Professor Birch

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Professor Birch
オダマキ博士 Dr. Odamaki
File:Professor Birch.png
Art from Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald
Gender Male
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 Get The Show On The Road!
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

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 and Sapphire

These Pokémon are given to a Trainer at the beginning of their journey:

Spr 3r 252.png
Type:
Grass Unknown
Ability:
Overgrow
Held item:
None
Treecko Lv.5
Pound
Normal
Leer
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
Spr 3r 255.png
Type:
Fire Unknown
Ability:
Blaze
Held item:
None
Torchic Lv.5
Scratch
Normal
Growl
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
Spr 3r 258.png
Type:
Water Unknown
Ability:
Torrent
Held item:
None
Mudkip Lv.5
Tackle
Normal
Growl
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
Pokémon Emerald

As in Ruby and Sapphire, these Pokémon are given to a Trainer at the beginning of their journey:

Spr 3e 252.png
Type:
Grass Unknown
Ability:
Overgrow
Held item:
None
Treecko Lv.5
Pound
Normal
Leer
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
Spr 3e 255.png
Type:
Fire Unknown
Ability:
Blaze
Held item:
None
Torchic Lv.5
Scratch
Normal
Growl
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
Spr 3e 258.png
Type:
Water Unknown
Ability:
Torrent
Held item:
None
Mudkip Lv.5
Tackle
Normal
Growl
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   

These Pokémon are given to a Trainer who has completed the Hoenn Pokédex:

Spr 3e 152.png
Type:
Grass Unknown
Ability:
Overgrow
Held item:
None
Chikorita Lv.5
Tackle
Normal
Growl
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
Spr 3e 155.png
Type:
Fire Unknown
Ability:
Blaze
Held item:
None
Cyndaquil Lv.5
Tackle
Normal
Leer
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
Spr 3e 158.png
Type:
Water Unknown
Ability:
Torrent
Held item:
None
Totodile Lv.5
Scratch
Normal
Leer
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   

In the anime

File:Birch anime.JPG
Professor Birch and Max

Birch was first mentioned in a flashback of Harrison on Johto Photo Finish. His first 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 and the twerps cleared the mystery of the Clamperl evolution. Birch's most recent appearance was a short cameo in The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon; it is unknown if he will appear again since the main characters have left the Hoenn region.

His preferred mode of transport is a jeep 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

Prof. Birch shows Ash and May the Hoenn starter Pokémon.

This listing is of Professor Birch's Pokémon as of the most recent Japanese episode.

On hand

Professor Birch's Poochyena
Poochyena
Birch's 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

Gives to new Trainers

Professor Birch's Treecko
Treecko
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 appears in A Six Pack Attack! along with the other starters where Max and May admire them. Suddenly Team Rocket capture them along with the other Hoenn and Kanto starters. Max finds them and makes Bulbasaur and Treecko use Tackle and Pound the bars away. It then helps send Team Rocket blasting off.

Treecko's only known move is Pound.

Debut Get the Show on the Road
Professor Birch's Torchic
Torchic
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 appears in A Six Pack Attack! along with the other starters where Max and May admire them. Suddenly Team Rocket capture them along with the other Hoenn and Kanto starters. Max finds them and makes Torchic and Charmander heat the cage with Ember until finally they are free. It then helps send Team Rocket blasting off.

Torchic's only known move is Ember.

Debut Get the Show on the Road
Professor Birch's Mudkip
Mudkip
Mudkip is a Pokémon that Professor Birch gives to new Trainers. The first Mudkip appeared in Get the Show on the Road where Prof. Birch is under attack from a pack of Poochyena, he asks May to pick a Starter Pokémon to save him. She picks Mudkip, but has no battle experience and Mudkip fires a Water Gun at her. Prof. Birch commands it and it blast them off with another Water Gun. It then appeared later when May was choosing a starter, but she chose Torchic.

Another one appears in A Six Pack Attack! along with the other starters where Max and May admire them. Suddenly Team Rocket capture them along with the other Hoenn and Kanto starters. Max finds them and makes Mudkip and Squirtle to cool the bars with Water Gun which eventually frees them. It then helps send Team Rocket blasting off.

Mudkip's only known move is Water Gun.

Debut Get the Show on the Road

Pokémon he gave away to Trainers

Harrison Blaziken.png
Harrison's Blaziken
May Torchic.png
May's Torchic

Voice actors

Language Voice actor
Japanese 立木文彦 Fumihiko Tachiki
English Dan Green
Dutch Ewout Eggink (Season 6)
Louis van Beek (Season 7-8)
Hebrew עוזי פוקס Uzi Fox
עדי וייס Adi Weiss
Norwegian Trond Teigen
Polish Andrzej Chudy
Brazilian Portuguese José Parisi Jr.
Mauro Eduardo
Ricardo Sawaya
Spanish Latin America Salvador Delgado (AG001-AG028, AG095)
José Vilchis (AG071)
Alfredo Basurto (AG133)
Spain Pablo Adán (AG001-AG028)
Manuel Bellido (AG071-AG133)


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.

Given away

Emerald's Treecko
Treecko
Main article: Emerald's Sceptile

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 VS. Mightyena
Toro
Toro
Main article: Toro

Toro (Japanese: ちゃも Chamo) was given to Sapphire by Professor Birch during her Torchic stage.

Debut VS. Mightyena
Zuzu
Zuzu
Main article: Zuzu

Zuzu (Japanese: ZUZU) was given to Ruby during his Mudkip stage after Ruby rescued Professor Birch from some Mightyena.

Debut VS. Mightyena
Rono
Rono
Main article: Rono

Rono (Japanese: どらら Dorara) was given to Sapphire as an Aron. He was the official first Pokémon that Sapphire received.

