Johto
- If you were looking for the musical group, see Johto (musical group).
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The Johto region (Japanese: ジョウト地方 Jōto-chihō) is a large area located west of Kanto. Johto and Kanto are part of a large landmass, with everything west of Indigo Plateau falling in the Johto region.
First explored in Pokémon Gold and Silver, it is home to an additional 100 Pokémon that were not present in previous games. In the Generation II games, players begin their journey in New Bark Town, where Professor Elm offers either Chikorita, Cyndaquil or Totodile to beginning Pokémon Trainers. The names of most of the cities in Johto are also the names of plants or things related to plants.
Geography
The geography of Johto is much like that of Kanto. It is marked by a mountain range in the north and a vast sea to the south.
Locations
Cities/Towns
- New Bark Town
- Cherrygrove City
- Violet City
- Azalea Town
- Goldenrod City
- Ecruteak City
- Olivine City
- Cianwood City
- Mahogany Town
- Blackthorn City
Areas of interest
- Dark Cave
- Sprout Tower
- Ruins of Alph
- Union Cave
- Slowpoke Well
- Ilex Forest
- Radio Tower
- National Park
- Burned Tower
- Mt. Mortar
- Lake of Rage
- Tin Tower
- Whirl Islands
- Ice Path
- Dragon's Den
- Tohjo Falls (actually in Kanto)
- Mt. Silver
- Indigo Plateau (actually in Kanto)
- Battle Tower (Crystal only)
Routes
Johto's routes are numbered 29-46, starting at the route number that Kanto (in Generation II) left off from, 28. Route 28 itself actually partially stretches into Johto, though is known as Silver Cave when in Johto.
League
- Main article: Johto League
The Johto League is the regional Pokémon League of the Johto region. Johto and Kanto share a single Elite Four, located at the Indigo Plateau. Eight Johto League Badges are required to participate in League competitions.
Gym Leaders
| # | Leader | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Falkner | Flying |
| 2 | Bugsy | Bug |
| 3 | Whitney | Normal |
| 4 | Morty | Ghost |
| 5 | Chuck | Fighting |
| 6 | Jasmine | Steel |
| 7 | Pryce | Ice |
| 8 | Clair | Dragon |
Culture
History
After Johto was created, alongside Kanto, by Groudon and Kyogre at the beginning of the universe, Pokémon no one had seen before began inhabiting the region. 1500 years before Generation I, the earliest known system for writing is developed and used at the Ruins of Alph of Johto. Archaeologists are currently unsure whether the nearly identical Unown preceded or succeeded the English alphabet, but it is assumed they share some sort of connection. Approximately 700 years ago, Tin Tower and Brass Tower are constructed in Ecruteak City, and Lugia and Ho-Oh perch at their tops. It lived on for another 550 years before Brass Tower burns to the ground, killing three Pokémon inside. Lugia flees to the Whirl Islands, Ho-Oh resurrects the three as the legendary beasts and flies off in search of a pure-hearted Trainer.
Connection to Japan
- Main article: Pokémon world in relation to the real world
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. 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 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 II and Generation III. People from Kansai are considered to be more relaxed. Kansai and Kantō, however different, are the two most important 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 Johto 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.
Remake
Remake speculation
- Main article: Pokémon Gold and Silver remake speculation
Before the announcement of Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, many had speculated a remake of Gold and Silver since the release of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen in 2004. In the Generation IV games, location pointer data (for a captured Pokémon's status screen) includes a reference to Johto, much like it does for Kanto and Hoenn when a Pokémon is transferred forward from Generation III. This left programmers the opportunity to see Johto make an appearance in future games compatible with Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.
In Generation IV
- Main article: Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions
In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, it has been confirmed that Johto will be location of the game, in which the player must explore. Most of the region has been redesigned, with some alterations in respect to the improved graphics and gameplay. Areas such as the Slowpoke Well, Azalea Town, and the Sprout Tower, have been shown to be included within the game with different aesthetic aspects changing from previous generations to show 3D depth similar to Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.
Much like Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen revisited the Generation I story of Kanto, HeartGold and SoulSilver will revisit the story of Johto, with the player's starting area being New Bark Town. As there are no definitive details about the games yet, it is currently unknown whether or not changes to the plot and course of the original games will be made. What is currently known, however, is that the geography of New Bark Town, while updated, has not changed. The player's rival, Silver, lurks outside of Professor Elm's lab as he did in Generation II.
Trivia
- Johto is the only main region in which Pikachu is not found in the wild, though Pikachu are available in Generation II when the player travels to Kanto later in the game.
- It is the only region in which Ash Ketchum did not meet a new traveling companion.
- Johto is the only region without:
- a cycling road
- a Pokémon burial ground
- a Safari Zone
- its own Victory Road
- an autonomous Pokémon League (shared with Kanto)
- a regional Pokédex (the Johto Dex included all Pokémon known as of Generation II)
- its own storage system developer (Bill also developed that of Kanto)
- its own villainous team (Team Rocket is shared with Kanto)
- This lack is mostly due to the fact that Generation II is very dependent on Generation I, and as the latter half of the game's storyline takes place in Kanto, there was no need to repeat many things.
- Johto is the only region where the first Gym doesn't specialize in Template:Type2s.
| Regions in the Pokémon world | ||
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| Johto | ||||||||
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