Unova

Unova	イッシュ地方
	Isshu region

Artwork of the Unova region from Black 2 and White 2

Introduction	Pokémon Black and White
Professor	Professor Juniper Professor Burnet
First partner Pokémon	Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott
Regional Villains	Team Plasma Team Rocket (anime only)

	League
Pokémon League		Unova League
League Location		Pokémon League (Unova; games) Vertress City (Unova; anime)

		Pokédex
Pokédex List			Unova Pokédex (Old Unova Pokédex) (New Unova Pokédex)

	Anime
Series		Pokémon the Series: Black & White Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Season(s)		Black & White (14) Rival Destinies (15) Adventures in Unova (16) Journeys (23) Master Journeys (24)

	Games
Generation		V, IX
Games		Black and White Black 2 and White 2 Scarlet and Violet (The Indigo Disk)

		Manga
Adventures Debut			Fussing and Fighting

The Unova region (Japanese: イッシュ地方 Isshu region) is a region of the Pokémon world. It is the setting of Pokémon Black and White and Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, while a school in Unova called Blueberry Academy was introduced as the setting of The Indigo Disk expansion of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. It was the fifth core series region to be introduced.

Unova is stated to be far away from Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh; the Pokémon which inhabit Unova are diverse and different from those of other regions. According to Junichi Masuda, the geographical and social background for Unova draws inspiration from the New York City metropolitan area.^[1]^[2] Although it is geographically based on New York City, it draws inspiration for its landmarks from the entire state of New York, which features a mixture of rural locations and urban areas as well as factory towns and industrial complexes. The region also has several cultural references to the country where this state is located, the United States of America.

Etymology and design concept

Etymology

Unova's Japanese name, イッシュ Isshu, is derived from the Japanese word for "one variety", 一種 isshu, or １種類 isshurui. According to the game director Masuda, this is to express that although the region is diverse in species and race, they are all the same as living creatures when seen from a distance.^[3]

The region's English name contains the Spanish word uno (one),^[4] and possibly also the English word united (as in the United States) and the Latin words unum (one) and nova (new). The name also sounds like parts of the phrase "United States of America".

Design concept

Main article: Pokémon world in relation to the real world → Unova

The map of North America showing the Unova region as the New York metropolitan area.

Although some of Unova is geographically based on New York, the creators of the region took some liberties in regards to the surrounding areas. One of the largest cities in Unova, Castelia City, is based on Lower Manhattan, but to the immediate north of Castelia is (as opposed to a continuing metropolis as in real life) a vast desert. Nimbasa City, which is to the north of Castelia City, could be a reference to Broadway, which is located in Manhattan. Nacrene City, with its restored storehouses, is reminiscent of the ubiquitous lofts in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The division of Unova may also be a reference to the Boroughs of New York City. The Skyarrow Bridge is a reference to the Brooklyn Bridge, which connects Brooklyn and Manhattan. The Battle Subway is a reference to the New York City Subway, which is the most extensive public transit system in the world, as well as one of the oldest.

History

Location of Unova in the Pokémon world, according to the anime

Dated history

3,000 years prior to the events of Pokémon Black and White, the Relic items were created.
2,500 years prior to the events of Pokémon Black and White, the Relic Castle was flourishing and the Darmanitan in front of it went to sleep.
200 years prior to the events of Pokémon Black and White, an ultra-rich family purchased and named the Liberty Garden.
200 years prior to the events of Pokémon Black and White, Village Bridge was constructed after the local river burst its banks, flooding the settlement that stood there previously.
100 years prior to the events of Pokémon Black and White, the warehouses of Nacrene City were constructed.
100 years prior to the events of Pokémon Black and White, Klink started appearing in Chargestone Cave.
50 years prior to the events of Pokémon Black and White, Elgyem was seen for the first time when it appeared from far in the desert.

