Pokémon world

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The Pokémon world (Japanese: ポケモンの世界(せかい) world of Pokémon), also known as the world of Pokémon or simply the world (Japanese: 世界(せかい) world), and often referred to as Earth or earth (Japanese: 地球(ちきゅう) Earth), is the main setting for the Pokémon franchise, set in the Pokémon universe.

An orbital view of the Pokémon world in Pokémon the Series, resembling the real world Earth

A landscape view of the Pokémon world, Unova is highlighted by the squared cursor. Note the overt similarities to Europe at the bottom of the picture; the Scandinavian Peninsula looks practically unchanged.

It bears some striking similarities with the real world, certainly deriving inspiration from it, but many factors set it apart as a different place. The world of Pokémon is based on Japanese culture but various other cultures are also added and mixed.

Terminology

Main article: Terminology of Pokémon world

In the core series games, this is usually referred to as "earth" or "world of Pokémon", occasionally capitalized as "Earth" or "World of Pokémon".

"Pokémon world" or "Pokémon World" have been rarely used in the core series games outside of references to the Pokémon World Tournament in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. There is one instance of "Pokémon World" on a sign at the One Island in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. In the core series games, the first use of "Pokémon world" (as opposed to "Pokémon World") was in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. There is also an animated series opening song named Pokémon World.

Notably, Junichi Masuda once stated in an interview:

"We actually don't think of the world of Pokémon as Earth. If we were to do that, we would kind of be limited by what we could do. By thinking about how physical objects work on Earth and how various elements work on Earth, we would kind of be limited to that if we thought of it as Earth. We think of it as a place that is really similar to Earth but is a different planet of its own with people in it who may be similar to people on Earth, but they have different values so they care about different things. It's the type of place, the Pokémon world, where problems we face on Earth just wouldn't happen. There wouldn't be global warming, water shortages, or anything like that. It's a world where the people in it really want to work together with each other. Their value system is such where they would prefer to work together and eliminate these problems rather than feud."

In the core series games

History

Main article: History of the Pokémon world

It is said in many Sinnoh legends that the universe, Pokémon world included, was created by a single Pokémon, Arceus. In a void of nothingness, a single Egg came into being, which then hatched into Arceus. Arceus creates Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina and gives Dialga and Palkia the abilities to control time and space. Giratina is banished into another dimension for its behavior. Then, during very early formation of the world, possibly sooner, Arceus creates Azelf, Uxie, and Mesprit to create willpower, knowledge, and emotion, respectively, attributes that are in all modern humans and Pokémon. After the formation of the Sinnoh region, they dive to the bottom of present-day Lake Valor, Lake Acuity, and Lake Verity, respectively, dubbing the term "the lake guardians." Also in these early times, Mew appeared on the planet, containing the DNA of every Pokémon. There are many scientists who believe that Mew was the ancestor of all Pokémon.

Groudon and Kyogre's great battle

The next to come into being during the primal age are Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, and Rayquaza. It has been speculated that Primal Groudon was formed deep inside the earth from magma and Primal Kyogre was formed by the pressure in the deep sea trenches, while Rayquaza was formed by the minerals of the ozone layer. Another theory exists that the three already existed before the oceans, lands, and ozone layer did, and rather proceeded to create these components of the planet themselves. Rayquaza proceeds to fly around in the ozone layer, occasionally coming to rest at the Sky Pillar. Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre proceed to create landmass and fill the sea, respectively. A chance meeting turns the two into rivals, and a conflict for dominance over the Pokémon world begins. Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre also fought for the entry of nature that was overflowing at the time. These endless clashes continued until Mega Rayquaza quells it, causing Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre to retreat to special caverns, where they rest, losing their Primal forms sometime after they went to sleep. The Red and Blue Orbs are created to prevent the reawakening of Groudon and Kyogre, and to trigger the Primal Reversion when either Groudon and Kyogre are awakened by the representing orbs. The Red and Blue Orbs are left at Mt. Pyre for safekeeping.

At this time, Mew may have been plentiful and lived in large numbers. Landmasses such as Mount Coronet are created, and Regigigas moves the continents, forming various regions. The Sinnoh region is created around Mount Coronet. During this violent procedure, Stark Mountain is created and Heatran is formed in lava. Arceus creates the Adamant, Lustrous and Griseous Orbs before falling into a never-ending sleep.

