Will Gary come back in Unova ?

[CyberCubed]

He appeared in a grand total of 2 AG episodes, (and really, a small flashback scene should only make it like 1 real appearance), and he appeared in 3 DP episodes.

So as you can see, the writers don't exactly think Gary needs to appear much in the show. He hasn't appeared much at all over the last 10 years.....like 5 episodes tops out of the last 500+.....

[Caseydia]

He appeared in a grand total of 2 AG episodes, (and really, a small flashback scene should only make it like 1 real appearance), and he appeared in 3 DP episodes.

So as you can see, the writers don't exactly think Gary needs to appear much in the show. He hasn't appeared much at all over the last 10 years.....like 5 episodes tops out of the last 500+.....LOL.

Cyber just because you keep telling us how long a character is gone from the show doesn't mean the writers can't troll to bring them back in any means necessary. If the writers want to waist their time then by all means. But if they don't then that's theird decision. The show isn't really for our favor anyway.

[Terror Of Master]

He appeared in a grand total of 2 AG episodes, (and really, a small flashback scene should only make it like 1 real appearance), and he appeared in 3 DP episodes.

So as you can see, the writers don't exactly think Gary needs to appear much in the show. He hasn't appeared much at all over the last 10 years.....like 5 episodes tops out of the last 500+.....LOL.

He's appeared in Kanto, Orange Islands, Johto, tail end of AG, Sinnoh. Why wouldn't he appear at some point during BW?

[CyberCubed]

He's appeared in Kanto, Orange Islands, Johto, tail end of AG, Sinnoh. Why wouldn't he appear at some point during BW?

That's the same thing people thought about Misty until she didn't actually appear in DP at all. There is no indication the writers have to make each character appear once every saga. I'm not expecting to see him at all in BW.

[DawnBoy]

That's the same thing people thought about Misty until she didn't actually appear in DP at all. There is no indication the writers have to make each character appear once every saga. I'm not expecting to see him at all in BW.

Watch both Gary and Misty appear in BW to help Ash against Team Plasma XD

[lokoduro]

Unlikely but I hope so xD Though Idk if I am prepared to see his redesign with those sparkly eyes hahah

[Papousse]

That's the same thing people thought about Misty until she didn't actually appear in DP at all. There is no indication the writers have to make each character appear once every saga. I'm not expecting to see him at all in BW.

You can't compare Misty and Gary, it's not exactly the same. Gary is Ash's childhood friend, first rival, and, at some point, part of his neighbor. Misty was a random girl of Cerulean before they encountered each other. He is the grandson of the professor who's taking care of Ash's Pokémon 24 hours on 24 hours, that is always taking informations about Ash's journey. Misty is the sister of the gym leaders of the Cerulean Gym. Don't you see the aspects that make Gary a hundred time different than Misty ? Misty got more screen time than Gary, that's a fact. Second, due to their differences, I think she has less chances than Gary to come back. Finally, we can't take off a character like this, without a goodbye scene, or something more valuable for an important character such as Gary. Even a Side Story episode would be appreciate.

[Bluelatios*]

He appeared in a grand total of 2 AG episodes, (and really, a small flashback scene should only make it like 1 real appearance), and he appeared in 3 DP episodes.

So as you can see, the writers don't exactly think Gary needs to appear much in the show. He hasn't appeared much at all over the last 10 years.....like 5 episodes tops out of the last 500+.....

Cyber, here's the problem with the same spiel you give about many main and recurring characters odds of appearing. Lets say you have a die that hasn't rolled a six in a while. Does the fact that it hasn't rolled a six alter the odds of doing so? Never mind that it will eventually, that's not the point. The point is, probabilities are not based on past events. Now, anime writing isn't random like rolling a die, but of our speculation of which, the same principle still applies.

[Graham Aker]

Gary might get a random apperance at the lab, when Ash returns to Kanto or w/e. It won't be major, and I certainly can't see him sticking around for a short arc anymore.

[CyberCubed]

Cyber, here's the problem with the same spiel you give about many main and recurring characters odds of appearing. Lets say you have a die that hasn't rolled a six in a while. Does the fact that it hasn't rolled a six alter the odds of doing so? Never mind that it will eventually, that's not the point. The point is, probabilities are not based on past events. Now, anime writing isn't random like rolling a die, but of our speculation of which, the same principle still applies.

The show has been running for 16 years. The writers don't have to rely on characters from nearly two decades ago when the current cast of kids didn't grow up with them.

[pokemon fan 132]

The show has been running for 16 years. The writers don't have to rely on characters from nearly two decades ago when the current cast of kids didn't grow up with them.

Going by this logic same could have been said for any past character writers brought back in Sinnoh and BW series.

In long running show like pokemon which is based as continuity following adventures of constant protagonist it only makes sense to keep characters which were important part of pokemon history contributing to Ash growth as trainer relevant, receiving some recognition. Otherwise whats the point of introducing them in first place if any development they experienced, potential to offer more and contribution they gave to push anime forward is going to be erased? Like it never happened or mattered in first place?

That's not creative way to keep some show exciting with writers current approach with little to none continuity, intermittent development and disrespect toward history and previous important characters only increasing disappointment among viewers with constant decline in popularity with each passing generation only reflecting rut in which writers brought anime currently running into wall.

I see constantly new generations of kids being used as argument "why previous characters cannot return", but im waiting for explanation on what basis?
Their lack of knowledge about such characters is same like its case with any new character writers introduce into anime taking time to get used and accept them. Not knowing who Gary or any previous character may be even more of a reason to bring them back. Because it would give them opportunity to get know who he was, better comprehend Ash past adding more continuity into it , and to test out if he would create same interest among new generations like it was case with people which grew up with him or anyone else.

