Dr. Footstep

Dr. Footstep (Japanese: フトマキ Futomaki) is a character who lives on the southwest side of  in a small house on the beach. An expert on footprints, he gives the to s who have friendly Pokémon. He determines this based on their footprints. Somehow, he can tell how friendly a Pokémon is, even if it does not leave footprints.

In the games
Different Pokémon have different sets of responses, such as Ghost Pokémon and those that look intimidating saying that they are scary and shunned, and more lethargic Pokémon beginning and ending their statements with "Hnurrr." Certain Pokémon that lack expressive features, such as and, give no real response, only making a noise that sounds like "Sssshhnnn." There are four classifications which could be loosely described as "Cute", "Tough", "Scary", and "Slow". In addition, Pokémon with footprints give different responses than those without footprints, making for a total of eight quote sets (excluding the silent group).

Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum

 * If talked to for the first time
 * "Pokémon are quite easy for me to read. I need only to see their footprints, and their innermost thoughts are revealed to me! Oh? You are skeptical of my claim? Then, let your  walk in front of me, right here. From its footprints, I will determine how it feels about you."
 * "Pokémon are quite easy for me to read. I need only to see their footprints, and their innermost thoughts are revealed to me! Oh? You are skeptical of my claim? Then, let your  walk in front of me, right here. From its footprints, I will determine how it feels about you."


 * If talked to again
 * "Do you want to check the feelings of your Pokémon again? Then, let your  walk in front of me, right here. From its footprints, I will determine how it feels about you."


 * After appraisal
 * Pokémon with footprints
 * "...And that is what your  thinks of you."
 * If the Pokémon has max friendship and does not have a Footprint Ribbon:
 * "I must say, your  and you share a very close bond. This is for you."


 * Pokémon without footprints
 * "...Hmmm...  doesn't leave any footprints. It's somewhat difficult for me to determine what its thoughts are."
 * If the Pokémon has max friendship and does not have a Footprint Ribbon:
 * "However, your  and you obviously share a close bond. This is for you."


 * Voiceless Pokémon
 * "...Hmm...  happens to be quite the silent type!"
 * If the Pokémon has max friendship and does not have a Footprint Ribbon:
 * "However, your  and you obviously share a close bond. This is for you."

Friendship levels
Dr. Footstep has five different ratings for Pokémon friendship. These reflect the Pokémon's responses as shown on the Pokétch application. The lowest level of friendship will usually only be seen on Pokémon that have been treated badly, or on certain newly-caught species (such as Legendary Pokémon,, , and various Dark types) that naturally start with very low friendship.

If the Pokémon does not have a nickname, the species name is shown instead.


 * Cute Pokémon
 * With footprints:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
 * Level 1: "Aww... only plays with other Pokémon... feels neglected... Maybe doesn't like very much? will try harder for . Please be nicer to me!"
 * Level 2: "Others say there are people who aren't very nice to Pokémon. I wonder about ... Will look after nicely? Will I get to go all over with this Trainer? Can we be... Friends?"
 * Level 3: "This adventure with is lots of fun. gets to go places where I can't go by myself. I get to battle Pokémon I've never ever seen before. I'm gonna get stronger and stronger for !"
 * Level 4: " and make a perfectly matched combo! I've seen all sorts of people so far... But understands 's feelings most! I'm a little hungry... You can tell, right?"
 * Level 5: "If I said there can be friendship between Pokémon and people, will 's friends understand? But if you see and, you will understand. Because and are friends!"
 * Without footprints:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
 * Level 1: " is bored... Play with me more, more... and, let's play nicer..."
 * Level 2: "Gonna go with all over the place... Be nice to ... Warm and cuddly..."
 * Level 3: " get strong, make happy. Round ones, square ones, triangle ones, wobbly ones... wants to see different kinds of Pokémon..."
 * Level 4: " and make a friendly combo. 's feelings, can understand. 's feelings, understands!"
 * Level 5: " makes very proud!  boasts to friends about ! and are best of friends!"