Many years after, the prehistoric era begins and the first prehistoric Pokémon come into being. Scientists have proven that prehistoric Pokémon roamed the land, as Fossils and other archaeological remains have been found to contain the DNA of Pokémon. It is possible that the Mew population on the planet may have decreased at this stage, as they slowly gave way to other Pokémon species. Evolution has come, separating humans from Pokémon, to create the first humans.

During the Stone, Ice, and Iron Ages, the legendary giants are created, and used as keys to seal away Regigigas in the Snowpoint Temple. Regirock, Regice and Registeel are hidden in caves and ruins around the Hoenn region.

20,000 years before the modern day, a meteorite crashes into the planet. Thousands of years later, Eternatus emerges from it, bringing about the cataclysmic event known as the Darkest Day and introducing the world to the concept of Dynamaxing. The legendary heroes Zacian and Zamazenta, accompanied by twin human brothers, rise up and defeat Eternatus, causing it to fall into an inactive state. Pieces of Eternatus, known as Wishing Stars, scatter around the land. In modern times, the power of Wishing Stars is harnessed through Dynamax Bands, allowing humans to control the phenomenon.

Brass Tower after the fire, 150 years later.

1,500 years before modern times, the earliest known system for writing is developed and used at the Ruins of Alph, Tanoby Ruins, and Solaceon Ruins. Archaeologists are currently unsure whether the nearly identical Unown preceded or succeeded the writing system, but it is assumed they share some sort of connection. At this point, the Magikarp population mutated and became weaker.

In recent history, 700 years before modern times, the Bell Tower and the Brass Tower were constructed. These two nine-tier towers were built opposite each other in Ecruteak City. The towers were built to foster friendship and hope between Pokémon and people. The view from the top of the towers was said to be "magnificent". In the west was Brass Tower, which was said to awaken Pokémon, and in the east was the Bell Tower, where Pokémon were said to rest. At the time, an immense silver-colored Pokémon, was said to make its roost atop the Brass Tower, while its counterpart, the glorious rainbow-colored Ho-Oh was said to rest at the Bell Tower. However, around 150 years before the games, a lightning bolt struck the Brass Tower. It was engulfed in flames that raged for 3 days. Lugia and Ho-Oh escaped to the skies unharmed. A sudden downpour put an end to the blaze. In-game lore states that three Pokémon died in the fire, but Ho-Oh was able to revive them as the Legendary beasts, Raikou, Entei, and Suicune. Legends and folklore state that Raikou symbolizes the lightning bolt that struck the tower, Entei symbolizes the flames that raged for three days, and Suicune symbolizes the sudden downpour that extinguished the flames. Around this time, the first Pokémon League competitions started to take place. In the 1990s, a Pokémon was created by scientific engineering for the first time, called Porygon.

Dialga, Palkia and Giratina on the Spear Pillar.

In contemporary history, some years prior to the date, Mewtwo is cloned from Mew, and later escapes and destroys Cinnabar Island's Pokémon Mansion. Soon after, an erupting volcano on Cinnabar Island causes the destruction of many areas on the island. Around this time, the Team Rocket syndicate, under the leadership of Giovanni, spreads its control over various areas of the Kanto region until Red defeats Giovanni, prompting him to disband the organization and pursue a life of training. Despite this, Team Rocket operations continue for a little while longer on the Sevii Islands and in the Johto region. Sometime around the end of Team Rocket's operations, Red climbs and waits at the summit of Mt. Silver. Along with that, the leaders of Team Aqua and Team Magma reawaken Groudon and Kyogre and they continue their great battle, only to be stopped again by Rayquaza. Groudon and Kyogre retreat to the region of Fiore to rest after their battle.

In modern history, the Sinnoh region has become unusually colder, due to the strange circumstances occurring across the region. The Legendary trio of Sinnoh are also awoken by a villainous team; Team Galactic uses a Red Chain forged from the lake guardians to summon Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina. Their efforts are halted due to interference from the player. At this time, a rip in time-space has occurred, opening a portal to the Distortion World. Giratina escapes into its dimension along with Cyrus, the Team Galactic leader. The entrance to the Distortion World closes, returning the Sinnoh region back to normal.

