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Isshu or Unova?

Ho-Oh

used Sacred Fire!

Age 31
Female
QLD, Australia
Seen June 5th, 2022
Posted April 23rd, 2022
35,988 posts
17.5 Years
Since a few people jumped at the chance to reply to the recently revived thread on this, I thought I might as well ask what people thought now.

As you may know, Unova is named "Isshu" in Japan, and what most of us who were around a few months ago called the region. When it was announced that Isshu would become Unova, many fans had a negative reaction.

When comparing Unova to other regions, Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh, only a few letters have changed between English and Japanese, unlike Isshu > Unova, which is a complete change and is said to represent the USA by its name. Adding to that, Unova has different names in a variety of languages that aren't just one letter change, either. I'm not entirely sure whether in previous games the names completely changed for other languages, but in this region it changed for almost every language.

Do you think it was a good idea for the Unova region to have a completely different name to what it is in Japan (Isshu)? Do you think keeping name consistency between different languages matters?

Also! Which do you prefer: Isshu or Unova?

(Remember, discussing how Unova is pronounced goes in this thread)
Age 29
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Posted August 15th, 2012
1,931 posts
13.7 Years
When comparing Unova to other regions, Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh, only a few letters have changed between English and Japanese, unlike Isshu > Unova, which is a complete change and is said to represent the USA by its name.
Keeping the name consistency between the language doesnt matter to me. I like it that it's Unova. It adds on to the uniqueness to the region. But I have to say, Unova was not expected. But then again that applies to everything in Black and White xD
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Nateon

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Seen August 7th, 2015
Posted May 3rd, 2011
89 posts
12.3 Years
I prefer Isshu to Unova, to me it sounds like they're saying 'and heres yet another place for our pokemon games'
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Kamitsure-chan

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I actually like Unova. It's clear that the games don't take place in anywhere remotely near the other regions, so it makes sense that the region's English name is vastly different compared to the others.

Do you think it was a good idea for the Unova region to have a completely different name to what it is in Japan (Isshu)?
Initially I thought the name change was really stupid, but then came the theory for {Un}ited States of {ov} Americ{a}. That's extremely clever. :D

Do you think keeping name consistency between different languages matters?

No, not really. As long as there is inspiration behind a name, I don't mind either way. :3

Also! Which do you prefer: Isshu or Unova?
I don't have a preference, they both have their charms.

Female
Seen July 1st, 2015
Posted February 17th, 2015
72 posts
12.3 Years
Well personally I like when things are consistent so compared to like Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh, it would've been nice if they kept Isshu to kind of follow that trend. However, Unova is pretty unique itself. I guess I have no preferences of one over the other since they both sound appealing ^^;

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Seen April 8th, 2013
Posted April 8th, 2013
2,178 posts
12.8 Years
Do you think it was a good idea for the Unova region to have a completely different name to what it is in Japan (Isshu)?
I hated it at first, I thought it was unneeded and I was so used to calling it Isshu. But now, like all pokemon names, I have gotten over it and I love it now XD It makes perfect sense re naming it to Unova, considering this region is like a new start after Hoenn.

Do you think keeping name consistency between different languages matters?

No... I guess not. I mean I'm pretty sure it is supposed to be called You-No-Va because it is an English name and that is how Americans/australians/ english should be saying it. But the Europeans saying differently is fine, because it makes sense in their culture.

Also! Which do you prefer: Isshu or Unova?
.... Oh God.... Honestly, I can't decide. Ask me several months ago it would have been Isshu hands down... but now I can't choose XD They are both awesome names <3
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gucci

Male
United Kingdom
Seen September 26th, 2021
Posted August 7th, 2019
21,056 posts
15.4 Years
I Did like Isshu, I got used to calling it that, but now Unova is starting to settle and I think it's a good name

Ho-Oh

used Sacred Fire!

Age 31
Female
QLD, Australia
Seen June 5th, 2022
Posted April 23rd, 2022
35,988 posts
17.5 Years
Just added a poll.
/should've done that before

I prefer Unova now actually. I liked Isshu but it just seems weird now. Plus Christmas in Isshu wouldn't have worked that well.
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Manitoba
Seen February 27th, 2012
Posted March 10th, 2011
40 posts
13 Years
I really like the name Unova.
And I didn't really care for Isshu, I never knew if it was pronounced "Is-u", "Is-who" or "Issue".

Also Nova means new. Which is what the whole game is based upon. The new region is said to be very different from all the others.

I don't think its that much of a deal though its not like it makes a difference.

bobandbill

one more time

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When it was announced that Isshu would become Unova, many fans had a negative reaction.
To be honest, every name change, including for every region that has had one no mattr how minor, has had negative reactions from people. I remember the outburst at Sinnoh's for instance - nothing new there. =p


Also I feel something that warrents mention is that Isshu meant 'one variety' or somesuch. Looking at Unova - Uno for one and va for variety! It isn't that random a change at all when you look at it from that perspective.(And that's ignoring the similiarity to United States of America in the name as well, although that's less fitting within Unova itself as the former).

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Zhinc

a Dark-type trainer

Female
Goldenrod City
Seen April 14th, 2016
Posted May 30th, 2011
132 posts
12.9 Years
I liked it when the regions had basically the same name. Also, I like Isshu more because it sounds funny. It made me laugh when I first heard the name for the region. (:

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Wait a second, Unova keeps the "o" sound pattern for the regions which is great, unlike Isshu.

I'm not phased by changing the name but I'd prefer if they kept Isshu but Unova is great!

I don't have a preferrence, they're both great names. Even though I hated it when I first saw it, as I was so used to Isshu, I am now leaning slightly more towards Unova since I've gotten used to it.

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Cherrim

Age 34
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20.5 Years
Isshu is kind of hard/awkward to say for non-Japanese speakers. :| There's a little hitch in it between the S's and I hate that. (It's not just pronounced issue.) So I have no problem with the change and I actually like the English name better.


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Seen December 11th, 2021
Posted August 12th, 2020
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14.1 Years
Depending on how Unova is pronounced I may very well favor Isshu. atm it's 50/50

Pronouncing both names can be a bother for a few people; but it's quite easy to get the hang of, I just say how it sounds, no one else hear's it so what the Hey! 8D

GF had to change the name because if they didn't it would be a sin D8