>>42239603>MarnieUndoubtedly without question the cutest, the most intitially interesting, and tied with Hop was the most mechanically useful rival. However, she's pretty flat for a character, her depth is limited to her cool personality and doesn't undergo any serious changes or challenges.
>BedeThe main antagonistic force in the first half, is both a good callback to the dickhead rival but subverts it by having their bad behaviors get punished in a meaningful way to their character. Bede's growth from a dick to smug is impeded slightly by their attitude that never changes no matter how many times you kick their ass, but there is small growth and clear style to the character
>HopHop is the most interesting character because you see him change the most. He starts as an energetic rival, and comes off as believing that he is the protagonist of the story (which the player knows at the start that he isn't) and initially isn't bothered by the setbacks faced when losing to the player. However, changes happen when Bede decisively defeats Hop, calling into question his role and his goals. From there, Hop starts changing his team up, implying he is trying new strategies and training hard just to breakthrough his rut, but it doesn't work against the player. His momentum continues to slow down, and he is show visibly looking bitter when the player defeats him in later battles. He has to overcome the idea that he isn't destined to be the best, and that maybe he is just continuing to live under his brother's shadow. Hop shows the most growth in the game, and it is unfortunate that GameFreak made the game, as a character template like Hop has some interestesting potential and could have been executed in a cleaner way.
Verdict: Hop is best
