25 Coolest Poké-World Locations The Anime Made Iconic

From Kanto’s first routes to Paldea’s newest landmarks, the anime has turned in-game map pins into fully realized places with routines, rules, and memorable events. Below are 25 locations the shows and films brought to life with Gyms that operate like real institutions, tournaments with formal procedures, and research sites with defined missions, all spread across the regions you know from the games and expanded across series like ‘Pokémon: Indigo League’, ‘Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands’, ‘Pokémon: The Johto Journeys’, ‘Pokémon: Advanced’, ‘Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl’, ‘Pokémon the Series: XYZ’, ‘Pokémon: Sun & Moon’, ‘Pokémon Journeys: The Series’, and ‘Pokémon Horizons: The Series’.

Pallet Town

Pallet Town is the Kanto hometown that anchors the anime’s main journey, with Professor Oak’s Laboratory serving as the starter-distribution and research hub. The lab keeps detailed Pokédex records, runs ranch-style habitats, and monitors captured and transferred Pokémon. Delia Ketchum’s home and the community’s small-town layout establish Pallet as a consistent return point between leagues and arcs. The anime repeatedly depicts Oak’s assistants, storage systems, and field studies as ongoing operations.

Viridian Forest

Viridian Forest stretches between Viridian City and Pewter City in Kanto and is treated in the anime as a self-contained ecosystem. It’s shown as a major habitat for Bug-type species, with Caterpie, Weedle, and their evolutions appearing alongside established predator–prey dynamics. Route signage, camping, and Pokémon Center support nearby reflect how travelers cross it en route to Pewter. The forest also introduces catching and training practices that the anime revisits across later regions.

Cerulean Gym

Cerulean Gym in Kanto operates as a Water-type facility and tourist venue run by the Sensational Sisters, with Misty later assuming Gym Leader duties. The anime depicts scheduled performances, a pool-based battlefield, and maintenance of water habitats behind the scenes. Badge challenges follow posted rules, including referee oversight and clearly stated victory conditions. The Gym is integrated with Cerulean City’s attractions, drawing visitors beyond League challengers.

Saffron City

Saffron City is shown as Kanto’s commercial center, with Sabrina’s Psychic-type Gym and Silph Co.’s headquarters as key institutions. The anime presents Silph’s R&D floors, security, and product lines as active parts of the city’s economy. Sabrina’s Gym uses paranormal tests and telekinetic obstacles that function as formal trial components, not just spectacle. Transit links and big-city services position Saffron as a hub for trainers moving between Kanto and Johto.

Vermilion City Harbor and the St. Anne

Vermilion’s harbor manages large-scale passenger and cargo traffic, with the St. Anne cruise ship depicted as a trainer-focused event venue. The anime shows passenger lists, invitation systems, and battle exhibitions arranged like a convention. Harbor operations include customs checks and emergency response procedures when disasters strike. Lt. Surge’s Electric-type Gym is part of the same urban port network, serving visiting trainers on tight schedules.

Lavender Town Pokémon Tower

The Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town is portrayed as Kanto’s primary memorial and research site for Ghost-type phenomena. The anime outlines floor-by-floor structures, caretakers, and spiritual rites observed by residents. Ghost-type behavior is documented through encounters that emphasize noncombat interaction as much as battles. The tower’s role links ethics, history, and training methodology within the region’s culture.

Indigo Plateau

The Indigo Plateau is the Kanto Pokémon League complex, complete with multiple standardized arenas and tournament logistics. The anime details registration, opening ceremonies, housing for competitors, and multi-round brackets. On-site Pokémon Centers, training fields, and equipment checks support high-volume competition days. Spectator stands, media coverage, and officiating crews are presented as permanent league infrastructure.

Celadon City and Celadon Gym

Celadon City is Kanto’s retail capital, and the anime spotlights its department store, Game Corner facades, and Erika’s Grass-type Gym. The Gym doubles as a botanical conservatory with policies on visitor access and plant care. Badge matches run under codified rules, often incorporating terrain advantages from the Gym’s indoor gardens. City services, from shopping districts to transit, make it a regular resupply stop for travelers.

Pummelo Stadium

Pummelo Stadium on Pummelo Island hosts the Orange League championship, with standardized six-on-six rules and official referees. The anime shows the champion’s office, trophy protocols, and pre-match inspections for compliance. Spectator capacity, broadcast coverage, and ceremonial presentations align with other regional leagues. Badges from the Orange Crew are verified here before challengers are admitted to the title match.

Navel Island

Navel Island’s Gym, led by Danny in the anime, evaluates trainers with non-traditional trials rather than standard battles. Tasks include mountain ascents, equipment crafting, and precision challenges that assess teamwork with Pokémon. The Gym maintains safety oversight, with judges and guidelines for each station. Completion yields an Orange League Badge under rules documented on site.

Pinkan Island

Pinkan Island is a protected reserve in the Orange Archipelago where local Pinkan Berries alter Pokémon coloration. The anime enforces a strict no-capture policy through rangers who monitor visitors and ecological impact. Signage and patrols make the island function like a conservation area with limited access points. Research notes and field observations highlight how diet influences phenotype without implying evolution.

Goldenrod City Radio Tower

The Goldenrod Radio Tower operates as Johto’s broadcast hub with scheduled programs that trainers reference on the road. The anime features studio booths, hosts, and producer staff managing live segments. Its location connects with the Magnet Train, reinforcing Goldenrod’s role as a transport and media center. Promotional events and listener call-ins are depicted as part of the tower’s day-to-day operations.

