Way back in 1996, upon starting their first Pokémon adventure, the first thing players witnessed was the friendly face of Professor Oak. He asks for the player's name, conveniently forgets who Gary is, hands over either Charmander, Squirtle, or Bulbasaur, and then asks for help in cataloging every Pocket Monster in existence. Everyone in the region respects Oak, so it's no surprise when he shows up again near the end of the game to congratulate the new Champion on the Indigo Plateau. Combined with a memorable role in the original seasons of the anime, Professor Oak is one of Pokémon's most memorable side characters.
The Pokémon Professor of the Kanto region left a big impression on the franchise, setting the stage for a whole slew of professors, each with their own distinct field of study. Every game needs someone to hand out starters, and it's often the friendly scientist who just happens to live next door to this generation's protagonist.
What exactly do these titans of Pokémon study do in their spare time? Also, just how many professors are there in the world of Pokémon? It's time to do as the song says and catch 'em all, with a rundown of every Pokémon professor in the franchise so far.
Professor Oak (Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow)
Starting off with the original game, Professor Samuel Oak studies the relationships between humans and Pokémon. Because of his notability as the first Pokémon Professor, players have seen several variations over the years. His cousin Samson Oak appears in Pokémon Sun and Moon's Alola region studying regional forms and Totem Pokémon. Players of the TCG will know Imposter Professor Oak, who is seemingly not a professor of any study other than making players shuffle their hand away. Finally, a man named Grand Oak appears as a researcher in Pokémon HOME, although his relation to Samuel Oak is not known.
Professor Elm (Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal)
Professor Elm is the Pokémon Professor of the Johto region's New Bark Town, setting players off with a Cyndiquil, Chikorita, or Totodile in the second generation of Pokémon games. He specializes in the study of Pokémon breeding, being the first man to discover the Pokémon egg. He also studies unusual Pokémon abilities and Pokémon evolution.
Professor Birch (Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald)
Professor Birch is the lead researcher of the Hoenn region, specializing in Pokémon habitats and distribution. Considering the importance of extreme weather in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire's story mode, it's a fitting field of study.
Professor Rowan (Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum)
Hailing from Sandgem Town in the Sinnoh region, Professor Rowan studies different Pokémon evolutionary lines.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl introduced many new evolution lines for classic Pokémon in addition to its stable of new creatures, and Rowan wants players to discover them all.
Professor Juniper (Pokémon Black and White)
The first female Pokémon Professor, Aurea Juniper studies the origins of Pokémon from her lab in Nuvema Town. This ties into Pokémon Black and White's greater storyline involving the trainer N and whether it's right for trainers to catch Pokémon at all.
Professor Sycamore (Pokémon X and Y)
Professor Augustine Sycamore has one of the more narrow fields of study, but it is still a very exciting one. Working out of the Kalos region, he works to uncover the secrets behind Mega Evolution.
One of the more popular mechanics introduced to the Pokémon series, these Super Saiyan-esque Pokémon crossed over into two generations of spinoffs and even appeared as Final Smash moves in Super Smash Bros.
Professor Kukui (Pokémon Sun and Moon)
The laid-back Professor Kukui studies Pokémon attacks, but he also keeps busy outside of the lab. He is the founder of his region's Pokémon League and entertains the residents of Alola inside the Battle Royal Dome as the Masked Royal.
Professor Magnolia (Pokémon Sword and Shield)
Making her home in the Galar region, Professor Magnolia studies the unique phenomenon of Dynamax. As such, she teaches the main character of Pokémon Sword and Shield all about how to interact with the gigantic Pokémon. She has also been studying for many years, having helped other key characters in the game start on their journeys.
Professor Sonia (Pokémon Sword and Shield)
By the end of Pokémon Sword and Shield, Professor Magnolia steps down from her post as the local Pokémon Professor and allows her granddaughter Sonia to take over the role. As such, Pokémon Sword and Shield mark the first games in the franchise to have the player befriend and accompany a Pokémon Professor before their rise to scientific status.
Professor Krane (Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness)
After the Shadow Pokémon incident depicted in Pokémon Coliseum, Professor Krane arrived in the Orre region to study Shadow Pokémon and help purify them. His research is key to rescuing Shadow Lugia and saving the region from its wrath.
Professor Burnet (Pokémon Dream Radar)
Professor Burnet shows up in the side game Pokémon Dream Radar, with players helping her study the relationship between Pokémon and other dimensions. Her machinery helps trainers pull Pokémon out of the Interdream Zone, including the three Legendary Forces of Nature.
She reappears in the mainline series in Pokémon Sun and Moon with a new tan studying the Ultra Wormhole and the Ultra Beasts. Players also discover that she's married to Alola's Professor Kukui.
Professor Willow (Pokémon Go)
Professor Willow is the man who introduces trainers to the augmented reality world of Pokémon GO. He researches Pokémon geography and wants trainers to help him track down creatures living in their own neighborhoods. Considering the popularity of the game, he must be thrilled.
Professor Bellis (Pokémon Masters EX)
The professor of the Pasio region, Professor Bellis studies connections between Pokémon and sync stones. These elemental stones let two monsters team up for an ultimate attack that's similar to the Z-Moves of Pokémon Sun and Moon.