Undated history

"Thousands of years ago"
- In mythology, Unova was created by uniting the warring peoples of the land by twin heroes using a single powerful dragon, which led both to become kings. However, the brothers started to argue over their beliefs; the elder brother sought truth and the younger brother sought ideals. Their arguments somehow split the single dragon into Reshiram, who sided with the older brother, and Zekrom, who sided with the younger brother. Since they were both born from the same dragon neither could defeat the other and the brothers declared that there was no right side. However, eventually their sons continued the fight and both the dragons started to battle again, destroying the Unova region with their fire and lightning. Reshiram and Zekrom's bodies were destroyed and changed into the Light and Dark Stones respectively.
- Sometime after the original dragon had been split into Reshiram and Zekrom, one of the two brothers and their respective dragon created the Relic Castle, which was the seat of a new civilization for people and Pokémon.
- Kyurem is thought to have appeared around this time, however, there are two conflicting legends that reveal its origins:
  - An old legend in Lacunosa Town describes Kyurem as an extraterrestrial Pokémon that came to the Pokémon world within an icy meteor, creating the Giant Chasm. It's said it'd take people and Pokémon and eat them, which led to the construction of the giant wall surrounding the town.
  - An old legend told by Drayden describes Kyurem as a third dragon created by the leftovers of the original dragon, lacking truth and ideals after the creation of Reshiram and Zekrom, only capable to retrieve one of them by absofusing with one of the two dragons through the DNA Splicers.
At some point in the distant past, a civil war broke out in Unova that caused an intense forest fire. The many Pokémon that lived in the forest became trapped, though luckily the Swords of Justice came in to save them—Terrakion moved away boulders that blocked their escape route, Virizion used its nimble movements to protect Pokémon from looming flames, and Cobalion led the scared Pokémon out of the forest. These Pokémon would later become responsible for ending the war before disappearing into myths. However, the forest was still burned to the ground in the end, resulting in the trio finding a lone Pokémon; Keldeo, that they decided took in as their own.
After Keldeo's adoption, it started being taught the knowledge and moves necessary to survive by the Swords of Justice. Over time however, Keldeo began to surpass its teachers and eventually decided to leave the trio, but it is unknown why it left.
A legend says that in the past, Thundurus and Tornadus once raced across Unova, tearing up the lands with their respective weather-controlling powers, not caring about settlements and creatures in their path. Landorus, seeing the massive destruction the pair had brought to the region and its inhabitants, is said to have punished them so that they would never repeat their actions.
It's said that Meloetta once entertained the people of Unova with song and dance, but when sorrow filled the hearts of people, Meloetta lost both this melody and its red shoes.

Contemporary history

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

Pokémon Black and White

In contemporary history, a present containing three first partner Pokémon—one each for Cheren, Bianca, and Hilda/Hilbert—was sent to Hilda/Hilbert's house in Nuvema Town by Professor Juniper on their mothers' request, so that they could each start their Pokémon journeys through the Unova region, challenging each of Unova's eight Gyms in order to collect Badges and eventually reach the Pokémon League. During their travels, Hilda/Hilbert met and battled with the members of Team Plasma many times, including their king, N, and encountered the mysterious Shadow Triad, with events coming to a head at Dragonspiral Tower, where N managed to awaken and capture Zekrom^B/Reshiram^W, inviting Hilda/Hilbert to face him after they had beaten the Pokémon League and resurrected Reshiram^B/Zekrom^W from the Light Stone^B/Dark Stone^W. On retrieving the appropriate stone from Nacrene Museum and defeating the Elite Four, Hilda/Hilbert reached the Champion's room, where N was waiting for them, having just defeated the Champion Alder. N then summoned his castle, which rose out of the earth surrounding the Pokémon League; Team Plasma had been working tirelessly for years prior to build the fortress around the Pokémon League right under their nose, overworking the Pokémon gifted to them by Trainers they had emotionally manipulated into doing so for this purpose. N then invites Hilda/Hilbert into the castle to battle him in order to test the strength of their convictions.

On entering the castle, Hilda/Hilbert are ambushed by all of the Seven Sages (except Ghetsis), who planned to defeat them so that their king's reign would be unopposed. Fortunately, Bianca arrived, bringing all the Gym Leaders of the region that she was able find, which includes all of them except for Chili, Cress, and Cilan, whom Bianca claimed she could not contact in time. The Gym Leaders then opted to engage the Seven Sages in battle on Hilda/Hilbert's behalf, so that they were able to ascend through the castle and defeat N. Eventually, Hilda/Hilbert reached Team Plasma's King in the throne room, where N summoned his member of the Tao trio, who subsequently came crashing through the farthest wall of the room. The presence of Zekrom^B/Reshiram^W then activated the player's dormant stone, which emerged from the Bag and transformed into its counterpart, Reshiram^B/Zekrom^W. The latter then allowed Hilda/Hilbert to attempt to capture them and after doing so, Hilda/Hilbert proceeded to defeat N in the ensuing battle.

