--- /dev/null
+# Pokémon canon
+
+The goal of this page is to establish a base _Pokémon_{as=cite} “canon”
+ for making narrative fanworks in, roleplaying, or just generally
+ thinking about.
+*_Canon is a choice_* (documented set of choices) and the choices we
+ make on this _Wiki_{as=cite} won’t necessarily agree with the
+ _Pokémon_{as=cite} fandom at·large.
+
+## general approach
+
+- *The English main‐series games are the primary source of canon.*
+ When information in the anime, movies, trading card game, side‐series
+ games, ⁊·c conflicts with the main‐series games, the latter wins.
+ When games differ substantially between their original Japanese and
+ subsequent Western releases, the latter is considered canonical.
+
+- *All other pieces of Pokémon media _may_ be considered canonical
+ (when useful).*
+ This includes side‐series games like _Pokémon Conquest_{as=cite} as
+ well as non‐games like the anime, movies, or original YouTube
+ animations.
+
+ Specifically, the order of priority for sources of canon should
+ generally be main‐series games > original YouTube animations > new
+ movies (_I Choose You!_{as=cite} and later) > anime and older
+ movies > side‐series games > other media.
+
+ Even when canon directly contradicts with one part of a piece of
+ media, other parts (for example, a character of the day from the
+ anime) may be considered (somewhat) canonical.
+
+- *Consider every work in the _Pokémon_{as=cite} franchise to be an A·U
+ of every other work (and this canon).*
+ Obviously, the paired versions in each generation of games are A·U’s
+ of each other, and Ultra Sun is obviously an A·U of Sun, ⁊·c.
+ But this principle applies across the franchise, meaning that Black 2
+ is an A·U of Black (and White) and so forth.
+
+ What this practically means is that canon cannot offer exact details,
+ only suggestions.
+ Divergences from canon can and will take place so long as they
+ preserve the “spirit” of the originals.
+
+- *Avoid “world‐hopping”.*
+ The Pokémon franchise is replete with instances of people travelling
+ from one universe to another or travelling back‐and‐forth though
+ time.
+ This runs contrary to having a single, consistent timeline, so for
+ practical reasons it must be considered noncanonical.
+ This isn’t to say it won’t ever happen.
+
+- *Combine paired versions where possible; defer to the “red” version
+ otherwise.*
+ The “red” versions are:8--: _Red_{as=cite}, _Gold_{as=cite},
+ _Ruby_{as=cite}, _FireRed_{as=cite}, _Pearl_{as=cite},
+ _HeartGold_{as=cite}, _White_{as=cite}, _White 2_{as=cite},
+ _Y_{as=cite}, _Omega Ruby_{as=cite}, _Sun_{as=cite},
+ _Ultra Sun_{as=cite}, _Let’s Go! Pikachu_{as=cite},
+ _Shield_{as=cite}, _Shining Pearl_{as=cite}, _Scarlet_{as=cite}.
+
+- *Game plots follow the Gen ⅤⅠ–ⅠⅩ timeline.*
+ This means that, for game plot–related elements, _Omega
+ Ruby_{as=cite} & _Alpha Sapphire_{as=cite} takes precedence over
+ _Ruby_{as=cite}, _Sapphire_{as=cite} & _Emerald_{as=cite} and
+ _Let’s Go! Pikachu_{as=cite} & _Let’s Go! Eevee_{as=cite} takes
+ precedence over _Red_{as=cite}, _Blue_{as=cite}, _Green_{as=cite},
+ _Yellow_{as=cite}, _FireRed_{as=cite} & _LeafGreen_{as=cite}.
+
+ This does not mean that the other games do not contain canonical
+ information—for example, the Sevii Islands still exist, Anabel was
+ still Salon Maiden of the Hoenn Elite Four, ⁊·c.
+ But it does mean, for example, that Chase ∣ Elaine is the one to
+ defeat Team Rocket, not Red.
+
+- *Technological developments occur at the time depicted in the games
+ which introduced them.*
+ This means that a rudimentaly P·C system must have existed in the
+ time of _Red_{as=cite} & _Blue_{as=cite}; ⁊·c.
+
+- *There is a correspondence between the _Pokémon_{as=cite} world and
+ the real world.*
+ Very few things have definite dates in the _Pokémon_{as=cite} canon,
+ but it should be assumed that they roughly correspond to the
+ timeline of similar events in the real world.
+ The date of the moon landing is fixed at 1969, and considered
+ equivalent to the real‐world moon landing in that year.
--- /dev/null
+# Pokémon Timeline
+
+This timeline is approximate and open to revision, especially things
+ which lack citations.
+
+{.timeline}
+: -0018
+
+ - _[Paldea]_{as=small}
+ Paldea is unified under the Paldean Empire.
+
+: 1212
+
+ - _[Paldea]_{as=small}
+ “Modern” Paldea is founded.
