Serena and contests

[Fairy Type Arceus]

Sorry if this topic already exists, but as we know the anime tends to use the remakes as a revisit to their regions. I can see May returning and having an arc where her and serna do contests giving serna something to do besides oggle ash. Plus she needs more pokemon so it would be awesome if she got that female black tail pikachu (and maybe have it interested in ashs pikachu to parallel serenas crush on ash)

 

[SamurottMan]

They will probably show a Hoenn Fair where Serena gets a Hoenn starter (May got Squirtle and Bulbasaur for FRLG, Dawn got Cyndaquil for HGSS).
I'm not expecting May to appear since Iris is the one who should (And most likely will) come to Kalos (happens to all the girl companions)

And contest were never mentioned in XY, so it would be weird if they suddenly made a contest in Kalos and they don't seem to be that popular in the region.

I'm sure Serena would like the concept of Contests, but looks like the writers are preparing her for the Queen of Kalos competition.

 

[CrashBash]

Whilst that is true, there's no real way of knowing what with the Gen 3 remakes coming out. You mentioned the new starters, true, but at the same time, the whole thing with FR/LG and HG/SS was that they didn't have the option to "bring anyone back" because...well, there wasn't anyone to bring back. The possibility is there.

 

[Alola]

We've already had a festival and fair with Johto and Kanto respectively. I think Hoenn will be a bit more lively, with something along the lines of a parade. If it were to happen.

As for Serena, the Queen of Kalos Competition is just that. A competition; not something she can dedicate her life to as a substantial goal. As of now, I'm on the fence with her being a Coordinator:

~We've already had two female main companions be Coordinators, and a third seems redundant.
~She still only has one Pokemon with barely any battle experience. And I don't see her changing that "shortcoming" anytime soon.
~Kalos has no Contests, and as of now there is little reason for Ash to travel back to Hoenn (plus I'm tired of main characters being sent to orbit around Hoenn).

We're just now starting to delve into her confliction with being goal-less with this summer camp arc. So I say we let it play out, and see what happens. The writers may surprise us by having her take a third option.

 

[Hidden Mew]

I'd be really happy if Serena did become a Coordinator. I think that she would enjoy Contests, she wouldn't need a lot of Pokemon to participate at least at first and it would give her something to do to make her more active. Plus, I really miss Contests in general. They were a good way to give the female character focus and potential development, which Serena really needs in my opinion to make her a more interesting character. I think that Serena is generally okay, but I want to like her more than I actually do.

That being said, I'm not sure if it's too likely that she'll become a Coordinator. There's probably a better chance of a Hoenn festival showcasing Contests than Serena becoming a Coordinator. They haven't mentioned Contests in Kalos, so it would be strange for those to suddenly pop up. That hasn't stopped them before like with adding in older Pokemon in Unova after B2/W2 were released despite making it clear that only Unova Pokemon lived in the region when the series started. I'm not sure if they're interested in giving Serena a second Pokemon anytime soon, although she could participate with just Fennekin for her first Contest at least. Starting a Contest arc roughly a year into the series might result in the writers having a difficult time putting in the same kind of development and focus May and Dawn received due to how early their Contest arcs started. Still, I'd be happy to see Serena become a Coordinator. It probably isn't too likely, but I'd still like to see that happen.

 

[Deleted member 72389]

I would also love to see Serena become a Coordinator. It will give her a proper goal, more focus and some nice character development. I had loved how the Contest arc had helped in making May's character more interesting and enjoyable, and I guess the same had happened with Dawn too. So I think Serena would really benefit in terms of character development and focus if they make her a Coordinator.
As for that competition thing, well I have only seen the raw version of that episode, but I guess it's an interesting concept. Only problem is that it seems to lack battles and if it's a one-off thing then she can't have it as a serious goal. So...yeah, I am still rooting for Contests.
Even her Fennekin's personality seems to be well-suited for Contests, and maybe the writers will have her catch more Pokemon once her goal is decided.
So far I have really enjoyed Serena's character and all the episodes focused on her. Now that the writers have once again touched upon the topic of her goal, I want them to do something nice and interesting with it.

 

[Nicolas721]

I think that

Spoiler

Pancham, confirmed in the Captures Thread

rules out both chances of Serena getting into contests and getting a Hoenn starter. It's a physical attacker and it wouldn't fit too well in contests, and I don't see Serena capturing two Pokemon in such a close episode range.