N's loss to his opponent caused Ghetsis to storm into the room in rage, insisting that N was a complete failure and a freak and revealing his true motivation for Team Plasma. By separating all other Pokémon from their Trainers, while Team Plasma retained their own, he, as leader of the group (acting through N), would have been left in a position of power from which he could have dominated the world. However, his delusions of grandeur were cut short by his defeat in a final Pokémon battle at the hands of Hilda/Hilbert followed by his arrest. N, however, was not arrested and subsequently flew from the land on Reshiram^W/Zekrom^B in order to do some soul searching in light of Ghetsis's revelations. He was not seen again in Unova, but there is a rumor that someone with a strong resemblance to N was spotted somewhere in a far-off region. Hilda/Hilbert then continued the rest of their journey, managing to also cover eastern Unova, (becoming the first person to successfully operate the Poké Transfer), locate and aid in the arrest of the remaining Seven Sages, and eventually return to the League to defeat the Pokémon League Champion Alder themselves. Afterwards, after some time reflecting, Bianca decides to become an assistant to Professor Juniper to aid in her research, and Hilda/Hilbert leaves Unova to search for N.

Between Pokémon Black and White and Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

During the two years between the events of Pokémon Black and White and Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, construction of the road between Castelia City and Nimbasa City through the desert was either completed and a small settlement was established on this road^B2, or abandoned after ancient ruins were discovered in the sand and excavated^W2. The gate between Route 4 and Nimbasa City was expanded into Join Avenue. The construction in the south of Driftveil City was completed, with the Pokémon World Tournament taking the place of the Cold Storage. The Entralink's moat was drained or dried up, and a different type of Entree now grows in the center. A section was taken out of a mountain to the east, with Lentimas Town built in the new space.

Significant construction occurred in Undella Town, with the Riches moving away (except for the father) and their house being demolished; in its place, many new villas were built. In this construction effort, the mountain was dug away to the point where construction workers dug an entrance into Reversal Mountain. In addition, the Marine Tube was constructed between Undella Town and Humilau City.

Furthermore, Victory Road has collapsed. As a result, Route 10 is closed and replaced by another path, Route 22 and Route 23. Also, the entrance to Challenger's Cave has collapsed.

Additionally, the coastline of Unova has changed between the games.

As revealed via Memory Link, Ghetsis reforms Team Plasma during this period.

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

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 Nate/Rosa earns the Legend 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, the Wave 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 Zekrom^B2/Reshiram^W2, saving them. However, Ghetsis uses Kyurem's power to turn Zekrom^B2/Reshiram^W2 back into an orb, then uses the DNA Splicers to fuse it with Kyurem, turning it into Black^B2/White^W2 Kyurem. Nate/Rosa knocks out Kyurem, causing the two Dragon-type 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 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 Zekrom^B2/Reshiram^W2 again, this time, in an attempt to capture it. After this is done, N returns and tells the player that Kyurem has reawakened. With this, Nate/Rosa heads to the Giant Chasm again, catches Kyurem in its normal form, and recovers the lost DNA Splicers.

Between Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Blueberry Academy was established by Cyrano, located underwater off the coast of Unova, and formed close ties with the historic Naranja Academy^S/Uva Academy^V in Paldea by becoming its sister school.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

The Teal Mask

An annual school trip is held by the two sister schools. Four students of Paldea's Naranja Academy^S/Uva Academy^V, which includes Florian/Juliana, and two students of Unova's Blueberry Academy, Kieran and Carmine, alongside their teacher, Briar, participate in the trip to the siblings's homeland, Kitakami. After meeting Florian/Juliana and continuously losing to them, and having the Legendary Pokémon he's long idolized, Ogerpon, choose them over him, Kieran develops an overwhelming compulsion to become stronger and defeat them. He, Carmine, and Briar return to Blueberry Academy a little early due to developments concerning the Great Crater of Paldea.

Between The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk

Pushing himself to grow stronger in order to defeat his rival, Kieran conquers the BB League and becomes Blueberry Academy's new Champion after defeating Drayton, at the cost of skipping sleep and making the atmosphere in the school's League Club unpleasant for everyone else. Meanwhile, Carmine assisted Briar as they travelled to many different regions. Thanks to her discoveries about Terastallization, she installs a giant sphere called Terarium Core in the ceiling of the school's undersea Terarium dome, enabling the students and staff members to start utilizing the Terastal phenomenon.

