The Pokémon Company has once again foiled some of its fandom's biggest speculators, conspiracy theorists and rumor mongers by announcing Pokémon Legends Z-A, a new game in its budding Legends franchise set in Kalos, of all places.

Not much is known about the new game, though the trailer suggests it could take place in an industrialization period before Kalos became the Paris-inspired region fans know from Pokémon X&Y. The trailer also appears to confirm that Mega Evolutions, a battle gimmick introduced in the 11-year-old titles, will return in Legends Z-A. The trailer promises "simultaneous release" in 2025.

While that's certainly exciting for Pokémon fans who just want a new game to play, for many fans, the real headline is that The Pokémon Company has tapped Kalos for their latest dive into the past.

Ahead of today's stream, many fans felt the most likely marquee announcement would be either remakes of Pokémon Black and White set in Generation V's Unova or Let's Go titles set in Gen II's Johto. Either would be in line with Pokémon's pre-established pattern of revisiting older titles, as the company has traditionally moved in sequential order for remakes.

Furthermore, since the release of Pokémon Legends Arceus, fans have theorized that Johto or Unova could be likely candidates for a sequel in the new franchise. Put another way, Kalos was not on anybody's radar.

The surprising reveal was met with excitement from many fans, as Pokémon had successfully subverted their expectations. Furthermore, the title "Z-A" was interpreted by some as Pokémon making good on a hypothetical Pokémon Z that never came out after X&Y, which marked the first time in franchise history Pokémon did not release a companion or sequel game in a generation.

At least one user saw the potential for more violent hijinks setting a Legends game in the France-inspired Kalos:

I'll be waiting, Game Freak. Give me some French Revolution action. https://t.co/cIVWangOn9

— Ultima Reload (@UltimaShadowX) February 27, 2024