Professor Rowan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Professor Rowan
Original Name	山梨博士
Species/Race	Human 18
Gender	Male 18
Age Group	Elderly 18
Affiliation	Professor Rowan’s laboratory, Sandgem Town, Sinnoh 18
Occupation/Role	Pokémon Professor specializing in evolution; distributor of Sinnoh starter Pokémon 18
First Appearance	Mentioned in Chen Yan’s travel plans 7; appears in person 18

Background

Rowan studies Pokémon evolution at his laboratory in Sandgem Town. His laboratory is the only one in Sinnoh authorized to distribute starter Pokémon, attracting prospective Trainers from other locations. Its Pokédexes also connect directly to Sinnoh League headquarters, allowing their holders to register for Gym challenges and Pokémon Contests without additional paperwork 18 28.

He is regarded alongside Professor Oak as one of the foremost authorities among Pokémon Professors. Cynthia studied under him for a time; his public praise is uncommon enough that his endorsement of Chen Yan attracts attention from prominent Trainers 32 46.

Appearance

• Hair and facial hair: Slicked-back gray hair and a mustache 18.
• Clothing: Introduced wearing a gray coat over a blue fleece vest, with a tie 18.
• Expression: Usually stern-faced, with visibly furrowed brows when worried about his research or missing Pokémon 18 23.
• Hands: Broad palms; he crushes a walnut with a single squeeze 36.
• Laboratory attire: Unlike many professors, he does not ordinarily wear a white lab coat while working, although he owns one that he lends to Chen Yan 27.

Personality

Despite his stern appearance, Rowan is gentle, hospitable, and willing to help. After Chen Yan returns his stolen research, he thanks both the young man and his Pokémon, bows in gratitude, and invites them to his laboratory for tea. He also laughs readily at Chen Yan and Gengar’s squabbling, recognizing their affection beneath the antics 18 24 29.

He values careful judgment and respect for Pokémon’s choices. He approves of Chen Yan refusing to give speculative evolution advice, tells viewers to respect Pokémon that do not want to evolve, and assures Snivy that she is free to leave the laboratory. Later, he encourages her not to let gratitude toward researchers prevent her from pursuing her own wishes 25 29 30 40.

Rowan takes an interest in people who cannot follow a conventional Trainer’s journey. When a wheelchair-using boy longs for Pokémon companionship, he offers an Egg and later personally delivers it to the boy’s home. His patience also extends to new Trainers: he lets the early-arriving Zhen Xiu choose his starter before the scheduled time 27 28 32.

Abilities & Skills

Pokémon Evolution Research

Rowan teaches Chen Yan about evolution throughout his stay in Sandgem Town and answers his questions without reservation 35 37.

Subject	Explanation or Application
Battle-triggered evolution	Describes it as a Pokémon unlocking its potential in response to its Trainer’s wishes; it improves potential rather than harming the body 30.
Natural evolution	Explains that Pokémon can evolve when they reach the appropriate point in their development 30.
Item-based evolution	Uses Eevee’s stone evolutions as an example of evolution assisted by items 30.
Personality changes	Warns that evolution may alter behavior and relationships, even when the Pokémon still cares for its Trainer 30.
Evolution timing	Shares Cynthia’s advice that reasonably regulating evolution can allow Pokémon to learn moves and develop strength before evolving 30.
Gimmighoul’s forms	Identifies a caller’s missing treasure chest as the obstacle to evolution: only Chest Form Gimmighoul can evolve into Gholdengo 30.

Item Energy and Pokémon Potential

Rowan explains why Gengar and Weedle can consume a Toxic Orb to strengthen their poison, rather than merely use it as a held item 27.

• Pokémon can absorb energy from certain items to gradually improve their potential 27.
• Absorption offers long-term development, while holding an item provides a temporary enhancement 27.
• The absorption process is slow and expensive, making it impractical for many ordinary Trainers 27.

Teaching and Public Outreach

• Introduces Chimchar, Piplup, and Turtwig to new Trainers and supplies them with Pokédexes and Poké Balls 27.
• Prepares an evolution lesson for Chen Yan’s first livestream, then answers questions through chat and viewer calls 29 30.
• Begins with no livestreaming experience but enjoys the format enough to request lessons on setting up his own broadcasts 29 31.