+
+: 1218
+
+ - _[Paldea]_{as=small}
+ The Naranja Academy is founded.[^1218-paldea-academy]
+
+: 1457
+
+ - _[Sinnoh]_{as=small}
+ The Diamond and Pearl clans settle Hisui.[^1457-sinnoh-dp]
+
+: 1866
+
+ - _[Sinnoh]_{as=small}
+ The Galaxy Expedition Team settles Hisui at Jubilife Village.
+
+: 1869
+
+ - _[Sinnoh]_{as=small}
+ Due to the success of the Galaxy Expedition, Hisui is formally
+ annexed and renamed to Sinnoh.[^1869-sinnoh-annex]
+
+: 1889
+
+ - _[Sinnoh]_{as=small}
+ Hisuian Zorua and Zoroark are made extinct in
+ Sinnoh.[^1889-sinnoh-zorua]
+
+: 1905
+
+ - _[Sinnoh]_{as=small}
+ Hisuian Growlithe and Arcanine are made extinct in
+ Sinnoh.[^1905-sinnoh-growlithe]
+
+: 1925
+
+ - _[Kanto]_{as=small}
+ The first Poké Balls with a synthetic (bakelite) shell as opposed
+ to a wooden (apricorn) shell are produced in Kanto, following the
+ research of Professor Westwood at Celadon University.
+ The lightweight construction makes them significantly easier to
+ transport, although the balls themselves have a notably higher
+ failure rate.[^1925-kanto-pokeballs]
+
+ - _[Kanto]_{as=small}
+ Kantonian Voltorb and Electrode begin to appear in Kanto and slowly
+ spread to other regions, outcompeting their Hisuian counterparts.
+
+: 1945
+
+ - _[National]_{as=small}
+ The resolution of an international conflict leads to the formation
+ of the Pokémon League as a pan‐regional alliance between (at
+ minimum) Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Kalos, and
+ Galar.[^1945-national-league]
+
+: 1952-11
+
+ - _[Hoenn]_{as=small}
+ Meteors from the Litleonid meteor shower strike near Meteor Falls
+ and Lunitone and Solrock are discovered
+ there.[^1952-11-hoenn-litleonids]
+
+: 1957-07-05
+
+ - _[Faraway Island]_{as=small}
+ Dr. Fuji captures Mew.[^1957-07-05-faraway-mew]
+
+: 1957-07-10
+
+ - _[Faraway Island]_{as=small}
+ Dr. Fuji gives Mew its name.[^1957-07-10-faraway-mew]
+
+: 1958
+
+ - _[Kanto]_{as=small}
+ A·B·S plastic is used to create the Great Ball, which is less
+ brittle and has a lower failure rate compared to the original
+ Poké Ball.
+ The ease of injection moulding is the reason behind the interesting
+ Great Ball shape.[^1958-kanto-greatball]
+
+: 1958-02-06
+
+ - _[Kanto]_{as=small}
+ Dr. Fuji successfully clones Mew to create
+ Mewtwo.[^1958-02-06-kanto-mewtwo]
+
+: 1958-09-01
+
+ - _[Kanto]_{as=small}
+ Mewtwo overcomes the researchers and
+ escapes.[^1958-09-01-kanto-mewtwo]
+
+: 1960
+
+ - _[National]_{as=small}
+ Broadcast color television is introduced, although adoption is slow
+ in consumer households.
+
+: 1961-09-19
+
+ - _[Unova]_{as=small}
+ Elgyem is first discovered appearing in a
+ desert.[^1961-09-19-unova-elgyem]
+
+: 1962
+
+ - _[Sinnoh]_{as=small}
+ Jubilife TV is founded.
+
+: 1969-07-20
+
+ - _[National]_{as=small}
+ Mankind sets foot on the moon.[^1969-07-20-national-moon]
+
+: 1986
+
+ - _[Kanto]_{as=small}
+ Polypropelyne production becomes widespread and efficient enough
+ for use in a new kind of pokémon ball, the Ultra
+ Ball.[^1986-kanto-ultraball]
+
+: 1990
+
+ - _[Sinnoh]_{as=small}
+ Climate change results in the extinction of Hisuian Bergmite and
+ Avalugg.[^1990-sinnoh-bergmite]
+
+: 1995
+
+ - _[Kanto]_{as=small}
+ Porygon is developed.[^1995-kanto-porygon]
+
+: 1996
+
+ - _[Hoenn]_{as=small}
+ TV Mauville is founded.
+ Hoenn Rangers Coexistence Force becomes popular.
+
+[^1218-paldea-academy]:
+ This is the year that the [University of
+ Salamanca][wp:Univeristy_of_Salamanca]{title="Wikipedia: University
+ of Salamanca"} was founded.
+
+[^1457-sinnoh-dp]:
+ This is the year of [Koshamain’s War][wp:Koshamains_War]{
+ title="Wikipedia: Koshamain’s War"}.
