[Kenshin5]

Another reason I don't see Suwama as too much of a rival is like Aquatic Wartortle said, Suwama is mono type Fire. Whereas most of the rivals if not all have a mixed team. And beating both of his pokemon with just Pignite doesn't seem to have me believe he is a worth while battler anyways much less a rival. You can always train a pokemon up but that doesn't mean you know how to use it, and that's how I feel about Suwama.

There is also the relationship between Oshawott and Pignite as well as more of a rival relationship. So I hope they explore that more as well. Then the rivalry between Snivy and Emolga