Kanto

A map of Kanto as depicted in Pokémon: HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions.
Kanto
Type	Region
Debut	Pokémon: Red Version/Pokémon: Green Version

Kanto is a region within the Pokémon world which serves as the setting for the first generation of the Pokémon series (as well as the corresponding remakes). It is connected to Johto and thus is revisited during the second generation as well.

General Information

Kanto is an important location within the Pokémon world. It is the home to Professor Oak, the most acclaimed Pokémon Professor, and it has also produced champion trainers Red and Blue. There are few legends or known historical events associated with Kanto, however, especially when compared to other regions. One event would be the creation of Mewtwo on Cinnabar Island, who proceeded to escape (burning down the Pokémon Mansion in the process) and take refuge in Cerulean Cave. Kanto was also menaced by the criminal organization Team Rocket some time until they were shut down following Red's defeat of their leader, Giovanni, who turned out to have been one of Kanto's gym leaders. Team Rocket's remnants did go on to menace Johto.

During the three years between the first two generations, Kanto has undergone several changes. Some were minor, but perhaps the most dramatic change was that everything on Cinnabar Island was destroyed in a volcanic eruption, although the island's inhabitants were able to evacuate. Kanto also brought its Power Plant up and running to provide power to the region and the Magnet Train in particular. A single remaining Team Rocket grunt later caused trouble by stealing a part from the power plant's generator, which cut off power to parts of Kanto until Gold returned it to the plant.

Kanto seems to have a moderate climate and is a fairly mountainous region, with a series of mountains in the west and northwest which border the region and separate it from its neighbor, Johto. There are three methods of transportation between Kanto and Johto (four if Flying is counted, as one can fly between the two regions by first flying to an area shared by the two regions such as Mt. Silver or Indigo Plateau). On foot, one could traverse Tohjo Falls. A cruise ship called the SS Aqua also traveled between Kanto's Vermilion City and Johto's Olivine City. Finally, there was the Magnetic Train which was built during the three year gap and was powered by the Power Plant. This train traveled between Saffron City and Goldenrod City. In addition to several islands just south of its shore, there are also the Sevii Islands located further south, which are reached through ferries.

Native Pokémon

Kanto is home to the original 151 Pokémon, which are cataloged in the Kanto Pokédex. Kanto's Pokédex is also the basis for the National Pokédex. The only exceptions are that evolved forms of certain Pokémon are not found in the wild as well as the starter Pokémon, and Mew is actually found on Faraway Island, which may or may not count as part of Kanto. Moltres is also located among the Sevii Islands, but only in FireRed/LeafGreen. Later generations have also added ways for the Pokémon of other regions (Hoenn and Sinnoh) to appear in Kanto, such as by playing special radio stations or in special swarms. Johto Pokémon have also been found in Kanto, particularly Wobbuffet which appears in Cerulean Cave only in FireRed/LeafGreen. Mt. Silver (and the surrounding route) also contains a mixture of Kanto and Johto Pokémon.

Kanto's starter Pokémon are Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle. The only legendary Pokémon associated with the region are the three legendary birds (Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres) as well as Mew and its clone Mewtwo. It is also possible for other region's legendary Pokémon to appear at Kanto in later generations; Raikou, Entei or Suicune from Johto will roam Kanto in FireRed/LeafGreen (depending on the player's starter Pokémon), while Latias and Latios from Hoenn can appear at Kanto (attracted by Soul Dew) in HeartGold/SoulSilver.

Pokémon League

Kanto originally appeared to have a standard Pokémon League set-up, with eight gyms that had to be completed to challenge the Elite Four at their Pokémon League headquarters, which was located at Indigo Plateau. However, the second generation showed that Kanto and Johto actually share a Pokémon League. It appears that trainers can collect eight gym badges from either region in order to challenge the Elite Four at Indigo Plateau. A trainer (such as Gold or Lyra) could even go to the other region after beating one to collect all sixteen of the badges between two regions. Champions were awarded several privileges such as the exploration of dangerous areas including Cerulean Cave and Mt. Silver. Holders of sixteen badges were held in even higher esteem.

