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Regardless of its mythological/cultural origin, its appearance IS based on blackface. Using a 'blackface' character to stand in for a nigger isn't uncommon in Japanese media either, though nowadays they tone it down with just big lips for the most part.
This is simply because the blackface caricature isn't offensive to the average Japanese viewer, as Japan didn't have a history of black slavery and segregation. Where in the US such stereotypes and imagery were used to portray blacks in a negative way, to Japan blackface just looks comical and silly, with no harm intended. Obviously this didn't translate well once Pokemon hit the west, so they made a decision to change her design as to not offend anyone. It's really not a big deal either way.
