Olivia Richman 
It looks like the three starters for Pokemon Legends: Z-A may have leaked and it’s a familiar trio.
The massive Game Freaks leak completely shook up the Pokemon fandom the past few months, revealing new games in the works, Pokemon designs that never came to life, questionable scrapped lore, and a bit more about the ever-mysterious Pokemon Legends: Z-A. The leaks keep coming, too.
A leaked piece of art may show the starters for Z-A, and possibly some details about them. Here’s what is known about the three starters that may headline Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
Pokemon X and Y starters reportedly set to return for Legends: Z-A
Kalos starters Froakie, Fennekin, and Chespin are seemingly set to return as the starters of Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
In late October, a leaker shared art for the 2025 Pokemon World Championship. It depicted the three X and Y starters alongside a Pikachu, Machamp, and others. This was largely met with speculation and questions, with some wondering if the trio would return as the starters.
Weeks later, the leaker who goes by Riddler Khu on X has shared the same image, this time with a caption that states “say hi to ikkaku.” Ikkaku is Riddler Khu’s codename for Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Khu often drops hints regarding upcoming Pokemon games, including teasing details regarding Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s DLC.
This has many believing that the XY starters will return as the starters for Pokemon Legends: Z-A. The game is set in a futuristic version of XY’s Kalos. Alongside the tease from Riddler Khu regarding the Kalos starters, trainers are wondering what they were referring to when it came to the starters having “something different.”
Pokemon Legends: Arceus may offer some hints.
The likely meaning is that these three starters will get mega evolutions. Mega evolution was confirmed to return in the reveal trailer for Pokemon Legends: Z-A. The mechanic was dropped in Pokemon Sword and Shield, which frustrated some fans.
Another possibility is that Greninja, Chesnaught, and Delphox could get regional variants. Fans may recall Pokemon Legends: Arceus having Hisuian versions of fully evolved starters Decidueye, Samurott, and Typhlosion.
Regardless, much is still unknown regarding Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Fans are still awaiting details, though they may have to wait until Pokemon Day in February 2025.
