"Somehow Ingo Returned" Pokemon Legends: Z-A Drops Massive…

With Pokemon Legends: Z-A following the formula of 2022's Pokemon Legends: Arceus, fans were hoping for a reference or two to the previous title somewhere in Lumiose City. They got it, in the form of an entire museum dedicated to the Hisui region. But Pokemon Legends: Z-A's museum is more than just a fun little Easter egg. Thoroughly exploring the museum allows players to learn some surprising information about the fates of two fan-favorite Legends: Arceus character.

Ingo Returned Home Via Mysterious Methods

Pokemon Legends: Arceus featured the surprising appearance of Ingo, one of the Subway Bosses from Pokemon Black and White. Ingo was transported to the past, although he himself was not sure how or why, and ended up becoming a Pearl Clan warden paired with Sneasler. The former Subway Boss had lost most of his memories, including his memory of his brother Emmett. At the end of the game, he remained in Hisui with, seemingly, no way home.

Legends: Z-A's museum features a display referencing Ingo, describing him as someone who taught others much about Pokemon. The description goes on to say that he simply vanished one day, stating that it was time for him to return. It does not provide any further details about how Ingo managed to leave Hisui, or how he knew that it was time to go. Another NPC elsewhere in the city mentions wanting to battle Ingo and Emmett, seemingly confirming his return.

"There are records of a man named Ingo providing guidance in the ways of Pokemon. But it is said that he simply vanished one day after stating 'It is time for me to return.'"

Fans have begun to theorize about how Ingo returned home, with some suggesting that Arceus itself may have been responsible, or that the Legends: Arceus player character may have helped him. The abrupt nature of his departure and how it is described has also led to comparisons with the "Somehow, Palpatine returned" meme from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Volo May Still Be Around In The Modern Day

Another item on display in Legends: Z-A's museum is the iconic outfit worn by Volo when players battled against him in Legends: Arceus. Volo was another mysterious character, as he presented himself as an ordinary merchant before ultimately revealing his desire to overthrow Arceus and his partnership with Giratina. He survived his battle with the player, but did not appear after that, leaving his final fate unknown.

Volo summons Giratina to fight the player - Pokemon Legends Arceus

Speaking to an NPC in the museum who is observing Volo's outfit leads to the NPC saying, "I was told that the person who wore this outfit donated it to the collection personally." The NPC also notes that this individual viewed the museum's exhibits with a "nostalgic air." This seemingly confirms that Volo survived until the modern day, and may in fact still be alive during the events of Legends: Z-A - although, sadly, he does not appear in person.

The question of how Volo is still around hundreds of years after Pokemon Legends: Arceus is one that does not seem to have a definitive or satisfactory answer. Did Giratina somehow grant him immortality? Did he accidentally become immortal when working with Giratina to open the space-time rifts that sent the player character into the past? Did the player character gift — or curse —him with immortality after partnering with Arceus?

Perhaps the more important question, however, is whether Volo could show up in future Pokemon games if, indeed, he is still around in some form. An appearance from Volo in person could serve as a fun Easter egg in the presumably upcoming Pokemon Generation 10 games, or the next Legends spinoff. Volo could even meet up with his possible descendant Cynthia, which would surely be quite the interesting encounter.

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