Johto Region Index

The **Johto Region** is the main setting of Pokemon Gold and Silver. The Johto Region is based on the Kansai region of Japan. For information regarding the Pokemon of Gold and Silver, see here.

*Please provide your own knowledge to this page if possible. Descriptions written in italics are speculation and not solid facts.*

**Etymology**: The kanji that inspired this region's name can be translated as 'castle palace' or 'lattice-shaped palace'.

## Characters

The running theme of the playable characters in Gold and Silver is that they somehow reference music.

### Ethan

General Information: Ethan (known as "Hibiki" in Japan) is the male player character in the Generation II games.

**Etymology**

* Ethan's name is a reference to the Biblical author of Psalm 89 who was a harp or cymbal player in King David's court.

Ethan is a male given name of Hebrew origin which means things like 'firm', 'strong', 'enduring', and 'long-lived'.

* Ethan's Japanese name is based on the Japanese word for an echo.

### Lyra

General Information: Lyra (known as "Kotone" in Japan) is the female player character in the Generation II remakes.

**Etymology**

* Lyra's name is a reference to a lyre.
* Lyra's Japanese name is based on kanji meaning 'sound of koto'.

### Kris

General Information: Kris is the female player character introduced in Pokemon Crystal.

**Etymology**: Kris' name comes from Pokemon Silver Version.

### Silver

General Information: Silver is the rival in the original Generation II games.

**Etymology**: Silver's name comes from Pokemon Silver Version.

### Professor Elm

General Information: Professor Elm (known as "Dr. Utsugi" in Japan) is the Pokemon Professor of the Johto Region. His research focuses on Pokemon breeding and Pokemon Eggs.

**Etymology**

* This character is named after an **elm tree**.

Elms are deciduous and semi-deciduous trees of the Ulmus genus in the Ulmaceae family.

* This character's Japanese name comes from "utsugi" (the Japanese word for the **Deutzia crenata**).

Deutzia crenata is a species of flowering shrub in the Hydrangeaceae family native to Japan.

### Faulkner

General Information: Faulkner (known as "Hayato" in Japan) is the first Gym Leader the player faces in the Johto Region. He specializes in Flying-type Pokemon. Defeating him will grant the player the Zephyr Badge and TM31 (Mud-Slap).

**Etymology**

* Falkner's name is a reference to a "falconer", someone who trains falcons to hunt.
* Falkner's Japanese name is based on "hayato-uri" (the Japanese word for the **chayote**) and "hayabusa" (the Japanese word for a falcon).

Chayote (Sechium edule), also known as a mirliton or a choko, is an edible gourd belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. It was first cultivated in Mesoamerica between southern Mexico and the Honduras, which later spread to other parts of the Americas and became integrated into the cuisine of many Latin American nations. They common American English name "chayote" comes from the Nahuatl word "chayohtli".

### Bugsy

General Information: Bugsy (known as "Tsukushi" in Japan) is the second Gym Leader the player faces in the Johto Region. He specializes in Bug-type Pokemon. Defeating him will grant the player the Hive Badge and TM49 (Fury Cutter).

**Etymology**

* Bugsy's name is a simple corruption of the word "bug".
* Bugsy's Japanese name is based on "tsukushi" (the Japanese word for the **horsetail**), "mushi" (a reading of the Japanese kanji for an insect), and "tsukutsukuboshi" (the Japanese word for a specific species of cicada).

The horsetail (Equisetum), also known as snake grass or puzzlegrass, is the only living genus in the Equisetaceae family which is defined as a "living fossil".

### Whitney

General Information: Whitney (known as "Akane" in Japan) is the third Gym Leader the player faces in the Johto Region. She specializes in Normal-type Pokemon. Defeating her will grant the player the Plain Badge and TM45 (Attract).

**Etymology**

* Whitney's name is a reference to the word "white".

Whitney is an English gender-neutral given name originally used as a surname. It comes from Old English and means 'white island'.

* Whitney's Japanese name comes from the Japanese word for **madder**.

Common madder (Rubia tinctorum) is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family. Its roots are used to produce a red dye.

### Morty

General Information: Morty (known as "Matsuba" in Japan) is the fourth Gym Leader the player faces in the Johto Region. He specializes in Ghost-type Pokemon. Defeating him will grant the player the Fog Badge and TM30 (Shadow Ball).

**Etymology**

* Morty's name is a reference to "mortis" (the Latin word for death).

