Highlights

  • The Pokemon community is buzzing with rumors of new games set in the Unova and Johto regions, with evidence from recent DLC and leaks supporting these theories.
  • Both the Johto and Unova regions have gone the longest without new games, making them overdue for a revisit in the Pokemon series.
  • Recent Pokemon games have been featuring new forms and evolutions for Gen 2 and Gen 5 Pokemon, indicating that Game Freak is aware of fans' desire for Johto and Unova content. DLC from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet also hints at a return to these regions in the future.

With The Indigo Disk wrapping up the major new content for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, many fans have turned their attention towards what comes next for the series. The most common theory based on leaks and rumors is a return to the Unova Region after Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, whether through Gen 5 remakes or a Pokemon Legends Unova game. However, another theory gaining popularity within the community is that players could potentially see a new game set in Unova and one set in Gen 2's Johto region release very close to each other ahead of a brand-new Gen 10.

It's been a long-established fact that the Pokemon series likes to revisit past regions through remakes, and the addition of Pokemon Legends: Arceus as a new style of game in which to revisit certain locations gives the franchise a lot of potential for multiple releases set in different regions. Players could end up seeing a remake of Pokemon Black and White as well as a Pokemon Legends Johto, or a Pokemon Let's Go Johto and a Pokemon Legends Unova under the new precedent set by the series. Whatever form these games take, there is some surprising evidence in favor of a dual Johto/Unova release in the near future.

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Every Pokemon Unova Game Leak Explained

Pokemon leaks seem to stack up about new Gen 5 games, with possibilities ranging from remakes to a Pokemon Legends Unova title.

Why Johto and Unova Could Both See New Pokemon Games

The Pokemon community is already abuzz with rumors and leaks surrounding a new game set in the Unova Region. Credible Pokemon leaker Riddle Khu has teased a return to the Unova Region, which is supported by evidence present in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's DLC. Additionally, many fans have been anticipating Gen 5 remakes after Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, but now rumors of a potential new Johto game have also started circulating, and there is some strong evidence supporting this dual-release theory.

Both Regions Have Gone the Longest Without a New Game

The last time players went to the Johto Region was in Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver, which were released back in 2010, and the Unova Region back in 2012 with the release of Pokemon Black 2 and White 2. This means these are the two regions that have gone the longest without getting new games, since in the time since their release, fans have revisited Hoenn in Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Kanto in Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee, and Sinnoh in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. As such, both of these regions are overdue for a revisit.

Recent Pokemon Games Have Been Giving New Forms to Johto and Unova Mons

It's pretty clear that Game Freak is aware of the fan base's desire for Johto and Unova content, since recent games like Pokemon Legends: Arceus and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have heavily featured new forms or evolutions for Gen 2 and Gen 5 mons. Pokemon Legends: Arceus featured new critters like Overqwil, Ursaluna, and Wyrdeer as new evolutions for Gen 2 monsters, as well as Basculegion and new regional variants for Lilligant, Zorua and Zoroark, and Braviary for Gen 5. Scarlet and Violet's Paradox forms also predominantly feature Gen 2 and Gen 5 mons, with Johto's Legendary Beasts and Unova's Swords of Justice being a particular focus.

Scarlet and Violet’s DLC Teases Both Regions

The most recent hints towards new Johto and Unova games come from The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. The Teal Mask's Kitakami features many native Johto mons, and its rustic, rural Japanese aesthetic is very similar to that of the Johto Region, suggesting the two are located near each other. It's also revealed in this DLC that The Indigo Disk's Blueberry Academy is located in the Unova Region, potentially setting players up for a full return to these two regions in the near future.