Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Fans Puzzle Over Connections to Other Games

This morning, we were treated to an extensive preview of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Game Freak's latest installment set in the iconic Lumiose City from Pokémon X/Y. The trailer showcased exciting features like rooftop running, revamped battling systems, and the return of Mega Evolution. Despite these insights, fans are still buzzing with questions about the game's timeline and potential returning characters.

The Pokémon community is renowned for its deep dives into game lore, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A is no exception. For context, while many Pokémon games are standalone, the first Pokémon Legends game introduced time travel and featured ancestors of characters from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, set centuries in the past. This backdrop fuels fan curiosity about Pokémon Legends: Z-A's placement in the timeline, potential time-travel elements, and which familiar faces might grace Lumiose City.

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

az taller than a mf giraffe
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A subtler hint is the potential presence of the Looker Bureau, suggesting the return of the beloved detective Looker or his protégé Emma. Fans have noted an office in the trailer that strikingly resembles the Looker Bureau from previous games.

Looker confirmed for Legends Z-A?
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Speculation also surrounds the game's protagonists, whose designs bear a striking resemblance to Ethan and Lyra from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. This has sparked theories of a time-travel scenario where these characters could be transported to a futuristic Lumiose City.

am i going crazy or the new mcs are literally ethan and lyra
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Alternatively, some fans theorize that the protagonists might be related to Professor Sycamore and Grace from Pokémon X and Y, hinting at a deeper connection to the Kalos region's lore.

ZA protagonist relatives
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The intriguing aspect of these theories is their potential coexistence, given the ambiguity of Pokémon Legends: Z-A's timeline. The presence of AZ suggests the game takes place after Pokémon X and Y, possibly centuries later, considering Lumiose City's futuristic appearance and AZ's immortality.

ITS A SEQUEL?!?
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Another character drawing significant attention is a mysterious woman resembling a Hex Maniac, a trainer type from Pokémon X and Y. This character connects to the unresolved mystery of the "Ghost Girl" in Pokémon X and Y, where a Hex Maniac appears briefly without explanation. Her presence in Z-A fuels hope that this long-standing mystery might finally be resolved.

New hex?
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As we await the release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A in late 2025, the community continues to uncover new easter eggs and connections. You can stay updated on all the latest news and announcements from today's Pokémon Presents, including details on Legends Z-A, mobile gaming, and more, right here.