The most recent reports about the "Pokémon" franchise are all about the upcoming augmented-reality title, "Pokémon Go." However, even before the game was announced, fans of the series were already waiting anxiously for another much-rumored franchise offering – the "Pokémon Z" sequel.

Now, latest speculations indicate that the next role-playing installment for the 3DS after the simultaneous launch of "Pokémon X" and "Pokémon Y" will be released sooner than fans think.

According to Master Herald, fans may expect "Pokémon Z" to hit store shelves by next year as it has already been close to three years since the preceding iterations were released ("X and Y" were released in 2013). Meanwhile, supporting the upcoming release rumors were speculations about the title itself.

Apparently, "Pokémon Z" will not only star one but three Legendary Pokémon. In the report, it was mentioned that aside from Zygarde, the upcoming role-playing title will also highlight Xerneas and Yveltal, the Legendary Pokémon from previous "Pokémon X" and "Pokémon Y" games.

Meanwhile, another indication that the game title is nearing its release window is that a report by VCPost indicated Game Freak and Nintendo to be readying an announcement about "Pokémon Z." The games studio is the company behind previous "Pokémon" iterations, which were all published by Nintendo. It seems that Junichi Masuda, "Pokémon" games director, is set to appear on the Japanese television show "Pokémon Get TV" next month.

Another indication that developments about the "Pokémon" franchise are soon to come out is a confirmed report from Polygon. According to the industry follower, fans of the franchise in North America will finally be able to get their hands on the elusive Pokémon Hoopa in an event that will run from Nov. 27 to Dec. 23. Hoopa is the newest Legendary Pokémon that will be featured in the current "Pokémon X" and "Pokémon Y" games.