Other Games

Kanto and its associated locations have often been used in other spin-offs of the Pokémon series, especially those based on the first generation. One example would be Pokémon Pinball, which had tables for all of the locations from the first generation. Viridian Forest (as well as Professor Oak's lab) has also appeared as a location in several other games such as Hey You, Pikachu! and Pokémon Channel.

Locations

Routes

Kanto originally contains Routes 1-25. Most are plan grassy routes. Routes 19 through 21 are all water routes, while Routes 24 and 25 make a path leading tothe northeastern edge of the continent where Bill lives, and this area has also become a popular place for couples known as Cerulean Cave. The second generation adds Routes 26-28. Route 27 is the route which crosses over to Johto and connects to Tohjo Falls, while Route 28 is a dangerous area leading to Mt. Silver that only experienced champions are permitted to enter.

Cities and Towns

• Pallet Town - This humble town holds Professor Oak's laboratory, and it is where both Red and Blue began their individual Pokémon journeys. It is also the home to Daisy Oak and her Pokémon massages. In HeartGold/SoulSilver, Pallet Town was described as being "fairly new". It connects to Route 1 northward and to Route 21 southward (through water).
• Viridian City - This city is known for containing greenery, due to its proximity to Viridian Forest. Although it is the first gym found in Red's quest, it had to be challenged last since Giovanni was absent until Red had collected the other seven badges. Giovanni was the original gym leader, but he disappeared after his final defeat at Red's Hands. Blue became the new gym leader during the three-year gap and was admired by most of the city's inhabitants. The Trainer House was also built for trainers traveling to Indigo Plateau to train. It connects to Route 1 southward, Route 2 (and Viridian Forest) northward and Route 22 (which leads towards Victory Road) westward.
• Pewter City - It is a quiet city that is located near rugged mountains and rocks. It is associated with archeology and holds a Pewter City Museum of Science which displays fossils that have been discovered as well as other feats of science. This city has a gym led Brock, who also helps with archeological finds. Pewter apparently has more Bug Catchers than serious trainers, with Brock being the main exception. The only difference in Gold/Silver/Crystal is that the museum was closed for renovations, but it was opened again in HeatGold/SoulSilver. The city connects to Route 2 southward and Route 3 eastward.
• Cerulean City - Cerulean is described as a beautiful city that has blooming flowers as well as a river flowing through it. It has a gym led by Misty and a bike shop, the latter of which moved to Goldenrod City in the second generation. The Cerulean Cave is also located nearby, but it is off-limits to all but the most seasoned of trainers. It connects to Route 4 westward, Route 5 southward, Route 9 eastward and Route 24 northward (by crossing a bridge known as "Nugget Bridge").
• Vermilion City - This is Kanto's southern port town. It is home to the Pokémon Fan Club as well as Lieutenant Surge's Pokémon gym. There is also a patch of ground which is being prepared for construction even after three years, with the man admitted his project was put off by a lack of funds. Vermilion also has a harbor, from which cruise ships from around the world such as the SS Anne and SS Aqua set off, as well as the SeaGallop Ferries. This city is notably where Gold begins his exploration of Kanto. It connects to Route 6 northward and Route 11 (as well as Diglett's Cave) eastward.
