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You know something I really like about the new anime is that the gym leaders and Elite 4 actually get way more respect than in other instances of the franchise? Even in Pokemon The Origin that had the gym leaders picking up different teams based on the amount of badges the challenger has still had characters saying how crazy it was for Red to try to tackle a gym a week after getting his first pokemon, as if no one would be good enough to beat his first gym so soon, then Red just beats Brock.
Here the leaders and elites serve as challenges to prepare you for a certain skill and it doesn't matter if you are a power house and can beat them or not, they are experts so even if they hold back they will probably beat you, but it's not about being stronger right away, but learning lessons and proving your skill and judgement mid-battle. If you want a battle you HAVE TO win then there's the league I guess, but the gyms are like actual gyms here, places where you train and prepare yourself for the future challenge you have to win no matter what. Like how many times has a gym leader come undefeated in the ashnime? Cheren and... I don't remember anyone else, like in the game if you fail you just try again until you trash them, you don't see them as the head of a gym where you train, but as bosses to stomp.