Ecruteak City (Bell Tower and Burned Tower)

Ecruteak City houses the Bell Tower and the remains of the Burned Tower, both treated as historic and spiritual landmarks. The anime presents the Kimono Girls’ performances as cultural preservation tied to regional legends. Access to sacred areas is restricted, with caretakers enforcing conduct for visitors and researchers. The city’s architecture and festivals frame heritage as integral to Johto’s identity.

Whirl Islands

The Whirl Islands form a hazardous marine network between Cianwood and Olivine with strong currents and sea caves. The anime situates the Whirl Cup nearby in the broader archipelago, drawing water specialists and officials. Episodes document nesting grounds, protected routes, and patrols assisting small craft. Lugia appearances are handled by authorities coordinating research and safety measures.

Lake of Rage

Lake of Rage in Johto is monitored for unusual Pokémon activity, including the documented appearance of a red Gyarados. The anime details investigative teams and signal-based research into abnormal evolution triggers. Local facilities assist trainers during incidents, coordinating with law enforcement. The area remains a training and fishing site when not under special advisories.

Fortree City

Fortree City in Hoenn is built in and among treetops, and the anime emphasizes elevated walkways and habitat integration. Winona’s Flying-type Gym uses aerial space and wind conditions as formal parts of battle rules. City maintenance addresses storms, rope-bridge safety, and Pokémon roosting zones. Visitor guidance covers load limits and access points to the canopy districts.

Mossdeep Space Center

Hoenn’s Mossdeep Space Center is a functioning aerospace facility with launch pads, mission control, and research labs. The anime depicts astronomers and engineers coordinating satellite projects and tracking celestial events. Security protocols and restricted areas are enforced during sensitive operations. Plots involving stolen fuel and interference are handled as breaches that trigger multi-agency responses.

Sootopolis City

Sootopolis City sits inside a volcanic caldera accessible through underwater routes, and the anime outlines its unique logistics. The Sootopolis Gym is led by Juan in the series, with Water-type matches staged in a large aquatic arena. Civil infrastructure includes docks, freshwater management, and emergency evacuation plans. The surrounding crater walls affect communications and travel planning for visitors.

Spear Pillar

Spear Pillar crowns Mt. Coronet in Sinnoh and serves as a ritual and strategic site in the anime. Team Galactic activity there is portrayed with staging areas, equipment, and chain-of-command structures. Access requires alpine traversal and coordination with local authorities due to safety risks. The location’s significance ties directly to legends about Sinnoh’s creation trio.

Alamos Town

Alamos Town is the setting of ‘Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai’, featuring the twin Space-Time Towers designed by architect Godey. The anime shows the towers’ musical mechanism, schedules for public performances, and maintenance crews. Urban planning places plazas, canals, and gardens around the towers to manage visitor flow. Scientific and cultural institutions collaborate here during dimensional anomalies.

Lumiose City and Prism Tower

Kalos’s Lumiose City functions as a multi-district metropolis with transit lines, cafés, and research offices. Prism Tower doubles as the Lumiose Gym under Clemont, with automated systems and safety interlocks. Professor Sycamore’s laboratory is depicted with assistants, testing rooms, and a policy for trainer consultations. The city recurs across arcs in ‘Pokémon the Series: XYZ’ as a base for Gym challenges and study.

Shalour City’s Tower of Mastery

Shalour City hosts the Tower of Mastery, where the anime formalizes Mega Evolution instruction. Korrina’s Gym coordinates with the tower for training schedules and artifact stewardship. The site includes a dojo, archives, and rules governing Keystone and Mega Stone use. Demonstrations are supervised and documented as part of broader research into battle phenomena.

Aether Paradise

Aether Paradise in Alola is an artificial island dedicated to Pokémon conservation, managed by the Aether Foundation. The anime outlines quarantine labs, habitats, and protocols for injured or endangered species. Leadership by Lusamine and staff roles are shown through briefings, field rescues, and data collection. The facility also coordinates containment and study when Ultra Beasts appear in ‘Pokémon: Sun & Moon’.

Manalo Stadium

Manalo Stadium on Melemele Island hosts the inaugural Alola League, with qualifiers, round-robin stages, and finals procedures. The anime details seating, broadcast booths, and referee crews for the Manalo Conference. Construction ties into Alola’s trial tradition by adapting league formats to the region’s customs. The venue remains in use for exhibitions and school events linked to the Pokémon School in ‘Pokémon: Sun & Moon’.

Wyndon Stadium

Wyndon Stadium in Galar is the centerpiece arena used for the World Coronation Series in ‘Pokémon Journeys: The Series’. The anime shows accreditation for competitors, press zones, and VIP sections alongside regulation battle fields. Scheduling accommodates international brackets, rehearsals, and opening ceremonies. City infrastructure—hotels, rail terminals, and fan zones—supports the influx of visitors during major matches.

Mesagoza and Naranja Academy

Mesagoza serves as Paldea’s central city, with Naranja Academy operating as the academic hub in ‘Pokémon Horizons: The Series’. The anime depicts classrooms, research offices, and orientation for students and visiting researchers. Terastal studies, field assignments, and campus policies appear in lesson plans and lab scenes. The city’s gates and markets frame Mesagoza as the starting point for Paldea-focused arcs.

Share your favorite anime-made locations—and the scenes you think defined them—in the comments!