• Lavender Town - Lavender Town is a small, quiet town located at the foot of Kanto's mountains. It is the home of Mr. Fuji, who takes care of orphaned and abandoned Pokémon at the Lavender Volunteer Pokémon House. Lavender Town's most notable feature was the Pokémon Tower, where dead Pokémon were buried to be mourned by their trainers. This caused it to be haunted by ghost Pokémon, including the ghost of a Marowak that Team Rocket had killed. During the next three years, the Pokémon Tower was converted into the Kanto Radio Tower, which brought more attention to the small town, and the Pokémon graves were moved to the House of Memories. It connects to Route 10 (and the Rock Tunnel) northward, Route 8 eastward and Route 12 southward.
• Saffron City - Saffron City is Kanto's largest city and is located at its center. Being the region's center of commerce, it is home to the headquarters of Silph Co. and houses the Magnet Train station following the three-year gap. There are other notable citizens such as the Copycart Girl and Mr. Psychic. Saffron was big enough that it once had two gyms, but only one could be an official gym, and Sabrina's gym one. The other gym became a fighting dojo. Saffron City has one entrance in each cardinal direction linking to Route 5 in the north, Route 8 to the east, Route 6 to the south and Route 7 to the west. Each gate has a guard, and during the first generation they will only let Red through after being provided with a beverage.
• Celadon City - Celadon is an elegant-looking city which is associated with beauty and glamor. This city houses the Celadon Department Store, Celadon Mansion and Celadon Game Corner. The game corner was run by Team Rocket in the first generation as a front for their hideout, but it became a legitimate business after Team Rocket was driven out by Red. Celadon's gym leader is Erika. The second generation adds a restaurant holding an eating contest and an infestation of Grimer in the city's ponds, which suggests a pollution problem despite Celadon's neat appearance. The city connects to Route 7 eastward and Route 16 westward.
• Fuchsia City - Fuchsia City is a city near the southern tip of Kanto which is resembles a type of historic Japanese town. It is home to several trainers with ninja abilities, the most prominent being Koga and his daughter Janine. Koga was the original gym leader, and Janine took his place when he was promoted to the Elite Four. The city contained the entrance to the Safari Zone (before it was closed down in the three-year gap) as well as a small zoo exhibiting the rare Pokémon from the Safari Zone. It connects to Route 15 eastward, Route 18 westward and Route 19 downward.
• Cinnabar Island - Cinnabar Island is a small island located south of Kanto's shore, between Routes 20 and 21. It is a more scientific area of Kanto. There was the Pokémon Laboratory which Dr. Fuji founded, where technology was developed that revived fossils of extinct Pokémon. The island also contained the Pokémon Mansion where Mewtwo was created. However, Mewtwo burned the mansion down when it escaped. It became known as the Burned Mansion afterwards and became filled with wild Pokémon as well as looters, although scientists still performed research there. Cinnabar also had a Pokémon gym that was led by Blaine. During the three-year gap, Cinnabar Island was destroyed by a volcanic eruption, but its citizens were safely evacuated.
• Indigo Plateau - This is the area found at the end of Victory Road. It only contains the Pokémon League Headquarters, where trainers with eight badges can fight the Elite Four to become the Pokémon League Champion for Kanto and Johto.

