Professor Tangrowth

Overview

Professor Tangrowth (Japanese: Mojumbo-hakase, German: Professor Tangoloss) is the first Pokemon the player encounters in Pokemon Pokopia and serves as the primary guide throughout the entire game. Similar to how Isabelle and Tom Nook function in the Animal Crossing series, Professor Tangrowth is the player's main source of information, quest reminders, and lore exposition. He was the last Pokemon that remained active in the world of Pokopia while all other Pokemon were placed into digital storage.

Nintendo of America's official description states: "Professor Tangrowth dons a pair of broken glasses and what appears to be a CD. They teach the basics of living in town!" Game Informer describes him as "the primary driver of the main narrative, handing out tasks that will reinvigorate the area, with the express purpose of not only attracting more Pokemon, but hopefully also the missing humans."

Appearance

Professor Tangrowth is visually distinct from a regular Tangrowth, with his own unique Pokedex entry. The vines on the top half of his body are a paler blue than the typical species coloring, giving him an aged, gray-haired appearance that evokes the white lab coats worn by Pokemon Professors in the main series. He wears a broken pair of Wise Glasses positioned on his chest (a memento from the human Professor he once lived with), carries a walking stick, and has a TM disc stuck to one of his vines. These human accessories reflect his fascination with human devices and activities, picked up during his time living alongside a human Pokemon Professor.

Backstory

Before the humans disappeared from the Kanto region, Professor Tangrowth was a Tangela living with a human Pokemon Professor. During that time, the young Tangela occasionally played with the Professor's grandchild and interacted with visiting Pokemon Trainers. Through these experiences, Tangela developed a deep interest in human tools and technology.

When the climate crisis struck and humanity evacuated the planet through the Pokemon Conservation Project (a plan to store all Pokemon in massive computer storage systems while humans took refuge in space), the human Professor disappeared along with everyone else. Tangela, having somehow avoided being placed in digital storage, kept the Professor's broken glasses and began wearing them on his chest as a memento. Over the years, Tangela evolved into Tangrowth and adopted the role of a professor himself, becoming the sole caretaker of the withered world.

The official Pokemon website describes the setting: "Pokemon and people once lived happily together, but the world has withered and the humans are gone. The only remaining resident is a lone Tangrowth, living alone in the wasteland." When Ditto awakens at the start of the game, Professor Tangrowth is surprised to find another Pokemon active in the world. He introduces himself by adopting the name "Professor Tangrowth" and serves as Ditto's mentor, teaching the basics of life in Pokopia: gathering materials, crafting, building habitats, and befriending Pokemon released from storage.

Role in the Story

Professor Tangrowth appears in every area of the game and can usually be found wandering near the Pokemon Center in each zone. If the player needs a reminder of active requests or the next story objective, talking to Tangrowth provides guidance. He is perceived by other Pokemon as "the smartest one around," and whenever Pokemon need answers, they go to him.

Withered Wasteland

Professor Tangrowth is first encountered in the starting cave when Ditto wakes up. He leads the player outside where they meet Squirtle, then proposes they make their way to a destroyed building (the ruined Pokemon Center). Tangrowth introduces the player to all basic mechanics: crafting, building, terrain manipulation, befriending Pokemon, and habitat creation. He provides guidance on raising the Environment Level to 3 to unlock the Pokemon Center Rebuilding Kit.

During the "Yawn Up a Storm" Important Request, Tangrowth provides the player's first Castform Weather Charm and explains the weather system. Additional charms can be found at Tangrowth's old trolley of junk in the starting cave area (past where Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle live; press A to collect).

After the player finds Onix during the "Yawn Up a Storm" request, Tangrowth asks the player to follow him to the beach, leading to a mysterious tower covered in sand at the bottom of the Withered Wasteland. This is the Team Initiation Challenge tower, which has only a tiny box on the front to speak through. Tangrowth introduces the 8-stage challenge that spans the entire game.

When the Withered Wasteland Pokemon Center is restored, Tangrowth provides Party Poppers as a reward.

Bleak Beach

Tangrowth follows the player through the gate entrance to Bleak Beach. The player must craft Bridge Planks to help Tangrowth cross a destroyed bridge in this area. After the player discovers Mosslax sleeping in a cave (by using Rock Smash to break through rocks), Professor Tangrowth arrives and formally establishes the "Brighten Things Up!" Important Request, the main quest for Bleak Beach.

