Pokémonnow has nine generations under its belt, and many generations have taken their players to very different locations inspired by a myriad of places from the real world. WithPokémon VioletandScarletbeing two and a half years old andPokémon Legends: Z-Acoming out later this year, it looks like GameFreak will be looking toward its franchise’s 10th generation relatively soon. That brings with it speculation as to what part of the world will inspire the next generation ofPokémon, and the series' overall aesthetic.
The first fourPokémonregions (Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh) were all based on different areas of Japan, but since then,the series has firmly based its regions abroad, from Galar drawing inspiration from the United Kingdom to Unova being based on New York City. There doesn’t seem to be much of a pattern in which areas GameFreak chooses to basePokémonregions on, going from Japan to Europe to different parts of the USA. Still, there are plenty of placesPokémoncan go to and these areas could also provide inspiration for the native wildlife.
10Greece Could Be Pokémon’s Second Visit To The Mediterranean
Greek Myth Could Inspire Many Designs
After Gen 9’s Paldea region took players to an area heavily inspired by Spain,a region based on Greece could see the series return to the Mediterranean. More importantly, there are plenty of recognizable bits of architecture in Greece to make the inspiration of a new region evident, from its ruins and pillars to the blue roofs of Santorini. The many islands of Greece would fitPokémon’s geography well and there are plenty of myths to inspire dungeons, such as Crete’s Labrinyth.
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Greece’s rich ancient mythology would also be perfect forinspiring newPokémondesigns. Quite a fewPokémonalready have names based on figures from Greek Myth, like Delphox being inspired by the oracle Delphi and Heracross sharing a similar name to Heracles (who the Romans called Hercules), so it is a formula that works.A Medusa or Cerberus-stylePokémonwould fit in nicely to help introduce players to a Greek region, and it would look unlike any that have come before in previous generations.
9Egypt Could Be Pokémon’s First African Region
Some Pokémon Are Already Based On Egyptian Myth
Pokémonhas yet to make a visit to Africa, and Egypt could be the perfect country to base a newPokémonregion on. The country has well-defined architecture with its pyramids and ruins, the desert would be something new compared to previous regions, andEgyptian myth could be perfect for inspiring new designs. Shinx and its evolutions (Luxio and Luxray) prove that Ancient Egyptian designs work forPokémon,so more wouldn’t hurt given Shinx’s relative staying power.
Luxio and Luxray seemed to be named after the Egyptian city of Luxor.
SomePokémonbased on mummies or some Ancient Egyptian gods, like Set and Horus, could help usher in an Egyptian region, while some of the areas from the myth could be perfect for some dungeons. The deserts of Egypt would work well in making the game feel bigger than games that have come beforeand could introduce a sand-surfingPokémonto help travel around the dunes. ThesePokémoncould work likeZelda: Breath of the Wildsand seals and provide something different from bikes or rollerblades.
8Scandinavia Could Provide The Perfect Norse Adventure
A Viking Pikachu Would Be Hilarious
Europe has proved to be a popular continent for GameFreak to visit withPokémon,and the Scandinavian region of the continent would be a great place for the franchise to visit. With the modern, simplistic design that many countries in Scandinavia are known for,it would fitPokémonwell with its established aesthetic regarding shops and Pokémon Centers. Vikings have always been popular too, and while leaning into this too much could be cliché, Norse myth could inspire newPokémondesigns.
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A squirrel-likePokémonbased on Ratatoskr seems perfect, and Norse mythology’s rich library of creatures could provide an abundance of inspiration for GameFreak’s artists. Players can explore burial grounds as dungeons whileexploring the modern, sleek cities inspired by places like Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Oslo. Many of these cities have good cycling infrastructure too, and biking around is a common way to get around inPokémon,given that the protagonists are too young to drive.
7The Chūbu Region Of Japan Could Help Pokémon Return To Its Roots
It Will Emulate The Feel Of Gen 1–4
Although unlikely,Pokémoncould return to its roots and look to a region of Japan for its 10th generation.GameFreak hasn’t based a generation on Japan since Gen 4, although it did baseLegends: Arceuson the Sinnoh region. With the last two mainPokémontitles not being as well received as others, GameFreak could play it safe and return to Japan, where the series started. Many other games have attempted to return to their roots after a while, andPokémoncould do the same.
Sinnoh is called Hisui inLegends: Arceus,being the name the region had long ago.
The Chūbu region would be great for this plan, being known as Japan’s most wild region. It is separated by the Japanese Alps, with one side being sunny in winter while the other is snowy, providing an interesting way to make areas of a new region feel different.Historical villages in the Chūbu region, like Gokayama, could be great blueprints for small settlementsin the countryside, while the region’s center could be based on Nagoya, the capital of the region.
6Pokémon Could Visit The Mountainous Swiss Alps
Pokémon Skiing Would Be A Fun Mini Game
Something about Switzerland’s picturesque landscapes and brilliant public transport system feels like a perfect fit forPokémon. With kids as the protagonists,the Swiss trains and trams would be a great way to get around in-game, providing players with an alternative to usingPokémonto fly everywhere. The overall aesthetic of quaint cabins and clock towers provides a strong, recognizablefoundation for a Gen 10 game, and while there is a lot more to Switzerland, this would be a good place to start.
