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

This morning, we were treated to an in-depth look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Game Freak's latest futuristic Pokémon adventure set in the well-known Lumiose City from Pokémon X/Y. The trailer showcased exciting features such as running on rooftops, modifications to battling mechanics, and the return of Mega Evolution. However, fans are buzzing with questions about the game's timeline relative to other Pokémon titles and which familiar characters might reappear in Lumiose City.

This is where the community's detective work comes into play.

For context, while most Pokémon games are standalone experiences, the original Pokémon Legends game involved time travel and prominently featured settings and characters from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, set centuries in the past. This included ancestors of characters from other games and even a character from Pokémon Black and White transported to the past by Arceus. With this precedent, fans are eager to uncover the setting of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, potential time travel elements, and any returning faces in Lumiose City.

Since the trailer's release, fans have been meticulously analyzing it for connections to the broader Pokémon universe—and they've uncovered quite a bit. The most evident link is AZ, explicitly mentioned in the trailer. AZ, a character granted immortality 3000 years before Pokémon X and Y, appears to run a hotel in Lumiose City in Z-A, looking much happier with his Floette by his side.

az taller than a mf giraffe

byu/sam_90_ inpokemon

But the connections go deeper. One intriguing discovery is the potential presence of the Looker Bureau in Z-A. Looker, a beloved detective character introduced in Pokémon Black and White, has appeared in various games. Fans noticed an office in the trailer that resembles the Looker Bureau, suggesting either Looker or his protégé Emma might appear 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. Fans have noted that the new characters bear a striking resemblance to Ethan and Lyra from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, leading to speculation that they might be time-traveling versions of these characters from Johto to a futuristic Lumiose City.

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

byu/God-Kotsu inpokemon

A different theory suggests the protagonists could be related to Professor Sycamore and Grace from Pokémon X and Y, though this is more speculative. Given the franchise's history of playing with ancestry, it's an interesting angle to consider.

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, and the Pokémon series often involves a loosely sequential timeline with alternate realities and time travel. AZ's presence suggests the game takes place after Pokémon X and Y, possibly hundreds of years later, considering his immortality and the futuristic Lumiose City. This could mean the protagonists and Looker Bureau occupants are descendants of characters they resemble.

ITS A SEQUEL?!?

byu/Slyme-wizard inpokemon

Another character capturing fans' attention is a mysterious woman from the key art, resembling a Hex Maniac from Pokémon X and Y. This trainer type is tied to an unresolved mystery in X and Y involving a ghostly Hex Maniac who appears in a Lumiose City building, says "No, you're not the one," and vanishes. Her presence in Legends: Z-A has fans hopeful for a resolution to this eerie enigma, especially if she's a ghost haunting the city for centuries.

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," fans 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.