One Pokemon Legends: Z-A Character May Be a Red Herring

In July 2025’s Pokemon Presents, The Pokemon Company released several announcements for multiple Pokemon games, including Pokemon Friends, Pokemon Champions, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and the next mainline Pokemon game, Pokemon Legends: Z-A. In footage for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Game Freak has detailed numerous mechanics in the upcoming title such as being able to battle wild Mega Evolved Pokemon, battle tough Alpha Pokemon, and customize trainers. On top of these mechanics, Game Freak additionally showcased many new characters players will encounter in Z-A, but one in particular may be a red herring for Z-A’s main antagonist: Corbeau.

Pokemon Legends Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 Bundle Flagship Title Game Freak

Pokemon Legends: Z-A's Switch 2 Bundle Might Say More Than It Lets On

Pokemon Legends: Z-A's Switch 2 bundle might look routine, but it hints at Nintendo’s plans and how much faith it has in this game to achieve success.

Posts

By Josh Cotts

Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Corbeau Explained

Pokemon Legends: Z-A will have players take part in nightly Pokemon battles throughout Lumiose City as a part of the Z-A Royale. Starting at the rank of Z, trainers will have to continue battling up to the rank of A in the Z-A Royale in order to gain the chance to be granted one wish. During this competition, players will have to face off against important NPCs such as the Hotel Z employees Urbain and Taunie, as well as the newly introduced Corbeau. This intimidatingly dressed person is the head of the mysterious and menacing Rust Syndicate, which appear to be utilizing many Steel and Poison-type Pokemon based on their headquarters, decorated with Steelixes, Kingambits, Overqwils, and dripping poison designs.

Corbeau himself likely specializes in using Poison-type Pokemon in the Z-A Royale, having been shown using an Arbok in battle. He’s additionally shown donning a Mega Evolution Key Stone on his Rust Syndicate badge, possibly suggesting that he could command a Mega Steelix or a new Steel/Poison-type Mega Evolution. Despite Corbeau and the Rust Syndicate’s intimidating appearance, both he and his group are said to be in business with members of Team MZ, a small crew that aims to keep Lumiose a peaceful place by helping the city in any way they can, such as battling a variety of Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokemon. The exact relationship between Corbeau and Team MZ is currently unknown.

The Potential Secrecy Surrounding Z-A’s Main Antagonist

Based on Corbeau and his Rust Syndicate’s appearance and descriptions, the Steel and Poison-focused organization appears to be Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s main antagonistic group, akin to Team Rocket and Team Flare. Corbeau is even depicted similarly to mob bosses, having been shown inviting people to his HQ, operating primarily from an intimidating desk, and having a massive henchman relay news to him and be present at all meetings to browbeat guests into following Corbeau’s orders. However, this could all be window dressing or distractions to keep players from discovering who Z-A’s true antagonist may be. Pokemon hasn’t always been subtle with its antagonists before; Lysandre, for example, was clearly a villain from the get-go. On the other hand, Game Freak has pulled twists with its antagonists before, such as Lusamine and Chairman Rose.

Corbeau could be a red herring similar to how Team Skull’s boss Guzma was used to initially distract players from the secret dastardly operations of the Aether Foundation in Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon. The Rust Syndicate may not be an entirely admirable group, but they could simply be misjudged by their outward appearance. Corbeau is shown asking Team MZ for help completing some jobs and is shown to take financial matters very seriously, so he could still be trying to help Lumiose, just in a more financially-motivated way than characters like AZ or Professor Sycamore would.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Possible Main Antagonist

Of the many characters shown off in Pokemon Legends: Z-A so far, one in particular could be a clandestine villain hiding behind seemingly positive actions and appearances: the CEO of Quasartico Inc., Jett. Quasartico Inc. Is said to be in charge of Lumiose’s urban redevelopment project, with Jett hoping to deepen the bonds between Pokemon and people. However, this could be a ploy for a more nefarious goal. Since the redevelopment began, clusters of Mega Crystals and Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokemon have suddenly begun popping up, causing chaos in the city. It could be revealed that Jett is a former Team Flare member using the redevelopment as a cover-up to build an army of Mega-Evolved Pokemon to wipe out most of the population and achieve Lysandre’s dream of making the world “beautiful.”

Rating block community and brand ratings Image