The personality of that Pokemon seems more suited for Kalos Queen, but they always can take on new options.

For ORAS promotion, I see one episode with Steven or Wally showcasing a new Megaevolution (hopefully NOT in a battle against Team Rocket or Pikachu), and another with Lisia showcasing contests. Serena might try it once anyway.

 

[Hidden Mew]

I think that

Spoiler

Pancham, confirmed in the Captures Thread

rules out both chances of Serena getting into contests and getting a Hoenn starter. It's a physical attacker and it wouldn't fit too well in contests, and I don't see Serena capturing two Pokemon in such a close episode range.

The personality of that Pokemon seems more suited for Kalos Queen, but they always can take on new options.

For ORAS promotion, I see one episode with Steven or Wally showcasing a new Megaevolution (hopefully NOT in a battle against Team Rocket or Pikachu), and another with Lisia showcasing contests. Serena might try it once anyway.

I don't know if that rules out going into Contests per say. They have shown physical attackers in Contests before. It could be used for the battle stage, while Fennekin could be used in the appeal round, which would be pretty fitting with its personality anyway. Since we don't know when she gets that Pokemon, it's hard to say if that also prevents her from getting a Hoenn starter, although I think that might be more likely than preventing her from getting into Contests.

I think that the main factor that could prevent Serena becoming a Coordinator is primarily how it would be kind of late to start off a big sidequest goal like that. While the series probably has two or three years left before a new one starts off, they wouldn't be able to start Serena going into Contests until roughly a year into the series most likely, which might be considered too late to start something like that. There might be a better chance of that happening though if Contests are also included in the third version/sequels to X/Y instead of just being in OR/AS, but I'm not sure how likely that option is though.

 

[Sakuraa]

I don't really see Serena becoming a coordinator and entering contests as a full time goal. I can at most see Serena entering a contest as I one-time experience. And as much as I like May, I'd prefer it if Lisia would be the one, if anyone, to introduce contests in Kalos, especially since she's new and promotes ORAS.

But overall, I really don't want Serena to become a coordinator. We've already had 2 females compete in this area and I'd prefer some uniqueness from Serena. Not to mention that there are currently no contests in Kalos and I'd like her goal to be something more associated with her region. Hence why, I'd like to see her take part in the Pokemon Performer contests that Shauna was talking about and see where that leads her. If, in some way, she does end up competing in contests, I'd probably still be okay with that, but I'd honestly prefer something else.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

With all this pokemon idol thing i have been thinking about Serena becoming coordinator and personally i wouldn't want that. I mean i liked contests as much as next person. They brought new original way of utilizing pokemon in battles, showing different sides of them through appeal rounds and you could tell how May and Dawn got some profound character development out of it.

But at same time i find them overrated not being only way for female character to be worthwhile, proactive and enjoyable to follow with value of someone being measured through how engaging and thrilling he is to show overall when give focus, rather than how much he does. If contests ever returned as constant in series it would make more sense imo just to bring May or Dawn back doing continuation of their stories since they passed basics and can go on more challenging steps in achieving their careers bringing more excitement to plot.

There are ton of ways to develop Serena character, go through emotional struggles and trials gaining more depth and substance around itself following his progression, learning and gain of experience without making her coordinator. I was always of belief how quests which in advance has created pattern and procedure to follow are predictable and limit way to develop someone not opening a whole lot room for writers to alter plot take character growth in multiple various directions. Making development all that more unpredictable with certain dash of mystery present behind it.

Which to extent we got from Misty and Iris making premise behind their dreams more fresh imo, and even though there was left more to be done with them you couldnt really say they were background contributing to various plots and story as whole bringing value. Especially Misty who changed alot emotionally and if show was more focused on goals back than events like Whirl cup and new ways of battling(like underwater battles)could make for pretty cool storyline of becoming water master.


I would much rather like that Serena pursues something else. Completely new, groundbreaking and unique making her stand in her own right compared to previous female companions. Gaining her own identity and new adventure to experience.

I can see contests making appearance when promotion of ORAS remakes come at full force. Being introduced in special arc through presence of coordinators from other regions(hopefully May) showcasing beauty and appeal such type of competition involves. Where person works with its pokemon as team in outrunning opponent gracefully and with dignity. Possibly sparking interest from those native to Kalos for this type of events.

