Saw new trailer and starters. Given how we have now official confirmation of S&M being based on Hawaii, im kinda expecting more innovation in outfits main cast for 7th generation would wear. Because admittedly seeing Ash in more easy going, casual clothes would be something fresh and different. Needless to say appropriate too for tropical environment like now called Alola region.
Out of all starters Rowlet takes first place for me. Its definitely cute looking little owl and abit unusual design for grass specie. If anything this pokemon could be owl based pokemon done right. Unlike poor Noctowl who never had chance to be properly fleshed out and put to greater use. Hoped for it return and more redemption, but I guess that idea can be forgotten.
As for potential new characters if it was me either current Kalos characters would stay or some of familiar faces from past would return for continuation of their stories,. I would take anyone honestly, because all of them have potential and unfinished things to make for compelling sequel. Beside we haven't saw some of them for a really long time wishing to have them revived and be of some importance in this upcoming in many ways peculiar generation.
Because im tired and sick of this repetitive rollercoaster of new characters joining in, being dumped like trash after 3 to 4 years never to be seen or heard from again. Defeats point of having them around if all build up and their relevance will fade away and be interrupted.
If that indeed happens, then I'll drop the anime for good. Barely survived BW and I'm not going to deal with her again for three or so years. So I pray to the Tiki deities that she will get a little cameo at most before going to Johto, the region where characters go and never return.
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Johto at this point can be considered graveyard for older main characters. Given how they're treated as basically dead once they leave main cast.
Only Tracey, Max and Misty didn't end up there. But its not like this plays factor in anything, since they are buried in past as well.
Making you ask yourself what was their point in first place if were never gonna see them again, how far they came and make some use of build up started about them to begin with?
Like its case with other long running anime where main characters remain existing in some capacity until end.
The only problem with this is that this is the pokemon anime in which Ash is still the main protagonist. And in this case everything Ash did and will do is the main plotline of the whole anime and the whole gym quest and battles are the main substance of the whole series. If we are talking about other things, then I can't see why XY is more worse than the other series. Serena had an actual than Misty and Iris and got much character development, Clemont is as useless as other male sidekicks but instead had an arc dedicated to him etc. Plus the whole Ash gym quest with many considering the battles to be really good. I can't see XY being worse than the whole OS (Kanto+Johto) and BW series and parts of AG. But hey my opinion.
Battles and animation isn't everything, let alone nearly enough for me to consider anime series to be great. As far as group chemistry, character personalities and build up on interactions between them goes. Humor, conflict and creativity of storyline brought to adventure itself.
Im sorry to say but OS and Hoenn were far better for me.
Misty may have received less focus on her goal, but again she developed and changed in personality aspect as she coped with her fears, insecurities and view toward other things compared to her debut far more than Serena did. And same applies to May.
She had bigger depth to her personality, lot of unique quirks, coming around as tough, headstrong character who knew how to battle, move story forward and stand up for herelf. Alongside having more fleshed out part and in reality more unique dreams.
Which to big extent applies to May too who had so far best rivals ever. But even Iris viewing her as generally more entertaining character than Serena(not like I have anything against her character, but shes not my cup of tea at all).
Most of all I fail to see how exactly secondary male companions are ueless? Not everyone need big arcs dedicated to himself, lot of turmoils and emotional growth to be considered valuable character.
Brock, Cilan, Clemont. All of them delivered humor and lot of flavor to overall atmosphere of journey through their unique characteristics, hobbies and stability they brought to group. In helping glue together better main cast dynamic and carry out on their shoulders logistic support. Being either mentors and caretakers for others or someone on who other characters could bounce of in keeping story feel more fluid. Thanks to their expertize, skills, professions etc.