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If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they play?

Bluelatios

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The topic is simple; name one or a few people who traveled with Ash or is just a friend (ex; Ritchie) that you want to see in X and Y. No need for doubting and gloom here, this is just for you to explain what qualities you think they could bring to the show. For example, here's my lists;

Who; Misty and Brock

Role; Traveling companions

Why; Well for starters, they are essentially Ash's best friends. They're the people who were lucky enough to have been with Ash as he started his journey and they were there during critical moments and achievements he experienced as a trainer. Each exhibit their own traits well; dear ol' Ash is of course our confident yet rash protagonist. Misty is fierce and brings Ash down to earth, but that is complimented by her kindness for both people and Pokemon when they are in need or feeling down. Brock is the mature older brother figure that takes care of his friends and their Pokemon, keeps them from strangling each other, and always has wise advice for them. Not only are they popular with older fans, but younger fans are sure to enjoy them just as they would an all new group. With proper handling, I strongly feel this would be a win-win move for everyone. To compliment this, I'd like newcomers Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor to appear, but as their own traveling group whom Ash and co meet up with (now there's an interesting idea, hmm?)


Who; Ritchie

Role; friendly rival

Why; wait, what? RITCHIE!? You mean that Ash clone that makes people angry because he's not the almighty "Red" a copy of Ash? Well....yes :p. Of all the non-hostile rivals, Ritchie is interesting to me because the writers do not utilize quirks or just...juvenile mannerisms to make his character. Instead, he's actually a down to earth guy whose genuinely nice and loves Pokemon. No catch needed. Its his connection to Ash fostered in the indigo league episodes that gives him value that in my opinion, transcends his "clone" status. We accept Nurse Joys and Officer Jenny's don't we? I say the thing that makes or breaks a character is not necessarily who they're based on, but what their personality is like and how they interact with other characters.


Who; Gary

Role; rival/recurring character

Why; While I'm tired of juvenile rivals, if the writers absolutely had to include one of them, then I'd prefer they take Gary and make him the smarmy, arrogant, Pallet Town #1 again. Because of all the rivalries of that kind, the one between Ash and Gary still had depth and meaning beyond the endless going at each other. Again, character connections are the driving force in my opinion that are the highest points of Pokemon. Furthermore, there's a double edged sword here; they could instead choose to keep Gary's current maturity and the relationship with Ash would work in a similar manner to Ritchie. There's just a lot of flexibility of what they can do with Gary and so it would be interesting if they one day decide to focus on him again.
 
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Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

I'd say, if any return, I'd like Misty to return the most. I'd like Brock back as well, but if we have another DP happen to the poor guy, then a definite "no" from me. Ritchie and Gary would be cool to see back as well.

I don't think that alone will help make them the characters what they once were, even if they return, or the anime what it used to be. It would definitely be a step in the right direction for the series, though.

I'd like Misty to go back to her original goal. I'd be okay with Brock's current goal, but I did like his original goal to become a breeder much better myself. Gary would be great as a Pokemon Research and Professor like his grandpa, and I liked that goal myself. Ritchie was okay as a rival and worked well in that role.
 
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Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

I would like to see Paul return. To see if he really changed. And to see how much stronger he is.
 
Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

I would like to see Paul return. To see if he really changed. And to see how much stronger he is.

Yeah, I'd like to see Paul back as well. One of the best characters in DP.
 
Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

I'd like to see Misty and Brock return, I'm sure a lot of others would too. Why? it'd be interesting for all 3 of them to see each other again and go on a journey after all that time apart. However I think some people may be bored of that trio. I think it'd defiantly be cool to bring back Gary as well. I mean he was Ash's first rival and since it's been ages since he was last really Ash's main rival in a series, it'd be cool for that to happen again and see some Pokemon battle action between the two.
 
Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

I'm not necessarily opposed to Brock returning, as long as it's done right. For example, if TPTB actually do something like what I've repeatedly suggested and have Ash spend at least one regional journey as the mentor to a rookie trainer, then Brock could return and he and Ash could be on more equal terms. The former mentor could see how much his old protégé has grown, and all that. Otherwise, it'll look like Ash is just going from one big brother to another, without truly growing up.
 
Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

Paul, because he's a bad ass, plus I'm curious to see if he has taken on any of Ash's values. As a fellow competitor in the league of course, but not the main rival
 
Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

None of them. Because we should look forward not back.
 
Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

Who: Dawn/Hikari

Role: Travelling companion, Pokemon Coordinator.

Why: Because:
-Hikari is rproven to be the second most relative popular character of the seriesin Japan with her Pochama being a very good seller marketer (unlike Kibago, and not count on Yanappu).
-Allows Ash to have moire evolved pokemon because Dawn would have the most marketable pokemon, in particular, one of the Kalos starters,.
-Ash and Dawn are the closest characters that the show has ever had. Misty is not cas close as Ash than Dawn. Ay the High Fives!
-She can be used as a trick to bring back amrketing up from BW levels to higher levels because the surprise effects which is something that the show needs now.
-Because she fits in the Kalos region for me.

The Contest could be announced at the same time than her is announced to return for XY.
 
Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

Out of Ash older companions i think i would like Misty to come back the most. She was great character and had more room left for further progress having loads of unfinished things on which they could expand.

Imo it would be great to see her come back updated with new, fun things being done with character in form of sequel. I always thought it could be interesting if she went on journey to rank up as trainer like Wallace from Hoenn did entering various water tournaments similar to Whirl Cup, get new cool water pokemon etc. Perhaps she could also discover new mega evolutions through water types she would intend to catch or develop special bond with them while providing fresh new way of developing character and showcasing new pokemon for promotional purposes in different ways through events she could enter. Which would require to learn to utilize pokemon in special envoronment in most optimal way and prove her worth as type specialists advancing forward(underewateer battling seemed liker cool conceot which was never explored much).


Many gym leaders leave their positions to improve as trainers, learn new things and enter tournaments through which they could hone skills. According to that since Misty dream of becoming water master involves completing tasks like Whirl Cup showed, travel and become strong like E4 members having her go on some quest for awhile would make sense with purpose of stepping up from current position to become stronger and come closer toward achievement of her goal of becoming water master.

XY region is based on France being ideal place for Misty to travel imo being fond of romance and love even fantasizing about going there and her tomboyish, assertive nature could click well within Ash and new character lifting up group dynamic being refreshing for change to see more experienced, mature girl growing forward building up on story and new plots. Misty was incredibly entertaining character imo bringing wide pallete of emotions and playful quirks allowing to click easily with any one be it friends, villains like TR or various characters they met managing to extract fire and annoyance from others, emotion, or admiration leading to fun, naturalistic and vibrant interactions through her spirited and hotheaded nature.

And i cannot help but feel how it would be fun to see how she would fit within new group, restore friendship with Ash and how she would work in today anime format shaking things up with unexpected come back.

I wouldn't mind Brock coming back either. I grew up with that guy and have many fond memories of him. His flirty escapades, eccentric nature, sense for humor and masturity he radiates with brought certain balance, security in main cast being great counterweight to Ash and girl personalities feeling things better rounded.

I could see him going to Unova with purpose of expanding his knowledge about pokemon or learning from other specialists which could help him in future career(veterinarians do travel if needed). To examine new specie of pokemon and do some research about them catching some while there,to hear about some famous pokemon doctor who lives in Unova deciding to travel over there to meet him.
Etc,etc.

Returning older characters is always appreciated strengthening Ash connection to past helping anime continuity, increasing people interest for show which reflects on boost in ratings and allowing them to gain some development themselves too.
So i would definitely welcome return of Brock and especially Misty being great characters with many people missding trhem worldwide.

