I'm still scratching my head just as much as you are because we only know a few things about the upcoming games, but it doesn't hurt to come up with a theory, right?
I came up with a theory about the region of the upcoming games, "Sun & Moon." As we all know, all the previous regions are based on real-life places. So, it's not unlikely that the next one will be based on another real-life place. And people have already speculated that the next region is based on Hawaii. Seeing how tropical/island-castaway-like the next region could be based on the Nintendo Direct trailer, the next region based on Hawaii is very convincing and does sound plausible.
However, I think the next region will not only be based on Hawaii alone. Instead, it will be based on the entire island groups of Polynesia (since Hawaii is just a part of Polynesia). Also, GameFreak might also have drawn inspiration from South American countries like Brazil (which I will further discuss below).
My theory is not baseless, but this can be entirely wrong. After all, this is just a theory. I might even grasp at straws in my discussion below. Lol.
First, why Polynesia?
Previously, JC Smith (Pokemon's international marketing director), left a cryptic hint about the future of Pokemon at the 2015 Pokémon World Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, that is "flowers." Many fans thought that he might be hinting about AZ's Floette and its connection in Sootopolis City. However, he may not be hinting about AZ's Eternal Floette, but about the next region.
As we all know, the island groups of Polynesia (e.g, Hawaii, Easter Island, French Polynesia) are known for its beautiful flowers. Because of the abundance of flora in these islands, their people use these resources a lot. These flowers are not merely accessories, but they play an important part in their culture and tradition.
Moving on, another basis for this theory are the firetrucks and vehicle plates shown in the Nintendo Direct trailer. This has been discussed before, but it's still worth mentioning
Passenger plate in Pokemon Sun & Moon sneak peek:
Hawaiian passenger plate:
Firetruck shown in Pokemon Sun & Moon sneak peek:
Firetrucks in Hawaii are yellow:
My next basis is the fact that one of the islands in Polynesia, that is French Polynesia is under the sovereign state of France. Pokemon X&Y have very loose ends and the next main games are speculated to be the sequels to it. It's quite possible that the southern part of Kalos is not necessarily based on the southern part of France (since Kalos was based on it), but it could be based on something that is related to it (which is French Polynesia).
Anyway, I'd also like to bring up the possibility of the Sun and Moon stones being heavily featured in the next main games because, well, of their names. I will discuss the possible connections of these stones to Polynesia below:
Let's talk about the Sun Stone first. There are several Pokemon that evolve with the use of this stone including Gloom to Bellossom and Heliolisk to Helioptile.
Starting with Bellossom, it evolves from a Gloom if it's exposed to a Sun Stone and I mentioned above that Bellossom is based on a Polynesian dancer.
Next is Helioptile. This lizard Pokemon evolves from Heliolisk if also exposed to a Sun Stone. Now, this Pokemon reminds me of the Polynesian mythical creature Whiro because of their similar appearance. We also know that Helioptile and Heliolisk live in the ground as they make their home in the deserts. Similarly, the mythical creature Whiro lives underground. Also, the name "Heliolisk" might've drawn inspiration from "Kanehekili," the Hawaiian deity of thunder and we all know Heliolisk is an electric type.
I also mentioned above that the next region might also draw some inspiration from South American countries like Brazil because of the Mayan vibe of Volcanion. Lol. But there's more. Whimsicott (another Pokemon that is linked with the Sun Stone) is said to be based by a Brazilian folklore called Saci; both are brown creatures that live in forests, ride on winds, and play pranks. People on Reddit have speculated that This is why I said Pokemon Sun/Moon may not be based on Hawaii/Polynesian islands alone but can also be based in South American countries.
Now let's take a look at the Moon Stones.
Skitty involves into Delcatty using this stone and the only connection to Hawaii I have for this line is the fact that Skitty's tail resembles a foxtail/fountain grass which is common in Hawaii. Interestingly enough, I found out that this grass poses serious harms to mammals especially to dogs. (I see what you did there, GF)
This next one is kinda funny and IS REACHING. Nidoqueen evolves from Nidorina using the Moon Stone. The only connection I can make between Hawaii and Nidoqueen is the fact that Nidoqueen appears to be wearing a two-piece beach bikini and we know the Polynesian islands are known for its beaches. Lol.
Another Pokemon that evolves using this item is the flowery Munna:
That's all for the Polynesian theory and now I will move on to Volcanion.
Volcanion will play a huge role in the next Pokemon movie and quite possibly, in the next main games as well.
This Pokemon may be inspired by several Hawaiian deities. Take note, in Hawaiian mythology, they have multiple volcanic deities such as: the king of steam and vapor; Pele who is the deity of volcanoes and her sisters; deity of explosions, deity of rain and fire (water/fire-- Volcanion's typing), and etc.
That's all for my theory! What do you think? However, this is just a theory/speculation, so it can be fully wrong.
Edit:
How did I forget about the strange souvenir in XY?!
That can strongly be hinting about the next region and it looks like a Tiki idol-- venerated by people from Polynesia!
