Professor Rowan

Professor Rowan (Japanese: ナナカマド博士 Dr. Nanakamado) is the resident Pokémon Professor of Sandgem Town in the Sinnoh region. He specializes in Evolution.
==In the core series games==
Professor Rowan works in Sandgem Town with / and their family. This makes him the first Professor from the handheld games that does not live in the 's hometown. He left the Sinnoh region four years prior to the events of Generation IV to study Pokédex systems in Kanto with Professor Oak, and has recently returned at the start of , having invented a new Pokédex while working with Oak. He has a stern personality that makes him seem intimidating and mean, but he is actually very kind and patient. Rowan says he still feels a thrill whenever he travels anywhere with his Pokémon. He apparently has a sweet tooth, as the refrigerator in his laboratory is full of nothing but sweets and candy. 
Rowan's particular field of study is Pokémon Evolution, having discovered that 90% of all Pokémon are connected in some way to others through Evolution. He is also interested in determining if Evolution is supposed to be a form of Pokémon reaching maturity, or a way for an "incomplete" being to become "more complete," and the implications that the process has on Legendary Pokémon, which were not known to evolve.
In and , Professor Rowan is seen for the first time observing Lake Verity with his assistant. After being interrupted by the player and , he quickly walks off leaving his briefcase, which holds three s containing , , and , behind. The player and their friend try to return it to him, but are attacked by wild Pokémon in the process, and are forced to use two of the Pokémon in the briefcase for defense. After returning the Pokémon to Rowan in his lab, Rowan hears about the survival tactics that they used, and tells them to keep the Pokémon, as well as giving them each a Pokédex to record data about every single Pokémon.
In , however, the player and their friend leave Twinleaf Town just as Rowan returns from the lake, with Rowan stopping the two from journeying into the tall grass without a Pokémon. His assistant then arrives with the briefcase he left behind at the lake, and Rowan offers the two a first partner Pokémon. When he is visited in Sandgem for the first time, he hands out as well as the Pokédex.
In all five games, just as the player returns from Oreburgh City with the , Rowan and his assistant travel to Jubilife City, where Team Galactic appears and attempts to seize their research notes. The player and the professor's assistant defeat Team Galactic, causing them to retreat. Rowan then suggests to the player that they collect Sinnoh's Gym Badges.
After the player obtains the , Rowan gathers his assistant, the player, and their friend in the Canalave Library, where he tells them about the legends of the Lake guardians. Rowan asks the Trainers to journey to the three lakes of Sinnoh to find the legendary Pokémon, sending the player's friend to Lake Acuity in the north, his assistant to Lake Verity, and the player to Lake Valor. Just as they finish their discussion, however, an earthquake shakes the region, caused by the detonation of the Galactic Bomb at Lake Acuity. After seeing the explosion on the news, the four evacuate the building. Rowan reiterates his request for the player to investigate Lake Valor.
He apparently previously gave Cynthia her first Pokémon and a Pokédex, though it is unknown how long before the games' events this occurred.
Professor Rowan is an old friend of Professor Oak, and Rowan's assistant claims that Oak is Rowan's junior in terms of seniority. After the player defeats the in , he can be seen in the basement of the Veilstone Department Store sulking about the fact they've run out of Rage Candy Bars.
====Pokémon====
In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, , Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl, Professor Rowan has one of each Sinnoh first partner Pokémon in his briefcase. Prior to meeting the player, he also used to have at least one additional Sinnoh first partner Pokémon of the same species, which he gave to his assistant, the player character not chosen.
=====Generation IV=====
		
