This Anime can use A good ''Love & Hate Relationship'' & Female rival !!!
Another thing that they need, is charm. From Team Rocket's rhyming speeches and reoccurring jokes, the old series really had a certain charm to it that kept people smiling. Now, I feel like that charm is gone. I really think they need to bring it back.
Its The lack of creativity !
For Example , Team Rocket motto use to be different in every episode depending on circumstance.
Sometime they wear funny outfit , sometime they quote their motto while eating , sometime they change the line.
Remember , One time james quote the whole motto himself .
But Now Its the same old digital template , petal , Giant ''R'' , pose , background in every episode.
It goes for other referring joke as well .
I have to agree with the majority and say that the characters really need more development. Also, less painful moments. I mean, there are countless times where I cringed because the characters or scenario was just so... weird. In other words, the entire anime needs to be more mature. I haven't seen X&Y, so I don't know the improvement on that, but it sounds like it's a step in the right direction.
Actually, you answer your own question:
I'm not understanding this logic. The traits you stated are the traits that are easily visible throughout each region. Yes, a lot of good guys have these traits, but I'm not following on how that prevents Ash from having these traits.
There is no problem in having those trait However there are other aspect of a character personality that make him different from other character.
For Example , Goku (Dragonball) is also Kind , Reckless , Hot-spited and has a sense of Justice .
But Is Ash completely like Goku ? Nope , Ash has some characteristic that make him different from Goku.
However , Those Characteristic keep changing making Ash a different person.
The Current Ash is totally different then Original Ash and It not because Ash is maturing ! Goku matured too but Does the Goku from Dragonball Z became totally different then Goku from Dragonball ???
Ben Tennison from ''Ben 10'' & Ben Tennison from ''Ultimate Alien'' & ''''Omniverse'' is also a perfect example ! Ya , His Personality did changed in ''Alien Force'' But he goes back to being The Arrogant Boy in ''Ultimate Alien .
Ash keep that trait he needed to keep as a Protagonist But his own Characteristic keep changing.
Why Do You think that People keep Treating ''DP Ash'' & ''BW Ash'' like different person ? They are Both Ash's anyway !!!
I think that the detective role can never be filled by Ash without some serious character development. Ash doesn't have much of an attention span when it comes to details. So, when it comes to spotting the details and stringing all the clues together, Ash just doesn't have the mind for it. He's more of a person of action, rather than planning. Which also explains this:
Oh how true this statement is. However, it still can be traced to a system of consistency. When it comes to things that require concentration and memorization, aka the detail stuff, Ash falls short. However, when it comes to improvisation and creativity, aka the action stuff, Ash reigns supreme. That's why I don't think Ash would make it as a detective, he just doesn't have the mind for it.
If You're talking about realistic development Then Ash should have stop falling for Team Rocket's disguise 10 years ago.
My 10 year old cousin once asked Why Ash & others kept falling for such a obvious disguise over & Over again !!
Honestly If I got trick by Team Rocket as much as Ash then I would have already gain the ability to see though Tricks .
Because it would naturally create a sixth Sense in Me that allow me notice anything ''fishy'' whenever some Overly Friendly people show up insisting that I should leave my Pokemon to them for purpose.
Experience is a great Teacher itself ! Thats why Lawyer & doctor has to work as a Intern before become an actual Doctor.
And all the experience Ash got due to previous ark is enough for Ash to grow as a detective .
As For Ash never planning anything-
There are some other episode where A ''Rare Ash'' appeared who happen to be much more smarter , insightful , Perspective & competent then usual Ash .
Hopefully This ''Rare Ash'' will be full time ''XY Ash'' !!!
Ash always had older Brother figure like Brock , Treacy and Cilan to depend on So he rarely plan anything but Now he doesn't have any Older brother figure .
Now he has Clemont But Ash has more experience in traveling then Clemont does So Ash could be Planmaker while Clemont provide Knowledge.