The beloved Pokémon franchise first began back in 1996 following the release of video games, Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version. The success of these two Gameboy games would go on to launch a series of mangas, television series and movies that still remain popular to this day.
While Pokémon fans know all about Ash Ketchum and his lovable pal Pikachu, for the longest time, very little was known about the world that they exist in. Longtime fans were left with several questions including: How did the the wold of Pokémon come to exist? Where do Pokémon come from? And most importantly, who created these creatures? Glimpses of answers were frequently theorized by fans, however for the most part, the Pokémon universe remained a mystery.
That is until fans began an extensive analysis of the entire Pokémon franchise. After a careful examination of the video games, TV series, and movies, the history of the Pokémon Universe slowly became clearer and clearer. Here is a quick historical overview to help curious fans understand the Pokémon Universe from the very start of its creation to more modern-day Pokémon training.
Out Of Nothing Came An Egg That Started It All
Photo: Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life/Toho
Just like the beginning of the real universe, the Pokémon Universe started with virtually nothing – just swirling molecules in chaos. Eventually, an egg manifested from all this nothingness. When hatched, the first being in the universe was born: a Pokémon named Arceus.
Arceus is known as “The Original One” and is considered the creator of the entire Pokémon World. Alone, Arceus began to create.
Arceus Then Created Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina
Photo: Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life/Toho
As the universe’s singular entity, Arceus began to create. It made three fellow Pokémon: Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina, collectively known as the Creation Trio.
Dialga was given dominion over time, Palkia was given control of space, and the destructive Giratina was given rule over antimatter. When Giratina proved too destructive, Arceus was forced to send it to an alternate universe known as Distortion World. Arceus designed Distortion World to be a realm of punishment.
Meanwhile, Dialga and Palkia worked together to create the broader universe, including the Pokémon world. They then retreated to their own dimensions.
Slowly The World Began To Unravel With New Pokémon Starting To Appear
Photo: Pokemon GO!/Niantic
The Pokémon world began to create its own beings, the first legendary Pokémon of the planet. The pressure in the deep sea trenches formed Kyogre. Groudon developed deep inside the planet’s core, forged from hardened magma and earth. Rayquaza was created by the minerals of the ozone layer.
Kyogre and Groudon began to form the topography of the Pokémon world, with Kyogre filling the seas and Groudon the land masses. Then, a new legendary Pokémon named Regigigas was born. The Titan Pokémon divided the continents with its power, thus creating the Pokémon world’s different regions.
Early On, Mews Were Once Abundant Throughout The Pokémon World
Photo: Pokémon: The First Movie/Warner Bros.
While the Legendary Pokémon were creating and dividing up the land, it is said Mew were abundant in the Pokémon world. Some have speculated Mew gave way to the hundreds of non-Legendary Pokémon we see in the series.
In Pokémon Silver, a professor says Mew’s “DNA is said to contain the genetic codes of all Pokémon.”
Arceus Next Brought Knowledge, Emotion, And Willpower Into Existence With Three New Pokémon
Photo: Pokemon/TV Tokyo
After its preeminent fellows left the universe, Arceus created three more Pokémon: Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf. As these three beings were created, the lesser beings created by Dialga and Palkia were graced with knowledge, emotion, and willpower.
Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf headed for the Sinnoh region of Pokémon world, entering Lake Verity, Lake Valor, and Lake Acuityin, respectively. This earned the trio the title “Lake Guardians.”
Ancient Pokémon Were Then Frozen And Lost Due To An Ice Age
Photo: Pokémon the Movie: The Power of One/Warner Bros.
Before the biggest Ice Age in the Pokémon world, Pokémon like Cranidos, Kabutops, Shieldon, and Aerodactyls were abundant. Like reality’s dinosaurs, these creatures went extinct, and it was likely due to an Ice Age.
After this, at some point during the Iron Age, the Legendary Pokémon that created the world were sealed away. Regigigas and fellow titans Regirock, Regice, and Registeel were hidden all over the Hoenn region.
However, A Mysterious Man Invented A Weapon That Brought Pokémon Back To Life
Photo: Pokemon X/Nintendo
AZ is a mysterious man first introduced in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. He – along with the rest of humanity – are believed to have been formed millions of years ago, although it’s unclear if they evolved from primates or simply came into existence. We find out he was once the king of Kalos and he created the Ultimate Weapon, a device that initially could bring Pokémon back to life.
However, AZ reversed its capabilities, allowing it to feed on the life force of Pokémon. He lost power during the Kalos War after using the Ultimate Weapon to end it, but he was also given eternal life by the device, hence his presence in the modern era.
Rayquaza Begins Being Worshipped By The Draconid People
Photo: Pokemon X/Nintendo
The Hoenn region was subjected to destructive meteor showers in 2000 BCE, which threatened the early Draconid people and created Meteor Falls. As the world flooded with energy from this event, Groudon and Kyogre reemerged to tussle over it.
As it had done in the prehistoric days, Rayquaza stopped their fighting, and the grateful Draconid people began to worship Rayquaza.