I came up with a theory about the region of the upcoming games, "Sun & Moon." As we all know, all the previous regions are based on real-life places. So, it's not unlikely that the next one will be based on another real-life place. And people have already speculated that the next region is based on Hawaii. Seeing how tropical/island-castaway-like the next region could be based on the Nintendo Direct trailer, the next region based on Hawaii is very convincing and does sound plausible.
However, I think the next region will not only be based on Hawaii alone. Instead, it will be based on the entire island groups of Polynesia (since Hawaii is just a part of Polynesia). Also, GameFreak might also have drawn inspiration from South American countries like Brazil (which I will further discuss below).
My theory is not baseless, but this can be entirely wrong. After all, this is just a theory. I might even grasp at straws in my discussion below. Lol.
First, why Polynesia?
Previously, JC Smith (Pokemon's international marketing director), left a cryptic hint about the future of Pokemon at the 2015 Pokémon World Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, that is "flowers." Many fans thought that he might be hinting about AZ's Floette and its connection in Sootopolis City. However, he may not be hinting about AZ's Eternal Floette, but about the next region.
As we all know, the island groups of Polynesia (e.g, Hawaii, Easter Island, French Polynesia) are known for its beautiful flowers. Because of the abundance of flora in these islands, their people use these resources a lot. These flowers are not merely accessories, but they play an important part in their culture and tradition.
Moving on, another basis for this theory are the firetrucks and vehicle plates shown in the Nintendo Direct trailer. This has been discussed before, but it's still worth mentioning
Passenger plate in Pokemon Sun & Moon sneak peek:
Hawaiian passenger plate:
Firetruck shown in Pokemon Sun & Moon sneak peek:
Firetrucks in Hawaii are yellow:
My next basis is the fact that one of the islands in Polynesia, that is French Polynesia is under the sovereign state of France. Pokemon X&Y have very loose ends and the next main games are speculated to be the sequels to it. It's quite possible that the southern part of Kalos is not necessarily based on the southern part of France (since Kalos was based on it), but it could be based on something that is related to it (which is French Polynesia).
Anyway, I'd also like to bring up the possibility of the Sun and Moon stones being heavily featured in the next main games because, well, of their names. I will discuss the possible connections of these stones to Polynesia below:
Let's talk about the Sun Stone first. There are several Pokemon that evolve with the use of this stone including Gloom to Bellossom and Heliolisk to Helioptile.
Starting with Bellossom, it evolves from a Gloom if it's exposed to a Sun Stone and I mentioned above that Bellossom is based on a Polynesian dancer.
Next is Helioptile. This lizard Pokemon evolves from Heliolisk if also exposed to a Sun Stone. Now, this Pokemon reminds me of the Polynesian mythical creature Whiro because of their similar appearance. We also know that Helioptile and Heliolisk live in the ground as they make their home in the deserts. Similarly, the mythical creature Whiro lives underground. Also, the name "Heliolisk" might've drawn inspiration from "Kanehekili," the Hawaiian deity of thunder and we all know Heliolisk is an electric type.
I also mentioned above that the next region might also draw some inspiration from South American countries like Brazil because of the Mayan vibe of Volcanion. Lol. But there's more. Whimsicott (another Pokemon that is linked with the Sun Stone) is said to be based by a Brazilian folklore called Saci; both are brown creatures that live in forests, ride on winds, and play pranks. People on Reddit have speculated that This is why I said Pokemon Sun/Moon may not be based on Hawaii/Polynesian islands alone but can also be based in South American countries.
Now let's take a look at the Moon Stones.
Skitty involves into Delcatty using this stone and the only connection to Hawaii I have for this line is the fact that Skitty's tail resembles a foxtail/fountain grass which is common in Hawaii. Interestingly enough, I found out that this grass poses serious harms to mammals especially to dogs. (I see what you did there, GF)
This next one is kinda funny and IS REACHING. Nidoqueen evolves from Nidorina using the Moon Stone. The only connection I can make between Hawaii and Nidoqueen is the fact that Nidoqueen appears to be wearing a two-piece beach bikini and we know the Polynesian islands are known for its beaches. Lol.
Another Pokemon that evolves using this item is the flowery Munna:
That's all for the Polynesian theory and now I will move on to Volcanion.
Volcanion will play a huge role in the next Pokemon movie and quite possibly, in the next main games as well.
This Pokemon may be inspired by several Hawaiian deities. Take note, in Hawaiian mythology, they have multiple volcanic deities such as: the king of steam and vapor; Pele who is the deity of volcanoes and her sisters; deity of explosions, deity of rain and fire (water/fire-- Volcanion's typing), and etc.
That's all for my theory! What do you think? However, this is just a theory/speculation, so it can be fully wrong.
Edit:
How did I forget about the strange souvenir in XY?!
That can strongly be hinting about the next region and it looks like a Tiki idol-- venerated by people from Polynesia!
I loved the Marine tube from Unova, so if it was even more interesting and had me stay there for a long time as an actual dungeon, oh my, yes please. Would be instantly a most liked victory road by design I'd think, considering all the generic caves we've had.)