Morty is a French masculine given name which means 'dead sea'. The name is likely a derivative of Mortimer.

* Morty's Japanese name is based on "matsuba" (the Japanese word for **pine** needles), "matsu" (a reading of the Japanese kanji for 'end'), and "ma" (a reading of the Japanese kanji for evil spirits like demons).

A pine tree is any conifer tree or shrub belonging to the Pinus genus of the Pinoideae subfamily. They are commonly found in the Northern Hemisphere and are most commonly used for lumber.

### Chuck

General Information: Chuck (known as "Shijima" in Japan) is the fifth Gym Leader the player faces in the Johto Region. He specializes in Fighting-type Pokemon. Defeating him will grant the player the Storm Badge and TM01 (Dynamic Punch).

**Etymology**

* Chuck's name is inspired by "chuck" ('to throw'), "nunchuck", and popular martial artist Chuck Norris.
* Chuck's Japanese name is based on "Shijima" (a cultivar of **Haworthia**), "shijima" (a reading of the Japanese kanji for silence), and "shijima" (a Japanese word meaning 'four islands').

Haworthia is a genus of small succulent plants native to Southern Africa. They are popular as garden and container plants. The name of the plant is based on the botanist Adrian Hardy Haworth.

### Jasmine

General Information: Jasmine (known as "Mikan" in Japan) is the sixth Gym Leader the player faces in the Johto Region. She specializes in Steel-type Pokemon. Defeating her will grant the player the Mineral Badge and TM23 (Iron Tail).

**Etymology**

* Jasmine's name comes from the **jasmine** and "mine" or "mineral".

Jasmine is a genus of shrubs and vines belonging to the Oleaceae family. They are widely cultivated for the fragrance of their flowers. The name likely is derived from the Middle Persian word "yasaman".

* Jasmine's Japanese name is based on "mikan" (a generic Japanese word for all citrus fruit).

### Pryce

General Information: Pryce (known as "Yanagi" in Japan) is the seventh Gym Leader the player faces in the Johto Region. He specializes in Ice-type Pokemon. Defeating him will grant the player the Glacier Badge and TM16 (Icy Wind).

**Etymology**

* Pryce's name comes from a corruption of the word "ice".

Pryce is an English masculine name which means 'prize' in Old French.

* Pryce's Japanese name is based on "yanagi" (the Japanese word for **willow**).

The willow tree, also called sallows and osiers, is a type of deciduous tree or shrub from the Salix genus.

### Clair

General Information: Clair (known as "Ibuki" in Japan) is the eighth Gym Leader the player faces in the Johto Region. She specializes in Dragon-type Pokemon. Defeating her will grant the player the Rising Badge and TM24 (Dragon Breath).

**Etymology**

* Clair's name comes from "lair" (referencing a dragon's lair).

Clair is a French feminine given name which means 'clear' and 'bright'.

* Clair's Japanese name is based on "ibuki" (the Japanese word for the **Chinese juniper**).

The Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis) is a species of coniferous evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae family which is native to China, Myanmar, Japan, Korea, and the Russian Far East. It is one of the top species used in the Japanese art of bonsai.

### Will

General Information: Will (known as "Itsuki" in Japan) is the first member of the Elite Four in the Johto Region. He specializes in Psychic-type Pokemon.

**Etymology**

* Will's name comes from "willpower" (mental strength).

Will is an Old English masculine given name. It is derived from the name William and means 'resolute protector'.

* Will's Japanese name is based on "tsuki" (a reading of the Japanese kanji for the **Japanese zelkova**).

The Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) is a species of deciduous tree native to Japan, Korea, eastern China, and Taiwan. It is often grown as an ornamental tree and is used in the Japanese art of bonsai. In Korean culture, it is considered a symbol of protection for villages.

### Karen

General Information: Karen (known as "Karin" in Japan) is the fourth member of the Elite Four in the Johto Region. She specializes in Dark-type Pokemon.

**Etymology**: Karen's name (in Japanese) comes from the Japanese word for the **Burmese rosewood** or the **Chinese quince**.

Karen is an English female given name derived from the name Catherine. In addition to English, the name is also popular in Africa and East Asia (particularly Japan). The word is also a slang word for a white woman perceived as entitled or demanding beyond normality.

The Burmese rosewood (Dalbergia bariensis) is a species of tree in the Fabaceae family. It can be found in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

The Chinese quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis) is the fruit of a deciduous or semi-evergreen tree in the Rosaceae family which is native to southern and eastern China.

