>>15979757because ash genuinly enjoys battling and the adventure. He doesnt want to rush through it.
Red in origins and the general way people see red is that hes a heartless monster who jsut wants to win the league. Ash is childlike and full of innocence. He cares about his pokemon as his friends, not just pawns to get him on top.
Okay look. ash is flawed and annoying and stupid. But you cant ever say he isnt friendly.
Ash is basically a representation of the children playing the game. As a kid you had no idea about type weaknesses, evs, ivs, data encryption, fandangling, humdinngering or rhinoplasty. You just played the fucking game you didnt care how long it took you just fucking enjoyed it.
So deep down ash at the core is a more important character then peoples perception of red will ever be.