The Indigo Disk

Florian/Juliana is invited to Blueberry Academy as an exchange student. Drayton, the school's former Champion and a member of its Elite Four, invites the new exchange student to participate in the BB League, hoping to restore the genuine love Kieran once had for battling. After clearing the four Elite Trials and defeating the Elite Four, Florian/Juliana is granted the right to challenge Kieran. They emerge victorious, becoming the new BB League Champion. Although Kieran initially retains his obsession to defeat his rival, a subsequent adventure in Paldea's Area Zero makes him see the error of his ways and become friends with Florian/Juliana once again.

At some point, the photographer Perrin started working at Blueberry Academy to take snapshots of the Terarium and students for upcoming marketing. She meets Florian/Juliana again in the Terarium and thanks them for the help they gave her in tracking down the Bloodmoon Beast in Kitakami. She also reveals them a "hot tip" after taking candid shots of them catching 200 Pokémon in the Terarium, the hot tip are pictures of Gouging Fire^S/Iron Boulder^V and Raging Bolt^S/Iron Crown^V in Paldea's Area Zero. After Florian/Juliana find and catch both of them, they speak to Perrin again, who's surprised to see both Paradox Pokémon were indeed real before taking some photos of them as well.

Geography

Unova in Pokémon Generations

Unova is divided by two rivers that lead into an ocean to the south of it. These rivers cannot be surfed on, with the exception of the river directly below Village Bridge. It divides Unova into central and eastern peninsulas and a western landmass. These three landmasses are connected by five bridges: the Skyarrow Bridge, the Driftveil Drawbridge, the Tubeline Bridge, Marvelous Bridge, and the Village Bridge. The eastern part of Unova is further divided by mountains that makes a southeast part and northeast part. The southeastern part is important to Trainers who want to compete in the Pokémon League since two Gyms are located there, but the northeastern part is not since there are no Gyms there and it mostly has tourism, as evidenced by the amount of people speaking foreign languages. Further away from this bundle of towns is where the Pokémon League is located. Interestingly, the northeastern part is the only place in the region to find Pokémon species foreign to Unova outside of Swarms. The central peninsula of Unova consists of two of the largest cities in the Pokémon world, Castelia City and Nimbasa City, as well as Opelucid City further north, all of which contain Gyms. Every bridge in Unova connects to the central part of the region from either the east or west. The western side contains medium-sized towns and more varied landscapes but it also has three Gyms there, making it another destination to visit for any Pokémon Trainer.

Unova is a mixture of urban and rural land. The region features 21 settlements which reflect the diversity of the region. Many cities have buildings that resemble real-world buildings, such as Striaton City and Castelia City. However, some cities remain the way buildings in the past do, such as Humilau City, which has mostly wooden buildings on platforms above the ocean. Castelia City, a sprawling metropolis, is one of the largest cities in the Pokémon world. Nuvema Town, which is inhabited by the Pokémon expert Professor Juniper, is smaller and quieter. Black City^B^B2, a version-exclusive city. Unova's landscape also features several forests (one of which is also version-exclusive, White Forest^W^W2), a desert, a magnetic cave and areas where the move Dive can be used outside of battle.

Although Unova appears in some ways more technologically advanced than the previous regions, this development is not spread across the whole of the region, for there are several aesthetic differences in the region depending on the version. In Pokémon White and White 2, these changes make the geography more rural-looking, while in Pokémon Black and Black 2, these changes are more modern or technological in appearance. Locations that fall into the category are Opelucid City, Mistralton City, Reversal Mountain, and Route 4^B2W2.

Climate

Main article: Season (game mechanic)

The climate of Unova, unlike other regions, solely depends on the time of the year.

Unlike previous regions, where climatic change was experienced locally (that is to say, some routes would always feature snow, and some routes would always feature rain), Unova is susceptible to national seasonal change. Spring, summer, autumn, and winter each last approximately thirty days, and recur three times each within a year. Each season brings with it different weather patterns, unlocks different events, and presents altered Pokémon availabilities.

Demographics

The Unova region has a total population of 949, including all the towns, cities and areas. Upon its introduction in Generation V, it was the largest region by population and is currently the third largest region by population.

