Pokemon Black and White: Details on new heroes, starters

Meet Tsutarja, Pokabu, and Mijumaru, the three new starter monsters from Pokemon Black and White.

Update: For the latest Pokemon Black and White news, check out our new article here.

The official Pokemon Black and White website got a big update today. Nintendo rolled out new information on everything from the region where this newest Pokemon game will take place to the identities of the three starter creatures.

Pokemon Black and White's protagonists will be a bit older this time around, according to the Japanese website. While still described as "young," the main characters appear to be in their mid to late teens. That's several school grades ahead of the original trainer, Ash Ketchum, who was 10. No word on whether the storyline will match the character's new-found maturity.

The male and female trainers will journey through the Iishu region. This new land, filled with fantastical critters, exists far away from the settings of the earlier games. For one thing, Iishu boasts polygonal skyscrapers on a scale and rendering unseen in previous titles.

As always, players can choose from three starter pokemon. Pokabu is an umber-colored piggish critter with rabbit-like ears. Tsutarja seems to be a sly-eyed lizard. And Mijumaru mixes features of a cat and seal. These names are for the Japanese version of the game and will likely change here in the states.

Join the 600-plus comments in our massive Pokemon discussion thread, share your thoughts on the new legendary Pokemon, or kick off a new conversation in the comments section below.

Update: For the latest Pokemon Black and White news, check out our new article here.