. That runs counter to what you said in another thread that Ash has never regressed and has in fact constantly improved saga-to-saga (
https://forums.serebii.net/threads/would-kukui-make-the-masters-8.704221/post-19502548). Ash was driven by Paul throughout the series and attempting to beat him was a key factor in said progression.
let's check what I said:
The factual reason Ash is older and is explicitly noted to be getting better/stronger basically every season. The quality of "feats' is entirely dependent on the scaling of the opponents they take palce against, and that is going to largely be determined by Ash's unquestioned progression as a trainer throughout the saga.
...
And where is it indicated or commentated that Ash has regressed? As gary implied iregarding sinnoh and hoenn, the in-universe explanation for Ash's unova struggles isn't "ash got weaker", it's "unova is a stronger region". Like it or not, ash regressing isn't actually part of the text, it's just fans coping with bad writing.
TLDR: We are
told ash is stronger. But what we are told contradicts parts of what we are
shown:
As opposed to ash empowering his opponent for no reason, and falling for the same trap 4 times for no reason?
The post you linked was specifcially talking
what the power-scaling is, not
how how well written the power scaling is.
Ash vs Paul
the battle does not demonstrate ash is a better battler than he was before. The only reason we can extrapolate that is other things in the text which the battle contradicts. The only discernible difference for Ash is that
A. Ash doesn't lose his **** when he goes behind(something which wasn't an issue for ash outside of fights with Paul)
B. His pokemon are stronger(something that would happen with or without Paul over the course of the season)
You can take Paul out of the story entirely, and nothing really changes about Ash or anyone/anything else in the pokemon world. Take kukui out of the story, everything about guzma and the alola league changes. Take Gary out of the story, Ash is different. The only thing different without Paul is that Ash doesn't get infernape. And guess what, take out infernape, and
nothing changes regarding Ash.
Paul is set up as an instrument of change, yet ends up changing nothing. I'd say that's botched. But to each their own.
Sorry, but the question was "what development precisely was present in Ash/Paul?", so I highlighted said development. I agree Paul developed more in the rivalry than Ash, but that was necessary because Paul's abusive training methods were wrong.
They were wrong, yet are treated as potentially valid by a bunch of characters who, in every other context, are vehemently opposed when they see that type of approach. The problem isn't that Paul is different, its that Paul
is not consistently treated as different. And that's
before we delve into the actual specfics of how his character progression is executed..
I don't think the show at any point argues that Paul's method is "idiotic". It's clearly effective and the Pokemon he keeps and that survive his baptism by fire are dedicated to him. It doesn't work for a lot of his Pokemon, hence why he releases them often. It's shown as horrific and flawed and totally without sentiment, but effective to a point. It can be both of those things. You're creating a dichotomy where there doesn't need to be one.
Not taking your pokemon to the pokemon center
is idiotic. This nuance you're inserting into the narrative isn't actually there. Paul doesn't act indifferent or apathetic at points. He's not cold or emotionally distant. He is outright hostile and constantly instigating conflict for the most micro of aggressions and the only context the narrative he offers is "paul looked up to his brother, his brother lost, paul hates human affection" (delivered over flat-ass exposition) and yet half of the commentary on Paul from other characters is, "ehh, he's a little different" in a world where friendship -> strength/power is baked into every aspect of the story.
Contrast early Paul with early Iris, a character whose relationship with reset bw ash has the same basic dynamic. Iris has notes of Paul's elitism and condescension, but there are also notes of insecurity, child-like impulsiveness, and there is actual ****ing motivation behind the way she acts which can be gleamed subtextually from how she interacts with Ash.
Iris is not some complex character study, but she does come across as a person. Paul comes across as a caricature.
Until the post-brandon bit, Paul's literally just a team rocket henchman masquerading as a 10 year old. Paul certainly offers a subversive aesthtic, but he doesn't have the substance to back it up.
Paul's change is not an immediate 180 post-Brandon
Yeah, let's talk about that Brandon bit first. Paul learns Ash beat brandon and is shocked, this is a solid start.
During the battle, Paul acts rationally, as he does in basically every other fight, and plans various strategies, sees them all go up in smoke because Brandon's pokemon are too strong. Paul doesn't panic, he doesn't make mistakes he shouldn't make, and then Brandon tells him "you clearly have a strong
bond with your pokemon, but you need to control your emotions!" Again, we are
shown one thing, and
told another.
Afterwards Paul has become respectful of Ash, requests a full battle to truly test himself vs this brandon-beater, and wins with grace instead of gloating.
Paul has
completely changed, because Brandon tells him something which has jackshit to do with what actually happened when they fought. Paul did not lose because he lost control of his emotions. He lost because his pokemon were weaklings by comparisons. Yet brandon praises the bond he has with his pokemon(which implicitly would be observed via the strength of his mons), and criticizes Paul's composure(which would be observed via how he uses his pokemon).
Again,
botched
, that's just when the changes started. He was still rude and dismissive of Barry when they met in the Infernape evolution episode
Uh...no. Barry goes to Paul, and instigates trying to flex and stan him simulateously. When Paul encounters Ash, who interacts with him like a normal peeson, Paul interatcs with ash, like a normal person.
, only showing him some respect later after their battle.
Paul literally, in the mildest way possible, advises Barry
not to disrespect everyone. Paul is
extremely respectful before their fight. Again, Brandon completely mischaracterizes why he wins, and because of this screw up, Paul has gone from a one-note persistent instigator, to the anime's ultimate defender of proper ettiquitte.
Then, when he appears to have won a tightly contested fight against Ash where Infernape took out two of his pokemon, he suddenly reverts back to Paul 1.0, tuns to the side and dismisses Infernape as "pathetic".
Your man doesn't just 180. He 180's one way, 180's another way, does a triple soumersault, and lands on his head. Post-Brandon Paul is the first time sinnohs' writers actually go for some nuance, and they are so, so over their heads, that **** falls apart over 4 episodes. Not sure if this is the same team that thought Alain was Anakin Skywalker, but boi does it feel the same.
Paul's copying of Counter Shield is also a new behaviour for him that's only exhibited in the battle itself. So no, the change is not just on a dime and it's not all done and dusted well before the battle itself.
I'm much too lazy to go back and break down Paul's previous battle strategies, so sure. I'll take your word for it.
He didn't abuse his Pokemon during the Acuity battle but didn't compliment them either. Only when he's beaten at the league does that happen, and it only happens with one of his Pokemon.
Sure. Doesn't really make up for everything else... But noted.
