Original artwork, not a still
There's a time and place for everything, but not now!
— Pokémon Diamond and Pearl ‧ 2006
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is the Pokémon games' stock rebuke for being too eager, a mentor's gentle reminder that the world has rules even when you have a bag full of items. The joke is that a famous scientist still follows you around to nag. Fans tend to remember the line as Oak's, because Oak is the face of the franchise's professors and the scold, in some wording, runs through the whole series.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Pokémon Diamond and PearlShow the scene
This is the Pokémon professor's scolding for using an item at the wrong moment, and the games hand it to different professors. Professor Oak's version in Red, Blue and Yellow reads 'This isn't the time to use that!' The wording 'There's a time and place for everything! But not now.' belongs to Professor Rowan in the Sinnoh games (Diamond and Pearl, Japan 28 September 2006, North America 22 April 2007; Platinum followed). There it appears framed as Rowan's words echoing in the player's head when the game blocks an item, as when a Diamond and Pearl player tries to get past the Cycling Road gate without riding a bike (the Bulbapedia page quotes it as the response). Sun and Moon give the same scold to Professor Kukui, with a variant ending: 'but this ain't it'.
Sources (5)
- Explorer Kit - BulbapediaTriviaReference checked
- Sinnoh Route 206 - BulbapediaTriviaReference checked
- Professor Oak/Quotes - BulbapediaRed, Blue and Yellow section, 'When using item at the wrong time'Reference checked
- Professor Kukui/Quotes - BulbapediaWhen using Escape Rope during the wrong timeReference checked
- Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Versions - BulbapediaInfoboxReference checked
Context reviewed