Every generation of Pokemon introduces a new professor who plays a different role in the player's journey
Each generation of Pokemon introduces a new professor to educate our heroes on their journey – and sometimes our villains. Each professor specializes in a different field of study related to Pokemon, and each has their own quirks and memorable moments. From the iconic Professor Oak to the more recent Sonia from Pokemon Legends: Arceus, here is our ranking of all the professors in the Pokemon series.
Some generations have multiple professors through side games and assistant roles, while others are the first to introduce a new professor. While they each have different specialties, they usually have the same goal: to help the player on their journey. We’ve tried to consider each professor’s role in the story, as well as their quirks and personality.
Here are the rankings for all the professors in the Pokemon series:
This list only includes full-fledged professors, assistants, and researchers. Some generations have multiple professors through side games and assistant roles, but we are only considering the main professors here.
Professor Oak
The iconic Professor Oak of the Kanto region is the first and most familiar professor to fans. Generation III introduced two more professors, Professor Birch and Professor Rowan, but Professor Oak remains the most significant character in the series. However, some players feel that his presence has become oversaturated.
Professor Elm
Professor Elm of the Johto region is considered the worst or least fleshed-out by fans. He is only in two games and serves as the player’s guide through the early parts of their journey, but he isn’t a very memorable character.
Professors Magnolia and Sonia
The Galar region is unique in that it introduced two more professors after Professor Juniper. Professor Sonia, initially an assistant to Professor Magnolia, succeeds her as the professor of the Galar region. She specializes in its legends and mythical Pokemon, while Professor Magnolia focuses on Pokemon breeding. Some players feel that Professor Magnolia is the less interesting professor due to her focus on Pokemon breeding, which some feel is a gimmicky field of study.
Professor Birch
Professor Birch is the most outdoorsy professor and is known for being unable to fend off a small Poochyena. He is also a main character in the side games Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Darkness, where he is a kind and supportive professor.
Professor Oak (Hoenn)
The Hoenn region is known for its dramatic change in art style and is home to Professor Birch’s counterpart, Professor Oak. He is less of a professor and more of a mentor, teaching the player the basics of Pokemon training and battling. Professor Oak is also a main character in Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon, joining the player’s team to save the world from a team of evil Pokemon.
Professor Laventon
A professor introduced in Pokemon Legends, Professor Laventon studies Pokemon modes of life in the Hisui region. She is a rather eccentric professor and is interested in the myths and legends of the region.
Professor Sycamore
Professor Sycamore is the professor the player meets first in their journey in Kalos, and he is known for his attractive appearance and expertise in Mega Evolution. Professor Juniper was his mentor, and he studies the origins of Pokemon. He is a very approachable professor and is the model professor to aspire to.
Professor Magnolia
Sonia’s predecessor, Professor Magnolia is known for her expertise in Pokemon breeding, despite being a less popular field of study. Alongside her assistant Sonia, she owns the Pokemon Day Care in Galar.
Professor Juniper
Professor Juniper is the first female professor and studies the origins of Pokemon. She is the mentor of Professor Sycamore and specializes in studying Pokemon evolution and the interaction between humans and Pokemon.
Professor Hilbert
Professor Juniper is the main professor in Black and White, but her role is taken over by Professor Hilbert in Black 2 and White 2. Hilbert is the male counterpart to Professor Juniper and specializes in Pokemon battles, which is fitting for a region that introduced Triple Battles.