Some years after this, Team Plasma attempts to free Pokémon from human capture, but for selfish reasons. Reshiram and Zekrom are awoken due to Team Plasma and the player. The player, siding with one of the two dragons, battles against N to test if N's convictions are correct. After this, the player defeats Ghetsis, and N leaves to a distant land with his dragon, while the player keeps theirs. Two years later, Team Plasma returns, but with the intention to take over Unova. Kyurem is captured by Ghetsis, and fused with N's dragon (either Zekrom^B2 or Reshiram^W2) to form Black Kyurem or White Kyurem respectively. The player defeats the new dragon, and Team Plasma is disbanded for good as Ghetsis suffers a mental breakdown and becomes unable to do any more evil deeds as a result.

Concurrently with Team Plasma's return, in Kalos, Team Flare tries to destroy the world and make a more beautiful one with the help of Xerneas^X or Yveltal^Y. The player, along with Shauna and Serena/Calem, save Xerneas^X or Yveltal^Y. Lysandre then uses the last bit of energy the ultimate weapon has, and ends up destroying both the weapon and the Team Flare Secret HQ. Lysandre is not seen again.

In the Galar region, Rose, the president of Macro Cosmos and the chairman of the Galar Pokémon League, foresees the region running out of energy in a thousand years. In his misguided vision to fix this problem, he reawakens Eternatus and brings about the second Darkest Day. The player, along with Hop, stands up against Eternatus in Hammerlocke and summons Zacian and Zamazenta to defeat the threat once more. Rose subsequently turns himself in and is arrested.

Culture

See also: Human → Culture

Culturally, the many depictions of the world all reflect a popular fascination with Pokémon and their interactions with humans, including catching them, training them, battling them, raising them, keeping them as pets, studying them, and utilizing their varied skills. Several myths discuss the relationship between humans and Pokémon as a very close one, and one folktale even says that there was a time when humans and Pokémon were considered one and the same.

The history of the Pokémon world diverges from that of the real world, with human-Pokémon interactions shaping it, lacking a major world religion, but having beliefs tied to ancient myths of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, suggesting Pokémon reverence as a potential pseudo-religion, supported by a general kindness and respect toward Pokémon. Additionally, Shinto shrines and crosses have appeared, as well as a Christian-like church in Hearthome City, and there are cultural references to Christianity and Christian-like elements in animation and manga.

Some individuals in the Pokémon world seek to exploit Pokémon for nefarious purposes, driven by either material gain or misguided ideals to help the world. Wars have also occurred, although firearms and other weapons are less frequently used than Pokémon.

The Pokémon world exhibits linguistic diversity, evident through foreign Pokédex entries, Unown markings, and characters like the Meister, Fantina, and Looker, with regions like Kalos incorporating French, Alola featuring Hawaiian, and Paldea using Spanish words in their language and culture.

Pokémon

The world of Pokémon, as shown in Pokémon X and Y

Pokémon are living creatures that inhabit the Pokémon world, living alongside, and usually helping, humans. Pokémon have been seen within this world as being both supplements and replacements for animals and plants that exist in the real world. Most people respect Pokémon and treat them kindly as equals, yet there exist people who take advantage of them and seek to exploit their abilities for their own gain. Many Pokémon are shown to be sapient, have feelings, and can also understand the human language to some extent. Recreations of natural ecosystems are done with Pokémon. While some Pokémon have abilities that are normal or only slightly distorted from reality, many more Pokémon have completely original abilities and have no counterparts within the real world. Other Pokémon are based on legends that exist in our world such as Ho-Oh being based on a phoenix.

Evolution

The final evolutions of the first partner Pokémon of Unova

In a Sinnoh myth, it is said that Pokémon and people were originally the same species. Over time, some of these creatures split apart from the rest and became humans. This theory has been explored many times throughout the Pokémon world, but not proven. Mew is said to be the ancestor of all life: it evolved into the other Pokémon. The first human recording was during the Stone Age, millions of years before the modern era. Biological taxonomies of cellular and genetic structure have revealed that Pokémon are all actually a single species of life form and that the individual differences between each creature are actually subspecies.^{[citation needed]} This can also explain why Pokémon can variously interbreed with each other. This explores the myth of evolution in the Pokémon world and makes a reference to evolution of animals and humans in the real world.

In modern times, Pokémon commonly undergo a process called evolution. During the course of a Pokémon's development, under certain circumstances specific to that Pokémon's subspecies, it may become a different Pokémon. This change is not merely physical, however, as Pokémon of a higher evolutionary stage have different and usually more powerful base stats than their predecessors, may have different moves that can be learned, and sometimes change their types, though the primary type is usually preserved. Most Pokémon will undergo this process.