=====Generation VIII=====
		
==Gallery==
===Artwork===
 	
Official artwork from by	Art from
===Sprites and models===
 	
sprite from, and 	model from
 	
Overworld sprite from, and	Overworld model from
==Quotes==
==In animation==
===Pokémon the Series===
Professor Rowan debuted in Following A Maiden's Voyage!. bumped into the Professor after getting lost on her way to his Sandgem Town laboratory, and he kindly escorted her the rest of the way. When the pair arrived at the lab, Rowan's assistants revealed that several of the Pokémon just escaped. Dawn volunteered to recover them, and afterwards she received her first partner Pokémon, , along with a set of s and a Pokédex.
Dawn contacted Professor Rowan in Two Degrees of Separation!, to inform him of a lost that she found on . Later, Ash met up with Rowan to collect his 's Poké Ball, which was sent over by . He informed Ash about his morning call with Dawn, and Ash rushed off to catch up with Dawn and recover his Pikachu. In the following episode, Ash was reunited with his Pikachu and alerted Rowan to the news. Ash, and Dawn soon returned to Rowan's lab to collect a delivery for Ash, which included a new outfit and backpack from . Later, Professor Rowan directed Ash and Paul to his backyard to have their .
In Ill-Will Hunting!, it was revealed that had been working with Professor Rowan on a scientific project; the establishment of nature preserve around Mt. Coronet to protect its rare population. Gary called his superior about some suspected Pokémon poachers in the area. Rowan and his research team arrived on the scene, but Gary and Ash had already saved the Shieldon from Hunter J's clutches.
He also appeared from Camping It Up! to One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team! as the headmaster of the Pokémon Summer Academy with Yuzo and his other assistants. He was strict when it came to punishing his students for misbehavior, but happily gave them credit for completing their tasks to a high standard.
He made a cameo appearance in Saving the World From Ruins!, where his lab received information on shock waves from Iron Island, which were caused by Team Galactic’s attempt to locate Spear Pillar's location.
Professor Rowan along with Professor Carolina and Gary coordinated a response against Team Galactic's plans to capture the in The Needs of Three!, but Hunter J managed to deliver the trio to Cyrus. In the following episode, he monitored the distortions being caused by Cyrus' plot to control and . Later he and his team arrived at Mt. Coronet where they recovered the stolen Adamant Orb and Lustrous Orb.
Professor Rowan made a cameo appearance in the ending credits of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
 
In DPS01, Professor Rowan was seen studying a before Dawn arrived at his lab. Then, a Piplup and a Chimchar escaped, which were part of the first partner Pokémon trio to be given to new Trainers. Dawn, who had just arrived at Professor Rowan's laboratory, and Shinko, a new Trainer who was just at the lab to pick a first partner Pokémon, tried to find them. Later, they successfully brought back the Pokémon. He then said goodbye to Dawn at a port, who went on her new journey to Hoenn.
====Character====
Professor Rowan is good friends with . He appears to be a stoic individual who hardly smiles, but he is often deep in thought. However, he is incredibly knowledgeable and interested in the . Professor Rowan enjoys field research and readily collaborates with other researchers like and Professor Carolina to gain further insights. Rowan readily offers new s advice and established the week-long Pokémon Summer Academy activities to give the new generation a well-rounded and experience based education.
====Pokémon====
=====Gives to new Trainers=====
He has these Pokémon to give to new Trainers:
=====Gave away to new Trainers=====
♂	
=====Used in his studies=====
====Voice actors====
====Alternate World Professor Rowan====
The version of Professor Rowan first appeared in The Gates of Warp! in a flashback, studying the strange phenomena that was causing Pokémon to devolve around the Sinnoh region. He physically debuted in Showdown at the Gates of Warp!.
=====Pokémon=====
======Used in his studies======
		
