Professor Oak is one of the first people we meet in the wonderful wide world of Pokemon, introducing himself with a goofy charm that keeps him firmly in our hearts. However, despite his seemingly straightforward and carefree demeanor, there is way more to Professor Oak than meets the eye. In fact, there is a myriad of Professor Oak fun facts and little-known trivia that he's not so quick to share.
What would you think if you learned that Oak isn't even a professor? Would your faith in everything you know about the great Professor Oak suddenly be shaken — would you see Oak as a fraud? If so, then you should know that this isn't the only shocking piece of Professor Oak trivia, as this gray-haired scientist has a host of scarcely-known secrets.
Updated January 25, 2023 by Andrew Scariati: Whether you are brand new to the Pokemon world or have been training your starters since Kanto, few characters stand out in as many ways as Professor Oak. Pokemon's most famous 'professor' appears in a plethora of the best spin-off games, frequently making his presence known as an instructor for new trainers. In rare instances, Oak will even battle alongside you, as he does with his Mew in Pokemon Masters EX. Whether you're already well-versed in Professor Oak lore or are looking to expand your knowledge, there are a number of fun facts about Professor Oak that stand out among his many accolades.
12 A Family Named Sam
Professor Oak, better known by his family as Samuel, is one of several other members of the Oak family to share both a first and last name. Samuel Oak's name is first revealed in the Pokemon 4Ever movie when Ash meets a younger version of his silver-haired mentor.
Professor Oak's cousin, Samson, also appears in the Pokemon Sun and Moon anime, revealing that the family sticks to the theme of naming their children some form of Sam. While we are never introduced to the entirety of Samuel Oak's family, it's safe to say that the apple doesn't fall from the tree.
11 He Has Some Memory Loss
While it's unclear if Oak is suffering from amnesia or some other form of memory loss, it is clear that Oak has a great deal of trouble with names — particularly those of his grandson and proteges. At the opening of each of the original games, Oak will ask the main character what their name is; fair enough considering he's just meeting them.
However, when Oak turns to us and asks what his grandson's name is, it becomes clear that the poor guy's memory isn't what it once was. Game mechanics aside, Oak doesn't need to ask us our names in order for us to input that information — Game Freak just seems happy to use Oak and his poor memory as a convenient means of introduction.
10 You Can Battle Oak In Generation One Via Glitch
While the setup for this battle is long and complicated, performing a glitch in Generation One will allow you to access a cut-content battle with Professor Oak. If you are able to pull off the glitch to unlock this secret battle, then prepare yourself for a challenge – the old man is certainly no slouch.
Oak's team is powerful and made up of a diverse set of Pokemon, such as Exeggutor, Arcanine, Gyarados, Tauros, and the starter that is strong against the one you chose. The team is set at levels 66 to 70, so this battle was definitely intended for the endgame. While it never made the cut, you can still experience this gem with a little work.
9 Oak And Agatha Are Friends And Rivals
As many astute players have realized, the original Pokemon introduction where a Nidorino fights a Gengar is based on the epic rivalry between Professor Oak and Agatha. This introduction serves as a sort of passing of the torch as this now aging set of trainers welcomes the new generation of Pokemon trainers: us.
Despite their age, the strength of both Agatha and Oak is not to be underestimated, as Agatha still reigns as a difficult Elite Four member, while Oak quietly hides his true Pokemon prowess behind the guise of an innocent, senile professor. While rivals, Oak and Agatha are also fierce friends, though Agatha seems to hold a grudge against Oak for retiring from battle to research instead.
8 There Is An Imposter Among Oaks
Imposter Oak is a bit of a hidden character as only fans who are familiar with the Pokemon TCG or have read the Manga will know about this elusive figure. While he has yet to appear in any games or Pokemon Anime episodes, the professor is associated with deception and Dark-types.
Thematically, Imposter Oak represents the opposite of everything Professor Oak stands for as he is visually gruff, sinister, and unapproachable. Luckily, this imposter has nothing to do with Oak himself, so fear not — the beloved professor has not been replaced nor turned to the dark side.
7 Oak Never Chose His Starter — You Did
From the get-go, Oak presents you with the now-infamous choice of Kanto starters, but he never chose one for himself. Based on the choices made by Ash and Gary, Professor Oak canonically was left with a Bulbasaur in the Pokemon Anime.
