Rumors have been circulating since 2022 that the Kalos region would play a part in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's DLC. In-game environmental details, as well as a potential Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC leak, lead many fans to believe that February 2023's Pokemon Presents would announce the Gen 6 region's grand return. However, the DLC is instead titled "The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero," releasing with a two-part narrative that will see players travel beyond the Paldea region to some entirely new places, introducing older Pokemon along the way.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet released to a mixed reception thanks to prevalent technical and gameplay issues. While some skipped the latest adventure entirely, others fully embraced it for its implementation of mechanics from Pokemon Legends: Arceus, as well as a strong original story. Given Paldea is based on real-world Spain, the neighbor of the France-inspired Kalos region from Pokemon X and Y, it was easy to see why rumors about Kalos returning struck a chord. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of Pokemon X and Y, coinciding a recent trademark renewal. However, today's announcement revealed that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC will instead go to the Japan-inspired Kitakami and the Blueberry Academy across two releases.
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero's Japan-Inspired Kitakami is a Much Deeper Cut
In The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero's first segment, "The Teal Mask," players will take part in a school trip to Kitakami. An official press release from The Pokemon Company International says players will take part in a seasonal festival, meeting new friends and Pokemon, as they attempt to unravel mysteries surrounding the region's folktales. What players learn in this first part will continue forward with "The Indigo Disk," allowing players to discover the greater mysteries of Paldea's Area Zero.
A Japan-inspired location is surprising to see given it hasn't played a huge part since the earliest entries in the Pokemon series. Japan has not been featured as the real-world equivalent of a Pokemon region since the fourth generation, in which Pokemon Diamond and Pearl introduced players to the Hokkaido-inspired Sinnoh region. Sinnoh was a land steeped in myth, so the narrative implications of The Teal Mask draw more than just a regional comparison to Pokemon's fourth generation. Kitakami appears to be a land of its own, but players may discover ties to the folklore of past titles.
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero May Connect the Series' Past and Present
When February's Pokemon Presents was first announced, some players speculated it might reveal a new Pokemon Legends entry, perhaps one coinciding with the 10th anniversary of Pokemon X and Y. Pokemon Legends: Arceus transported players to a Sinnoh of old, and provided them with a compelling narrative that showcased the origins of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl's various locations. Due to Legends: Arceus' success, every region could get a Pokemon Legends entry. However, The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero appears to cut much deeper.
As the Kitakami region is directly tied to Paldea's Area Zero and The Blueberry Academy, a sister school to the player's own somewhere out in the ocean, folklore from the series' first four regions could tie more closely into Paldea. The Teal Mask may deliver the same type of story as a Legends game by allowing players' recent journey through Paldea to connect with the mythological happenings of ancient Kitakami. When The Indigo Disk is released in winter 2023, it should provide some modern ties to complete the association. Until The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero arrives, players can experience additional content announced at today's Pokemon Presents, such as two new 7-star Tera Raids featuring Walking Wake and Iron Leaves.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for Nintendo Switch.