Tangrowth explains the electricity system and the bloom point mechanic required to awaken Mosslax. He also provides habitat hints, including the Tropical Seaside habitat (1 Large Palm Tree, 2 Ocean Water blocks, 4 Hedges) and Trubbish's Trash Collection Site habitat. After Torchic's request is completed, talking to Tangrowth triggers a key cutscene.

Rocky Ridges

Professor Tangrowth follows the player upon entry through the northwest gate into Rocky Ridges. He guides the player through mining and smelting systems and provides the Frying Pan recipe. He instructs the player on learning the Strength move to carry a giant boulder to Machoke, and gives hints for the Red Tall Grass and Mossy Hot Spring habitats.

The Pewter City Museum in this area is where Tangrowth helps establish the Lost Relic appraisal and exchange system. Tangrowth introduces the player to the museum's resident Gimmighoul.

A significant story event occurs during the "Time to Party" quest in Rocky Ridges. Tangrowth suggests throwing a party alongside Chef Dente (a Greedent trapped in a barrel suspended by a chain) and DJ Rotom. During the quest, Tangrowth asks for a large Lost Relic. After the party is completed and the player talks to Tangrowth, a cutscene triggers showing Volcanion appearing on top of the volcano.

Sparkling Skylands

In Sparkling Skylands, Professor Tangrowth teams up with Tinkmaster (a Tinkaton NPC) to investigate a large building. The player must build a Lift platform to transport all three characters to the building. Tangrowth and Tinkmaster investigate each floor together with the player.

At the top of the rebuilt Celadon Department Store (after the 4F rebuild is completed), Mewtwo awaits. Tangrowth plays a key role in the Mewtwo encounter sequence. The Game Boy System is the Environment Level 5 reward from Sparkling Skylands, received by speaking to Tangrowth.

Team Initiation Challenge and Ending

Professor Tangrowth introduces the Team Initiation Challenge, an 8-stage quest centered at the sand-covered lighthouse tower in the Withered Wasteland. The challenge spans the entire game, with each area's Environment Level 5 reward needed to complete different stages. Tangrowth guides the player through each stage, providing context for the materials and items required.

At the final stage (Stage 8), after the player submits 1 Photo and 2 Party Poppers, Professor Tangrowth appears in person, sets off the Party Poppers, and the lighthouse transforms into a rocket ship that launches into space, triggering the game's credits. Party Poppers can be crafted (1 Paper + 1 Vine Rope each) or purchased for 1,000 coins.

After the credits, a new area below the lighthouse unlocks. Professor Tangrowth continues to be available in the post-game for relic appraisals and as a general guide.

Appraise Specialty

Professor Tangrowth is the only Pokemon in the entire game with the Appraise specialty. This makes him the sole Pokemon capable of identifying Lost Relics found inside glowing blocks throughout the world. He can be found wandering near the Pokemon Center in any area for appraisals.

How Appraisal Works

1. Find a Lost Relic by locating glowing spots in the ground. Use a Pokemon with the Search specialty and the Dowsing Machine ability to find hidden spots more easily.

2. Break the block using Rock Smash (some blocks require Water Gun instead to prevent explosion).

3. Collect the unidentified relic.

4. Bring the relic to Professor Tangrowth, who can be found near the Pokemon Center in any area. Approach him and talk to show him the relic.

5. Tangrowth appraises the relic, revealing its identity and allowing it to be used, displayed, or traded.

Lost Relic Types

Some relics have special properties. Certain Large Relics can attract specific Pokemon to habitats when placed as decorations. The Eerie Candle, Castform Weather Charm, and Fishing Rod are notable functional relics that affect gameplay.

Gimmighoul and the Museum

Once relics are appraised by Professor Tangrowth, duplicate relics can be traded with Gimmighoul, the only Pokemon with the Collect specialty. Gimmighoul resides in the ruins of a museum deep inside the caves and volcano of Rocky Ridges. The museum resembles the Pewter City Museum from the main series, with fossils and Pokemon exhibits.

Gimmighoul is described as a treasure collector who "recognizes fellow collectors." Players can exchange appraised Large Lost Relics for unique furniture items and other goods. Gimmighoul also accepts special items from legendary Pokemon:

To fully unlock Gimmighoul's exchange service, the player must build a mini museum habitat requiring harbor poles, a large appraised Lost Relic, and a pedestal/exhibition stand. Completing this habitat finishes Gimmighoul's Pokedex entry and unlocks ongoing exchanges.

