Professor Rowan
| Professor Rowan ナナカマド博士 Dr. Nanakamado | |
 Art from Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl | |
| Age | 60 |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Hometown | Sandgem Town |
| Region | Sinnoh |
| Relatives | Kamado (ancestor) |
| Trainer class | Pokémon Professor |
| Generation | IV, VIII |
| Games | Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl |
| Game animation cameos | GOTCHA! |
| Animated debut | Following A Maiden's Voyage! |
| English voice actor | Sean Reyes |
| Japanese voice actor | Iemasa Kayumi |
Professor Rowan (Japanese: ナナカマド博士 Dr. Nanakamado) is the resident Pokémon Professor of Sandgem Town in the Sinnoh region. He specializes in Pokémon evolution.
In the games
Professor Rowan works in Sandgem Town with Dawn/Lucas and their family. This makes him the first Professor from the handheld games that does not live in the player's hometown. He left the Sinnoh region four years prior to the events of Generation IV to study the Pokémon of Kanto with Professor Oak, and has recently returned at the start of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl after reaching the conclusion that Sinnoh holds far greater secrets. He has a stern personality that makes him seem intimidating and mean, but he is actually very kind and patient. Rowan says he still feels a thrill whenever he travels anywhere with his Pokémon. He apparently has a sweet tooth, as the refrigerator in his laboratory is full of nothing but sweets and candy.
Rowan's particular field of study is Pokémon evolution, having discovered that 90% of all Pokémon are connected in some way to others through evolution. He is also interested in determining if evolution is supposed to be a form of Pokémon reaching maturity, or a way for an "incomplete" being to become "more complete," and the implications that the process has on legendary Pokémon, which don't evolve.
In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Professor Rowan is seen for the first time observing Lake Verity with his assistant. After being interrupted by the player and their friend, he quickly walks off leaving his briefcase, which holds three Poké Balls containing Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, behind. The player and their friend try to return it to him, but are attacked by wild Pokémon in the process, and are forced to use two of the Pokémon in the briefcase for defense. After returning the Pokémon to Rowan in his lab, Rowan hears about the survival tactics that they used, and tells them to keep the Pokémon, as well as giving them each a Pokédex to record data about every single Pokémon. Soon after, Rowan and his assistant travel to Jubilife City to drop off some notes, where they are attacked by Team Galactic, just as the player returns from Oreburgh City with their first Badge.
In Pokémon Platinum, however, the player and their friend leave Twinleaf Town just as Rowan returns from the lake, with Rowan stopping the two from journeying into the tall grass without a Pokémon. His assistant then arrives with the briefcase he left behind at the lake, and Rowan offers the two a starter Pokémon. When he is visited in Sandgem for the first time, he hands out TM27 (Return) as well as the Pokédex.
In all three games, after becoming suspicious of Team Galactic's activities, he gathers his assistant, the player and their friend in the Canalave Library after the player obtains the Mine Badge, and tells them about the legends of Sinnoh. Before they are able to finish their discussion, however, an earthquake shakes the region, and the four manage to escape the building before an aftershock. Rowan urges the Trainers to journey to the three lakes of Sinnoh, seeing the aftermath of the explosion on the news, and sends the player's friend to Lake Acuity in the north, his assistant to Lake Verity near Twinleaf Town, and the player to Lake Valor.
He apparently previously gave Cynthia her first Pokémon and a Pokédex, though it is unknown how long before the games this occurred.
Professor Rowan is an old friend of Professor Oak, and Rowan's assistant claims that Oak is Rowan's junior in terms of seniority. In Platinum, he can be seen occasionally in the basement of the Veilstone Department Store sulking about the fact they've run out of Rage Candy Bars.
Pokémon
In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl, Professor Rowan has one of each Sinnoh starter in his briefcase. Prior to meeting the player, he also used to have at least one additional Sinnoh starter of the same species, which he gave to his assistant, the player character not chosen.
Generation IV
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Generation VIII
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Artwork
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| Official artwork from Diamond and Pearl |
Art from Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl |
Sprites
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| Intro sprite from Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum |
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| Overworld sprite from Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum |
Quotes
- Main article: Professor Rowan/Quotes
In the anime
Main series
Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl
Professor Rowan debuted in Following A Maiden's Voyage!. Dawn bumped into the Professor after getting lost on her way to his Sandgem Town laboratory, and he kindly escorted her the rest of the way. When the pair arrived at the lab, Rowan's assistants revealed that several of the Pokémon just escaped. Dawn volunteered to recover them, and afterwards she received her starter Pokémon, Piplup, along with a set of Poké Balls and a Pokédex.
Dawn contacted Professor Rowan in Two Degrees of Separation!, to inform him of a lost Pikachu that she found on Route 202. Later, Ash met up with Rowan to collect his Aipom's Poké Ball, which was sent over by Professor Oak. He informed Ash about his morning call with Dawn, and Ash rushed off to catch up with Dawn and recover his Pikachu. In the following episode, Ash was reunited with his Pikachu and alerted Rowan to the news. Ash, Brock and Dawn soon returned to Rowan's lab to collect a delivery for Ash, which included a new outfit and backpack from Ash's mother. Later, Professor Rowan directed Ash and Paul to his backyard to have their battle.
In Ill-Will Hunting!, it was revealed that Gary had been working with Professor Rowan on a scientific project; the establishment of nature preserve around Mt. Coronet to protect its rare Shieldon population. Gary called his superior about some suspected Pokémon poachers in the area. Rowan and his research team arrived on the scene, but Gary and Ash had already saved the Shieldon from Hunter J's clutches.
He also appeared from Camping It Up! to One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team! as the headmaster of the Pokémon Summer Academy with Yuzo and his other assistants. He was strict when it came to punishing his students for misbehavior, but happily gave them credit for completing their tasks to a high standard.
He made a cameo appearance in Saving the World From Ruins!, where his lab received information on shock waves from Iron Island, which were caused by Team Galactic’s attempt to locate Spear Pillar's location.
Professor Rowan along with Professor Carolina and Gary coordinated a response against Team Galactic's plans to capture the lake guardians in The Needs of Three!, but Hunter J managed to deliver the trio to Cyrus. In the following episode, he monitored the distortions being caused by Cyrus' plot to control Dialga and Palkia. Later he and his team arrived at Mt. Coronet where they recovered the stolen Adamant Orb and Lustrous Orb.
Professor Rowan made a cameo appearance in the ending credits of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
In DPS01, Professor Rowan was seen studying a Shuckle before Dawn arrived at his lab. Then, a Piplup and a Chimchar escaped, which were part of the starter Pokémon trio to be given to new Trainers. Dawn, who had just arrived at Professor Rowan's laboratory, and Shinko, a new Trainer who was just at the lab to pick a starter Pokémon, tried to find them. Later, they successfully brought back the Pokémon. He then said goodbye to Dawn at a port, who went on her new journey to Hoenn.
Character
Professor Rowan is good friends with Professor Oak. He appears to be a stoic individual who hardly smiles, but he is often deep in thought. However, he is incredibly knowledgeable and interested in the world. Professor Rowan enjoys field research and readily collaborates with other researchers like Gary and Professor Carolina to gain further insights. Rowan readily offers new Trainers advice and established the week-long Pokémon Summer Academy activities to give the new generation a well-rounded and experience based education.
Pokémon
Gives to new Trainers
He has these Pokémon to give to new Trainers:
Turtwig is a Starter Pokémon which a new Trainer can choose from to start their Pokémon journey. One appeared in Following a Maiden's Voyage! where it was the only one that stayed in the lab after Piplup and Chimchar trashed the lab. Another one appeared in DPS01 where a new Trainer named Shinko was picking a Starter Pokémon, and a similar situation as before occurred, with the Piplup and Chimchar starting to fight and escaping the lab, leaving Turtwig behind.
None of Turtwig's moves are known.
Chimchar is a Starter Pokémon that a new Trainer can choose from to start their Pokémon journey. One appeared in Following a Maiden's Voyage! where it caused havoc in Professor Rowan's laboratory by stealing Piplup's food. Chimchar then escaped from the lab with Piplup on hot pursuit. It was later found and a Staraptor brought it back to the lab. Another one appeared in DPS01, where a new Trainer named Shinko was picking a Starter Pokémon. A similar situation as before occurred, with the Chimchar and Piplup starting a fight, leading to a window breaking and Chimchar and Piplup escaping.
Later, Shinko and Dawn found Chimchar and Piplup in an Ariados's web. Dawn got them free, but multiple Ariados arrived. Dawn was able to fend them off, but the leader, a Shiny Ariados, used Psychic to disable the group's movements. Suddenly, Dawn's Cyndaquil evolved into a Quilava and saved the group. Chimchar and Piplup were then brought back to the lab.
Chimchar's only known move is Ember.
Piplup is a Starter Pokémon that a new Trainer can choose from to start their Pokémon journey. One appeared in Following a Maiden's Voyage where it got annoyed by a Chimchar after it stole its food, but in the end it was chosen by Dawn. Another one appeared in DPS01 where a new Trainer named Shinko was picking a Starter Pokémon. A similar situation as before occurred, with the Piplup and Chimchar starting a fight, leading to a window breaking and Chimchar and Piplup escaping.
Later, Shinko and Dawn found Piplup and Chimchar in an Ariados's web. Dawn got them free, but multiple Ariados arrived. Dawn was able to fend them off, but the leader, a Shiny Ariados, used Psychic to disable the group's movements. Suddenly, Dawn's Cyndaquil evolved into a Quilava and saved the group. Piplup and Chimchar were then brought back to the lab.
Some of the Piplup's known moves are Bubble Beam, Bide, Peck, and Bubble.
Gave away to new Trainers
 Dawn's Piplup ♂ |
Used in his studies
Starly was first seen in Rowan's lab, being examined by his colleagues. When two of the starter Pokémon, a Chimchar and a Piplup, got into a fight, Piplup used Bubble Beam, which accidentally hit the Staraptor Professor Rowan was studying alongside Starly, causing the laboratory to get ruined in the process. As a result, Starly, Staraptor, Chimchar and Piplup escaped. It later returned after Staraptor brought Chimchar back to the lab.
None of Starly's moves are known.
Staraptor was first seen in Rowan's lab, being examined by his colleagues. When two of the starter Pokémon, a Chimchar and a Piplup, got into a fight, Piplup used Bubble Beam, which accidentally hit Staraptor, causing the laboratory to get ruined in the process. As a result, a Starly that was also being examined by Professor Rowan, Staraptor, Chimchar and Piplup escaped. It later returned after it brought Chimchar back to the lab together with Starly.
Staraptor's only known move is Whirlwind.
Voice actors
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GOTCHA!
Professor Rowan briefly appeared in GOTCHA!.
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
History
Diamond & Pearl arc
Professor Rowan first appears after he and Platinum's father, Professor Berlitz, are accidentally knocked onto the ground after Diamond and Pearl crash into them. After yelling at the two boys, Rowan talks to Sir Berlitz about sending his daughter out into the world but notes that since she promised to record the Sinnoh Pokémon, he quickly accepted this and gave a Pokédex, Pokétch, and some Poké Balls for her journey. They quickly meet up with Paka and Uji, two bodyguards hired to protect Platinum on her journey and give them the letter detailing their mission inside of it. Unbeknownst to them, when Rowan and Professor Berlitz were knocked on the ground by Diamond and Pearl, they had accidentally switched letters, causing Diamond and Pearl to take the bodyguard mission while mistaking it for a tour and Paka and Uji getting Diamond and Pearl's prize for winning a comedy competition, a bike ride.
Later, at Professor Rowan's lab, he and Professor Berlitz are discussing the topics on their upcoming presentation in Canalave City. After taking a break for sweets, they set off to Canalave for the conference. Later, they reach Canalave and note the discoveries they can make while Gym Leader Byron talks to his son Roark on the Pokégear as he passes by them. Sometime later, they go to do their presentation when a woman gives Rowan a newspaper from the Pokémon News Press. Rowan just decides to throw it away, failing to notice that Platinum is on the cover and is traveling with Diamond and Pearl instead of her bodyguards.
Later, after Platinum defeats Fantina in their Gym Battle, she sees on the television that both Professor Rowan and her father have gone missing. Platinum, Diamond, and Pearl go to Canalave to find the missing scientists; they eventually find them at the Canalave Gym being held there by the Gym Leader, Byron. After clearing up some misunderstandings, Byron reveals that it was a Team Galactic Grunt wearing a cloak that used a special device to trap the two scientists in a cage.
Later that night, the Advanced level Grunt returns to Canalave to set Professor Rowan and Professor Berlitz from their prison. Although freed from the cage, they are weak from staying inside of it for several days and need crutches just to be able to stand up. After Professor Berlitz allows Platinum to go and defeat Team Galactic and have Diamond and Pearl as her bodyguards, Professor Rowan upgrades their Pokédex to the National mode and gives them the ability to see gender differences.
During the final battle on the Spear Pillar, Rowan and Professor Berlitz join Byron and the Underground Man as bystanders while the other Sinnoh Gym Leaders fight against Team Galactic. They use a machine to monitor the distortion of space-time as Dialga and Palkia battle each other.
X & Y arc
Prior to the start of this chapter, as seen in a flashback in PS558, Professor Sycamore sent Trevor a copy of Professor Rowan's paper stating that 90% of Pokémon evolve.
Rowan discovered that Xerneas and Yveltal had resurfaced and informed Professor Oak about it.
Pokémon
Given to new Trainers
| Debut | Stagestruck Starly |
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- Main article: Platinum's Piplup
Rowan gave Piplup to Platinum. Unlike the others, Platinum kept Piplup.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
Professor Rowan appeared in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.
Given away
 Turtwig |
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!
Professor Rowan appeared in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!. Sometime before the series, Kaisei left Hareta under the custody of Professor Rowan while he went out traveling. In this canon, Professor Rowan adopted Hareta as a grandson. However, on seeing Hareta's ability to understand the souls of Pokémon, he felt it was best to leave him out in the forest with his Pokémon friends to care for him. He did not see Hareta again for four years.
Professor Rowan made his first appearance in In Search of the Legendary Pokémon Dialga!! where he saw Hareta after he dealt with an Onix. He took him and Mitsumi to a Pokémon Center in Sandgem Town. He then spoke to Mitsumi about Hareta. Deciding it would help the boy to travel and see the world, the Professor decided he should be a Pokémon Trainer and travel with his assistant, Mitsumi, and one of his Pokémon, Piplup. Later, he showed up sometime after Piplup used its Bubble Beam on the same Onix from before. He then explained to Mitsumi about Piplup's Torrent Ability, as to why Piplup's Bubble Beam was stronger than before. Professor Rowan then gave Hareta a Pokédex.
In Challenge! The Fortress Of Steel!!, Professor Rowan and Jun stepped in when Mitsumi had a battle with Jupiter. After Jupiter fled, Professor Rowan explained about the lake trio as to how Team Galactic was going to capture them for their hunt for Dialga. Professor Rowan assigned Mitsumi and Jun to go to the lakes where the three Pokémon live.
In Team Galactic's Ultimate Warrior, after Cyrus succeeded in obtaining Mesprit at Lake Verity, Professor Rowan came by and spoke to Cyrus. He had no desire to stop Cyrus but mentioned that Hareta will put a stop to his plans. Cyrus was unfazed about this as he has a greatest warrior and mentioned that she was someone that he knows quite well.
Professor Rowan went with Cynthia to Spear Pillar in The Advent of the Legendary Pokémon!! in order to find Hareta to warn him about Palkia. In Will Hareta's Wish Get Through?!, he encountered Jun and Jupiter where he told Jupiter that he didn't have time for that when Jupiter prevented him from getting through and then told her that the entire world was in danger. He then continued his way to Spear Pillar with Jun and Cynthia. Arriving in Spear Pillar, he witnessed Hareta's battle with Cyrus. After Dialga was freed from the Red Chain, Professor Rowan went to Cyrus and told him about his defeat. Afterwards, Palkia appeared with Professor Rowan informing Hareta about it. In Bonds Connect Across Space-Time..., Professor Rowan explained to Hareta the origin regarding the fight between Dialga and Palkia. He then saw that Hareta had a Master Ball and had an idea where they'll stop fighting if one of them got caught with the Master Ball. This made Hareta set out to do so.
In Clash! Hareta vs. Koya, Professor Rowan arrives at the Sinnoh League Tournament. He thought about how far Hareta came. He then reunited with Hareta as he wanted to see him in action. He stayed in the Sinnoh League watching Hareta's battles with the other Trainers. In A Surprise Visit from Hareta's Father!, he saw that Kaisei was there watching his son in the Sinnoh League and informed Mitsumi and Jun that Kaisei was Hareta's father. Later, he then witnessed Neo Team Galactic infiltrating the Sinnoh League and had Mitsumi and Jun stop them.
In Hareta's Excellent New Partner...Minun?!, Professor Rowan met up with Hareta, Mitsumi, and Jun at the Canalave Library. They spoke about Giratina and while Professor Rowan didn't have much information about Giratina, Kaisei would.
In Gathering of the Legendary Pokémon!, Professor Rowan was notified by B-2 about Giratina fighting Dialga and Palkia. He was then taken to where the battle took place. After Team Galactic got disbanded on Cyrus's orders and the battle between Giratina, Dialga, and Palkia was over, Professor Rowan was one of the people who returned to the Pokémon League to watch the battle between Hareta and Koya.
Pokémon
Gives to new Trainers
Given away
- Main article: Mitsumi's Chimchar
Mitsumi was given a Chimchar when she was a member of Team Galactic in order to teach her about kindness and love. It later evolved into an Infernape that she has to this day.
Pocket Monsters Diamond and Pearl: Regigigas Major Capture Operation!!
Professor Rowan appeared in Pocket Monsters Diamond and Pearl: Regigigas Major Capture Operation!!. Kaito and Yuki went to him for advice on how he could awaken Regigigas. He then explained as to how Regigigas was worshipped by three Pokémon and confirmed that the legendary titans made up the trio. He then wondered if they would help Regigigas awaken from its sleep, which Kaito, Yuki, and Kento decided to try.
Pocket Monsters DP
In PMDP04, Professor Rowan received Kazuki's briefcase, only to contain Red's Clefairy instead of what he wanted.
In PMDP06, he was going out on a dig to search for fossils.
In the TCG
This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Professor Rowan 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 Rowan | Su | Diamond & Pearl | 
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112/130 | Space-Time Creation |
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| Secret Wonders |
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123/132 | Dialga LV.X Constructed Standard Deck | ||||
| Palkia LV.X Constructed Standard Deck | |||||||
| Arceus LV.X Deck: Grass & Fire | 016/017 | ||||||
| Arceus LV.X Deck: Lightning & Psychic | 016/017 | ||||||
Trivia
- Rowan's studies declaring that 90% of all Pokémon are related through Evolution are only true as of Generation IV, and even then only if Legendary and Mythical Pokémon are not included.
- Rowan seems to have a sweet tooth. If the player looks at the refrigerator in his lab, it is full of sweets. Later, when met at the Veilstone Department Store after completing the main storyline, he seems upset that the Rage Candy Bars are still sold out.
- Rowan mentored Professor Sycamore when Sycamore was a young boy.[1]
References
- ↑ X and Y, Male Scientist, Sycamore Pokémon Lab, 2F: "[Professor Sycamore] is researching Evolution and change. I heard that he learned a lot from Prof. Rowan in Sinnoh when he was young."
Names
| Language | Name | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ナナカマド博士 Dr. Nanakamado | From 七竈 nanakamado (Japanese rowan) |
| English, Italian | Professor Rowan | From rowan |
| German | Professor Eibe | From Eibe (yew) |
| Spanish | Profesor Serbal | From serbal (generic name for trees belonging to the Sorbus genus) |
| French | Professeur Sorbier | From sorbier (generic name for trees belonging to the Sorbus genus) |
| Korean | 마박사 Dr. Ma | From 마가목 magamok (Japanese rowan) and the surname 마 (馬) Ma |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 山梨博士 Dr. Shānlí | From 山梨 shānlí / sāanlèih (rowan, sorb) |
| Chinese (Cantonese) | 山梨博士 Dr. Sāanlèih | |
| Finnish | Professori Rowan | From his English name |
| Polish | Profesor Rowan | From his English name |
| Brazilian Portuguese | Professor Rowan (anime) Professor Sorveira (TCG) |
From his English name From sorveira (generic name for trees belonging to the Sorbus genus) |
| Russian | Профессор Рован Professor Rovan | Transcription of his English name |
| Vietnamese | Giáo sư Nanakamado | Transcription of his Japanese name |
Related articles
| Pokémon Professors | |
|---|---|
| Core series | Oak • Elm • Birch • Cozmo • Rowan • Aurea Juniper • Cedric Juniper • Sycamore • Kukui • Burnet • Samson • Mohn • Magnolia • Sonia • Laventon • Sada • Turo |
| Masters EX | Oak • Sycamore • Kukui • Sonia |
| Other spin-offs |
Krane • P • Hastings • Holly • Burnet • Tetra • Willow • Mirror • Phorus • Fir • Neroli |
| Animated series | Oak • Ivy • Elm • Birch • Cozmo • Rowan • Carolina • Hastings • Aurea Juniper • Cedric Juniper • Sycamore • Kukui • Burnet • Samson • Mohn • Cerise • Magnolia • Sonia • Amaranth • Friede • Willow |
| Adventures | Oak • Elm • Birch • Cozmo • Rowan • Berlitz • Aurea Juniper • Cedric Juniper • Sycamore • Kukui • Burnet • Samson • Mohn • Magnolia • Sonia • Turo |
| Other manga | Oak (Pocket Monsters) |
| For more, see the Professors category | |
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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. |
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