He doesn’t wear a shirt under his lab coat. Honestly, that’s the first thing everyone notices about the Pokemon Sun and Moon professor. It’s a bit weird, right? You walk into a research lab expecting a stuffy academic in a sweater vest, and instead, you get Professor Kukui, a guy who looks like he just walked off a surfboard and decided to casually revolutionize how we understand Pokemon moves. But if you look past the questionable fashion choices, you find a character with more depth than almost any other mentor in the franchise.
Kukui isn’t just there to hand you a Pokedex and tell you to fill it up. He’s the heart of the Alola region. He’s a bridge between the old ways and the new. While previous professors like Oak or Rowan spent their time tucked away in quiet towns, Kukui is out there in the tall grass. He’s taking hits. Literally. He studies Pokemon moves by letting them hit him. That’s dedication. Or maybe it’s just a high pain tolerance, but either way, it sets a completely different tone for the Gen 7 games.
The Secret Life of the Pokemon Sun and Moon Professor
Most people know him as the "Masked Royal." It’s the worst-kept secret in the history of the Pokemon world, yet it’s such a core part of who he is. Why does a reputable scientist spend his nights in a wrestling ring at the Battle Royal Dome? It isn’t just a hobby. It’s a manifestation of his philosophy: growth through struggle. In Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon, the Alola region is undergoing a massive cultural shift. They don't have a Pokemon League when you arrive. They have the Island Challenge, a ritualistic journey that’s more about spiritual growth than competitive rankings.
Kukui wants both. He wants to respect the traditions of the Kahunas while giving Alola a stage on the world map. He spent time in Kanto. He fought the gyms there. He even challenged the Elite Four (and got bodied by Lance, according to the lore). That failure stayed with him. He didn’t just want to be a champion; he wanted to build a place where Alolans could prove they were just as tough as the trainers from Kanto or Johto. He’s a dreamer with a construction permit.
Building the league on Mount Lanakila is a huge deal. Think about the logistics. You’re taking a sacred mountain and turning it into a stadium. That takes political capital. It takes guts. The Pokemon Sun and Moon professor is basically a one-man Chamber of Commerce for Alola. He’s trying to drag his home region into the modern era without losing the soul of the islands.
Move Research and the Z-Move Connection
His specialty is Pokemon moves. While Sycamore was obsessed with Mega Evolution and Rowan was looking at evolution as a whole, Kukui wants to know how a Pokemon uses its power. This ties directly into the Z-Move mechanic. Z-Moves aren't just flashy animations; they are the physical manifestation of the bond between trainer and Pokemon, channeled through a dance.
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Kukui’s research suggests that moves aren't just static data points. They are expressions of energy. If you look at his lab on Melemele Island, it’s cluttered. There are holes in the floor. There’s a Rockruff running around. It’s a working space. It’s messy because science is messy. You can see his notes on "the fourth move slot" and how different environments affect performance. He’s a hands-on learner.
Why Kukui Breaks the Professor Mold
Let’s talk about the traditional Pokemon Professor template. Usually, they are grandfatherly figures or distant mentors. They stay in the lab. They might show up at a bridge to give you an item, but they aren't with you. Kukui is different. He’s your hype man. He’s the one who greets you at the pier. He’s the one who introduces you to the Island Challenge.
He’s also married. That’s a first. His relationship with Professor Burnet (who studies the Interdimensional Research Lab) is one of the most wholesome things in the series. It grounds him. He’s not some mystical hermit; he’s a guy with a wife, a mortgage, and a basement full of combat gear. In the anime, this goes even further. He basically adopts Ash. He becomes a father figure in a way that Oak never quite managed to be.
The Final Battle: A Subversion of Expectations
If you played the original Sun and Moon, the ending caught you off guard. You reach the top of the mountain. You’ve beaten the newly formed Elite Four. You expect to see the Champion. Instead, you find Kukui. He isn't the Champion—he’s the founder. He’s the final test.
Fighting the Pokemon Sun and Moon professor for the inaugural title is a masterstroke of storytelling. He uses a team that is specifically designed to counter yours. If you chose Rowlet, he’s got Incineroar. He’s testing you. He’s seeing if his dream of an Alolan League was worth the effort. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, they swapped him out for Hau, which some fans liked, but many felt it lost that emotional weight. Defeating your mentor to become the first-ever Champion of a region is a peak Pokemon moment.
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The Struggle of the Masked Royal
We have to mention the Battle Royal. It’s easy to meme on the mask, but the "Masked Royal" persona allows Kukui to be something a Professor usually can't: a rival. He can test the player’s skills without the baggage of his professional title. It’s also a great way to introduce the 4-way battle mechanic, which was a big selling point for the Gen 7 games.
