True so true, though just because anime is based on games doesn't mean how it cannot do better job with character development, continuity, and coherence of storyline as whole. Especially when writers of pokemon series while obliged to follow games and market their products also have certain level of liberty in forming cast, choosing who and what is going to be utlized when pushing forward game products along with through existence of dozen of anime exclusive tournaments, characters, even whole regions(Orange Islands and Decolora) showing they are allowed to add some of their own imagination into the plot molding story to their own according. So its not like they are completely subjected to games, and even when game marketing takes prevalence it bothers me how writers yet again waste on chance to utilize all time favorites playing meaningful role again(like travesty with world tournament).
I just wish writers acknowledged history, previous Ash friends and pokemon little more. Than pokemon series would be truly epic.
Doing justice to Ash character finally winning league and pay more attention to past and previous experiences, giving sometime reference and in flesh appearance of Ash friends(even simple phone call like he does with prof. Oak would be much appreciated giving out message;hey this character exists, there is strong bond between Ash and them staying in touch). To shape plot of each new series main story in such way that sometime older character (like Brock, May, Max, Misty etc) can return, showcase new skills, get some follow up and influence main story and new characters with his unexpected return(like they revived Giovanni in BW). Rather than being forgotten about never to be seen again, enjoy in their unique antics and divergent personalities with effort and plots staying acknowledged bringing them somewhere eventually.