Way back in June when the Pokémon GO Fest 2022 first began, everyone's favourite Poké Ball guy (no, not the one from Sword and Shield), Professor Willow, was sucked into an ultra-wormhole and swiftly replaced by the robot distributor, Rhi. Over the course of the celebrations, Pokémon GO had a clear Willow-shaped hole at its core, keeping us worrying about the professor's absence throughout the Ultra Beast events. However, at the festival's conclusion, Professor Willow returned and it seems that the Wormhole has worked wonders on his appearance.
Recognisable by his rolled-up lab coat, PE teacher-style zip-up and wire-framed glasses, the new (and dare we say, improved) Willow has re-emerged as a younger model. No longer looking like a default Pixar father figure, Willow now sports a black coach jacket and biker goggles. Hey, do we even spy a little bit of stubble going on there?! How very down with the kids.
The now not-so-smiley professor has, predictably, caused an outcry on Twitter, with fans' responses quickly descending into a game of 'hot or not' with regard to Willow's transformation. Spare a thought for our retinas as we scrolled through the responses — not all were as family-friendly as those you will find below:
It may well be the case that Pokémon GO is simply moving onto a new redesign for Professor Willow, updating the friendly lab assistant for the kind of scientist who rides a motorbike to work. However, with the game's ongoing storylines, it may not be this straightforward.
If you go to the Pokémon GO news tab and select 'Coming September 1, 2022: The Season of Light', you will find a potential clue which suggests that the mystery of Willow's disappearance is not over just yet (thanks, Kotaku, for pointing this one out). Instead of the usual summary of what is to come in the next chapter of Pokémon GO, you will see a single sentence reading, 'Keep an eye out for Professor Willow...' and a link to the following video:
Now, we're no Sherlock Holmes but that sentence seems a little suspicious to us. Is this the real Professor Willow? And if not, where is our beloved Poké Prof? Hopefully things will start to become clear in September.
What do you make of Professor Willow's updated look, then? Let us know in the poll below:
[source twitter.com, via kotaku.com]
Comments 21
I don’t know who that is
"OH NO, HE'S HOT!" seems to be most of the reactions I've been seeing online, really.
Alright, who at Niantic's been watching Gravity Falls?
@prismt I think NL is speculating, based on the event language, that his new appearance may be story related. I say we wait for more info. Because with what we know about Ultra Wormholes and how they work in Pokémon, its quite possible this might be the case. Or it could just be a straight-up redesign
Imposter Willow is sus
Twitter Really Becoming Squidward Right There!
If you don't look at him he's the same. 'Looks at him...' My eyes!
Ten cents it's another Ditto impersonating him. Calling it now.
Why is there so much energy wasted arguing over what a fictional character wears?
There's a story in Pokémon Go?
Granted I started playing seriously around mid-2017, but never have I thought about it having a story. Or is this a recent thing?
Honestly, I stopped playing around mid-2020.
They...barely changed anything?
I like his outfit, and his face model looks almost perfect, but I don't know, he looks like he hasn't slept in days. Does anyone else see bags under his eyes?
This only tells me that no matter how much people told me that bike jackets are gross when I was a teen were flat out lying and sabotaged high school for me.
Ultra Space changes people.
Where can I find an ultra space wormhole to fall into? Take me with you next time…
The professor from New Pokemon Snap is hotter.
Who at Niantic was like "I wanna make Willow sexy", and then just did it?
To be honest I don’t care about if a character gets redesign or not cause chances are it’s still gonna be the same character. They just look a bit different.
I never understand why these kinds of comments are considered appropriate when they're directed at men.
Most people know that remarking how "hot" women are is objectifying. We should show men the same respect as well. Articles like these just encourage the problem.
Another Nintendo Life Twitter "outrage" article. Isn't it enough with just the Pkmn GO news? Must Twitter always be a part of it?
The design looks fine.
@Quarth Agreed.
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...