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

This morning, we got our first in-depth look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Game Freak's futuristic new Pokémon game set in the iconic Pokémon X/Y locale of Lumiose City. While the trailer showcased exciting features such as running on rooftops, changes to battling, and the return of Mega Evolution, numerous questions linger about the game's timeline and potential returning characters.

That's where the community steps in.

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 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 seems much happier now that he's reunited with his beloved Floette.

az taller than a mf giraffe
byu/sam_90_ inpokemon

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }But there are subtler connections as well. One fan-favorite discovery is the potential presence of the Looker Bureau in Z-A. Looker, a beloved detective character who debuted in Pokémon Black and White and has appeared in several subsequent games, might be back. Several fans have noted that an office in the trailer closely resembles the Looker Bureau from past games, suggesting the presence of either Looker or his protégé Emma in Z-A's Lumiose City.

Looker confirmed for Legends Z-A?
byu/PrimalPokemonPlayer inpokemon

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }Another intriguing theory revolves around the game's protagonists. With the full character art released, fans have noticed striking similarities between the protagonists of Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Ethan and Lyra from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. This has sparked speculation about 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

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }Alternatively, some fans suggest the protagonists resemble Kalos Pokémon scientist Professor Sycamore and the mother of the protagonist in Pokémon X and Y, Grace. While this theory stretches a bit, especially regarding Grace, it's fascinating in light of the ancestry themes in the Legends series.

ZA protagonist relatives
byu/tismxtt inpokemon

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }What's fascinating is that these theories could coexist. The timeline of Pokémon Legends Z-A remains a mystery. Pokémon games have a loosely sequential timeline with occasional alternate realities and time travel. Given AZ's immortality and the futuristic Lumiose City, Z-A might be set hundreds of years after Pokémon X and Y. This would mean the protagonists and Looker Bureau occupants could be descendants of the characters they resemble.

ITS A SEQUEL?!?
byu/Slyme-wizard inpokemon

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }One more character capturing fans' attention is a mysterious woman from the key art:

New hex?
byu/Webby_webs inpokemon

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }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, a Hex Maniac appears in a building in Lumiose City, delivering a cryptic message before vanishing. This unresolved easter egg 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 a release planned for "late 2025," fans have plenty of time to delve 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.