The History of the Pokémon World

Sinnoh myths tell of the beginning.

“In the beginning, there was only a churning turmoil of chaos.”

MythPokémon Platinum · Canalave Library book, “The Original Story”

“At the heart of chaos, where all things became one, appeared an Egg. Having tumbled from the vortex, the Egg gave rise to the Original One.”

MythPokémon Platinum · Canalave Library book, “The Original Story”

A mythology researcher in Canalave Library gives it a name.

“But it all starts with Arceus, the first. It is known as the Original One.”

Pokémon Platinum · A mythology researcher, Canalave Library

“From itself, two beings the Original One did make. Time started to spin. Space began to expand.”

MythPokémon Platinum · Canalave Library book, “The Original Story”

Sinnoh's deities of time and space are Dialga and Palkia.

“It is said that time flows when Dialga's heart beats.”

MythPokémon Platinum · Pokédex: Dialga

“From itself again, three living things the Original One did make.”

MythPokémon Platinum · Canalave Library book, “The Original Story”

Canalave's researcher reads the three as Uxie, Mesprit and Azelf.

“The two beings wished, and from them, matter came to be. The three living things wished, and from them, spirit came to be.”

MythPokémon Platinum · Canalave Library book, “The Original Story”

“The world created, the Original One took to unyielding sleep...”

MythPokémon Platinum · Canalave Library book, “The Original Story”

Plates found in Hisui add a third being.

“The other side of this world was given by the Original One to its raging third.”

MythPokémon Legends: Arceus · Plate inscription

“It was banished for its violence. It silently gazed upon the old world from the Distortion World.”

MythPokémon Platinum · Pokédex: Giratina

Pokédex legends tell of a giant.

“There is an enduring legend that states this Pokémon towed continents with ropes.”

LegendPokémon Diamond and Pearl · Pokédex: Regigigas

“According to legend, Regigigas pulled landmasses together and bound them with rope to create the continent of Hisui. Though I have my doubts, the story could well contain a shred of truth.”

LegendPokémon Legends: Arceus · Pokédex: Regigigas

“It is believed to have shaped Regirock, Regice, and Registeel out of clay, ice, and magma.”

LegendPokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver · Pokédex: Regigigas

In Hoenn, braille in the Sealed Chamber remembers what people did.

“In this cave we have lived. We owe all to the Pokémon. But, we sealed the Pokémon away. We feared it.”

Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald · Braille in the Sealed Chamber

“Regirock was sealed away by people long ago.”

Pokémon Ruby · Pokédex: Regirock

In the Delta Episode, Zinnia recounts Hoenn's oldest story.

“Thousands of years ago, in the primal age long lost... Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre fought over that energy in endless, furious clashes.”

LegendPokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire · Zinnia, Delta Episode

“Groudon has appeared in mythology as the creator of the land...”

LegendPokémon Emerald · Pokédex: Groudon

“Kyogre has appeared in mythology as the creator of the sea. After long years of feuding with Groudon, it took to sleep at the bottom of the sea.”

LegendPokémon Emerald · Pokédex: Kyogre

“...a Pokémon that shone in a blazing emerald hue descended... Rayquaza. Rayquaza's power overwhelmed that of the two Primal Pokémon.”

LegendPokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire · Zinnia, Delta Episode

Zinnia's account goes on: a thousand years later, meteoroids fell again, and the land born of that impact became Sootopolis.

“So the mechanism for Mega Evolution was discovered as a result of the first meeting between humanity and Rayquaza...”

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire · The Draconid lore, Delta Episode

“A thousand years of peace followed after that disastrous time.”

LegendPokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire · Zinnia, Delta Episode

A song from Kalos remembers the war.

“The woes of war did knock on every door, Till man nor Pokémon could take no more, Three thousand years ago, upon this shore.”

LegendPokémon X and Y · A travelling minstrel's song of the war

“There was a man and a Pokémon... A war began. The man's beloved Pokémon took part in the war.”

LegendPokémon X and Y · The tale of the ultimate weapon

“Several years passed. He was given a tiny box. The man wanted to bring the Pokémon back...”

LegendPokémon X and Y · The tale of the ultimate weapon

“The man built a machine to give it life... He turned the machine into the ultimate weapon. The man became a bringer of destruction that ended the war...”

LegendPokémon X and Y · The tale of the ultimate weapon

AZ remembers the weapon's light.

“The light fired from the ultimate weapon reached the heavens, then poured down, burning away all that rested upon the earth.”

Pokémon Legends: Z-A · AZ, Hotel Z

“...the lives of many Pokémon were taken to restore its life. The resurrected Pokémon left the man.”

LegendPokémon X and Y · The tale of the ultimate weapon

The man was AZ. Three thousand years later he meets Floette again.

“...the part of me that built the ultimate weapon... Floette... It's been 3,000 years...”

Pokémon X and Y · AZ

A meteorite falls on Galar.

“It was inside a meteorite that fell 20,000 years ago. There seems to be a connection between this Pokémon and the Dynamax phenomenon.”