Thus igniting in Serena desire to develop more determination, courage and confidence to find her own place and way of growing together with her pokemon. Becoming sauccesful in career she decides to pursue.

But contests making permanent return is highly doubtful.
Especially after all those hints and build up toward pokevision, use of modern social networks and technology like internet on more significant level in pokemon world . Showcasing idols like Aria which is succesful pokemon performer in Kalos reflecting on craze and hype centered around idols in real life specific for Japan.

And introduction of Shauna who is pokemon performer too leaving even bigger impression on Serena taking in consideration to try herself out on more dedicated level at it, also resembles some form of foreshadowing in whole pokemon performer occupation becoming Serena career.

Which dont sound bad at first glance.
It revealed how there exist competitions named TriPokalon where performes can be evaluated for their intelligence, elegance and how gracious and stylish you are with your pokemon on stage. Consisted of several various categories building your way forward toward title of Kalos queen of competition. We could have shooting session in Serena making videos uploading on internet. In bettering her cooking abilities. In becoming better trimmer in showcasing how nurtured her Fennein is.

As well battling various kind of trainer class like gym leaders, regular trainer, type specialists, pokemon rangers etc.Being categories of which Tripokalon events are consisted.

This would hardly be my first choice for Serena and it sounds pretty generic and stereotypical but still i would take it over third coordinator in a row which is overkill imo.

Nothing is decided yet, but based on whole pokemon performer hype i believe contests wont be making more than temporary return in Kalos.

 

[Mikuri]

Unfortunately Serena isn't going to become a Coordinator, and that's not because it's too late, since May was able to get all her five Kanto Ribbons and compete in the Indigo Plateau Grand Festival in less than 50 episodes. They don't even need to rush things for Serena. They have plenty of time and can easily turn her into a Coordinator if they want to, but they wouldn't have Shauna explaining what a Performer is and Serena looking for a goal in the same arc for no reason. Her dream is now decided, she wants to be crowned Kalos Queen.

I'm convinced the writers have no idea on how to make a goal that will justify the character's journey, really. Iris left her hometown filled with Dragon-type Pokémon to meet three species of that type during her trip, Cilan abandoned his position as a Gym Leader to make food puns never once taking a test to become S-class or something, and when I thought XY was going to give a decent goal to a character other than Ash, BAM, they come up with making PokéPuffs and trimming Furfrou for a living.

I don't get why a third Coordinator in the cast would feel redundant when we have the same character going exactly for the same thing each and every series. You can easily tell how Dawn's journey was different from May's, and I'm sure the writers can do this for Serena as well. And of course there are ton of ways to develop the female lead aside from making her take the Ribbon-collecting route, just like there are ton of ways to make the anime!villainous teams plot be more faithful to the games, but oh well.

I would love to see Serena entering Pokémon Contests, that way we would be sure to see her achieving something, training her Pokémon, and overall contributing to the story she's in. Contests are coming back, it's perfect time. Yeah they were not mentioned in this series yet, but that doesn't mean they aren't held in Kalos. Remember, Lyra and Khoury first saw a Contest in Sinnoh even though Johto has Contests, but since they're not Coordinators nor have friends traveling with them who are, they had never entered a Contest Hall before. The same could have happened in XY, but they chose another route, the terribad route of becoming a Pokémon Performer.

 

[BlackButterfree]

I think Serena's just fine as is, honestly. She's finding her way, she's got Fennekin, she's got Ash the playa! She good, boo boo. I do love contests, but I don't feel like anyone in this group would be into them.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

To Mikuri:
I wouldn't be so sure myself about that. All traveling companions dreams were heavily connected with traveling justifying in my eyes reasoning behind choosing to travel in Ash company, rather than on their own. Since that way you can see character develop on screen.

Explanation:

Spoiler

Iris left on journey to become dragon master because by staying at village she wouldn't be able to learn as much as she would be by exploring world, seeing new dragons never met before, meeting other powerful trainers and dragon specialists etc.Undere advice of elder from dragon village.