May is another one i would like to see come back. I felt writers left some untied things about her never finding truly her own battle style as coordinator , resolving issues with rivals and still having lot to learn as coordinastor to master this profession to full potential and what it takes to be top classs. Announce of mega evolutions with Bčlaziken bering showed as one of pokemon which is known to have ability to upgrade to ultimate level provides some cool way to reintroduce her character back and give her more development.

I can only imagine how much hype, excitement and boost in ratings their return could bring rejuvenating on friendship with Ash, remember all those great times they had together and advance their dreams together if writers choosed that life pasths they followed at some point intetrwine with each other again.
 
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Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

Brock, of course, as traveling companion. The best Pokémon anime character ever.

I like Todd/Snap too. He could be a recurring character, like Bianca in Best Wishes. I like Bianca as well, she could be a traveling companion. I also like Dawn, but since Serena is awesome (yeah, I already like her), I prefer to see Serena for now.

I wish Meowth could travel with Ash again and forever. Team Rocket got very boring in Best Wishes.
 
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Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

Does Palpitoad count as an old friend of Ash? In that case I want him to stay. Then I would also like if Stephan returned. He was my favorite of the BW rivals.
 
Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

Who: Misty
Role: Returning friend or travelling companion.
Why: She is the best. (Also I miss her and her Psyduck scenes).

"Maybe not like a travelling companion, but a return for her, 3-4 episodes, like that of May's in DP. All the Pokemon in battle, everyone of them got sth new, not like Dawn. Some new evolutions in her team. i want to see her with her Togetic and get a gen.6 Pokemon."

Who: Brock.
Role: Travelling Companion.
Why: For fun. He makes the series so "watchable". I also admit that the first trio-As,Misty,Brock(maybe including Tracey too) was the best.

Who: Gary or Tracey.
Role: Temporary travelling companion.
Why: Here takes place my theory for onw of them being Ash's temporary travelling companion. As Fairy type is introduced, Oak asks one of them to go and discover upon this new type. Gary is a researcher and Tracey Oak's assistent, so they catch a Faity type Pokemon and return in Kanto.

Also there is a Possibility of Fantina(as she speaks french), Dawn(Paris-based/Contests), May(same as Dawn), Bianca, Burgundy(if Cilan returns) to reappear.
 
Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

May: I want her to come back as a traveling companion again. I saw this picture: deviantART: where ART meets application!. It's obviously fake, but I think it would fit perfectly. She wants to travel the world and where does everyone always want to travel to? France! Plus Blaziken was the only mega starter revealed, so it'd make sense. Plus I would love to see her travel without her brother and I think Kalos would be the perfect coordinator region. I know it probably won't ever happen, but it would be amazing! :)
 
Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

Yeah, I know, it's been said a lot, but...

Misty.

Position: Cameo/Character of the day.

Why? Well... because it's been quite a while. We haven't seen/heard from her in a few seasons, so it's about time Ash goes back to see his best friend. Honestly. It totally has nothing to do with my support for Pokéshipping.

Why not as a traveling companion? Don't get me wrong, I'd love that even more. It'd make me want to watch the show again. It just doesn't seem very likely to me, that's all.
 
Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

Duplica

Position: Recurring character/Companion

Why? Duplica is characterized by being an imitation master, now that other forms of imitation exist in pokemon beyond Ditto, it would be nice to see her deal with other forms of imitation beyond what she is used to.

It would also be nice to see Ash have a companion that is someone he knows from his past, but has never traveled with.
 
Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

Iirs vs Clarie epic battle
 
Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

I'd would bring back the old Misty back I want to see her travel again to many lands I miss her from this time I was shocked to see her go from there. :/
 
Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

Shinji please. As long as he remains in character I dont mind how he appears. I'd be happy for most opd characters reappearing since it would make their fans happy. That said the new characters are more important.
 
Re: If any of Ash's old friends return, who would you want? What role should they pla

If anybody was to return I think Max should get the option. He could play the second main role instead of someone like Clemont if that were to happen but I doubt it. He was the only one that never got a pokemon or his own journey to do whatever he wanted to do as far as a goal is concerned.
 
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