History of the Pokémon world: Difference between revisions

It has been suggested that this article be moved to History of the Pokémon world (game). Please discuss whether or not to move it on its talk page.

This article contains fan speculation. There is no solid evidence for or against some parts of this article.

If you were looking for the character ages, see List of character ages.

This is the history of the Pokémon world in the games, and the order which events occurred, or, for events which happened outside the games, where they happened in relation to the games.

In the core series games

Timeline

Several occurrences in the core series Pokémon games depend on the games being connected to each other in a timeline, but a complete timeline cannot be drawn from the games themselves. Series producer Junichi Masuda, in an interview with GameInformer on October 24, 2019, stated that Game Freak does not apply a timeline to the Pokémon world rigorously.^{[note 1]}

Deleted tweet by Toshinobu Matsumiya

On May 7, 2014, Game Freak employee Toshinobu Matsumiya's Twitter account posted a timeline of the core series Pokémon games up to that point.^[1] However, the tweet was subsequently deleted.

This tweet in conjunction with other evidence suggests the following timeline:

• The plots of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen and Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire are contemporaneous.
• They are then followed by the plots of Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver and Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl three years later, which are also contemporaneous with each other, although dialogue from Jasmine and Cynthia provides conflicting evidence on which games occur first.^{[note 2][note 3]}
• Pokémon Black and White are set some time after this, as evidenced by Caitlin having visibly aged, as well as Cynthia and the Team Rocket Grunt who stole the Machine Part referencing previous events.
• Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 are set two years after Black and White, and are contemporaneous with Pokémon X and Y.
• Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon take place two years after the events of Black 2 and White 2, as revealed by concept art of Grimsley.^[2]
• Pokémon Sword and Shield's placement is more vague, with little direct connection to previous games, though the Pokédex entry for Type: Null in Sword mentions that stolen research notes led to the creation of more Type: Null,^{[note 4]} which could imply that they take place after the events of Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, as only three Type: Null exist in those games.
• Pokémon Scarlet and Violet take place after the events of Pokémon Sword and Shield, as revealed by the presence of a copy of Galar: A History, which was published during the events of Sword and Shield, at Naranja Academy^S/Uva Academy^V, as well as Leon being referred to as the former Galar Champion in The Indigo Disk.
• Pokémon Legends: Arceus is established to be set long before all other games in the series, taking place in Sinnoh's distant past, which culturally corresponds to the Early Meiji period that began in 1868 in the real world. According to Spiritomb's Pokédex entry in Pokémon Pearl and Shining Pearl, it is said it was bound in an Odd Keystone 500 years ago, while Vessa states in Legends: Arceus that Spiritomb was sealed hundreds of years ago, making the game take place at most 300 years prior to Diamond, Pearl, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl.

Porygon's creation

Porygon's Pokédex entries in Pokémon Sun, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon state that it was created 20 years ago.^{[note 5]} Pocket Monsters Encyclopedia states that Porygon was created in 1995, as well as stating that 150 species of Pokémon have been discovered as of 1996, alluding to the player having completed their Pokédex in Pokémon Red and Green,^{[note 6]} thus implying that Pokémon Red and Green take place in either 1995 or 1996. This would mean that Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon take place 19–20 years after Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow; from this information and the time lengths between other games in the series, it can be calculated that the time period between Generation II/IV and Pokémon Black and White is 12–13 years long. However, the length of this time gap has never been explicitly confirmed in any official material, with Toshinobu Matsumiya having described it as "secret" on Twitter.^[3]

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Although Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are remakes of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, they contain some references to features from the original games as having been present about a decade ago,^{[note 7]} while others have not yet come about, such as the Battle Frontier, which is under construction. Despite this, the remakes are implied to happen at the same point in the timeline as the original games, as the Royal Unova and a device to visually reproduce the dreams of Pokémon having not yet been created reveals them to take place before Pokémon Black and White^{[note 8][note 9]} and Mr. Bonding gaining O-Powers reveals them to take place before Pokémon X and Y.^{[note 10]}

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

Although Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! are remakes of Pokémon Yellow, Red and Blue are known to have already finished their journeys years ago, and Mina's age mentioned in her concept art would suggest that the games are set a maximum of six years before Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon,^{[4][note 11]} implying that they take place later than the original game. However, this is contradicted by Sabrina having a vision of meeting a special Trainer in three years, referencing the protagonist of Generation II, suggesting these games may not necessarily adhere to the timeline of the rest of the core series.

References to real-life years and release dates

The specific years of events are not mentioned in the games themselves, but Pocket Monsters Encyclopedia implies that Pokémon Red and Green take place in 1995 or 1996, the latter being the year in which they were released; this year is also referenced in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon on Red's shirt, which features a symbol resembling the number "96". Pokémon Gold and Silver are known to occur three years later, also aligning with their release in 1999. Similarly, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 are set two years after Pokémon Black and White, which was also the amount of time that passed between the releases of the games. References to the passage of time in real life also appear in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, in which the player's mother states that she saw the Litleonids when they last occurred 12 (in the Japanese and Korean versions) or 11 (in the English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish versions) years ago, referencing the time between the release of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and their remakes, and Norman mentions having seen the Eon Ticket 11 years ago, referencing how long had passed from the item's original distribution in 2003 to the release of the games. Similarly, in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl, the description of the Member Card mentions that the last date marked on it was 50 years ago; the date shown on the card's official artwork (1958.12.1) is exactly 50 years prior to its first distribution.

Alternate universes

The existence of multiple alternate universes is alluded to or stated in some of the games.

Beginning of the Pokémon universe

The clash between Groudon and Kyogre as depicted in ancient paintings

This information is based primarily on the mythology of both the Hoenn and Sinnoh regions.

