Our ranking of Pokémon’s hottest professors

Pokémon Scarlet Violet introduced us to the newest professors in the Pokémon franchise, Professor Sada and Professor Turo. The copy you select will determine which professor you encounter in the game for the first time: Sada in ScarletTuro and Violet. It’s a difficult choice, and to mark the occasion we’ve decided to reopen our own age-old debate — especially as so many new professors have been introduced over the years. What professor is the most popular? We still love Professor Willow, but how does Professor Willow compare to the researchers of other main titles?

One of the best and most underrated aspects to the Pokémon franchise is the professors that inspire, educate and push trainers to be the very best. A few would argue that the professors are among the most important in Pokemon history. The franchise’s academics, from the first Professor Oak through the latest Professor Sada and Turo are among the most prominent.

Polygon staff discussed which professors they thought were the most sexiest to honor these personalities. Rankings are determined by their appearances, personalities, smarts and even a bit of luck. je ne sais quoi.

1. Professor Willow

The salt-and pepper hair. The stubble. The smile. Strong brows. What makes Professor Willow so hot? The answer is NONE — it’s actually the gloves and goggles combo, complete with a slick leather jacket. (JK… mostly.) Although technically, the leather outfit only appeared in an update to his look, it was actually still his service. An active man is a great thing! He can Pokémon Go to dinner with me anytime he wants. — Petrana Radulovic

2. Professor Burnet

Professor Burnet is nothing but relatable; she’s not afraid to be publicly thirsty for her crush, as we saw in the Pokémon anime. Burnet is hot, because she has a clear vision of her goals and doesn’t mind pursuing them even though it might make her eyes turn red. That’s on top of her cool, beach vibes and eye-catching white hair. Professor Burnet has a beautiful figure. Unfortunately, according to lore, she’s already married to Professor Kukui. But maybe they’re the kind of couple who saw you across the room and like your vibe. We don’t know. — Nicole Carpenter

3. Professor Sycamore

My upbringing was characterized by skinny, Victorian-styled jackets, long hair, and thin jeans. These were the type of dudes you’d see at Warped Tour and pretend not to be interested in, because appearing interested in anything was just ​so lame. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that Professor Augustine Sycamore — of the Kalos region — is my pick for the hottest Pokémon scholar. He’s got a Brooklyn style to 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 hairstyle? Sold! — Julia Alexander

4. Professor Juniper

Aurea Juniper stands apart on our list as the first woman put in charge of a Pokémon lab. This is why the lack of variety in Pokemon labs can be so demoralizing. She’s classy and brainy, but she also is aware of something most other professors are not: Getting to work around Pokémon all day is Have fun, man. Her personality is exciting, excite and a natural genius. This is what makes her an unqualified babe. — Allegra Frank

5. Professor Kukui

Image: The Pokémon Company/Bulbapedia

One of the most youthful-looking members of the group is Professor Kukui. Rocking a snapback, baggy sweats and what appear to be surfing shoes, there is a good chance that Kukui is a backup dancer for a local troupe — but that’s also what endears me to him. Kukui looks like a large portion of the people that live in my neighborhood, and 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, too. — JA

6. Professor Sada

Image: The Pokémon Company/Bulbapedia

Professor Sada, one of two professors who will be making their debut in the new academic year. Pokémon Scarlet Violet. Sada appears to symbolize the past. So, she seems to be wearing skin and bones from animals, in a hot FlintstonesThis is how you look. We’re into it! While she has a bit of a sexy stepmom vibe, I’d just prefer if she would just put those grippers away for the sake of us all. — Ana Diaz

7. Professor Birch

Image: The Pokémon Company/Bulbapedia

Professor Birch is a person I hold dear to my heart. One reason is that he has the same messenger bag I loved for the duration of our relationship. He’s also a man that reeks of confidence — just check out those flip flops — and probably enjoys going to the local pub for a pint after work. Birch isn’t as stunning as Professor Sycamore but he looks charming and sweet. He’s someone who’s in it for the long haul, and who would spend his romantic evenings in with you reading the latest Pokémon journals. I don’t know what else is aww-worthy. — JA

