I think a better comparison might be Lilligant to Bellossom.
For the games, I like Gens 2 and 3, while 3 has bad designs, it also has some I like.
Least favorite is either 4 or 5, idk why. I like em all though! I agree on some of 5's designs, I'm not a genwunner by any means, but some of gen 5's designs are stupid, I only need to show the Vanillaite family, and its not just because it's an ice cream Pokemon - LOOK AT ITS FACE!
I always hate how people go "u only hate it bc of nostalgia" - why is that even a bad thing? Nostalgia happens for a reason.
For the anime, I liked Season 1.5 (Orange Islands), I sure miss Tracey, I just wish they did more with him. Also, Ash FINALLY won something after that AWFUL Ritchie match in which Charizard fell asleep, lol...