Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Fans Theorize Connections to Other Games

This morning, we were treated to an extensive preview of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Game Freak's latest venture into the futuristic world of Pokémon, set in the iconic Lumiose City 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 titles and the potential return of beloved characters to Lumiose City.

That's where the community steps in.

For context, while most Pokémon games are standalone, the first Pokémon Legends game introduced time travel and featured locations from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl set centuries in the past, along with characters who were ancestors of those in other games. Given this precedent, fans are eager to understand the setting of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, whether it involves time travel, and which familiar faces might appear 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, a character who gained immortality 3000 years before the events of Pokémon X and Y. In Z-A, AZ appears to be running a hotel in Lumiose City, looking much happier now that he's reunited with his beloved Floette.

az taller than a mf giraffe

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But the connections go deeper. One of the most exciting discoveries is the potential presence of the Looker Bureau in Z-A. Looker, a fan-favorite detective who first appeared in Pokémon Black and White, has been spotted in several games. Fans have noticed an office in the trailer that closely resembles the Looker Bureau from past games, suggesting that either Looker or his protégé Emma might be in Z-A's Lumiose City.

Looker confirmed for Legends Z-A?

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Another wild theory circulating involves the protagonists of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. With the full character art released, fans have noted striking similarities between the protagonists and Ethan and Lyra from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. This has sparked speculation that Legends: Z-A might involve a time-travel scenario where Ethan and Lyra are transported from Johto to a futuristic Lumiose City.

am i going crazy or the new mcs are literally ethan and lyra

byu/God-Kotsu inpokemon

Another theory suggests a different origin for the protagonists, pointing out their resemblance to Kalos Pokémon scientist Professor Sycamore and Grace, the mother of the protagonist in Pokémon X and Y. While this theory stretches a bit, especially regarding Grace, it's fascinating in light of the Legends series' focus on ancestry.

ZA protagonist relatives

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What's intriguing is that these theories could coexist. The timeline of Pokémon Legends Z-A remains a mystery, with Pokémon games often featuring loosely sequential timelines, alternate realities, and time travel. Given AZ's immortality and the futuristic, expansive Lumiose City in Legends Z-A, the game could be set hundreds of years after Pokémon X and Y. This would mean the protagonists and the Looker Bureau's occupants are descendants of the characters they resemble.

ITS A SEQUEL?!?

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One character that has captured fans' attention is a mysterious woman from the key art:

New hex?

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This woman resembles a Hex Maniac, a trainer type from Pokémon X and Y. Her presence is particularly intriguing due to the ongoing mystery of the Ghost Girl in Pokémon X and Y. In that game, a Hex Maniac appears in a building in Lumiose City, delivering a cryptic message before vanishing. This unresolved mystery has fans hopeful that Legends Z-A might finally provide some answers, especially if the Hex Maniac has been haunting Lumiose for centuries.

In the coming days, more discoveries, easter eggs, and connections are sure to emerge from the footage, art, and news about Pokémon Legends: Z-A. With the game slated for release in "late 2025," we have plenty of time to delve into the new information. You can catch up on all the announcements from today's Pokémon Presents, including Legends Z-A news, mobile gaming updates, and more, right here.