Cilan joined Ash not so much because of his connoisseur career, but more because of being impressed by level of innovation and creativity used in strategy. Realizing how by traveling you can face all kind of challenges, unexpected situations, strong competition in tournaments you may never fight against at gym being able to increase your skill as trainer, knowledge and optimal strategy more that way.

Misty traveled because her goal entailed becoming water master, learn ins and outs of water pokemon coming to understand their true nature by meeting legendary water specie(never did but wanted to). Reaching heights of E4 members like her idol Lorelei becoming strongest water trainer in world with Whirl Cup even proving how there exist events required to enter and win to achieve this dream(none of that can be done at gym).

Brock joined Ash because his breeder calling entailed meeting new people, cultures and customs, Observing all kind of pokemon in wild you run across when traveling, meeting and consulting with other beders about methods of taking care o pokemon and bringing their true strength on sirface alternatively, not resorting to battles. Etc.

It just happens they weren't explored, defined and explained as much as we would like them to be.
At least not to same degree like contests for example were. But does that mean this careers dont have appeal, interesting ideas and ways to become more innovastive to story if they were given same love and suppot contests got? Who knows, we may never get answer to this.

But considering how with contests writers provided clear, cut direction under which someone can advance, come forward and make visible progress in accomplishing its dreams, its understandable that people would develop mindset.

In which room for doubt and skepticism heavily exists for any other dream given to main character(not counting Ash)without deeming it as "pointless", "trivial" and "unfulfilling".
Given how contests has been bread and butter for 2 whole generations for those who think only them delivered substantial, well paced and explained progression goal wise.

Disappointment i can understand, but if we only favor past concepts not giving benefit of doubt to anything else. Whether its past carer with new fresh ideas developed around it or completely new quest which is waiting to be put to use in this show. Such approach is only inhibiting development, progression and writers improving in their job dissuading us of mindeset of their own skills and talent not being good enough.

Good enough to deliver engaging, productive development goal wise to any girl, male etc which isn't coordinator. Especially when likes of mr. Tomika are writing for Fairy Tail or Jun Takegami beng involved with One Piece and Naruto episodes revealing how they arent as incapable as some may think.

With wruters themselves taking libverty toi change contests from games enough to make it wiorkable in anime through development of battle rounds(dont exist in games).

Sure so far writers may have not proved that with some alternate dreams by either completely neglecting it or leaving them more vague than explained.

But as old Japanese saying goes "little can be learn from win, but alot from defeat".

And if writers always rely on proven to work methods, well in that case they can never learn how to do better job with potential other goals, brainstorm various ideas and unleash juices of creativity instilled in characters and plot. Learn from past mistakes and open whole new way of giving us productive, cogent and enjoyable development made with in this case Serena character.

Its never too late for this things and reason why im not in favor of Serena becoming coordinator is because its redundant, predictable and already tried out with two main characters being enough imo.

Yeah sure Ash does gyms for last decade and half but i dont have any issue with that because in general im big fan of real trainer battles, strategies and ways to outsmart opponents. With main appeal for me with gyms coming from having stable protagonist who we see build his way forward and having someone in who you can invest , symphatize for and have on going character development keeping you in expectancy of seeing him eventually succeed.and root to succeed.

Something we dont get with companions because they are always replaced fading in oblivion.

Im not thrilled over Serena becoming pokemon performer either, but im wiling to give it personallyt benefit of doubt in writers possibly proving me wrong, Making productive venture out of that.

Dream which could work if baking, dressing up and doing synchronized teamwork with pokemon on stage is just one aspect of it. Divided in several categories where battling takes place as well. With Serena doing promotional videos featuring herself and opponent she is going to challenge trying out vatrious trainer class and cover their strategy on screen.

That way Serena can still be in action, train her pokemon for this performance and learn how to become better trainer facing various challengers(like gym leaders like Valerie who is all about fashion and style), trainers like Ash, oppoonents like Miette if they meet each other ever again and as of lately Shauna.

While still making visible development toward dream of becoming top pokemon performer with number of likes and fans each of her video achieves on internet spreading fame and popularity in Kalos alongside fulfilling categories Tripokalon concept brought in comning closer toward ultimate destination.

I respect your opinion, because you obvious like contests alot revolutionizing pokemon series for you. I dont see it necessarily that wa enjoying in other goals too having their highlights, but i can understand value behind that respecting it.

