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Unova: Difference between revisions
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The '''Unova''' region (Japanese: '''イッシュ{{tt|地方|ちほう}}''' ''Isshu {{tt|region|chihō}}'') is a [[region]] of the [[Pokémon world]]. It is the setting of {{game|Black and White|s}} and [[Pokémon Black and White Versions 2|Pokémon Black 2 and White 2]]. It was the fifth [[core series]] region to be introduced. | The '''Unova''' region (Japanese: '''イッシュ{{tt|地方|ちほう}}''' ''Isshu {{tt|region|chihō}}'') is a [[region]] of the [[Pokémon world]]. It is the setting of {{game|Black and White|s}} and [[Pokémon Black and White Versions 2|Pokémon Black 2 and White 2]]. It was the fifth [[core series]] region to be introduced. | ||
Unova is far away from the four other large regions, and the Pokémon which inhabit Unova are diverse and different from those of [[Kanto]], [[Johto]], [[Hoenn]], and [[Sinnoh]]. | Unova is far away from the four other large regions, and the Pokémon which inhabit Unova are diverse and different from those of [[Kanto]], [[Johto]], [[Hoenn]], and [[Sinnoh]]. According to [[Junichi Masuda]], the geographical and social background for Unova draws inspiration from the {{wp|New York City metropolitan area}}.<ref>[http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/blog/dir_english/?p=242 Hidden Power of Masuda: Director's Columns]</ref><ref>"This new region was inspired by New York's Manhattan. I visited New York when Diamond and Pearl launched and I had the chance to wander around the town. When I walked through the streets, I saw a lot of different people having festivals and community events—Italian people, French people—they're coming from different countries and coexisting in one community", [[Junichi Masuda]], [[Official Nintendo Magazine]] Issue 65 page 30.</ref> Although it is geographically based on New York City, it draws inspiration for its landmarks from the entire state of New York, which features a mixture of rural locations and urban areas as well as factory towns and industrial complexes. | ||
==Etymology and design concept== | ==Etymology and design concept== | ||
===Etymology=== | ===Etymology=== | ||
Unova's Japanese name, イッシュ ''Isshu'', is derived from the Japanese word for "one variety", '''一種''' ''isshu'', or '''１種類''' ''isshurui''. According to the game director Masuda, this is to express that although the region is diverse in species and race, they are all the same as living creatures when seen from a distance.<ref>http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/interview/irbj/vol1/index2.html</ref> | Unova's Japanese name, イッシュ ''Isshu'', is derived from the Japanese word for "one variety", '''一種''' ''isshu'', or '''１種類''' ''isshurui''. According to the game director Masuda, this is to express that although the region is diverse in species and race, they are all the same as living creatures when seen from a distance.<ref name=Iwata>Iwata Asks - Pokémon Black and Pokémon White Versions - Page 2 ([https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/ds/pokemon-black-white/0/1/ English], [http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/interview/irbj/vol1/index2.html Japanese])</ref> | ||
The region's English name likely comes from the Spanish word ''uno'' or the Latin word ''unum'' (one), and the Latin word ''nova'' (new). It may also be derived from ''united'', considering its basis on the largest city in the United States. It also sounds like parts of the phrase '''Un'''ited States '''of''' '''A'''merica. | The region's English name likely comes from the Spanish word ''uno'' or the Latin word ''unum'' (one), and the Latin word ''nova'' (new). It may also be derived from ''united'', considering its basis on the largest city in the United States. It also sounds like parts of the phrase '''Un'''ited States '''of''' '''A'''merica. | ||
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** an actual or former {{type|Rock}} or {{type|Fighting}} [[Gym]] in the generations that introduced Gyms.<!--Do not remove this. It says "actual or FORMER". Jasmine is a former Rock-type Gym Leader, and the Fighting Dojo was a Fighting type Gym before Sabrina came.--> | ** an actual or former {{type|Rock}} or {{type|Fighting}} [[Gym]] in the generations that introduced Gyms.<!--Do not remove this. It says "actual or FORMER". Jasmine is a former Rock-type Gym Leader, and the Fighting Dojo was a Fighting type Gym before Sabrina came.--> | ||