Debut VS. Dustox
Walo
Walo
Walo (Japanese: えるる Eruru) was given to Sapphire as a way of crossing the seas.

Walo's known moves are Water Spout and Dive, and has a Brave nature.

Debut VS. Crawdaunt I
Pilo
Pilo
Pilo (Japanese: とろろ Tororo) was given to Sapphire.

Pilo's known moves are Razor Leaf, Magical Leaf, SolarBeam, and Aerial Ace, his ability is Chlorophyll and has a Calm nature.

Debut VS. Azumarill II

In the TCG

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Professor Birch or his Pokémon in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Name Type Level Rarity Set Set no.
Professor Birch T Uncommon EX Ruby & Sapphire 89/109
EX Emerald 82/106
EX Power Keepers 80/108

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.

Names

Language Name Reference to
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, french word for Sequoiadendron.
German Professor Birk Birke means Birch in German.
Spanish Profesor Abedul Abedul means Birch in Spanish.
Chinese 小田卷博士 Dr. Xiǎotiánjuǎn 小田卷 is from 小田巻 Odamaki. Literally "little field roll".
Korean 털보박사 Teolbobaksa "털보" is a Korean phrase that refers to exceptionally hairy people, particularly men.


External links

Oak (animeAdventuresPocket MonstersMasters) • ElmBirchRowanAurea JuniperCedric JuniperSycamore (animeMasters)
Kukui (animeMasters) • Burnet (anime) • SamsonMohnMagnoliaSonia (Masters) • LaventonSadaTuro
IvyCeriseAmaranthFriedeKranePHastingsBerlitzHollyTetraWillowBellisMirrorPhorusNeroli


Non-player characters in the core series games
Hoenn Professor BirchMomMayBrendanWallyWandaSteven StoneWallaceScottMr. BrineyMr. StoneGabby and TyLanette
BrigetteProfessor CozmoPokémon Fan Club ChairmanRydelWinstrate familyCaptain SternTrick MasterTreasure HunterDock
ApprenticePokémon Center LadiesOld guysMr. BondingTealaAaruneLisiaZinniaLookerInverChazFossil ManiacKiriMemory Girl
Team AquaTeam MagmaGym LeadersElite FourFrontier BrainsBattle ChatelainesGym guideName RaterDay-Care CoupleStats judge
Anime characters
Protagonists Ash Ketchum (Pikachu) • Misty (Togetic) • BrockTracey SketchitMayMaxDawn (Piplup) • Iris (Haxorus) • CilanSerenaClemontBonnie (Dedenne) • LanaKiaweLillieSophoclesMallowRotom PokédexGoh (Grookey)
Rivals GaryRitchieHarrisonDrewHarleyMorrisonTysonSolidadPaulNandoZoeyKennyConwayBarryUrsulaTripBiancaBurgundyStephanGeorgiaCameronAriaAlainMietteTiernoShaunaTrevorNiniSawyerGladionHoracioHauLeonRaihanHoraceBeaLeague Conference participantsCoordinatorsPerformersWorld Coronation Series participants
Antagonists Jessie (Wobbuffet) • JamesMeowthGiovanniButchCassidyDr. NambaMatoriPierceDr. ZagerGozuTabithaMaxieShellyArchieHunter JSaturnCyrusMarsJupiterCharonColressAldithGhetsisBarretMalamarLysandreMableCelosiaAlianaXerosicBryonyTuppZippRappPlumeriaGuzmaVirenRoseOleana
Professors Professor OakProfessor IvyProfessor ElmProfessor BirchProfessor RowanProfessor CarolinaProfessor JuniperDr. FennelCedric JuniperProfessor SycamoreProfessor KukuiProfessor BurnetProfessor CeriseProfessor MagnoliaSoniaProfessor Amaranth
Relatives Delia KetchumDaisyVioletLilyJames's parentsFlintLolaForrestBrock's siblingsNormanCarolineJohannaChiliCressGraceMeyerLana's fatherLana's motherHarper and SarahRangoSimaMimoKiawe's grandfatherMohnLusamineGladionSophocles's parentsMolayneAbeMallow's motherUluWalkerCamilleHalta
Supporting Officer JennyNurse JoyMagikarp salesmanTodd SnapCharles GoodshowCaseyLizaSakuraLanceClairRaoul ContestaMr. SukizoSteven StoneVivian MeridianRobertScottLilian MeridianSolanaBrandonMarianYuzoRhondaCynthiaReggieAngieLookerIzzy and CaraLyraKhouryTobiasDon GeorgeElderAlderLukeFreddy O'MartianIngoEmmetJervisVirgilNAnthea and ConcordiaPorterAlexaSophieCosetteClembotSanpeiMairinAstridDianthaKorrinaGurkinnMonsieur PierrePalermoKeananMalvaSamson OakAnelaHobbesNinaAnnaLakiDanaYansuWickeFabaIlimaAcerolaDiaChloeChrysaRenParkerTaliaLeiDanikaQuillonHopGym LeadersElite FourFrontier BrainsIsland kahunasMany temporary characters
Supporting Pokémon FearowHo-OhSquirtle SquadPink ButterfreeHaunterJigglypuffMewtwoMimeyLapras herdGranbullPichu BrothersLugiaSilverDelibirdWynautLarvitarKyogre and GroudonArticunoDeoxysLake guardiansForces of NatureMeloettaReshiramSuper-ancient PokémonWooperFlorgesSquishyZ2Guardian deitiesBewearToucannon's flockStoutlandOranguruNebbyStuffulUltra BeastsGrandpa ForestNecrozmaLunalaShayminMewRotom PhonesPelipperThievul trioEternatusDrone RotomLegendary heroesLatiasRecurring wild Pokémon
See also: Pokémon Horizons characters


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