>>41450218>>41451868Blue is liked because he's a rival both ingame and in gameplay. You as a player proactively want to beat him. Unlike someone like Hop or the genderswap rivals who feel like they're declaring you as their rival while you consider them barely more notable than an average trainer.
"Friendly Rival" is an oxymoron, to be a rival you have to be serious about winning. Not just "I'm totally gonna win!" general competition stuff. They need to be a threat, not a glorified cheerleader rubbing your shoulders and saying "Go on champ I'm rooting for you" who you give the occasional pity match too so they feel like they're special.