• In a vortex of complete chaos and nothingness, a single Egg comes into being, which then hatches into Arceus, the first being in existence. Arceus then creates time: Dialga, space: Palkia, and anti-matter: Giratina. However, Giratina, as punishment for its destructive nature, is sent by Arceus to live in the Distortion World. Dialga and Palkia then succeed in creating the universe and Pokémon world and retreat into their own dimensions afterwards.
• Arceus then creates knowledge: Uxie, emotion: Mesprit, and willpower: Azelf; they'd then share these three traits to all living creatures that'd be born in the universe. Eventually the three dive into caves at the bottom of three lakes in Sinnoh: Lake Verity, Lake Valor, and Lake Acuity, giving them the name "lake guardians".
• Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon are formed by the primal energy in the Hoenn region and then proceed to fill the sea and create land, respectively. A chance meeting turns the two into rivals, and a conflict for dominance over the Pokémon world begins. This battle continues until Rayquaza quells it, causing Kyogre and Groudon to retreat to special caverns, where they rest in for years. The Red and Blue Orbs are created to prevent the reawakening of Kyogre and Groudon, and are left at Mt. Pyre for safekeeping. At this time, Mew may have been plentiful and lived in large numbers. Rayquaza flies around the ozone layer, protecting the planet from asteroids.
• Landmasses such as Mount Coronet are created, and Regigigas moves the continents, forming the regions, and creates the three giants, Regirock, Regice, and Registeel, out of clay, ice, and magma, respectively. At some point, Regigigas also created two more giants, Regieleki and Regidrago, out of a cluster of electric energy, and crystallized dragon energy, respectively.
• The Sinnoh region is created around Mount Coronet. During this violent procedure, Stark Mountain is created due to shifts in the crust of the world, and Heatran is formed in a pool of lava. Arceus creates the Adamant Crystal, the Lustrous Globe, and the Griseous Core, artifacts connected to Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina, respectively, before falling into a deep slumber in its own realm.

Prehistory

This information is based primarily on the study of Fossils and other archaeological remains. Some of this information is also based on scientific research.

Millions of years before Generation I:

• The earliest known prehistoric Pokémon existed at this time. It is possible that the Mew population may have decreased at this stage, as they slowly gave way to other Pokémon species.

• 300,000,000 years ago: Genesect's original version lived in this era lacking both its steel type and cannon it'd gain after being enhanced in the future. Kabuto and Kabutops also lived in this era in the sea.

• An unspecified hundreds of millions of years ago: Carbink begins its undisturbed underground sleep after its birth. It was born from deep underground temperatures and pressures.

• 100,000,000 years ago:
  • Species such as Omanyte, and its evolution: Omastar, Aerodactyl, Lileep, and its evolution: Cradily, Cranidos, and its evolution: Rampardos, Shieldon, and its evolution: Bastiodon, Tirtouga, and its evolution: Carracosta, Archen, and its evolution: Archeops, Tyrunt, and its evolution: Tyrantrum, and Amaura, and its evolution: Aurorus were all supposedly widespread. They all ultimately went extinct, but not before Archen gave rise to bird Pokémon and Tirtouga gave rise to turtle Pokémon. Shellder also appear to exist in this era, being preyed by Omastar.
  • Relicanth is said to have existed in this era as well, remaining unchanged until the present day.

• Anorith is stated to have existed in primordial seas, with its eight legs at some point developing into its known eight wings. This probably means its evolution: Armaldo, existed in that time as well.

• The original forms of the Fossilized Drake, Dino, Bird, and Fish are said to have existed in ancient times. The combined halves of these Pokémon would become Dracozolt, Arctozolt, Dracovish and Arctovish in the present day.

• 2,000,000 years ago:
  • The Area Zero Underdepths may have been formed by seismic shifts, according to Professor Sada^S/Professor Turo^V.
  • Terapagos is said to have inhabited Paldea in a bygone era. It was thought that this species went extinct, having been caught up in seismic shifts, however, at least one managed to survive it by changing the energy in its body and turning into a crystal, laying dormant in the Area Zero Underdepths.

• 1,000,000 years ago: The Great Crater of Paldea is formed.

• 20,000 years ago:
  • A meteorite containing Eternatus fell in the Galar region.
  • The first Claydol was brought to life from a clay doll.

• 10,000 years ago:
  • During the last Ice Age, the Mamoswine population flourished, then decreased when the Ice Age ended.
  • Cyclizar existed in this era and lived alongside humans, being ridden by them so the Pokémon can be warmed up.

• At some point in the distant past, the Magikarp population mutates due to unknown reasons and becomes weaker.

• At some point after the Iron Age, Regigigas is sealed away in the Snowpoint Temple, and Regirock, Regice, and Registeel are sealed away at various points across the Hoenn region after years of human worship.

• 5,000 years ago: Gogoat is domesticated & humans begin using them for transport.

3,000 years before Generation V:

• The Relic items are created.

3,000 years before Generation VI:

AZ and the ultimate weapon

• The Kalos war occurred, which caused the death of an Eternal Flower Floette that belonged to the Kalos's king, AZ. In grief, the king built a machine that through Infinity Energy, brought Floette back to life, as well as granting both the king and the Pokémon eternal life. Unable to overcome his despair however, AZ turns his machine into the ultimate weapon and used it to end the war, which left Floette disgusted by his actions, deciding to leave him. After that, the former king started to wander aimlessly around the world.

3,000 years before Generation VIII:

• A black storm called the Darkest Day is created by Eternamax Eternatus, causing countless Pokémon to Dynamax and Gigantamax around the Galar region, but it was stopped by Zacian, Zamazenta, and two human youths. While the two Pokémon are forgotten by history, the two youths are crowned as the region's new kings.
• Melmetal is worshipped by ancient humans for its ability to create metal from nothing.

2,500 years before Generation V:

• The Relic Castle is built.
  • The Dragonspiral Tower is known as Unova's oldest structure, though its age is unstated.

2,000 years before Generation V:

• Conkeldurr is said to have taught humans how to make concrete using centrifugal force.

