Are we really abusing the term "Mary Sue/Gary Stu" for the Anime characters?

[Yeul]

Zoey lost that match.

So what, in the Grand Festival Zoey beat Nando and they showed that, so I'm certain they decided to reinforce her invincible skills as a coordinator by doing that.
What flaws DID Zoey have, exactly? Did they make her so perfect to create a positive tomboyish lesbian role model for girls everywhere?

 

[CupidKirby]

To me, Zoey was like a COTD even though she wasn't. The writers didn't really put much effort into her character other than to have some plot device to help Dawn or someone else develop.

 

[CyberCubed]

To me, Zoey was like a COTD even though she wasn't. The writers didn't really put much effort into her character other than to have some plot device to help Dawn or someone else develop.

She still had more appearances in a region than any rival but Paul.

 

[CupidKirby]

Let me rephrase that. She acted like a COTD.

 

[Yeul]

Let me rephrase that. She acted like a COTD.

And it's sad, really. I thought her design was awesome and she seemed to be a very promising character.....until her Glameow came out and beat every Pokemon it came across with little to no difficulty. Oh, and how is her being unsure of herself and nervous supposed to be a flaw when she's guaranteed a win almost everytime she enters a contest? That's a Sue in plain sight.

 

[Demonsead]

I don't see a single character in this show as a sue of any sort.

 

[CyberCubed]

I don't see a single character in this show as a sue of any sort.

Not even Richie and Tobias? Zoey to a lesser extent.

 

[Shneak]

The only Mary Sue I would agree with is Tobias. Most of the other mentioned characters feel normal and show that they can be defeated in ways, but Tobias didn't show those qualities. He practically won the Sinnoh League with a single legendary.

 

[Demonsead]

Not even Richie and Tobias? Zoey to a lesser extent.

No, no, and no.

 

[Yeul]

No, no, and no.

You're right, they're more like God Mode Sues than typical Mary Sues.

 

[Platinum fan.]

Tobias is the the only one who fits the bill really if only because he just uses legendary Pokemon to win matches. I don't consider Zoey a sue. She was clearly the most skilled Coordinator in Sinnoh so why not let her win? It would be more Sueish if they just made another Solidad, talk about cheap. Comes out of nowhere for the sole purpose of preventing main character from winning. I don't even consider Richie a Gary Stu. Not his fault Ash did not raise his Charizard and there were loads of trainers stronger then Ash in Kanto, but how he copies Ash's team down to the core is annoying.

 

[Caseydia]

The only Mary Sue I would agree with is Tobias. Most of the other mentioned characters feel normal and show that they can be defeated in ways, but Tobias didn't show those qualities. He practically won the Sinnoh League with a single legendary.

But we didn't and still don't know anything about Tobais. It's not like in Hoenn and Johto where Ash knew Harrison, Morrison and Tyson for alittle while.
My God, so many "son" in their names!

 

[Dephender]

Takuto isn't a stu, people. Please. He's not meant to be a well-rounded character we're supposed to follow, he's supposed to be an obstacle for the main character - someone high above the character's level to give an idea of the main character's relative powers. All stories about up-and-coming athletes have characters who are way stronger than the main guys, because you can't write characters who aren't that good at what they do without having characters who actually are good at it somewhere.
Gary Stu/Mary Sue is a term supposed to indicate poorly written characters who are meant to be well-written. Minor side characters who only serve as plot devices to determine other characters' flaws don't fall under this.

 

[Yeul]

Can I just say that I also rather like Tobias? I think his voice is sexy.

 

[The Great Butler]

If I'm remembering correctly, didn't Zoey come within an inch of losing to Ash in Jubilife City, only to be saved by the timer with Aipom just about to hit Glameow?

The fact that she *had* to win that battle no matter what, thus necessitating a convenient turn of events to save her, disturbs me. Even then she had to be portrayed as unbeatable.

 

[CyberCubed]

If I'm remembering correctly, didn't Zoey come within an inch of losing to Ash in Jubilife City, only to be saved by the timer with Aipom just about to hit Glameow?

The fact that she *had* to win that battle no matter what, thus necessitating a convenient turn of events to save her, disturbs me. Even then she had to be portrayed as unbeatable.

But if that happened Ash would have likely won the entire contest.

The writers would never let Ash get a ribbon because its not his quest.

 

[Platinum fan.]

I haven't seen that episode in ages but was it ever actually said if Aipom hit Glameow, Ash would have won? I mean Zoey owned the match the whole time so one hit and suddenly she would lose? If anything it makes Ash look like the sue. Aipom wasn't even that strong during that particular contest, not like it was for the gym battles and later contest.

 

[The Great Butler]

I seem to remember the implication that it would have been a knockout blow, the same way Dawn ultimately beat Ursula in the Grand Festival.

 

[Demonsead]

You're right, they're more like God Mode Sues than typical Mary Sues.

I said I don't see them as any kind of sue. Why did you think I meant anything else?

 

[Yamato-san]

I'm kinda surprised nobody attempted to argue against my points on Takuto thus far.