But personally i appreciate most of all diversity. New ways of seeing characters grow forward, learn on mistakes, share with us their motives, secrets and variouas sides of personality showed with time. Following diverse kind of challenges, path to see someone grow forward, deal with temptations and issues making name for himself making progress. Thus making each girl companion unique, different and special in her own way.

Hence why i want something new and different in Serena case to be done personally. No offense to those who still want contests instead.

 

[God Fire]

Serena going to become a Coordinator because...? Is just because she's pretty or a girl?

Serena has not become a coordinator was a change in the cliché anime, even if the character does not have a decent goal on your journey.

 

[Mikuri]

I happen to disagree. The way I see it...

Spoiler

Iris journeyed across Unova when she had everything an aspiring Dragon Master could ever want in her hometown. Keep in mind she didn't left behind an ordinary village, she left the Village of Dragons, a place where people are connected to Dragon-type Pokémon and where species that are considered to be rare in the Unova region, such as Altaria, roam freely. She left a village where everyone loves and trains Dragon-type Pokémon to catch an Emolga. In other words, she quit the drama club to pursue acting. It made zero sense.

The same can be said about Cilan, who abandoned the Striaton Gym, where many Trainers with many different battling styles go to test their skills, only to follow Ash around because he was simply a-m-a-z-e-d by one of Ash's techniques. His job consisted of seeing Trainers strategizing to win a Badge and he left this to see one boy from the boonies' strategy. He has lost more traveling with Ash than he would have gained staying at the Gym. The only thing Cilan experienced during his journey that he wouldn't have as a Gym Leader was battling against Dawn. Don't you see how much a Pokémon Coordinator brings to the show? They instantly make everything better. =P

If I remember correctly, someday Misty was fishing somewhere when Ash appeared out of the blue and destroyed her bike. She then decided to stalk him until her sisters called her back to the Cerulean Gym. I was a kid watching the original series and my memory might be failing me now, but did Misty leave home dead set she would travel around Kanto to learn more about Water-type Pokémon and become stronger?

Anyway, when I said the writers can't justify some characters' journey I was referring to Iris and Cilan, as I don't think they needed to travel to hone their skills or whatever, and Serena, who left her mom, her sofa and her TV to return a handkerchief to a boy she met when she was younger. I wasn't talking about Misty and Brock, sometimes I just abstract the original series.

They weren't explored because there was nothing there to explore.

Iris was cursed the instant she made her debut. Being a Dragon-type specialist in a region where there are only seven Pokémon of that type excluding Legendary Pokémon, what the writers could have done for her? Certainly not a Dragon-themed Whirl Cup, as the repetition would be jarring. Maybe battles in dark caves, since these are the places where dragons live. Would that be entertaining? I don't think so. Without much left to do, the writers gave her magical powers and episodes where she could bond with dragons or search for the GPS-lacking, lice-eating Axew. These episodes got boring really fast. It was horrible.

Cilan's career path is a joke, a bad one. I've said it a million times and I'll say it again, he is the human version of the Pokétch's Friendship Checker app. Why the writers chose to give an entire series to a thing that was easily explained in one episode of DP is beyond me. The only way for Cilan to improve is studying and taking tests and opening his own shop to ramble on about the friendship Trainers and Pokémon share and make food puns. He made Iris realize she should apologize to Excadrill, he did the same for his brother Chili and Pansear, he helped a shy girl choose her first Pokémon by sniffing around and that was all the writers could have done for him, really.

Although Dawn is by far my favorite character, I'm not as optimistic. I'm not willing to give the writers the benefit of the doubt. At this point I know very well where they're good at and where they don't. Of course they are free to test things they want and make mistakes along the way, but they have to be very careful when it comes to choosing a main character's goal, because an error in this area means three years or so of terror. And in my opinion Serena's goal of becoming Kalos Queen is an error. Can you picture someone saying "everyone around Serena loves the PokéPuffs she bakes, she has grown a lot during her journey" after watching the final episode of XY? I just can't.

