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

This morning, we got our first detailed glimpse at Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Game Freak's futuristic new installment set in the iconic Lumiose City from Pokémon X/Y. The trailer showcased intriguing features like rooftop running, revamped battling systems, and the return of Mega Evolution. Despite these reveals, many questions linger about the game's timeline relative to other Pokémon titles and which familiar faces might reappear in Lumiose City.

That's where the vibrant Pokémon community steps in.

For context, while most Pokémon games stand alone, the first Pokémon Legends game introduced time travel and revisited locations from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, set centuries in the past. It also featured characters who were ancestors of those in other Pokémon games, and even included a character from Pokémon Black and White seemingly placed there by a higher power. With this precedent, fans are eager to understand the setting of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, any potential time travel elements, and the possibility of seeing known characters in Lumiose City.

In the hours following the trailer's debut, fans have meticulously analyzed it for connections to other Pokémon games, uncovering numerous intriguing links. The most evident connection is the presence of AZ, directly mentioned in the trailer. AZ, granted immortality 3000 years before the events of Pokémon X and Y, appears to run a hotel in Lumiose City in Z-A, and fans have noted his happier demeanor now that he's reunited with his Floette.

az taller than a mf giraffe from pokemon

But the connections go deeper. One of the most fascinating discoveries is the potential presence of the Looker Bureau in Z-A. Looker, a beloved detective character first seen in Pokémon Black and White, has made appearances across several games. Sharp-eyed fans have spotted an office in the trailer that closely resembles the Looker Bureau from previous games, suggesting the possible return of either Looker or his protégé Emma in Z-A's Lumiose City.

Looker confirmed for Legends Z-A? from pokemon

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

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

Alternatively, some fans theorize that the protagonists might be related to Kalos' Professor Sycamore and Grace, the mother of the protagonist in Pokémon X and Y. While this theory stretches further, it's compelling given the series' history with ancestry themes.

ZA protagonist relatives from pokemon

The fascinating aspect of these theories is that they could all be true simultaneously. The exact timeline of Pokémon Legends Z-A remains a mystery, as Pokémon games often feature a loosely sequential timeline with occasional alternate realities and time travel, as seen in Legends: Arceus. Given AZ's immortality, the game might be set hundreds of years after Pokémon X and Y, which could explain the futuristic Lumiose City and suggest that the protagonists and Looker Bureau operatives are descendants of familiar characters.

ITS A SEQUEL?!? from pokemon

Another character capturing fans' attention is a mysterious woman featured in the key art:

New hex? from pokemon

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 disappearing. This unresolved mystery has fans hopeful that Legends Z-A might finally provide some answers, especially if the Hex Maniac is a ghost haunting the city for centuries.

In the coming days, more discoveries, easter eggs, and connections are sure to surface from the footage, art, and news released today about Pokémon Legends: Z-A. With a release planned for "late 2025," fans have plenty of time to delve deeper 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.