2,000 years before Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire:

• Hoenn is plagued by meteor showers. A meteor turns the homeplace of the Draconid people into Meteor Falls.
• The world overflowed with natural energy which Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre fought over. They ravaged the earth and were only defeated and put to slumber by Rayquaza after the Draconid people summoned it using a wish on a meteor at Meteor Falls. The people of Hoenn begin to revere Rayquaza as a savior.

2,000 years before Generation IX:

• The Paldean Empire began to rule Paldea.
• The emperor of Paldea ushers in the Great Age of Exploration by sending expeditions into the Great Crater of Paldea to find the treasure rumored to lie inside.

1,500 years before Generation I:

• The earliest known system for writing is developed and used at the Ruins of Alph, Tanoby Ruins, and Solaceon Ruins. Archaeologists are currently unsure whether the nearly identical Unown preceded or succeeded the writing system, but it is assumed they share some sort of connection.
• The Farfetch'd population decreases due to overhunting.

1,000 years before Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire:

• AZ arrived in Hoenn and planted a tree in front of the Cave of Origin's entrace.
• A thousand years after the events at Meteor Falls, a primal energy-filled meteor struck Hoenn, creating a crater that would become Sootopolis City in the future. Groudon and Kyogre reawakened to fight over primal energy once again. The people of Hoenn wished on Rayquaza to save them, and using the meteor, Rayquaza performed the world's first Mega Evolution, defeated the two, took away their Primal forms and put them to sleep once again. Sky Pillar was built in Rayquaza's honor, and the Draconid people promised to pass down the prophecy that in 1,000 years the meteor would return - causing the events of the Delta Episode.

805 years before Generation IX:

• Naranja Academy^S/Uva Academy^V is founded in Mesagoza.

800 years before X and Y:

• Xerneas released life energy throughout the Kalos region and fled to a forest, where it went to sleep in the form of a tree.
• Yveltal absorbed life energy throughout the Kalos region and fled to the mountains, where it went to sleep in the form of a cocoon.

Recent history

This information is based on historic records.

Ecruteak City

Hundreds of years before Generation II:

• The Sinjoh Ruins are built by two groups of people, from Sinnoh and Johto's Ruins of Alph. The site's architecture expresses a fusion of the two group's ideas and mythology.

Sometime before Generation IV:

• Poké Balls are invented.
• The Diamond Clan and Pearl Clan lived in the Hisui region. They share a deity called almighty Sinnoh, but argue whether it created space or created time.
• The Galaxy Expedition Team comprised of people from many regions arrived in Hisui to explore the land, document the Pokémon, and settle the region.
• The events of Pokémon Legends: Arceus occur.

c. 700 years before Generation II:

• Bell Tower and Brass Tower are constructed in Ecruteak City, and Lugia and Ho-Oh perch at their tops.

c. 500 years before Generation II:

• The Cianwood City Pharmacy is built.

c. 500 years before Generation IV:

• A Spiritomb is bound to a fissure in an Odd Keystone as punishment for misdeeds.

c. 500 years before Generation VII:

• Magearna is created by a scientist who used the life energy of other Pokémon to create its Soul-Heart, and is presented to a king's daughter.

c. 400 years before Generation I:

• The Pokémon move Toxic is invented.^[5]

c. 400 years before Generation II:

• Azalea Town in Johto is struck by long-term drought. After bringing the rain back once again by yawning, Slowpoke gains an honorable position in that town.

c. 400 years before Generation VIII:

• Rolycoly is first discovered in a coal mine.

c. 300 years before X and Y:

• Parfum Palace is built.

c. 200 years before Generation V:

• Village Bridge is constructed by a man and his Gurdurr after the river flooded the area.
• The island that would become Liberty Garden is bought by an ultra-rich family and Victini is hidden in a backroom.

c. 150 years before Generation II:

• Brass Tower burns to the ground, killing three Pokémon inside. Lugia flees to the Whirl Islands while Ho-Oh resurrects the three as the Legendary beasts and flies off in search of a pure-hearted Trainer.

c. 100 years before Generation V:

• The warehouses of Nacrene City are constructed.
• Klink begin to appear in Chargestone Cave.
• Roggenrola is discovered in an earthquake fissure.

1925

• Modern Poké Balls are developed from the research of Professor Westwood of Celadon University.

c. 50 years before Generation V:

• Elgyem is seen for the first time when it appeared from far in the desert.

c. 50 years before Generation VIII:

• Mustard defeats Opal and becomes Champion of Galar.

c. 40 years before Generation III:

• Lunatone is seen for the first time in a crater.

c. 32 years before Generation VIII:

• Mustard is dethroned as Champion of the Galar League after an 18-year long victory streak, and retires soon after.

Several decades before Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire:

• Sea Mauville is decommissioned after the closure of New Mauville.

1969:

• Humans land on the Moon for the first time.^[6]

11 years before Generation III:

• The Litleonid meteor shower passes by Hoenn for the last time prior to Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
• TV Mauville is founded.

10 years before Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire:

• Pokémon Centers in Hoenn are remodeled, removing the second floor and the Pokémon Cable Club.

1995

• The first Pokémon created by scientific engineering, Porygon, is created.^[7]

Less than 10 years before Generation I:

• The ferry S.S. Tidal is constructed.
• A Rotom inhabits an abandoned mansion in Sinnoh.

Some years prior to Generation I:

• A team of scientists discover a new Pokémon (at the time) deep in a jungle in Guyana, South America on July 5. They name the Pokémon Mew on July 10. Mewtwo, a clone of Mew, is born on February 6. Mewtwo escapes from and destroys Cinnabar Island's Pokémon Mansion on September 1 and then goes to Cerulean Cave.
• Sabrina's Gym is declared the official Gym of Saffron City after a Pokémon battle between Sabrina and the leader of the Fighting Dojo.
• Giratina returns to the Pokémon world.
• The Battle Resort opens in Hoenn.
• Goldenrod Radio Tower is torn down due to being old and creaky. During the process, the Radio Tower Director comes across the Clear Bell, which he keeps for the time being. A new Goldenrod Radio Tower is built in its place.
• Construction of the Royal Unova begins.

