>>52205406I think she's an excellent foil for him in ways that Ash isn't. Chloe and Goh don't really give each other any quarter and aren't shy about picking on each other, but it never feels like it crosses the line into hurtful territory. They really come across as two friends that know each other inside and out, with Goh even remarking several times in canon about Chloe’s character (her different relationship with Pokémon and her fearlessness in trials of courage). Chloe, meanwhile, is basically always in Goh’s corner and tries to help him in the ways she thinks he needs, by bringing his school work to him and reminding him to stay on task.
This is where their personalities clash in a very fun way. Goh is sensitive and chafes under Chloe’s attempts to "help" while Chloe finds Goh’s exuberance and excitement somewhat embarrassing. Goh will gleefully boast to Chloe or excitedly each to tell her something and Chloe will respond with a sobering detail that he's overlooked or undercut him in some way.
And it's this strained dynamic we see blossom into a more standard, stable friendship as Chloe takes more and more steps into Goh’s world of Pokémon. She becomes less naggy as she understands the appeal of Pokémon and she begins seeing things the way Goh does. A lot, if not most, of Chloe’s character growth is tied to and/or inspired by Goh in some way. I wish this were a bit more reciprocal on Goh’s part (since most of his growth is fueled by Ash and later Gary) but he gains friends and matures in many ways thanks to the path her early friendship with him set him upon, and Chloe importantly takes note, even if she thinks her closeness and support of him is still a bit embarrassing (see: the phone call they shared during the Masters 8).
I really wish we got to know exactly how they met and became friends, because I'd bet that Chloe made the first move because he was lonely (see: how she treated Regina) and she wanted him to have friends. (Cont)
