Serena's Character

[Kid Sonic]

I just have one question. Is Serena a foil to Ash in any way? And before you answers, here's the appropriate definition in mind:

In fiction, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist).

Why, because I'm not watching XY if Serena is anything like the past four girls, especially Misty. And Misty had a tenancy to be impossible to ignore. Her head would literally take up the entire screen (when tempered) with Ash and/or Brock backed into a corner.

"There are other aspects of series that make the show watchable". Such as?
"The namesake of the series, the Pokemon"! After 17 years of the series, and pre-release after pre-release, Pokemon aren't as new as they were back in '97/'98, when we had no idea of who/what they were. At the point were Ash sets foot in a new region, they fall into the "latest" category.

"There's the adorable fun character, Bonnie". While Bonnie is an interesting character to enjoy, even she isn't exempt from her own foil, her control freak brother, Clemont.

"Well there's the exciting plots and excellent writing, especially when handled by the dub company in America" Don't get me started. We'll be here all day.

 

[Piks]

Why would anyone want Serena to be like Brock anyway? You want her to do nothing but stand in the background and talk about Ash's battles in every episode? Brock got very little focus in every region he was in and he rarely battled at all.

Serena's character so far is a mixture of early Hoenn May with Dawn's girliness and love for fashion. Couple that with the crush on Ash and she just feels like aspects of Misty/May/Dawn combined into one character.

On the whole subject of whether or not Serena can be called brave, I would argue that she's about as brave as Citron and Eureka are. She (as well as the aforementioned two) has been perfectly willing to rush after danger in order to solve whatever the problems of the episode are - helping (or attempting to help, in the latter case) to rescue either Satoshi or Platane-Hakase from the Rocket-dan, joining everyone else in tracking down Daz, willing to help Citron re-take his Gym from the Citroid. That all but one of those problems have been solved by someone else doesn't change the fact that she was willing to do whatever she could to help in the first place. She's no "scale a tall building to save an insane, rampaging Gaburias" Satoshi, but most characters aren't.

That she's been unable to really do anything can be put down to a couple of reasons. The first, and most problematic, is that the show hasn't been very good about giving Serena chances where she - and only she and her Pokemon - can solve a problem. I personally think XY007 was a big missed opportunity in that regard. The Rocket-dan have kidnapped the Sihorn and Pikachu while Satoshi, the usual hero in these things, and the other racers are in trouble and unable to do anything about it. It was a Serena-focused episode and she and Fokko alone should have been the ones to drive the Rockets off and fix everything. Serena rescuing Satoshi from the Rocket-dan would have been a nice reversal from the scene we had seen earlier in that episode, where Satoshi "saved" Serena at the camp. But instead the action in that scene is split between Serena and Fokko, Citron and Horubee, Eureka, and the Sihorn so her part there became diluted. It's noticeable that Serena couldn't be the center of attention in the climax of her own focus episode when the show will willingly have all the other characters sit on the sidelines whenever Satoshi or Citron need to be in the limelight.

The other reason is that Serena is a rookie trainer and, as such, her capabilities are understandably pretty limited. She's not very knowledgable like Citron is, nor does she have the advantage of having been at it for awhile like Satoshi. And honestly, if an episode needs a main character to be a kidnapped by the Rocket-dan I would rather see Serena in trouble than someone like Satoshi and be left wondering why he can't handle himself after he's been shown to be able to before (I hated Best Wishes for pulling stuff like that). But in the end, this is another fault of the XY anime's handling of the character in that she's never seen taking any steps to rectify the situation. All the training that we see is done by Satoshi and his Pokemon and/or Citron and his. In XY015 Serena remained on the sidelines again while Citron and Harimaron had two practice battles with Satoshi and Keromatsu and Eureka and Dedenne. We might have gotten a practice battle with Serena and Fokko, too, but unfortunately not.

But in and of itself I don't think that's a bad thing. We know Serena doesn't really know what she wants to do on her journey, which was only initiated in the first place because she saw a boy she once met years ago on television. That's actually a pretty interesting flaw to give a character on this show, and it would understandably translate into a general inactivity with Pokemon. I could actually get behind a story that develops Serena from that into someone more independent by the end of the anime, who has her own goal in mind (this would set up her inevitable departure from the anime) - a goal that she decides to do because it's something she likes. I would love for someone to ask her point blank just why she's on a journey with Pokemon in the first place, and to see what her answer would be. But unfortunately, even if that's the intention there's should have been some indication by now that that's where they're taking Serena as a character. There's been no indication where they're going with Serena at all, and we're 18 - soon to be 19 (and we already know there's no chance for Serena to take on a big role there) - episodes in now. All the major arcs should have been set up already.

