I though Paul was great rival personally.What i learned to appreciate and like about Paul existence in pokemon series is amount of impact and tension he gave to Ash story and pokemon journey as whole.
Paul was antithesis to main hero questioning everything Ash believed in and thought was right way to go about training. Pokemon strategies, way you establish relationship with them and moral values he sticked to from earliest age.
Reminding him of Reggie being deluded in thought how same techniques his older brother used in raising and training pokemon caused him to lose against Brandon.
Paul viewed Ash beliefs and way he treats pokemon as waste of time being convinced how only harsh training,. Lot of pressure and focus on developing strength from your pokemon. Through intimidation, manipulation and taking advantage of their loyalty. Would make you reach mareked destination and gain recognition.
Which angered and disappointed Ash wanting to prove him wrong and justify his own methodology behind training. Of creating friendship with pokemon being best way in extracting their full strength on surface. Something he was convinced in and sticked to for his whole life with main point of rivalry between main protagonist and antagonist like Paul.
Lying in proving whether its focus on pure strength and brutality, or establishing teamwork between trainer and pokemon through patience and motivation right way to raise your pokemon.
And that gave to Ash and Paul rivalry much needed substance and grace. In making you engaged in anime and want to see in what direction clash of personal ethics and ideologies would eventually go.
Now some may have hated Paul for his brutal habits and personal beliefs. Now Paul was cruel, harsh and disrespectful toward pokemon and many trainers which followed Ash methodology. No denying there.
Some of his actions performed on Chimchar were really bad as well to the point of leaving mental scars on this pokemon confidence and thrust for human..
But deep down Paul wasnt sadistic sociopath, none of that really. But greatly disappointed and embittered young person changing his perception on battling and competitive trainer scene after witnessing to his idealistic picture he formed of older brother(Reggie). Turning out to be person he didn't expected him to be after he gave up from pokemon trainer career when suffering heavy defeat from Bandon.
This made Paul starting to view pokemon in negatve light and all those talks about friendship, love and care in building mutual partnership. As sign of being "weak person". Waste of time and energy being destined to fail just like his brother did.
Wins against gym leaders completely mopping floor with them(like Maylene) or Ash only reinforced his belief thinking how sole rage and power are recipe for success, using pokemon as tools. Rather than creatures which have feelings, thoughts and motives as well.
Adding realistic dimension to Paul personality.
Drawing paralell with real life; of no one being born evil,corrupted, careless or insensitive. With way how each of us is going to develop and grow depending not just on choices we make, but environment we live in, various persons in our life which taught us all kind of things and either good or bad experiences making difference between becoming caring, compassionate and tolerant member of society.
Or complete opposite turning in cold, disappointed with others and life with lack of empathy for others individual. With negative side consuming persons which falled under bad influence. Suffered some sort of trauma or abuse. Or got brainwashed and twisted with false ideals.
And in pokemon unlike its case with standard villains which appear often as generic and one dimensioal. Almost never diving deeper into such subjects and explaining through backstory what happened to turn someone in bad person.
Becoming sociopath, ruthless, greedy and completely corrupted persons like Hunter J, Iron mask Marauder, Ghetsis are/were. uith no redeeming qualities, no respect for human or pokemon life. No mercy or ability to show compassion.
With Paul especially gratifying thing lied in fact of writers deciding to break mold and go into his thoughts. Memories and childhood making you engaged as viewer. Starting to better understand decisions and motives made from said character, regardless of condoning or not such moves.
True it was still pretty sparse and poorly explained compared to other shows. But it was step in right direction staff decided to do about Paul character recognizing positivity behind this personally.
For strength and significance of storyline i understand and appreciate that pokemon writers decided to portray Paul character in such light in order to decant on screen faithful portrayal of deluded with false motives and ideals person which Paul became and provide solid opposition for Ash to vercome.
Perhaps most enjoyable thing coming from his presence in Sinnoh series to me was learning experience both him and Ash gained from their confrontation. Drawing valuable lessons from their wins and defeats, arguing and constant clash. Starting to change as persons and trainers, thus cancelling out any risk of stagnation and rivalry leading nowhere.
Paul merit goes from serving as vector in main hero reconsidering his own thoughts about way he treats his pokemon, recollect his beliefs and desires (especially after that crushing defeat in their first 6 on 6 battle). Start searching for new innovations in his battle abilities mixing techniques characteristic for coordinators with his own signature battle style. And hold ground in deciding to prove and defeat person which represented threatening and massive roadblock on path of achieving his dreams of conquering Sinnoh league. Coming this way closer toward so long awaited pokemon master title.
While Ash endless amount of persistence and decisiveness to fight for his own thoughts. Loyalty and selfless, considerate nature showed toward his pokemon. Taking great deal of patience, understanding and love in raising them(especially in Chimchar case not giving up and stopping from believing in his pokemon regardless of how thorny path may be). Reaching that way just as equal and eventually better results than Paul strategies and training schedule did.
Left small, but highly meaningful influence on Paul ideology and character. Slowly but surely starting to view Ash in different light, accepting his battle strategies and style of treating pokemon as friends.
Or thanking for first time to his own pokemon for doing great job in battle(like his Electivire)when losing in narrow way to Infernape.
Paul from early Sinnoh would never thank his pokemon even when winning, let alone when losing.
So change happened, regardless of how subtle it may seem.
Showing how in his character there exists chance for redemption and way to become better in treastment of his pokemon.
Now, Gary will always have special place in my heart.
Being classic rival which represent obstacle on protagonist path to overcome. Some sort of impediment and challenge invoking reactions from main hero, review of its thoughts. Serve as source of inspiration and push to improve on its strong sides in aim of surpassing that character.
With childhood he spent with Ash, all kind of escapades they went through in outskirts of Pallet town delivering natural and enticing portrayal of how rivalry beteen him and Ash got born with split pokeball representing new chapter in their lives they started to pursue. Strengthening on respect and friendship gradually reaching culmination at end of Johto.
But Paul was something i would like to call rival of modern time for pokemon standards. Going beyond classic skirmish you would expect from two people chasing after same thing, And bringing in question if there really does exist right or wrong way in how you train pokemon. Or if some strategy and way you treat others will bring you higher results and more success in life than another.
Paul character brought controvery in anime in that sense through his consistent above average results, different methodology and at times too harsh tactics he utilized. Getting into Ash mind and shaking core of his character more effectively than any other rival until than did.
Giving him certain value and appeal i liked about his character.
Hence why i would had no problems in slightest to see him again in pokemon anime. Hear how rematch against Brandon went. If he changed way about training his pokemon potentially giving him character development, especially with mega evolution discovery taking place in current series.
And see him and Ash "crossing swords" for one more time. Having tools, knowledge and experience to deliver epic, unpredictable and full of complex strategies and smart planning match.
It would be especially good twist to story if Paul turned out to be in Kalos league as well.
Because formally Ash and Paul rivalry didn't end still viewing themselves in competitive light. Aiming to win league and make further steps in advancing their careers.:thumbup:
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