Notable locations

Settlements

Map		Name	Population	Description
Black	White
Black 2	White 2
		Nuvema Town	10	A rural town whose sea breezes give the sense of something coming.
		Accumula Town	30	This town offers great views due to its many hills.
		Striaton City	46	Entry stairs built in memory of a former home in a snowier climate.
		Nacrene City	54	A city established in restored storehouses built 100 years ago.
		Castelia City	130^BW 137^B2W2	A big city with skyscrapers piercing the clouds.
		Nimbasa City	239	A bustling city of entertainment, with many theme parks.
		Driftveil City	70	A port town distributing many goods, and a gateway to the Unova region.
		Mistralton City	37^BW 31^B2W2	Vegetables are grown by the runway and transported by cargo plane.
		Icirrus City	26	In winter, the city is covered with snow as far as the eye can see.
		Opelucid City	52	A convenient city of rapid change, showing no traces of the past.^B^B2 A city that respects history and values old things.^W^W2
		Pokémon League	10	Only the Trainers who have conquered all Pokémon Gyms can challenge here.
		Lacunosa Town	16	A town where all honor old customs, living as methodically as clockwork.
		Undella Town	15	A summer retreat with a beach full of people who enjoy summer vacations.
		Black City^B^B2	45	A modern city of ongoing development that draws people to it.
		White Forest^W^W2	25	A place of nature's bounty, it attracts people who long for nature.
		Anville Town	13	A city with a rail yard where trains park for an overhaul.
		Aspertia City^B2W2	30	A city at the foot of high mountains where you can see all of Unova.
		Floccesy Town^B2W2	17	The town is famous for a clock tower that tells of the town's beginnings.
		Virbank City^B2W2	40	A city often covered by clouds and smoke, with very active residents.
		Lentimas Town^B2W2	12	The town boasts of porcelain and pottery made from volcanic clay.
		Humilau City^B2W2	32	A resort city where buildings float in the waves and look like islands.

Landmarks

Battle Subway map showing various destinations in the Greater Unova region

Bridges and tunnels

Driftveil Drawbridge, as seen in the anime

Given that Unova is spread across three strips of land divided by two rivers, a number of bridges and an underwater tunnel exist to allow free movement across the region. Each of them has its own characteristic features and are even popular tourist attractions; they are:

Routes

Unlike previous regions, Unova's routes do not follow the same numbering system, with a jump to 301, but are numbered 1-23, paralleling the Kanto region's numbering system and emphasizing Unova's dissociation from the previous four regions.

In the anime, it is also far enough away from Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh that travelling to or from the region required either via airplane (as Ash and Delia did to arrive in Unova) or by ship (as evidenced by the return journey), the latter also requiring passage through the Decolore Islands to reach Kanto.