Ten years prior to Generation IX

• Professor Sada^S/Professor Turo^V invents a time machine that brings Paradox Pokémon into the present, and is later killed by a second Koraidon^S/Miraidon^V.

A year and a half prior to Generation IX

• Clavell becomes the director of Naranja Academy^S/Uva Academy^V.
• Nemona becomes the youngest Champion-class Trainer in Paldea.
• Team Star is formed.

One year prior to Generation I:

• Professor Rowan goes to Kanto to study Pokédex systems with Professor Oak.

Contemporary history

From the Pokémon games:

Generation I/III:

• The events of Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald:
  • Red leaves Pallet Town on his Pokémon journey after his rival, Professor Oak's grandson, Blue. After getting the eight Badges of Kanto, and defeating Team Rocket along the way, he then challenges Kanto's Elite Four and its current Champion, none other than Blue himself. After defeating Blue, Red becomes the Champion, then ventures to the Sevii Islands to eradicate Team Rocket and help Celio to connect his Pokémon Network Center to the Hoenn region.
  • Brendan/May leaves Littleroot Town on a Pokémon journey shortly after moving to the Hoenn region from Olivine City in Johto by saving the local Pokémon Professor from an attacking wild Pokémon. At first, there is a deep-seated rivalry with Professor Birch's daughter/son; however, later on, the rivalry is with Wally instead. After defeating Hoenn's eight Gym Leaders and calming Groudon or Kyogre, released from their banishment by Team Magma and Team Aqua, respectively, they challenge and defeat Hoenn's Elite Four and current Champion, becoming the Champion themself, much to the astonishment of Birch's child.

PE:

• The events of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!:
  • Chase/Elaine leaves Pallet Town on their Pokémon journey after their rival, Trace. After getting the eight Badges of Kanto, and defeating Team Rocket with the help of Blue and Trace, along the way, they then challenge Kanto's Elite Four and compete for the title of Champion in one final battle with Trace. After defeating Trace, Chase/Elaine becomes the Champion. From there, they capture Mewtwo and meet Green, a Trainer who had hoped to capture Mewtwo for herself. They also confront Archer, an admin of the remnants of Team Rocket, who challenges them to one last battle before swearing that he will avenge his boss, Giovanni.

Between I/III and II/IV:

• Anabel enters an Ultra Wormhole and is found by Nanu and Looker in Alola.
• Eruption of the volcano on Cinnabar Island causes destruction of the island's settlement, except for the Pokémon Center. As a result, Blaine, the Cinnabar Gym Leader, relocates the gym to the nearby Seafoam Islands.
• Blue takes the position of Gym Leader in the now empty Viridian Gym, succeeding the former Team Rocket leader Giovanni.
• Red retreats to Mt. Silver, training day and night, leaving Lance to act as Champion, while Lorelei returns to her home in Four Island, and Agatha retires from her position as a member of the Kanto Elite Four. This leaves three vacancies on the roster for Elite Four.
  • Two of these vacancies are filled by Karen and Will. The other is filled by Koga, who abdicates his position as Fuchsia City Gym Leader to his daughter, Janine.
• Extensive research confirms the existence of Steel and Dark types in the region of Kanto.
• Baoba leaves Kanto when his Safari Zone is closed and begins planning to open a new Safari Zone in Johto, as a replacement.
• The Pokémon Tower is converted into a Radio Tower.
• A Pal Park is opened in place of the Kanto Safari Zone.
• Groudon and Kyogre retreat to the region of Fiore to rest after their battle.
• Giratina returns to the Distortion World.
• A new Battle Frontier is built in Sinnoh and Johto.
• Professor Rowan returns to Sinnoh after four years, having invented a new Pokédex while working with Professor Oak.

Three years after Generation I/Generation III/ORAS (Generation II/Generation IV/BDSP):

• The events of Gold, Silver, Crystal, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl:
  • Ethan/Kris/Lyra leaves New Bark Town on an errand for Professor Elm, bonding with their first partner Pokémon on the way. A red-haired boy steals one of Elm's three Pokémon and challenges them as Ethan/Kris/Lyra's journey across Johto continues. A revived Team Rocket, using plans formulated three years prior, enrages many Gyarados, including a red one, at the Lake of Rage as they proceed to take over the Goldenrod Radio Tower in a desperate attempt to contact Giovanni, their former leader. They are defeated, and the new leader vows to never again re-form Team Rocket, and Ethan/Kris/Lyra continues to gather Johto's Badges, eventually gaining all eight and traveling to the Pokémon League at Indigo Plateau in Kanto. After defeating the Elite Four and their Champion, Lance, Ethan/Kris/Lyra then heads to the Kanto region to challenge its eight Gyms, which have changed from three years prior. After gaining all eight of their Badges, for a total of sixteen, Professor Oak declares them ready to travel to Mt. Silver, where they meet and challenges Red.
  • Lucas/Dawn and Barry leave Twinleaf Town in an attempt to see a Pokémon like the recently reported red Gyarados in the nearest of Sinnoh's lakes, Lake Verity. After being attacked by a wild Starly at the lake, and using one of Professor Rowan's Pokémon to fend off the attacker, their journey begins in earnest, and both Lucas/Dawn and Barry challenge the Sinnoh region's eight Gyms to gain the Badges necessary to challenge the Pokémon League. Along the way, however, Lucas/Dawn is brought into many conflicts with Team Galactic, whose leader, Cyrus, wishes to remake the entire universe in his image with the powers of the Legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia. Defeating the team and calming Dialga/Palkia/Giratina, Lucas/Dawn challenges Sinnoh's Elite Four and Champion, Cynthia, and becomes Champion themself.
• Hayley, a friend of Bebe, opens up a Pokémon Ranch.

Between Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and Generation V:

• Construction of the Royal Unova is completed.

