I don't think other people's enjoyment of something you don't like from an aesthetic standpoint realistically affects you in any way, shape, or form. If it does, I think that's something you need to evaluate in yourself. The mega is really ugly imo, but you could also just ignore it. There is no "objective" when it comes to designs, it's all subjective.

It affects me because I have cared deeply about the world and characters since before I even have my first memories. This feels like I'm having my heart ripped out of my chest to see how far it has fallen, and yet people champion this defacement of what once was. People have neither taste nor backbone. It's just so sad to see people just drawing it just cuz it's pokemon news and it's trending and so they do it anyway. I just don't GET IT!
And okay sure, "not objective" because art or whatever but... come on.

I'm someone who grew up with the series too, some of my earliest memories were of the later episodes of the Johto anime and early episodes of the Hoenn anime, the first game I ever owned was Pokémon Sapphire. The existence of newer things I don't like doesn't invalidate or erase any of my memories or any of the older stuff that I continue to enjoy to this day. Mega Lucario Z's existence doesn't prevent me from using the original Mega Lucario and it doesn't retroactively replace the model from the Gen 6 and 7 games.

Time marches on. Things change. You may agree or disagree with that. But video games, anime, movies, aren't a type of media that can be easily retconned. While my GBA and Sapphire copy are probably both in a landfill somewhere right now, that doesn't stop me from downloading mGBA and a ROM to play it whenever I want.

At the end of the day, it's just more media. You are valid for not liking what's been put in front of you. But you shouldn't attack others for enjoying what you don't.

slop bad

when the "Mega" came out it marked the fall of Pokemon, its when they got out of touch with their fans.

I just stick with designs i like and generally not really care bout those i dont like... its how to stay sane tbh. Afterall we dont own the franchise so whatever Nintendo decides to put out is what we get.

That said recently, in a complete opposite experience to this.... I was blocked by someone who left an angry message on one of my artworks when i mentioned i think chikoritas design was ugly xD.

I was amused xD