Pokémon Shield · Pokédex: Eternatus

“The core on its chest absorbs energy emanating from the lands of the Galar region...”

Pokémon Sword · Pokédex: Eternatus

A legend told in Motostoke.

“Long ago...a great black storm covered the Galar region. People called it ‘the Darkest Day.’ The land was assaulted by gigantic Pokémon...”

LegendPokémon Sword and Shield · The guide by the hero's statue, Budew Drop Inn, Motostoke

“...but they were defeated by a single young hero bearing a sword and shield.”

LegendPokémon Sword and Shield · The guide by the hero's statue, Budew Drop Inn, Motostoke

The ruins tell it differently.

“Two young heroes... The sword and shield were actually Pokémon...”

Pokémon Sword and Shield · The statues hidden behind the Stow-on-Side mural

“Those two managed to bring an end to the Darkest Day with the sword and shield Pokémon!”

Pokémon Sword and Shield · Hop

“These tapestries tell the story of the creation of a kingdom in Galar.”

Pokémon Sword and Shield · Sonia, on the Hammerlocke tapestries

In the Crown Tundra, another ancient ruler speaks: Calyrex, the King of Bountiful Harvests.

“In days long past, I reigned over these lands as king. The humans offered me their loyalty and respect, as I was able to bring lush vegetation to the land and give them plentiful harvests year after year.”

Pokémon Sword and Shield: The Crown Tundra · Calyrex, Freezington

Unova's founding legend.

“That single Dragon Pokémon, along with twin heroes, brought a new region into being.”

LegendPokémon Black and White · Iris, at Drayden's house in Opelucid City

“The twin heroes, the older brother who sought the truth, and the younger brother who sought ideals, began to argue about how to decide which one of them was right...”

LegendPokémon Black and White · Drayden, Opelucid City

“The single Dragon-type Pokémon that had been with them all that time split its body into two. One sided with the older brother, and the other with the younger brother.”

LegendPokémon Black and White · Drayden, Opelucid City

“...their battle raged endlessly and neither one could be declared the winner... The twin heroes proclaimed that there was no one side that was right and ceased the conflict.”

LegendPokémon Black and White · Drayden, Opelucid City

“The two heroes' sons started the battle again! And an instant later, Reshiram and Zekrom destroyed Unova with fire and lightning! Then, they disappeared!”

LegendPokémon Black and White · Iris, at Drayden's house in Opelucid City

“Then, when its physical form was lost, the Pokémon became the Light Stone, waiting patiently for a new hero.”

LegendPokémon Black and White · A resident of Icirrus City

Speculation: in Black 2 and White 2, Drayden wonders about a third dragon.

“...So if Kyurem exists, could it be just a husk—a shell that was left over?”

SpeculationPokémon Black 2 and White 2 · Drayden

A monument in Kitakami tells one story.

“Long ago, these three courageous Pokémon protected Mossui Town from destruction. They defeated the ogre that had come to attack the village, at the cost of their own lives.”

Folk talePokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask · The monument to the three heroes

The mask maker's family kept another.

“A long, long time ago, a man and an ogre came to Kitakami from a foreign land... the village mask maker... made several masks for the man and the ogre.”

Folk talePokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask · Carmine's grandfather

“A group of greedy Pokémon soon made their way to the land of Kitakami... The Pokémon stole the other three masks...”

Folk talePokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask · Carmine's grandfather

“The ogre donned that mask... found the greedy Pokémon there... and defeated them...”

Folk talePokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask · Carmine's grandfather

“The villagers thought the three Pokémon had fallen trying to protect the village from the ogre.”

Folk talePokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask · Carmine's grandfather

“...the mask maker—that is to say, our ancestor—tried desperately to tell the truth... he was persecuted as a heretic... he kept the truth alive—passed down from generation to generation as a family secret.”

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask · Carmine's grandfather

Johto's oldest ruins are older still.

“The ruins are about 1500 years old. But it's not known why they were built—or by whom.”

Pokémon Crystal · A scientist at the Ruins of Alph Research Center

Ecruteak's sages keep the story of its two towers.

“The two towers are said to have been built to foster friendship and hope between Pokémon and people. That was 700 years ago...”

LegendPokémon Crystal · A sage in the Tin Tower, 1F

“At the time, an immense, silver-colored Pokémon was said to make its roost atop the Brass Tower.”

LegendPokémon Crystal · Sage Masa, the Wise Trio's room, Ecruteak City

“About 150 years ago, a lightning bolt struck one of the towers. It was engulfed in flames that raged for three days. A sudden downpour finally put out the blaze.”

Pokémon Crystal · Sage Masa, the Wise Trio's room, Ecruteak City

“Three nameless Pokémon perished in it. A rainbow-colored Pokémon descended from the sky and resurrected them...”

LegendPokémon Crystal · An elder in Ecruteak City: “a legend that has been passed down by Ecruteak Gym Leaders”

“Ho-Oh descended from the sky and gave new life to the three Pokémon. They are... Suicune, Entei and Raikou.”

