>>35025910Difference being that Lillie is propped up by the ultimate authority, the games themselves. Misty is just a gym leader with a few lines, Dawn is either a blank slate or a bland helper, May and Serena are either blank slates or pathetic excuses for rivals, Iris shows up a few times but is pretty bland when appearing. Lillie had a full character arc that was the primary focus of the game's story, and that story was distinctly personal in scale compared to every other attempt at serious storytelling in Pokemon.
Regardless of how you feel about her, it's not hard to see the exact formula that made Lilliefags pop up in droves. Sun and Moon having more expressive characters in general meant a whole generation of kids got imprinted on in a way that other Pokemon gens couldn't compare to. So, you know, I hope you like the SM cast, you'll be seeing more of them around.