Between Generation II/IV and Generation V:

• The Team Rocket Grunt who stole the Machine Part in Kanto returns to Unova, intending to reform Team Rocket there despite its second defeat, as he previously stated. He later falls in love and has a son, moving to Icirrus City.
• Caitlin leaves the Sinnoh/Johto Battle Frontier and returns to Unova, becoming an Elite Four member.
• Scientist Dudley, a member of Team Plasma, creates Genesect in an attempt to create the strongest Pokémon in existence by altering an ancient insect Pokémon with cybernetic upgrades.
• Team Plasma steals Hugh's sister's Purrloin, and Hugh swears to one day get it back.

A few years after Generation II/Generation IV (Generation V):

N and Reshiram

• The events of Black and White:
  • Hilbert/Hilda along with their friends Cheren and Bianca receive their very first Pokémon in the bedroom of Hilbert/Hilda's house in Nuvema Town from Professor Juniper. The three decide to leave Nuvema Town and go on a journey across their region of Unova, with Cheren wanting to learn as much about every kind of Pokémon possible and Bianca going against the wishes of her dad. Upon arriving in Accumula Town they encounter the nefarious Team Plasma who announce their plans for Pokémon liberation to separate Pokémon from humans. Hilbert/Hilda then battle Team Plasma's leader, a mysterious man known only as N who claims Pokémon are his friends. Hilbert/Hilda make a journey across the land of Unova challenging all eight Gyms and earning all eight Badges. After earning the eighth Badge, they travel to the Pokémon League where they defeat the Elite Four. Upon defeating the Elite Four, they discover that N has already defeated the Champion Alder and promptly summons his castle, destroying the Pokémon League Castle. Ghetsis, one of the members of the Seven Sages reveals that he had the plan to separate people and Pokémon so that he could be the only person in the whole world with Pokémon. After defeating N and Ghetsis with Reshiram/Zekrom N becomes sorry for all his wrongdoing and flies off to distant lands on his dragon of legend. Hilbert/Hilda, Cheren, and Bianca continue their journey in Unova and get recruited by an undercover officer codenamed Looker to discover and arrest the remaining six of the Seven Sages. After the arrest of all six, Hilbert/Hilda returns to the Pokémon League, re-defeats the Elite Four, then challenges and defeats Alder, becoming Champion of Unova.

Between Black and White and Black 2 and White 2/X and Y:

• Hilbert/Hilda leaves Unova with their Dragon to look for N.
• Bianca officially becomes Professor Juniper's assistant.
• The Pokémon distribution of Unova changes drastically.
• Cilan, Chili, Cress, Lenora, and Brycen retire as Gym Leaders to train.
• Cheren, Roxie, and Marlon become Gym Leaders.
• Alder retires as the Champion, and Iris takes his place.
• Five of the Seven Sages leave Team Plasma, and Ghetsis and Zinzolin form a new Team Plasma solely dedicated to conquering Unova.
• A landslide seals off Route 10 and a majority of Victory Road, forcing another Victory Road to be built. Another landslide seals off Challenger's Cave.
• Significant construction occurs in Unova:
  • The Cold Storage in the south of Driftveil City is replaced by the Pokémon World Tournament.
  • A section of the mountain near Undella Town is constructed into a new town called Lentimas Town
  • The Riches house in Undella Town is demolished, with new villas built in the town.
  • The Marine Tube is built between Undella Town and Humilau City, connecting the two.
  • The Castelia Sewers are made accessible on Thumb Pier, which leads to Castelia's park, or when flooded, to Castelia's back alley.
• Calem/Serena moves to Vaniville Town in Kalos with their mother.

Two years after Black and White (Generation VI):

Encountering Yveltal

• The events of Black 2 and White 2 and X and Y:
  • Nate/Rosa receives their first Pokémon from Bianca in their hometown of Aspertia City. Together with Hugh, who hopes to take back his sister's Purrloin from Team Plasma, the duo takes on the new lineup of Gyms in the Unova region. After earning their seventh badge from Drayden, Team Plasma attacks Opelucid City, covering the city in unbreakable ice. The Shadow Triad takes the opportunity to steal the DNA Splicers from Opelucid Gym. Nate/Rosa and Hugh chase Team Plasma to Humilau City, where after earning their final badge, they confront Zinzolin, Colress, and the Shadow Triad at the Giant Chasm. After the Triad releases Hugh's sister's Purrloin, now a Liepard, Hugh tells Nate/Rosa to go ahead and confront Team Plasma's leader, Ghetsis. Just before Ghetsis freezes Nate/Rosa alive with Kyurem's Glaciate, N flies in on Reshiram/Zekrom, saving them. However, Ghetsis uses Kyurem's power to turn Reshiram/Zekrom back into an orb, then uses the DNA Splicers to turn Kyurem into Black/White Kyurem. Nate/Rosa knocks out Kyurem, causing the two Dragon Pokémon to separate, then defeats an enraged Ghetsis. Thankful, N suggests that Nate/Rosa proceed to the Pokémon League. Heeding his words, Nate/Rosa ascend Victory Road, defeats the Elite Four, and emerges victorious in battle with the new Champion, Iris. After returning home, Hugh's sister thanks to the player for helping her big brother, and tells Nate/Rosa that she has been dreaming of a Zoroark calling Nate/Rosa's name. At Hugh's suggestion, Nate/Rosa returns to Victory Road, finding a Zoroark that leads them to the ruins of N's Castle, where N and Reshiram/Zekrom challenge them to battle. After being defeated, N says goodbye to his dragon and releases it by asking it to turn back into an orb to give to Nate/Rosa. Nate/Rosa climbs to the top of Dragonspiral Tower, and faces Reshiram/Zekrom again, this time, in an attempt to capture it.
  • Calem/Serena leave their home in Vaniville Town meeting Shauna and Serena/Calem who invite them to join them for a meeting in Aquacorde Town. Calem, Serena and Shauna receive their first Pokémon from Tierno and a Pokédex from Trevor on behalf of Professor Sycamore. After delivering a letter to their Mom from Professor Sycamore, they head on an adventure traveling across Kalos challenging eight Gyms in order to earn eight Badges to then challenge the Pokémon League. Along their journey, they come into contact with Team Flare, an organization whose goal is to create a "beautiful and better" world while making money. They try to do this by stealing fossils from Glittering Cave, siphoning electricity from the Kalos Power Plant, stealing the Poké Balls from the Poké Ball Factory in Laverre City, and attempting to agitate and capture an Abomasnow. Calem/Serena also encounters a mysterious giant called AZ on several occasions, the first being on Kalos Route 13. After earning their seventh badge from Olympia, Calem/Serena are contacted by Lysandre, a man introduced by Professor Sycamore, who reveals himself to be the leader of Team Flare and his intention to use the ultimate weapon to eliminate all life in the world. Calem/Serena battle Lysandre first in Lysandre Labs and again in the Team Flare Secret HQ, before making their way down to the basement where they find Xerneas^X/Yveltal^Y and battle them, before battling against Lysandre once more. Even though Lysandre is defeated, and Calem/Serena and their friends reason with him, he still fires the ultimate weapon. The blast the weapon emits destroys it and buries Lysandre and the HQ, ultimately disbanding Team Flare. Calem/Serena then heads to the Pokémon League where they defeat the Elite Four and Diantha, becoming Champion of Kalos. After becoming Champion, Looker contacts Calem/Serena to help him fight crime in Lumiose City.

