Pokémon Legends: Arceus has shaken up the typical series formula in a number of ways, and that includes changing the age of its protagonist. As with most other Pokémon games, players can choose from two protagonist options, but in Legends: Arceus, the young hero is 15 years old. Traditionally, a Pokémon protagonist is younger, so what's the reason for this sudden change in Arceus?
Legends: Arceus includes character customization options, but these are still fairly limited to clothing choices and hairstyles. While its customization is more extensive than games like Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, players can't change things like the protagonist's age. Perhaps surprisingly, the hero of this story is 15 instead of 10. The protagonist is more mature than those found in previous Pokémon entries, and it's a marked (but well-welcomed) change that could hint at what Game Freak and The Pokémon Company have in store for the series moving forward.
Slowly, protagonists in Pokémon games have appeared to be getting older. Traditionally, a Trainer begins their journey at 10. However, Pokémon Sword and Shield's protagonists both looked older based on their character designs. This has caused some debate within the fandom on just how old Sword and Shield's protagonists are. In X and Y, the protagonists were hinted at being older as well, while in Sun and Moon, Hau says Trainers start their island challenge at 11.
Legends: Arceus' Protagonist Point At Bigger Series Changes
Even more than age, Pokémon Legends: Arceus' protagonist acts older and more mature than those seen in previous games. Pokémon has always been a series aimed at children, despite having countless adult fans, but Arceus' hero could show that the developers are trying to appeal to a (slightly) older demographic. While adults may not care too much about characters' ages, older teens might find a hero who's 10 to be too childish. Instead, creating a Pokémon Trainer that is 15 seems more relatable for players in that same age demographic.
This could also signal a future Pokémon game in which the main character is older - even an adult. Perhaps players can control an aging Champion struggling with their waning time in the limelight. Maybe a new hero could be someone in their early twenties who sets off on an adventure to rescue someone they love. An older main character opens up many possibilities to shake up Pokémon's storytelling even further. Pokémon Legends: Arceus shows that Game Freak and The Pokémon Company are willing to take risks, and an older protagonist with a more mature story would definitely be a way to set the next game apart.