Our ranking of the hottest Pokémon professors

Pokemon scarlet and violet introduced us to the newest professors in the Pokémon series, Professor Sada and Professor Turo. For the first time, game selection will determine which professor you meet in-game: Sada in scarlet and Turo in violet. It’s a tough decision, and on that occasion we’ve decided to reopen our own age-old debate – especially with so many new professors being inducted over the years. Which of these professors is the hottest? While Professor Willow is still the apple of our eye, how do the other researchers in the main titles rank in comparison?

One of the best and most underrated aspects of the Pokémon franchise are the professors who inspire, train, and push the trainers to be the best. Some would even say the best ever. From the original Professor Oak to the newest Professors Sada and Turo, the franchise’s academics are among its most important figures.

To pay tribute to these characters, Polygon’s staff sat down to discuss which professors were the sexiest and which weren’t. All rankings are based on their looks, personality, intelligence and a little I do not know what.

1. Professor Willow

The salt and pepper hair. The stubble. The grin. The strong brows. Which of these things makes Professor Willow so damn hot? The answer is NO – it’s actually the combination of gloves and goggles, complete with a sleek leather jacket. (JK… mostly.) Technically, this leather look only recently showed up in an update, but even before the outfit lit up, he was still serving. We love an active man! He can always have dinner with me using Pokémon Go. — Petra Radulovic

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2. Professor Burnet

Professor Burnet is nothing but relatable; She’s not afraid to lust for her crush in public as we saw in the Pokémon anime. Burnet is hot because she knows what she wants and pursues her irrepressible passion even if her face turns red. Add to that her cool beach vibes and striking white hair. Professor Burnet is a total babe. Unfortunately, according to lore, she is already married to Professor Kukui. But maybe they’re the kind of couple you’ve seen across the room and like your vibe. Who knows? — Nicole Carpenter

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3. Professor Sycamore

I grew up in a time when skinny boys in skinny jeans, Victorian-style jackets, and too much hair gel were the definition of sexy. These were the types of types you would see on the Warped Tour pretending not to care because it was just to appear interested in anythingso lame. With that in mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Professor Augustine Sycamore – from the Kalos region – is my pick for hottest Pokémon scholar. He has a Brooklyn style about him that screams, “begged his suburban parents to drive him to the coolest indie rock concert of the month when he was 16.” Plus, that stubble and hairdo? Sold! — Julia Alexander

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4. Professor Juniper

Aurea Juniper stands out on our list as the first woman to run a Pokémon lab. She’s a perfect example of why this lack of diversity is so disheartening. She’s classy and smart, but she’s also aware of something most other professors aren’t: having to work with Pokémon all day is challenging fun, Man. She is exciting and excitable, an approachable genius. That makes her a certified baby. — Allegra Frank

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5. Professor Kukui

Image: The Pokemon Company/Bulbapedia

Professor Kukui is one of the youngest of the bunch. With a snapback, baggy sweatshirts, and what appear to be surf shoes, there’s a good chance Kukui is a backup dancer for a local troupe—but that’s also what makes him so endearing to me. Kukui looks like a lot of the people who live in my neighborhood, so there’s a sense of familiarity with him that I don’t get from the other professors. In traditional millennial fashion, he’s rocking a man bun, and I have to take a moment to appreciate his dedication to keeping up with the kids. — AND

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6. Professor now

Image: The Pokemon Company/Bulbapedia

Professor Sada is one of two new professors making their debut Pokemon scarlet and violet. Sada seems to represent the past, so she appears to be wearing animal skin and bones, in a hot state flint look kinda. We are on! She does have a bit of a sexy stepmother vibe, but I’d just prefer if she just tucked those claws away for all of us. — Ana Diaz

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7. Professor Birch

Image: The Pokemon Company/Bulbapedia

Professor Birch holds a special place in my heart for a number of reasons, but one of them is that he looks like someone I dated who had the same satchel as Birch, which I coveted throughout our relationship. He’s also a man who oozes confidence – just look at those flip-flops – and probably enjoys going to the local pub for a pint after work. Not as drop-dead gorgeous as Professor Sycamore, Birch looks like he’s incredibly charming and sweet. He is someone who is in it for the long haul and would spend his romantic evenings with you reading the latest Pokémon journals. If that’s not aww-worthy, what is? — AND