## Locations

All of the major cities and towns in Johto are named after plant-related terms, colors, or a mixture of both. *The Real World Equivalents are heavily speculative.*

### New Bark Town

General Information: New Bark Town (known as "Wakaba" in Japan) is a town located in southeastern Johto which is the starting location of players.

*Real World Equivalent: Hamamatsu City*

**Etymology**

* New Bark Town is named after "bark".
* New Bark Town's Japanese name is based on "wakaba-iro" (the Japanese word for the chartreuse color of budding leaves).

### Cherrygrove City

General Information: Cherrygrove City (known as "Yoshino" in Japan) is a city located in south-central Johto.

*Real World Equivalent: Handa City and Minamichita Town*

**Etymology**

* Cherrygrove City's name comes from the **cherry** and "grove".
* Cherrygrove City's Japanese name is based on "Yoshino-gusa" (an alternative name for the cherry blossom).

### Violet City

General Information: Violet City (known as "Kikyo" in Japan) is a city located in central Johto where the player faces the Gym Leader Falkner.

*Real World Equivalent: Nara City*

**Etymology**

* Violet City's name comes from "violet" (the name of both a color and a plant).
* Violet City's Japanese name is based on "kikyo-iro" (the Japanese word for the blue-violet color of the Chinese bellflower).

### Azalea Town

General Information: Azalea Town (known as "Hiwada" in Japan) is a small town located in southern Johto where the player faces the Gym Leader Bugsy.

*Real World Equivalent: Minabe Village*

**Etymology**

* Azalea Town's name comes from **azalea**.
* Azalea Town's Japanese name is based on "hiwada-iro" (the Japanese word for the reddish brown color of the Japanese cypress bark).

### Goldenrod City

General Information: Goldenrod City (known as "Kogane" in Japan) is a sprawling metropolis located in western Johto where the player faces the Gym Leader Whitney.

*Real World Equivalent: Osaka City*

**Etymology**

* Goldenrod City's name comes from **goldenrod**.
* Goldenrod City's Japanese name is based on "kogane-iro" (a Japanese word for the color gold).

### Ecruteak City

General Information: Ecruteak City (known as "Enju" in Japan) is an old-fashioned city located in northern Johto where the player faces the Gym Leader Morty.

*Real World Equivalent: Kyoto City*

**Etymology**

* Ecruteak City's name comes from "ecru" (a light beige color) and "teak" (a type of tropical hardwood).
* Ecruteak City's Japanese name is based on "enju" (the Japanese word for the **Japanese Pagoda tree**).

### Olivine City

General Information: Olivine City (known as "Asagi" in Japan) is a major port city located on the coast of Johto where the player faces the Gym Leader Jasmine.

*Real World Equivalent: Kobe City*

**Etymology**

* Olivine City's name comes from "olive" and "vine".
* Olivine City's Japanese name is based on "asagi" (the Japanese word for either light blue or light yellow).

### Cianwood City

General Information: Cianwood City (known as "Tanba" in Japan) is a city located in far western Johto where the player faces the Gym Leader Chuck.

*Real World Equivalent: Naruto City or Tokushima City*

**Etymology**

* Cianwood City's name comes from "cyan" and "wood".
* Cianwood City's Japanese name is based on "tanba-iro" (the Japanese word for the teal color of the chalcanthite).

### Mahogany Town

General Information: Mahogany Town (known as "Choji" in Japan) is a small town located in northern Johto where the player faces the Gym Leader Pryce.

*Real World Equivalent: Koka City*

**Etymology**

* Mahogany Town's name comes from both the tree and the reddish-brown color of the same name.
* Mahogany Town's Japanese name is based on "choji-iro" (the tan color produced from cloves).

### Blackthorn City

General Information: Blackthorn City (known as "Fusube" in Japan) is a city located in northeastern Johto where the player faces the Gym Leader Clair.

*Real World Equivalent: Gifu City*

**Etymology**

* Blackthorn City's name comes from "black" and "thorn".
* Blackthorn City's Japanese name is based on "fusube-iro" (the Japanese word for smoke black).

## Ideas

### Regions Themes

* Arthurian Legend Characters
* Bible Stories
* Clothing
* Directional Words
* Electrical Appliances
* Fairy Tales
* Grammatical Terms
* Horror Movies
* Mystery Writers
* Prescription Drugs
* Rock Bands
* US States
* Wizard of Oz Characters