Evolution in Pokémon, for most subspecies, is more akin to metamorphosis than to actual evolution. The Pokémon whose evolution is closest to the real-world definition of evolution is Burmy, who takes on a different appearance depending on the environment.

Reproduction

Main article: Pokémon breeding

Nearly every Pokémon undergoes some form of reproduction. Fully developed, or Pokémon that passed their baby form can breed with Pokémon of the same Egg Group. Pokémon that have no genders can only breed with Ditto; baby Pokémon and Legendary and Mythical Pokémon cannot breed at all, with the exception of Manaphy and Phione. Like the majority of real animals, most Pokémon have genders which can sometimes be determined by markings and gender-differences. Usually, a Trainer's Pokémon will breed in a Pokémon Day Care. It is unknown how a Pokémon reproduces, as no one has seen a Pokémon reproduce. Based on this, it is safe to assume that they only reproduce when left alone.

Eggs of Togepi and Elekid

All Pokémon that are able to breed lay Eggs. Though nobody has actually seen a Pokémon lay an Egg, they apparently appear by the Pokémon. Pokémon usually lay one Egg at a time, sometimes, in unusual occasions, lay various Eggs at a time. Pokémon Eggs are similar to birds' Eggs, as they have a hard outer shell that protects the growing, undeveloped Pokémon inside. An Egg's shell usually has a pattern reflecting the appearance of the Pokémon inside making each Pokémon Egg unique from one another. Pokémon, like animals, are rather protective of their Eggs. They sometimes nest them, but usually, keep them close to themselves. The growing Pokémon incubates inside its Egg until the time comes for the Pokémon to hatch. The time it takes for a Pokémon to hatch varies from each Pokémon species and the type of Egg. However, placing an Egg into a PC will halt the incubation process.

Some Pokémon species have a baby form when they hatch from their Eggs. Once in their adult stages, these Pokémon are able to reproduce and continue the cycle of reproduction. Most baby Pokémon can only hatch as a baby Pokémon. However, there are some exceptions. Some Pokémon hatch into a more advanced form most of the time, but can also hatch into a baby form when conditions are right.

Pokémon as food

Main article: Pokémon predation

Some Pokédex entries mention Pokémon eating other Pokémon, such as Pidgeot preying on Magikarp. Humans are also implied to eat Pokémon, with examples like Team Rocket selling Slowpoke Tails as a delicacy and Farfetch'd being overhunted due to its suitability as a meal. A Sinnoh myth even suggests that Pokémon can be reborn if their bones are cleaned and returned to their place of origin.

Additionally, some Pokémon are known to produce food products that can be consumed by either humans or Pokémon.

Classification

Pokémon have been enumerated in several different regions by their local Pokémon Professors, taking their primary example from Professor Oak, the developer of the first Pokédex. While Oak's initial development only counted the 151 Pokémon native to the Kanto region, by collaborating with the other Professors to develop separate Pokédex listings for each region, the National Pokédex, which counts all Pokémon known, currently catalogs 1025 Pokémon.

Pokémon are also classified according to several different types, depending on their strengths, weaknesses, and the moves they learn. Each of these types has certain strengths and weaknesses against others, with a total of 18 types identified so far. Pokémon are known to have either one or two types. Pokémon's types can be changed by moves like Soak and Conversion, and through abilities like Color Change.

Geography and nature

The Pokémon world looks and acts like the real world in terms of geography. Each have landforms, oceans of water (the Oceanic Museum has an exhibit claiming over two-thirds of the world is covered by water, the same as Earth), and temperatures to support life—meaning that the Pokémon world is about the same size and same distances from its sun as the real world. Misty even directly refers to the Pokémon world as Earth in Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias. However, if the Pokémon world is not Earth, it must be similar, having a similar moon, similar tides, similar climates, and so on.

Humans and nature in the Pokémon world are linked to each other, as many towns are built around the natural environment. A point of interest, unlike the real world, is that people's links with the nature are strong and they never try to affect the natural environment, with the exception of some villainous teams. Some Pokémon such as Groudon and Kyogre can affect and shape nature causing unexplainable droughts, storms, and earthquakes that can affect the continental plates.

Arcanine's Pokédex entry states that it is considered legendary in China; in The Birth of Mewtwo, Jessie's mother Miyamoto was said to have been lost in an expedition in the Andes; and lab reports in Pokémon Mansion state that Mew was discovered in Guyana, South America. These observations imply some possibility of the Pokémon world being the same as the "real world", only with extra regions.