 * Tough Pokémon
 * With footprints:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , (Altered Forme),
 * Level 1: "Why does use only other Pokémon? Am I not needed much? Would I have been better off if I remained in the ? No, I should give this Trainer a little more of a chance..."
 * Level 2: "Humans can't understand the cries of Pokémon, nor our feelings. However, there are some among us that understand human speech... Hehehe,, you're not bad for a human."
 * Level 3: "If a Pokémon were to travel along/alone, it would be limited as to where it could go. But traveling with a human, a Pokémon would be able to travel farther afield to more distant cities and lands. Traveling with has been rewarding and reassuring. And very entertaining..."
 * Level 4: "Some wild Pokémon frown upon others for traveling with humans. They jeer that the caught Pokémon have "forgotten the wild." But that view is mistaken. They have just never met a Trainer who could be a great partner. A great partner like, in other words..."
 * Level 5: " is... A remarkable human and Trainer. That I can always perform the best any  possibly can... I attribute that entirely to my partner . When we travel, I can see wild Pokémon eyeing us enviously..."
 * Without footprints:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , (Origin Forme)
 * Level 1: "Does intend to ignore me forever? Give me more opportunities for me to shine..."
 * Level 2: "If a Pokémon is treated as a friend, it will return the sentiments. We grow fonder of humans that treat us with kindness... Does even like ?"
 * Level 3: "Did get stronger? Who is responsible for making me so? Is it 's doing? Is the Trainer owed my thanks?"
 * Level 4: " and are alike in some ways. In humanspeak, we match up well. Does think so, too?"
 * Level 5: " is very impressive, especially for a human. The Trainer lets use every bit of power properly. It is a shame that is only a human..."


 * Scary Pokémon
 * With footprints:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
 * Level 1: "That ... What is that Trainer thinking? Why make me join the team, then call upon me for nothing? Am I considered useless? Is the Trainer regretting having me? Does the Trainer dare disrespect this  so easily?"
 * Level 2: "I have little understanding of as a human... may not be too bad, considering that I, an oft-shunned , am one of the team... That said, I don't intend to be all cheerful around ..."
 * Level 3: "Our kind prefers to lurk in dark and dank places... But being with, even bright and festive places seem less threatening... has a strange charisma..."
 * Level 4: "Not for a moment did I think I would be traveling with a human... If my  friends were to see me now, they would be shocked. Or would they be envious of me...?"
 * Level 5: "That is the most impressive of humans. It takes a lot to make me,, sunny and cheerful! As a show of affection, I should chomp down on the Trainer's neck... Hahaha... Have no fear... I was merely joking..."
 * Without footprints:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
 * Level 1: "Wooooooh... has nothing to do... Keep me too bored, and I'm liable to sneak up and bite..."
 * Level 2: "Is there any human that would grow to like us ? Well? Does like ? doesn't like... Well, no, maybe not..."
 * Level 3: " treats me,, nicely without being scared. But will be even scarier from now on. That's what we <Pokémon> do..."
 * Level 4: " is starting to forget a little about being in the wild... But isn't feeling sad. It's never boring with ..."
 * Level 5: "There are no Pokémon that dislike humans... Only humans that dislike Pokémon... We <Pokémon> are especially shunned... But always treats me as a friend and partner..."


