10 Best Pokmon Professors in the Anime

In the world of Pokémon, there are few people who know more about the mysterious creatures than those referred to as Pokémon Professors. Professors are located all across the Pokémon world, and are largely responsible for handing out first partner Pokémon to new trainers, as well as providing them with a Pokédex with which they can identify wild Pokémon they may encounter.

In the anime, Pokémon Professors often play a fairly large role in each season. Different professors have different areas of expertise, meaning that as Ash traveled, he would typically meet the local professor and learn about his or her specialty. Professors also helped Ash out in many other ways, such as by housing the Pokémon that he’s captured, or pointing him in the direction of interesting reports. Some professors are even accomplished trainers as well as researchers, making them powerful allies for Ash.

10 Professor Elm Studies Pokémon Eggs

First Appearance: Pokémon Gold & Silver, “Don’t Touch That ‘dile”

Professor Elm is the absent-minded professor of the Johto region, and a former student of the illustrious Professor Oak. While many Pokémon Professors don’t catch Pokémon themselves, Elm is known to have caught a Corsola during the course of his research in the Whirl Islands, and even used this Corsola to fight back against Team Rocket when they attempted to steal Pokémon in the area.

Elm also sent Ash on a special assignment to collect and hatch a mysterious egg, which eventually turned out to be a Larvitar, one of Ash’s rarest Pokémon. While Larvitar didn’t travel with Ash for very long, they grew close quickly, and Elm helped save Larvitar’s life when it became very ill. Ash would eventually reunite Larvitar with its Tyranitar mother on his way to the Silver Conference, while the whole experience provided Elm with some very valuable data.

9 Professor Juniper Researches The Origins of Pokémon

First Appearance: Pokémon Black and White, “In the Shadow of Zekrom!”

Professor Juniper is the devoted professor of the Unova region, and provided Ash with his Oshawott, after the starter Pokémon left on its own accord to follow Ash. While Ash was in the Unova region, Professor Juniper helped to manage some of his Pokémon when he had more than six, allowing him to keep the extra Pokémon at her lab. Like Elm, she had at least one Pokémon which she battled with, an Accelgor, which evolved from a Shelmet that Bianca traded to her.

Professor Juniper’s research on Pokémon origins often led her to unusual areas to do experiments, which allowed Ash and co. to meet up with her on occasion. She was also known to work with her father, Cedric Juniper, a distinguished professor in his own right who specialized in ancient ruins.

8 Professor Birch Helped Save Pikachu

First Appearance: Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, “Get The Show On The Road”

Professor Birch is the jovial professor located in the Hoenn region, and was responsible for giving May her first Pokémon, a Torchic. He picked up Ash when he first arrived in the region, and helped to diagnose Pikachu with a form of electrical overcharge, which was potentially dangerous. Professor Birch was able to help Pikachu recover from this, even after Pikachu ran away from the facility and had to be found.

Professor Birch’s specialty is field research on Pokémon behaviors and habitats, so he spends a lot more of his time outside the lab than many other Pokémon Professors. That meant Ash ran into him while traveling fairly regularly, and they often helped Professor Birch with his field work on these occasions, particularly when Team Rocket got in the way. Professor Birch also updated Ash’s Pokédex, as well as May’s, as a parting gift when Ash returned home to Kanto.

7 Professor Rowan Specialized in Evolution

First Appearance: Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, “Following A Maiden’s Voyage!”

Professor Rowan is the stern professor found in the Sinnoh region, and was responsible for providing Dawn with her Piplup, starting her on a Pokémon journey of her own. Rowan also helped Ash to be reunited with Pikachu when the two became separated, and Dawn found Pikachu. Professor Rowan is an eager collaborator when it comes to research, having worked with Gary on various field studies, including one regarding a population of the virtually extinct Shieldon.

When Team Galactic began to become a problem throughout the region, Rowan attempted to work with Ash and others to thwart their plans, although they were unable to prevent Team Galactic from gathering the three Legendary Pokémon, Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf. Rowan was eventually able to recover the Adamant Orb and Lustrous Orb after the incident, keeping them safe from others who would cause trouble while also taking the opportunity to study the rare artifacts.

6 Professor Ivy Studies Regional Variations

First Appearance: Pokémon the Original Series, “Poké Ball Panic”

Professor Ivy is the messy researcher located on Valencia Island, of the Orange Islands, an area which Ash visited after his loss in the Indigo League. She specializes in regional variations that Pokémon can experience when growing in different environments, something particularly unique to the Orange Islands. Professor Ivy provided Ash with the GS Ball, entrusting him with the valuable and mysterious object until he could deliver it to Professor Oak.

Professor Ivy was also important in that Brock ended up temporarily leaving Ash’s group in order to stay with her and her lab assistants, helping to keep their lab clean. While it’s never revealed exactly what happened, Professor Ivy seemingly broke Brock’s heart, and he now refuses to discuss the situation. She also had a brief role in the second Pokémon movie, offering her expertise when the Legendary Bird Pokémon became active once more.

5 Professor Cerise Sent Ash Around the World

First Appearance: Pokémon Journeys, “Legend? Go! Friends? Go!”

