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

This morning, we got our first in-depth look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Game Freak's upcoming futuristic Pokémon game set in the beloved Lumiose City from Pokémon X/Y. The trailer showcased exciting features like running on rooftops, changes to battling mechanics, and the return of Mega Evolution. However, many questions remain about the game's timeline and potential returning characters.

That's where the community steps in.

For context, while most Pokémon games are standalone, the original 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, fans are eager to pinpoint when Pokémon Legends: Z-A takes place, whether it involves time travel, and which familiar faces might appear in Lumiose City.

Since the trailer's debut, fans have been meticulously analyzing it for connections to other Pokémon games, uncovering numerous intriguing links. The most direct connection is AZ, a character who was granted immortality 3000 years before Pokémon X and Y. In Z-A, AZ appears to run a hotel in Lumiose City and seems content, having reunited with his beloved Floette.

az taller than a mf giraffe by u/sam_90_ in pokemon

But the connections don't stop there. One subtle clue fans have spotted is the potential presence of the Looker Bureau in Z-A. Looker, a fan-favorite detective first introduced in Pokémon Black and White, has appeared in several games. Fans believe that an office shown in the trailer resembles the Looker Bureau, suggesting the presence of either Looker or his protégé Emma in Z-A's Lumiose City.

Looker confirmed for Legends Z-A? by u/PrimalPokemonPlayer in pokemon

Another intriguing theory suggests a connection between the two main protagonists of Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Ethan and Lyra from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. This has led to speculation that Z-A might involve 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 by u/God-Kotsu in pokemon

Alternatively, some fans theorize that the protagonists might be related to Professor Sycamore and Grace, the mother of the protagonist from Pokémon X and Y. Though this theory stretches a bit, it's fascinating given the series' history with ancestry.

ZA protagonist relatives by u/tismxtt in pokemon

Interestingly, these theories could all be true simultaneously. The timeline of Pokémon Legends Z-A remains a mystery, and with Pokémon games often featuring loose timelines and alternate realities, fans speculate that Z-A could be set hundreds of years after Pokémon X and Y, given AZ's immortality and the futuristic look of Lumiose City. This would mean the protagonists and others could be descendants of characters they resemble.

ITS A SEQUEL?!? by u/Slyme-wizard in pokemon

One more character that has caught fans' attention 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 Pokémon mystery known as the Ghost Girl. In X and Y, a Hex Maniac appears in a spooky scene that has never been explained. Her presence in Legends Z-A suggests this mystery might finally be resolved, especially if she's a ghost haunting Lumiose City for centuries.

New hex? by u/Webby_webs in pokemon

In the coming days, more discoveries, easter eggs, and connections are likely to emerge from the footage, art, and news about Pokémon Legends: Z-A. With the game's release slated 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, and more, right here.