Serena will be uploading videos where she is seen baking and wearing fancy dresses and brushing her Fennekin and making poses and... In a generation where Contests are ready to be brought back to the anime that is a total waste. You're a big fan of regular battles and even though you know Ash has been doing the same thing over and over again since day one, using his brain in some series and making rookie mistakes in others, managing to reach brand new levels of stupidity in BW, you still find some consistency in his development and think he is moving forward. For me Ash is running in circles and his goal is as stagnant as it can get. He goes to a new region, he loses against at least one Gym Leder, he has a rematch and wins, he enters the League and loses. This is what I call redundant and predictable. Dawn's journey, on the other hand, was full of surprises. Losing in the Performance Stage twice in a row when May had never ever lost in the first round, defeating her mother's old rival and getting to the finals of her very first Grand Festival. And this was the writer's third Contest arc. I'm sure they can come up with fresh things for the fourth and I would love to see that.

You're always very respectful and I'm sorry if I came off as rude in any of my posts. Sometimes I wish I could write in a nicer fashion, working on that. Also, my strange sense of humor might get lost when translated to English.

 

[Necrozma]

I'll just say this: Serena never declared she wants to become Kalos Queen or that she wants to be a Performer.

She said she'll try out the TriPokalon competition, not that it is officially her goal now.

The prospect is interesting to her, but I am fully confident she could still become a Coordinator, especially since Lucia in ORAS is a Contest Idol and ORAS Contests seem ideal for Serena.

 

[Silktree]

The prospect is interesting to her, but I am fully confident she could still become a Coordinator, especially since Lucia in ORAS is a Contest Idol and ORAS Contests seem ideal for Serena.

That's a pretty weird point to make considering that TriPokalon appears to be more similar to the in-game Contests than the anime Contests ever were. In fact, I don't see the point of even bothering to introduce TriPokalon if Contests were coming back. That is not to say that TriPokalon is going to be Serena's goal, but it's certainly more likely than anime Contests.

 

[Necrozma]

That's a pretty weird point to make considering that TriPokalon appears to be more similar to the in-game Contests than the anime Contests ever were. In fact, I don't see the point of even bothering to introduce TriPokalon if Contests were coming back. That is not to say that TriPokalon is going to be Serena's goal, but it's certainly more likely than anime Contests.

I'm not saying Serena will do the anime Contest like May and Dawn did. I think we might get like a subtype of Contests, Contests Spectacular that are similar, but not the same. For all we know, Serena might dislike TriPokalon or she might even be introduced to these contests before she gets to chance to be introduced to TriPokalon. //i'm grasping on straws here xD

Haha, but yeah, you're right. TriPokalon is more likely, I just hope it's as interesting.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

To Mikuri:First i wanna say how in my response to you ill put everything related to other companions not named Serena in spoiler bracket, so that those who dont want to read it can avoid it. I apologize for lengthy response too, but to explain from where im coming from about other carers which weren't contests dont appear as "failure" in my eyes, along with being of view how contests aren't necessarily only viable option for female protagonists to pursue shorter message wasn't possible.

Spoiler

Iris was sent with Axew by elder from village to experience traveling together. Find herself in that voyage and without any exterior help learn and build on understanding dragon pokemon establishing closer connection with them and read their feelings. By staying at dragon village she wouldn't be able to experience all dangers and benefits journey brings. Meet all kind of dragon types in wild, other experts who has immense knowledge in using dragon types(like Clair or Cynthia which she would never meet at village). Enter tournaments like Don George battle cubs where she would battle all kind of tainers and different styles learnimg to develop more creative strategies transfered to use of dragon types.

And to prove her worth and developed expertise over time by traveling to other regions, meeting other strong trainers and ending recognized as competent dragon master earning this title which elders from dragon village assign.
Its like occupation of biologist, zoolooist, geologist etc. You cant truly learn about animals, plants, earth etc through just books and experiments in laboratory with field work, traveling to other continents to meet other professionalists, observe wild life etc being required if you want to revolutionarize current belief and expand on knowledge.

Speaking of Cilan there is very good reason why through course of show it is repeadetly stated how through travels you can experience and learn much, much more than staying at one place, being obligation for any trainer which wishes to become truly renowned and strong. By traveling Cilan was able to see champions and other gym leaders in action. Enter tournaments, meet all kind of trainers, unique battling styles and attack combination he never saw before as gym leader. Allowing him to become more innovative and resourceful. This started to show in beating Trip Gurdurr through Crustle combination of shell smash and rockslide dealing more damage than usual. Or using smartly Pansage solar beam to get him out of ice block defeating Abomasnow. Cilan himself mentioned quite a few times how Ash out of box strategies served as inspiration to "spice up" his battles developing more effective strategies.

