Summary
While the recent announcement ofPokemon Legends Z-Ahas fans eagerly anticipating a return to Kalos, the return to the France inspired region has raised interesting questions about the future of the franchise. While previous games have all had unique and exciting environments, those environments have all taken inspiration from the same handful of real-world locations. AfterPokemon Legends Z-A,it’s time for Game Freak to do something truly different.
Thereal-world inspirations forPokemon’s various regionshave been well chronicled. FromRed and Blue’s Kanto being based on central Japan andBlack and White’s Unova taking inspiration from New York City, toPokemon Legends Z-A’s Paris inspired Lumiose City andSun and Moon’s gorgeous Hawaii inspired archipelago, each generation has used the culture and environment of a real-world location to craft a distinct and exciting setting. Yet, despite Game Freak’s clear interest in exploring a diverse range of cultures and capturing stunning real world settings—reinterpreting these places to imagine what they might look like in the slightly futuristic and monster-filled world ofPokemon—the mainlinePokemongames have only ever taken inspiration from Europe, the US, and Japan.
ThePokemonTrading Card Game’s e-card series contained a number of cards that gave hints toward the Puzzle Continent, a region which took inspiration from a number of South American countries. The recently releasedNew Pokemon Snapalso gave players a uniquely exotic setting to play in, being set across a collection of islands inspired by the Galapagos.
Pokemon Should Explore a New Continent
While some fans have suggestedpotential European settings for the Gen 10Pokemongames, others are desperate to slough off the European, North American, and East Asian settings in favor of something completely new. With a whole world out there, many fans are left wondering why Nintendo and Game Freak still refuse to take inspiration from some of the most beautiful, culturally rich, and ecologically diverse regions on Earth.
Game Freak Could Set a Pokemon Game in India
India, for example, could be the perfect inspiration for anewPokemonregion. Long speculated about by fans, a region inspired by India has the potential to introduce colorful new cultural elements to the world ofPokemon. India’s unique architecture, traditional clothing, music and mythology could breathe new life into the franchise, giving fans the chance to explore a region unlike anything they’ve encountered before. One of the most biodiverse nations on the planet, a region inspired by India would allow players to visit snow-topped mountains, arid deserts, swamplands, tropical jungles, and bustling cities all side-by-side on the same landmass. Indian festivals could provide theming for each of the towns, such as a colorful Holi-inspired city, or an ornate farming village withPokemonthemed rangoli, inspired by Kerala’s Onam festival.
A Nigeria Inspired Setting Could Play into Pokemon’s Sci-Fi Elements
APokemongame set in Nigeria could introduce similar biodiversity, but a completely different set of cultural, artistic, and mythological inspirations—not to mention a rich tradition of Nigerian science-fiction for the franchise’s always slightly futuristic setting to pull from. Game Freak has already included variousdark and complex themes inPokemon, the various religious and social groups present within Nigeria could provide a way for the franchise to explore a clash between progress and tradition—an expansion of themes present inPokemon Scarlet and Violet.
A Pokemon Game Set in Mexico Could Pair Well With Paldea’s Spanish Elements
With Pokemon like Hawlucha and Ludicolo seemingly tailor-made for the setting—andfan favorite Pokemon Rayquazahaving long been speculated to take inspiration from the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl—there have been on and off rumours for years now about aPokemongame inspired by the USA’s southern neighbor, and for good reason. Another region with extensive biodiversity and a rich history, studying Mexico would allow Game Freak to put its own spin on Aztec temples, cowboys, Dia de Los Muertos, Mexican folk music, and colorful barrios like Las Palmitas in Pachuca. Gym leaders could be inspired by notable figures from Mexican culture and history, such as a Frida Kahlo-inspired gym leader that uses Smeargle and Grafaiai.
Pokemon Fans Are Ready to Explore a New Setting
Regardless of what ends up being the inspiration for Gen 10’s region, it’s safe to say that the time is right for something new. The franchise is ready for a region that takes inspiration from previously unexplored real-world locations. Europe has had its time inPokemon’s sun, and rumors thatthe upcomingPokemongames may release on the Switch 2suggest Game Freak might finally have the chance (and the technology) to make the leap into previously unexplored territories.
Pokemon Legends Z-A
The sequel to Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Pokemon Legends: Z-A takes Pokemon trainers back to the Kalos region’s Lumiose City.
