Pokemon Legends Z-A: Why Zygarde Deserves the Spotlight

The announcement of Pokemon Legends: Z-A has unearthed speculation about the never-released Pokemon Z game. After the release of Pokemon X and Pokemon Y, players expected a third installment entitled Pokemon Z to follow.Pokemon Platinum followed the release of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, and at the very beginning of the franchise, Pokemon Yellow was released after Red and Blue. But there was never a Pokemon Z announced. Instead, Game Freak moved on to the Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby remakes and then the new games Pokemon Sun and Moon. While the recently announced Pokemon Legends: Z-A game is not precisely the Pokemon Z fans have been waiting for, it does highlight the legendary Pokemon of the Kalos region that got the least attention in the original two games: Zygarde.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A is Making a Controversial Choice With Its Setting

Taking the Pokemon Legends subfranchise into Kalos is an exciting choice, but one Pokemon Legends: Z-A feature is bound to draw some ire.

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By Joshua Duckworth

What is Zygarde?

Pokemon Zygarde — Pokemon TCG Zygarde Card Art

The Kalos region "Aura Trio" is made up of the legendary Pokemon Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde. The former two grace the covers of the X and Y, respectively. Xerneas gives life, while Yveltal takes it away. This leaves Zygarde to check the balance between the two. Zygarde is said to be the guardian of the ecosystem. From deep in a cave, it monitors the environment. According to its Pokedex entry in Pokemon X, "When the Kalos region's ecosystem falls into disarray, it appears and reveals its secret power."

Zygarde's Secret Power

Zygarde's secret power is in its final form. Rather than evolving like other Pokemon, Zygarde has three forms that are dictated by how much of its core and cells are gathered together. Zygarde is able to keep a close eye on the environment by splitting itself into many, tiny cores and cells that are scattered throughout the Kalos region. In its 10% Forme, it resembles a black-and-green dog complete with a leash around its neck. At 50%, Zygarde takes on a snake-like shape and is significantly more powerful than its 10% Forme. Finally, Zygarde's Complete Forme is a force to be reckoned with: it takes on a humanoid, almost Gundam-esque form with blue and red patterned wings. At this stage, Zygarde surpasses the might of Xerneas and Yveltal. It has an opening on its chest that resembles a mouth that can blast out energy, and it only assumes this form when there is a dire threat to the environment.

Zygarde was featured in the Alola region as well. Players can find its cores and cells scattered throughout the Alolan islands, and it can be reassembled into one of its three forms via a Reassembly Unit, a machine found in the Route 16 Aether Base.

Why Zygarde Is Important in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

pokemon-go-player-first-world-zygarde-complete-forme

While the teaser trailer for the next Pokemon Legends game does not explicitly show any of Zygarde's forms, the title clearly hints at the Pokemon's inclusion both in design and in the letter. The "Z" features the black and green hexagonal design made up of Zygarde's cells. Since this game further explores the Kalos region, specifically Lumiose City, it only makes sense that Zygarde plays some part in the game.

The trailer describes an "Urban Redevelopment Plan" for Kalos' Lumiose City, and it is hard not to wonder what this redevelopment entails. If these plans could affect the environment, then they may be of concern to Zygarde, the guardian of the environment. While the plan may claim to be "a vision of beautiful coexistence between people and Pokémon," changes to the environment could upset the natural balance that Zygarde works to monitor. Therefore, Zygarde might be forced to emerge from its cave and set things to rights.

Will Xerneas and Yveltal Be In Pokemon Legends: Z-A?

Usually, Xerneas and Yveltal are in a dormant state, sleeping for 1,000 years at a time. Xerneas takes the form of a tree during this slumber, while Yveltal wraps itself into a cocoon. It is not yet clear if the two will be in the new Pokemon Legends title, but considering the fact that its predecessor included all three of the "Pokemon of Myth", it follows that Z-A will include the whole of the legendary "Aura Trio." That said, Pokemon Legends: Z-A clearly intends to give special attention to Zygarde. After being overshadowed by Xerneas and Yveltal, Zygarde at last has a chance to prove its worth as a legendary Pokemon.