Just like once you finish high school you go to college to gain more knowledge, Soccer, basketball etc players start their way in local clubs with anyone who wants to become serious player going to A league signing contracts with more prestigue clubs which enter more intense competition, gather all kind of top players,asses their playstyle with other strong clubs allowing young player to develop his talent, expertize and skills to full potential.

Same principle can be applied to traveling in pokemon world with way to make name for yourself in trainer world, develop more complex and effective strategies, learn more about all kind of pokemon, trainers and battling styles while facing tougher competition at events lying in exploring world and all kind of people there. Because gym can only provide so much limiting anyone who wishes to step up their game raising skill to whole new level(reason why Wallace left to travel, why Candice and Clair travels, now Clemont etc), develop closer understanding of pokemon feelings(like Korrina did with Lucario on her own journey) and build reputation in region your originated from, or even whole world.

Lastly with Misty she left gym to become best water trainer in world and water master, and while initially she joined Ash because of bike by middle Kanto she stopped caring about it. Simply wanting to continue exploring world and pokemon in friends company and pursue her goal of becoming water pokemon master. Explains why she was upset when her sisters called her clearly not wanting to return to gym not caring bike got fixed.

To add on what you said about past characters:
When looking back on writers treatment of different careers than contests were its little naive to presume how reasoning behind possible poor handle originated from "writers not having ideas and building something which never had potential to begin with".

Because in writing there are varous factors which should be took in account such as schedule and attempt to finish everything in time sometime causing someone story to end up unexplored. Quarrels between writers and directors as brought with Takeshi Shudo blogs causing characters and story to go in different direction than originally planned(good example is Misty for who writers could expand on dream through more water tournaments expanding on what Whirl islands started, build story around idolizing E4 Lorelei becoming her apprentice eventually, work on skills of understanding better water types and their nature such as Psyduck overcoming handicap etc. With mr. Shudo expressing regret and disappointment of not done more with said character and story revealing how ideas to do more were there but didn't saw light of day because of being decided to replace character. Unexpected events causing interruption or abandonment of established story such as Team Plasma and TR confrontation altering plot because of earthquake etc.

Therefore i dont agree how Cilan or Iris had nothing to be explored. For Cilan there was rivalry with Burgundy, his connoisseur career emphasizing on S - class connoisseurs, examinators and how to earn right to reach highest ladder in that profession. Focus on advantages and disadvantages of being connoisseur and how much this benefits society. Reveal more on his very unexplored background etc.

With Iris there was Axew which never evolved, symbolizing on close bond and level of understanding established between Iris and her pokemon working on becoming perfectly synchronized.

Unresolved rivalry with Langley, Define what tasks she would need to pass in order to become dragon master. We only know that Drayden is dragon master but its still left on large part uncleared what requirements someone needs to overcome and prove himself as worthy enough to gain dragon master title. Expand on importance of dragon village in giving someone dragon master title, famous dragon masters clan whose leader is Lance grandfather etc.

Obviously with Iris goal you couldn't expect elemental tournaments (not so much because of being rehash of Whirl Cup, in this show rehash of previous ideas happen all the time). But more because dragons are most rare and scarce pokemon type out there lacking resources and stamina to create such events.

With water type thats easier. Having wide pool of pokemon to make versatile teams for competitors(and that was already achievable even before onslaught of all kind of dual water types in gen 3 and onwards), create chain of events serving benchmarks, stepping stones on which character can train, battle and advance through coming closer toward ultimate goal etc.

However with Iris writers could have work more on her dragons with their growth reflecting her improvement as trainer. Elaborate on connections to nature and intuition Iris showed in having special powers entering dragon types mind understanding their feelings becoming like one(like from where this comes from giving more depth to her). In exploring on special missions and tasks she and her dragons would be evaluated for as way on coming toward master title etc.

Regarding Serena future just because writers may have not been good at something before, does not mean they cannot improve their job becoming good in fields which werent their strongest points. We as humans continue to learn, look on past mistakes and seek for new ways to surpass our limits becoming more succesful, creative and effective in performing tasks. As long as we live we continue to learn and evolve as inmdividuals, so i don't think pokemon writers cannot improve their job in handling better other careers beside contests.

