Tangrowth is the only Pokémon living in the wasteland when Ditto awakens in Pokémon Pokopia.
At the beginning of the story, the world has withered and humans have disappeared. Tangrowth lives alone in the wasteland and becomes the first important companion Ditto encounters. The character later becomes known as Professor Tangrowth.
After Ditto discovers a Pokédex and begins restoring habitats, more Pokémon gradually return to the area. This makes Tangrowth’s initial solitude a key piece of the game’s premise: the player is rebuilding a world that has lost both its human population and most of its Pokémon residents.
Tangrowth should not be confused with a human professor or a generic guide character. The name Professor Tangrowth refers to the Pokémon itself. Its role helps frame the game’s central goal of creating a welcoming environment where Pokémon can live together again.