		
====Voice actors====
===GOTCHA!===
Professor Rowan briefly appeared in GOTCHA!.
==In the manga==
===Pokémon Adventures===
====History====
==========
Professor Rowan first appears after he and 's father, Professor Berlitz, are accidentally knocked onto the ground after and crash into them. After yelling at the two boys, Rowan talks to Sir Berlitz about sending his daughter out into the world but notes that since she promised to record the Sinnoh Pokémon, he quickly accepted this and gave a Pokédex, Pokétch, and some Poké Balls for her journey. They quickly meet up with Paka and Uji, two bodyguards hired to protect Platinum on her journey and give them the letter detailing their mission inside of it. Unbeknownst to them, when Rowan and Professor Berlitz were knocked on the ground by Diamond and Pearl, they had accidentally switched letters, causing Diamond and Pearl to take the bodyguard mission while mistaking it for a tour and Paka and Uji getting Diamond and Pearl's prize for winning a comedy competition, a bike ride. 
Later, at Professor Rowan's lab, he and Professor Berlitz are discussing the topics on their upcoming presentation in Canalave City. After taking a break for sweets, they set off to Canalave for the conference. Later, they reach Canalave and note the discoveries they can make while Gym Leader Byron talks to his son Roark on the Pokégear as he passes by them. Sometime later, they go to do their presentation when a woman gives Rowan a newspaper from the Pokémon News Press. Rowan just decides to throw it away, failing to notice that Platinum is on the cover and is traveling with Diamond and Pearl instead of her bodyguards. 
Later, after Platinum defeats Fantina in their Gym Battle, she sees on the television that both Professor Rowan and her father have gone missing. Platinum, Diamond, and Pearl go to Canalave to find the missing scientists; they eventually find them at the Canalave Gym being held there by the Gym Leader, Byron. After clearing up some misunderstandings, Byron reveals that it was a wearing a cloak that used a special device to trap the two scientists in a cage.
Later that night, the Advanced level Grunt returns to Canalave to set Professor Rowan and Professor Berlitz from their prison. Although freed from the cage, they are weak from staying inside of it for several days and need crutches just to be able to stand up. After Professor Berlitz allows Platinum to go and defeat Team Galactic and have Diamond and Pearl as her bodyguards, Professor Rowan upgrades their Pokédex to the National mode and gives them the ability to see gender differences.
During the final battle on the Spear Pillar, Rowan and Professor Berlitz join Byron and the Underground Man as bystanders while the other Sinnoh Gym Leaders fight against Team Galactic. They use a machine to monitor the distortion of space-time as and battle each other.
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Rowan appeared at Sunnyshore City in The Final Dimensional Duel XI, revealing that a Pokémon once entered and played in a toy robot. He was later seen eating an Old Gateau.
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Prior to the start of this chapter, as seen in a flashback in What Does Charmander Do When It Dozes, Professor Sycamore sent a copy of Professor Rowan's paper stating that 90% of Pokémon evolve. 
In Pinsir Glares, Rowan discovered that Xerneas and had resurfaced and informed about it.
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Rowan appeared in Faba's flashback in Tyrant!! The Fiendish Man!.
====Pokémon====
=====Given to new Trainers=====
===Pokémon Diamond and Pearl===
Professor Rowan appeared in .
====Given away====
===Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!===
Professor Rowan appeared in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!. Sometime before the series, Kaisei left Hareta under the custody of Professor Rowan while he went out traveling. In this canon, Professor Rowan adopted Hareta as a grandson. However, on seeing Hareta's ability to understand the souls of Pokémon, he felt it was best to leave him out in the forest with his Pokémon friends to care for him. He did not see Hareta again for four years.
Professor Rowan made his first appearance in In Search of the Legendary Pokémon Dialga!! where he saw Hareta after he dealt with an . He took him and Mitsumi to a Pokémon Center in Sandgem Town. He then spoke to Mitsumi about Hareta. Deciding it would help the boy to travel and see the world, the Professor decided he should be a Pokémon Trainer and travel with his assistant, Mitsumi, and one of his Pokémon, . Later, he showed up sometime after Piplup used its on the same Onix from before. He then explained to Mitsumi about Piplup's Ability, as to why Piplup's Bubble Beam was stronger than before. Professor Rowan then gave Hareta a Pokédex.
In Challenge! The Fortress Of Steel!!, Professor Rowan and stepped in when Mitsumi had a battle with Jupiter. After Jupiter fled, Professor Rowan explained about the lake trio as to how Team Galactic was going to capture them for their hunt for . Professor Rowan assigned Mitsumi and Jun to go to the lakes where the three Pokémon live.
In Team Galactic's Ultimate Warrior, after Cyrus succeeded in obtaining at Lake Verity, Professor Rowan came by and spoke to Cyrus. He had no desire to stop Cyrus but mentioned that Hareta will put a stop to his plans. Cyrus was unfazed about this as he has a greatest warrior and mentioned that she was someone that he knows quite well.
