Professor Kukui (anime): Difference between revisions

'''Professor Kukui''' (Japanese: '''ククイ博士''' ''Dr. Kukui'') is a major supporting character of the [[Pokémon anime]] in the {{series|Sun & Moon}}. He is a [[Pokémon Professor]] in the [[Alola]] [[region]] and a teacher at the [[Pokémon School]] on [[Melemele Island]]. He is also the identity of '''The Masked Royal''' (Japanese: '''ロイヤルマスク''' ''Royal Mask'').

Professor Kukui debuted in ''[[SM001|Alola to New Adventure!]]''. He was first seen entering his classroom, where he was introduced to {{Ash}}. He later watched as Ash battled [[Team Skull]] and was impressed by his battling skills. After Team Skull's defeat, he told Ash about [[Z-Moves]] and the [[island challenge]]. Following Ash's decision to attend the Pokémon School, he allowed Ash to live with him during his stay in [[Alola]]. At the end of [[SM002|the next episode]], he handed Ash a new {{an|Rotom Pokédex|Pokédex}}, which [[SM003|then]] got inhabited by a {{p|Rotom}}.

In ''[[SM015|Rocking Clawmark Hill!]]'', he and Ash returned home one night, only to notice the absence of {{AP|Rockruff}}. Rockruff soon returned injured, prompting Kukui to heal it with a [[Potion]]. Upon further investigation, they found out that it had been training on [[Clawmark Hill]]. After watching Ash train Rockruff, Kukui noticed the bond they had developed and encouraged Ash to {{pkmn2|caught|catch}} Rockruff.

In ''[[SM042|Alola, Kanto!]]'', Kukui accompanied his students and [[Samson Oak]] to [[Kanto]] for an extracurricular activity, where they visited [[Professor Oak's Laboratory]]. In the [[SM043|following episode]], he and the others traveled to the [[Cerulean Gym]], where his students battled {{an|Misty}} and {{an|Brock}}. Seeing these battles inspired him to establish an official [[Pokémon League]] in Alola.

In ''[[SM044|A Dream Encounter!]]'', Kukui told Ash about [[Professor Burnet]] and her research on [[Ultra Wormhole]]s. He later introduced her to him when she, along with the president of the [[Aether Foundation]] [[Lusamine]], [[Faba]], and [[Wicke]], visited his home to meet Ash and [[Nebby]]. During his class's sleepover in ''[[SM048|A Dream Encounter!]]'', Kukui began to bond with Burnet, who also stayed over at his house.  

In ''[[SM051|Family Determination!]]'', Kukui accompanied his students to the [[Altar of the Sunne]] on [[Poni Island]] to catch up with {{an|Lillie}}, who had ran away from home with her brother, {{an|Gladion}}, in search of a way to save Lusamine, who had been abducted by a {{DL|Recurring wild Pokémon in the anime|Nihilego}}. [[SM052|Later]], while watching Alola's [[guardian deities]] bless Nebby, he received a phone call for help from Professor Burnet and left to help her out. He soon witnessed Burnet and her {{p|Munchlax}} being surrounded by a group of {{p|Jangmo-o}} and {{p|Hakamo-o}}, but using his {{p|Braviary}} he was able to drive the Scaly Pokémon off. By the time the two professors returned to the altar though, Ash and the others had already ridden off on Nebby into an [[Ultra Wormhole]]. Kukui and Burnet stayed behind and waited until the group [[SM054|finally]] returned with Lusamine.

In ''[[SM055|The Professors' New Adventure!]]'', during a walk on the beach with Burnet, Kukui proposed to her. A few days later, the wedding ceremony, which was arranged by his students, was held on the beach outside his house. Since their marriage, Burnet has moved in with Kukui and Ash.

Kukui's alter-ego, the Masked Royal, debuted in ''[[SM063|Pushing the Fiery Envelope!]]''. When Ash and {{ashcl}} visited the [[Battle Royal Dome]], Ash's {{p|Litten}} got agitated upon seeing Royal's {{p|Incineroar}}. This prompted him to invite Ash, along with {{an|Kiawe}} and {{an|Sophocles}}, to take part in a [[Battle Royal]], which the Masked Royal easily won. Days later, after seeing Litten training to master {{m|Flame Charge}}, Kukui, dressed up again as the Masked Royal, showed up to have a one-on-one battle with Ash. During the battle, Litten evolved into {{AP|Torracat}} and was able to perfect Flame Charge. Despite this, however, the battle ended in the Masked Royal's victory. Afterwards, the Masked Royal declared that he and Incineroar were now Torracat's rivals.

The Masked Royal reappeared in [[SM081]], where he faced a member of the [[Revengers]], [[Mr. Elec]], and his {{p|Electivire}} in a Battle Royal. However, due to interference [[Mad Boober]]'s {{p|Magmortar}}, Mr. Elec was disqualified. The Masked Royal then got challenged by Mad Boober to a battle for the title of the strongest fighter, which he accepted. The next day, Kukui accompanied Burnet and his students to the Battle Royal Dome, but began feeling nervous as he had to take on his role as the Masked Royal without his identity being found out. After managing to sneak away, he was able to reach the ring in time, where his battle would begin. However, Mad Boober played dirty again by having other members of the Revengers gang up on Incineroar until Ash's Torracat interfered. Teaming up with Torracat and Ash, the Masked Royal and Incineroar took on Mad Boober and Mr. Elec and eventually managed to beat them, despite all the interference.

In [[SM087]], mysterious dark clouds appeared over Alola, leaving Kukui and all other adults tired and without motivation. After this was resolved, Kukui met up the [[Ultra Guardians]], Burnet, Lusamine, Faba, and Wicke inside the Ultra Guardians base, where he oversaw {{DL|Recurring wild Pokémon in the anime|Lunala}} recovering. [[SM089|Later]], when the Ultra Guardians left for [[Ultra Space]] with Lunala, Kukui and Faba volunteered to aid them. On [[Ten Carat Hill]], he and Faba confronted [[Team Rocket]]'s [[Matori]] Matrix by using their Pokémon to damage the team's airship and prevent them from entering the Ultra Wormhole. Afterwards, Kukui and Faba faced [[Gozu]] and his {{me|Aggron}} in battle, but their Pokémon were swiftly beaten. As such, Kukui was fored to sent out his {{p|Incineroar}} and perform its Z-Move, {{m|Malicious Moonsault}} to defeat Aggron. However, this caused him to reveal his secret identity to Faba, who admitted he was a fan of the Masked Royal. Later, alongside Incineroar and Faba, Kukui joined the rest of Alola in showering {{DL|Recurring wild Pokémon in the anime|Necrozma}} with Z-Power so it could return to its {{DL|List of Pokémon with form differences|Necrozma|true form}}. After Necrozma returned to its Ultra form, Kukui watched as the Ultra Guardians, Nebby, and Lunala returned to Alola, alongside Faba, Burnet, Lusamine, and Wicke.

It reappeared in ''[[SM055|The Professors' New Adventure!]]'', attending the wedding of Professor Kukui and [[Professor Burnet]] as Kukui's partner Pokémon.

Braviary reappeared in [[SM089]], where it attacked [[Team Rocket]]'s helicopter. It then battled [[Gozu]] alongside [[Faba]]'s {{p|Alakazam}} and {{p|Hypno}}, only to be knocked out by his {{me|Aggron}}'s {{m|Heavy Slam}}. It briefly reappeared in [[SM090]], where it was recalled into his [[Poké Ball]] after being defeated.

Braviary's known moves are {{m|Brave Bird}} and {{m|Rock Slide}}.}}