It’s a bit hard to believe thatPokemon SwordandShieldare almost a year old now, as the two titles released on July 16, 2025. WhilePokemon SwordandShieldreviewedrelatively well for mainlinePokemontitles, many hardcore fans were disappointed with the game for various reasons.
Yet, one aspect ofPokemon SwordandShieldthat was very well received was the game’s setting: the Galar Region. Now, the officialPokemonYouTube channel is announcing a brand new weekly series that takes viewers on a virtual tour of real UK locations that inspired many of the locations throughoutPokemon SwordandPokemon Shield.
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As the mainline entries in thePokemonseries went on, Game Freak began to get much more detailed in its approach to the culture and setting of each new region. Generation 6’s Kalos region was heavily inspired by France and Paris in particular, with many in-game references to the country and its culture.
Similarly,PokemonSwordandShieldreference the UKin abundance, from the way characters speak to various locations throughout the Galar region. Now, UK television hosts Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes will accompany viewers on a five-episode series to real-life locations in the UK that helped provide inspiration for the Galar region.
Each episode will feature a guest to help teach Nixon and Rhodes about various aspects of thePokemonfranchise, with the first episode starring British YouTuber DanTDM. The pilot episode is already available to watch on the officialPokemonYouTube channel, though the video mostly involves DanTDM introducingPokemon SwordandShieldandPokemonTCG to Nixon and Rhodes. Nixon and Rhodes do introduce oneUK location that inspiredSwordandShield, but the trivia is very brief.
Interestingly, the series also has a companion guide of sorts to go with it in the form of a PDF travel guide. The series is a neat idea, offering up a personable and interactive guide to some beautiful locations in the UK. It’s important to note that the series will continue to air alongside therelease ofPokemon’s Crown Tundra DLCforSwordandShield, so the series may offer insight into locations featured in the DLC as well. However, the first episode doesn’t feature too much real-world trivia at all.
The pilot episode of the series seems to be very introductory for those who aren’t familiar withPokemon. While Nixon and Rhodes are a charming duo, it might feel a bit slow for veterans of the series to sit through. Still,Pokemon SwordandShieldare big games, withGalar featuring plenty of routesand landmarks from UK locations. While the first episode serves as A nice introduction, hopefully, future episodes will put more emphasis on visiting actual UK locations found inSwordandShield.
Pokemon SwordandShieldare out now, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
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