The Pokémon Unown Potentially Inspired The First Writing System
Photo: Pokemon GO!/Niantic
The earliest known system of writing was discovered at three separate ruins: the Ruins of Alph, Tanoby Ruins, and Solaceon Ruins. The ruins were dated back to 1500 BCE. The Pokémon Unown are shaped like characters from the first written language.
However, it’s unclear if the Pokémon inspired the language, or if the creature came to be after the first alphabet had been created. Regardless, some sort of connection between the two is clear.
Following An Intense Meteor Shower, Rayquaza Experienced The First Mega Evolution Ever
Photo: Pokemon X/Nintendo
1,000 years after the Draconid people were assaulted by meteor showers, it happened again. A meteor struck Hoenn, and created Sootopolis City. Once again, Groudon and Kyogre were reawakened to fight over the energy released by the meteor.
Rayquaza was called upon by the Draconid people and it answered the call, but this time it underwent the first Mega Evolution. Rayquaza used the power of the meteor to do so, and the Pokémon used its new powers to stop Groudon and Kyogre. The Draconid people built Sky Pillar in Rayquaza’s honor, and prophesied the event would repeat in 1,000 years, which caused the Delta Episode.
Now In 700 BCE, Two Infamous Cities Were Finally Made
Photo: Pokemon HeartGold/Nintendo
Ecruteak City in the Johto region is one of the most revered settlements in the Pokémon World, a place admired for its deep history and mysticism. Bell Tower and Brass Tower were two legendary pieces of architecture that acted as lodestones for legendary Pokémon. Lugia perched on the Bell Tower, and Ho-Oh settled on the Brass Tower.
However, both Pokémon left after Brass Tower burned down.
500 BCE Proved To Be A Very Eventful Year
Photo: Pokemon HeartGold/Nintendo
Four significant historical events occurred around the same time 500 years before the modern era. A collection of 108 souls were trapped in the Odd Keystone and sealed in the Hallowed Tower as a punishment, eventually forming the Ghost/Dark Pokémon Spiritomb. The Cianwood City Pharmacy was built, the first of its kind before they became ubiquitous, and the only place the SecretPotion is available. The Mythical Pokémon Magearna was created by a scientist who used the life energy of other Pokémon to create its Soul-Heart.
And finally, the guardian deities of the Alola region defeated the invading legendary Pokémon Solgaleo and Lunala.
By 150 BCE, Pokémon Trainers Began Competing In The First Pokémon League Tournament
Photo: Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!/Toho
When the revered Brass Tower of Ecruteak City burned down, Lugia fled its roost on Bell Tower and relocated to the Whirl Islands. Ho-Oh left as well, but before doing so, it resurrected three Pokémon that had died in the disaster: the Legendary Beasts Entei, Raikou, and Suicune.
Completely unrelated, the first Pokémon League competitions also took place during this time, and trainers began to rise to prominence.
The Poké Ball Was The Created And Perfected By 1925
Photo: Pokémon/TV Tokyo
While trainers had used primitive forms of Poké Balls (or at least devices that captured Pokémon), the modern Poké Ball was not developed until 1925. Professor Westwood of Celadon University is credited as the developer of the modern Poké Ball by some fans, but in the anime we can also see modern-looking Poké Balls that are around 300 years old.
Pokémon Experiments Led To The Creation Of Mewtwo
Photo: Pokémon: The First Movie/Warner Bros.
Sometime before our hero Red started his journey, Mewtwo was created in a lab. A team of scientists – funded by Team Rocket – attempted to make the world’s most powerful Pokémon. The scientists succeeded. They used DNA from Mew to create the diabolical Mewtwo, who quickly became self-aware.
Mewtwo destroyed the lab on Cinnabar Island, and secluded itself in the Cerulean Cave.
Pokémon Trainer Red’s Popularity Continues To Grow
Photo: Pokemon Leaf Green/Nintendo
The main character of the Generation I games is generally referred to as Red, even though he was officially named Satoshi going into Generation II.
Red is known as the Champion from Pallet Town for his achievements in the first Generation (defeating Team Rocket in the Kanto region and the Pokémon league), and he earned the spot as the final boss of the Generation II games Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal.
Red Withdrawals From The Tournament Circuit
Photo: Pokemon Silver/Nintendo / Amazon
After defeating Team Rocket and becoming a Champion by defeating the Elite Four of the Indigo League (plus his rival Blue), Red became somewhat of a hermit. He continued traveling and collecting Pokémon until he came to Mt. Silver.
He wandered into the caves of the mountain and stayed there, training his Pokémon in solitude and completely cutting himself off from the world – even severing ties with his mother. It was only after Ethan, Kris, or Lyra (the trainers of Generation II) arrived and defeated Red he returned to society.
The Pokémon World Tournament Began Marking The Return Of Red
Photo: Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon/Nintendo
After returning to the world, Red earned himself a place of honor back in the Pokémon training society. In Generation VII, Red was invited to work as the boss of Alola’s Battle Tree along with Blue; the first time the two old friends-turned-rivals reunited happily.
By completing the Battle Tree in Sun and Moon, Red rewards the player with a full set of Kanto starter Mega Stones, allowing the player to Mega Evolve their Pokémon.