Can't say my opinions have changed much since last time i saw older seasons. I still prefer Os because of sheer wackiness of their plots and probably best group interaction this show had so far. Despite realizing with time how rather poorly some things were treated, at same time as i grew older i began to appreciate more comedy and unpredictability older series had, which got lost eventually in new sagas.
However i began to appreciate more new characters like May, Dawn, Max etc as i grew older being grateful for their contributions to anime and new things they provided with their presence.
The things I didn't like about Johto, (the amount of tedious fillers, Charizard/Squirtle's departure, dropping of the GS ball, lack of character development, original trio losing its chemistry, Misty holding Togepi all saga), I still don't like.
Debatable, every region has fillers but that doesn't mean fillers are bad episodes considering how thy can often be much better than gyms or episodes which contain development. Something you may find boring, doesn't mean others will and vice versa.
Original trio had plenty of chemistry in Johto so im not quite sure what your trying to point out in here? Ash and Misty still argued, she liked to tease him and Brock, she gave advices to Brock bout romance helping him out about girl issues. Ash was still incredibly dense and naive with his companions having to look after him, Brock was still mentor to Ash helping him to come with battle strategies in some episodes with all three providing humor and enjoyable interaction.
They had strongest bond too, being hardest for them to split up.
As for development characters still grew more than i can say for Kanto. Ash became less impulsive and little bit more mature in Johto which was noticed in his more strategic gym matches, Brock enriched his knowledge about breeder applying new things on several pokemon. While Misty improved as water trainer making steps forward with water master dream, became more mature and confident and had several episodes with quality growth(like bonding with Marill and her pokemon like Poliwhirl understanding better pokemon feelings, valuing more friendship with Ash and Brock considering them as her new family etc).
I wish people would first rewatch something, instead of pointing out things which aren't true.
What does that have to do with anything? How was a character an, "it" girl when she got very little action-oriented screentime in the show?
She got most focus out of all sidekick characters so far in show with someone deeds not being measured by quantity but quality, People liked her strong and independent character, personality, unique dreams of striving to become best while using one type always standing up for the weak and trying to help people out.
Yep i can see, why she could be idol to some of older fans when they were kids.
