>>49909077>never appeared in the animeTHIS is the answer. If Leaf appeared as a rival during Hoenn or as a companion, she'd be Serena/Misty tiers of popular since the ashnime usually assigns very random personalities onto the Sugimori character designs.
Leaf would have had a distinct unique personality and her design would contrast with it (this is the case for May the most, the other Pokegirls also not really being defined by their design which makes them feel alive).
TLDR
Should have appeared in the ashnime or the ashnime movies. In fact, I'd make Leaf the MC of Pokemon Heroes instead of Ash
