>>12749572Because he's sympathetic (both in and of himself, and because he is overshadowed by the massive bastard that is Ghetsis). He has a touching back-story, and is genuinely well-intentioned; he might have done a lot wrong, but he only did that because Ghetsis was manipulating him since he was a small child (possibly even since birth). So what if he's a 'villain'? Does tarring someone with the villain brush mean that you automatically have to hate them?
His whole life, he was devoid of any positive human interaction - he was isolated in his room and surrounded by Pokemon who had all been mistreated by their trainers, so that he'd grow up thinking all humans were complete bastards. All this suffering and mistreatment, all to further his father's goals. How can you not be moved by that? Are you completely heartless?
And you can see from various glimpses into his life that he is a genuinely good and kind person. But he was used and manipulated. He thought, misguidedly, that what he was doing was right. He was naive and innocent, way too innocent. As Concordia says, "there is nothing more beautiful and terrifying than innocence."
Also, from the point of view of the male fandom he is cool, and from the point of view of the female fandom he is cute.
And he doesn't look like a faggot, the only main protags that don't look like faggots or shit are Brendan, and Hilbert and Red and Ethan and Hilda. Not saying N is a protag, but he looks a lot cooler then Team Magma, Aqua and Plasma and Galactic faggots. Rockets are still the best bad guys so far.
