Best replacement for Brock

[Maxim Posthumus]

There have been some ongoing debates about the future of Dawn in the anime and a possible new girl (with Miki being the strongest candidate). And as much as I wish that Miki replaces Dawn (since Miki would have an important purpose - doing Pokethlon and not being Marina), I think that the anime has bigger problem to get rid of - that problem is Brock. He contributes nothing to the show, all that he does is hitting on girls. Despite of my awareness of the existing Main Group thread, I decided to start a new one on the third guy, in order to start a poll.

This poll is about:
Who would be the best replacement for Brock as the third guy in the upcoming HGSS Saga. Let's consider only male characters, as two girls in the main group is unlikely.

My proposed candidates are: Eusine; old rival Gary (who'd be the group's brain); Paul (probably reformed); recycled Ritchie, Tracey or Todd (though I'm not sure why him); matured Max; Jackson/Vincent (one of the "Johtiest" anime-made characters); Kenta (for obvious reasons) and Silver (why not?).

My favorite here is definitely Eusine. He is just what the group needs. Brock's calmness and maturity makes him a boring character. Eusine would be like... the total opposite of him. He would be the chaotic Legendary Hunter, at times serious, at times comical. Of course, he wouldn't get along with Ash at all. He'd probably join him because of the fact that he realized that Ash is special and following him is the only way to get close to the Legendaries (and would join Ash against his will, like Misty at the very start of Kanto). He's actually who we need - an outsider in the group. He'd certainly make the show more colorful.

 

[Lugnut]

I voted that Brock should stay. Just being there and guiding the party is really what he does to add to the show. Not everyone in the party needs to be focused on battleing pokemon all the time. I guess they could replace him with someone who does the exact same thing, but then what would be the fun in that?

 

[Phoenicks]

I would prefer if they used Gary or Lucas. Gary because he's been neglected ever since Hoenn started, and Lucas because he's the male counterpart to Dawn (and they never use the male counterparts for the anime). But I doubt that we'll see the end of Brock. He's a bigger running gag collection than TR, and the producers like that I guess.

 

[Ampharos King]

As much as I want Brock to be replaced, I doubt it'll ever happen.

The only compensation he got from the group is that he basically feeds the groups' pokemon and without him, Ash and Dawn could not have taken care of them. (As evidenced in DP094).
I'm sick of his "female love" gags, even with Croagunk, although there have been other pokemon (Chansey, Bellossom) who also do the same thing.

 

[Kasumi]

Minaki, because he be pimpin' bishies and Ho-ohs.

 

[Piplup]

I don't think any of the past main characters should return (May, Max, Misty, Tracey)
Max probably will stay too young forever since the characters don't grow... so there's little they can do with him that wasn't already done (not to mention without his sister there)
Misty got her new place and goal at the Gym
May chose to travel alone since she realized it's better for her so as much as I'd like her to be main again, I know they shouldn't randomly destroy her development like that (I'd like her to either get a new series for her journey or to be a recurring rival to Dawn... but I know it won't happen)
For most of the others like forogtten random characters like Richie - I see no reason to bring back at all, even as COTDs
Gary could be nice in the team and Paul will be great if he changes a little and join to learn about the twerps way of treating Poké (sure he'd keep his cold personality anyway) and Barry is a good option too since he's one of the most entertaining characters this show ever had

But what I say is - we should try a group of 4 again, the writers proved they can improve things that they couldn't do so good in the past
My ideal main cast in Pokémon would be this - 2 boys (star and sidekick) and 2 girls (star and sidekick):
- Male star doing Gyms: Ash, permamently staying or at least until gen 6 begin
- Female star doing Contests: Dawn, hopefully permamently staying or at least longer than expected
- Male sidekick: either a sensitive guy or a cold one to be the opposite of the typical kind brave boy hero that Ash is... Paul can fill the cold type VERY good... while Barry isn't either sensitive or cold, he can still work good on the cast and be different enough from Ash... and then next gen we can use the new games boy hero
- Female sidekick: a tomboy girl to be different than Dawn which for now can be the HGSS girl and next gen would be the new games heroine