Professor Cerise is a family man who works out of his laboratory in Vermilion City of the Kanto region. Professor Cerise’s lab is noteworthy for its massive domed enclosure, known as Cerise Park, which is where Ash and Goh keep the Pokémon they catch throughout Pokémon Journeys. This enclosure offers Professor Cerise an opportunity to study Pokémon up close in a controlled environment, and even Goh’s Suicune was known to spend time there occasionally.

Professor Cerise hired Ash and Goh as research fellows, and sent them on many missions studying Pokémon around the world, explaining the globe-trotting nature of Journeys. He is also the father of Chloe, a young girl who tags along with Ash and Goh from time to time, and who slowly warms up to Pokémon over the course of the series. As a result, there are few professors that Ash has a closer relationship with than Professor Cerise.

4 Professor Sycamore Stood Against Team Flare

First Appearance: Pokémon XY, “Lumiose City Pursuit!”

Professor Sycamore is the easygoing professor of the Kalos region, and he primarily studies the phenomenon of Mega Evolution. Professor Sycamore provided Ash with his Froakie, Serena with her Fennekin, and Clemont with his Chespin, as well as Mairin with her Chespin, Chespie. Professor Sycamore is known to own a Garchomp which is capable of Mega Evolution, a powerful Pokémon which he commands with relative ease, showing his skill as a trainer is a match for his skill as a professor.

When Team Flare and Lysandre began to threaten the Kalos region, Professor Sycamore stepped up alongside Ash and the various gym leaders of Kalos to help fend them off. The professor’s courage is certainly one of his most admirable qualities, and he was a valuable resource for the entire time that Ash was in Kalos.

3 Professor Oak is the Original Pokémon Professor

First Appearance: Pokémon the Original Series, “Pokémon – I Choose You!”

Professor Oak is a man who hardly needs an introduction; as one of the most respected Pokémon researchers in the world, he has lots of connections with other professors and knowledgeable figures. Professor Oak originally gave Ash his Pikachu way back in the series’ first episode, creating the iconic duo that fans know and love today. Professor Oak is also notably the grandfather of Gary Oak, Ash’s top rival, who would go on to become a researcher in his own right.

Aside from Pikachu, Professor Oak has always been supportive of Ash’s dream to become a Pokémon Master, and to that end houses the majority of Ash’s Pokémon that he has caught over the years, as well as the Pokémon belonging to Gary. Professor Oak is known to own a Dragonite, which he commanded in battle with confidence, as well as a Rotom which he captured as part of his research.

2 Professor Kukui is Like Family to Ash

First Appearance: Pokémon Sun & Moon, “Alola to New Adventure!”

Professor Kukui is the gregarious professor of the Alola region, and a specialist in Pokémon moves. When Ash first arrived in the Alola region, Professor Kukui was quick to allow Ash to stay with him at his home while Ash attended the local Pokémon school and took on the island challenge. Kukui also encouraged Ash to catch his Rockruff, getting him a start on his collection of unique Pokémon from the Alola region.

Kukui is more than just a professor, though; he’s also an expert battler, so much so that he acted as the final challenge at the Pokémon League’s Manalo Conference in place of a champion. Kukui also has a career as a wrestler-type figure, the Masked Royal, who participates in Battle Royal which occurs with some regularity. Kukui’s skill was so great that he was trusted by the Legendary Tapu Koko to lead it in battle, as Ash’s ultimate test in Sun & Moon.

1 Professor Friede Bravely Explores The Unknown

First Appearance: Pokémon Horizons, “The Pendant That Started It All”

Professor Friede is the leader of the Rising Volt Tacklers, a group dedicated to exploring the mysteries of the Pokémon world. Friede leads the group aboard their airship, traveling across the world from region to region in search of answers. Friede is also known to take on job requests from certain people, such as his mission to escort Liko home to Paldea from her school in the Kanto region. Friede is well known for his Charizard, which he is able to Terastalize, as well as his close friend, Captain Pikachu.

Originally a lab researcher, he became bored with lab work and quit to pursue his exploration of the world aboard the airship Brave Olivine. Friede has come to Liko and Roy’s rescue on numerous occasions at this point, and takes his responsibility towards them very seriously. He encouraged Roy to catch Fuecoco, and Dot to catch Quaxly, both of whom had been traveling with the airship as wild Pokémon. When it comes to Pokémon Professors one can count on in a pinch, there’s no more reliable figure than Friede.

Pokemon

Created by

Satoshi Taijiri , Ken Sugimori , Junichi Masuda

First Film

Pokemon: The First Movie

Latest Film

Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle

First Episode Air Date

April 1, 1997

Summary

Spanning over twenty-five years, Pokemon, known as Pocket Monsters in Japan, is the multimedia franchise created jointly by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures. Conceptualized by Satoshi Tajiri in association with Ken Sugimori and Junichi Masuda, Pokemon is set in fictional worlds where people live together with tamable creatures known as Pokemon. Humans who catch, raise, and battle the creatures are known as Pokemon Trainers. They head out on extensive journeys across their continents to raise their Pokemon with the ultimate goal of competing in tournaments to become the champion. Pokemon spans several massive properties, from a long-running animated series to a successful trading card game, to the medium that started it all, video games. In addition, Pokemon began the “two-game” trend where two versions of a game would release and include different Pokemon/features between the versions, encouraging players to meet up with others and trade so they could “catch ’em all.”

Expand