This morning, we got our first extensive look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Game Freak's futuristic Pokémon game set in the familiar Lumiose City from Pokémon X/Y. While the trailer showcased exciting features like rooftop running, revamped battles, and Mega Evolution, many questions remain about its placement within the Pokémon timeline and the potential return of beloved characters.
The Pokémon Legends series, unlike most standalone entries, incorporates time travel. Legends: Arceus notably featured locations from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, set centuries in the past, alongside characters who were ancestors of those in later games—or, in one instance, a direct transplant from Pokémon Black and White. This precedent fuels fan speculation about Pokémon Legends: Z-A's timeline, the possibility of time travel, and the identities of any familiar faces in Lumiose City.
Since the trailer's release, fans have been diligently searching for connections to other games, uncovering numerous intriguing possibilities. The most obvious is AZ's presence, explicitly mentioned in the trailer. Given his immortality (granted 3000 years before Pokémon X/Y), his appearance, seemingly running a hotel in Lumiose City, is unsurprising, regardless of the game's temporal setting. He appears much happier, reunited with his beloved Floette.
Subtler connections have also emerged. One compelling theory centers on the potential presence of the Looker Bureau. Looker, a popular detective introduced in Pokémon Black and White, has appeared in subsequent games. Fans have noted a striking resemblance between an office shown in the trailer and the Looker Bureau in previous games, suggesting the presence of Looker or his protégé, Emma, in Lumiose City.
Another fascinating theory involves the protagonists. Their designs bear a resemblance to Ethan and Lyra, the player characters from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, leading to speculation that Legends: Z-A might feature a time-traveling scenario involving them.
Alternatively, another theory proposes a connection to Professor Sycamore and Grace (the protagonist's mother in Pokémon X/Y). While a less concrete connection, it's intriguing given the Legends series' focus on ancestral links.
Remarkably, these theories aren't mutually exclusive. The game's exact placement on the Pokémon timeline remains unknown. The series has a loosely defined timeline, occasionally incorporating alternate realities and, as seen in Legends: Arceus, time travel. AZ's presence suggests a post-Pokémon X/Y setting, but this could be centuries later, considering his immortality. Lumiose City's futuristic, expansive design in Legends: Z-A hints at significant time elapsed. If so, the protagonists and Looker Bureau personnel could be descendants of the characters they resemble.
Another intriguing character is a mysterious woman in the key art, resembling a Hex Maniac from Pokémon X/Y. This is especially interesting due to the unsolved mystery of the "Ghost Girl" in Pokémon X/Y. This Hex Maniac's appearance in Legends: Z-A reignites hope for an explanation to this long-standing enigma.
The coming days will undoubtedly reveal further discoveries and connections within the newly released footage and art. Pokémon Legends: Z-A is slated for release in late 2025, but the abundance of new information provides ample material for speculation in the meantime. You can find a comprehensive overview of today's Pokémon Presents announcements, including Legends: Z-A news, mobile gaming updates, Pokémon Champions, and more, [ttpp]here[/ttpp].
