Thanks to Hamada for helping with edits. Also, if you’re eager to learn about other compelling Pokémon rivalries, check out his “Player vs. Player” article on Reshiram and Zekrom.
Ash Ketchum, a ten-year-old Pokémon Trainer from Pallet Town, has been chugging along for over two decades. His profession is a competitive one, meaning he’s forged many rivalries during his travels. All of them bring something fresh to the table, challenging Ash with different Pokémon and philosophies. And our surrogate is a good kid, so we root for him, hoping he overcomes these opponents—and none more so than this guy:
Paul, seen in the Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl anime (Image: The Pokémon Company)
Let’s flashback to 2006, a few months prior to Pokémon Diamond & Pearl’s release. As always, the franchise’s anime was hyping the new games while pushing Ash forward on his journey. While Pokémon’s “third generation” was winding down, Ash beat Pyramid King Brandon, a venerable Trainer whose party includes dangerous Legendary Pokémon. Up until this point, it was unquestionably his greatest accomplishment, one inspiring elation and excitement for Ash’s future. Soon, the kid traveled to Sinnoh, Diamond & Pearl’s setting, meeting new friends, Pokémon, and rivals…
Paul’s History
Our first look of Paul and his Chimchar came through CoroCoro. At the time, it was shocking seeing a newcomer on the poster in lieu of the tenured Brock (though he would ultimately return, remaining in Ash’s group for one last series). Since the guy’s name wasn’t unveiled yet, fans briefly dubbed him “Nugai,” a play on “new guy.” In Japan, this Trainer’s name is Shinji, cementing the naming convention Ash’s primary rivals—Shigeru (Gary), Shooti (Trip), Shouta (Sawyer), etc.—share. Those of us in English-speaking territories, meanwhile, know him as Paul, whose name alludes to Diamond & Pearl.
Paul is portrayed by Furushima Kiyotaka and Julián Rebolledo in Japanese and English, respectively. Though the latter aggravates Paul’s condescending nature to a cartoony degree, both actors suit him. (Image: The Pokémon Company)
Paul formally debuts in DP’s third episode. Throughout the series, he infuriates and butts heads with Ash, usually remaining one step ahead of him. Unlike the rest of Ash’s competition, however, Paul’s career is comparable to his; he’s competed in the Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn Leagues before returning home to Sinnoh. Though Paul hasn’t yet taken the Battle Frontier challenge, Reggie, his older brother, did—and, ultimately, could not surmount Brandon. That informs Paul’s power-seeking training practices and dislike of Ash. Still, Ash always prevails over his main rivals, and he defeats Paul during the Sinnoh League after a three-episode battle. That evening, the two amicably say goodbye while promising to battle again—and Paul also reaffirms his desire to beat Brandon.
In Best Wishes, the following series, Paul cameos during its final outro. The current series, Journeys, briefly features Paul in a flashback when Ash first reunites with Gary. In the latest episode as of this writing, Paul crashes Professor Oak’s ranch and helps Ash prepare for the Masters Tournament (notably, this intrusion wasn’t initially part of the episode’s script). I would also be remiss if I neglected to mention that animator Masaaki Iwane is a fan of Paul, sometimes drawing and animating him for practice or fun.
So, what’re my thoughts on Paul?
Showing Ash hunched over, looking agitated while Paul glares silently says so much about their dynamic. (Image: The Pokémon Company)
After mostly tuning out of the anime during Advance Generation, I found Diamond & Pearl‘s introductory episodes compelling. So, yeah, a greenhorn Trainer, Dawn, sets out on her journey, Ash and Brock arrive in Sinnoh, Team Rocket causes trouble, and our three heroes decide to travel together; business as usual. But it’s this fourth young bairn who captured my attention—ironically doing so while releasing one of his Pokémon, a Starly, for performing under his expectations. That’s shocking behavior for someone in this universe, especially since 1) his Starly actually beat Ash’s, and 2) Paul’s an unapologetic jerk. Oh, and his first battle against Ash ultimately ends in a draw, establishing them as rough equals. DP’s openings also convey a thick tension between these boys; they’re enemies. By this show’s sanitized standards, a vicious feud was brewing.
When the first batch of Japanese episode titles were translated, I was pleasantly surprised reading the sixth’s: “The Lost Forest! Shinji Again!!” That’s eye-catching, you know? “Shinji Again!!” Our only reference point for Ash’s foils back then was Gary, who’d randomly reemerge every dozen or so episodes, say something snippy, and abruptly leave. In the Pokémon games, however, our rivals are the benchmark through which we regularly measure ourselves by. That was finally getting translated into the program through Paul, whose strength-centric demeanor recalls that of Johto’s Silver (coincidence or otherwise, the two even sport the same pose in their concept art). And though competitive Pokémon players, who champion their teams’ stats and moves, were never cited as an inspiration, I’ve always interpreted the pragmatic Paul as an homage of sorts to them (while I only play casually, I certainly bench or release less capable Pokémon in GO).