Forests, Caves and Other Features

• Viridian Forest - This is a small but maze-like forest which is located in Route 2 and is just north of Viridian City. It is primarily home to Bug-type Pokémon and is also notable as being the home of Pikachu in most versions.
• Diglett's Cave - This is a tunnel which was dug by Diglett and Dugtrio, which are the tunnel's primary inhabitants. It connects Route 2 (near Viridian City) to Vermilion City.
• Mt. Moon - This is a mysterious mountain that connects Routes 3 and 4. It has contained a mysterious power ever since a star fell there. It is associated with Clefairy and Clefable, and they have a ceremony every Monday night where they dance around a freshly fallen Moon Stone. The mountain also contains various hidden fossils, which attracts Team Rocket's attention in the first generation. Red chooses between a Dome Fossil and Helix Fossil here after beating them.
• Underground Path - This is a small path which connects Routes 5 to 8 and is used to get from Cerulean City to Vermilion City while bypassing Saffron. It is an artificial path that is filled with roughneck trainers, and during the three-year gap it was closed off.
• Rock Tunnel - This is a dark tunnel that connects from Routes 9 to 10 and is primarily traversed to reach Lavender Town. Due to its darkness, a Flash HM is needed to navigate it.
• Power Plant - The power plant is located at the end of Route 9 and can only be accessed when by trainers that can surf down the river. It was originally abandoned in the first generation save for Electric-type Pokémon and the legendary bird Zapdos. During the three-year gap, it was reactivated so that the Magnet Train could be powered and became Kanto's main power source. A rogue Team Rocket member stole a part from the generator, which caused temporary power outages in certain areas of Kanto until Gold retrieved it. Once it was active, Zapdos would also be attracted directly outside the Power Plant in HeartGold/SoulSilver.
• Safari Zone - The Safari Zone is an open range that is filled with rare Pokémon. The Pokémon there can only be caught by participating in the Safari Game. It was run by Warden Slowpoke and was shut down during the three-year gap after Slowpoke left the region. In HeartGold/SoulSilver, it was converted into a Pal Park.
• Seafoam Islands - These are a pair of islands located just south of Kanto's shoreline, between Routes 19 and 20. These islands have deep, interconnected caves and have a more frigid temperature which attracts Ice-type Pokémon. This island is also the nesting place of the legendary bird Articuno. In the second generation, Blaine lives in a cave here following Cinnabar Island's destruction. He is still able to accept challenges in the first games, while in HeartGold/SoulSilver he actually converts part of a cave into a gym-like setup.
• Victory Road - This is a special cave which connects to the Indigo Plateau, and only trainers with eight gym badges are permitted. It is the final test for trainers wishing to challenge the Pokémon League and so is filled with many strong trainers and wild Pokémon. This cave is also the home of Moltres, but only in the first generation games. It can be reached from Route 22 and Route 26, the latter of which connects to Johto.
• Cerulean Cave - Also known as the Unknown Dungeon, this mysterious cave is located across the river from Cerulean City and is accessed by surfing down the river going through Route 24. It is a dangerous area that is filled with Kanto's most powerful Pokémon, including Mewtwo. Because of this, only a champion is permitted to enter. In the first generation games, it acts as a bonus final area, while in the initial second generation games it was said to have collapsed with only a Berserk Gene being found nearby. The cave is intact in HeartGold/SoulSilver, which acknowledges the collapse but says that it was reconstructed afterwards. It once more contains Mewtwo but this time can only be reached after defeating Red.
• Mt. Silver - This is a hallowed mountain which is technically located between Kanto and Johto. It is accessed from Route 28, and only the most experienced of trainers are allowed. This is where Red went to train after conquering all of his challenges, and Gold can face him here in a final battle. Moltres is also found within the mountain cave in HeartGold/SoulSilver.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• In Super Smash Bros., Saffron City was used as a stage, with the battle taking place at the top of the Silph Co. building. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, the Pokémon Stadium stage was set in Kanto, and there was also the Poké Floats level which was set in the Kanto Skies.

Other Media

• In the Pokémon anime, Kanto was featured as the setting for the initial series which chronicled Ash's Pokémon journey through Kanto. This series expanded Kanto (in order to increase the length of the series) with additional cities and town as well as some gyms that were usually either unofficial or that Ash did not challenge. The main difference is that Team Rocket remains active in Kanto and other regions after the end of the series, and the Elite Four challenge was replaced by a large championship tournament which Ash ultimately lost. Kanto has been revisited several times, often briefly (and usually specific areas such as Pallet Town or Brock and Misty's gyms). The Battle Frontier series was also set in Kanto in the anime, despite the game version being located near Hoenn. This was likely done to evoke FireRed/LeafGreen at the same time as Emerald.
• In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Kanto was featured as the setting for the Red/Green/Blue and Yellow arcs, and it was revisited during the FireRed/LeafGreen arc.

Trivia

• Kanto is named after and loosely modeled to resemble the Kanto region of Japan. Additionally, the naming scheme used for the towns and cities is that all of them are related to color in some way.
• During the first generation games, Kanto's name was only mentioned once within the games and only in the Japanese version when looking at the first town map. It was not until the second generation that Kanto's name was shown in the other regional releases.
• It is so far the only region that appears and can be visited in more than one generation.