The Battle Royal Dome is located on Akala Island. It’s flashy. It’s loud. It’s the exact opposite of the quiet research labs in Kanto. This contrast defines Kukui. He contains multitudes. He’s the scholar who reads ancient texts about Solgaleo and Lunala, but he’s also the guy who screams "ENJOY!" while his Incineroar uses Malicious Moonsault.
Comparing Kukui to Other Professors
- Professor Oak: The classic. He’s the blueprint, but he’s very hands-off.
- Professor Elm: Nervous, focused on eggs, barely leaves New Bark Town.
- Professor Sada/Turo: (Gen 9) They have the "cool" factor, but they are tragic, distant figures.
- Kukui: The most "human." He has a life outside of his research.
Kukui feels like a person you’d actually meet at a beach BBQ. He’s approachable. When Lillie is going through her crisis of confidence, Kukui and Burnet are the ones who give her a safe place to stay. He isn't just an NPC who gives you a starter; he’s an active participant in the plot’s emotional stakes.
The Cultural Impact of Alola’s Mentor
Pokemon Sun and Moon took a huge risk. They got rid of Gyms. They changed the regional structure. They introduced Alolan Forms. They needed a character who could sell these changes to a skeptical fanbase. Kukui was that salesman. His enthusiasm is infectious.
When you look at the Pokemon Sun and Moon professor, you’re looking at the evolution of the series. He represents a shift toward more character-driven narratives. Before Gen 7, the story was often secondary to the badge quest. In Alola, the characters are the story. Team Skull, the Aether Foundation, Gladion—they all orbit around the world Kukui is trying to build.
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Myths and Misconceptions
People often think Kukui is "lazy" because he’s always hanging out at the beach or the Dome. That couldn't be further from the truth. He’s arguably the hardest-working person in Alola. He built a League from scratch. He manages the PC storage system (via his assistant, Molayne). He mentors the protagonist and Hau. He’s doing the work of three different NPCs.
Another misconception: the shirt thing. People think it’s just for sex appeal or a "surfer dude" trope. Actually, if you talk to the NPCs in the game, it’s implied he doesn't wear a shirt because he wants to feel the moves of Pokemon directly to better understand their power. It’s an extreme form of field research. It’s weird, sure, but it’s scientifically motivated weirdness.
How to Appreciate Kukui’s Legacy Today
If you’re revisiting Pokemon Sun or Moon, pay attention to his dialogue. It’s filled with "aloha" spirit but also a genuine concern for the ecosystem. He talks about the balance between humans and Pokemon constantly. This isn't just flavor text. It’s a precursor to the themes we see in Legends: Arceus and Scarlet/Violet.
Kukui proved that a Pokemon Professor can be a formidable opponent. He paved the way for more active mentors like Professor Sada/Turo or even Leon in Galar (who, while a Champion, fulfills a similar mentoring role). He broke the "old man in a lab" trope and replaced it with something vibrant, muscular, and deeply kind.
Taking Action: Getting the Most Out of Alola
To truly experience everything the Pokemon Sun and Moon professor has to offer, you shouldn't just rush to the credits. The post-game content is where his character shines.
- Visit the Battle Royal Dome frequently. You’ll occasionally run into the Masked Royal, and the interactions are gold.
- Check the Lab on Melemele. After you become Champion, the dialogue in the lab changes. It provides a lot of context for his and Burnet's life together.
- Watch the Sun and Moon Anime. Honestly, the anime version of Kukui is arguably better than the game version. His relationship with Ash is the heart of the show, and their final 6v6 battle is one of the best choreographed fights in the entire 25-year history of the series.
- Read the Manga (Pokemon Adventures). The Sun/Moon arc gives Kukui some great moments that highlight his strategic mind over his physical strength.
The Pokemon Sun and Moon professor is more than just a guy who forgets to button his shirt. He’s a visionary. He’s a father figure. He’s a wrestler. And most importantly, he’s a reminder that even in a world of legendary gods and ultra beasts, the most powerful thing you can have is a dream for your hometown and the guts to build it yourself. Go back and talk to him again. You might find he has more to teach you than just move types.
Check your Pokedex progress. See if you've triggered the special dialogue at the lab after catching a certain number of species. Kukui’s reactions to your milestones are some of the most rewarding parts of the Alolan journey. Focus on the Z-Crystal side quests too; they flesh out the "move research" lore that Kukui is so passionate about. Grab your 3DS (or your Switch if you're holding out hope for a remake) and get back to the islands. Alola hasn't lost its charm, and Kukui is still there, probably getting hit by a Fire Blast in the name of science.