Paul (Pokémon)

Template:Pokémon character Paul, known in Japan as Shinji (シンジ) is a human character from the multi-billion-dollar Pokémon media franchise – a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards and other media, created by Satoshi Tajiri.

Biography and personality

Paul is a roaming Pokémon trainer traveling through the region of Sinnoh. He quickly develops a rivalry with Ash. Paul is originally from Veilstone City. He was first seen in the episode "Two Degrees of Separation", though his full introduction was in "When Pokémon Worlds Collide".

Paul always checks new captures with his Pokédex to learn what attacks they know. He strongly dislikes weak Pokémon and has a habit of releasing them if they do not meet up to his high expectations.

Paul feels that Ash is a weak trainer and can easily bring on Ash's anger by stating it. He appears to feel indifference to Brock and Dawn, although he has shown respect for some characters; in particular Professor Rowan, Roark, and Cynthia. In DP040 it was revealed that Paul has previously travelled through Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn, although he has not yet won a League Championship. He then began his challenge in his native Sinnoh. To date, Paul is the only rival who is known to have had multiple starter Pokémon in his team. His battle against Cynthia was the first time he was shown to lose a battle.

Pokémon

On hand

• Elekid

Elekid is one of Paul's most powerful Pokemon. Similar to Pikachu, it often travels with Paul outside of it's Poké Ball although it has no aversion to being recalled. It was first seen in the episode "When Pokémon Worlds Collide", where it tied against Ash's Pikachu. Paul has used Elekid in his battle against Roark where it defeated Cranidos.

• Ursaring

Paul caught Ursaring with his Chimchar in the episode "Different Strokes for Different Blokes". After examining it with his Pokédex, Paul decided to keep it on his squad for the time being.

• Murkrow

Murkrow was obtained sometime prior to "Champion Shirona Appears!". It battled and lost against Cynthia's Garchomp.

• Torterra

Torterra was originally Paul's starter as a Turtwig. With it, Paul has travelled to Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn, and competed in each of the championships staged there. It made its first appearance in "Champion Shirona Appears!", where it lost in battle against Cynthia's Garchomp.

• Weavile

Weavile was obtained sometime prior to "Champion Shirona Appears!". It battled against Cynthia's Garchomp, but lost..

Released

• Starly (3)

Paul captured three Starly. He quickly released two of them as they did not know Aerial Ace after their capture. The third one knew the attack and Paul decided to keep it on his team for the time being. He later used his Starly in his battle with Ash, where it defeated Ash's Starly. Despite the victory, Paul released the Starly, saying "there are a million Starly as strong as that one. Soon as a stronger one comes round, I'll catch it."

• Stantler

Paul caught and released a Stantler inside the forest in "Different Strokes for Different Blokes" because the only move it knew was Tackle.

• Azumarill

Paul was seen using this Pokémon against Roark in the episode "Shapes of Things to Come". Even though it knew the powerful Hydro Pump, it lost against Roark's Geodude. He gave it to a passing Trainer in the episode "A Gruff Act to Follow!", claiming that it was a lost cause.

• Chimchar

Paul decides to release it after leaving it in battle for Ash to command. Soon after it is released, Ash asks Chimchar to join him.