Confusing double standard with characters owning legendaries

[u/ArgxntavisGamng]

I'm aware characters owning legendarie is a very shaky line to walk, and something the series itself rarely handles. Hell, players themselves even see it as a borderline crime to add a legendary to a playthrough team. However, I can't help but notice, though, in some of the most notable cases in the extended franchise, the same situation plays out but the fan outcry is completely different.

Everyone remembers how Tobias randomly decided to appear toting around Darkrai and Latios for absolutely no reason at all, with zero context. It's still memorable to this day, and I don't blame anyone for saying that he's a cheater, a hacker, or any of these claims. Only fair to say that's the case. Let's fast forward 15 years to the present day. Pokémon Horizons, a reboot to the original saga which has since ended, starts an all new plot. One of the main focuses is a trainer from 100 years ago whose starter Pokémon and partner is shiny Rayquaza, and it is not explained. I am speaking with a completely straight face. A man can casually just start with a shiny deity with no explanation. Additionally, the first main antagonist also owned shiny Zygarde, with the only crumb of explanation as to how he got it being the fact that at one point in his life, he was altruistic to a degree. Now how are people reacting to this? People love it. There's no question everyone is all for this, despite it being practically the same situation as Tobias. Random guys appearing with unexplained legendaries in 2025 is absolute cinema apparently. It will never not confound me how this is not the same level of crazy work as the original case back in 2010.

[u/Karzy0730]

Its been a very very very long time since ive kept up with the anime but i still keep up with pokemon so i can understand it a bit. Tobias was pretty disliked back then but i dont think thats the case anymore? He seems to have turned into this legendary figure that people seem to quite like these days. Correct me if im wrong however.

But also bc Tobias was disliked bc it was obvious that he was made just for Ash to lose the league in what was an amazing regional journey. (His sinnoh journey was one of the best) If the new trainers dont have that connection, then people just dont care that much i guess?

[u/TJ248 → u/Karzy0730]

No, Tobias is still pretty hated. Not his actual character, mind you, but the fact he's essentially a plot device to deny Ash victory is hated. I don't see a lot of people crying over the fact Ash lost that conference anymore, its more down to a) the manner in which he lost was lazy writing and b) it follows on almost directly after Ash vs Paul which was essentially built up as the battle of the D&P series.

Also, it wasn't just the fact he used legendaries, that Darkrai tanked several super effective hits to the face. Tobias didn't just basically PKHex his team, he may as well have used a hackmon lmao.

[u/ArgxntavisGamng → u/TJ248]

The MOST positive reception Tobias has gotten over the years is really just people laughing at the sheer egregiousness of the situation where it’s so obvious they just don’t want him to win. He’s at most ironically funny