Animated series-exclusive

Picture	Location	Description
	Absentia Natural Park	A verdant park that houses extremely rare Panna Lotus flowers. It's currently home to the Genesect Army.
	Ambiga Town	Ambiga Town is a town that is located between Mistralton City and Icirrus City. The Clubsplosion tournament is held here.
	Antimony Research Lab	A top secret lab located somewhere in Unova. It holds all research data on the Meteonite, which was stolen by Team Rocket.
	Area 28	Area 28, located near Route 4, is notorious for its UFO sightings. Professor Icarus lived there to experiment on dark matter. He also encountered an Elgyem.
	Astilbe Town	A town located between Mistralton City and Icirrus City. It has a Battle Club, where Ash's Tepig met his former Trainer.
	Battle Club	Battle Clubs are facilities owned by Don Georges. There are many Battle Clubs across the Unova region. They have various features including a gymnasium, swimming pool to train Pokémon, and computers that display Trainer information.
	Clock tower	The clock tower is an old unnamed landmark that stands in an unnamed town in Unova. Ash and his friends helped a Darmanitan and its Darumaka friends save the tower from demolition.
	Colossus Ruins	The ruins of an ancient city in Desert Resort. The ruins and its treasure, a hall made of pure gold, are protected by numerous traps and a giant Golurk, the titular Colossus.
	Eindoak Town	Eindoak Town is the setting for the fourteenth movie. It is the ancestral home of the "People of the Vale." During the battle tournament held for the village's Harvest Festival, Ash befriends Victini, a rare Pokémon that inhabits Eindoak Town.
	Ferroseed Research Institute	The Ferroseed Research Institute is a facility located in a town between Icirrus City and Opelucid City. Research is being conducted here on the moss produced by Ferroseed.
	Flower Garden Troupe	The headquarters for the Flower Garden Troupe, an all-female theater performers group which is managed by Ms. Chandler. It is located near Undella Town.
	Full Court	An abandoned mine which is located within a mountain crater. It serves as a home for Kyurem.
	Hero's Ruin	The Hero's Ruin, located near Chargestone Cave, and said to be where the Black Hero communicated to Zekrom. Cedric Juniper was researching them. It is protected by a Sigilyph and multiple Cofagrigus.
	Kingdom of the Vale	Kingdom of the Vale was once home of the "People of the Vale" and ruled by a beloved king. The Dragon Force supplies the kingdom with power.
	Litwick Mansion	Litwick Mansion is located along Route 4 and was discovered by Ash and his friends while trying to escape the rain. It is home to four Litwick and a Lampent.
	Luxuria Town	Luxuria Town is located somewhere between Striaton City and Nacrene City. Luxuria Town has its own Battle Club which is run by the local Don George. Ash had his second battle with Trip here and lost.
	Milos Island	Milos Island is an island off the coast of Driftveil City. It is home to the Abundant Shrine where Landorus sleeps. Connected to the island are two smaller islands that house the shrines of Tornadus and Thundurus who also rest peacefully.
	Mistralton Tower	Mistralton Tower is a treasured landmark that was built near Mistralton City that takes the place of the Celestial Tower from the games. Once a year, the Wishing Bell Festival is held in honor of it.
	N's Hideout	N's Hideout is a secret cottage where N, Anthea, and Concordia take refuge from Team Plasma.
	New Tork City	New Tork City is a sprawling coastal metropolis with many skyscrapers. Located in the middle is Pokémon Hills.
	Nimbasa Town	Nimbasa Town is located south of Nimbasa City. Ash mistakes the town for Nimbasa City at first when he asks where the Gym is until Luke explains that they're two different places. Nimbasa Town is where Ash and his friends take part in the Club Battle Tournament.
	Pokémon Hills	A very large and green park located right in the middle of New Tork City. Many Pokémon find their home here.
	Rainbow Valley	Rainbow Valley exists somewhere along Route 4. Cottonee gather at Rainbow Valley after finding their partner, riding on what is known as the "Diamond Breeze" while holding hands in order to get there. Ash and his friends visit Rainbow Valley after helping a Cottonee win over a love interest.
	Roshan City	A sprawling city accessible by train. Underneath it are disused subway tunnels. One of the old subway stations has been transformed into a museum for old transportation devices.
	Stonesthrow Town	A town located between Icirrus City and Opelucid City. Just outside the town is an enormous mansion were Mr. Hatterly and his daughter live.
	Sword of the Vale	The Sword of Vale is a castle that was once at the center of Kingdom of the Vale. One thousand years ago, the King of the People of the Vale's sons, the Heroes of Truth and Ideals, fought over the Dragon Force contained within the castle, causing the Dragon Force to corrupt the land beneath the Kingdom of Vale. The king used the power of Victini and hundreds of Solosis and Duosion to move the castle, containing all of the People of the Vale, to the top of a mountain. The castle now stands near Eindoak Town.
	Vertress City	Vertress City is a city close to Opelucid City. The Vertress Conference is held here.
	Village of Dragons	The Village of Dragons is the hometown of Iris. It is a place where people raise and admire Dragon-type Pokémon. Iris obtained her Axew there from the elder.
	White Ruins	Ancient ruins located near the Dragonspiral Tower, above Icirrus City. It is here that the Light Stone was located.
	Windy Station	A station where the train to Roshan City stops and where travelers can buy Darumaka boxed lunches.

Mentioned only

Name	Notes
Inakano Town	Mentioned in BW105, but was left unnamed in the English dub. It is the hometown of Russet.

Appearance

Artwork


Artwork of Unova from Pokémon Black and White by Naoki Saito^[5]	Pre-release artwork of Unova from Pokémon Black 2 and White 2	Artwork of Unova from Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

In-game


Unova as seen in Pokémon Black and White	Unova as seen in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

Hilbert's sync move mindscape from Pokémon Masters EX	Rosa's sync move mindscape from Pokémon Masters EX

Unova League

Main article: Unova League

The Unova League is the regional Pokémon League of the Unova region. After obtaining the eight Badges of the region, a Trainer may battle the Elite Four at the Pokémon League building.

