Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Fans Scramble to Connect It to Other Games

This morning, we were treated to an extensive preview of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Game Freak's upcoming futuristic Pokémon game set in the well-known Pokémon X/Y setting of Lumiose City. While the trailer showcased exciting features like rooftop running, revamped battling mechanics, and the return of Mega Evolution, it left us with numerous questions about the game's timeline and potential returning characters in Lumiose City.

The Pokémon community is buzzing with speculation and theories, eager to unravel the mysteries of Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

For context, while most Pokémon games stand alone, the original Pokémon Legends game introduced time travel and heavily featured familiar locations from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, set centuries in the past. It included numerous characters who were ancestors of those in other Pokémon games, as well as a character from Pokémon Black and White placed in the past by a divine intervention. With this in mind, fans are keen to understand the setting of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, any time-travel elements, and the possibility of seeing familiar faces 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 prominent connection is the presence of AZ, directly mentioned in the trailer. AZ, a character granted immortality 3000 years before the events of Pokémon X and Y, seems to run a hotel in Lumiose City in Z-A, appearing much happier now that he's reunited with his beloved Floette.

az taller than a mf giraffe

byu/sam_90_ inpokemon

Fans have also spotted more subtle connections, such as the potential presence of the Looker Bureau in Z-A. Looker, a beloved detective character first seen in Pokémon Black and White, has appeared in several games. Some fans believe that an office shown in the trailer resembles the Looker Bureau from previous games, suggesting that either Looker or his protégé Emma might appear in Z-A's Lumiose City.

Looker confirmed for Legends Z-A?

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Another fascinating theory revolves around the protagonists of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Some fans have noted that the characters resemble Ethan and Lyra from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, leading to speculation about a time-travel scenario where these characters 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

Additionally, another theory suggests that the protagonists may be related to Kalos' Professor Sycamore and Grace, the protagonist's mother from Pokémon X and Y. This theory, while a bit more speculative, adds an exciting layer to the potential ancestral connections in the Legends series.

ZA protagonist relatives

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The timeline of Pokémon Legends: Z-A remains a mystery, as the Pokémon series has a loosely sequential timeline with occasional alternate realities and time travel. Given AZ's immortality, the game could be set hundreds of years after Pokémon X and Y, which would explain the futuristic and expansive Lumiose City. If this is the case, the protagonists and other characters might be descendants of those they resemble.

ITS A SEQUEL?!?

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One character sparking significant interest is a mysterious woman in the key art, resembling a Hex Maniac, a trainer type from Pokémon X and Y. This character ties into an ongoing Pokémon mystery known as the Ghost Girl. In Pokémon X and Y, a Hex Maniac appears in a creepy scene in Lumiose City, leaving players puzzled. The reappearance of a Hex Maniac in Legends: Z-A has fans hopeful for a resolution to this long-standing mystery, especially if the ghost has been haunting Lumiose City for centuries.

New hex?

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As we await the release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A in late 2025, the community will continue to uncover new discoveries, easter eggs, and connections. In the meantime, you can catch up on all the latest from today's Pokémon Presents, including Legends: Z-A news, mobile gaming updates, and more, right here.