Does anyone else think they should design Pokemon specifically for the gym leaders, like this isn't just a Gen 8 thing but the whole series has a tendency to do this where the Gym Leader's ace barely reflects their character. It's a shame too because some of the Gym Leaders' ace this generation actually fit (Kabu with Centiskorch & Piers with Obstagoon). I would've like to have seen the others have some Pokemon to fit their characters;
> Milo
Grass-Type evolution to Wooloo where the sheep becomes merged with brambles
> Nessa
Loch ness monster obviously, possibly a regional Lapras (I know we got G-Max Lapras but that's Melony's ace), Pokemon would be an apex predator and has a history of helping humans fish and rescuing shipwrecked people lost at sea
> Bea
a third member to Throh & Sawk based around Taekwondo with an orange colouration to match Bea
> Allister
Evolution of Cofagrigus where the mask becomes a prominent feature of the design again
> Opal
Some sort of Grandfather Clock Pokemon based on the wise old wizard trope from fairytales
> Gordie
Either regional variant of Aggron or a Pokemon based around Gold and jewels but has really low defences despite a bulky appearance
> Melony
Mountain Climbing-themed Pokemon to reflect her harsh training regiment personality and also the successive nature of late game Pokemon games.
> Raihan
Some sort of Fox-Dragon (perhaps even akin to a Kirin in appearance), would either be a difficult evolution to Thievul or entirely separate, Pokemon would reflect Raihan's somewhat narcissistic personality and also the visual design of his character which appears less outright reptilian