I like Serena's personality and I think she can be entertaining when she's doing something, so I have nothing against the character herself. I don't even care that she doesn't have a goal. I just wish the show would give us a sense of how this journey is affecting her and where she's headed on it. XY021, if nothing else, should at least be able to show us that much.

Serena is nothing like May which is a goodthing and as for Dawn she was just a blend uninteresting character ( another reason why Diamond & Pearl suck so
bad) Serena's character is a lot Misty/Iris put together because of her personality, serena still got time to grow as a character, as long as they don't make her annoying like May/Dawn were during their time on the show.

 

[Lizardo]

Serena is nothing like May which is a goodthing and as for Dawn she was just a blend uninteresting character ( another reason why Diamond & Pearl suck so
bad) Serena's character is a lot Misty/Iris put together because of her personality, serena still got time to grow as a character, as long as they don't make her annoying like May/Dawn were during their time on the show.

Serena is polite and quiet, Kasumi was neither. Iris loved nature and being outdoors, and up until the fifteenth episode of the XY anime Serena had disliked the concept of even camping. Serena is a rookie and has been shown to know very little about what being a Pokemon trainer entails while Kasumi and Iris, by the time of their introduction, had already known the basics (Kasumi was the one inform Satoshi of details like "weaken a Pokemon before trying to capture it" and "Bug-type Pokemon are weak to Flying-type Pokemon"). Kasumi and Iris knew what they wanted out of their Pokemon journey before Satoshi even ran into them, while Serena's story arc seems to be about her discovering just that.

The only real thing of significance Serena truly shares with Kasumi and/or Iris is that, like them, she's ultimately a supporting character rather than a "secondary main protagonist with their own quest"/co-star like Haruka and Hikari were.

And while Serena does have a lot of time to grow, we shouldn't have to be waiting this long for a chance to see what exactly that growth will be and where they'll be taking her character in the long run. Serena doesn't have a goal and wants to try new things over the course of her journey and find something she likes? Great. That's actually a pretty unique quest to give a character and I think it's a great concept. But I don't want to wait several months between Serena-focus episodes (where, in the meantime, she's doing very little) for the show to develop that. Satoshi and Citron get chances to keep their characters in the minds of the audience even in episodes that don't directly concern them, so I don't see why the show can't do the same for Serena.

 

[Aquacorde]

It's funny Kid Sonic brought up foils, because I read something recently that took the stance of Serena being a foil to not Ash, but Misty.

This has been bugging me a bit but I've decided to finally put it in writing. Eighteen episodes into Pokemon XY and I'm beginning to have this train of thought. Namely, does Serena seem like she was constructed as a foil to Misty?

Perhaps that's a preposterous notion to make, especially since Misty has been gone for so long. Arguably she wouldn't be on the radar or zeitgeist of the production team at all due to how irrelevant (perhaps that's too strong of a word) or simply, non-bearing she has on the current storyline.

But I honestly don't think I'd be making this comparison if it wasn't for this one simple fact: both Serena and Misty are the only main girl characters to have officially written romantic feelings for Ash.

So why do I feel this way? Perhaps the most notable aspect is the difference in the two girls' personalities. Serena has a quite reserved personality, not taking action unless an opportunity presents itself. Misty on the other hand is much more proactive, actively searching for solutions instead of waiting for opportunities. Serena thus far would prefer to stay under the radar while Misty can be very out spoken and chooses to always speak her mind. The most striking comparison can be found in XY013 when Serena suspects Premier is asking Ash out on a date. Serena expresses panic and anxiety at the idea but keeps it to herself while letting things unfold. That's opposed to Misty's response when Macey asks Ash out on a date in EP269 which entailed decisive action to prevent that from happening.

This also extends to their femininity. While Serena and Misty very much embrace their femininity, both girls have varying degrees as to how much they let it define themselves. Serena very much defines herself with her femininity, actively enjoying her talents as a fashionista and confectionary baker. Misty on the other hand, wears her tomboy monicker on her sleeve (EP018 she calls herself a tomboyish mermaid) and chooses to reject some but not all of the standards imposed by her older sisters.

And let's not forget how the girls set goals for themselves. While Misty always had the same unwavering goal since the start of her first appearance, Serena's goal is in flux and very well may be the reason she's traveling in the first place.

