With Dawn I really think it's just a matter of keeping with the pattern, and I'm not quite sure if they're getting better with follow-ups, because Misty got way better treatment than May and especially Max. We also still haven't seen Brock again, but to be fair, he did appear in a spin-off episode. You know, that "precita" guy might be on to something. It really does feel that the writers absolutely adore Dawn sometimes. I would have to say that she was the most prominent female in her respective saga. Who knows, it could really just rely on their preferences.
I dunno.
Dawn is already going to get much better follow up than Misty and May did combined. Aside from DP special, she might very well become recurring character for whole BW2 arc getting massive amount of foreshadowing, appearing on promotional poster and being showed as someone relevant judging by new opening.
From current info, Dawn role will be a lot bigger than simple appearance for few episodes with writers deciding to do something unexpected breaking past patterns.
Though while she may have been first real co-star and im glad that she receives such recognition, that doesn't change fact how other girls were important as well deserving better. Misty was original girl which left big impact on OS being part of most iconic group paving out way for others, while May introduced contests so it is in a way unfair that Dawn receives so much while other characters are getting short end of stick.
About Misty follow up, she got more than May did in quantity(only reason May wasn't in hosos was because thy stopped airing before she left cast) but when it comes to quality May appearance in Wallace Cup advanced more her own story than Misty appearances in set of two episodes really did. As character Misty never really got closure being less fleshed out than other girls, she barely made any notable progress in her venture of becoming water master(aside from Whirl Cup and few other occasions in Johto) and in my honest opinion she deserves more screen time not being given enough. She may have returned before, but there is no reason why she shouldn't again not deserving to rot forgotten.
Just like Brock deserves to return again regardless of being in anime much longer than any other main character(san Ash)was.
However its all matter of personal preference, People which liked May more don't care so much wanting to see May more, while Misty fans rather prefer that she comes back. But objectively everyone deserve chance to shine.I wouldn't even mind if Misty, May or someone else return to main cast for shorter period like season, being enough to do continuation and great development and serve as dash of fresh unexpected air being intrigues to see how would older more mature and experienced companion work in today format and cast.
It would be more fun and different than usual introduction of new companions, and judging by hype older companions bring good for ratings too.
About Max we have to accept unfortunately that he is going same way like Tracey did being less important to anime than main girls were.
Are you sure they really need to experiment with integrating old and new characters? They've done it plenty of times in the past. Like you said Misty can easily appear again, it's just the writer's reluctance that's the issue.
I meant how they are experimenting in sense of trying to make older character which left cast relevant in much higher degree than Misty or May did, being still part of pokemon series keeping relevance without necessarily joining main cast again but still showing on very frequent basis contributing to overall, better and more lively character interaction in main group, like rivals do.
Similar how Bakugan does for example.
Right now I can understand the rational to not include Misty. If May were to appear again then I'd be a bit intrigued.
To be fair only reason is their reluctance. Right now Misty has marketing value(bigger than she had in HGSS remakes), popularity and appeal aren't issues and new games give something which she could do bringing benefit to story and giving easy way to reintroduce character and make relevant again.
With May i think she has most logical chance to comeback for RS remakes as representative of this generation, making more sense to use her instead of someone new.
This would be nice to see. More international tournaments would make it easy to have older characters appear without coming up with terrible excuses. *cough*BrockjoiningAshinDP*cough*
I will be completely honest here.
After so much time i wish Misty would return for at least 10 episodes(if Dawn can, others could as well) having credible reason and potential to be there such as traveling to compete in events host by Cynthia to advance her own water master dream, catch new Unova pokemon(they can't be obtained in Kanto), and advertize games(since she is named as trainer in BW2). I wouldn't be surprised if her Horsea already evolved to Kingdra, or Azurill to Azumarill.
May coming back for some extended visit would be great too. If writers decide to incorporate world tournament with gym leaders in BW2, i could see Norman appearing and his presence would increase chances for Max and May return(despite there not being contests)as well.
I could see Brock appearing at some point too though, to give us update on his doctor career.
BW2 saga has massive potential, and hopefully writers wont screw that up and ignore all those possibilities.
