Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Fans Decipher 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 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, a character who gained immortality 3000 years before the events of Pokémon X and Y. In Z-A, AZ appears to manage a hotel in Lumiose City, looking much happier now that he's reunited with his beloved Floette.

az taller than a mf giraffe

byu/sam_90_ inpokemon

But there are subtler connections too. One fan-favorite theory suggests the presence of the Looker Bureau in Z-A. Looker, the beloved detective from Pokémon Black and White, has appeared in several games. Fans have spotted an office in the trailer that closely resembles the Looker Bureau, hinting at the possible return of Looker or his protégé Emma in Z-A's Lumiose City.

Looker confirmed for Legends Z-A?

byu/PrimalPokemonPlayer inpokemon

Another wild theory connects the two main protagonists of Pokémon Legends: Z-A to Ethan and Lyra from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. Their striking resemblance has led to speculation that Legends: Z-A might involve a time-travel scenario where Ethan and Lyra are transported from Johto to a futuristic Lumiose.

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

byu/God-Kotsu inpokemon

Alternatively, some fans believe the protagonists resemble Kalos' Professor Sycamore and Grace, the mother of the protagonist in Pokémon X and Y. While this theory stretches a bit, it's fascinating in light of the series' history with ancestry.

ZA protagonist relatives

byu/tismxtt inpokemon

These theories could coexist, given the unclear timeline of Pokémon Legends Z-A. Pokémon games often feature loosely sequential timelines with occasional alternate realities and time travel. AZ's presence suggests the game takes place after Pokémon X and Y, potentially hundreds of years later, considering his immortality and the futuristic Lumiose City. This could mean the protagonists and Looker Bureau staff are descendants of the characters they resemble.

ITS A SEQUEL?!?

byu/Slyme-wizard inpokemon

Another character sparking fan interest is a mysterious woman in the key art, resembling a Hex Maniac from Pokémon X and Y. This trainer type is linked to an ongoing mystery involving the "Ghost Girl," a Hex Maniac who appears in a creepy, unexplained scene in Lumiose City. Her presence in Legends Z-A has fans hopeful for a resolution to this long-standing enigma.

New hex?

byu/Webby_webs inpokemon

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 a release planned for "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.