The Alps themselves could be the perfect location for several services. Facing the Elite Four in a mountaintop castle would be a climatic way to get into the game’s final stages, anda ski-cabin at the top of a snowy slope could be perfect for an Ice-based Gym Leader. Skiing could be a fun mini-game too to break up the constant battling, letting trainers race to complete challenges for rewards. Players could even ski against competitors instead of just battling them.
5Brazil & The Amazon Rainforest Could Be Pokémon’s First South American Adventure
Brazil’s Vibrancy Would Be Perfect For The Pokémon Series
ThePokémonseries is meant to be aimed at kids, and while the franchise has many adult fans due to its impressive staying power,the bright, colorful nature of Brazil could be perfect for a young demographic. From vibrant festivals to the variety of life in the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil has a lot to give to aPokémontitle. It would be the firstPokémongame to visit South America and Brazil is probably the most recognizable country on the continent for most people, with iconic architecture like the Christ the Redeemer statue.
An Amazon Rainforest-like area would be a brilliant place forPokémonresearchers to discover new species. The rainforest would provide a strong contrast between it and the settlements players are bound to visit, but both would be equally vibrant. Brazil’s love for football could shine through as a mini-game, having a player’sPokémonsquad play in a 6v6 match, especially because football has grown in popularity in Japan recently. Pikachu in a Brazil jersey would likely sell a lot of plushies.
4Beijing’s Fusion Of High Tech & Ancient Architecture Could Provide An Interesting Aesthetic
A Few Pokémon Are Based On Chinese Myths
AlthoughPokémonbegan in Asia, it hasn’t been based in a region of another country on the continent outside Japan.China could be a good place to start, given the abundance of creatures in Chinese myth to basePokémonoffand the many iconic bits of architecture housed in the country. Beijing, in particular, would be perfect, as it combines the modern aesthetic of skyscrapers and high-tech facilities (key inPokémon) with ancient yet recognizable buildings.
Pokémoncould do its own version of the Forbidden City to house the Elite Four and the region’s champion, and it isn’t as though Chinese myth hasn’t already inspired the series before.Gyarados, one of the most iconic waterPokémonaround, is based on a Chinese dragon, while Infernape draws inspiration from the Monkey King, Sun Wukong. Mythological creatures like guardian lions, or wonders like the Terracotta Army, would provide a great scaffolding for somePokémondesigns.
3Dubai’s Futuristic Look Should Fit Pokémon Technology Well
The Arabic Aesthetic Would Be Unique For Pokémon
Modern or futuristic technology is a vital component ofPokémontitles and very few places in the world are as technologically advanced as Dubai. With its skyscrapers and somewhat over-the-top displays of wealth,Dubai is a city that already looks like it belongs in a video game.Pokémon’s version of the Burj Khalifa could be put in the region’s center, similar to the Effiel Tower-inspired Prism Tower being placed in the center of Lumiose City, Kalos. It could double as a gym too, where players have to battle up the many floors to meet the Gym Leader.
The Kalos region is being used again as thesetting forPokémon Legends: Z-A.
The Middle East isn’t somewhere thatPokémonhas visited yet and is so far removed from anywhere the series has visited beforethat a game set in a Dubai-inspired region would be unique. Leaning into many Arabic designs could help this uniqueness too, while the futuristic technology will remind players that they are still in the world ofPokémon. With the series often making large hub cities, having one based on the skyline of Dubai would be a way to show off how far the series has come.
2Hong Kong Just Feels Right For Pokémon
Its Geography Would Fit A Pokémon Region Perfectly
Hong Kong feels like its built for aPokémonregion, having one central hub (Kowloon) and many smaller settlements around it. Kowloon itself is very modern, with great public transport through the MTR (metro system) andfeels like a place thatPokémoncould emulate for a central city, which seems to be a theme in the series' recent games. Hong Kong has several islands in its territory too, which could house some of the eight Gyms and have a similar geographical structure to the Alola region.
The difference between the more traditional, rural areas of Hong Kong and its built-up heart feel like it fits a modernPokémonregion well. Being technically a part of China,GameFreak could lean into Chinese Myth for some of itsPokémondesigns, and with Hong Kong’s strong ties to martial arts cinema, more Fighting-TypePokémoncould have the spotlight here. Hong Kong also shares a lot in common with the UK, for obvious reasons, and could use some of the best aspects of the Galar region.
1Italy & Rome Feel Likely After Pokémon’s Stint In Europe
The Coliseum Is The Perfect Arena For A Pokémon Battle
Out of all the areas GameFreak is likely to visit, Italy is probably high on the list. Given thatPokémonseems to be going to Europe,with regions based on Spain, Italy, and the UK, Italy feels like a natural next step, especially because the country has a lot to work with. Basing Gen 10 on Rome, specifically, would be an easy win, withPokémonable to battle in the Coliseum. The battles could feel more gladiatorial in general, with battles with gym leaders featuring even more theater.
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The Roman aesthetic and ancient myths could be used throughout manyPokémondesigns, while the vibrancy of the city and its ruins would make for a great central hub. The picturesque Italian countryside would be ideal for smaller settlements and running through vineyards to catch wildPokémonsounds like a dream. Putting Pikachu in a Roman helmet will help toy sales too, which is always important, andItaly feels like the perfect place to continuePokémon’s recent European tour.
