He wasn't in my top favorite of rivals, he was ok though. I also liked how he was in contests and gyms, that was intresting and fun part about his character. I wish we had seen Ash and him fight in the league or battles, writers really screwed up there rivalry, could have been so awesome. I didn't really care for his rivalry with Dawn either, his rivalry with Zoey was much better and I really liked the battle they had in the Grand Festival, man one of my favorites.