Meet the real-life Pokémon professors, the unsung heroes of competitive monster-battling

Real-life Pokémon professors are volunteers who support the competitive community by offering advice, refereeing card games, and managing player behavior at events. While their fictional counterparts in games like Pokémon Red and Blue are known for guiding trainers in lab coats, these real-world counterparts wear red Pikachu-mascot shirts labeled “staff” along with black trousers and shoes.

These volunteers serve as unsung heroes who keep the competitive game running, particularly at this year’s world championships. They perform essential organizational and moderating duties that mirror the supportive role their fictional analogs play for players.