There are nine Pokémon regions so far, one for each generation of games: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Alola, Galar and Paldea. A tenth is coming with Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves in 2027, but it hasn't been named yet.
Each region is a new map with its own Pokémon, professor and story. Most of them are based on a real place, starting with Japan and later moving around the world.
All nine regions, in order
| Gen | Region | Inspired by | First games | First partners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kanto | The Kantō region of Japan, around Tokyo | Pokémon Red and Green (1996) | Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle |
| 2 | Johto | The Kansai region of Japan, with Kyoto and Osaka | Pokémon Gold and Silver (1999) | Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile |
| 3 | Hoenn | The Japanese island of Kyushu, turned on its side | Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire (2002) | Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip |
| 4 | Sinnoh | The Japanese island of Hokkaido | Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (2006) | Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup |
| 5 | Unova | The New York City area, United States | Pokémon Black and White (2010) | Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott |
| 6 | Kalos | France, mainly the northern half | Pokémon X and Y (2013) | Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie |
| 7 | Alola | The Hawaiian Islands, United States | Pokémon Sun and Moon (2016) | Rowlet, Litten, Popplio |
| 8 | Galar | The United Kingdom, mostly Great Britain | Pokémon Sword and Shield (2019) | Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble |
| 9 | Paldea | Spain and Portugal | Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (2022) | Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly |
The first four regions are all based on parts of Japan, where Pokémon is made. From Unova onwards, the games travelled: to New York, France, Hawaii, Britain, and Spain and Portugal.
How many new Pokémon each region brought
Every region adds brand new Pokémon to the National Pokédex. These counts come from the pokee.si Pokédex, which lists each Pokémon under the region where it first appeared.
| Region | New Pokémon | Professor |
|---|---|---|
| Kanto | 151 | Professor Oak |
| Johto | 100 | Professor Elm |
| Hoenn | 135 | Professor Birch |
| Sinnoh | 107 | Professor Rowan |
| Unova | 156 | Professor Juniper |
| Kalos | 72 | Professor Sycamore |
| Alola | 88 | Professor Kukui |
| Galar | 89 | Professor Magnolia, with her granddaughter Sonia |
| Paldea | 120 | Professor Sada (Scarlet) or Professor Turo (Violet) |
That adds up to 1,018. The last 7 come from Hisui, the setting of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which brings the total to 1,025.
Unova has the most new Pokémon. Its first games, Black and White, didn't let you meet any older Pokémon until after the main story, so every Pokémon you saw on your first journey was new.
Regions and generations
Each generation of games usually brings one new region, so the region order and the generation numbers line up: Kanto is Generation 1, Paldea is Generation 9. There are a few twists:
- Remakes keep their old region but count in a newer generation. FireRed and LeafGreen (2004) are Generation 3 games set in Kanto.
- Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! (2018) are Generation 7 games, also set in Kanto.
- Legends: Arceus (2022) is a Generation 8 game, and Legends: Z-A (2025) is Generation 9.
If you're new, start with whichever region's games you can play now. You don't need to play them in order, because each game tells its own story.
The regions in between
A few places don't fit neatly into the list of nine.
- Hisui is Sinnoh long ago, before it was called Sinnoh. Pokémon Legends: Arceus (2022) is set there, and it introduced Hisuian forms like Hisuian Growlithe, plus seven brand new Pokémon such as Wyrdeer and Kleavor.
- Lumiose City is the big city of Kalos, based on Paris. Pokémon Legends: Z-A (2025) takes place entirely inside it, five years after X and Y.
- Kitakami and Blueberry Academy are the two areas added by the Scarlet and Violet expansions. Kitakami is based on the Tōhoku region of northern Japan.
Games that revisit old regions
Many regions get a second visit in a remake or a sequel. Kanto has had the most games of any region. After Red, Green, Blue and Yellow came FireRed and LeafGreen (2004) and Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! (2018). Other examples:
| Region | Later games |
|---|---|
| Johto | HeartGold and SoulSilver (2009) |
| Hoenn | Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (2014) |
| Sinnoh | Platinum (2008), Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (2021) |
| Unova | Black 2 and White 2 (2012), sequels set two years later |
| Alola | Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (2017) |
The full list, in release order, is in our games timeline.
What comes next: Generation 10
Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves were announced on 27 February 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, coming in 2027. They will bring Generation 10 and a new region, and new first partners called Browt, Pombon and Gecqua. The region's name and real-world inspiration haven't been revealed yet, so we'll add it here when they are.
Fun region facts
- Hoenn has a lot of sea. A review of the 2014 remakes famously complained about "too much water", and fans still joke about it.
- Kanto and Johto are next door to each other. In Gold and Silver you can travel back to Kanto after beating the Johto League.
- Galar's Gym battles take place in stadiums full of cheering fans, a lot like football in the UK.
- Paldea was the first fully open-world region in the main games. You can tackle its three stories in any order.
Each region has its own page in the pokee.si regions guide, with its story, first partners, Legendary Pokémon and games.