As a result, it's interesting how different the circumstances have been when comparing the time when Ash met Misty versus the time Ash met Serena. While Ash and Serena met when they were very young, Ash and Misty met when they old enough to officially be Pokemon Trainers. Ash meets Misty while he was in duress and had him needing Misty's assistance whether she was willing or not. Ash meets Serena while she was in duress and needs Ash's willing assistance. Ash and Misty's first meeting was less than amicable and under very stressful conditions. Ash and Serena's first meeting was charming, reassuring, and calm.

Misty and Serena being foils does not necessarily mean that they are polar opposites. Literary foils can have a varying degrees of similarities to each other along with differences. I obviously wouldn't be considering Misty and Serena to be foils if it wasn't for the fact that they share their romantic interests in Ash. Intelligence is also a factor that ties the two girls together. Although they exhibit their intelligence in different ways, I would argue Misty and Serena are the smartest main girl characters in the series. Both girls show deductive reasoning talents that are often used by the writers when the script calls for it.

And lastly, if you notice, the circumstances in which Misty and Serena leave their families is almost very similar. Misty left because she wanted to prove to her sisters that she could be a powerful Water Pokemon Trainer. Serena left her home because she rejected the expectations her mother imposed on her. Both girls left because they ultimately disagreed with the standards imposed by their respective families.

Whether it's intentionally constructed or not, I feel the differences and similarities between Serena and Misty are quite striking. The two characters being foils presents an potential dynamic that could be quite reactive. While other Pokemon girl characters would have quite positive and harmonious dynamics with Serena, the desire to see Serena and Misty intreact seems to stem from the amount of dramatica resulting from their similarities and differences (and conflicts of interest) that would naturally catalyze.

Does that seem pretty legit to you all? Or do you disagree?

 

[precita]

No. It's been nearly 12 years since Misty left the series so kids watching the show today would not even know the character. The reason Serena is written with a crush on Ash is because it's been so many generations since Misty has been gone that they can do the whole female crush on Ash aspect for today's kids as it won't matter.

I don't think Misty will ever meet Serena, much like she never met Dawn or Iris. Serena's crush probably proves the writers have long since buried Misty's character and have moved on.

 

[Aquacorde]

That... wasnt the point? What the author is saying is that, intentional or not, Serena seems to be very much a foil of Misty. It's not about if Misty's coming back (shes not) or about if viewers would make the connection. They're just setting it put there that they could be interpreted to be foils. It's only a momentry reflection on the potential of their interactions; that is not at all the point of the post.

 

[Piks]

Serena is polite and quiet, Kasumi was neither. Iris loved nature and being outdoors, and up until the fifteenth episode of the XY anime Serena had disliked the concept of even camping. Serena is a rookie and has been shown to know very little about what being a Pokemon trainer entails while Kasumi and Iris, by the time of their introduction, had already known the basics (Kasumi was the one inform Satoshi of details like "weaken a Pokemon before trying to capture it" and "Bug-type Pokemon are weak to Flying-type Pokemon"). Kasumi and Iris knew what they wanted out of their Pokemon journey before Satoshi even ran into them, while Serena's story arc seems to be about her discovering just that.

The only real thing of significance Serena truly shares with Kasumi and/or Iris is that, like them, she's ultimately a supporting character rather than a "secondary main protagonist with their own quest"/co-star like Haruka and Hikari were.

And while Serena does have a lot of time to grow, we shouldn't have to be waiting this long for a chance to see what exactly that growth will be and where they'll be taking her character in the long run. Serena doesn't have a goal and wants to try new things over the course of her journey and find something she likes? Great. That's actually a pretty unique quest to give a character and I think it's a great concept. But I don't want to wait several months between Serena-focus episodes (where, in the meantime, she's doing very little) for the show to develop that. Satoshi and Citron get chances to keep their characters in the minds of the audience even in episodes that don't directly concern them, so I don't see why the show can't do the same for Serena.

I do argee with you, well hopefully Serena will be getting some much needed character development very soon because she really needs it.

 

[Kid Sonic]

In a way, Serena has to be the nicest character.

The role of "annoying foil who keeps people in line contrary to their wishes" has already been filled by Clemont, since Bonnie is also in the group (as of the beginning of XY) and had nowhere else to go while Clemont was busy running away from his gym leader problem.

Having two annoying foils on a journey would be overkill/joy-killing. What would worse is if Serena became more bossy and motherly, where Serena would take on Ash, while Clemont takes on Bonnie. The two would be at their mercy. Oh, and the usual Team Rocket defeat per episode and Ash defeat per region.