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8. Professor Magnolia

Image: The Pokemon Company/Bulbapedia

Professor Magnolia has kind eyes and incredibly cool glasses. Everything about her look is so beautifully put together, from her bird stick to her matching headband and necklace. She’s a capable, intelligent woman, and even though she looks stern when she smiles at you, you know you did something right. It’s nice to see an older lady who knows a thing or two about the world of Pokémon. She probably has some great tips for Pokémon care. — PR

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9. Professor Elm

Image: The Pokemon Company/Bulbapedia

Perhaps, by traditional standards of attractiveness, Professor Elm isn’t the hottest Pokémon scholar around. But the smartest man in the Johto region has won a place in my heart for a number of reasons. He is approachable, charming, friendly, polite; He’s a bit of a dork, and he’s definitely a clumsy guy. Elm is like your childhood best friend who you can never imagine having a growing up crush until you realize he’s the one who’s been caring about you the most all this time. Nice guys often finish last – but not Elm. Not with me. — FROM

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10.Professor Turo

Image: The Pokemon Company/Bulbapedia

OK, objectively this guy looks good. He has a chiseled jaw and is clearly exercising. But he looks… too good. Like it was made in a lab or something. He looks masculine in a way that certain unsavory subcultures of the internet might aspire to. It’s probably the undercut and maybe the fact that he looks like he’s going to make a really insensitive comment and say it’s just a joke. If any of these Pokémon professors had a callout post made about him based on something he said on a podcast, it would be Turo. — PR

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11. Professor Rowan

Image: The Pokemon Company/Bulbapedia

Admittedly, I’m not as turned on by Rowan as Julia is. You know how kids keep calling hot guys “daddy” these days? Rowan is the same age as my literal father. That’s not hot. We’re sorry. Not in. Well, I’m not saying Julia’s into it, but she had a compelling counter-argument. Rowan is hot because he’s an authority figure, she explained. He has power to wield over you, and there’s something appealing about that. I mean, that power boils down to him being the guy to go to if you want a starter Pokemon in the Sinnoh region, but still. That’s not nothing. Rowan is a bit out of my age group, but maybe I’d give him my number. Maybe. — FROM

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12. Professor Oak

Image: The Pokemon Company/Bulbapedia

Professor Oak isn’t unattractive, and being at the bottom of the list shouldn’t make him any less handsome, but the fact remains that Professor Oak reminds us of our grandfather. Professor Oak will always be the best professor because he was the first professor we were ever introduced to, but he will never kindle that spark of electricity in us like Professor Sycamore does. — AND

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13. Professor Lavanton

Image: The Pokemon Company/Bulbapedia

It’s a shame to put someone at the bottom of the list, but we had to agree on one – and it was Professor Laventon. To me, style is part of finding someone attractive, and sadly, their signature hat really gets in the way. (That’s a bummer since he looks very charming without a hat and lab coat!) During Pokémon Legends: Arceus is wonderfully funny, it’s new enough that Laventon doesn’t carry the same nostalgia as his countrymen. — Nicole Clark

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Honorable Mention for the Hottest: Sonia

Image: The Pokemon Company/Bulbapedia

Technically, Sonia’s grandmother is the one titled: Professor Magnolia. But scene-stealing granddaughter Sonia is the kind of person you want to be and Date. She’s cute, smart, stylish, and loves dogs—or rather, Pokemon that are basically dogs. Also, she loves and supports her grandmother, Professor Magnolia, and we love a family woman. Sonia is the classic girl next door. She even makes the white coat look cute. — Nicole Carpenter

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Honorable Mention for Least Hot: Holly

Image: The Pokemon Company/Bulbapedia

You probably don’t know who that is. This is Professor Holly from the official Pokémon TCG: Download now. She has the best Microsoft clipart ass design I’ve ever seen, which is why technically she’s not even on the official list. — ADVERTISEMENT