+
+[^1869-sinnoh-annex]:
+ This is the year in which the Meiji government gave Hokkaido its
+ name.
+
+[^1889-sinnoh-zorua]:
+ This is the year of extinction for the [Hokkaido
+ wolf][wp:Hokkaido_wolf]{title="Wikipedia: Hokkaido wolf"}.
+
+[^1905-sinnoh-growlithe]:
+ This is the year of extinction for the [Japanese
+ wolf][wp:Japanese_wolf]{title="Wikipedia: Japanese wolf"}.
+
+[^1925-kanto-pokeballs]:
+ This year is attested as the creation date for “modern Poké Balls” in
+ early _Pokémon_{as=cite} franchise lore.
+
+[^1945-national-league]:
+ This year in which the United Nations is founded.
+
+[^1952-11-hoenn-litleonids]:
+ _Ruby_{as=cite}, _Sapphire_{as=cite} & _Emerald_{as=cite} state this
+ happen “about 40 years ago”.
+ As the Litleonids occur every 11 years, 44 years before 1996 is an
+ appropriate date.
+
+ Note that this dating only makes sense in the English canon.
+
+[^1957-07-05-faraway-mew]:
+ This month and day are given by the diary in the Pokémon Mansion on
+ Cinnabar Island.
+
+[^1957-07-10-faraway-mew]:
+ This month and day are given by the diary in the Pokémon Mansion on
+ Cinnabar Island.
+
+[^1958-kanto-greatball]:
+ A·B·S was introduced to commercial markets in 1954, so this date
+ could be shifted earlier.
+ 1958 was the year it began being used for Lego bricks.
+
+[^1958-02-06-kanto-mewtwo]:
+ This is the year that [John Gurdon cloned African clawed
+ frogs][wp:John_Gurdon#Nuclear_transfer]{title="Wikipedia: John
+ Gurdon § Nuclear transfer"} using the same technique which would
+ eventually be used to clone Dolly the Sheep.
+
+ This month and day are given by the diary in the Pokémon Mansion on
+ Cinnabar Island.
+
+[^1958-09-01-kanto-mewtwo]:
+ This month and day are given by the diary in the Pokémon Mansion on
+ Cinnabar Island.
+
+[^1961-09-19-unova-elgyem]:
+ Elgyem are stated to have appeared “far in the desert 50 years ago”
+ in _Black_{as=cite} & _White_{as=cite}.
+
+ This is the exact date that [Barney and Betty
+ Hill][wp:Barney_and_Betty_Hill_incident]{title="Wikipedia: Barney
+ and Betty Hill incident"} claimed to encounter a U·F·O and be
+ abducted by aliens.
+ This alleged encounter popularized the “grey alien” trope which
+ Elgyem and its evolution derive from.
+
+[^1969-07-20-national-moon]:
+ This exact date is given in _Ruby_{as=cite}, _Sapphire_{as=cite} &
+ _Emerald_{as=cite}.
+
+[^1986-kanto-ultraball]:
+ Large‐scale production of polypropelyne began in 1957, but the
+ [fluidized‐bed Unipol process][osti:6143228]{title="Unipol PP: a
+ gas-phase route to polypropylene"} was not extended to
+ polypropelyne (from polyethylene) until the mid‐1980s.
+
+[^1990-sinnoh-bergmite]:
+ This tracks [a large temperature
+ spike][berkeleyearth:42.59N-141.82E]{title="Berkeley Earth: Local
+ Climate Change: 42.59 N, 141.82 E"} in the Hokkaido area and a
+ trend of steep rise in average temperature.
+ Compare also [the ice floes of the Sea of
+ Okhotsk][wapo:japan-ice-loss]{title="Washington Post: The climate
+ chain reaction that threatens the heart of the Pacific"}, although
+ these make more sense mapped to regular (Unovan) Avalugg (as well
+ as, possibly, White‐Striped Basculin).
+
+[^1995-kanto-porygon]:
+ This date is given in early promotional material.
+
+[berkeleyearth:42.59N-141.82E]:
+ http://berkeleyearth.lbl.gov/locations/42.59N-141.82E
+
+[osti:6143228]:
+ https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6143228
+
+[wapo:japan-ice-loss]:
+ https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/world/climate-environmen
+ t/climate-change-japan-pacific-sea-salmon-ice-loss/
+
+[wp:Barney_and_Betty_Hill_incident]:
+ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barney_and_Betty_Hill_incident
+
+[wp:Hokkaido_wolf]:
+ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hokkaido_wolf
+
+[wp:Japanese_wolf]:
+ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_wolf
+
+[wp:John_Gurdon#Nuclear_transfer]:
+ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gurdon#Nuclear_transfer
+
+[wp:Koshamains_War]:
+ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koshamain%27s_War
+
+[wp:University_of_Salamanca]:
+ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Salamanca
\ No newline at end of file
Lady’s Gitweb / Wiki / commitdiff