Pokemon Legends: Z-A Sets a Virtually Impossible Bar to Clear for Gen 10

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Now that Pokemon Legends: Z-A has been released, players are sharing what they love most about the game. Many are impressed with the lively Lumiose City, the dynamic battle system, and the new Mega Evolutions. However, the characters are receiving a lot of attention and praise. The people in Pokemon Legends: Z-A are complex and interesting, with different goals and viewpoints, making them more memorable than typical Gym Leaders or Elite Four members. The ninth generation of Pokemon games will need to create equally compelling characters to live up to Legends: Z-A.

Many Legends: Z-A Characters Have Quickly Become Fan Favorites

Similar to Legends: Arceus, Legends: Z-A doesn’t focus on collecting Gym badges. Instead, it tells a larger story centered around investigating strange events happening in Lumiose City, and features exciting new Pokémon discoveries. Throughout the game, players will encounter a diverse cast of characters who are quickly becoming popular with fans, including:

  • Urban/Taunie, who is liked for their cheery attitude, close relationship to the player, and genuinely challenging battles.
  • Jacinthe, who is popular due to her cute appearance, offbeat personality, surprising love of battle, and role in hidden post-game content.
  • Mable, who is enjoyed for her role as the game’s professor and her unique status as a reformed ex-Team Flare member.
  • Corbeau, who fans are drawn to for his quirky behavior, memorable appearance, and interesting backstory.

Since the game launched, fans have really taken a liking to several characters, including Naveen the clothing designer, AZ from Pokemon X and Y, Canari – the popular streamer and mascot for the Colorful Screw side content – and Ivor, a dedicated member of the Fist of Justice. These are just a few examples of the many Legends Z-A characters who have gained a devoted following among Pokemon players.

It’s common to become attached to characters in Pokémon games—like Larry from Scarlet and Violet, who quickly became a fan favorite. Many Gym Leaders, rivals, and other characters throughout the series have also resonated with players. However, the characters in Legends Z-A feel particularly well-developed. Players truly get to understand their backgrounds, what drives them, and how they relate to each other. They’re more than just opponents to battle—though Legends Z-A does include those as well, particularly among the early Z-A Royale challengers.

Generation 10 May Struggle To Replicate This, But It Should Try

It’s going to be challenging for future main series Pokémon games to create characters as memorable as those in Legends Z-A. The game’s focused story and single location allow the characters to feel connected – they all live in Lumiose City, often know each other, and frequently share common goals. They have complex relationships – rivalries, friendships, and clear opinions of one another, like Corbeau’s dislike of Jacinthe or the growing connection between Canari and Gwynn. Importantly, these characters interact with the player beyond just battling, and through the story, side quests, and even after the game is ‘finished’, players really get to know them as individuals.

Creating compelling characters for Gym Leaders and Elite Four members is challenging. They’re usually located far apart, don’t have strong relationships with each other outside of being trainers, and only have limited interactions with the player. In fact, many Gym Leaders from older games received most of their development through the Pokemon anime, particularly those who journeyed with Ash Ketchum, like Brock, Misty, and Iris.

The next Pokemon games would really benefit from characters that are as well-developed and interact as naturally as those in Legends Z-A. Scarlet and Violet started to move in that direction with the Team Star story and the characters’ adventure in Area Zero. The next generation could build on that progress and create even more interesting and memorable characters for players to connect with.

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2025-11-07 23:07