Professor Birch

Professor Birch in Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire Versions.
Professor Birch
Species	Human
Hair color	Brown
Relatives	Wife Brendan or May [Rival] (Child)
Debut	Ruby and Sapphire Versions

Professor Birch is the resident Pokémon Professor of Hoenn appearing in Pokémon: Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald Versions as well as the father of the games' rival character, who is either Brendan or May depending on the gender chosen by the player character at the beginning of the game, with the rival being the opposite gender as the player character. His research specializes in studies of Pokémon habitats.

Background

Professor Birch lived in his hometown of Littleroot with his wife and child. However, he spent little time at home or even at his laboratory as he spent most of his time in the wild observing Pokémon for his research. He even convinced his child to help him in his research, giving May/Brendan one of three starter Pokémon (Treecko, Torchic or Mudkip) and a Pokédex to use in their travels. Birch was also a good friend of the gym leader Norman, and after his family moved to Hoenn the professor had wanted to meet Norman's own child.

In the beginning of Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, Professor Birch was attacked by a wild Pokémon (Poochyena in Ruby and Sapphire or Zigzagoon in Emerald) and accidentally dropped his bag. However, Norman's child (the player character who was the opposite gender character of May/Brendan, whom shall be referred to as Brendan/May) was able to fend off the wild Pokémon using one of the three starter Pokémon in Professor Birch's bag. He thanked Brendan/May by letting him keep the Pokémon and noted that he was very skilled for a beginner. He invited the trainer to battle his child, and afterwards Birch decided to give the trainer the new Pokédex he had just ordered, which led to the beginning of Brendan/May's journey. He later appeared at the end of the game with his child to congratulate the player trainer for becoming the new Pokémon champion. Afterwards in Emerald he could give the player trainer a National Pokédex and after the Hoenn Pokédex was completed he would give the trainer a choice of one of the three Johto starter Pokémon (Chikorita, Cyndaquil or Totodile). He told the player that their journey would never really be over and there would always be another patch of grass to explore.

Other Appearances

• Professor Birch has appeared in several episodes of the Pokémon anime during the episodes set in Hoenn. He is portrayed as somewhat serious minded but also has the recurring gag of driving a jeep at reckless speeds. In his first appearance he helps Ash Ketchum to cure his Pikachu while preparing to give May (who is Norman's daughter in this version) her first Pokémon. She winds up saving him from a swarm of Poochyena (referencing their meeting in the games) while he was searching for Ash's Pikachu, It is unknown if he has a wife or son in this canon, but Brendan (who only makes cameo appearances in Japanese Pokémon openings) could be his son.

Trivia

• Like the other Pokémon professors, he is named after a tree, specifically the birch tree.