ Psycho Soda)
    • Lemonade (Japanese: ミックスオレ Mix au Lait)
      • The Lemonade's Japanese name means "Mix au Lait" instead, meaning a mixture with milk. It's implied in several places that this is flavored milk rather than Lemonade.
  • The Ether, Elixir, and their improved versions have Japanese names unrelated to their English names. The Japanese names all include the word "PP" (specifically in the form of katakana "ピーピー"), and don't involve the words "Ether" or "Elixir" in any way.
    • Ether (Japanese: ピーピーエイド PP Aid)
    • Max Ether (Japanese: ピーピーリカバー PP Recover)
    • Elixir (Japanese: ピーピーエイダー PP Aider)
    • Max Elixir (Japanese: ピーピーマックス PP Max)
  • The Repel's Japanese name refers refers to insect repellents; it includes the term むし Insect. The Repel and its improved variants include the word スプレ Spray in Japanese, indicating their design; however, this word is absent in the English names. Additionally, むしよけ Repellent is not found in the Japanese names of Super Repel and Max Repel. The Super Repel and Max Repel are ranked as "Silver" and "Gold" in Japanese; these words were replaced by "Super" and "Max" in English.
    • Repel (Japanese: むしよけスプレー Repellent Spray)
    • Super Repel (Japanese: シルバースプレー Silver Spray)
    • Max Repel (Japanese: ゴールドスプレー Gold Spray)
  • Poké Doll (Japanese: ピッピにんぎょう Pippi Doll) The Japanese name indicates that it's a Clefairy doll. However, the English item name does not mention Clefairy.
    • The species of Poké Doll has always been clear in the Japanese games since its introduction in Generation I. However, it was only revealed years later in English games, once the Clefairy doll sprite debuted in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.
  • Vitamins all have different names in Japanese. Most reference specific compounds:
  • Nugget (Japanese: きんのたま Gold Orb). The Japanese name for literally means "golden ball", which is also a slang term for testicles.

Items introduced in Generation II

  • Secret Medicine (Japanese: ひでんのくすり Secret Medicine). This item is a pouch of pills. Prior to Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, it was known as Secret Potion, like the spray-type medicines, despite not being a liquid medicine.
    • Much like the Potion and its improved variants introduced in Generation I, the Secret Potion includes the Japanese word くすり Medicine (which does not indicate exactly what kind of medicine), but was converted to the word "Potion" (which would indicate a form of liquid substance). When the Secret Potion debuted in Generation II, items did not have in-game sprites, so its appearance had not been established yet. Secret Potion's depiction as a pouch of pills was introduced years later as the item sprite in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, but its English name remained until Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
    • However, in the anime episode Machoke, Machoke Man!, Secret Medicine is depicted as a bottle of medicine, which is consistent with both the Japanese and English names. This predates the introduction of the pouch of pills sprite.
  • Rage Candy Bar (Japanese: いかりまんじゅう Rage Manjū). Manjū is a Japanese sweet made with red bean paste.
  • The Slowpoke Tail's Japanese name (Japanese: おいしいシッポ Delicious Tail) does not specify it as Slowpoke, though dialogue and graphics still refer to it as such.
  • The Amulet Coin (Japanese: おまもりこばん Amulet Koban) is originally a Koban, a type of gold coin from the Edo period.
  • Cleanse Tag (Japanese: きよめのおふだ Purification Ofuda) and Spell Tag (Japanese: のろいのおふだ Cursed Ofuda). An ofuda is a type of traditional Japanese talisman.
  • Focus Band (Japanese: きあいのハチマキ Fighting Spirit Headband). The Japanese name refers to a Kiai, a short shout uttered when performing an attacking move in Japanese martial arts.
  • Leek (Japanese: ながねぎ Scallion). Scallions are a close relative of the leek, but they aren't the same species.
  • Rainbow Wing and Silver Wing are single feathers in Japanese, but their English names changed to wings instead. In particular, there is no indication in the English Generation II games that these items were originally supposed to be feathers, because these games don't have item sprites. Their item sprites (depicting them as single feathers) debuted in the Generation IV remakes, but their names remained as before, with the word "Wing".
    • Rainbow Wing (Japanese: 虹色の羽根 Rainbow Feather)
    • Silver Wing (Japanese: ぎんいろのはね Silver Feather)

Items introduced in Generation III

  • The five condition-related Scarves are Bandannas in Japanese. The English name "Scarf" implies they are worn around the neck, but the Japanese name "Bandanna" implies they are worn at the top of the head.
  • Fluffy Tail (Japanese: エネコのシッポ Eneco's Tail). The Japanese name indicates that it's a Skitty's tail. However, the English item name does not mention Skitty.
    • In particular, the species of Fluffy Tail is not revealed in the English version of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, because this game doesn't have item sprites. The item sprite depicting a Skitty's tail debuted in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen (however, this item is unavailable in this game outside of trades).
  • Lava Cookie (Japanese: フエンせんべい Huen Rice Cracker). The Lava Cookie's sprite appears to be a Senbei, a type of rice cracker.
  • Acro Bike (Japanese: ダートじてんしゃ Dirt Bike).