Between Black 2 and White 2/X and Y and Generation VII:

• Sina and Dexio are sent to Alola by Professor Sycamore to follow Zygarde.
• Red and Blue come to Alola to act as the bosses of the Battle Tree.
• Grimsley and Colress come to Alola.

Two years after Black 2 and White 2/X and Y (Generation VII):

Lillie and Nebby as a Lunala

• Gladion flees Aether Paradise with a Type: Null
  • During this time, he joins Team Skull.
• Three months prior to the events of Generation VII, Lillie flees Aether Paradise with a Cosmog, nicknamed Nebby and is found by Professor Burnet.
• The events of Sun and Moon:
  • Elio/Selene leaves their home on Route 1 on a Pokémon journey three months after moving to the Alola region from Kanto. They receive their first partner Pokémon from Hala and meet Lillie and Hau. Elio/Selene receives a Z-Ring at the festival inaugurating their island challenge, consisting of seven trials and four grand trials in order to become the island challenge champion. Along the journey, they encounter a group called Team Skull, whose members are misfits who failed the island challenge and aim to cause trouble, as well as another group called the Aether Foundation, whose goal is to cure hurt Pokémon. After defeating the leader of Team Skull, Guzma, at the Shady House, Elio/Selene travel to Aether Paradise, where they battle Lusamine, the president of the Aether Foundation. Lusamine opens Ultra Wormholes across Alola and enters one with Guzma. Elio/Selene and Lillie evolve Nebby into Solgaleo^S/Lunala^M at the Altar of the Sunne^S/Altar of the Moone^M and travel into Ultra Space, where Elio/Selene battles Lusamine again and bring her and Guzma back to Alola. Elio/Selene catches Solgaleo^S/Lunala^M after Lillie tells it that she isn't a Trainer. Elio/Selene climbs Mount Lanakila to its summit, the newly opened Pokémon League, where they defeat the Elite Four and Professor Kukui, becoming the first Champion of Alola. A festival is held in Iki Town, and Lillie brings Elio/Selene to the Ruins of Conflict to battle Tapu Koko. The next day, Lillie leaves for Kanto to help her mother. The International Police contact Elio/Selene to investigate and catch the Ultra Beasts unleashed across Alola.
• The events of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon:
  • Events proceed similarly to the above, but Lusamine now seeks to aid the Ultra Recon Squad in stopping Necrozma. When Elio/Selene and Lillie reach the Altar of the Sunne^US/Altar of the Moone^UM, they discover that Lusamine and Guzma have been defeated and Necrozma fuses with Nebby to become Dusk Mane Necrozma^USDawn Wings Necrozma^UM. It is repelled, and Elio/Selene pursues it into Ultra Megalopolis, where they find it has become Ultra Necrozma. Despite its incredible power, Ultra Necrozma is defeated and Nebby is freed from Necrozma's influence. Sometime after Elio/Selene becomes the Champion, the Aether Foundation is attacked by Team Rainbow Rocket, which seeks to use the Aether Foundation's research to further their goals of multiversal conquest.

Some time before Generation VIII:

• Research notes of Type: Null are stolen.^[8]

Generation VIII:

• The events of Sword and Shield and their Expansion Pass:
  • Victor/Gloria and Hop receive their first partner Pokémon from Leon, the undefeated Champion, and meet a mysterious Pokémon in the Slumbering Weald. The two receive Pokédexes from Sonia, Dynamax Bands from Professor Magnolia, and endorsements from Leon to enter the Gym Challenge. They head on an adventure traveling across Galar challenging Gyms in order to earn eight Badges to enter the Champion Cup. Over the course of their journey, they encounter a group called Team Yell, whose members support Marnie in the Gym Challenge. They also encounter another group called Macro Cosmos, a conglomerate led by Rose, who has endorsed his ward Bede in the Gym Challenge. During the Champion Cup in Wyndon Stadium, Rose interrupts the Championship Match by reawakening Eternatus and bringing about the Darkest Day in an attempt to provide energy for the Galar region in 1,000 years. Victor/Gloria and Hop find a Rusted Sword and Rusted Shield and head to the Energy Plant in Hammerlocke, where they battle Rose and summon Zacian and Zamazenta. After defeating it, Victor/Gloria manages to catch Eternatus and returns to Wyndon to defeat Leon in the Championship Match, becoming the new Champion of Galar.
  • Sometime during their journey, Victor/Gloria travels to the Isle of Armor, where they meet a new rival, Klara^Sw/Avery^Sh, and are taken under the wing of former Champion Mustard as a student of his dojo. Victor/Gloria competes in a series of trials with their new rival, eventually defeating them in a final battle, earning them the right to inheirit the Dojo's "secret armor", the Legendary Pokémon Kubfu. After bonding with each other, Victor/Gloria and Kubfu challenge one of the Towers of Two Fists, culminating in a battle against Mustard and his own Kubfu. Victor/Gloria is successful, and Kubfu learns the secret of the tower, allowing it to evolve into Single Strike Style or Rapid Strike Style Urshifu.
  • Sometime during their journey, Victor/Gloria travels to the Crown Tundra, where they meet the retired Gym Leader Peony, who recruits them as the leader of his exploration team, and tasks them with investigating three mysteries surrounding the tundra. In the first mystery, Victor/Gloria meets Calyrex, the former king of the Crown Tundra, and helps it reunite with its steed, Glastrier or Spectrier. In the second mystery, they investigate ruins scattered around the tundra, encountering and catching the legendary giants. In the third mystery, Victor/Gloria pursues and catches the Galarian legendary birds across Galar. Upon solving these mysteries, Victor/Gloria finds a note describing a fourth mystery that Peony does not recall writing. Upon bringing it to the Max Lair, Victor/Gloria learns about Ultra Beasts and Necrozma, and is eventually able to catch Necrozma in a Dynamax Adventure.
  • After becoming Champion, Victor/Gloria and Hop stop the plans of Sordward and Shielbert, who cause chaos around the region in their misguided attempt to restore the Galarian monarchy. In the process, Victor/Gloria catches one of the two Legendary Pokémon of Galar, and Hop sets out to be a Pokémon Professor.
  • After resolving the incident with Sordward and Shielbert, Victor/Gloria returns to the Master Dojo, where they find Hop conducting research on Sonia's behalf. Mustard tells them that Urshifu hates the taste of Max Soup, so, in order for it to unlock its Gigantamax potential, a special ingredient is needed to make it drink the Max Soup. He doesn't reveal what this ingredient is, though, and leaves it to the duo to figure it out on their own. After a few bad guesses, Victor/Gloria and Hop travel to Honeycalm Island, where Victor/Gloria gets thrust into a Max Raid Battle against a Dynamax Vespiquen. After defeating it, they find the missing ingredient: Max Honey. Upon returning to the dojo, Mustard informs Victor/Gloria that he wants to battle them in a no-holds-barred battle, where he uses his full power. In the battle, Mustard uses his own Gigantamax Urshifu. After being defeated, Mustard declares that he has nothing more to teach Victor/Gloria.
  • After the events of the incident with Sordward and Shielbert, The Isle of Armor, and The Crown Tundra, Victor/Gloria receives a call on their Rotom Phone from Leon, who invites them and many other strong Pokémon Trainers from Galar to a new type of competition called the Galarian Star Tournament (in which Trainers form duos and compete in Multi Battles) at Wyndon Stadium. Victor/Gloria partners with Hop or Marnie in the inaugural tournament, and emerges victorious after defeating Leon and Raihan (if their partner is Hop) or Raihan and Piers (if their partner is Marnie) in the finals, after which Leon announces that further Galarian Star Tournaments will occur.

Some time after Generation VIII (Generation IX):

