Movie
Description
Professor Samuel Oak, known as Yukinari Ookido in Japanese, serves as a prominent Pokémon researcher in Pallet Town, Kanto. He hails from a distinguished family: one brother acts as Pallet Town's mayor, another as its postmaster, and his grandfather stands as the town's first recognized Pokémon Trainer. Oak achieved early acclaim by publishing a significant Pokémon research paper at twenty and secured a professorship at Celadon University by twenty-five. His research centers on human-Pokémon interactions, and he co-developed the comprehensive digital Pokémon encyclopedia, the Pokédex, alongside Professor Westwood. He operates a large Pallet Town research facility housing and studying Pokémon entrusted by trainers, including those of Ash Ketchum and his grandson Gary Oak.
In *Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!*, Professor Oak initiates Ash Ketchum's journey. When Ash arrives late to select his first Pokémon, Oak discloses that the starter Pokémon—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—are already claimed. He instead supplies Ash with a Pikachu, cautioning that it remains untamed and challenging for beginners. Despite Pikachu's initial defiance and refusal to obey Ash or enter a Poké Ball, Oak entrusts Ash with Pikachu, a Pokédex, and six Poké Balls, setting Ash's quest into motion. Oak's film role concludes after this introductory sequence.
Oak exhibits a forgetful disposition and composes senryū, haiku-like poems, about Pokémon. He maintains a close friendship with Ash's mother, Delia Ketchum, and mentors both Ash and Gary. His support often involves advice or logistical aid, like storing Ash's excess Pokémon, including thirty Tauros caught in the Safari Zone. Yet he displays visible discomfort around certain Pokémon, particularly Ash's Muk, which frequently overwhelms him with affectionate tackles. Oak also shows occasional dismissiveness, such as downplaying Ash's early Gym Badge achievements compared to Gary's progress.
Beyond the film, Oak oversees the care of deposited Pokémon, conducts field research—like studying Slowpoke evolution—and collaborates with researchers including his mentee, Elm. A childhood fascination, such as encountering an Omanyte fossil in a museum, foreshadowed his career. A notable incident from his youth involved time-traveling to the future to aid Ash in protecting Celebi, though this event remains undepicted in *I Choose You!*.
In *Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!*, Professor Oak initiates Ash Ketchum's journey. When Ash arrives late to select his first Pokémon, Oak discloses that the starter Pokémon—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—are already claimed. He instead supplies Ash with a Pikachu, cautioning that it remains untamed and challenging for beginners. Despite Pikachu's initial defiance and refusal to obey Ash or enter a Poké Ball, Oak entrusts Ash with Pikachu, a Pokédex, and six Poké Balls, setting Ash's quest into motion. Oak's film role concludes after this introductory sequence.
Oak exhibits a forgetful disposition and composes senryū, haiku-like poems, about Pokémon. He maintains a close friendship with Ash's mother, Delia Ketchum, and mentors both Ash and Gary. His support often involves advice or logistical aid, like storing Ash's excess Pokémon, including thirty Tauros caught in the Safari Zone. Yet he displays visible discomfort around certain Pokémon, particularly Ash's Muk, which frequently overwhelms him with affectionate tackles. Oak also shows occasional dismissiveness, such as downplaying Ash's early Gym Badge achievements compared to Gary's progress.
Beyond the film, Oak oversees the care of deposited Pokémon, conducts field research—like studying Slowpoke evolution—and collaborates with researchers including his mentee, Elm. A childhood fascination, such as encountering an Omanyte fossil in a museum, foreshadowed his career. A notable incident from his youth involved time-traveling to the future to aid Ash in protecting Celebi, though this event remains undepicted in *I Choose You!*.