For me - that's the best group Pokémon can have
I'd like Ash and Dawn to permamently stay the two equal stars while the two sidekicks change every gen
Now, what would be the new sidekicks goal? if they use Paul he'll just learn about the different way to raise Poké, Barry I don't now... new character can be anything, as long as it's a goal similar to the previous sidekicks since the writers obviously intend to focus mainly on two things (Gyms & Contests) one plot "for boys" and one "for girls"
There's no need for a new big thing but I guess some kind of a journey that is focused on a lot less than the Gyms/Contests thing might actually happen...
For Pokéthlon, I doubt it'd get into the show at all, especially not as something SO important... but I have to admit lately I began to like the Pokéthlon from what's known currently... so I won't mind to see a character do that (though again it'll never get as much importance as Gyms/Contests) or even have the whole main cast participate in it

 

[Pikachufanboy]

I voted for him to stay. Why couldn't they just have a 4th main character again? It worked for Max, as he shared responsibility with Brock (he took over as navigator).

And I didn't see the above post till I submitted. I like the idea of having two main girls at once. What I thought of was what if a Pokemon Ranger joined as a main, rather than a COTD? I mean Ash's team seems to help out people in like every episode, so its not out of the question to have a ranger be in the team (as they seem to just find trouble everywhere).

 

[ashfangirl]

Hold on, 2 things.

1. Paul HATES Ash, and likewise, so there's no chance of that.

2. There are theories of Silver being Ash's father, and because of that, they would cause too many problems with the fans.



Max should go. By now he's old enough to be a Pokemon Trainer.

 

[Kasumi]

How can Silver be Satoshi's dad if they're almost the same age? >____>

 

[Cybersai]

What about Jun? He's friendly enough a rival to travel with Ash and Dawn.

The next saga would be great if it were Ash, Dawn and Jun as travel companions.

Of course, I don't think Dawn will leave until the 5th gen begins, so I don't think we'll see HGSS girl in the show.

 

[Piplup]

have a ranger be in the team (as they seem to just find trouble everywhere).

Seems to me more like they go to everywhere they're informed there's trouble in, which makes me think they can't really travel like that to wherever they want - as they'll have to go every time where their missions take them

Paul HATES Ash, and likewise, so there's no chance of that.

Paul will obviously change eventually, likely after Ash beat him in the league
He'll obviously realize his mistakes, but still keep his cold personality
In such case, he might join the group
Ash doesn't hate him, Ash doesn't hate - Ash wants to prove him wrong and let him "see the light"... Ash would probably want to even huge Paul the moment he'll see Paul changed his ways (...oh, that could be so funny XD too bad they won't do that)

There are theories of Silver being Ash's father

I'll quote: "Silver (HGSS rival, whatever-his-name-is)"

Max should go. By now he's old enough to be a Pokemon Trainer.

The character don't age, officially
He'll likely forever be too young and stay stucked in Petalburg

 

[Pikachufanboy]

What about Jun? He's friendly enough a rival to travel with Ash and Dawn.

The next saga would be great if it were Ash, Dawn and Jun as travel companions.

It would be incredible, but the problem with rivals being traveling buddies is that they are doing the same thing as Ash. No matter how good their interactions will be to watch, people would complain about seeing the same gym leader battled twice (more if either lose).

It's why other great charcters like Ritchie are stuck being reccuring characters, or worse, COTDs.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

As i said before in my opinion best candidate to replace Brock would be Misty.She would bring certain doze of refresh and unpredictabillity in this show,improving character interaction and bringing her back with purpose to advance her goal and further develop her would be good idea in my opinion.

However considering how this thread is about male replacement,i wouldnt mind seeing Tracey back.He received the smallest amount of screentime among main characters in this show,and he never received much development so it would be nice to expand little more on his backstory(past),giving him some character development.

Misty got her new place and goal at the Gym

And how on earth Mistys new goal is gym,or better yet when did this happened???She was gym leader before,she is gym leader now(nothing new).This was never her goal,and sole reason why she started travelling was to achieve her dream of becoming water pokemon master(reffering to episode "Waterflowers of Cerulean City").
Not to mention she never showed interest in becoming gym leader,she didnt wanted to leave group in first place("Gotta Catch Ya Later" is good indicator),and there hasnt been absolutely any indicator that she gave up from her dream.She still likes water types,wanting to learn more about them becoming best with them.
Further to that,she never said how she wants to be gym leader,and the main reason why she stayed later on at this position are her incompetent sisters,not having enough thrust in them,rather than anything else(which was showed/implied in some chronicle episodes with said character showing signs of displeasure).

