Professor Elm

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Professor Elm
ウツギ博士 Dr. Utsugi
HeartGold SoulSilver Professor Elm.png
Art from HeartGold and SoulSilver by Ken Sugimori[1]
Gender Male
Hometown New Bark Town
Region Johto
Relatives Unnamed wife and child (games)
Generation II, IV
Games Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, SoulSilver
Game animation cameos GOTCHA!
Anime debut Don't Touch That 'dile!
English voice actor Paul Frank
Japanese voice actor Kazuhiko Inoue

Professor Elm (Japanese: ウツギ博士 Dr. Utsugi) is the resident Pokémon Professor of New Bark Town in the Johto region. He specializes in Pokémon breeding, and is credited with the discovery of Pokémon Eggs. According to Professor Oak, in HeartGold and SoulSilver, Professor Elm "is the best when it comes to the research of Pokémon evolution." In the anime, Elm also states he studies unusual Pokémon Abilities.

Elm gives one of the three first partner Pokémon of Johto—Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile—to Ethan, KrisC, or LyraHGSS so that they will have an easier time getting to Mr. Pokémon's house.

In the core series games

Professor Elm works at his laboratory in New Bark Town. He lives in a small house near his laboratory with his wife and son, who wants to grow up to be a Pokémon Professor like his dad. He also has an aide who assists him in his laboratory.

Elm is known for being a little scatterbrained and disorganized when he gets wrapped up with his research—to the point that, according to his wife, he sometimes forgets to eat. He holds Professor Oak in high regards. At the start of Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver, he gives the player their first first partner Pokémon.

In addition to their first partner Pokémon, Elm gives the player various items during the game. After the player hatches Togepi from the Egg his assistant gives them in the Pokémon CenterGSC/Poké MartHGSS in Violet City, Elm gives them an Everstone. After the player obtains all eight Johto Badges, Elm gives them a Master Ball. After the player enters the Hall of Fame, he gives them a ticket to the S.S. Aqua, allowing them to travel to the neighboring Kanto region.

A man standing next to the east gate of Hearthome City states that he's a friend with Professor Elm and that his friend told him that leaving a pair of Pokémon in the Pokémon Day Care, sometimes leads to Eggs being found or things that are like Eggs. The man also states that Elm was always a quiet sort and didn't really stand out.

Pokémon

Professor Elm gives the player their first partner Pokémon in all Johto-based core series games.

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

Spr 2c 152.png
Type:
Grass Unknown
Held item:
Berry
Chikorita/ Lv.5
Tackle
Normal
Growl
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
Spr 2c 155.png
Type:
Fire Unknown
Held item:
Berry
Cyndaquil/ Lv.5
Tackle
Normal
Leer
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   
Spr 2c 158.png
Type:
Water Unknown
Held item:
Berry
Totodile/ Lv.5
Scratch
Normal
Leer
Normal
  --  
   
  --  
   

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Spr 4h 152.png
Type:
Grass Unknown
Ability:
Overgrow
Held item:
None
Chikorita/ Lv.5
Tackle
Normal Physical
Growl
Normal Status
  --  
   
  --  
   
Spr 4h 155.png
Type:
Fire Unknown
Ability:
Blaze
Held item:
None
Cyndaquil/ Lv.5
Tackle
Normal Physical
Leer
Normal Status
  --  
   
  --  
   
Spr 4h 158.png
Type:
Water Unknown
Ability:
Torrent
Held item:
None
Totodile/ Lv.5
Scratch
Normal Physical
Leer
Normal Status
  --  
   
  --  
   

Gallery

Artwork

Gold Silver Professor Elm.png
Official artwork from
Gold, Silver, and Crystal

Sprites

Elm II OD.png Elm OD.png
Overworld sprite from
Generation II
Overworld sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver

Quotes

Main article: Professor Elm/Quotes

In the anime

Main series

Professor Elm in the anime

Professor Elm was one of Professor Oak's top students at a university. He currently specializes in the research of Abilities and has interests in the origins of life.

Professor Elm debuted in Don't Touch That 'dile. Team Rocket infiltrated his laboratory at New Bark Town, and while he was studying a rare cell division through a microscope, the trio took off with a Totodile reserved for a new Trainer. Officer Jenny, Ash, and his friends later battled Team Rocket and managed to return Totodile to Elm's lab.

After a period of traveling, the group encountered Elm again in Around the Whirlpool while he was studying the origins of life in the Whirl Islands with Captain Marius. Elm helped rescue the group from the surrounding whirlpools with his newly-caught Corsola. Together, they docked at the Blue Point Isle, where Elm informed them about the upcoming Whirl Cup tournament. Later, Elm and Corsola saved a group of Pokémon from being stolen by Team Rocket. Elm and Captain Marius then left the group to continue their research elsewhere.

In Lapras of Luxury, Elm contacted Ash to congratulate him on getting eight Johto Badges. He then sent him on an errand to retrieve an Egg from the nearby Marine Pokémon Laboratory. As the head of the Pokémon Preservation Council, Elm had received news of the Egg after it had been poached from Mt. Silver. Ash and his friends obtained the Egg from Naomi and went on their way towards New Bark Town.

The Egg hatched in Hatch Me If You Can, and the group contacted Elm after the baby Larvitar was seemingly unresponsive to Nurse Joy's treatment. Elm interrupted his dinner with Oak and Delia, who were visiting him to wish Ash well before the Silver Conference, and rushed over to Ash's location to see Larvitar. The two Professors managed to stabilize Larvitar's body temperature, but it was still unresponsive. Later, as Ash fought Team Rocket, Larvitar overcame its unresponsive state to send them blasting off. Afterwards, Elm drove everyone to New Bark Town and entrusted Ash and his friends with the task of returning Larvitar to its home at Mt. Silver. In You're a Star, Larvitar!, Elm checked in with the group and heard that Larvitar was doing well. Eventually, Ash and his friends would return Larvitar to its mother Tyranitar.

In A Claim to Flame!, Elm was seen watching the Silver Conference on TV. Later, Ash happened to overhear Jackson's video call with Elm in Tie One On! and spoke with him briefly. Elm officially thanked Ash and his friends for their help and informed them on Larvitar's well-being.

Elm made a brief cameo in The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon, after Dr. Yung revealed he had hacked the computer data of leading specialists, including that of Elm, to help with the construction of his Mirage Pokémon system.

Elm was mentioned in Caring for a Mystery!, when Professor Cerise told Ash and Goh about his research into Pokémon Eggs. Elm was also seen in a picture in the same episode.

Character

Professor Elm is regarded as sweet and kindhearted by many, including New Bark Town's Nurse Joy. While he is incredibly knowledgeable, he is known to get into heated arguments with others over research and theories. He also tends to go into unnecessarily lengthy explanations whenever he is asked a question.

In addition, Elm can be incredibly absentminded. He has a habit of getting wrapped up in his research, to the point where he is completely oblivious to his surroundings, and he may not leave his laboratory for days.

Pokémon


This article is missing information on this character's English voice actor and Japanese voice actor.
You can help by adding this information.


This listing is of Professor Elm's known Pokémon in the anime:

On hand
Corsola
Professor Elm's Corsola

Professor Elm's Corsola is his only known Pokémon that he actually owns. It is very fond of pools. This Corsola inspired Misty to try to catch her own Corsola. When Ash and his friends were blasted off their boat by Team Rocket and into the water with raging whirlpools, Corsola found the group and helped them.

Later, when Team Rocket had stolen a couple of Pokémon, Corsola jumped into the water to stop them. It tried to use Tackle, but Weezing struck back. Corsola dodged and defeated Jessie's Arbok. It then used Spike Cannon and sent Team Rocket blasting off.

Corsola's known moves are Tackle and Spike Cannon.

Gives to new Trainers
Chikorita
Professor Elm's Chikorita

Professor Elm's Chikorita is a first partner Pokémon that he gives to new Trainers who want to start their Pokémon journey. Although it was not shown in his lab, Elm showed Ash and his friends a picture of one.

None of Chikorita's moves are known.

Cyndaquil
Professor Elm's Cyndaquil
Debut Don't Touch That 'dile
Voice actors
Japanese
English Kayzie Rogers

Professor Elm's Cyndaquil is a first partner Pokémon that he gives to new Trainers who want to start their Pokémon journey. It first appeared when Elm was holding it as he spoke to Ash and his friends who were very interested about it.