8. Professor Magnolia

Image: The Pokémon Company/Bulbapedia

Professor Magnolia has beautiful eyes and cool glasses. Every detail of her appearance is perfect, right down to the matching necklace and headband. She’s a capable, intelligent woman, and while she may look 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

9. Professor Elm

Image: The Pokémon Company/Bulbapedia

Perhaps by traditional measures of attractiveness, Professor Elm isn’t the hottest Pokémon scholar around. For many reasons, Professor Elm is the most intelligent man from the Johto area. Elm is approachable, charmant, friendable, polite. He can also be a bit of a schlub and definitely a klutz. Elm can be likened to your childhood friend. You never thought you’d have a crush on him growing up. But then you discover that he cares about you the most. Nice guys often finish last — but not Elm. I’m not one of them. — AF

10. Professor Turo

Image: The Pokémon Company/Bulbapedia

Okay, this guy looks good. His jaw is well-shaped and clearly shows his ability to work out. But he looks… too handsome. It’s almost as if he has been created in a laboratory. In a masculine way, he looks like some unsavory internet subcultures might wish to be. It’s the undercut, probably, 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 them based on something they said on a podcast, it would be Turo. — PR

11. Professor Rowan

Image: The Pokémon Company/Bulbapedia

I’m admittedly not as turned on by Rowan as Julia is. You know how kids keep calling hot guys “daddy” these days? Rowan is exactly the same age of my father. That’s not hot. Sorry. That’s not what I was going to say. Now, I’m not saying that’s something Julia is into, but she did have a compelling counterargument. Rowan’s hot because he’s an authority figure, she explained. He’s got power that he can lord over you, and there’s something kind of appealing about that. I mean, that power amounts to him being the guy to go to if you want a starter Pokémon in the Sinnoh region, but still. That’s not nothing. Rowan is a little out of my age range, but maybe I’d give him my number. Maybe. — AF

12. Professor Oak

Image: The Pokémon Company/Bulbapedia

Although Professor Oak may not be the most attractive person on the list, he is certainly charming. Being near the top of the list shouldn’t make him look any less beautiful. However, Professor Oak still reminds me of my grandfather. Professor Oak is the best professor. He was our first introduction to him. But he won’t spark the same kind of enthusiasm in us as Professor Sycamore. — JA

13. Professor Laventon

Image: The Pokémon Company/Bulbapedia

It’s a shame to put anyone at the bottom of the list, but we did have to settle on one — and it was Professor Laventon. I believe that a good sense of style is essential in finding someone who’s attractive. Unfortunately, his beanie really blocks my view. This is unfortunate, as he still looks charming even without his lab coat and hat. While Pokémon Legends: Arceus is wonderfully fun, it’s recent enough that Laventon doesn’t carry the same nostalgia as his compatriots. — Nicole Clark

Sonia gets an Honorable Mention for her Hottest Picks

Image: The Pokémon Company/Bulbapedia

Technically, Sonia’s grandmother is the one with the title: Professor Magnolia. Sonia, Sonia the scene stealer granddaughter is what you want to become. date. She’s cute, smart, stylish, and loves dogs — or, rather, Pokémon that are basically dogs. Sonia loves Professor Magnolia, her grandmother and is always there for her. We love family women. Sonia is the traditional girl-nextdoor. Even a white coat looks cute with her. — Nicole Carpenter

Holly deserves an Honorable Mention for the most inhospitable:

Image: The Pokémon Company/Bulbapedia

You probably don’t know who this is. This is Professor Holly from the official Pokémon Trading Card game, which you can go and download now. She’s got the most Microsoft clipart-ass design I’ve ever seen, which is why she’s not even technically on the formal list. — AD