• Our spoiler embargo for the non-DLC content for Pokémon Legends: Z-A is now lifted! Feel free to discuss the game freely across the forums without the need of spoiler tabs, and use content from the game within your profiles!

Why do you think Kenny's character was treated the way he was?

C

Cybersai

Registered User
Joined
Mar 8, 2005
Messages
28,895
Reaction score
225
Does anyone else think Kenny was originally intended to be a much more important character, but then the writers changed their minds?

Kenny debuted in DP25, the beginning of the saga, and it seemed as if he was going to be Dawn's main second rival. After that debut, he only appeared 2 more times out of the entire span of DP. His "Pikari" nickname got resolved in an episode that he didn't even appear in (aside from kid flashback), and he was upstaged by both Ursula and Jessie toward the end. In the GF, it seems like he'll be really minor or get knocked out early while the focus is on Zoey/Ursula.

While Nando appearing little was probably expected, why do you think Kenny was neglected the entire saga?
 
I don't think he was nearly as neglected as you say... he just appeared less than Zoey which is the most important rival for Dawn - so it made sense she'll appear more than the others
Kenny introduced the Pikari nickname, showcased Prinplup in the show (which was necessary due to Pip not evolving), gave a rival Poké to Pip, Dawn got her first ribbon from beating him, he taught Turtwig to use Energy Ball, he advanced more than her in the Solaceon Contest, he was present when her Pip decided not to evolve, he beat Dawn in the Sandlestraw Contest and he appeared in flashback when they explained the Pikari nickname
Seems ok for me (and he also got a few nice cameos if you want to count that too) I think you're just exaggerating like always
 
Considering how early on he was debuted, yes, he was pretty much ignored throughout most of the saga. When DP started I certainly expected him to appear much more.
 
I'm just speculating but perhaps his character just wasn't working for the writers. Maybe when they first invented him they thought he would be a good rival for Dawn, but Zoey, Ursula, and Jessie just worked better. Therefore, they didn't bother to develop him more.
 
he seemed like he was supposed to be an image of what Dawn was supposed to become. At least to me he did. I mean, same starter, same hometown, same love for contests. He was just better than her. So he was kinda a personified goal.
 
Hmm Yah Kenny guess they just thought he looked more like a background type rival instead of a real rival. He could have been the next Drew, yes Kenny/Dawn could have been the next contestshipping. Nope, guess the writers felt they didn't want to make Dawn a May knock off.
 
Kenny started off bland. Unlike the other rivals, he didn't have anything making him stand out. He was your typical kindhearted yet teasing childhood friend character. Not a jerk, not a mentor, just an old friend.

They just never took the steps to give him a lasting impression. Having him lose to Dawn in his debut made him seem less threatening too. I know, Barry lost to Ash at first, but Barry started off with the buzzing personality that Kenny lacked.

I like Kenny, even though his face is retarded and he needs a lozange. Poor kid.
 
Mooites said:
Kenny started off bland. Unlike the other rivals, he didn't have anything making him stand out. He was your typical kindhearted yet teasing childhood friend character. Not a jerk, not a mentor, just an old friend.

They just never took the steps to give him a lasting impression. Having him lose to Dawn in his debut made him seem less threatening too. I know, Barry lost to Ash at first, but Barry started off with the buzzing personality that Kenny lacked.
Click to expand...

This.

Kenny just lacks what Dawn's other rivals have- Zoey is the main rival, Ursula's today's Harley and Jessie's crossdressing's been around for years. The poor lad's just too normal. Even Nando has his... erm, unique style.
 
This thread is complete bogus. Kenny appeared several times. If Kenny appeared more, people would b*tch that he is appearing alot...... so there is no pleasing anyone.

Surprised there isn't a "Why do you think Nando's character was treated the way he was?" Thread............ Seems like Nando was the one that got the short end of the stick and what the hell, this was also discussed in the serebiiforums too...... just because he wasn't seen in the preview, everyone assumes he was tossed aside..... Makes me wonder if people are actually getting dumber each passing day........ maybe 2012 is the end of the world.........
 
Scott85 said:
When DP started I certainly expected him to appear much more.
Click to expand...

You're such a lier... everyone who was here back then knows that you constantly insisted that Kenny was just a one shot Coordinator despite me and others explaining to you that they wouldn't make him related to Dawn if he wouldn't return
Kenny appeared just about enough - not too much and not disappearing completely either... and that's ok... not all rivals need to get the exact same amount of eps and Kenny served his purpose
Could be better, but it's not nearly as bad as you make it...
 
I dunno why they treated him this way, but it sure was funny! My favourite moment was when Dawn walked off with Zoey the Beach Bully, after she stomped on Kenny's poorly constructed sandcastle and then kicked sand in his face. Classic.
Though that's not to say I didn't appreciate when the popular kid Piplup gave him a whirlpool swirly. That was so mean, but hey; It's Kenny, he's there to be treated poorly!
 
I dont think its necessarily that Kenny got neglected, I think he just never leaves much of an impresion when he does show up.
 
The reason for Kenny's mistreatment seems obvious. He was never intended to be a major contributor to the show; he's just a comic relief character who gets killed off all the time. Matt and Trey have basically said as much in numerous interviews.

Oh wait...
 
Piplup said:
You're such a lier... everyone who was here back then knows that you constantly insisted that Kenny was just a one shot Coordinator despite me and others explaining to you that they wouldn't make him related to Dawn if he wouldn't return
Click to expand...

I'm talking about once we knew he was a major character, his inclusions in one of the early DP endings cemented that.

Instead he gets 3 appearances in all of DP, (it was 6 eps because they were all 2-parters), and even in the GF it seems he won't be a big deal.

It honestly seems as if the writers didn't really know what to do with Dawn's rivals half the time.
 
He was in 3 two-parters. Isn't that enough?

And he was treated this way so that you could have something more to complain about.
 
3 appearances out of a 200 episode region was enough for a full-fledged rival?
 
6 episodes, yes. But his impression is enough. Some of the more memorable rivals in AG and DP have had less episodes than him by the GF, where he will no doubt appear.

EDIT: Added he.
 
Please note: The thread is from 9 years ago.
Please take the age of this thread into consideration in writing your reply. Depending on what exactly you wanted to say, you may want to consider if it would be better to post a new thread instead.
Back
Top Bottom