Professor Rowan went with Cynthia to Spear Pillar in The Advent of the Legendary Pokémon!! in order to find Hareta to warn him about . In Will Hareta's Wish Get Through?!, he encountered Jun and Jupiter where he told Jupiter that he didn't have time for that when Jupiter prevented him from getting through and then told her that the entire world was in danger. He then continued his way to Spear Pillar with Jun and Cynthia. Arriving in Spear Pillar, he witnessed Hareta's battle with Cyrus. After Dialga was freed from the Red Chain, Professor Rowan went to Cyrus and told him about his defeat. Afterwards, Palkia appeared with Professor Rowan informing Hareta about it. In Bonds Connect Across Space-Time..., Professor Rowan explained to Hareta the origin regarding the fight between Dialga and Palkia. He then saw that Hareta had a Master Ball and had an idea where they'll stop fighting if one of them got caught with the Master Ball. This made Hareta set out to do so.
In Clash! Hareta vs. Koya, Professor Rowan arrives at the Sinnoh League Tournament. He thought about how far Hareta came. He then reunited with Hareta as he wanted to see him in action. He stayed in the Sinnoh League watching Hareta's battles with the other Trainers. In A Surprise Visit from Hareta's Father!, he saw that Kaisei was there watching his son in the Sinnoh League and informed Mitsumi and Jun that Kaisei was Hareta's father. Later, he then witnessed Neo Team Galactic infiltrating the Sinnoh League and had Mitsumi and Jun stop them.
In Hareta's Excellent New Partner...Minun?!, Professor Rowan met up with Hareta, Mitsumi, and Jun at the Canalave Library. They spoke about Giratina and while Professor Rowan didn't have much information about Giratina, Kaisei would.
In Gathering of the Legendary Pokémon!, Professor Rowan was notified by B-2 about fighting Dialga and Palkia. He was then taken to where the battle took place. After Team Galactic got disbanded on Cyrus's orders and the battle between Giratina, Dialga, and Palkia was over, Professor Rowan was one of the people who returned to the Pokémon League to watch the battle between Hareta and Koya.
====Pokémon====
=====Gives to new Trainers=====
=====Given away=====
===Pocket Monsters Diamond and Pearl: Regigigas Major Capture Operation!!===
Professor Rowan appeared in Pocket Monsters Diamond and Pearl: Regigigas Major Capture Operation!!. and went to him for advice on how he could awaken . He then explained as to how Regigigas was worshipped by three Pokémon and confirmed that the legendary giants made up the trio. He then wondered if they would help Regigigas awaken from its sleep, which Kaito, Yuki, and Kento decided to try.
===Pocket Monsters DP===
In PMDP04, Professor Rowan received 's briefcase, only to contain Red's Clefairy instead of what he wanted.
In PMDP06, he was going out on a dig to search for fossils.
==In the TCG==
This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Professor Rowan in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
==Trivia==
* Rowan's studies declaring that 90% of all Pokémon are related through Evolution are only true as of Generation IV, and even then only if and Mythical Pokémon are not included.
* Rowan seems to have a sweet tooth. If the player looks at the refrigerator in his lab, it is full of sweets. Later, when met at the Veilstone Department Store after completing the main storyline, he seems upset that the Rage Candy Bars are still sold out.
* Rowan mentored Professor Sycamore when Sycamore was a young boy., Male , , 2F: "[Professor Sycamore] is researching Evolution and change. I heard that he learned a lot from Prof. Rowan in Sinnoh when he was young."
* Rowan is the only Pokémon Professor in the core series to not wear a lab coat.
==References==
==Names==
Language 	Name 	Origin
Japanese 	ナナカマド Dr. Nanakamado 	From 七竈 nanakamado ()
English, Italian 	Professor Rowan 	From
German 	Professor Eibe 	From Eibe ()
Spanish 	Profesor Serbal 	From serbal (generic name for trees belonging to the genus)
French 	Professeur Sorbier 	From sorbier (generic name for trees belonging to the Sorbus genus)
Korean 	마 Dr. Ma 	From 마가목 magamok (Japanese rowan) and the surname 마 (馬)
Chinese () 	山梨 Dr. Shānlí 	From 山梨 shānlí / sāanlèih (rowan, sorb)
Chinese () 	山梨 Dr. Sāanlèih 	From 山梨 shānlí / sāanlèih (rowan, sorb)
Finnish 	Professori Rowan 	From his English name
Polish 	Profesor Rowan 	From his English name
Brazilian Portuguese	Professor Sorveira (anime, TCG)Professor Rowan (anime, manga)	From sorveira (generic name for trees belonging to the Sorbus genus)From his English name
Russian 	Профессор Рован Professor Rovan 	Transcription of his English name
Vietnamese 	Giáo sư Nanakamado 	Transcription of his Japanese name
==Related articles==
* Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Category:Professors
Category:Animation characters
Category:Manga characters
Category:Diamond and Pearl characters
Category:Platinum characters
Category:Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl characters
Category:Pokémon Adventures characters
Category:Pokémon DP Adventure characters
Category:Pocket Monsters DP characters
Category:Pocket Monsters Diamond and Pearl: Regigigas Major Capture Operation!! characters
de:Professor Eibe
es:Profesor Serbal
fr:Professeur Sorbier
it:Professor Rowan
ja:ナナカマド博士
zh:山梨博士