** a new {{type|Psychic}} specialist, as [[Caitlin]] was introduced in [[Generation IV]]. | ** a new {{type|Psychic}} specialist, as [[Caitlin]] was introduced in [[Generation IV]]. | ||
** a regional [[Pokédex]] that starts with a {{type|Grass}} [[starter Pokémon]] (although the Grass-type starter Pokémon is still entry #001, its Pokédex starts with {{p|Victini}} as #000) | ** a regional [[Pokédex]] that starts with a {{type|Grass}} [[starter Pokémon]] (although the Grass-type starter Pokémon is still entry #001, its Pokédex starts with {{p|Victini}} as #000). | ||
** the [[List of Pokémon by evolution family|evolution families]] of {{p|Pikachu}}, {{p|Machop}}, {{p|Goldeen}} and {{p|Magikarp}} in its regional Pokédex. | ** the [[List of Pokémon by evolution family|evolution families]] of {{p|Pikachu}}, {{p|Machop}}, {{p|Goldeen}} and {{p|Magikarp}} in its regional Pokédex. | ||
** an [[origin mark]]. | ** an [[origin mark]]. | ||
* Unova is the only main series region which does not use a romanization of the Japanese name as its English name, and the only region whose name is different among all translations of the games. | * Unova is the only main series region which does not use a romanization of the Japanese name as its English name, and the only region whose name is different among all translations of the games. | ||
** According to [[Junichi Masuda]], Unova's Japanese name was translated into different languages of the games so that players who do not speak Japanese can still understand the meaning behind the name.<ref>(February 10, 2011). [https://www.bisafans.de/spiele/editionen/schwarz-weiss/gamefreak.php Interview with Game Freak in London] by Bisafans (Page 1) (German)</ref> | |||
* Except [[Black City]] and [[White Forest]], all English names of cities and towns in Unova come from different types of cloud or cloud phenomena. Likewise, except Black City and White Forest, all Japanese names of cities and towns in Unova come from traditional patterns. | * Except [[Black City]] and [[White Forest]], all English names of cities and towns in Unova come from different types of cloud or cloud phenomena. Likewise, except Black City and White Forest, all Japanese names of cities and towns in Unova come from traditional patterns. | ||
* In some pre-release material in {{pmin|the United Kingdom}}, Unova was referred to as '''Alleos'''. | * In some pre-release material in {{pmin|the United Kingdom}}, Unova was referred to as '''Alleos'''. | ||
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* The {{wp|Demonym|adjectival form}} of Unova is "Unovan", as mentioned in {{p|Terrakion}}'s [[Pokémon Sword and Shield|Pokémon Shield]] Pokédex entry. | * The {{wp|Demonym|adjectival form}} of Unova is "Unovan", as mentioned in {{p|Terrakion}}'s [[Pokémon Sword and Shield|Pokémon Shield]] Pokédex entry. | ||
* The northwestern and northeastern portions of Unova are, in-game, incongruous with one another; the western side is larger in the north-south direction than the eastern side. | * The northwestern and northeastern portions of Unova are, in-game, incongruous with one another; the western side is larger in the north-south direction than the eastern side. | ||
* Junichi Masuda chose New York as the basis for the Unova region with Pokémon musical concerts in mind; he had his music arranged and performed in Pokémon-themed concerts held in {{wp|Kantō region|Kantō}}, {{wp|Kansai region|Kansai}}, {{wp|Kyushu}}, and {{wp|Hokkaidō}} (the real-life basis for the regions Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh respectively), and he had wanted to hold a similar concert in New York due to the many musical theaters found in Manhattan. Ultimately, the plan never came through due to complications, such as having to fly all the musicians and instruments to the United States.<ref name=Iwata/> | |||
==In other languages== | ==In other languages== | ||