 

[precita]

As a character Serena is just a quieter or more laid-back version of May or Dawn. She hasn't really done much of anything yet that makes her stand out. She doesn't even battle either, which I find strange, as every female companion at least had a good few battles in their initial episodes.

I suppose the writers have just run out of things for the female character to do, she is the 5th girl of the series and by now they've done everything they can between the previous 4 girls.

 

[DBZ fan]

No. It's been nearly 12 years since Misty left the series so kids watching the show today would not even know the character. The reason Serena is written with a crush on Ash is because it's been so many generations since Misty has been gone that they can do the whole female crush on Ash aspect for today's kids as it won't matter.

Whether Misty will ever return again or not is up to writers, but thanks to today kids having all kind of access to internet through traditional way by using PC,or ipod, mobile phones, social networks like facebook i think it cannot be ruled out possibility of new generations being familiar with older characters.

There are also reruns of older sagas on TV channels like Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Get TV etc, accompanied with games and relatives who might got them familiarized with it.

Either way i actually would have liked to see Misty and Serena meeting.
Both have several intriguing sharing points in feeling something which appears to be more than friendship toward Ash, are known to be very smart coming up with conclusions, solutions to problems and how to figure something out on their own and have similar path through which they left family to follow their own interest forming their own life rather than living under someone restrictions. Making it all that more interesting to see how those two would cope with differences learning to develop close friendship .
Misty headstrong, playful and feisty nature knowing how to stand up for herself and others could help Serena to become more proactive, develop interest for career she wants to follow and be more confident and assertive taking role in action. While coming with peace of acknowledging how they both might have share same interest when love is in question possibly leading to initial frustration,and conflict leaving both girls in disbelief. Only to see it later growing in sympathy and understanding from Misty character and vice versa knowing how its like to be in such position.

All the possibilities.

I suppose the writers have just run out of things for the female character to do, she is the 5th girl of the series and by now they've done everything they can between the previous 4 girls.

I don't necessarily think that writers have "run out of ideas". They are simply trying to do something different with Serena character and create entirely new conception through which female protagonist would develop.

In sense of introducing character which is unsure himself of where he belongs, what kind of career he would like to pursue and where he stands in world he is living. Which applies to Serena representing insecurity, lack ofsubstance and cognition in knowing what truly makes her happy seeing herself in that.
Representing problems and fears many of teenagers and kids(even adults sometime) are faced with when trying to figure out what school they want to enter, if they want to go to college, what job they would like to do in future going through soul searching until they discover what is their talent and interest.


Its rather unique and somewhat realistic approach writers may have been taking with Serena character.
Which could open foundation for Serena trying out various activities, careers and occupations related both in utilizing pokemon or sanding your own skills. By learning how to be better cook, costume designer and all kind of other things. Leading to character going through selfquestioning, doubts and fears of what is her true purpose and place in world.

Serena personality also seem relatively different from what was showed with other females respectively so far. Misty is more hotheaded, strongwilled and romantic as person, May is bubbly, at times naive and kind, Dawn is energetic and optimistic, while Iris was more of a hyperactive and cynical in demeanor. But Serena is in comparison much more quiet, shy and reclusive in characterization. Type of character which often tends to keep herself on distance lacking determination and initiative to take charge of something. Coming of as very polite, nice and oriented toward fashin type of person,barrting rare instances of being saucy when irritated to point of losing composure like those instances with her mother (Grace).
Which can be both bad or good depending on what kind of personality you prefer and what traits, play of with other characters and atmpsphere he/she provides suits to your own taste the most.

However whole idea of Serena going as character through idea of soul searching trying to find her own calling can only work if she becomes less dependant on Ash character and finds something elde to identify herself with than just trying to be romantic interest. Considering how recipe for strong and successful character lies in having its own motives, purpose behind existence.
To have character end unfolded out expanding on background, personality, relationship with other characters, whatever flaws she might have and eventually dreams which serve as vector, driving point making her prompt to improve, work on bettering herself and realize in what direction she should go. Which was applied to two examples whbich also had romance subplots going for them(Misty and May), but at same time had their own identity and things which defined them standing in their own right. Thus coming of as strong characters and individuals.

Hopefully same route writers will take with Serena character, because at end of the day while there exist anime where love aspect is driving force of story through which characters can discover their own substance and courage helping them to develop, thanks to expansion on relationship which move things forward. Pokemon is entirely different show having its limitations and enough complex plot to allow to take protagonists through such route on more groundbreaking level.