Before the release of Pokémon Gold and Silver, novelizations of Pokémon the Series by Takeshi Shudō—the chief writer of the animated series—mentioned many real world nations, but none of the future regions the franchise would introduce. At the very least, this may suggest that early on in the franchise, Kanto was conceived as part of the real world. But as the series continued world-building, there are few signs that Shudō's version of the world has been maintained.

Structure

In-game map from HeartGold and SoulSilver showing the connection between Kanto and Johto

The Pokémon world is split into several regions. Typical mainland regions like Kanto, Johto, and Unova are mountainous landmasses with mild climates that resemble continents in the real world. Off these landmasses are often separate, smaller archipelago regions like the Orange and Decolore Islands. Some regions, such as Sinnoh, have very few water-based routes, whereas much travel in other regions, such as Hoenn, is dependent on their many water-based routes. Though there are many similarities between the regions, there are some major differences between them, such as what Pokémon are located there and what legends there are waiting to be uncovered. Visitors from other regions quickly realize that the regions they visit are far from their home, both in the way of the climate change, and in the culture of the people residing there. In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, Professor Oak states that Pokémon from around the country, such as Kanto and Hoenn, can be brought to Pal Park in Sinnoh. Other regions may also be part of this country due to the use of vocabulary such as "national" or "nationwide", particularly in reference to the National Pokédex, but they are all perhaps part of a world nation. Several small kingdoms have been introduced in Pokémon the Series as well, most of which keep themselves secluded in remote or difficult to reach areas.

Regions in relation to Japan

The geography of the regions is strikingly similar to Japan, but in a much larger scale, as seen in the fifth movie (the only time when the entire planet is clearly shown).

• Generation I and II: The Kantō region of Japan is not only identical in name to Kanto in the Pokémon world, it is also very similar geographically; however, the western part of Kanto corresponds to eastern Chūbu. In Japan, the Kanto region is often contrasted with Kansai, which is like Johto, to the west. However, Johto is geographically more similar to the combined region of Kansai and western Chubu.
• Generation III: Hoenn is based on the southernmost parts of Japan—Kyūshū and Okinawa—with the latter highly condensed. Orre is based on the United States state of Arizona. Fiore is likely based on the Japanese prefectures Okayama and Hyōgo, as well as Shodo Island of the Kagawa prefecture.
• Generation IV: Sinnoh has been said to be an island like Hoenn, rather than a peninsula. It is based on the northernmost major island of Japan, Hokkaido, part of Sakhalin and Kunashir Island. Almia appears to be based on the Oshima and Hiyama subprefectures of Hokkaido. Oblivia may be based on the Oki Islands in Japan.
• Generation V: Unova has been said to be based on the island of Manhattan and the New York City Metropolitan Area.
• Generation VI: Kalos is based on northern France, with many cultural similarities between the country and the region, such as language, music, and architecture.
• Generation VII: Alola is based on Hawaii, with similar geography to its real life counterpart.
• Generation VIII: Galar is based on the United Kingdom.
• Generation IX: Paldea is based on the Iberian Peninsula.

Regardless, the games have referenced real places on Earth, such as South America, Australia, China, Antarctic, the United States, and the Pacific Ocean, while Pokémon the Series and related media have referenced places such as Hollywood, California, Minnesota, England, and Paris.

Climate

Diamond dust twinkles in Snowpoint City

Autumn in the Unova region

Most regions have different climates. Regions and islands like the Hoenn and the Orange Islands further south in the Pokémon world have a warmer climate than northerly regions, possibly due to an equator, much like on Earth. Hoenn's climate is warm, possibly even tropical, and parts of the region are so rainy they are covered in jungles. Meanwhile, the Sinnoh region is cooler than other regions, and becoming colder due to climate change in the region. It is snowing constantly in the northern area of the region. Some Pokémon such as Groudon, Kyogre and Rayquaza can affect climate and weather.

Weather conditions still apply in the Pokémon world, and as clouds and rain exist, so must the water cycle. Many weather conditions that appear on Earth are also in the Pokémon world, such as rain, hailstorms, snow, fog, and sandstorms. Given that plants and trees seem to grow in a normal manner, it can be reasonably assumed that the other major cycles, such as the carbon cycle and the nitrogen cycle, exist as well.

