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What did you think of Paul/Shinji's role on the show and should he appear again?

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Cybersai

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Do you think Paul has the potential to appear in the anime again, or do you think we probably won't be seeing him?

Gary, of course, continued to re-appear in the anime from time to time after Ash beat him at the end of Johto. Part of this could be because he was the original rival of the anime, so the writers kept him around in some form even briefly. He is also related to Prof. Oak, a character who is always there.

Paul isn't connected to any Kanto character, nor does he have the nostalgia that surrounds Gary (whether its deserving or not). Other rivals have similarly disappeared off the face of the Earth, we probably won't be seeing May or Dawn's rivals in speaking roles ever again, and the likes of Barry, Conway, Nando, etc. probably won't ever return.

But given Paul was a major rival, what do you think? Is Trip essentially making it seem like the writers have moved on?
 
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Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

I'm going to say no, as I feel that his existence is centered too much on Goukazaru (especially from the last quarter of DP) so I don't think he has enough stand-alone interest to return on his own, in my opinion.
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

I'd say there's an outside chance he could. He was quite significant to Ash. Pretty much his only serious competition, so far.
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

If BW had a stronger connection to previous sagas, I'd say yes. Paul arguably had the strongest impact on Ash's journey throughout the entire series; even if there was nothing else the writers could have done with his character, they'd bring him back for the sake of having him appearing again. (That doesn't necessarily mean it'd be a good thing.)

However, BW feels like its own series because of its loose connection to past sagas. Ash, Delia, Professor Oak, and Looker are the only pre-BW characters to appear as of late, and three of them are necessities to the show in the first place. I still think there's a chance Paul will make a cameo, but I think it's unlikely.
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

No. he came in a total jerk and left as one (just not abusive). Not to mention they more or less wrapped up his story with that last fight and his and Ash's final farewell.
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

I think it's unlikely only because Satoshi's and Shinji's story was completed with such finality. It was enough that Shigeru had decided to become a researcher and abandon his old dream of becoming a Master, so that at least he'd have more opportunities to contribute to Satoshi's story. Also keep in mind that Shigeru didn't show up in AG at all except for the very last episode and his only significance in DP was to make fangirls like me happy to contribute to the ultimate Ginga-dan plot/Hunter J plot.
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

I personally don't think so; I just can't see him ever coming back. When Paul left, he was pretty much done. There's not much else that can be done with his character, so I don't think we'll be seeing him again.
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

I don't see Paul ever returning, except maybe in a flashback or something. I feel like his character was wrapped up completely when he left. He and Ash aren't rivals anymore anyways, so I don't see why the writers should bother to bring him back. Gary doesn't count since that was Ash's first rival, so he gets special recognition from time to time. :p
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

I'm in agreement with many people with my belief that Paul's story was wrapped up pretty well. If he never appeared on the show again, I wouldn't be too surprised, since they tied up all the loose ends with him and Ash. He finally got to have a taste of different types of "strengths" and Ash learned to be a bit more accepting with other methods of training...an interesting turn of events, but one that ended the series with a complete feeling.

As Iteru has mentioned, his story line relied heavily on Infernape, but I don't think that that's the only thing that's connecting him to Ash. It's possible that the next time they meet, Paul could still be trying to train for Brandon. Seeing how Paul sees Ash as a worthy opponent, a rematch would be plausible.

This isn't a guarantee, but I surely HOPE that he appears again because I think that him meeting Ash some time in the future would be a lovely way to wrap up the entire series. We'll see how the Trip rivalry works out, but I don't think that Paul's existence can be shoved away that easily.
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

If you ask me he had potential to stay as Ash main rival following him past DP just like Gary did.His defeat in Sinnoh league left room enough open for writers to create plotline for which Paul would want to settle bills with Ash to get some sort of satisfaction.
Unlike Gary he didnt had "change of heart"still sticking with his methods of training with his rivalry with Ash never really being stopped despite following different paths.

However writers missed on that opportunity dropping ball kinda with continuation of their active rivalry but i suppose Paul could appear in Unova if some plausible storyline is created.

As we get to see Paul left with attempt of re-challenging Brandon and having him meet up with Ash at some point while being in training could allow for some revival of their confrontation seeing how he considers Ash as worthy enough opponent which could ultimately serve purpose of testing his strength before challenging Brandon.
Paul also left big impact on Ash story in DP being his first rival with who his rivalry with main hero was fully fledged out so he might get some recognition.

p.s,Than again considering how terribly this anime treats older much more important characters who has more potential like Misty,May etc like they never existed doesnt make future bright for Paul.
Yet another reason to add to list of character replacing=bad.Personally i enjoyed more in Paul as Ash rival than i am with Trip,no offense to those who think otherwise.

CommanderPigg said:
I'm in agreement with many people with my belief that Paul's story was wrapped up pretty well. If he never appeared on the show again, I wouldn't be too surprised, since they tied up all the loose ends with him and Ash. He finally got to have a taste of different types of "strengths" and Ash learned to be a bit more accepting with other methods of training...an interesting turn of events, but one that ended the series with a complete feeling.
Click to expand...

