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 futuristic new Pokémon game set in the well-known Lumiose City from Pokémon X/Y. The trailer showcased exciting features such as running on rooftops, alterations to battling mechanics, and the return of Mega Evolution. However, many questions remain about the game's timeline relative to other Pokémon titles and which familiar characters might reappear in Lumiose City.

That's where the community steps in.

For context, while most Pokémon games are standalone experiences, the first Pokémon Legends game introduced time travel and heavily featured locations from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl set hundreds of years in the past, along with characters who were ancestors of those in other Pokémon games. This has fans curious about the timeline of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, potential time-travel elements, and which familiar faces we might encounter 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 evident connection is the presence of AZ, a character who was granted immortality 3000 years before the events of Pokémon X and Y. In Z-A, he appears to be running a hotel in Lumiose City and seems much happier now that he's reunited with his beloved Floette.

az taller than a mf giraffe
byu/sam90 inpokemon

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 first appeared in Pokémon Black and White and has since appeared in several other games, may have an office in the new game, as suggested by eagle-eyed fans who noticed similarities between an office shown in the trailer and the Looker Bureau from past games.

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

Another wild theory circulating among fans concerns the protagonists of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. With the full character art released, many have noted that the protagonists resemble Ethan and Lyra from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, sparking 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

Another intriguing theory suggests that the protagonists might be related to Professor Sycamore and Grace, the mother of the protagonist in Pokémon X and Y. This theory, while a bit more of a stretch, adds another layer of intrigue given the series' history with ancestry.

ZA protagonist relatives
byu/tismxtt inpokemon

The fascinating aspect of these theories is that they could all be true simultaneously. The timeline of Pokémon Legends: Z-A remains a mystery. With AZ running a hotel, the game likely takes place after Pokémon X and Y, but given his immortality, it could be centuries later. The futuristic Lumiose City itself suggests a significant time jump, implying that the protagonists and other characters might be descendants of those they resemble.

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

One character that has fans particularly intrigued is the eerie woman featured in the key art, resembling a Hex Maniac from Pokémon X and Y. This trainer type has been connected to the mysterious "Ghost Girl" scene in Pokémon X and Y, where a Hex Maniac appears briefly with no further explanation. The appearance of a Hex Maniac in Legends: Z-A has sparked hope that this long-standing mystery might finally be resolved.

New hex?
byu/Webby_webs inpokemon

In the coming days, more discoveries, easter eggs, and connections will likely 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 these new details. You can catch up on all the announcements from today's Pokémon Presents, including news on Legends Z-A, mobile gaming, Pokémon Champions, and more, right here.