>>47891170I also have a theory she was made intentionally bland and used as a base for the next gen set of games after the FRLG/Emerald last year of Gen 3.
Note how Leaf is similar and slowly evolving and inspiring the birth of Dawn.
Sugimori wasn't even hiding it, even hinted at the mild and chill climate of Sinnoh.
Gen 6 and Kalos who also took some liberties to bring new changes and additions to the Gen 1 classics under the the Mega Evolution forms, seemed to have created Serena as a fashionable and improved version of Leaf's Gen 3 outfit, proper not anachronistic skirt and top, a more catchy hat and aesthetic bag too.
Also the first iconic blonde female MC, first blonde MC in general. The other was basically Lillie, your co-MC mixed with her own story and character.