Environment

Mount Coronet, the tallest mountain in the Sinnoh region

The natural environment in the Pokémon world is very similar to the real Earth's environment. Areas with a high density of trees make up forests, landscapes that receive very little precipitation create deserts, while loose broken-up particles of rock make large coastal beaches attracting people and Pokémon alike. Many regions boast dramatic environments ranging from rainforests to deserts.

The Pokémon world is mainly green and lush, based on factors such as plant structures including trees, shrubs, and grasses. Grass is usually uncontrolled and makes tall grass patches that form prime habitats for wild Pokémon. There are also large mountainous areas that tower above low-lying land areas. The largest mountain range is Mount Coronet, which stretches from the top to the bottom of Sinnoh, splitting the whole region in two. Man-made and natural occurrences form caves in the mountainsides that are able to be explored or passed through to get to other cities and routes. A variety of other natural phenomena also appear in the Pokémon world, such as volcanic ash falling over certain areas from the activity of nearby volcanic activity.

Humans and nature in the Pokémon world are linked to each other, as many towns are built around its environment and they never try to affect the natural environment. Pacifidlog Town, for example, is built on wooden rafts and logs that float on top of a Corsola colony, while Sootopolis City is built in the crater of a hollowed, erupted volcano. An ecosystem is formed when all plants, Pokémon and people in an area function together with all of the non-living physical factors of the environment. It is said that Pokémon are more in tune with nature than humans.

Population

Adding up the town- and city-based populations of every core series game yields a minimum population of at least 4,052 people in the Pokémon world. This is most likely nowhere near the true population of the world, due to the sheer abundance of buildings with inaccessible rooms (particularly in Castelia City and Wyndon).

The animated series consistently shows towns as much larger and populous than their in-game counterparts. The Pokémon world's similarity to Earth may suggest that the canonical population is somewhere in the millions or even billions, since the societal infrastructure and economy shown in the games and animated series would never be able to operate with only a couple thousand of humans to operate it.

Physics and technology

A Time Capsule, used to teleport Pokémon back in time

Science and technology in the Pokémon world is more advanced than the real world. Technological advances have evolved the Pokémon world, scientists have created ways to store Pokémon on computers, send Pokémon around the world, send Pokémon back in time, clone Fossils to create prehistoric Pokémon, and study parallel dimensions, yet people's lives in the games are simple and very natural. Scientific achievements such as cloning and energy conversion mingle with magical elements such as spontaneous evolution and flowers that can replay a short time sequence, giving one the sense that the Pokémon world is very different from our own. The state of technology conceivably places the timeframe we see in either the present day, or perhaps in the future, but this is merely speculative. Scientists at the Devon Corporation and other companies are still working on more advanced and slightly impossible inventions like a Pokémon Dream Projector that makes a visual projection of Pokémon dreams, Pokémon Speaker that allows communication with Pokémon, and a Pokémon Transformator that turns people into Pokémon (which Bill accidentally did when testing his teleporter). Antigravity machines exist alongside basic means of travel such as bicycles and trucks.

One of the most advanced and commonly used technology in the Pokémon world is the Poké Ball which transforms a Pokémon into energy so it can be contained in the small ball. In a battle, once the opposing wild Pokémon has been weakened, the Trainer will throw a Poké Ball at it. Assuming the Poké Ball hits it and is not dodged or hit back to the Trainer, the Poké Ball will open, convert the wild Pokémon to an energy form, pull the energy into its hollow center, and then close. The wild Pokémon will then be given the chance to struggle to try to escape the Poké Ball. Poké Balls originated from Apricorns, which is a non-synthetic Poké Ball. Old Apricorn Poké Balls were able to be unscrewed at the disproportionate top and manually be released, to let the Pokémon out. There are now several different kinds of Poké Balls, each for different occasions, including the Master Ball which is able to capture a wild Pokémon without failure.

A Poké Ball, the most common technology used in the Pokémon world

Despite the amount of advanced technology available, comparatively few modes of transportation are seen. This may be because the world is often shown through the eyes of a Pokémon Trainer, who usually travel on foot for a variety of practical reasons such as cost and finding wild Pokémon. However, there is a possibility that some transportation such as cars and trucks are harmful to the natural environment and Pokémon by the poisonous pollution from the vehicles. The most common transportation used to get to other regions or islands is by sailing by boat or ship, as it is a quick and easy way to get to other lands, while most regions have their own ferry. People can also use Pokémon for transportation by flying or swimming.

