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The curious thing is, this type of design decision is nothing new for Pokémon. Some monsters are visually coded in a way that could be perceived very specifically (like Gardevoir, another Pokémon who appears to wear a dress), but the creatures will still available in a male and female form. Heck, Hitmonchan is a Pokémon that straight-up looks like it’s wearing a dress or skirt, but only actually exists as a male Pokémon. Machoke and Machamp are very beefy creatures, but that doesn’t mean the ‘mons are only males. In the real world, some people may choose to adhere closely to stereotypical gender norms, but when it comes to Pokémon designs, it’s not always as clear-cut. A dress-like design does not outright mean a Pokémon can only exist in the female form, and honestly, that should be considered a GOOD thing, not a threatening thing or a confusing thing. There’s no harm in it, other than letting a cute thing be cute.
While some fans cite gameplay reasons for their distress, the underlying issue is clear: looking feminine is unfortunately considered a bad thing by some people. After all, femininity has stigma, including the assumption that it embodies weakness, vapidity, or meekness. By looking ‘feminine,’ Brionne isn’t afforded the chance to also be considered ‘cool’ or ‘strong’ by some people, and that sucks.