Question is was their rivalry fully wrapped up?
He got what he deserved being proven wrong about Ash methods of training gaining some respect for his battling skills but way in which Ash and Paul departed left like there was more to be desired.Paul still has some unfinished business with Ash as we get to see with his defeat i Sinnoh league viewing Ash as worthy rival which could lead to possible rematch in future.

Infernape storyline which was connected with Paul was wrapped up but there was surely more to his and Ash rivalry than just this.
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

I'm actually not sure they are done with him, or some other DP battlers.

Considering he is somewhat of a unique character to this series, even though Shooti tries to be similar, though that has changed lately, I could see him at least making an appearance at the League. Most likely, he would just appear for a episode or two, then get creamed by the person Ash will then pit against before the match he loses.
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

CommanderPigg said:
As Iteru has mentioned, his story line relied heavily on Infernape, but I don't think that that's the only thing that's connecting him to Ash. It's possible that the next time they meet, Paul could still be trying to train for Brandon. Seeing how Paul sees Ash as a worthy opponent, a rematch would be plausible.
Click to expand...

Honestly, I find the importance of Jindai to be overrated. It provided a sorely needed reason for why Shinji was antagonistic to Satoshi, and to give a bit more substance to his farewell.

When/If Shinji beats Jindai, what happens then? Satoshi will be pleased for his win, and then they are equals. There's nothing there anymore for them to disagree on, in my opinion. If Goukazaru actually went with Shinji at the end of DP, then we could have seen Shinji's progress at attempting to adapt to Goukazaru's style in which is flourishes at a later point.

Overall, I think he just seems too wrapped up to have any decent meaning behind a return.
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

I believe Cynthia will appear because she appears in the games like Looker... and Cynthia in the anime was very interested in the Ash/Paul rivalry - so I won't be surprised if when we'll see Cynthia again, that's when Paul will appear too... of course, it's not a must and Cynthia could appear without Paul appearing too... there's no way to know, so we'll have to wait and see
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

Seeing as Best Wishes isn't strongly connected to the other series, I'd say no. Ash's past seems to be, for the most part, erased.
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

Well I am in the minority so far obviously but I think he will make an apperance sometime on the show even as a cameo before the league perhaps. (I'm guessing many cameos or quick hello will occur around this time). Paul, although with his different battle style, is very similar to Ash. They both competed in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh. Plus He was a MAJOR MAJOR rival for 4 seasons why wouldn't he make an apperance? I don't buy what people are saying that they erased Ash's past. Professor oak at teh beginning of B/W before they departed he said (kinda paraphrased) "i will continue to look after your pokemon at my lab". Plus Ash was not too thrilled to see team rocket again. Unova is a very far away place so it seems like his history is erased but I doubt that. Anyways sorry for the rant but basically if Gary can make several appearances after end of Johto then Paul, is big d/p rival will too.

edit: I should elaborate why I mentioned the different leagues they both competed in.... if Paul went around and battled int hose leagues then judging by his competitive nature who knows maybe he will be interested in the Unova league too.
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

Maybe Paul had a character reset like Ash, returned to his old ways, and released Snivy after 5 seconds because she only knew tackle. Snivy then vowed to become the strongest Snivy ever and learned Leaf Storm and Leaf Blade to get revenge on Paul.

Please don't take this post seriously :p
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

If Paul appears again, I believe it will happen when/if the entire Pokemon anime comes to an end. I think he'd appear in order to help the writers attain a complete wrap-up for Ash, but not for himself. I agree that Paul's story has been wrapped up, and finished. I don't expect Paul to make a random appearance that doesn't serve a purpose. And the only purpose I can see him serving is as a marking point in Ash's own journey. In other words, if they ever decide to close up Ash's story, then I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Paul make an appearance at the end, even if just to show one part of Ash's journey.
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

I'd love for him to re-appear but I just don't see it happening.
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

I agree with those who said they'd like Cynthia's line from DP to follow through. Cynthia told Ash and Paul, "I'd like to battle you both at the Champion league someday."

Now since Looker got a BW appearance, I am with no doubt Cynthia will appear sometime in late BW.

I hope should Ash win the Unova league, Ash and Paul wind up meeting each other in the Champion league, and both take on a different set of Elite 4's.
 
Re: Does Paul have the potential to appear in the anime again?

I LOVED (only caps can portray) Paul and Ash's rivalry. He was so mean, the kinda guy you wanted to hate but had to respect. You wanted Ash to defeat him at every turn. It felt so great to have Ash slowly catch up to Paul and overturn him at the last moment. Having Paul back would be unbelievably cool.

But. It won't happen. As far as Paul goes, he's going to change now with having Ash's nicer style of training actually prove victorious (and having that "wimpy" Chimchar kick his ass). He has no point to return, seeing as we won't recognize Paul as the guy we grew so connected to (or connected against) because, to follow the story without causing everyone to rage, he'd have to be nicer and more understanding of Pokemon. It's the kinda ending, as far as DP went, which the epilogue of certain characters if inferred because they were developed so well in the main plot. I wish Paul would show up again, but at the same time, he shouldn't.
 
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