Professor Platane, also known as Professor Sycamore, is a Pokémon Professor who runs his laboratory in Lumiose City in the Kalos region. His life's work is the study of Mega Evolution, the phenomenon that allows certain Pokémon to evolve past their usual final stage. He is the one who provides new trainers with their first partner Pokémon: Froakie, Chespin, or Fennekin. His lab is home to a Gible that evolved into a Gabite and then into a female Garchomp. Kept for his research, this Garchomp possesses a gentle and caring temperament yet remains a powerful and eager fighter. Its history includes an episode where it ran out of control and was subdued by a Mega Blaziken, and a separate occasion where it was kidnapped by Team Rocket and had to be rescued. His expertise connects him to other prominent individuals in his field. He once acted as a mentor to a Trainer named Alain, who reported to him about his Charmander’s evolution and his search for a Charizardite. The businessman Lysandre later supplied Alain with a Key Stone and Charizardite X, deliberately excluding Sycamore from his deeper plans to shield the professor and contain any possible misuse of his research. He also organizes a Summer Camp for aspiring young trainers. His laboratory has been damaged and reconstructed several times. He is known for his friendly demeanor and bright enthusiasm, frequently exclaiming "Marvelous!" He has shown a capacity for direct action, such as when he physically confronted a Team Flare grunt who assaulted his assistant, Mairin, before sending out his Garchomp. He is a keeper of secrets, knowing the true identity of Meyer as the Blaziken Mask, a fact hidden even from Meyer's children. After Alain’s defeat in a major battle, he was present to console a distraught Mairin.