Which real-world city inspired the Pokémon Black and White region of Unova?

The story behind the answer

New York City inspired the Pokémon Black and White region of Unova.

Unova was the first main Pokémon region based primarily outside Japan. Game director Junichi Masuda drew inspiration from New York City after visiting it for the launch of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. This gave Unova a different visual identity from earlier regions such as Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh.

Castelia City is the clearest example of the influence. It is a large metropolitan center with skyscrapers, busy streets, a harbor, and a bridge inspired by New York's Brooklyn Bridge. Unova also includes urban areas, bridges, an airport, an amusement park, and varied landscapes.

The region's international setting is also reflected in its diverse population and languages. Unova appears in Pokémon Black and White and their sequels, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, all released for Nintendo DS.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

Add question to a list

Choose a list to keep this question in: