Professor Birch
Professor Birch オダマキ博士 Dr. Odamaki | |
Art from Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald | |
Gender | Male |
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Hometown | Littleroot Town |
Region | Hoenn |
Relatives | Brendan/May (as rival), unnamed wife, unnamed son (Emerald only) |
Trainer class | Pokémon Professor |
Generation | III |
Games | Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald |
Anime debut | Johto Photo Finish |
English voice actor | Dan Green |
Japanese voice actor | Fumihiko Tachiki |
Professor Birch (Japanese: オダマキ博士 Dr. Odamaki) is the resident Pokémon Professor of Littleroot Town and the Hoenn region. He specializes in Pokémon habitats and distribution.
Background information
Birch distributes Pokédexes and one of the three starter Pokémon of Hoenn: Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, to aspiring Hoenn Trainers in the Generation III games. In addition, after Trainers complete the Hoenn Pokédex in Pokémon Emerald, he will give them one of the three starter Pokémon of Johto: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile.
He is known to be more outgoing than the other Pokémon Professors, and oftentimes his research takes him outdoors. His field of study is primarily how Pokémon behave in the wild.
In the games
This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: quotes; mainly Pokédex evaluation |
In the Generation III games, Professor Birch is the father of the rival character.
In the start of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, he must be rescued from a wild Poochyena. In the start of Pokémon Emerald, he must be rescued from a wild Zigzagoon. After saving him, he will give the protagonist of the games the starter Pokémon they used in the rescue.
He often works with his child to help observe and capture wild Pokémon. His wife worries about him, because he's always busy and rarely has time to come home.
Pokémon
This listing is of Professor Birch's Pokémon in the video games in which he has appeared.
- Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald
These Pokémon are given to a Trainer at the beginning of their journey:
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- Emerald
These Pokémon are given to a Trainer who has completed the Hoenn Pokédex:
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Quotes
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
Intro
- "Hi! Sorry to keep you waiting! Welcome to the world of Pokémon! My name is Birch. But everyone calls me the Pokémon Professor. This is what we call a "Pokémon." This world is widely inhabited by creatures known as Pokémon. We humans live alongside Pokémon, at times as friendly playmates, and at times as cooperative workmates. And sometimes, we band together and battle others like us. But despite our closeness, we don't know everything about Pokémon. In fact, there are many, many secrets surrounding Pokémon. To unravel Pokémon mysteries, I've been undertaking research. That's what I do. And you are? Are you a boy? Or are you a girl?"
- Either choice
- "All right. What's your name?"
- "So it's <name>?"
- If Yes*
- "Ah, okay! You're <player> who's moving to my hometown of Littleroot. I get it now! All right, are you ready? Your very own adventure is about to unfold. Take courage, and leap into the world of Pokémon where dreams, adventure and friendships await! Well, I'll be expecting you later. Come see me in my Pokémon Lab.
Route 101
- "H-help me!"
- "Hello! You over there! Please! Help! In my Bag! There's a Poké Ball!"
- If player tries to leave
- "Wh-Where are you going?! Don't leave me like this!"
- After battle
- "Whew... I was in the tall grass studying wild Pokémon when I was jumped. You saved me. Thanks a lot! Oh? Hi, you're <player>! This is not the place to chat, so come by my Pokémon Lab later, okay?"
Pokémon Lab
- First time
- "So, <player>. I've heard so much about you from your father. I've heard that you don't have your own Pokémon yet. But the way you battled earlier, you pulled it off with aplomb! I guess you have your father's blood in your veins after all! Oh, yes. As thanks for rescuing me, I'd like you to have the Pokémon you used earlier."
- "While you're at it, why not give a nickname to that <starter>"
- "If you work at Pokémon and gain experience, I think you'll make a darn good Trainer. My kid, Brendan/May* is out on Route 103 studying Pokémon. It might not be a bad idea for you to go see Brendan/May. What do you think?
- If answered no*
- "Oh, don't be that way. You should go meet my kid."
- If answered yes
- "Great! Brendan/May should be happy, too. Get Brendan/May to teach you what it means to be a Trainer."
- If talked to again
- "Brendan/May should be on Route 103 somewhere. If you or your Pokémon get tired, get some rest at home."
- After battle
- "Oh, hi, <player>! I heard you beat Brendan/May on your first try. That's excellent! Brendan's/May's been helping with my research for a long time. Brendan/May has an extensive history as a Trainer already. Here, <player>, I ordered this for my research, but I think you should have this Pokédex."
- "The Pokédex is a high-tech tool that automatically makes a record of any sc>Pokémon</sc> you meet or catch. My kid, Brendan/May, goes everywhere with it. Whenever my kid catches a rare Pokémon and records its data in the Pokédex, why, Brendan/May looks for me while I'm out doing fieldwork, and shows me.
- If talked to again
- "Countless Pokémon await you! Argh, I'm getting the itch to get out and do fieldwork again!"
Ever Grande City
- "See? What did I tell you, Brendan/May? Didn't I tell you that you don't need to worry about <player>? …………………… <player>, you've finally done it. When I heard that you defeated your own father at the Petalburg Gym, I thought perhaps you had a chance… But to think you've actually become the Champion! Ah, yes! What become of your Pokédex? Here, let me see. Hmhm... So, you've seen <number> Pokémon and you've caught <number> Pokémon... <evaluation quote> Hmhm... On a nationwide basis... You've seen <number> Pokémon and you've caught <number> Pokémon... Anyways, congratulations! Now, go proudly into the final room!"
Pokédex evaluation
After Wally catches Ralts, Birch will evaluate player's Pokédex in his lab.
- "Ah, <player>! Have you come to show me how your Pokédex is coming along?"
- If answered No
- "Hm? Oh, you haven't caught enough Pokémon to make it worthwhile."
- If answered Yes
- "Hmhm... So, you've seen <number> Pokémon and you've caught <number> Pokémon... <evaluation quote> Hmhm... On a nationwide basis... You've seen <number> Pokémon and you've caught <number> Pokémon...
- 200-202 Pokémon:
- "Congratulations! Your Pokédex is complete!"
Pokémon Emerald
Intro
- "Hi! Sorry to keep you waiting! Welcome to the world of Pokémon! My name is Birch. But everyone calls me the Pokémon Professor. This is what we call a "Pokémon." This world is widely inhabited by creatures known as Pokémon. We humans live alongside Pokémon, at times as friendly playmates, and at times as cooperative workmates. And sometimes, we band together and battle others like us. But despite our closeness, we don't know everything about Pokémon. In fact, there are many, many secrets surrounding Pokémon. To unravel Pokémon mysteries, I've been undertaking research. That's what I do. And you are? Are you a boy? Or are you a girl?"
- Either choice
- "All right. What's your name?"
- "So it's <name>?"
- If Yes*
- "Ah, okay! You're <player> who's moving to my hometown of Littleroot. I get it now! All right, are you ready? Your very own adventure is about to unfold. Take courage, and leap into the world of Pokémon where dreams, adventure and friendships await! Well, I'll be expecting you later. Come see me in my Pokémon Lab.
Route 101
- "H-help me!"
- "Hello! You over there! Please! Help! In my Bag! There's a Poké Ball!"
- If player tries to leave
- "Wh-Where are you going?! Don't leave me like this!"
- After battle
- "Whew... I was in the tall grass studying wild Pokémon when I was jumped. You saved me. Thanks a lot! Oh? Hi, you're <player>! This is not the place to chat, so come by my Pokémon Lab later, okay?"
Pokémon Lab
- First time
- "So, <player>. I've heard so much about you from your father. I've heard that you don't have your own Pokémon yet. But the way you battled earlier, you pulled it off with aplomb! I guess you have your father's blood in your veins after all! Oh, yes. As thanks for rescuing me, I'd like you to have the Pokémon you used earlier."
- "While you're at it, why not give a nickname to that <starter>"
- "If you work at Pokémon and gain experience, I think you'll make an extremely good Trainer. My kid, Brendan/May*, is also studying Pokémon while helping me out. <player>, don't you think it might be a good idea to see Brendan/May?
- If answered no*
- "Oh, don't be that way. You should go meet my kid."
- If answered yes
- "Great! Brendan/May should be happy, too. Get Brendan/May to teach you what it means to be a Trainer."
- If talked to again
- "Brendan/May? Gone home, I think. Or maybe that kid's scrabbling around in tall grass again somewhere... If you or your Pokémon get tired, you should get some rest at home."
- After battle
- "Oh, hi, <player>! I heard you beat Brendan/May on your first try. That's excellent! Brendan's/May's been helping with my research for a long time. Brendan/May has an extensive history as a Trainer already. Here, <player>, I ordered this for my research, but I think you should have this Pokédex."
- "The Pokédex is a high-tech tool that automatically makes a record of any sc>Pokémon</sc> you meet or catch. My kid, Brendan/May, goes everywhere with it. Whenever my kid catches a rare Pokémon and records its data in the Pokédex, why, Brendan/May looks for me while I'm out doing fieldwork, and shows me.
- If talked to again
- "Countless Pokémon await you! Argh, I'm getting the itch to get out and do fieldwork again!"
Route 110
- "Oh, <player>! Imagine seeing you here! And where might my Brendan/May be?"
- "Oh, I see! You two are running separately. Well, that's fine. Oh, yes, I heard that your PokéNav had the Match Call system installed. Well, then, I should register you in my PokéNav as well. That way, even when we're apart, I can rate your Pokédex anytime. "
- "<Player>… Please keep an eye out for my Brendan/May. Well, I had better get going. See you again, <player>!"
Pokédex evaluation
After Wally catches Ralts, Birch will evaluate player's Pokédex in his lab.
- "Ah, <player>! Are you curious about how your Pokédex is coming along?"
- If answered No
- "Hm? Oh, you haven't caught enough Pokémon to make it worthwhile."
- If answered Yes
- "Hmhm... So, you've seen <number> Pokémon and you've caught <number> Pokémon... <evaluation quote> Hmhm... On a nationwide basis... You've seen <number> Pokémon and you've caught <number> Pokémon...
In the anime
Birch was first seen in a flashback of Harrison in Johto Photo Finish. His first actual appearance was in Get The Show On The Road when he gave May her Torchic. He later appeared in Dewford Town in both A Three Team Scheme! and Seeing is Believing!. Birch also appeared in A Six Pack Attack, when he was meeting Professor Oak. Later, Birch was seen in The Evolutionary War! at a vacation on A-B-C Islands. Over there, he, Ash and his friends cleared the mystery of the Clamperl evolution. Birch's most recent appearance was a short cameo in The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon.
His preferred mode of transport is a SUV that he drives recklessly. Due to the relationship between characters in the games, it is widely speculated that Birch is the father of Brendan's anime counterpart. This character has made three short cameo appearances in the anime and has the starter Pokémon whose type weakens May's.
Pokémon
This is a listing of Professor Birch's Pokémon as of the most recent Japanese episode.
On hand
Birch was seeing pulling out a Poké Ball when he saw Team Rocket attacking Ash and friends, but Delia convinced him to let the children do the battling. | ||
Debut | The Right Place and the Right Mime |
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Befriended
Poochyena was only briefly seen, while trying to rescue starter Pokémon from Team Rocket's grasp. Poochyena is good at hunting down people and Pokémon based on smell. However, its battle extent is not known. | ||
Debut | A Six Pack Attack |
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Gives to new Trainers
Treecko is a Pokémon that Professor Birch gives to new Trainers. The first Treecko appeared in Get the Show on the Road where it was one of the Pokémon that May could choose as her Starter Pokémon. It was not picked due to May picking Torchic.
Another one appeared in A Six Pack Attack! along with the other starters. They were admired by Max and May. Suddenly Team Rocket captured it along with the other Hoenn and Kanto starters. Max found them and told Bulbasaur and Treecko to use Tackle and Pound the bars away. It then helped sending Team Rocket blasting off. Treecko's only known move is Pound. | ||
Debut | Get the Show on the Road |
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Torchic is a Pokémon that Professor Birch gives to new Trainers. The first Torchic appeared in Get the Show on the Road where May picks it as her Starter Pokémon. Another one appeared in A Six Pack Attack! along with the other starters. They were admired by Max and May. Suddenly Team Rocket captured them along with the other Hoenn and Kanto starters. Max found them and told Torchic and Charmander to heat the cage with Ember until they got free. It then helped sending Team Rocket blasting off.
Torchic's only known move is Ember. | ||
Debut | Get the Show on the Road |
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Mudkip is a Pokémon that Professor Birch gives to new Trainers. The first Mudkip appeared in Get the Show on the Road when Prof. Birch was under attack from a pack of Poochyena. He asked May to pick a Starter Pokémon from his bag to save him. She picked Mudkip first, but had no battle experience and Mudkip fired a Water Gun at her. Prof. Birch commanded it and it blasted them off with another Water Gun. It then appeared later when May was choosing her starter, but she chose Torchic.
Another one appeared in A Six Pack Attack! along with the other starters. They were admired by Max and May. Suddenly Team Rocket captured them along with the other Hoenn and Kanto starters. Max found them and told Mudkip and Squirtle to cool the bars with Water Gun which eventually freed them. It then helped sending Team Rocket blasting off. Mudkip's only known move is Water Gun. | ||
Debut | Get the Show on the Road |
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Gave away to new Trainers
Harrison's Blaziken |
May's Torchic |
At his Lab
Zigzagoon |
Lotad |
Seedot |
Shroomish |
Wailmer |
Sharpedo |
Voice actors
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In the manga
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
In Pokémon Adventures, Professor Birch is the father of Sapphire, and supplies her with most of her Pokémon. He is good friends with Norman.
After Ruby rescued Birch from some wild Mightyena, Birch gave him a Mudkip.
Birch gave away most of his Pokémon to Sapphire and Ruby. His last Pokémon was a Treecko, that he lost in a flood caused by Kyogre. Wally has since rescued the Pokémon and began to raise it.
Pokémon
This listing is of Prof. Birch's Pokémon in the Pokémon Adventures manga.
Gives to new Trainers
Treecko was originally going to be Emerald's Pokémon but before it can happen, a Kyogre's flood causes the gecko Pokémon to get washed away. He was lost and found by Wally. In the Emerald arc, Emerald is revealed to have owned him but this time, in his fully evolved form. | ||
Debut | Making Mirth with Mightyena |
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Chic (Japanese: ちゃも Chamo) was given to Sapphire by Professor Birch during her Torchic stage. | ||
Debut | Making Mirth with Mightyena |
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Mumu (Japanese: ZUZU) was given to Ruby during his Mudkip stage after Ruby rescued Professor Birch from some Mightyena. | ||
Debut | Making Mirth with Mightyena |
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Given to Sapphire
Rono (Japanese: どらら Dorara) was given to Sapphire as an Aron. He was the official first Pokémon that Sapphire received. | ||
Debut | Distracting Dustox |
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Lorry (Japanese: えるる Eruru) was given to Sapphire as a way of crossing the seas.
Lorry's known moves are Water Spout and Dive, and has a Brave nature. | ||
Debut | Stick This in Your Craw, Crawdaunt I |
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Troppy (Japanese: とろろ Tororo) was given to Sapphire.
Troppy's known moves are Razor Leaf, Magical Leaf, SolarBeam, and Aerial Ace, his Ability is Chlorophyll and has a Calm nature. | ||
Debut | Bubble Bubble Toil and Azumarill II |
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In the Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire manga
Professor Birch first appears in PM117 of the last volume of Pokémon Pocket Monsters where Red meets up with him in Hoenn. In I Won't Let You Lead!!, he challenges Red and his Pokémon to a Magikarp-catching duel and was able to easily win the contest, along with the other competitions he was involved in with Red.
His most recent appearance was in PMHGSS20. He, along with the other professors, were the judges of Clefairy's fight with Giratina. After their battle, Professor Birch got into a brawl with the other professors that was started by Clefairy. After watching the fight that was recorded, they worked together and fought Clefairy.
Pokémon
On hand
Torchic first appears as the layout of starter Pokémon that Professor Birch is giving away. In I Won't Let You Lead!!, Torchic was involved in the Magikarp contest where Clefairy tries to push it into the water but falls in instead.
None of Torchic's moves are known. | ||
Debut | PM117 |
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Mudkip first appears as the layout of starter Pokémon that Professor Birch is giving away. In I Won't Let You Lead!!, Mudkip was involved in a cooking competition where it baked a nice cake from its Whirlpool attack.
Mudkip's only known move is Whirlpool. | ||
Debut | PM117 |
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Treecko first appears as the layout of starter Pokémon that Professor Birch is giving away. In I Won't Let You Lead!!, Treecko was used in the last competition where it had a race with Clefairy. Even though Clefairy was about to win, Treecko was able to get to the finish line as Clefairy got distracted by a noodle stand giving out a snack.
None of Treecko's moves are known. | ||
Debut | PM117 |
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Released
During the Magikarp-catching duel, Professor Birch was able to catch thirty Magikarp. Afterwards, they are released back in the water. | ||
Debut | I Won't Let You Lead!! |
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Given away
Professor Birch gives away this Torchic to Sapphire sometime around Let's Try To Be Idols!!. | ||
Debut | Let's Try To Be Idols!! |
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In the TCG
This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Professor Birch in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Related cards Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format. Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats. | |||||||
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Card | Type | English Expansion |
Rarity | # | Japanese Expansion |
Rarity | # |
Professor Birch | T [Su] | EX Ruby & Sapphire | 89/109 | Expansion Pack | 054/055 | ||
Treecko Constructed Starter Deck | 018/019 | ||||||
Torchic Constructed Starter Deck | 018/019 | ||||||
Mudkip Constructed Starter Deck | 018/019 | ||||||
Latias Half Deck | 018/018 | ||||||
Latios Half Deck | 018/018 | ||||||
EX Emerald | 82/106 | Deoxys Half Deck | 014/019 | ||||
Rayquaza Half Deck | 014/019 | ||||||
Mightyena Quarter Deck | 008/015 | ||||||
Imprison! Gardevoir ex Constructed Standard Deck | 017/024 | ||||||
EX Power Keepers | 80/108 | World Champions Pack | 091/108 | ||||
Trivia
- Birch is the only Pokémon Professor who has been known to have given away multiple starter Pokémon that has only given away members of one species in the anime.
- Birch is the only Pokémon Professor who has a Pokémon on hand that hasn't been revealed.
Names
Language | Name | Origin |
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Japanese | オダマキ博士 Dr. Odamaki | オダマキ Odamaki, Aquilegia. |
English | Professor Birch | Birch tree, following the naming of Professor Oak and Professor Elm. |
French | Professeur Séko | From séquoia, Sequoiadendron. |
German | Professor Birk | From Birke, birch. |
Spanish | Profesor Abedul | From abedul, birch. |
Korean | 털보박사 Teolbo-baksa | "털보" is a Korean phrase that refers to exceptionally hairy people, particularly men. |
Chinese | 小田卷博士 Dr. Xiǎotiánjuǎn | 小田卷 is from 小田巻 Odamaki. Literally "little field roll". |
Finnish | Professori Birch | From English name. |
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Anime characters | ||||||||||||||
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See also: Pokémon Horizons characters |
This game character article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games. |