After the success of Pokemon Legends: Arceus and the fresh take it brought to a series that many fans complained was growing stagnant, it's likely that a follow-up title is in the works. While Gen 9's Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are still relatively new games, speculation as to what the next mainline entry in the series will be has already started heating up thanks to insider rumors and leaks. Based on the thematic direction of the series, along with some cryptic hints from leakers, there's a good chance the next mainline title is a successor to Pokemon Legends: Arceus set in the Unova Region.
Originally debuting in Gen 5, the Unova Region was the first mainline setting to be based on a location outside of Japan, drawing inspiration from New York City and the surrounding area. Many fans assumed that after Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Gen 5 would be next in line to receive remakes. However, there is a good chance that, rather than remaking Gen 5's Pokemon Black and White, Game Freak goes a different direction and tells a new story set in the Unova Region's distant past akin to what Pokemon Legends: Arceus did for Sinnoh.
A Pokemon Legends Game in Unova Would Follow the Series' Recent Themes
Time has been a major theme in many of the recent Pokemon title, with Pokemon Legends: Arceus exploring Sinnoh's history as the Hisui Region, as well as Pokemon Scarlet and Violet incorporating research into the Paldea Region's ancient past and distant future through the mysterious Area Zero. As such, it's believable to expect the series will continue to explore themes of time in its upcoming games as the lore of the Pokemon world continues to be filled in. This trend alone is enough for fans to expect a new Pokemon Legends game, but there is a distinct connection with the Unova Region that makes it a likely setting for a game like this.
Although the primary theme of the Gen 5 Pokemon games is the concept of truth versus ideals, represented by the games' legendaries Reshiram and Zekrom, there are underlying themes of time and change as well. One perfect example of time playing a role in the games comes from Opelucid City, where the city's design can either be that of a rustic village or a futuristic city depending on which version the player is playing. The city's gym leader differs between Pokemon Black and White as well with players either facing the wise, old Drayden or the young, rising star Iris respectively.
Outside of Opelucid City, the Unova Region also contains several structures that are clearly from a bygone era that a Pokemon Legends game could explore. Locations like Dragonspiral Tower and Relic Castle contain secrets that the Gen 5 games barely scratch the surface of, and these areas could be given more relevance in a Pokemon Legends game much like how Pokemon Legends: Arceus explored the history of Mt. Coronet and the Spear Pillar of Sinnoh. A game like this would also be the perfect opportunity to delve into the history of Team Plasma and how they came to possess a large castle beneath the Pokemon League.
The theory that a Pokemon Legends game set in Unova is in the works is further supported by notorious Pokemon leaker Riddler Khu, who posted a cryptic hint on Twitter suggesting that a new character from the upcoming Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC will be featured prominently in the next entry. After other users began to speculate that this hint ruled out the possibility of Gen 5 remakes or a new Pokemon Legends game in Unova, Riddler Khu responded saying that this line of thinking was false. While this isn't direct confirmation one way or the other, the accuracy of Riddler Khu's past leaks could mean a game set in Unova may be on the way.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is available for Nintendo Switch.