The latest downloadable content for Pokémon Pokopia, the Bubbly Basin DLC, has officially confirmed that the spin-off title exists within the same universe as Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
This revelation comes through in-game collectibles, such as newspapers and electronic devices, which provide lore about a time when humans and Pokémon co-existed. These items establish that Pokopia is set in a future where humanity has vanished, leaving Pokémon to navigate the world alone. A specific collectible in the Bubbly Basin DLC explicitly names Trace, the player's rival and best friend from Let's Go, Pikachu & Eevee, as the former champion of the Kanto region.
Further cementing the connection, another collectible mentions May, the female protagonist from the Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald series, as the champion of the Hoenn region. This detail about May's championship status in Hoenn has not been previously revealed in any Pokémon media.
The discovery was first shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user rasenburst, who posted screenshots of the in-game text detailing Trace's story as a champion and his companion Marowak. The text describes a picture book available about his adventures, including his encounter at Pokémon Tower and the journey that led him to become champion.
Speculation that Pokopia shared a universe with the Let's Go games has been present since Pokopia's launch, fueled by numerous similarities. For instance, Vermilion City in the Let's Go games shares many identical objects and textures, such as road surfaces and streetlights, with environments found in Pokopia. Concept art from the Let's Go games also bears a strong visual resemblance to Pokopia's aesthetic.
This confirmation could potentially fuel rumors about a sequel to the Let's Go series, possibly set in the Hoenn region. While a return to Johto might seem logical given that only Kanto has been visited so far, The Pokémon Company has not followed a predictable pattern in choosing regions for its games. Given the enduring popularity of the Let's Go titles, a new entry exploring Hoenn remains a distinct possibility.