This morning, we got our first extended 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 rooftop running, revamped battles, and Mega Evolution, many questions remain about its placement within the Pokémon timeline and potential returning characters.

The Pokémon Legends series, unlike most standalone titles, incorporates time travel. Legends: Arceus featured locations from Diamond and Pearl, set centuries in the past, with characters resembling ancestors from other games, or even direct appearances like a Black and White character. This has sparked intense speculation about Z-A's timeline, potential time-travel elements, and familiar faces in Lumiose City.

Since the trailer's release, fans have unearthed numerous connections. The most obvious is AZ, directly mentioned, who gained immortality 3000 years before X/Y. His presence in Z-A, seemingly running a hotel in Lumiose and reunited with his Floette, is plausible regardless of the game's setting.

Subtle connections abound. One intriguing theory involves the Looker Bureau. Looker, a detective from Black and White, has appeared in several games. Fans believe an office in the Z-A trailer strongly resembles the Looker Bureau, suggesting Looker or his protégé Emma's presence.

Another compelling theory connects the protagonists to Ethan and Lyra from HeartGold and SoulSilver. Their resemblance has sparked speculation about a time-traveling scenario where Ethan and Lyra are transported to a futuristic Lumiose.

Alternatively, some suggest a resemblance to Professor Sycamore and Grace (the protagonist's mother from X/Y), hinting at a familial connection, mirroring the ancestral themes in Legends: Arceus. Interestingly, these theories aren't mutually exclusive.

The game's timeline remains uncertain. Pokémon games have a loosely sequential timeline, occasionally incorporating alternate realities. AZ's presence suggests a post-X/Y setting, potentially centuries later due to his immortality. Lumiose City's futuristic scale suggests decades of development. If so, the protagonists and Looker Bureau personnel could be descendants of their look-alikes.

Another point of fascination is a mysterious woman in the key art, resembling a Hex Maniac from X/Y. This is particularly intriguing due to the unsolved mystery of the "Ghost Girl" in X/Y. This Hex Maniac's appearance fuels hopes of resolving this long-standing enigma.

The coming days will undoubtedly reveal more connections and easter eggs. Pokémon Legends: Z-A is slated for a late 2025 release, leaving plenty of time for speculation and anticipation. You can find all the latest announcements, including news on Legends: Z-A, mobile games, Pokémon Champions, and more, here.