Johto

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If you were looking for the musical group, see Johto (musical group).

Johto ジョウト地方地方
Jōto-chihō region
[[File:JohtoMap.png|250px]]
Artwork of the Johto region from Generation IV
Introduction
Professor Professor Elm
First partner Pokémon Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile
Regional Villains None
League
Pokémon League yes
League Location Indigo Plateau (games)
Mt. Silver (anime)
Pokédex
Pokédex List {{{pokelist}}}
Anime
Series Original
Season(s) The Johto Journeys (3)
Johto League Champions (4)
Master Quest (5)
Games
Generation II, IV
Games yes
Manga
Adventures Debut {{{manga}}}
In-game map of the Johto region from the Generation IV games.
Artwork of the Johto region from Generation II
Anime-based map of the Johto region

The Johto region (Japanese: ジョウト地方 Jōto-chihō) is a large area located west of Kanto. Johto and Kanto are part of a large landmass, with everything west of Indigo Plateau falling in the Johto region. Though it is unlike Kanto in that its name is not directly based on that of a region of Japan, Junichi Masuda has come forward in his director's column naming the kanji that inspired the name mean "castle palace" (城都) or "lattice-shaped palace" (条都); this meaning is connected to the city of Nara, which was the basis for Violet City.

First explored in Pokémon Gold and Silver, it is home to an additional 100 Pokémon that were not present in previous games. In the Generation II games and their remakes, players begin their journey in New Bark Town, where Professor Elm offers either Chikorita, Cyndaquil or Totodile to beginning Pokémon Trainers. The English-version names of most of the cities in Johto are also the names of plants or things related to plants.

Geography

The geography of Johto is much like that of Kanto. It is marked by a mountain range in the north and a vast sea to the south.

Locations

Cities/Towns

Areas of interest

Routes

Johto's routes are numbered 29-46, starting at the route number that Kanto (in Generation II) left off from, 28. Route 28 itself actually partially stretches into Johto, though is known as Silver Cave when in Johto.

League

Main article: Johto League

The Johto League is the regional Pokémon League of the Johto region. Johto and Kanto share a single Elite Four, located at the Indigo Plateau. Eight Johto League Badges are required to participate in League competitions.

Gym Leaders

Johto League
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
{{{size}}}
Falkner
ハヤト Hayato
Violet City
キキョウシティ
Kikyō City
Flying Zephyr Badge.png
Zephyr Badge
{{{size}}}
Bugsy
ツクシ Tsukushi
Azalea Town
ヒワダタウン
Hiwada Town
Bug Hive Badge.png
Hive Badge
{{{size}}}
Whitney
アカネ Akane
Goldenrod City
コガネシティ
Kogane City
Normal Plain Badge.png
Plain Badge
{{{size}}}
Morty
マツバ Matsuba
Ecruteak City
エンジュシティ
Enju City
Ghost Fog Badge.png
Fog Badge
{{{size}}}
Chuck
シジマ Shijima
Cianwood City
タンバシティ
Tanba City
Fighting Storm Badge.png
Storm Badge
{{{size}}}
Jasmine
ミカン Mikan
Olivine City
アサギシティ
Asagi City
Steel Mineral Badge.png
Mineral Badge
{{{size}}}
Pryce
ヤナギ Yanagi
Mahogany Town
チョウジタウン
Chōji Town
Ice Glacier Badge.png
Glacier Badge
{{{size}}}
Clair
イブキ Ibuki
Blackthorn City
フスベシティ
Fusube City
Dragon Rising Badge.png
Rising Badge


Elite Four

Johto League
Generation II
Member
Japanese
Type
{{{size}}}
Will
イツキ Itsuki
Psychic
{{{size}}}
Koga
キョウ Kyō
Poison
{{{size}}}
Bruno
シバ Shiba
Fighting
{{{size}}}
Karen
カリン Karin
Dark
{{{size}}}
Champion
Lance
ワタル Wataru
Dragon


Culture

History

After Johto was created, alongside Kanto, by Groudon and Kyogre at the beginning of the universe, Pokémon no one had seen before began inhabiting the region. 1500 years before Generation I, the earliest known system for writing is developed and used at the Ruins of Alph of Johto. Archaeologists are currently unsure whether the nearly identical Unown preceded or succeeded the English alphabet, but it is assumed they share some sort of connection. Approximately 700 years ago, Tin Tower and Brass Tower are constructed in Ecruteak City, and Lugia and Ho-Oh perch at their tops. It lived on for another 550 years before Brass Tower burns to the ground, killing three Pokémon inside. Lugia flees to the Whirl Islands, Ho-Oh resurrects the three as the legendary beasts and flies off in search of a pure-hearted Trainer.

