Do you think Barry will take over as Ash's main rival once Paul leaves?

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Cybersai

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From the looks of things, Sinnoh is probably going to end with Ash beating Paul in the league. I gather there is a good chance Paul will be written off the series after that happens.

Barry was introduced very late, he didn't even appear until Sinnoh had over 100 episodes. Do you think the writers will have Barry take over as Ash's main rival once Paul leaves?

Otherwise Ash will go back to having no rival, and I think Barry could use more development in another region.
 
I think both of them are going to disappear once Sinnoh is over. Ash will probably end up getting a new rival once he starts a new region.

Barry was introduced late, but so was that one guy in Hoenn. What was his name again? Was it Morison? Anyway, he was introduced late too, and he just disappeared and was never shown again. XD
 
Barry is not a strong rival for Ash. Especially as a main rival. He is annoying. I think Barry will be like Morrison.
 
Well, Barry could use some more development, but he'd have to start bulking up a bit more. It'd be nice if he had some reserves already, but it looks more like he's a starting trainer, if you ask me. A starting trainer that is very good.

Though, I'm curious as to whether or not he trains his Pokèmon equally, considering Empoleon already has Hydro Pump, Hydro Cannon and Hyper Beam.

Anyways, it definitely looks like Paul's nearing the end of his road. His backstory's already had quite a lot of light shed on it, and in cases like that, often the character eventually leaves.

Whether or not Barry becomes Ash's next main rival depends on how strong Barry becomes by the time Paul's gone, I think.

And for the person who mentioned how Morrison was a late-introduced rival who vanished after the Hoenn League, I'd say it had something to do with Morrison not being from the games. Considering what the nature of the anime is, I'd say that might have been a factor, if not a reason.
 
Who knows. I certainly wouldn't mind having Barry portray the 2nd Rival or Main Rival if Paul ends up getting tossed. Though, like others have commented on, if Paul goes, it'll probably be because of the end of D/P, and if that's the case Barry is likely to follow. Unless they happen to bring him into a situation with Battle Frontier #2 and his father of course.

We do know that with his Empoleon, and Paul's Torterra, he can become part of some triangle relationship if Ash ever ends up with Infernape.
 
Shinji will leave, I'm quite sure of it. And Jun will stay. I'm not sure he'll be a main rival in the same way Shigeru/Shinji are, but he'll be a major recurring chara at the very least.
 
I don't get this ridiculous way of fans about which rivals are "main"... I hated it when people tried to say Harley isn't as important as Drew and I hate it when people say Barry isn't a rival like Paul is
Why people even mention characters like Richie and Morrisson in this thread? they were never recurring rivals like Gary/PAul/Nando/Barry... they were one time league opponents...

Ash has three recurring rivals in Sinnoh: Paul, Nando and Barry
While I can understand why people say Nando isn't a "main" rival... what's wrong with Barry?
So what if he appeared later than Paul? he already got 8 episodes
Even if Paul leave and Barry stay, Barry will continue to be exactly what he is now - a recurring rival - which is exactly what Paul is now
Sure they focus a lot on Paul but Barry is as part of the rivalry as Ash/Paul are... they'a a trio and they're all connected to each other in certain ways... Ash try to prove Paul wrong and Barry admire Paul without knowing how he really acts... it's all connected and the rivalry of the trio as seen as one - at least to me... Paul and Barry afect each other even if they still didn't met... so they only add for each other's character and not try to be more "important" than the other

I also don't see any reason to think Paul must leave if he change
Gary didn't leave when he changed - they can continue the rivalry after Paul change even if Ash beat him
 
I still am not convinced Ash is near to the point he can beat Paul. At least not in 6 on 6 battle and I doubt they let Ash beat Paul in 3 on 3 battle. That would be lame, especially after that battle at Lake Acuity. And that battle confirmed me Paul is much, much, much, much better trainer Ash is now and there's no way Ash can improve so much and Paul can go down in upcoming 15 or so episodes before league. Of course Ash can win if writers will go insane and will repeat their mistake from Piplup vs. Glaceon battle. But I doubt there's anyone who want to see such bad writen battle in Sinnoh League.
I see more realistic way Paul will be beaten by someone else, who will later be beaten by Ash. That will made Paul thinks about his handling of Pokémon. I can see he will return then at the end of next filler saga where Ash can beat him finally and then writers will close Paul's story. As for Barry, I can see him participate in BF or whatever else will be there for next filler saga, but I doubt he will continue for Gen5. Unlike Paul, Barry is based on DP character and that's why I doubt he can survive for next gen. I think in next gen we will see another rival for Ash, probabely once again based on game character. I must admit I want it to be girl, preferabely next gen main girl character. That way they will be able to keep Dawn as Coordinator for Gen5 and still promote Gen5 main girl. But I know chances for this are not very good. But I still can hope.
 
While I would love Barry to take over as Ash's main rival, I don't know how likely that will be. It seems pretty obvious that Paul will most likely (but not definitely) leave after Sinnoh ends, but it's not that obvious that Barry will be Ash's main rival. I think I pretty much agree with what ii kanji said.
 
I don't see Paul leaving until the end of this current Saga, regardless of what happens between him and Ash. So I can't see Barry taking over as Ash rival if Paul does not go until end of Saga
 
Nah, Paul's more of a motivator. Not Gary-status, but still more than Barry. Barry's fun, but he's not really that strong D:
 
I think if thier is a filler arc Paul will probably stick around for that at least, but beyond that I don't know, but what i do know is that it's gonna be hard for a 5th gen rival to top him.
 
could but nah i dont think so unless pual stop showing up

but barry could he's always moving & could run into ash more often but no i don't think so

barry is not that weak his pokemon can be quit strong he just always attack straight forward making it easier to counter him

but someone in the show who attacks straight forward is good most of his battles win or loss are going to be exciting
 
Keeeping in mind how hyperactive Barry is, they could let him be Ash`s rival even in a BF... somekind of "who gets the symbols first" competition...

And he is related to Palmer, so chances are 50/50 (at least for me).
 
Analogy tiem!

Shuu is to Haruka what Shinji is to Satoshi = motivating rivals.
Harley is to Haruka what Jun is to Satoshi = recurring (and more fun) rivals.


and to a lesser extent because they're so boring:
Nozomi is to Hikari
Kengo is to Hikari
 
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