Items introduced in Generation IV

  • The three evolution stones introduced in this generation have different names in English and Japanese, although their meanings are related to some extent.
    • Shiny Stone (Japanese: ひかりのいし Light Stone)
    • Dusk Stone (Japanese: やみのいし Darkness Stone)
    • Dawn Stone (Japanese: めざめいし Awakening Stone)
  • Old Gateau (Japanese: もりのヨウカン Forest Yōkan). Much like the English localized pun on the Old Chateau, it is a pun on the location it is found in. In Japanese, the Chateau's name is "Forest Manor" (Japanese: もりのようかん) while the Gateau's name is "Forest Yōkan" (Japanese: もりのヨウカン); the two terms are homophones and are pronounced as mori no yōkan.
  • Like the Focus Band, the Focus Sash's (Japanese: きあいのタスキ Fighting Spirit Sash) Japanese name refers to a Kiai.
  • Lunar Feather (Japanese: みかづきのはね Crescent Moon Feather). Much like the Generation II items Rainbow Wing and Silver Wing, this item is a single feather in Japanese, but is named "Wing" in English from Generation IV to Pokémon Sword and Shield. Additionally, the Japanese name is exactly about the crescent moon, while the English name simply references the moon. It was renamed to Lunar Feather in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, more closely reflecting its Japanese name.

Items introduced in Generation V

Items introduced in Generation VII

  • The Bottle Cap's Japanese name includes the fact that it's silver. This is similar to the Gold Bottle Cap, which kept the reference to gold in English.
    • Bottle Cap (Japanese: ぎんのおうかん Silver Bottle Cap)
    • Gold Bottle Cap (Japanese: きんのおうかん Gold Bottle Cap)
  • Beast Ball (Japanese: ウルトラボール Ultra Ball). Both the Japanese and English names reference the fact that it was developed to catch Ultra Beasts. Its name changed in the English localization because the Japanese name was already taken by another Poké Ball variant introduced in Generation I, the Ultra Ball.
  • The Lure's Japanese name is similar to repel, but むしよけ Repellent is replaced by むしよせ Attractant; both terms involve むし Insect. The Lure and its improved variants include the word コロン Cologne in Japanese, indicating their design; however, this word is absent in the English names, being replaced by "Lure". Additionally, むしよせ Attractant is not found in the Japanese names of Super Lure and Max Lure. Much like the Repel variants, the Super Lure and Max Lure are ranked as "Silver" and "Gold" in Japanese; these words were replaced by "Super" and "Max" in English.
    • Lure (Japanese: むしよせコロン Attractant Cologne)
    • Super Lure (Japanese: シルバーコロン Silver Cologne)
    • Max Lure (Japanese: ゴールドコロン Gold Cologne)
  • Pewter Crunchies (Japanese: ニビあられ Nibi Arare). Arare is a type of Japanese rice cracker.
  • Surge Badge (Japanese: だいだいバッジ Orange Badge). Shares its Japanese name with the Thunder Badge, but a distinction is made in English.

Items introduced in Generation VIII

  • All the seven Sweets that cause Milcery to evolve into Alcremie are amezaiku (a form of Japanese candy craft artistry) according to their Japanese names.
    • The Love Sweet's name is changed further (Japanese: ハートアメざいく Heart Amezaiku) The word "Heart" is a more literal description of its shape, while "Love" is an abstract concept.

Badges

  • In the Japanese version, the Kanto Badges are named after colors. In the English version, most Kanto Badges were renamed. For instance, "グレーバッジ" (Gray Badge) was translated as "Boulder Badge". The only Kanto Badge that kept its Japanese name in the English Localization (only written with English letters instead of Japanese katakana) was Erika's Rainbow Badge.

In the core series games

  • In all core series games, the player writes a report (Japanese: レポート report) when saving the game. This "report" option is found at the Japanese version main menu. The references to writing a report were simply translated as saving the game.
  • The units of measurement used for the Pokémon's height and weight (as seen in the Pokédex) depend on the game language.
    • Japanese games: height in meters, weight in kilograms
    • American games: height in feet and inches, weight in pounds
  • In the core series, from Generation II onwards (as well as all games in the Pokémon Stadium series since Generation I), the Pokédex is able to sort Pokémon by their katakana name in the Japanese version, or alphabetically in the localized versions.

In the anime

  • In the Japanese version, Misty often introduces herself as "the world's most beautiful girl" (Japanese: 世界の美少女). It is implied that this trait was a result of her inferiority complex towards her older sisters. However, this trait was mostly excluded from the dub until Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon.


  This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.
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