While there are many interesting characters playing roles in Professor Laventon may be from the Galar region, but it is never confirmed in the story. Additionally, when looking closely at his appearance, it is also possible the Hisuian Professor could have ties to prominent characters from the modern Sword and Shield timeline.
Professor Laventon plays a major role in the narrative events of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, serving as the Pokémon Professor of Jubilife Village, and also as an advocate for Pokémon and human relationships. He acts as a mediator between the Galaxy Team and the local Diamond and Pearl clans, while also studying the region for proof that Pokémon and people are capable of cohabitation. When Pokémon Legends: Arceus' main character arrives from the future, Laventon finds them and brings them into town, acting as a mentor and friend while they adjust to life in the distant past.
However, as Pokémon Legends: Arceus' protagonist attempts to unravel the puzzles of the Hisui region, the player learns very little about Professor Laventon's previous life before his involvement with the expedition teams. Because he possesses Cyndaquil, Rowlet, and Oshawott, it can be assumed he has traveled to a number of historic regions including early Johto, Alola, and Unova, but he never speaks about these adventures, or where he got his start as a Pokémon Professor before traveling. However, looking closely at his design, players may notice a number of similarities between Professor Laventon and the Galar Champion Leon. While these similarities could be a coincidence, they could also tie Laventon to some of the most notable characters of Generation 8.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus' Laventon Could Be An Ancestor Of Galar's Leon & Hop
There have been many theories surrounding Pokémon Legends: Arceus' characters and who they may be related to in later games. Specifically, Volo's similarities to the Champion Cynthia or Captain Cyllene's resemblance to the Team Galatic Boss Cyrus both indicate many characters in later games could have distant relatives in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. While Professor Laventon spends his time slouched with a hat covering his hair, he still has many physical resemblances to Leon and Hop from Pokémon Sword and Shield.
The first big giveaway is Laventon's manner of speaking. He has an older, UK-inspired dialect and uses many of the same slang seen in Sword and Shield's NPC dialogue, indicating he is likely from the early Galar region. He also has darker skin, hooded eyes, and purple eyebrows that all match both Leon's and Hop's designs. At times, even his mannerisms are similar to the Galar Champion's, using big gestures and excited exclamations to express his enthusiasm for Pokémon and the missions he hopes to accomplish.
Despite his presence in the Hisui region during Pokémon Legends: Arceus, it is possible that Professor Laventon finishes his work with the Galaxy Team and leaves Jubilife Village for new challenges. It is possible he takes his findings back to the Galar region, where he continues to expand on and build the relationships between people and Pokémon. If he settled down and had children in the Galar region, it is likely his love of Pokémon would get ed down as well, explaining Leon's drive as Champion, and Hop's genuine curiosity for Pokémon knowledge.
Professor Laventon Could Also Be From The Future Galar Region
It is also possible that like Pokémon Legends: Arceus' main character and the Pearl clan Warden Ingo, Professor Laventon was also taken from the future by Arceus. Professor Laventon's speaking patterns and his choice of clothing all appear to be more modern than most of the other NPCs found in Jubilife Village. He is also completely unphased by the protagonist's arrival from the sky, taking the rescue and of the main character in stride. He has a specific faith in Pokémon that isn't seen in other characters of the town, and his knowledge of Pokémon technology seems to reach beyond what would be expected of the timeframe.
Like Ingo, Professor Laventon may have arrived from the future with only partial memories intact. This would explain his large knowledge of Pokémon species, and his ability to create Poké Balls and other technologies for Pokémon Legends: Arceus' Galaxy Team. Additionally, he may have also come from the future with the starter Pokémon from other regions already in his possession, explaining why it was never explained where he obtained them. If he was snatched from the future, it is completely possible Professor Laventon could even be the father of Leon and Hop.
It is very common for the fathers of Pokémon protagonists to be either unmentioned or away from home. This narrative is used in Pokémon Sword and Shield, with the main character only ever bumping into Leon and Hop's mother. Because neither Leon or Hop mention their father, and Game Freak has not come out and said whether Professor Laventon is truly from the future, there is no way to confirm if this might be the case. However, it is possible a sequel for Pokémon Legends: Arceus could reveal more, and offer players information on Professor Laventon's connections to future characters.
While Pokémon Legends: Arceus does provide players with an exciting and different journey in the Pokémon series, the number of unfinished storylines and NPC conflicts does create a frustrating issue for those who want a solid ending. The main character never returns to their timeline, Ingo's memories are never restored, and the future of Jubilife Village isn't ever concluded. Hopefully, these commissions are an indicator that future DLC, updates, or other content will become available for Pokémon Legends: Arceus in the coming months, and not that players may never learn the ending of the epic adventure. Confirmations regarding which Pokémon Legends: Arceus characters are related to popular main NPCs could be a great way to tie the events of the game to the modern timeline, and help keep the already massive narrative cohesive and connected.