Gym Leaders

Black and White

Unova League
Generation V				Region: Unova
Gym Leader Japanese				Location Japanese	Type			Badge
Cilan デント Dent	Chili ポッド Pod		Cress コーン Corn	Striaton City サンヨウシティ Sanyou City	Grass	Fire	Water	Trio Badge
Lenora アロエ Aloe				Nacrene City シッポウシティ Shippou City	Normal			Basic Badge
Burgh アーティ Arty				Castelia City ヒウンシティ Hiun City	Bug			Insect Badge
Elesa カミツレ Kamitsure				Nimbasa City ライモンシティ Raimon City	Electric			Bolt Badge
Clay ヤーコン Yakon				Driftveil City ホドモエシティ Hodomoe City	Ground			Quake Badge
Skyla フウロ Huuro				Mistralton City フキヨセシティ Fukiyose City	Flying			Jet Badge
Brycen ハチク Hachiku				Icirrus City セッカシティ Sekka City	Ice			Freeze Badge
Drayden シャガ Shaga^B		Iris アイリス Iris^W		Opelucid City ソウリュウシティ Souryuu City	Dragon			Legend Badge

Black 2 and White 2

Unova League
Generation V		Region: Unova
Gym Leader Japanese	Location Japanese	Type	Badge
Cheren チェレン Cheren	Aspertia City ヒオウギシティ Hiougi City	Normal	Basic Badge
Roxie ホミカ Homika	Virbank City タチワキシティ Tachiwaki City	Poison	Toxic Badge
Burgh アーティ Arty	Castelia City ヒウンシティ Hiun City	Bug	Insect Badge
Elesa カミツレ Kamitsure	Nimbasa City ライモンシティ Raimon City	Electric	Bolt Badge
Clay ヤーコン Yakon	Driftveil City ホドモエシティ Hodomoe City	Ground	Quake Badge
Skyla フウロ Huuro	Mistralton City フキヨセシティ Fukiyose City	Flying	Jet Badge
Drayden シャガ Shaga	Opelucid City ソウリュウシティ Souryuu City	Dragon	Legend Badge
Marlon シズイ Shizui	Humilau City セイガイハシティ Seigaiha City	Water	Wave Badge

Elite Four and Champion

Unova League
Generation V
Member Japanese		Type
Shauntal シキミ Shikimi		Ghost
Marshal レンブ Renbu		Fighting
Grimsley ギーマ Giima		Dark
Caitlin カトレア Cattleya		Psychic
Champion Alder アデク Adeku^BW	Champion Iris アイリス Iris^B2W2	Various	Dragon

BB League

Main article: Blueberry Academy → BB League

Blueberry Academy has its own unofficial Pokémon League, referred to as the BB League, which is used as a ranking system to determine the strongest Trainer in the school. Unlike the Unova League, this League has no Gym Leaders. Instead, a Trainer of a high-enough rank may take on an Elite Four member's Elite Trial, then the Elite Four member themselves, and, if victorious against all four of them, the Champion.

Elite Four and Champion

BB League
Generation IX
Member Japanese	Type
Crispin アカマツ Akamatsu	Fire
Amarys ネリネ Nerine	Steel
Lacey タロ Taro	Fairy
Drayton カキツバタ Kakitsubata	Dragon
Champion Kieran スグリ Suguri	Various

