Kanto Region Guide - Complete Pokedex & Map

Kanto Region
Generation	Gen 1, 3, 7
Games	Red/Green/Blue/Yellow, FireRed/LeafGreen, Let's Go P/E
Total Pokemon	Varies
Key Mechanic	Original 151 Pokedex, Safari Zone, Sevii Islands

Last updated: 2026-06-03

Kanto Overview

Kanto is the original Pokemon region, introduced in Pokemon Red and Green in 1996. It is located east of Johto and serves as the starting point for every Pokemon trainer's journey in the anime and early games. The region features a diverse landscape including grassy plains, caves, oceans, and volcanic areas. Professor Oak's laboratory in Pallet Town is where new trainers receive their first partner Pokemon. Kanto has been revisited across three generations of games, with FireRed and LeafGreen remakes in Generation 3 and Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! in Generation 7.

Starter Pokemon

Every Pokemon journey in Kanto begins with choosing one of three starter Pokemon from the region's Pokemon Professor. Each starter has distinct type advantages and evolves twice into a powerful final form.

Grass

Bulbasaur

A Grass/Poison-type Seed Pokemon. Bulbasaur uses the plant bulb on its back to store energy from sunlight. Evolves into Ivysaur at level 16 and Venusaur at level 32.

Fire

Charmander

A Fire-type Lizard Pokemon. The flame on Charmander's tail indicates its health and emotional state. Evolves into Charmeleon at level 16 and Charizard at level 36.

Water

Squirtle

A Water-type Tiny Turtle Pokemon. Squirtle withdraws into its shell for protection and sprays water from its mouth. Evolves into Wartortle at level 16 and Blastoise at level 36.

Legendary Pokemon

Kanto is home to several legendary and Mythical Pokemon, each with unique lore and significance to the region's history and mythology.

Name	Type	Notes
Articuno	Ice/Flying	Found at Seafoam Islands. The legendary bird Pokemon that can freeze water instantly.
Zapdos	Electric/Flying	Found at the Power Plant. The legendary bird that commands lightning from storm clouds.
Moltres	Fire/Flying	Found at Victory Road. The legendary bird of fire whose wings glow like flames.
Mewtwo	Psychic	Created by genetic engineering in the Cerulean Cave laboratory. The most powerful Psychic-type Pokemon with a base stat total of 680.
Mew	Psychic	The ancestor of all Pokemon. Only obtainable through special distribution events. Found at Faraway Island via the Old Sea Map.

Gym Leaders & Elite Four

The Kanto region features eight gym leaders, each specializing in a different Pokemon type. Trainers must defeat them in order to earn badges and qualify for the Pokemon League.

#	Gym Leader	Type	Signature Pokemon
#1	Brock	Rock	Onix / Geodude
#2	Misty	Water	Starmie / Staryu
#3	Lt. Surge	Electric	Raichu / Voltorb
#4	Erika	Grass	Tangela / Vileplume
#5	Koga	Poison	Weezing / Muk
#6	Sabrina	Psychic	Alakazam / Mr. Mime
#7	Blaine	Fire	Arcanine / Rapidash
#8	Giovanni	Ground	Rhydon / Dugtrio

After collecting all eight badges, trainers face the Elite Four and the regional Champion to complete the Pokemon League challenge.

Key Locations

Kanto features diverse and memorable locations that shape the trainer's journey across the region.

Pallet Town — Home of Professor Oak's laboratory where new trainers begin their journey.
Viridian City — The gateway city featuring Viridian Forest and the final gym led by Blue after the Elite Four.
Cerulean City — A waterside city with the Cerulean Cave where Mewtwo resides post-game.
Lavender Town — Known for the Pokemon Tower cemetery and the Ghost-type encounter with Marowak's spirit.
Saffron City — The largest city in Kanto, home to Silph Co. headquarters and the Psychic gym.
Cinnabar Island — Site of the Pokemon Mansion and the Fire-type gym, partially destroyed by volcanic activity.

Unique Features

Kanto introduced the original 151 Pokemon and established the core mechanics that define the franchise: the eight-gym challenge, Elite Four, and Champion battle. The Safari Zone in Fuchsia City allows catching rare Pokemon like Chansey and Kangaskhan. The Sevii Islands, added in FireRed and LeafGreen, provide post-game content including the National Dex expansion. Kanto's Victory Road serves as the final challenge before the Pokemon League.