 * Slow Pokémon
 * With footprints:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
 * Level 1: "Hnurrrr... Hunh? This is... Where? 's house, is this? It's not? Hnurrr... If you don't need me for anything, can I go back to my Ball? Hnurrr..."
 * Level 2: "Hnurrr... Me? Uhm... I like to sleep most the time. Oh, I like to eat, too. That's next. But what I really like is to think. I'm a very deep thinker. When I think about the future of the <Pokémon> species... ...Hnurrr...hunh? Oh, I forget where the time goes. Hnurrrr..."
 * Level 3: "Hnurrr... Me? Uhm... There are lots of kinds of moves. I like those moves, oh, and  moves, too... How would they be for this <Pokémon>? Will they be for me? Or a no, no, no sort of thing? Hnurrr..."
 * Level 4: "Hnurrr... I don't know how to begin saying this... I liked living quietly before I met . Sssh. But I'm getting to like traveling with . I think I'm getting sort of funky. Do you think I'm sort of funky? No? No funk for me? Hnurrr..."
 * Level 5: "Hnurrr... Me? Uhm... Other Pokémon, they say to me... "You're not thinking, are you?" How insulting they should say so. It isn't true what they say. Think, think, think, I do that. All the time, I think hard how to help . I concentrate! Hnurrr..."
 * Without footprints:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
 * Level 1: "Hnurrr... I did not know that? I really don't? What is this? I don't know what to say? Hnurrr..."
 * Level 2: "Hnurrr... Well, I... I think I'm motivated. As motivated as the average. But it's not so simple as that. Hnurrr..."
 * Level 3: "Hnurrr... How should I say this? We both look out for each other. That's what we try to do, I think. That is for the best. Hnurrrr..."
 * Level 4: "Hnurrr... How do I say? How should I describe us? We are the sound of both hands clapping. and I are together in synchronicity like twins. Hnurrr..."
 * Level 5: "Hnurrr... What is left to say, I say? We have come so far now, where can we go but to see this through? Hall of Fame... Words so sweet fall from my mouth. Hnurrr..."


 * Voiceless Pokémon
 * All levels: "Sssshhnnn... ... ...Ssshhhnnn... ... Ssshhhnnn... ..."
 * All levels: "Sssshhnnn... ... ...Ssshhhnnn... ... Ssshhhnnn... ..."

If a Pokémon receives a Level 5 rating, Dr. Footstep will award it a.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Dr. Footstep first appears in Bombastic Bibarel & Heroic Hippopotas at the Seven Stars Restaurant where he is seen collecting the footprints of 's Chatler, and waits outside so he can get more. After Pearl and finish a battle with some Trainers, Dr. Footstep appears to take the footprints of their Pokémon. He invites, Diamond, and Pearl to his house so he can show them his collection. Soon after, they find an angry wild that sends them flying after Dr. Footstep collects its footprint. Dr. Footstep and Pearl land at Lake Valor and are carried by a wild that carries them to the island in the lake. They eventually manage to swim back to shore, where they find that Platinum and Diamond have defeated a pair of s that attacked them. Dr. Footstep gives them a as thanks and goes to take the scientists to the proper authorities, although he gets distracted by a wild  along the way.

Much later, in Double Trouble with Dialga and Palkia V, Dr. Footstep is seen waiting impatiently at a police station for the interrogation of the scientists to end, so he can get the footprints of their Pokémon. He eventually decides to leave and once he exits the police station, he finds himself transported to the Spear Pillar where Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, and Cynthia are battling the leader of Team Galactic, Cyrus. When a arrives to help the Sinnoh Pokédex holders battle Cyrus, Dr. Footstep takes its footprint to convey its feelings to everyone.

In he, together with Sinnoh Pokémon Association Chairman, joins Diamond and Pearl for a short while, but decides not to accompany them to Old Chateau when he realizes that  does not leave footprints, instead waiting with the Chairman. He is last seen in The Final Dimensional Duel XI after the battle with, explaining that the Pokémon has calmed down.

In the Chuang Yi translations, he is also referred to as Futomaki.

Trivia

 * Aside from his real name, he's also referred to as Dr. Footstep (Japanese: はかせ Dr. Footprint) in the Japanese versions. English and European versions don't reflect that, treating the title as if it were actually his name.
 * The noise that voiceless Pokémon make (such as ), "Ssshhhnnn," is similar to Japanese "sound effect" for silence, "shiiiiiin."

Names
Dr. Schrittritt Doctor Pisada Docteur Petitpas Dott. Impronta フトマキ 足迹博士