However, up until the moment Ash arrives, Oak cared for all three starters as well as Pikachu and Eevee on his own, thus making him their original trainer. Oak never had to make the same gut-wrenching choice that we did, but in a way, he made a more difficult one in allowing new trainers to choose which of his precious Pokemon they would like to adopt. It's all so terribly sweet, it almost hurts.
6 Oak's Other Pokemon
Following his non-choice of starter, Oak also has a plethora of other Pokemon he is training. From his glitched battle, it's clear Oak has a Tauros, Arcanine, Gyarados, and Exeggutor, which can be added to his Pikachu and Eevee.
However, in addition to these few, Oak appears with a variety of other Pokemon throughout the Pokemon anime, such as baby Pokemon and the Gogoat he rides, not to mention his trusty pal: Muk. While Oak is mostly kicking around the lab, it's clear that he still engages with and trains his very own team of Pokemon.
5 Oak Is A Pokemon Punching Bag
You may remember a few instances of Professor Oak being attacked by his overzealous Pokemon, particularly Muk. However, western audiences may not know that this gag saw extended air time at the end of episodes of the original series in Japan. In fact, it was so popular, they even brought the segment, "Professor Oak's Pokemon Lecture" back for the Ruby and Sapphire series.
Essentially, during the segment, Oak would be featured alongside a given Pokemon each week and would offer a quick rundown of facts and clips from the anime. At the end of the brief montage, Oak would do something that would inadvertently upset the Pokemon, causing it to freak out and attack him. The good old physical comedy never got old, especially with Oak's hysterical reactions.
4 Oak Isn't Even A Professor
One of the biggest falsehoods we've been told about Professor Oak lies within his very name. In fact, Oak and his fellow Pokemon scientists are not professors at all — they're doctors. During the Japanese-to-English translation, the word 'doctor' was swapped with 'professor,' a term the West has come to know and love, inaccurate though it may be.
Doctor Okido, as he is known in Japan, even has an alter ego — Doctor O. — in the Pokemon Adventures Manga, alluding to his original name. This alter ego comes fully decked out with a masked wrestler outfit, similar to The Masked Royal's, who definitely is not fellow Pokemon scientist, Professor Kukui. Nope, definitely not.
3 Professor Oak: Radio Host?
Even those of you who spent countless hours in Pokemon Gold, Silver, or their respective remakes may not be aware that Oak is more than just a professor – he's a radio host as well. While you won't catch him spinning records or mixing songs, Oak offers insights into the locations of exceptionally rare Pokemon on his "Pokemon Talk" radio show. The show is co-hosted with Goldenrod's primary DJ, Marie.
In addition to the helpful pointers, Oak also alludes to swarms of Pokemon, which may be the earliest mention of what we now call mass outbreaks. Whether through his knowledge of Pokemon or his incredible foresight, Oak always seems to be on the cutting edge. Perhaps he traveled through time with Celebi to see the innovations that we would wait for several generations to experience in-game.
2 Oak Knows Mew's Location
It is definitely not under the truck and Oak has known the whole time that Mew was not mingling with a truck muffler; don't believe the lies. During his appearance in Pokemon Snap, Oak aids the player as they make their way across the islands, capturing beautiful images of wild Pokemon.
At the end of your journey, Oak discovers or rather reveals Mew's location to the player. Whether you believe he knew Mew's location the whole time or really needed your help finding it is your choice to believe. Regardless, Oak is one of the few people in the Pokemon universe capable of possessing such privileged knowledge.
1 Oak Is The Key To All Legendary Pokemon
In addition to his knowledge about Mew, Oak has also done quite a lot of work to make the location of Legendary Pokemon his personal business. If you like to shiny hunt legendaries in Pokemon, then Oak is your literal access key as he frequently distributes the items needed to encounter special Pokemon via event.
From Oak's Letter – used to encounter Shaymin on Flower Paradise – to the Mystic Ticket used to find Lugia or Ho-Oh on Navel Rock, Professor Oak is the origin of these essential items. While Oak's Letter is the only one directly tied to him in name, it's no coincidence that the legendary Professor Oak happens to directly grant you access to Mew and Shaymin, among other mythical Pokemon.