The Johto Region and its Iconic Locations
An artistic fan of the Pokemon series brings a winter aesthetic to the Johto region's iconic Lake of Rage with a beautiful, fully animated piece of pixel art. Players have visited many different parts of the Pokemon world since the franchise was born nearly 30 years ago, but the fan-favorite Johto region is famous for its many gorgeous and easily recognized cities and natural landmarks alike.
Neighboring the Kanto region, Johto was originally introduced in the Gen 2 games as a location based on the Kansai region of Japan, with the architecture of cities such as Violet City and Ecruteak City showing them to bear a strong resemblance to some of the more traditional and historical parts of Japan. Even fans who have never played the Gen 2 Pokemon games or their remakes might recognize Johto's Lake of Rage, as it appears on TV during the opening sequence of the Gen 4 games and essentially serves as the inspiration for the protagonist and Barry to first set out on their journeys.
Located in one of the northernmost points of the Johto region, the Lake of Rage is fondly remembered by veteran players as the spot where they caught the fabled shiny Gyarados. It's no surprise that this legendary lake has seen plenty of fan art based around it over the years, with an artist known as pixeladdy recently showing off a piece of their own animated pixel art featuring the location. This work depicts the lake frozen over and covered in snow, and is packed with details in every corner. Johto fans will be able to spot tons of Pokemon from the Gen 2 games around the scene, with what looks like the visage of the red Gyarados barely visible beneath the ice.
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The Johto Region's Enduring Popularity and Speculation
Between the substantially increased map size, memorable roster of new Pokemon species, and tender sense of nostalgia, it's no wonder the Johto region and its associated games are kept close to the hearts of many fans. As it happens, many fans have begun speculating based on popular rumors that they'll soon be returning to the Johto region in one of the next Pokemon titles. Whether this could be as a new Pokemon Legends game or as something else entirely, the possibility has definitely stirred up discussion among the community since the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet games recently drew to a close.
What the year ahead for the Pokemon franchise will look like is currently a mystery, albeit one which will almost certainly be cleared up next month. February 27 marks Pokemon Day, which will likely be the date The Pokemon Company reveals the next new games and whether they'll be taking fans back to some of the oldest locations in the game's ever-growing world.
The Next Chapter for Pokemon Fans
The Johto region has left an indelible mark on the Pokemon franchise and the hearts of its fans, and the anticipation for what's to come next is palpable. As the community eagerly awaits the announcements on Pokemon Day, the possibility of revisiting some of the most beloved Pokemon locations, including the Lake of Rage, has sparked a wave of excitement among fans. Whether it's a new adventure set in the Johto region or a different kind of journey, the prospect of the next chapter in the Pokemon series has reignited the passion and nostalgia of long-time fans and newcomers alike.
