What do you look for in Ash's companions?

[Pokelitfam]

This isn't a shipping related question, unless you want it to be. So I see a lot of different opinions from different people who say things like Serena is bland, Iris is annoying, May is forgettable, Dawn has the "personality of a brick wall", Misty is annoying, Brock is too repetitive, etc. It seems like the writers really can't win. When they please one group of fans they annoy another. So my two questions are, how do you personally judge a character? Looks, goals, personalities, relationships, etc. And what makes a good companion for you?

 

[Frozocrone]

Personality and goals mainly. Judging by looks is extremely shallow.

Good companions have their own story arcs that I can invest it, have interesting personalities that work as an individual and plays off well against other people and helps to shape Ash along his journey (since the anime is pretty much his journey through regions).

 

[jjc927]

Basically I look for being a good friend and supporter for Ash, being a competent trainer, and something that makes you want to take an interest in them and who they are.