With every mainline installment in thePokemonfranchise, Game Freak introduces a handful of Legendary Pokemon that serve as the face of that generation. In the case ofPokemon SwordandPokemon Shield,the Legendary Dog Duo were front and center for Generation 8.
But outside of looking cool and featuring different forms, Zacian and Zamazenta also represent a shift in storytelling when it comes to Legendary Pokemon in thePokemonfranchise. It’s a theme that should be carried on going forward fromPokemon SwordandPokemon Shield.
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A Move Away From Gods
Legendary Pokemon have always been creatures of myth, save for the few that were artificially created. These powerful beings have generally had larger, overarching roles in the world ofPokemon, more than just being trapped in a ball for a trainer to use in battle. Even dating back to Gen 1, Mew was seen as the ancestor of all current-day Pokemon, and this is reflected in its ability to use any move. As the series progressed, the Legendary Pokemon began to get more and more powerful and pivotal in the grand scheme of the universe.
Then players jump to Gen 4 and they are literally catching a god in a Poke Ball. In some ways ,there has to be a suspension of disbelief since even inSwordandShieldplayers will be able to catch older Legendary Pokemon, which would imply the existence of many of them as opposed to one single Arceus. But much like many anime out there, eventually players will have to hit a power cap and Game Freak will not be able to make some being higher than the previous ones. After all, once players have caught Arceus/Pokemon God, what could possibly be more Legendary than that?
To fix this, it seems that, at least forSwordandShield,Game Freak is focusing on a more micro-narrative for Legendary Pokemon. There is no creation myth, no pantheon of Pokemon involved. While the two Legendary Pokemon are tied to the history of Galar, they are not deities.Zacian and Zamazenta were heralded as heroes(before their story was lost in time) for helping defeat the Darkest Day of Galarian Legend, but then they disappeared. Eternatus is the closest thing in the Galar region to a god due to its powerful ties to Dynamaxing, but even then it is seen as more of an elemental force rather than a deity. The move away from a Pokemon pantheon makes the Pokemon more believable, as nobody believes that a 10-year-old captured a deity using False Swipe and 50 Poke Balls.
Not Like Other Legendary Pokemon
What really sets Zacian and Zamazenta apart from most of the other Legendary Pokemon out there is their stronger ties to the Galar region as a whole. While most Legendary Pokemon have a tie to the World of Pokemon, there are few that truly feel like they are a part of their region - especially when moving into later generations (save for perhapsSunandMoon). While there is a big debate as towhich Legendary Dog is betterinSwordandShield,it’s clear that Zacian and Zamazenta are of the Galar region and belong there.
Game Freak could transplant many other Legendary Pokemon into different regions, and it could be written off as believable. However, these two Legendary Dogs could not be put into any other region and still mesh well with the lore. This is obviously in part due to their lore and their connection to the Darkest Day, but it’s also helped along because they are not beings that are tied to higher powers or elements of the universe. Even Eternatus is exclusive to Galar since the Dynamax phenomenon seems to be exclusive to Galar.
Zacian and Zamazenta are also tied to the real-world equivalent of Galar as well, making them feel a lot more special. Zacian and Zamazenta draw heavily on Arthurian Legends for aesthetic and narrative inspiration. Zacian may be a reference to the iconic Excalibur, while Zamazenta may be referring to King Arthur’s shield Wynebgwrthucher. While his shield may be less well-known, it’s no secret that King Arthur wielded a sword and shield on his journeys through the Arthurian tales, which took place in Britain. Perhapsif Galarian Forms of Legendary Pokemon become a trend, then maybe Game Freak could create even more parallels between Pokemon and the region that the game is based in.
Changing Forms
As a small aside, one of the coolest thing a Legendary Pokemon can do that makes them feel more unique is form changing. Some Legendary Pokemon in the past have featured this, like Shaymin, Groudon and Kyogre (counting Primal), Deoxys, Kyurem, and more. These form changes can have drastic effects for the Pokemon. In the case of Deoxys, its different forms dictate which stat is prioritized. For Zacian and Zamazenta, they shift between their Hero of Many Battles forms and their Crowned Sword/Shield forms. These changes unlock new, unique moves and give them additional types. More Legendary Pokemon should feature unique secondary forms that can be activated under specific conditions, as it makes them feel that much more Legendary.
Zacian and Zamazenta are two of the most creative and unique Legendary Pokemon that Game Freak has put out in some time, and it’s thanks to their disconnect from the rest of the World of Pokemon and their focus on their home region of Galar. Going forward, Legendary Pokemon should be entirely focused on their home region to better tie them into the story there. Leaving behind the idea of a Pokemon Pantheon of deities is a great move for the series that truly helps make the Legendary Pokemon feel more important within the individual stories. Withseveral new Legendary Pokemoncoming out in the expansion pass, hopefully they will feature more grounded, unique stories that make them truly memorable for players.
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