• The events of Scarlet and Violet and their expansion:
  • Florian/Juliana, a child who recently moved to Paldea, starts their Pokémon journey with their neighbor Nemona, receiving their first partner Pokémon from Director Clavell of Naranja Academy^S/Uva Academy^V. Despite being a Champion-ranked Trainer, Nemona chooses to also raise a new first partner Pokémon and team alongside Florian/Juliana. Soon after their departure from Cabo Poco, Florian/Juliana encounters a mysterious Pokémon called Koraidon^S/Miraidon^V and a boy named Arven, the son of Professor Sada^S/Professor Turo^V, who gives them the Pokémon's Poké Ball. Arriving in Mesagoza, Florian/Juliana learns about the Terastal phenomenon, saves a girl named Penny from being harassed by a group of academy delinquents called Team Star, and is contacted by Professor Sada^S/Professor Turo^V, who tells asks them to look after Koraidon^S/Miraidon^V in their stead. Three days later, the academy's independent study assignment, the Treasure Hunt, sending academy students to search for their own personal treasure across the region.
  • Encouraged by Nemona, Florian/Juliana starts taking on the eight Gyms across Paldea to earn eight Gym Badges and become a Champion like her. Along the way, they encounter the eight Gym Leaders of Paldea, members of the Paldea Elite Four, and Top Champion Geeta, as well as battle Nemona on several occasions. With eight Gym Badges in hand, Florian/Juliana travels to the Pokémon League, defeating the Elite Four and Geeta to become a Champion-ranked Trainer. An enthusiastic Nemona then challenges them to one more battle, happy to be able battle without holding back anymore. Despite losing, Nemona is still happy to see Florian/Juliana having become as strong as they have.
  • A mysterious individual referring to themselves as Cassiopeia requests Florian/Juliana's help in taking down Team Star in an operation called "Operation Starfall". Clavell, disguised as a student named Clive, accompanies them on their journey to defeat the team's five squads at their respective bases around Paldea. During this quest, Florian/Juliana learns that members of Team Star are actually not bullies, but falsely accused victims of bullying themselves. Once all give squads have been defeated, Cassiopeia reveals themselves as Team Star's mysterious Big Boss and challenges Florian/Juliana to one last confrontation at the academy, where they are revealed to be Penny. After Penny has been defeated, Clavell takes off his disguise and issues a formal apology to Team Star, revoking their threat of being expelled.
  • Arven enlists Florian/Juliana's help in defeating the five Titan Pokémon around Paldea and collecting their respective Herba Mystica, mythical herbs said to have amazing healing capabilities. During this quest, Arven reveals that he wants to use the Herba Mystica to help heal his seriously injured partner Pokémon, Mabosstiff. In consuming some of the Herba Mystica itself, Koraidon^S/Miraidon^V also regains some of its lost abilities. One Mabosstiff has been fully healed, a call from Professor Sada^S/Professor Turo^V summons Florian/Juliana to Area Zero in the Great Crater of Paldea.
  • With Nemona, Penny, and Arven's independent storylines completed, they join Florian/Juliana on their journey down to Area Zero. At the very bottom of the area, they discover the Professor's laboratory, the Zero Lab, and not only discover the existence of mysterious Pokémon called Paradox Pokémon and find out that the Professor constructed a time machine to pull them into the modern day from a different era, but learn that the Professor is actually dead, with a robot equipped with an artificial intelligence having been talking to them throughout their adventure. Following the AI's request, Florian/Juliana assists them in stopping the time machine from flooding Paldea with an influx of Paradox Pokémon, though the AI is forced to travel to another era using the machine to stop it completely. Returning back to the academy, Florian/Juliana eases back to their school life and takes part in the Academy Ace Tournament to crown the strongest Trainer at the academy.
  • Sometime during their journey, Florian/Juliana joins several other students on a class trip to the land of Kitakami in the east, organized in cooperation with Blueberry Academy in Unova. Two students of Blueberry Academy, a timid boy named Kieran and his aggressive big sister Carmine, are Kitakami natives and meet Florian/Juliana on their arrival to Mossui Town. The students are told to learn of the history of Kitakami by visiting three signboards that detail the story of Ogerpon and the Loyal Three. Florian/Juliana pairs up with Kieran for this task. During the first night of the annual Festival of Masks, Florian/Juliana and Carmine have an encounter with Ogerpon, which Carmine forces them to keep secret from Kieran. The next day, Florian/Juliana and Carmine learn that the Loyal Three were actually the bad guys, while Ogerpon was their victim, the opposite of what most people of Kitakami believe. Kieran, overhearing the story, feels betrayed for having been kept from learning the truth about Florian/Juliana and Carmine's encounter with Ogerpon. When the Loyal Three are suddenly resurrected from their grave and steak Ogerpon's three masks from Kitakami Hall, Florian/Juliana work hard to retrieve them, while Kieran succeeds in convincing the townspeople of Ogerpon's innocence. Instead of returning to its home, however, Ogerpon chooses to come with Florian/Juliana, making Kieran feel even more betrayed when he and Carmine are forced to return to Blueberry Academy.
  • After the stopping the time machine and the events of The Teal Mask, Florian/Juliana travels to Blueberry Academy as an exchange student, where Kieran is revealed do have become the Champion of the school's BB League. Despite their exchange student status, Florian/Juliana is eventually approved to receive a permission to participate in it. Defeating the BB League Elite Four, Florian/Juliana is given the right to challenge Kieran, who, despite his significant improvement, ultimately loses to them once again. After his defeat, Briar, a teacher at Blueberry Academy, invites Florian/Juliana, Carmine, and Kieran to join her on an expedition to Area Zero to discover Terapagos. They succeed in accessing the Area Zero Underdepths and finding Terapagos, which Kieran hopes to use to finally defeat Florian/Juliana. When Terapagos's powers go out of control, however, he is instead forced to join Florian/Juliana in defeating it, allowing Florian/Juliana to catch it for themselves. Kieran, experiencing a change of heart, reconciles with Florian/Juliana as they return to Blueberry Academy.

In the side series games

Pokémon Colosseum

Pokémon Colosseum shares the same continuity as the core series games. The events of this game occur between I/III and II/IV core series games.

• In the Orre region, a young man named Wes betrays Team Snagem, destroying their base and stealing their only portable Snag Machine, a device that allows one to steal Pokémon already owned by other Trainers. He subsequently rescues a girl named Rui, who has the ability to see the dark auras produced by Shadow Pokémon, Pokémon turned into heartless fighting machines by the criminal syndicate Cipher. Wes and Rui set out to snag all of the Shadow Pokémon across Orre in order to thwart Cipher's plans and purify the corrupted Pokémon back to their original states. In doing so, Wes repeatedly defeats Cipher's four Admins, ultimately confronting and defeating their boss Evice at the organization's base at Realgam Tower. Evice is arrested, and with Wes capturing and purifying the few remaining Shadow Pokémon, Orre returns to a state of peace.

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness shares the same continuity as the core series games. The events of this game occur approximately two years after Generation II/Generation IV.

• Five years after Wes and Rui's heroic tale, Cipher resurfaces in Orre with a new army of Shadow Pokémon. In Wes's absence, a boy named Michael, armed with a new Snag Machine and the new purification system known as the Purify Chamber created by Professor Krane, sets out to take down Cipher once more. In the process, he also encounters the former Cipher Admin and a current small-time criminal Miror B., who's likewise after any strong Shadow Pokémon he can find. After stopping Cipher's takeover of the ONBS news station, thwarting their plans to impersonate the citizens of Phenac City, getting his Snag Machine stolen by and retrieving it from Team Snagem, and destroying Cipher's Shadow Pokémon factory, Michael uses the Robo Kyogre built by the eccentric inventor Dr. Kaminko to make his way to Cipher's base on Citadark Isle. Defeating an army of Cipher Peons and all the new Cipher Admins along the way, he finally confronts Cipher's Grand Master Greevil and his ultimate Shadow Pokémon, the supposedly unpurifiable Shadow Lugia. With Greevil and Lugia eventually bested, Cipher is defeated once more. Convinced by one of his sons, Eldes, to atone for his wrongdoings, Greevil turns himself in. Michael then proceeds to purify Shadow Lugia with the Purify Chamber and snag the last remaining Shadow Pokémon from Miror B., ending the second "Shadow incident" and restoring peace to Orre once more.

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Ranger series

The Pokémon Ranger series shares the same continuity as the core series games.

The events of Pokémon Ranger occur between I/III and II/IV core series games. The events of Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, and Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs occur at the same time as II/IV core series games.

In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, there are legends about events from hundreds of years before Generation I.

This section is a stub. You can help Bulbapedia by expanding it.

In the anime

Main article: History of the Pokémon world (anime)

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Main article: History of the Pokémon world (Adventures)

References

Notes

See also

This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.