Sometimes i wonder,if people are watching this show.

 

[Piplup]

How can Silver be Satoshi's dad if they're almost the same age? >____>

She probably meant the Chikorita trainer from Chronicles who wanted to battle Moltres
Of course, it doesn't change the fact Maxim clearly wrote he meant the games rival... but someone here doesn't bother to read

What about Jun? He's friendly enough a rival to travel with Ash and Dawn.

The next saga would be great if it were Ash, Dawn and Jun as travel companions.

I did suggest Barry, though I have no idea what would he do
Maybe he'll join to watch Ash battle the HGSS brains as a way to prepare to his battles with them?

Of course, I don't think Dawn will leave until the 5th gen begins, so I don't think we'll see HGSS girl in the show.

Group of 4 - it's possible

It would be incredible, but the problem with rivals being traveling buddies is that they are doing the same thing as Ash. No matter how good their interactions will be to watch, people would complain about seeing the same gym leader battled twice (more if either lose).

Obviously if a rival join, he'll either stop being a rival like Gary or take a break for some reason like Barry possibly watching Ash battle the brains to learn about them

Sometimes i wonder,if people are watching this show

Funny, I say the same about you

 

[ashfangirl]

Oh no, Misty BETTER not come back. There's a really high chance she won't, and if she did I'd likely stop watching until she left again. Misty is the reason I never smiled at the screen in the first five seasons.


Besides, if May can't come back, why should Misty? None of the girls ever seem to come back anyway except for reoccuring characters.


Misty is on my list of "Pokemon Characters Who Are Overated" for sure. I mean, what other character did almost 50% of fans stop watching the show for?

 

[pokemon fan 132]

Funny, I say the same about you

Care to explain?
I have watched this show from beginning,with every chronicle episode watching several times(both in dubbed and original version),so unlike some people here im familiarized with whole gym situation,and circumstances under which said character became gym leader,later on staying at this position(if its needed ill list episodes and scenes which back up my statements,not just in dub but original version too).And as i mentioned there hasnt been any indicator that character in question,gave up from its goal of becoming best with water types/water master(still training water types,being interested in them).

 

[Piplup]

Oh please, let's not turn this into Misty thread
Back on topic...

 

[Falconwing]

whoever the gen V guy is.

 

[V Faction]

Brock's the best choice to replace Brock. It just makes so much sense!

I'm actually not kidding. Aside from the standard, "Yeah, he takes care of the group, they'd be lost without him," Brock has an immense amount of character and backstory built-up behind him. It's almost as much as Ash. Obviously it gets old (to some) when he gets a hankerin' for every pretty girl he sees, but if we didn't have him we'd get characters, like Tracey, who... simply like to watch instead of mingle. :O

When they focus on his aspects of being a breeder, it's actually interesting. Plus, Brock provides essential commentary in most of Ash and Dawn's fights. Without that, we'd probably get endless "You can do it!!"'s and Pom-Pom Pikachus. Perhaps they'll do something clever and tie his breeding skills into a slightly more profitable overhead arcing plot. I'm not going to get weepy if they don't.

And my feelings on adding another character to the group trio: it doesn't work. Focusing on one character too much will cause a steady decrease in the interest of the other 3. It becomes too jam-packed. Max, who wasn't terribly interesting and would've done well to receive his starter Pokemon, had to get episode-centric appearances every once in a while. Imagine if we had 4 characters all trying to do some kind of quest. We'd get overwhelmed!

My preferred method is using the Rivals, which D/P has been good at utilizing, because they can show up at every Gym/Contest, make progress, and do not have to ben focused on. So, off-screen, they're free to get stronger while we get entertained by the bigger fish.

 

[ashfangirl]

whoever the gen V guy is.

You mean Silver? Or the person you play as?