Connection to Japan

Main article: Pokémon world in relation to the real world

Regardless of their proximity, the people of Johto and those of Kanto are set apart by many cultural differences. Johto is based on the real Kansai region in Japan. This trait is most noticeable in its geography; however, the Kansai influence also defines the culture in Johto. Kansai residents are known for their attitudes against typical Japanese standards, mostly due to the historical rivalry between the region, once the major seat of political power, and the real Kantō region where Tokyo, the current capital, is located. The soil of the Kansai region is rich, unlike the volcanic Kantō region, and this is perhaps referenced by the in-game Kanto region's inability to maintain a berry crop in Generation II and Generation III. People from Kansai are considered to be more relaxed. Kansai and Kantō, however different, are the two most important areas of Honshū, the largest island in Japan, and, much like Johto and Kanto, represent a harmony of contrasting cultures living together. The cultural divide is most noticeable in the games, as the player talks to and learns about the denizens of both regions.

Certain cultural aspects of the Johto region are deep-seated in Japanese history, as well. Kyoto, which is probably the basis for Ecruteak City, is considered the cultural center of Japan. Kyoto and its many historical temples, shrines, palaces, gardens and architecture have been preserved. This connection to history is reflected in many areas of Johto. However, Goldenrod City (like Osaka) is typically modern.

In Generation IV

Johto returns in Generation IV's HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions much as Kanto returned in Generation III's FireRed and LeafGreen, with its graphics boosted to the current level on the Nintendo DS. All areas from its Generation II iteration return, however, several new areas, such as Johto's own new Safari Zone, and Battle Frontier are also added. Like in Generation III Kanto, a special image of a landmark is shown briefly when it is entered. Other than this, Johto remains for the most part much the same as it was.

Trivia

  • Johto is the only main region in which Pikachu is not found in the wild, though Pikachu are available in Generation II when the player travels to Kanto later in the game.
  • It is the only region in which Ash Ketchum did not meet a new traveling companion.
  • Johto is the only region without:
    • a cycling road
    • a Pokémon burial ground
    • its own set of fossil Pokémon
    • its own Victory Road
    • an autonomous Pokémon League (shared with Kanto)
    • a regional Pokédex (the original Johto Dex included all Pokémon known as of Generation II)
    • its own storage system developer (Bill also developed that of Kanto)
    • its own villainous team (Team Rocket is shared with Kanto)
    • prior to Generation IV, Johto was also the only region without a Safari Zone.
  • This lack is mostly due to the fact that Generation II is very dependent on Generation I, and as the latter half of the game's storyline takes place in Kanto, there was no need to repeat many things.
  • Johto is the only region where the first Gym doesn't specialize in Template:Type2s (likely due to Kanto's Brock doing so as there is no overlap in the two regions' Gyms).
  • Between Johto and Kanto, only the Dark-type is not represented by an official Gym.
Regions in the Pokémon world
Core series Kanto (Sevii Islands) • JohtoHoenn
Sinnoh (HisuiBattle Zone) • Unova
KalosAlolaGalar (Isle of ArmorCrown Tundra)
PaldeaKitakami
Side series White CityOrre
Anime Orange ArchipelagoDecolore Islands
Spin-off games FioreAlmiaObliviaPokémon IslandMintale Town
Ryme CityPasioRanseiFerrumLental
Mystery Dungeon worldPokéParkTCG Islands
Carmonte IslandTumblecube IslandAeos Island
TCG Southern IslandsPuzzle ContinentHolonParallel Worlds
Sovereign states in
the Pokémon world
Ranger UnionGuyana
Lucario KingdomMirage KingdomRota


Johto
Zephyr Badge.png Hive Badge.png Plain Badge.png Fog Badge.png Storm Badge.png Mineral Badge.png Glacier Badge.png Rising Badge.png
Settlements
New Bark TownCherrygrove CityViolet CityAzalea TownGoldenrod CityEcruteak City
Olivine CityCianwood CityMahogany TownBlackthorn CitySafari Zone GateFrontier Access
Routes
2930313233343536373839404142434445464748
Landmarks
Dark CaveSprout TowerRuins of AlphUnion CaveSlowpoke WellIlex ForestRadio TowerGlobal Terminal
Goldenrod TunnelNational ParkPokéathlon DomeBell TowerBellchime TrailBurned TowerMoomoo FarmOlivine Lighthouse
Battle Tower (CrystalHGSS)/FrontierCliff Edge GateCliff CaveEmbedded TowerSafari ZoneWhirl Islands
Mt. MortarLake of RageTeam Rocket HQIce PathDragon's DenS.S. AquaMt. Silver (Cave)
Access to
Sinjoh RuinsKanto