A Masterclass In Pokémon Mega Evolution Design

A brand-new Mega Evolution announced for Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s upcoming Mega Dimension DLC has recently been revealed, and it’s already a masterclass in how Mega Evolutions should look, finally giving the featured Pokémon the treatment it deserves. The first DLC – and the only one announced so far – will expand the story set in Lumiose City. The release of the Pokémon Mega Dimension DLC will also introduce new Mega Evolutions to the roster.

Much like how the base game was treated, the DLC is subtly getting more details about it revealed, leading up to its arrival. For example, ahead of the release, Nintendo revealed the new Mega Zeraora for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, a Mega Evolution that didn’t previously exist for that Mythical Pokémon. Now, the company has revealed a new Mega Evolution that looks incredible.

New Mega Lucario Z’s Design Leans Into The Pokémon’s Original Inspirations

The New Mega Evolution Makes Lucario Look More Like Anubis

Mega Lucario Z poses in front of a staircase in Pokemon Legends Z-A.

The recently announced Mega Lucario Z in Pokémon Legends: Z-A will make its debut with the release of the Mega Dimension DLC. The new Mega Evolution design differs from the classic Mega Lucario, though it retains its dual Fighting- and Steel-type. Mega Lucario Z has a brighter color palette, with its black parts transitioning into a dark gray. Meanwhile, the iconic navy blue is replaced by teal, and a lot of its elements are white and silver.

Lucario’s design is loosely based on the Egyptian god of death, Anubis, with its humanoid body type and canine head. This is extended to Mega Lucario, too. However, Mega Lucario Z revisits these inspirations and takes them a step further. The new Mega Evolution, which had been mentioned in Legends: Z-A DLC leaks, leans into Anubis as its basis.

This becomes most evident when analyzing Mega Lucario Z’s eyes, which seem to be painted with a black eyeliner. The way this is put into the Pokémon’s design pushes it closer toward its inspiration; thick eyeliners were a part of ancient Egyptian culture, as evidenced by historical paintings, and even Anubis is often portrayed with eyeliners.

Mega Lucario Z Is A Masterclass In Mega Evolution Design

The New Mega Evolution Sparks Hope For Mega Dimension DLC

Mega Lucario Z gets ready to battle in an arena in Pokemon Legends Z-A.

The new Mega Lucario Z is a great example of how good a Mega Evolution design can be. It retains the key elements that make the base Pokémon recognizable, while also expanding on the very roots that prompted its original design. It offers a pleasant redesign for a Pokémon that is considered a fan-favorite and already has a well-designed Mega Evolution.

Mega Lucario Z sticks out, especially with some poor Mega Evolution designs introduced with the Gen 9 game, such as Mega Greninja in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Furthermore, Mega Lucario Z is a brand-new type of Mega Evolution, as Z forms weren’t previously available in the franchise – when a creature had multiple forms, like Charizard and Mewtwo, they would be split between X and Y forms.

This also confirms my previous theory about Mega Evolution Z forms in the game. It’s unclear what the overall roster of new Mega Evolutions will look like with the arrival of the Mega Dimension DLC. However, after seeing both Mega Zeraora and Mega Lucario in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, my hopes are up.