We are talking abnout same people who improved on making character development more consistent, deliver better treatment of main character pokemon focusing on their individual personalities and weaknesses. Writers which improved vastly treatment of rivals compared to early days, battles making them more detailed and diverse. Improved on staying consistent to someone flaws and issues bringing them up frequently if they still exist(like Dawn depression for example) rather than existing big gaps not bringing it up for long periods.

It was writers who brought life in pokemon contests in anime. They could have just follow games with contests only having appeal rounds where pokemon beauty, cuteness, intelligence etc is measured. But they went of their way developing battle rounds, brought twist in form of tag battles etc.

So if writers were able to display their creativity with contests. Not just them but unique competitions like pokeringer, breeder convention from Johto, elemental tournaments like Whirl Cup, anime exclusive arcs like Orange islands where protagonists grew and experienced whole new adventure etc.

Who is to say how pokemon performer occupation would have to necessarily be bad? In order for something to become stale to every person first there needs to pass considerable amount of time when displaying whole thing in order for us to form valid opinion based on info, backround and how dynamic or creative actions which took place around character and its story were. And whether we were able to experience excitement and fun when watching it, which again cannot appease everyone because each person has different criteria of something being fun and engaging to follow.

Only than constructive and reasonable opinion can be made about something and whether it fulfilled our expectations or failed while trying to do so.

Yeah sure if making pokepuffs and dressing up with your pokemon is all there is to Tripokalon than i could see your point. But based on Shauna talking pokemon performer career involve multiple categories in which possible future stars need to compete and accomplish to become pokemon version of idol.

We already saw how another performer called Shauna knows more than just dressing up, baking and shooting videos showing pretty decent skills for beginner. If her Bulbasaur battle abilities are something to go by. It certainly didnt developed energy ball powerful enough to tear through flamethrower like joke by dancing and posing for camera.

Indicating how whole goal of pokemon performer might involve battling other trainers or performers too, to show girls knowledge and talent in this area for which pokemon are widely used in pokemon world as well.

I just think its abit hasty to deem something as "boring and bad" before we get all pieces of puzzle and info writers are willing to provide to us.

Serena doesn't even have to become performer or anything on consistent basis. She could just be trying few Tripokalon events, try out racing. Do pokevision videos and once ORAS promotion starts. Enter few contests too experiencing what its like to be on stage in performing attack combinations and varied techniques to make spectacls out of it impressing judges. Or manage herself in battling rounds showing how much she, Fennekin and other pokemon evolved through journey.

That way all kind of competitions she enters could be done with purpose of character trying out various activities and meeting new people to find her place in pokemon world And what she wants to do with life.
Which perfectly goes in line with how was Serena portrayed currently lacking security, confidence, determination and affinity for anything coming of as lost and confused indivudual. Who is aware of that based on past few episodes. Representing problems and fears many of teenagers and kids(even adults sometime) are faced with when trying to figure out what school they want to enter, if they want to go to college, what job they would like to do in future going through soul searching until they discover what is their talent and interest.


Its nothing new for real life, but in this show its untried and unexplored conceot which haspredisposition to turn in unique and quite realistic approach writers may have been taking with Serena character.
Seems like best compromise in delivering varied and different chain of activities in which we could see character advanced.

But having her just jumping on contest bandwagon suddenly starting to like them deciding to be her life calling like May did would be pretty predictable and repetitive at very least for me(stale too). Because i sincerely think how contests aren't only viable way to develop females forward(we already saw girls not named coordinators grow , struggle and improve on journey ). One of more recent examples was Korrina with writers doing pretty satisfying and eventful job there with her Lucario, mega evolution and work on strengthening their relationship. So who is to say Serena couldn't be handled good without turning her in coordinatior? I certainly think she could.

Who knows maybe im jumping with conclusions and this words might backfire on me, but personally ill remain open minded toward all other occupations existing out there for Serena character.

Dont worry you don't sound rude, it was in fact pretty enjoyable read for me. Thing of the matter is that we both seem to have very different view on this things and how female main characters in this show should be handled. Witnessing to usual clash of different opinions, nothing else.;-)

 

[God Fire]

Make comparison of Serena with the other girls, but about the other boys? And Brock? Brock was present in all the anime without ever having a primary goal.