Needless to say if they can bring back decade old pokemon like Charizard, revive Giovanni and TR activity, revive insignificant characters like James fiance from Kanto, minor gym leader like Jasmine etc there is certainly no reason why they couldn't bring back previous popular characters back as well.

In essence writers could ultimately have more success managing to maintain interest from target audience while also broadening interest for anime among wider group of fans if they imbued anime with more cohesive storyline and revived all time favorite characters like Misty, May or in this particular case Gary going beyond current demographic. Since unpredictable ad fresh surprises are in general key to maintain interest among viewers and achieve popularity that can last for many more years to come.

Core of issue in here isn't about relying on someone, but more in increasing quality of pokemon series itself and try out proven successful characters which could help to broaden its popularity in longer run.

[Bluelatios*]

Granted they aren't stupid and can recognize good characters, kids honestly aren't hard to please. So that doesn't give weight to any particular character type. No character is merely a crutch, as the context of "rely" might suggest. With creativity, anyone can be turned into an asset.

[CyberCubed]

To answer the thread title, no, I don't think Gary will appear in Best Wishes. Or at Pallet at the end of the saga.

They tried to give him a comeback in the series during DP, it didn't work, so they've likely dropped him again.

[I am Lu]

To answer the thread title, no, I don't think Gary will appear in Best Wishes. Or at Pallet at the end of the saga.

They tried to give him a comeback in the series during DP, it didn't work, so they've likely dropped him again.

On what basis did it not work? Personal opinion?

[Pokemaniac24]

On what basis did it not work? Personal opinion?

I thought it worked really well personally. He still has great interactions with Ash. As for CyberCubed saying they tried to give him a comeback, I don't even think it was supposed to be a comeback. I think the writers decided to bring him back for a few episodes but never intended for it to be a comeback in the series.

[pokemon fan 132]

Granted they aren't stupid and can recognize good characters, kids honestly aren't hard to please. So that doesn't give weight to any particular character type. No character is merely a crutch, as the context of "rely" might suggest. With creativity, anyone can be turned into an asset.

Agreed, any character from past can become worthwhile addition to anime again providing writers want to do something with him and evaluate how his presence could help to push story forward and bring benefit to series long term.

Older characters also have advantage over new ones when being reintroduced back because they proven to be successful and well received in past, making less risky for writers to revive them as well having background/popularity among fans serving as stepping stone to have them become quickly accepted among new generations.

I thought it worked really well personally. He still has great interactions with Ash. As for CyberCubed saying they tried to give him a comeback, I don't even think it was supposed to be a comeback. I think the writers decided to bring him back for a few episodes but never intended for it to be a comeback in the series.

Pretty much true. I never understood mindset from some people how Gary was supposed to make some grand comeback becoming Ash rival again. On what ground this line of thought even occurred in first place?

Its rather obvious how Gary purpose behind return wasn't to become major character again, but to serve as plotline leading Ash to go to DP as well give us update about his career as researcher. In addition he helped Ash and co in resolving some plots such as pointing out main issue behind Gliscor giving razor fang which led to evolution. Helping in battling Hunter J and Team Plasma trying to protect Azelf etc. Which went in correlation with his career considering how main reason behind journey to Sinnoh in first place was to do research about legendary.

His presence definitely wasn't worthless and it was nice throwback to past giving treat to older fans.

It seems to me how some fans raised up their expectations too much regarding Gary jumping ahead of themselves, hence explaining disappointment. For what Gary return was intended to be, it certainly wasn't "failure".

[k6666]

He already done so no need to him back
we dont need nostalgia :P

[CyberCubed]

I thought it worked really well personally. He still has great interactions with Ash. As for CyberCubed saying they tried to give him a comeback, I don't even think it was supposed to be a comeback. I think the writers decided to bring him back for a few episodes but never intended for it to be a comeback in the series.

They dedicated the whole last episode of AG to him.

[I am Lu]

I don't think it was supposed to be a comeback either, though. If it were, he would've stuck around throughout all of DP. But no, Paul was introduced at the beginning of DP. Gary provided a transition from AG to DP in that last episode, and he appeared several times later in the series. That's far from writers trying to give him a "comeback." They were cameos. And who is to say that he will never have another cameo again? I think it's a possibility. Maybe they will use Gary again as a transition from Gen 5 to Gen 6. Maybe not. Maybe they use another character, like Paul or Brock. The point is, you can't make a blanket statement saying, "Oh, he'll never appear again" and vice versa. We don't know that. This is all just speculation based on what the writers have done previously with Gary's character.

[Pokemaniac24]

I don't think it was supposed to be a comeback either, though. If it were, he would've stuck around throughout all of DP. But no, Paul was introduced at the beginning of DP. Gary provided a transition from AG to DP in that last episode, and he appeared several times later in the series. That's far from writers trying to give him a "comeback." They were cameos. And who is to say that he will never have another cameo again? I think it's a possibility. Maybe they will use Gary again as a transition from Gen 5 to Gen 6. Maybe not. Maybe they use another character, like Paul or Brock. The point is, you can't make a blanket statement saying, "Oh, he'll never appear again" and vice versa. We don't know that. This is all just speculation based on what the writers have done previously with Gary's character.

Exactly. I'm sure when Gary became a researcher at the end of Johto, people thought the character was written off but like you said, we have seen him since then.