Occasionally, Paul’s serious personality is played off for laughs, like his disapproving reaction upon seeing Ash enter a contest. (Image: The Pokémon Company)
Paul isn’t a perfectly written antagonist. Historically, the anime struggles to properly punish its morally gray characters, something that’s probably true here—Paul initially views Pokémon as tools, and Chimchar suffers emotionally and physically under him. His idealistic brother’s inability to best Brandon is a… functional but flimsy justification for Paul’s behavior (though his own loss to Brandon works smoothly as a catalyst for his introspective spell, and the show incorporating past events and characters is always welcome). One “PokéRinger” victory notwithstanding, having Ash tie or lose to him so often gets tiring, as is Paul’s excessive rudeness.
Plus, the anime is infamously “cyclical,” and Paul’s narrative recycles two of its earliest beats. Shortly after starting out, Ash met AJ, a powerful Trainer who pushes his Pokémon through intense workout regimens. That episode ends with Ash—who, mind you, was still at his most immature—learning a lesson: different Trainers have different training styles. And I needn’t remind everyone of how Ash’s Charmander—and, later, Tepig and Gengar—were abandoned by their original Trainers, right? Well, guess who gave up on his Chimchar.
Habitually, Ash sticks with the new Pokémon he captures throughout a series. Paul, however, avails himself of his whole lineup, adding a welcome unpredictability to his battles. (Image: The Pokémon Company)
Still, even if those two concepts aren’t new, this recurring rival allows them to get explored far more thoroughly and satisfyingly. Ash loves Pokémon, believing they all can blossom if given enough care and support. Also, he’s an excitable, cheerful kid. On the opposite side of this coin is cold, calculating Paul, who only bothers with critters he deems worth his effort. Where Ash happily befriends and helps others, this guy does not tolerate distractions or irritations. Paul plans his strategies long before he enters the battlefield, and though Ash does too, his specialty is off-the-cuff thinking. Philosophically, they directly challenge each others’ ways of living, of how they do things. No one before or since has tested Ash’s methods so profoundly, and certainly not with such success; Paul’s strong.
The linchpin of the boys’ pugnacious rapport is Chimchar, who joins Ash’s roster shortly after leaving Paul’s. Its sensitive nature renders it incompatible with the latter’s strict, abusive system but a perfect match for the former’s, and what a match they are—Chimchar evolves all the way into an Infernape, becoming the ace of Ash’s DP team. Of course, someone doesn’t need a PhD in literary analysis to predict the boys would battle during the Sinnoh League, with Infernape ultimately scoring Ash the win. But that’s fine; it’s the outcome DP spent four years building towards. It’s the right ending for this rivalry, validating Ash, his Pokémon, and their values (and honestly, I… don’t completely mind his subsequent loss to Tobias. That stranger’s a cheap plot device, yes, but he’s also effectively just a bonus boss, not the main attraction).
Ash and Paul’s battles, especially both six-on-six ones, are among DP’s highlights. Their Sinnoh League match is arguably still the best one in the whole anime, and Ash’s voice actress, Rica Matsumoto, remembers it fondly. (Image: The Pokémon Company)
One of the most satisfying elements of Ash and Paul’s quarrel was how mutually beneficial it was. Both Trainers began adopting each others’ techniques, with Paul incorporating Ash’s “Counter Shield.” Ash, meanwhile, lets Infernape tank a Thunder during their League battle. Why? So its Blaze ability triggers, likewise turning Paul’s old behavior back at him. Some of Ash’s kindness even rubs off on Paul, too. Barry couldn’t knock out one of his Pokémon during their match, yet Paul still compliments him, saying it was a good battle. Previously, Paul would’ve walked by without saying a word.
Now, Paul isn’t the nicest guy. That’s egregiously true early on, when he’s reluctant to heal his party after a crushing loss to Cynthia. And yes, Chimchar went through a grueling ordeal, but it is shown that’s an exception, not the norm. If a ‘Mon remains under his charge, he does care for it. He gets his starter, Torterra, groomed. He lets his team relax. During their League battle, Paul’s Aggron and Gastrodon voluntarily act as fall guys per his strategy, implying they respect him. Upon learning that their Trainer lost, Paul’s other Pokémon are crestfallen—but cheer up after hearing he’s coming home. That Paul compliments his Electivire after their defeat further proves a more considerate, compassionate side is growing in him. Which is more believable than Paul having some dramatic, teary-eyed breakdown, renouncing his ways. Though he can be emotional (he breaks when Brandon destroys him), his methods didn’t need a drastic overhaul—he gets results using aggressive Pokémon who thrive under and do like him.
Now, Paul finally reciprocates that affection, acknowledging one’s Pokémon as their partners. (Image: The Pokémon Company)
When Ash has something to prove, when he’s pushing himself and his partners past their limits, his character shines, a quality Diamond & Pearl’s prodigy brought out brilliantly. Plus, Paul has been given the luxury of evolving beyond being Ash’s antagonistic antithesis. Seeing them part amicably after their League match shows they’ve grown to respect each other, even if they’re still not exactly friends (if they were, Paul would’ve stayed to cheer Ash on like Barry did). Unlike Dawn, who has made no tangible progress during her multiple encores, Paul is still maturing, working to become a Gym Leader. It’s a neat tribute to Blue, Gary’s game counterpart. It, more importantly, shows that Paul’s grown comfortable with himself—he’s strong, and wants to help others attain their potential. If the clever manner in how he helped Ash train is any indication, he’ll be a great one.
Congratulations, Paul! Let’s battle again sometime.
However you train your Pokémon—competitively, leisurely, or anywhere in-between—is valid. (Image: The Pokémon Company)
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