Lore Revelations

Professor Tangrowth is the primary source of lore in Pokopia, gradually revealing the history of the world through dialogue as the player progresses. He mentions it's been "quite some time" since he saw another human and notes "this place was once home to many humans" but "they're gone."

• The Climate Crisis: The Kanto region was devastated by a climate crisis linked to weather disturbances, potentially involving legendary Pokemon like Kyogre and Groudon. The environment deteriorated to the point where it could no longer sustain life normally.

• The Pokemon Conservation Project: Humanity's response was to create massive computer storage systems (similar to the PC boxes used by Pokemon Trainers) to safely store all Pokemon while humans evacuated to space. Discoverable Silph Co. data logs throughout the game reveal technical details about this project.

• Human Evacuation: Humans left the planet entirely, taking refuge in space. Some returned periodically to survey the environment and maintain the Pokemon storage systems, but eventually all contact ceased.

• Tangrowth's Survival: Professor Tangrowth was somehow never placed in digital storage, making him the last active Pokemon in the world. His solitary vigil lasted until Ditto awakened at the start of the game.

• Human Records: The outfits found throughout the game (Sailor Outfit, Ranger Outfit, Team Rocket Outfit, etc.) are called Human Records, artifacts left behind by the departed humans. They serve as the primary physical evidence of human civilization.

• Post-Credits Revelation: After completing the Team Initiation Challenge and watching the credits, post-game content suggests that the game world itself may be a digital conservation simulation, similar to a PC Box-like environment. This revelation recontextualizes the entire game and Tangrowth's role within it.

Items Provided

Professor Tangrowth provides several key items and recipes throughout the story:

Personality

Professor Tangrowth is characterized as a patient, knowledgeable, and slightly eccentric mentor figure. His fascination with human tools and technology (evidenced by the glasses, TM disc, and walking stick) gives him an absent-minded professor quality. Despite being the last active Pokemon in a devastated world, Tangrowth maintains an optimistic outlook and is genuinely delighted when Ditto begins restoring the environment and befriending other Pokemon.

Other Pokemon perceive Tangrowth as the smartest Pokemon around, and whenever they need answers, they go to him. However, more often than not, he either does not have the answers (which everyone loves pointing out in shock) or his explanations are so convoluted that it seems like he is making things up. In one memorable scene, Tangrowth tells a campfire story so boring that every Pokemon around him falls asleep, including the player's Ditto, who reverts back to its regular blob form just to nap.

Tangrowth functions as both a guide and a historian. He provides practical gameplay advice (quest reminders, system explanations) alongside deeper lore about the world's past. Players who engage with Tangrowth's optional dialogue lines receive the most complete picture of Pokopia's backstory.

Tips

• Talk to Professor Tangrowth whenever you are stuck. He always provides a reminder of the current active request and hints about what to do next.

• Bring Lost Relics to Tangrowth regularly for appraisal. Unidentified relics cannot be used, displayed, or traded until appraised.

• Check Tangrowth's trolley in the starting cave for extra Castform Weather Charms. Press A near the trolley to collect. These are easy to miss on a first playthrough.

• In Bleak Beach, you must craft Bridge Planks to help Tangrowth cross a destroyed bridge. Keep extra lumber on hand when entering this area.

• Visit Tangrowth after reaching Environment Level 5 in each story area to receive the special recipe items needed for the Team Initiation Challenge.

• During the "Time to Party" quest in Rocky Ridges, make sure you have a large Lost Relic ready when Tangrowth asks for one. This triggers the Volcanion cutscene on the volcano.

• In Sparkling Skylands, build the Lift platform early to progress the Tangrowth and Tinkmaster investigation storyline.

• Engage with Tangrowth's optional lore dialogue. He provides the most detailed explanation of why humans left and what happened to the world. Look for Silph Co. data logs in the environment for additional lore context.

• After finding the Pewter City Museum in Rocky Ridges, establish a regular route: find relics, appraise with Tangrowth, trade duplicates with Gimmighoul. Build the mini museum habitat to fully unlock Gimmighoul's exchange service.

• Gimmighoul accepts Rainbow Feathers (from Ho-Oh) and Silver Wings (from Lugia) for exclusive pop art furniture. Save these items for Gimmighoul rather than using them elsewhere.