>>25120193>Gen 5 didn't have competent rivals who wanted to be goodCheren becomes a fucking gym leader.
Bianca becomes the professor's assistant, after she realized battling wasn't her thing, which is perfectly fine.
Hugh was being a good big brother, and put his family first in line.
I'd rather have them than the same characters with the exact same asshole personality everytime. I'm sure you wouldn't want that either, because it'd make your favourite rival Blue look bland as shit. Think about it.
I'll agree with you on Gen 6 though, those friends literally did nothing at all besides just being there for the sake of friends.