This morning, we were treated to our first in-depth look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Game Freak's innovative new Pokémon game set in the futuristic version of Lumiose City, known from Pokémon X/Y. The trailer showcased exciting features like rooftop running, revamped battling mechanics, and the return of Mega Evolution. However, it left us with numerous questions about the game's timeline relative to other Pokémon games and the potential return of familiar characters to Lumiose City.
That's where the Pokémon community steps in, eager to unravel the mysteries presented by the trailer.
For context, while most Pokémon games are standalone experiences, the first Pokémon Legends game introduced time travel and featured locations from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl set centuries in the past. It also included characters who were ancestors of those in other Pokémon games, or even characters from Pokémon Black and White, transported to the past by a divine intervention. With this in mind, fans are keen to understand when Pokémon Legends: Z-A is set, whether time travel will play a role, and which familiar faces might reappear in Lumiose City.
Since the trailer's debut, fans have been meticulously analyzing it for connections to other Pokémon games, uncovering a wealth of intriguing links. The most direct connection is the presence of AZ, explicitly mentioned in the trailer. Known from Pokémon X and Y, AZ was granted immortality 3000 years before those events, so it's fitting he appears in Z-A, now running a hotel in Lumiose City and reunited with his beloved Floette, looking much happier.
az taller than a mf giraffe
byu/sam_90_inpokemon
But there are also subtler connections. One fan-favorite discovery is the potential return of the Looker Bureau in Z-A. Looker, the beloved detective character introduced in Pokémon Black and White and seen in subsequent games, might be back. Observant fans noticed an office in the trailer that closely resembles the Looker Bureau from past games, suggesting either Looker or his protégé Emma could be present in Z-A's Lumiose City.
Looker confirmed for Legends Z-A?
byu/PrimalPokemonPlayer inpokemon
Another wild theory circulating involves the protagonists of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, whose character designs bear a striking resemblance to Ethan and Lyra from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. This has sparked speculation about a time-travel scenario where these characters might be transported from Johto to a futuristic Lumiose.
am i going crazy or the new mcs are literally ethan and lyra
byu/God-Kotsu inpokemon
Additionally, some fans theorize that the protagonists might be related to Kalos characters like Professor Sycamore or Grace, the mother of the protagonist from Pokémon X and Y. This theory, though a bit of a stretch, adds an interesting layer to the ancestry theme explored in the Legends series.
ZA protagonist relatives
byu/tismxtt inpokemon
What's fascinating is that these theories could coexist. The timeline of Pokémon Legends: Z-A remains a mystery, but given the Pokémon series' history of loose timelines, alternate realities, and time travel, anything is possible. AZ's presence suggests the game takes place after Pokémon X and Y, but given his immortality, it could be hundreds of years later. The futuristic Lumiose City in Z-A supports this, suggesting the protagonists and others could be descendants of characters they resemble.
ITS A SEQUEL?!?
byu/Slyme-wizard inpokemon
One more character stirring fan curiosity is a mysterious woman in the key art, resembling a Hex Maniac from Pokémon X and Y. This trainer type adds an eerie element, especially due to the ongoing mystery of the "Ghost Girl" from X and Y. In that game, a Hex Maniac appears in a strange, unexplained scene in Lumiose City. Fans hope this character's inclusion in Z-A might finally provide some answers to this long-standing enigma.
New hex?
byu/Webby_webs inpokemon
In the coming days, more discoveries, easter eggs, and connections are likely to emerge from the footage, art, and news about Pokémon Legends: Z-A. With the game set to release in "late 2025," fans have plenty of time to delve into the new information. You can catch up on everything announced at today's Pokémon Presents, including Legends Z-A news, mobile gaming updates, Pokémon Champions, and more, right here.
