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

i personally think there is a greater chance of reggie showing up again then paul. it's possible that when they leave unova for the next region, who would show up but or dear friend brandon of the battle tower, with regie helping out? and paul tagging along too. but in unova, no way thats going to happen.

Hasn't Paul already been in Best Wishes?

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Originally Posted by Human

Hasn't Paul already been in Best Wishes?

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WUT?? Paul already abandoned his Chimchar in DP, but if he hasn't learned his lesson and abandoned Tepig AGAIN, then Ash is going to be mad at him.

There's absolutely zero evidence that that is Paul.

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Originally Posted by Human

Hasn't Paul already been in Best Wishes?

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Hahah! I wish! Sorry but I think that Paul has learned his lesson about abandoned his Pokemon and letting Ash train them only to have it knock the shoes off of him later. But ofcourse he has the potentional to appear again but I don't know if he will it would be cool though. But let's be honest, it wouldn't be the same as before.

Paul was the epitome of a good rival. Hands down. But, in making the perfect rival-arc, the writers had to sacrifice his durability later on. Paul had a change of heart. We may get various Gary-esque revisits (where Gary pwns and advances the plot *coughElectivirecough*), which would suit Paul's character. And maybe he'll show up and pull some pwnage in various short appearances (kick Trip's ass anyone?), but nothing long term.

Speaking of which, does anyone find Gary's use of Electivire suspicious regarding the circumstances? Considering it was Paul's grand finale Pokemon?

Paul won't appear like Gary did. For one thing Paul was never on completely friendly terms with Ash, and secondly Gary is related to Prof. Oak, so its logical we'd still see him.

And lastly, even though I hate to say it, Gary has the nostalgia going for him being a "classic Kanto" character, while Paul does not.

I think Paul could appear from time to time, just like Gary.

Maybe Gary could appear just because he's Prof Oak's grandson, but Paul has no such reasons...

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Originally Posted by Destiny Queen

Maybe Gary could appear just because he's Prof Oak's grandson, but Paul has no such reasons...

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However Paul is still on his journey he still can appear in future regions. Also if Ash makes an achievement say Champion that may capture Paul's attention.

I think Paul is going to wind up in the same boat as Drew/Harley and Dawn's rivals and of course Barry. Yes Paul was connected to Ash so logic would dictate he has a better chance of appearing again than May/Dawn's rivals since they're off the show now....but in reality...its kinda the same thing.

A rival from the past gen leaves and is replaced by a new one. Paul is not mentioned at all anymore and him returning would mean the Ash/Paul rivalry would wind up continuing, but it more or less ended.

It really is nothing like Gary who is in a researcher position and was connected to Oak.

The title has been changed to allow for a broader range of discussion.

Yes, I loved his role and thats honestly all that needs to be said lol

As for him reappearing? If you mean appear in Best Wishes then HELL NO. The writers that created Paul's character in the first place are the same ones that are making Best Wishes. To quote the famous line of Metal Sonic: "STRANGE, ISN'T IT?!"

I'm already in distress over how N and Team Plasma could be mishandled if they appear, so I'd rather if Paul did reappear its after the series BW is over with. Maybe in a chronicle like episode even.

But appear in Best Wishes? Just imagine the writers having Paul lose to Trip in order to further glorify his abilities. -_- No, Paul is smart, he knows that something is wrong with the anime Unova, but being the guy that he is he failed to warn Ash about it for a good laugh.

Sorry, but unless the writers get their mess together then I don't want the golden standard rival dragged through the mud.

...Oh, now THIS is a topic I could go on all day about, lol!

Paul's role in the anime was fantastic. He was different than anyone else before or after him, and genuinely seemed like a rival. I mean, Gary is a great character, but his rivalry with Ash seemed to be more in fun. With Paul, it was like Ash's beliefs and training style were on the line. And even when Paul eventually started to respect Ash at the end of DP, it wasn't handled in a half-assed, cheesy sort of way. It allowed Paul to keep his dignity, you know what I mean?

As to whether he should reappear... I'm kind of split on that one. I'd love to see him again, but if it meant destroying what made him interesting, it might be better to just see him in a Chronicles-type episode, if at all. The way things are going now in the anime, it might be best to not bring old, beloved characters back.

Paul was everything that Ash should have had in a rival. While I did love Gary and his cocky attitude, he hardly ever showed up and his rivalry with Ash, while fun in Kanto, kind of fell flat on its face after the Indigo league. One of the things I really disliked about Johto and AG was Ash's lack of a real rival, since Gary barely showed up in Johto and Ash only had Morrison and Tyson in Hoenn, and even they were a bit of a waste because they really only showed up right before the Ever Grande conference. But Paul was easily one of the best things about DP. His rivalry with Ash was absolutely fantastic, and unlike the Ash/Gary rivalry, it was written so well and never stopped being intense and exciting all throughout the series. I feel like after Ash went through a rival drought, Paul was exactly what he needed to get his character back in line (IMO). He needed someone to keep him focused and prove himself to, and that's exactly what Paul did.

I'm not sure if I'd want to see him reappear though. Of course I think he was a fantastic character and I'd love to see him again, but he had such a brilliant run that I'm not sure what else the writers could do with him.