Johto: Difference between revisions

{{Samename|musical group|Jouto (musical group)}}

The '''Jouto''' region (Japanese: '''{{tt|ジョウト地方|ジョウトちほう}}''' ''Jouto-chihō'') is a [[region]] of the [[Pokémon world]]. It is located west of [[Kanto]], and as revealed by the {{DL|Pokégear|radio}} show {{DL|Pokémon Music Channel|Sinnoh Sound}}, is located south of [[Sinnoh]]. It is the setting of {{game5|Gold|Silver|Crystal|HeartGold|SoulSilver}}. Jouto and Kanto are part of a large landmass, with everything west of [[Indigo Plateau]] falling in the Jouto region. It was the second [[main series]] region to be introduced.

First explored in {{game|Gold and Silver|s}}, it is home to an additional 100 {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} that were not present in [[Generation I|the previous games]]. Players begin their journey in [[New Bark Town]], where [[Professor Elm]] offers either {{p|Chikorita}}, {{p|Cyndaquil}}, or {{p|Totodile}} to beginning [[Pokémon Trainer]]s. The English-version names of most of the cities in Jouto are also the names of plants or things related to plants.

[[Junichi Masuda]] has stated in his director's column that the kanji that inspired the name mean "castle palace" (城都) or "lattice-shaped palace" (条都)<ref>[http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/blog/dir/?p=218 Hidden Power of Masuda: No. 149 (Japanese)]</ref><ref>[http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/blog/dir_english/?m=200905 Hidden Power of Masuda: No. 149 (English)]</ref>; this meaning is connected to the city of {{wp|Nara, Nara|Nara}}, which was the basis for [[Violet City]]. Jouto has a very traditional Japanese theme, which is portrayed in some of its settlements, including [[Ecruteak City]] and [[Violet City]].

Regardless of their proximity, the people of Jouto and those of Kanto are set apart by many cultural differences. Jouto is based on the real {{wp|Kansai region}} in Japan. This trait is most noticeable in its geography; however, the Kansai influence also defines the culture in Jouto. Kansai residents are known for their attitudes against typical Japanese standards, mostly due to the historical rivalry between the region, once the major seat of political power, and the real {{wp|Kantō region}} where Tokyo, the current capital, is located. The soil of the Kansai region is rich, unlike the volcanic Kantō region, and this is perhaps referenced by the in-game Kanto region's inability to maintain a [[Berry]] crop in [[Generation III]]. People from Kansai are considered to be more relaxed. Kansai and Kantō, however different, are the two most populous areas of Honshū, the largest island in Japan, and, much like Johto and Kanto, represent a harmony of contrasting cultures living together. The cultural divide is most noticeable in the games, as the player talks to and learns about the denizens of both regions.

Certain cultural aspects of the Jouto region are deep-seated in Japanese history, as well. Kyoto, which is probably the basis for Ecruteak City, is considered the cultural center of Japan. Kyoto and its many historical temples, shrines, palaces, gardens and architecture have been preserved. This connection to history is reflected in many areas of Johto. However, Goldenrod City (like Osaka) is typically modern.

* Jouto lacks many elements that all other [[region]]s have. Most of these omissions are due to it sharing them with [[Kanto]], which could be visited in the same games, and the fact that recycling old concepts have not become the norm yet in the games. Therefore, it is the only region without:

* Jouto shares its Pokémon League, [[Bill|Storage System developer]], and [[Team Rocket|villainous team]] with Kanto.

* In [[Generation II|Generations II]] and IV, between Jouto and [[Kanto]], the {{t|Dark}} type and the {{t|Ground}} type are the only types not represented by an official Gym. [[Viridian City]], whose previous Gym Leader [[Giovanni]], had the Ground type. However, when Giovanni left the Gym after being defeated by {{ga|Red}}, he was replaced by {{ga|Blue}}, who does not have a type specialty. [[Karen]] of the [[Elite Four]] uses Dark-type Pokémon, making the Ground type the only type to not have a [[Gym Leader]] or Elite Four member specialized in it in Jouto and Kanto for Generations II and IV.

* Unused location data for Jouto (similar to the data for [[Hoenn]] and [[Kanto]] used for Pal Park) exists within the programming of Generation IV's games. Pokémon actually caught in Jouto, however, display as being from "[[faraway place]]" when traded to a game taking place in [[Sinnoh]], much like Pokémon caught in a Platinum-exclusive location do when traded to Diamond or Pearl.

* Kanto and Jouto are the only regions that are connected to each other by land.

* In the {{pkmn|anime}}, Jouto is the only region so far in which: