Are you a boy? Or are you a girl? Professor Oak is the very first Pokémon Professor you meet in the wonderful world of Pokémon. He’s forgetful, unable to remember the name of his nephew in games and he’s always around to remind you that you can’t use a bike in the ocean. However, he is an indispensable companion to Ash (and, really, all trainers).

In Pokemon, James is a member of Team Rocket, a trio that follows Ash Ketchum around trying to steal his Pikachu. If you see James, his mates Jessie and Meowth are usually not far behind.

Ash Ketchum has always dreamed of becoming a Pokémon Master and as soon as he turned ten he obtained his first Pokémon, Pikachu. Together with his friends Misty and Brock, he’s learned to improve his skills and capture more Pokémon.

In Pokemon Go, Professor Willow introduces beginner trainers to the game by giving them their first pokeballs, and experienced trainers a shot at catching Mew. With his silver fox looks and toned physique, any Pokemon trainer would be happy to follow Professor Willow’s orders.

Specializing in Fire-type Pokémon, Flannery (voiced by Lisa Ortiz in the anime) is the resident gym leader of Lavaridge Town. Her gym also serves as the local hot spring. Her wild red hair can be replicated with a lot of patience and even more hair spray, and the flame logo on her shirt can easily applied to a plain tee using paint.

Professor Birch is the stoutly Pokémon professor for the Hoenn Region. He is more outgoing than the other professors and often takes his research with him outdoors, hence those really cool sandals. Birch’s research specialisation is Pokémon behaviour in the wild.