While Pokémon are generally tolerant of human settlements being constructed, most will often react with hostility to any human attempts to truly cause harm to the natural environment. In Dig Those Diglett!, not only did a large group of Diglett and Dugtrio constantly hamper construction of a dam that would have destroyed much of the local habitat, the Pokémon of several Trainers invited to the scene to deal with the attacks refused to come out of their Poké Balls, and is one of the rare instances of Ash's Pikachu refusing to fight, which prompted Ash, Misty, and Brock to investigate further. In return, Pokémon are often seen providing several services that in the real world are performed by technology: Water- and Ground-type Pokémon are often used to fight fires, Electric-type Pokémon used as a clean source of electrical power, and so on.

In the animated series, the physics of the Pokémon world are sometimes stretched to unrealistic degrees. Some common examples are unusual feats of strength and agility, surviving lethal attacks, and hammerspace.

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Main article: Pokémon world (Mystery Dungeon)

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, Pokémon are the sole inhabitants of a world filled with diverse locations, including idyllic places such as both small rescue team camps and larger settlements, as well as many ever-changing mystery dungeons, where explorers go to complete Jobs, encountering many hostile Pokémon along the way. The connection between this world and the worlds of the core series games and animated series remains a mystery. However, there are hints that suggest travel between the two is possible, such as the Coronet Rock, rumored to originate from the Sinnoh region's Mt. Coronet.

e-Reader games

In the e-Reader short animation Flying Journey, a Dragonite is seen quickly flying through multiple locations. According to the text shown at the end, Dragonite has been traveling around the world a number of times during this animation. For instance:

• "Dragonite traveled around the world 5 time(s)"

In animation

A hologram depicting the Pokémon world, appearing nearly identical to Earth

Pokémon animated series

Main article: Timeline of events in Pokémon the Series

The world of the animated series is very similar to that of the core series games, featuring many of the same regions and locations, though offering several original locations as well, such as the Orange Islands and Decolore Islands in Pokémon the Series. Some towns and other locations also differ in a few ways. In Pokémon the Series, the Whirl Islands are populated, but in the games they are just a series of caves, and Littleroot Town is shown to be a coastal town, whereas in the games it is surrounded by woodland on all sides. Furthermore, the roads between locations in the animated series seem to be much longer, often taking days to get from one town to the next. Many towns and cities are also depicted as much larger and more populous than in the games.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon world in Pokémon Adventures

Main article: History of the Pokémon world (Adventures)

As seen in a special chapter of the Pokémon Adventures manga, Pokémon names differ between locations.

In the novels

Pocket Monsters: The Animation

Main article: Pokémon world (PMTA)

Trivia

• Kanto and Johto are the only regions known to be adjacent to each other.
• Regular animals have been seen in some older media, while regular plants like apple trees or pine trees are still seen frequently. It is unknown if both animals and Pokémon exist within this world in a complicated ecosystem, but real animals are occasionally referenced in Pokédex entries, especially if the Pokémon being referred to is based on an animal.

External links

On Bulbagarden forums

• Pokémon world discussion forum

See also

• Pokémon world in relation to the real world

Regions in the Pokémon world

Core series Kanto (Sevii Islands) • Johto • Hoenn Sinnoh (Hisui • Battle Zone) • Unova (Blueberry Academy) Kalos • Alola • Galar (Isle of Armor • Crown Tundra) Paldea • Kitakami Side series White City • Orre Animated series Orange Islands • Decolore Islands Spin-off games Fiore • Almia • Oblivia • Pokémon Island • Mintale Town Ryme City • Pasio • Ransei • Ferrum • Lental Mystery Dungeon world • PokéPark • TCG Islands Carmonte Island • Tumblecube Island • Aeos Island TCG Southern Islands • Puzzle Continent • Holon • Parallel Worlds Sovereign states in the Pokémon world Ranger Union • Guyana Lucario Kingdom • Mirage Kingdom • Rota

Pokémon world Nature: Pokémon • Humans • Animals • Flora History: Games • Pokémon the Series • Horizons • Adventures Culture: Currency • Magazines • Movies • Radio • TV (Sinnoh) Transport (Land • Air • Water) • Weaponry Mortality: Illness • Death • Ghosts Pokémon world templates Regions

This article is part of Project Locations, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on every location in the Pokémon world.