Trivia

Unova is the first core series region to be based on a real-world region outside of Japan.
- Unova is also the region that has the most settlements, with 21.
Unova is the only region without:
- an actual or former Rock-type Gym in the generations that introduced Gyms.
- a new Psychic-type specialist, as Caitlin was introduced in Generation IV, although she could not be battled until Generation V.
- a regional Pokédex that starts with a Grass-type first partner Pokémon (although the Grass-type first partner Pokémon is still entry #001, its Pokédex starts with Victini as #000).
- the evolutionary lines of Pikachu and/or Magikarp in its regional Pokédex.
- an origin mark.
Unova is the only main series region which does not use a romanization of the Japanese name as its English name, and the only region whose name is different among all translations of the games.
- According to Junichi Masuda, Unova's Japanese name was translated into different languages of the games so that players who do not speak Japanese can still understand the meaning behind the name.^[6]
Except Black City and White Forest, all English names of cities and towns in Unova come from different types of cloud or cloud phenomena. Likewise, except Black City and White Forest, all Japanese names of cities and towns in Unova come from traditional patterns.
In some pre-release material in the United Kingdom, Unova was referred to as Alleos.
Unova is tied with Galar with the most Gym Leaders in a single region, with 14 in total.
Unova has the most Gyms in cities, with all eleven of them. Sinnoh and Kalos both also have all of their Gyms in cities, but only have eight Gyms each.
Unova is the only region in which multiple gyms specialize in the same type: the Striaton Gym (which also specializes in Grass and Fire) and the Humilau Gym both specialize in Water types, and the Nacrene Gym and Aspertia Gym both specialize in Normal types.
Unova is the only region to have two Victory Roads.
The adjectival form of Unova is "Unovan", as mentioned in Terrakion's Pokémon Shield Pokédex entry.
The northwestern and northeastern portions of Unova are, in-game, incongruous with one another; the western side is larger in the north-south direction than the eastern side.
Junichi Masuda chose New York as the basis for the Unova region with Pokémon musical concerts in mind; he had his music arranged and performed in Pokémon-themed concerts held in Kantō, Kansai, Kyushu, and Hokkaidō (the real-life basis for the regions Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh respectively), and he had wanted to hold a similar concert in New York due to the many musical theaters found in Manhattan. Ultimately, the plan never came through due to complications, such as having to fly all the musicians and instruments to the United States.^[3]

In other languages

Language	Name	Origin
French	Unys	From un (one), unité (unity), and États-Unis (United States)
German	Einall	From Eins (one) and Alles (all)
Italian	Unima	From una (one) and anima (soul)
Spanish	Teselia*	From tesela (tessera), referencing the various settlements named after ceramic materials that can be used as tesserae to form a mosaic
Spanish	Unova*	From its English name
Korean	하나 Hana	From 하나 hana (one)
Chinese (Mandarin)	合眾 / 合众 Hézhòng	From 合眾 / 合众 hézhòng / hapjung (united), referencing 合眾為一 / 合众为一 (E pluribus unum), and 合眾國 / 合众国 (United States)
Chinese (Cantonese)	合眾 Hapjung
Portuguese, Danish, Indonesian, Malay, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Turkish	Unova	From its English name
Greek	Γιούνοβα Gioúnova	Transcription of its English name
Hebrew	יונובה Yonovah	Transcription of its English name
Hindi	युनोवा Unova	Transcription of its English name
Russian	Юнова Yunova	Transcription of its English name
Tamil	யுனோவா Unova	Transcription of its English name
Telugu	యూనోవా Unova	Transcription of its English name
Thai	อิชชู Isshu	Transcription of its Japanese name
Vietnamese	Isshu	Transcription of its Japanese name

References

↑ Hidden Power of Masuda: Director's Columns
↑ "This new region was inspired by New York's Manhattan. I visited New York when Diamond and Pearl launched and I had the chance to wander around the town. When I walked through the streets, I saw a lot of different people having festivals and community events—Italian people, French people—they're coming from different countries and coexisting in one community", Junichi Masuda, Official Nintendo Magazine Issue 65 page 30.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Iwata Asks - Pokémon Black and Pokémon White Versions - Page 2 (English, Japanese)
↑ Hilliard, Kyle (February 27, 2018). "The History Of Pokémon." Game Informer (Archived on March 1, 2024.)
↑ Archived main page of Saito's blog with a post mentioning his work on BW, the post itself reveals the artwork he did work on
↑ (February 10, 2011). Interview with Game Freak in London by Bisafans (Page 2) (German)

Regions in the Pokémon world

Core series	Kanto (Sevii Islands) • Johto • Hoenn Sinnoh (Hisui • Battle Zone) • Unova (Blueberry Academy) Kalos • Alola • Galar (Isle of Armor • Crown Tundra) Paldea • Kitakami
Side series	White City • Orre
Anime	Orange Islands • Decolore Islands
Spin-off games	Fiore • Almia • Oblivia • Pokémon Island • Mintale Town Ryme City • Pasio • Ransei • Ferrum • Lental Mystery Dungeon world • PokéPark • TCG Islands Carmonte Island • Tumblecube Island • Aeos Island
TCG	Southern Islands • Puzzle Continent • Holon • Parallel Worlds
Sovereign states in the Pokémon world	Ranger Union • Guyana Lucario Kingdom • Mirage Kingdom • Rota