Overview
The S.S. Anne is a derelict cruise ship located in the Bleak Beach area of Pokemon Pokopia. Originally the famous luxury liner from Vermilion City in the Kanto region, the ship was left abandoned following humanity's evacuation during the climate crisis that forms the game's backstory. It is both a recognizable landmark for long-time Pokemon fans and a fully explorable location with unique items, Human Records, and a cosmetic outfit to collect.
History and Lore
In the original Pokemon Red and Blue games, the S.S. Anne was a luxury cruise ship docked at Vermilion City's harbor. Players could board the ship to battle trainers and receive the Cut HM from the ship's captain. The vessel was one of the most memorable locations in the first generation of Pokemon games, known for its multi-deck layout and the seasick captain encounter.
The S.S. Anne in Pokopia
In Pokemon Pokopia's post-apocalyptic setting, the S.S. Anne never departed from its berth in what was once Vermilion City. When humanity evacuated the planet due to the climate crisis, the ship was left behind along with all other man-made structures. Over the years, the vessel has taken on significant water damage, its once-gleaming hull rusted and weathered by the elements. Parts of the lower decks are partially submerged, and vegetation has begun creeping through the portholes and cracks in the hull. Despite this, the ship's basic structure remains intact and explorable.
The ship's presence in Bleak Beach is part of Pokopia's broader narrative approach of reimagining classic Kanto locations in a world where nature has reclaimed civilization. Like the Pewter City Museum in Rocky Ridges and the department store references in Sparkling Skylands, the S.S. Anne connects the game's new world to the franchise's history.
Location
The S.S. Anne is situated in the eastern section of Bleak Beach, the second main area players can access after completing the Withered Wasteland. Bleak Beach itself is based on Vermilion City from the original Kanto region. The area is initially shrouded in darkness when players first arrive, and restoring electricity and power is one of the main objectives in the Brighten Things Up questline. The ship becomes fully explorable once the area has power restored, though players can approach and partially explore the exterior deck before completing the quest.
Explorable Areas
The S.S. Anne can be explored across multiple decks and compartments. Each area contains different items and environmental storytelling elements:
Area | Location on Ship | What to Find |
|---|---|---|
Western Deck | Upper deck, port side | Outdoor area with crates and barrels. Contains crafting materials (Lumber, Rope) and one Human Record magazine. |
Ballroom | Main deck interior | The largest interior room. Tables and chairs are overturned, and a grand piano sits in the corner. Contains one Human Record magazine and several Lost Relics. |
Ship's Bridge | Upper deck, forward | The captain's navigation room. Contains maps pinned to the walls and navigation instruments. Environmental storytelling about the ship's final days. |
Boiler Room | Lower deck (partially flooded) | The engine room, partially submerged in water. Requires Water Gun to clear debris. Contains Iron Ore deposits and one Human Record diary entry. |
The partially flooded lower decks add an element of environmental puzzle-solving. Players need Water Gun (taught by Squirtle in the Withered Wasteland) to clear waterlogged debris in the Boiler Room. Breaking through rusted walls with Rock Smash opens additional side rooms with crafting materials.
Human Records Aboard
Three Human Records can be found aboard the S.S. Anne. These collectible documents contribute to piecing together the story of what happened to humanity before the evacuation:
Record Type | Title | Location | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
Magazine | Travel Monthly: Vermilion Harbor Special | Western Deck (near crate stack) | A tourist magazine featuring Vermilion City's harbor and the S.S. Anne's cruise schedule. Hints at the ship's pre-evacuation popularity. |
Magazine | Cruise Life: All Aboard! | Ballroom (on overturned table) | A lifestyle magazine about luxury cruise amenities. The pages are water-damaged but partially readable. |
Diary Entry | A Sailor's Last Log | Boiler Room (behind flooded debris) | A crew member's diary describing the final days before evacuation. Mentions seeing Pokemon begin to emerge from hiding as humans prepared to leave. |
The magazines found aboard are among the Human Records that unlock cosmetic outfits for Ditto when collected. Specifically, collecting the cruise-themed magazines contributes toward unlocking the Sailor Outfit, a cosmetic that changes the player character's appearance to a nautical theme.
Sailor Outfit
The Sailor Outfit is a cosmetic outfit unlocked by collecting the Human Records found aboard and around the S.S. Anne. Once unlocked, the outfit can be applied at any Ditto wardrobe station. The outfit has a white and blue sailor uniform with a captain's cap, referencing the sailors and ship's captain from the original Pokemon Red and Blue games.
Happiny's Request
A Happiny can be found aboard the S.S. Anne in the Ballroom area. Speaking to it initiates a small fetch quest where Happiny asks for a specific item (a Round Stone). Round Stones can be found by using the Dowsing Machine in the Bleak Beach area. Returning the Round Stone to Happiny completes the request and increases your friendship with it. Happiny can then be recruited as a companion and eventually evolves into Chansey with high enough friendship.
Environmental Storytelling
The S.S. Anne is one of the richest locations in Pokopia for environmental storytelling. Throughout the ship, small details paint a picture of what life was like before the evacuation:
The Ballroom's grand piano still has sheet music on its stand, suggesting someone was performing when the evacuation order came.
Life preservers and emergency supplies are scattered near the exit hatches, indicating a hasty departure.
Pokemon nests have been built in the ship's corridors. This shows how wildlife has reclaimed the space over time.
The captain's log on the Bridge references route schedules to other regions, hinting at the broader world beyond Kanto.
Rusted utensils and broken plates in the dining area suggest the crew left mid-service.
These details reinforce Pokopia's central theme: the world has moved on without humans, and Pokemon have adapted to fill the spaces people left behind.
Kanto Connections
The S.S. Anne is one of several landmarks in Pokopia that reference the original Kanto region from the first generation of Pokemon games. Each of the game's main areas is based on a classic Kanto location:
Pokopia Area | Original Kanto Location | Notable Landmark |
|---|---|---|
Fuchsia City | Safari Zone references | |
Vermilion City | S.S. Anne | |
Pewter City | Pewter City Museum | |
Celadon City | Department store references | |
Pallet Town | Starting town sandbox |
These Kanto callbacks are woven throughout the game's world, rewarding fans who recognize the locations while remaining accessible to newcomers. The S.S. Anne is among the most immediately recognizable references due to the ship's iconic status in the franchise.
Tips
Explore the S.S. Anne after restoring power to Bleak Beach for full access to all areas, including interior lighting that makes it easier to spot items.
Bring a Pokemon with Water Gun to clear flooded debris in the Boiler Room. This area contains the most valuable items including Iron Ore and a Human Record.
Use Rock Smash on the rusted walls to access side rooms with additional crafting materials.
Check behind every overturned table and inside every crate. The Ballroom in particular has multiple interactable objects.
The Human Records aboard the S.S. Anne are required for the Sailor Outfit. Collect all three to unlock it.
Bring a Search-specialty Pokemon and the Dowsing Machine to find buried items around the ship's exterior on the beach.
Return to the Ballroom to complete Happiny's Round Stone request. Happiny evolves into Chansey, which has the Heal specialty.