Professor Oak

Lore & Background

Professor Oak is designed as an old man with short hair and wearing formal laboratory attire such as a lab coat. Although depicted as being both smart and friendly, he is also typically depicted as being rather forgetful, most notably forgetting the name of his grandson. His English name is derived from the deciduous oak tree, with Game Freak stating that the name was chosen due to it being 'dependable due to its longevity' as well as sounding similar to his Japanese name, Ohkido, which also may originate from orchid. Oak's name would set a trend where future Pokémon professors in the series would be named after other tree species or flora such as rowan and sycamore. According to Game Freak developer Akihito Tomisawa, when needing a full name for the character on the Pokédex, he arbitrarily decided to name him after Japanese anthropologist Yukinari Kohara, which was later officially adopted as the character's name. In-universe he has a grandson known as Blue, also known as Gary in the anime, who is the rival of the protagonist in Red and Blue. He also has a granddaughter known as Daisy. Oak was formerly a competitive Pokémon trainer when he was young, later residing and working in a laboratory in Pallet Town in the Kanto region and becoming an expert in Pokémon. Earlier in his life he also had a close relationship with the Elite Four member Agatha, however, she revealed it fell apart when he left competitive battling and described him now as a 'shadow of his former self.' In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Samson Oak is introduced as the cousin of Samuel who resides in the Alola region. Pokémon Home introduces a variant of Professor Oak called 'Grand Oak.'

In Their Own Story

Professor Oak first appears in Pokémon Red and Blue as the grandfather of the protagonist's rival, as well as the person responsible for giving out a trainer's first Pokémon. In the beginning, Oak teaches the player about the world of Pokémon, as well as giving the player a choice between the Grass-type Pokémon Bulbasaur, Water-type Pokémon Squirtle, and Fire-type Pokémon Charmander, with Grass beating Water, Water beating Fire, and Fire beating Grass. Whichever one is chosen, the rival will choose the advantageous Pokémon, while the third remains with Oak. He also gives them a device he created called a Pokédex, which allows them to catalog Pokémon they either see or catch, with the goal that they would catalog all Pokémon in the region. After their rival becomes champion of the Pokémon League and is defeated by the player, Oak will rush over to the Indigo League after hearing that Blue defeated the Elite Four and will induct the player into the Pokémon Hall of Fame. An unused battle with Professor Oak can be found in the games' code featuring a team of five Pokémon, including the fully evolved starter that stayed behind with Oak. In Pokémon Yellow, Professor Oak gives the player a Pikachu instead of one of the three original Starter Pokémon. In Pokémon Gold and Silver, Oak once again teaches about the world of Pokémon, as well as gives the player a Pokédex, and is met later by the player during a meeting with a man named Mr. Pokémon. Later, the player receives a radio, which they can use to listen to a show Oak does with DJ Mary. Oak reappears in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl and Pokémon Platinum, where it is revealed he is actually a junior colleague in seniority to the Sinnoh region's Professor Rowan. In these games, Oak gives the player the National Pokédex as well as access to the Pal Park. Additionally, he is responsible for the Oak's Letter event, whereby giving him the letter with the Mythical Pokémon Shaymin. Professor Oak has also appeared in multiple spin-off titles, such as in Pokémon Stadium and its sequel where he operates Pokémon transferring via the Transfer Pak. He is able to be battled in Pokémon Masters EX, in which he is partnered with both a Mew and a Nidorino. In Pokémon Snap, Oak is responsible for hiring the protagonist, photographer Todd Snap, to take pictures of Pokémon on Pokémon Island; he is then responsible with observing and rating the pictures taken.

Reader's Guide

Professor Oak serves as the initial guide for new trainers in the Kanto region. His primary role is to teach the player about how the world of Pokémon works and to give the player-character their first Pokémon. He also provides the Pokédex, a device he created that allows trainers to catalog Pokémon they either see or catch, with the ultimate goal of completing the Pokédex by capturing, evolving, and trading to obtain creatures from all Pokémon species. Oak was formerly a competitive Pokémon trainer when he was young, and his past experience gives him insight into both battling and research. He teaches that the journey is about cataloging all Pokémon in the region and becoming a Pokémon League Champion. His laboratory in Pallet Town serves as the starting point for every new trainer's adventure.

Did You Know?

• Professor Oak's Japanese name, Yukinari Ohkido, was arbitrarily chosen by Game Freak developer Akihito Tomisawa after Japanese anthropologist Yukinari Kohara.
• An unused battle with Professor Oak exists in the code of Pokémon Red and Blue, featuring a team of five Pokémon including the fully evolved starter that stayed behind with Oak.
• In the Japanese version of Pokémon the Series, Oak was originally voiced by Unshō Ishizuka from the first season until his death in 2018, after which Kenyuu Horiuchi took over.
• Professor Oak's English name is derived from the oak tree, chosen because it is 'dependable due to its longevity' and sounds similar to his Japanese name Ohkido.
• In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Professor Oak's cousin Samson Oak appears, who has tanned skin, longer hair, and wears a Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and flip-flops.