LegendPokémon Crystal · A sage in the Tin Tower, 1F

“The legendary Pokémon are said to embody three powers... The lightning that struck the tower. The fire that burned the tower. And the rain that put out the fire...”

LegendPokémon Crystal · A sage in the Tin Tower, 1F

“Two towers... Two Pokémon... But when one burned down, both Pokémon flew away, never to return.”

LegendPokémon Crystal · The Tin Tower entrance, Ecruteak City

Sinnoh, in a long-gone era, was called Hisui.

“...waaay back when people still called the region Hisui.”

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet · Perrin

“Long and longer yet ago, Celestica was here. But folk and town alike, both did disappear. In time, came new folk sailing, sailing 'cross the sea, called by their love for Sinnoh...”

LegendPokémon Legends: Arceus · A poem of Hisui

Two clans worshipped one name, each meaning a different deity.

“Almighty Sinnoh steers all time. It's said to have created the very universe using its power over time's flow.”

LegendPokémon Legends: Arceus · A Diamond Clan warden

“...the true almighty Sinnoh—the font of all creation and ruler of space!”

LegendPokémon Legends: Arceus · A Pearl Clan member

It was the age of the first Pokédex.

“Poké Balls are a recent invention, you see.”

Pokémon Legends: Arceus · Professor Laventon

“I was the one who gave you the chance to claw open that space-time rift, driving the deity of space and the deity of time mad so that you could drag the creator out from hiding!”

Pokémon Legends: Arceus · Volo

“...the Diamond and Pearl Clans would never have confused Dialga and Palkia with the creator, Arceus, had anything concrete been passed down.”

Pokémon Legends: Arceus · Cogita

When the rift closes, Commander Kamado gives the land a new name.

“It'd appear we're all being guided by the one called almighty Sinnoh. Hrrrm. It might be more appropriate to call this region the Sinnoh region.”

Pokémon Legends: Arceus · Commander Kamado

“The islands of Alola were given form when underwater volcanoes erupted long, long ago.”

Pokémon Sun and Moon · Book, “On the Origins of the Alola Region”

In Ultra Megalopolis, the Ultra Recon Squad tell their own history.

“Our ancestors were greedy, and they sought to control all of Necrozma's light...”

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon · The Ultra Recon Squad

“They only hurt Necrozma, making it lose a part of itself and causing it to run wild and steal all the light it could find!”

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon · The Ultra Recon Squad

“That's why we have Necrozma cooped up in the Megalo Tower our great ancestors built.”

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon · The Ultra Recon Squad

“According to the records... this is where Necrozma battled against the tapu when it came to Alola long ago, hungering for its light.”

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon · The Ultra Recon Squad

“It's thought the power that came pouring out of the Ultra Wormhole at that time may be the source of Z-Moves' power...”

TheoryPokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon · The Ultra Recon Squad

Journals left in the Pokémon Mansion on Cinnabar Island.

“Diary: July 5 Guyana, South America A new Pokémon was discovered deep in the jungle.”

Pokémon Red and Blue · Journals in the Pokémon Mansion, Cinnabar Island

“Diary: July 10 We christened the newly discovered Pokémon, Mew.”

Pokémon Red and Blue · Journals in the Pokémon Mansion, Cinnabar Island

“Because it can learn any move, some people began research to see if it is the ancestor of all Pokémon.”

TheoryPokémon Crystal · Pokédex: Mew

“Diary: Feb. 6 Mew gave birth. We named the newborn Mewtwo.”

Pokémon Red and Blue · Journals in the Pokémon Mansion, Cinnabar Island

“Diary; Sept. 1 Mewtwo is far too powerful. We have failed to curb its vicious tendencies...”

Pokémon Red and Blue · Journals in the Pokémon Mansion, Cinnabar Island

The Pokédex tells it differently.

“It was created by a scientist after years of horrific gene splicing and DNA engineering experiments.”

Pokémon Red and Blue · Pokédex: Mewtwo

Paldea's history class begins with an empire.

“About two thousand years ago, this region came under the rule of the Paldean Empire.”

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet · Ms. Raifort's history class

Its emperor “zealously believed the legend of the treasure that rests deep within Area Zero”. The Great Era of Exploration “lasted for approximately one thousand years, but not a single soul was able to venture all the way to the deepest reaches of Area Zero”.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet · Ms. Raifort's history class

“Two hundred years later—or eight hundred years ago—the empire and its surrounding nations united into one entity. This was the formation of Paldea as we know it today.”

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet · Ms. Raifort's history class

Two hundred years ago, Heath's expedition claimed to have reached the depths of Area Zero.

“The masses began to call Heath a liar.”

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet · Ms. Raifort's history class

“Around 140 years ago, Pokémon cloaked in a mysterious light were discovered there.”

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet · Ms. Raifort's history class

“Our time machine research has yielded a triumph—a Pokémon from the ancient past! I've named it Koraidon.”

Pokémon Scarlet · The professor's journal

“Even as we speak, the time machine continues to automatically draw ancient Pokémon to this time.”

Pokémon Scarlet · The AI professor, Zero Lab