Equipment & Items

• Research briefcase — Carries papers concerning starter Pokémon. An Ambipom steals it, but Chen Yan, Gengar, and Weedle recover every page 18.
• White lab coat — Lends one of his coats to Chen Yan for the starter-distribution day 27.
• Purple Pokédex with Gengar’s emblem — Gives it to Chen Yan as a personal farewell gift, noting its usefulness for Gym challenges 37.
• Laboratory work ID — Issues Chen Yan an identification card bearing the title “Assistant and Student to Professor Rowan,” the laboratory stamp, and Rowan’s signature 37.

Relationships

• Chen Yan — Initially meets him as the stranger who returns his research. Their relationship develops into mentorship, with Rowan formally recognizing him as an assistant and student and inviting him to return whenever he tires of traveling 18 35 37.
• Cynthia — Former student and Sinnoh Champion. Rowan credits her with advice about controlling evolution timing; she recognizes the significance of his unusually high praise for Chen Yan 30 32.
• Professor Juniper — Research collaborator who lends Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott to Rowan’s laboratory for an assistant’s hidden-ability research 23.
• Snivy — Helps with laboratory research out of gratitude toward Juniper. Rowan recognizes that sense of obligation and encourages her to leave if she wishes, suggesting Chen Yan may need her more 25 40.
• Wheelchair Boy — Encourages him to raise a Pokémon even if he cannot travel as a Trainer, delivers a Turtwig Egg, and watches Chen Yan’s video with him 28 32.
• Professor Oak — Another highly respected Pokémon Professor. Oak specifically contacts Rowan to ask him to help look after Ash 32 37.
• Ash — Describes him as an interesting young Trainer and tells Chen Yan that he has already departed with Dawn and Brock for Jubilife City 37.
• Rich Guy / Gholdengo Is Number One — Helps resolve his Gimmighoul’s evolution problem during the livestream by identifying its missing treasure chest 29 30.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Meeting Chen Yan

Chen Yan encounters Rowan outside Sandgem Town while searching for the owner of a recovered briefcase. Rowan confirms that all his research papers are present, although out of order. Impressed by Chen Yan’s gratitude toward his Pokémon and preference for willing companionship, he welcomes the group to his laboratory 18.

They exchange contact information during the visit. Rowan recognizes Chen Yan’s Rotom Phone as a recently developed, expensive Alolan device that has not yet reached widespread sale 19.

Escaped Starters and Laboratory Assistance

When the borrowed Unova starters escape, Rowan accepts Chen Yan’s offer to locate them with a camera-equipped drone. He accompanies the recovery party and recalls Tepig and Oshawott after Gengar subdues them. Snivy returns willingly 23 24 25.

Chen Yan’s knowledge and observational skills prompt Rowan to invite him to assist with the next day’s starter ceremony. Rowan subsequently allows him to photograph the selections and requests printed copies for the laboratory 25 27.

Evolution Livestream

Rowan becomes the surprise guest on Chen Yan’s first livestream, delivering an evolution lesson and answering practical questions. His appearance draws famous Trainers as well as ordinary viewers. The session also exposes him to Chen Yan’s footage of a shiny Suicune greeting the camera, astonishing him and his assistants 29 30 32.

Defending a Young Trainer’s Confidence

When Chen Yan challenges boys who have belittled a Bug Catcher, Rowan leads them to a battlefield and serves as referee. He witnesses Weedle defeat Staravia and evolve into Kakuna, then applauds Chen Yan’s intervention 33 34.

Farewell and Continuing Support

Before Chen Yan leaves, Rowan shares a lead about the Night of Evolution: an event reportedly occurring every ten years in the forest north of Sandgem Town, where many Pokémon evolve together. He witnessed it a decade earlier, and the current year is expected to bring its return 36.

Rowan gives Chen Yan the customized Pokédex and laboratory ID, accepts photographs commemorating their time together, and accompanies him on a farewell visit to the wheelchair boy 37.

After Chen Yan encounters Pokémon Hunters, Rowan receives his safety update and reports that Cynthia and the Pokémon League are preparing a region-wide crackdown. He later watches Chen Yan’s PokéBattle livestream with his assistants 43 46.

Notable Quotes

“What should you do if your Pokémon refuses to evolve? As I said earlier, evolution isn't just a matter for the Trainer. It's also a matter for the Pokémon. Only by respecting your Pokémon can you become a better Trainer.” 30

“No matter. If you ever get tired of traveling and don't want to go far away anymore, just come here to me and be my assistant.” 37

“Don't leave yourself with any regrets. Perhaps he needs you more than we do.” 40