Following leaks regardingPokemon’s next generation of games, which are supposedly in development under the codename “Gaia,” it seems that Gen 10’s villain teams may already have been determined thanks to its region’s potential inspiration. Even thoughPokemon’s Gen 10 games have not been officially announced, which makes sense given thatPokemon Legends: Z-Ais still poised to launch later this year, recent leaks from CentroLeaks, a typically credible source, have revealed several details about the next generation. But besides claims thatPokemon’s Gen 10 games will release as Switch 2 exclusivesin 2026, CentroLeaks has allegedly confirmed that the new region will take inspiration from Greece.
Specifically, Gen 10’s leaked region will be based on the Cyclades, a Greek island chain in the Aegean Sea that has great historical and cultural significance while also serving as a tourist hotspot. This potential Greek backdrop seems like a perfect opportunity for Game Freak to capitalize on the country’s ancient mythology and history for its tenth generation ofPokemongames. Moreover, should these leaks be proven true, there may already be ideal templates forPokemon’s Gen 10 villain teams and their motivations, as they could be based on Greece’s infamous conflict between Athens and Sparta.
Pokemon’s Leaked Gen 10 Region Allows For Several Possible Villains
UntilPokemon’s more recent games, such asGen 8’sPokemon SwordandShieldor Gen 9’sPokemon ScarletandViolet, each generation’s villainous teams were often closely linked to the game’s central story and Legendary Pokemon. For example,Pokemon DiamondandPearl’s Team Galactic andPokemon XandY’s Team Flare both tried to use their respective Legendary Pokemon to either destroy or remake the world in their own image. ThoughPokemon’s latest villains have been criticized for appearing to be toned down, such as Team Skull, Yell, and Star, it’s possible that Game Freak could finally address this in its Gen 10 games.
Given thatPokemon’s leaked Gen 10 regionwill supposedly be based on the Cyclades near Greece, Game Freak could introduce more antagonistic villains in its Gen 10 games based on the Peloponnesian Wars between Athens and Sparta. As the most well-known conflict in Ancient Greek history,Pokemon’s Gen 10 games could revive Gen 3’s unique two-team approach and feature its own villainous teams inspired by Athens and Sparta. The heavy contrast between Athens' focus on democracy, trade, and culture, and Sparta’s disciplined, militaristic, and collectivist society, could help shapePokemon’s Gen 10 games and their stories.
How Gen 10’s Leaked Region Could Influence Its Pokemon, Story, and Villains
With a wealth of Ancient Greek history and mythology to take inspiration from,Pokemon’s tenth generation may already be spoiled for choice regarding the potential stories it could tell, new Legendary and Mythical Pokemon it could add, and more. Since Ancient Greek mythology is characterized by a strong militaristic focus with stories of war heroes, gods, and monsters, it is arguably inevitable that this will have someinfluence onPokemon’s Gen 10 games. For instance, similar to Gen 3’s Team Aqua and Magma fighting for dominance between the land and the sea, Gen 10 could feature teams vying for control over the region’s Cyclade-inspired islands.
Just as previousPokemongenerations would connect these teams to their mascot Legendary Pokemon, Gen 10’s Athenian and Spartan villain teams could do the same with their Legendary duo. For example, based on the Cyclade’s archaeological sites and mythos, both teams could be searching for ancient Legendary Pokemon to win their side of the conflict, especially with potential sources of inspiration like:
While Game Freak would likely need to tone down the connotations of war between its villains for its younger players, it could be a return to form ifGen 10 revivedPokemon’s traditionof antagonistic teams based heavily on the new region.
