10 Regions That Would Be Perfect For Pokémon Gen 10

Feb 5, 2025 - 14:00

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10 Regions That Would Be Perfect For Pokémon Gen 10

Pokemon

Pikachu and Charizard in front of Hong Kong.

Pokémon now 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. With Pokémon Violet and Scarlet being two and a half years old and Pokémon Legends: Z-A coming 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 of Pokémon, and the series' overall aesthetic.

The first four Pokémon regions (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 base Pokémon regions on, going from Japan to Europe to different parts of the USA. Still, there are plenty of places Pokémon can go to and these areas could also provide inspiration for the native wildlife.

10 Greece 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 fit Pokémon'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 for inspiring new Pokémon designs. Quite a few Pokémon already 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-style Pokémon would fit in nicely to help introduce players to a Greek region, and it would look unlike any that have come before in previous generations.

9 Egypt Could Be Pokémon's First African Region

Some Pokémon Are Already Based On Egyptian Myth

Pokémon has yet to make a visit to Africa, and Egypt could be the perfect country to base a new Pokémon region on. The country has well-defined architecture with its pyramids and ruins, the desert would be something new compared to previous regions, and Egyptian myth could be perfect for inspiring new designs. Shinx and its evolutions (Luxio and Luxray) prove that Ancient Egyptian designs work for Pokémon, so more wouldn't hurt given Shinx's relative staying power.

Luxio and Luxray seemed to be named after the Egyptian city of Luxor.

Some Pokémon based 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 before and could introduce a sand-surfing Pokémon to help travel around the dunes. These Pokémon could work like Zelda: Breath of the Wild sand seals and provide something different from bikes or rollerblades.

8 Scandinavia Could Provide The Perfect Norse Adventure

A Viking Pikachu Would Be Hilarious

Europe has proved to be a popular continent for GameFreak to visit with Pokémon, 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 fit Pokémon well 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 new Pokémon designs.

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A squirrel-like Pokémon based 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 while exploring 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 in Pokémon, given that the protagonists are too young to drive.

7 The Chūbu Region Of Japan Could Help Pokémon Return To Its Roots

It Will Emulate The Feel Of Gen 1–4

Although unlikely, Pokémon could 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 base Legends: Arceus on the Sinnoh region. With the last two main Pokémon titles 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, and Pokémon could do the same.

Sinnoh is called Hisui in Legends: 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 settlements in the countryside, while the region's center could be based on Nagoya, the capital of the region.

6 Pokémon 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 for Pokémon. 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 using Pokémon to fly everywhere. The overall aesthetic of quaint cabins and clock towers provides a strong, recognizable foundation 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, and a 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.

5 Brazil & The Amazon Rainforest Could Be Pokémon's First South American Adventure

Brazil's Vibrancy Would Be Perfect For The Pokémon Series

The Pokémon series 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 a Pokémon title. It would be the first Pokémon game 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 for Pokémon researchers 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's Pokémon squad 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.

4 Beijing's Fusion Of High Tech & Ancient Architecture Could Provide An Interesting Aesthetic

A Few Pokémon Are Based On Chinese Myths

Although Pokémon began 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 base Pokémon off and 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 in Pokémon) with ancient yet recognizable buildings.

Pokémon could 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 water Pokémon around, 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 some Pokémon designs.

3 Dubai's Futuristic Look Should Fit Pokémon Technology Well

The Arabic Aesthetic Would Be Unique For Pokémon

Modern or futuristic technology is a vital component of Pokémon titles 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 Middle East isn't somewhere that Pokémon has visited yet and is so far removed from anywhere the series has visited before that 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 of Pokémon. 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.

2 Hong Kong Just Feels Right For Pokémon

Its Geography Would Fit A Pokémon Region Perfectly

Hong Kong feels like its built for a Pokémon region, 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) and feels like a place that Pokémon could 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 modern Pokémon region well. Being technically a part of China, GameFreak could lean into Chinese Myth for some of its Pokémon designs, and with Hong Kong's strong ties to martial arts cinema, more Fighting-Type Pokémon could 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.

1 Italy & 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 that Pokémon seems 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, with Pokémon able 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 many Pokémon designs, 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 wild Pokémon sounds like a dream. Putting Pikachu in a Roman helmet will help toy sales too, which is always important, and Italy feels like the perfect place to continue Pokémon's recent European tour.

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