None of Cyndaquil's moves are known.

Totodile
Professor Elm's Totodile
Debut Don't Touch That 'dile
Voice actors
Japanese
English Kayzie Rogers

Professor Elm's Totodile is a first partner Pokémon that he gives to new Trainers who want to start their Pokémon journey. One appeared when Elm mistook Jessie for Nurse Joy and told her to check up on Totodile, who started to bite Meowth's tail and spray James with water, but the trio then stole Totodile. It later appeared when it would not let go of Jessie's hair but was taken off using Bulbasaur's Vine Whip and given back to Elm.

Totodile's only known move is Water Gun.

Gave away to new Trainers
Casey Chikorita.png
Casey's Chikorita
Vincent Chikorita.png
Vincent's Chikorita
Jimmy Cyndaquil.png
Jimmy's Cyndaquil
Marina Totodile.png
Wani-Wani
Given away
Larvitar Egg.png
Egg

Voice actors

Language Voice actor
Japanese 井上和彦 Kazuhiko Inoue
English Paul Frank
Arabic جهاد الأطرش Jihad Al Attrash (EP117)
Unknown voice actor (EP266-EP268)
Czech Radovan Vaculík
Finnish Unknown voice actor (EP117)
Pasi Ruohonen (EP266-EP268)
French Canada Pierre Chagnon
Europe Jean-Paul Clerbois
Hebrew דור צוויגנבאום Dor Tsvigenbaum
Italian Luca Semeraro (EP117-EP268)
Davide Albano (TPCi redub of EP117)
Gianluca Iacono (Pokémon Chronicles)
Norwegian Trond Teigen
Polish Jacek Kałucki (EP117)
Wojciech Majchrzak (EP210)
Ireneusz Machnicki (EP257-EP268)
Brazilian Portuguese Faduli Costa
Spanish Latin America Ernesto Lezama (EP117)
Enrique Mederos (EP210-EP268)
Gerardo García (Pokémon Chronicles)
Spain Eduardo Bosch
Eduardo del Hoyo (Pokémon Chronicles)


GOTCHA!

Professor Elm briefly appeared in GOTCHA!.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Professor Elm in Pokémon Adventures

History

Gold, Silver & Crystal arc

Professor Elm was initially to be brought several Pokémon by Joey from Professor Oak, but before that happened, the Totodile that he was studying was stolen, and he was knocked unconscious before he could do anything. Gold then arrived and took Cyndaquil as well to catch the thief.

After Gold first battled with the Masked Man at the Ilex Forest and lost, Elm was able to get a sample of his clothing and found particles on them, but he did not know what they were. Elm then contacted Gold when he was battling the Masked Man for a second time, informing him that the particles on the clothes are the same substance used for Gym Badges, and that the Masked Man must be a Gym Leader. He tells Gold that he should not try to fight him, but Gold simply replies with, "It's too late."

A while beforehand, he decided that Gold was trustworthy enough to try to hatch an Egg for him, saying that it had not moved an inch while it was in the lab. While the Egg did hatch into a Togepi, due to Gold's habits of visiting arcades while it was an Egg, it learned how to play dice, pool, and poker, making Elm furious about how Gold had turned it into a delinquent. Little did he know, with Togepi's aggression came Gold's innate talent for bringing the fullest potential of baby Pokémon, allowing it to easily defeat the wild Gligar that tried to eat it right before it hatched (and the Tyranitar that Silver borrowed from Lance).

Joey stays behind with him to help Elm with chores and research.

Emerald arc

In Epilogue, he makes a cameo appearance in one of the ships heading to the Battle Frontier.

HeartGold & SoulSilver arc

He is seen in Gold's flashback while Professor Oak gives Gold the task of meeting with Lance who has information about Team Rocket and their plan of obtaining Arceus.

Diamond & Pearl arc

In Knowledge of the Unown II, both Professor Elm and Joey make a cameo. Elm is seen talking with Professor Rowan via videophone.

Pokémon

On hand
Sentret
Professor Elm's Sentret

Sentret is Professor Elm's only known Pokémon. It is usually with him when he was in his lab.

Sentret's only known move is Foresight* and its Ability is Run Away.

Given away
Cyndaquil
Gold's Cyndaquil
Debut Murkrow Row
Main article: Exbo

Gold was loaned a Cyndaquil to get back the Totodile Silver stole in the lab. However, as Gold went out on his journey, he kept the Cyndaquil and nicknamed it Exbo (Japanese: バクたろう Baktaro).

Togebo Egg.png
Egg
Formerly owned
Chikorita
Crystal's Chikorita
Debut Murkrow Row
Main article: Megaree

Chikorita ran away from Professor Elm's lab as he wanted to go out on an adventure. Crystal found him and was able to catch him along with a Victreebel. Crystal was reluctant to keep Chikorita on her team, but after noticing some strength he had, she decides to keep and name him Megaree (Japanese: メガぴょん Megapyon).

Stolen
Totodile
Silver's Totodile
Debut Murkrow Row
Main article: Silver's Totodile

Totodile was stolen by Silver in the lab in the beginning of the Gold, Silver & Crystal arc.

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

Professor Elm in Pokémon Gold and Silver: The Golden Boys

Professor Elm first appeared in Let's Go!! The Journey Towards The Championship.

Pokémon

Gives to new Trainers
Elm Chikorita Golden Boys.png
Chikorita
Elm Cyndaquil Golden Boys.png
Cyndaquil
Elm Totodile Golden Boys.png
Totodile
Given to new Trainers
Gold Totodile Golden Boys.png
Totodile
Black Chikorita Golden Boys.png
Chikorita

Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

Professor Elm in Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

Professor Elm appeared in JBA1 and JBA6.

Pokémon

Gives to new Trainers
Elm Chikorita JBA.png
Chikorita
Elm Cyndaquil JBA.png
Cyndaquil
Elm Totodile JBA.png
Totodile
Given to new Trainers
Totodile
Jō's Totodile
Debut JBA1
Main article: Jō's Totodile

Professor Elm gave Totodile to Jō.

Chikorita
Tsubaki's Chikorita
Debut JBA1

Tsubaki went to Professor Elm's lab and took a Chikorita from him.

Chikorita's known moves are Tackle, Razor Leaf and Magical Leaf.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Professor Elm in Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Professor Elm appears in the Johto saga of Pokémon Pocket Monsters. He recommends Gold and Silver to Professor Oak as the chosen Trainers to get their first Pokémon. He even introduces them to Red. Unlike other media, he was not seen giving away the Johto first partner Pokémon to new Trainers yet. In Marill's Special Training to Surpass Pikachu!!, he was seen fighting Professor Oak after a Marill came by and stole some food.

Professor Elm reappears in PMHGSS01, where he is in charge of the Pokéathlon. and has competed with Red in various events that went on. Elm reappears again in PMHGSS20 along with the other professors. They were the judge of Clefairy's fight with Giratina. After their battle, Professor Elm got into a brawl with the other professors that was started by Clefairy. After watching the fight that was recorded, they worked together and fought Clefairy.

Pokémon

0572Minccino.png This section does not yet meet the quality standards of Bulbapedia. Please feel free to edit this section to make it conform to Bulbapedia norms and conventions.
On hand
Sudowoodo
Elm's Sudowoodo
Debut PMHGSS01

Sudowoodo was Professor Elm's first revealed Pokémon. It was in charge of the Pokéathlon along with Professor Elm.

None of Sudowoodo's moves are known.

Status unknown

These Pokémon were seen with him but it was not stated whether or not they belong to him.

Loudred
Elm's Loudred
Debut PMHGSS01

A Loudred was seen as an announcer of the Pokéathlon. It is unknown if it belonged to Professor Elm.

None of Loudred's moves are known.

In the TCG

Artwork

Artwork from the cards:

Professor Elm TCG.png Professor Elm Training Method.png
With a Cyndaquil Having his hand bitten by a Totodile

Cards

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Professor Elm 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.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Professor Elm T Neo Genesis Uncommon 96/111 Gold, Silver, to a New World... Uncommon  
Best of Game   3      
Professor Elm's Training Method Su Expedition Base Set Uncommon 148/165 Base Expansion Pack Uncommon 049/128
EX Unseen Forces Uncommon 89/115 Golden Sky, Silvery Ocean Uncommon 097/106
      Meganium Constructed Starter Deck   013/016
      Typhlosion Constructed Starter Deck   013/016
      Feraligatr Constructed Starter Deck   013/016
EX Dragon Frontiers Uncommon 79/101 Imprison! Gardevoir ex Constructed Standard Deck   014/024
      Shockwave! Tyranitar ex Constructed Standard Deck   014/024
HeartGold & SoulSilver Uncommon 100/123 HeartGold Collection Uncommon 067/070
      L-P Promotional cards   023/L-P
      Leafeon Deck   012/015
      Metagross Deck   011/014
      Blastoise Starter Deck   009/010
      Steelix Constructed Standard Deck   014/019
      Tyranitar Constructed Standard Deck   014/019
Gyarados Half Deck   25/30      
Call of Legends Uncommon 77/95      
Professor Elm's Lecture Su Lost Thunder Uncommon 188/214 Super-Burst Impact U 088/095
Lost Thunder Rare Ultra 213/214 Super-Burst Impact SR 102/095
      SM-P Promotional cards   250/SM-P
      Tag Team GX Deck Build Box   019/029
Yellow A Alternate cards   188a/214 Alter Genesis TR 095/095
      Tag All Stars   145/173
 


Trivia

  • Professor Elm is the only Professor to give the player a first partner Pokémon, but not a Pokédex.
    • Also, in the anime, Professor Elm is the only Professor known to give new Trainers a first partner Pokémon that did not give any to neither Ash nor his companions.
  • In the games, one of the townsfolk mentions that Professor Elm is the one who discovered that Pikachu is an evolved Pokémon (Pichu was introduced in Generation II).
  • Professor Elm is the only core series professor to lack non-overworld artwork in their respective game. His sole in-game portrait is in Pokémon Puzzle Challenge.

Names

Language Name Origin
Japanese ウツギ博士 Dr. Utsugi From 空木 utsugi (Deutzia crenata)
English, Italian,
Brazilian Portuguese
Professor Elm From elm
German Professor Lind From Linde (linden)
Spanish Profesor Elm From his English name

Brazilian Portuguese
Professor Elm

Professor Elmo*

From his English name

From the name "Elmo"

French Professeur Orme From orme (elm)
Korean 박사 Dr. Gong From the hanja reading of 空 in the Japanese name 空木 Utsugi and the surname 공 (孔) Gong
Chinese (Mandarin) 空木博士 Dr. Kōngmù From the Japanese name 空木 Utsugi
Chinese (Cantonese) 空木博士 Dr. Hūngmuhk
Finnish Professori Elm From his English name
Vietnamese Giáo sư Utsugi Transcription of his Japanese name


References

Related articles

Non-player characters in the core series games
Johto Professor ElmProfessor OakMomEthanLyraSilverMr. PokémonEusineLanceRedKiyoBaobaMagnusEarlKurtCarrieDude
MaryBuenaRadio DirectorHaircut brothersWebsterMasterLiWilmaPrimoMaximoJetCaitlinCynthiaCameronMr. GameFelicityTeala
Team RocketGym guideGym LeadersFrontier BrainsKimono GirlsWeek SiblingsName RaterPoké SeerDay-Care CoupleProfessor's aides
Oak (animeAdventuresPocket MonstersMasters) • ElmBirchRowanAurea JuniperCedric JuniperSycamore (animeMasters)
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Antagonists Jessie (Wobbuffet) • JamesMeowthGiovanniButchCassidyDr. NambaMatoriPierceDr. ZagerGozuTabithaMaxieShellyArchieHunter JSaturnCyrusMarsJupiterCharonColressAldithGhetsisBarretMalamarLysandreMableCelosiaAlianaXerosicBryonyTuppZippRappPlumeriaGuzmaVirenRoseOleana
Professors Professor OakProfessor IvyProfessor ElmProfessor BirchProfessor RowanProfessor CarolinaProfessor JuniperDr. FennelCedric JuniperProfessor SycamoreProfessor KukuiProfessor BurnetProfessor CeriseProfessor MagnoliaSoniaProfessor Amaranth
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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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