Of course people already calling Ash a loser even though the League seems way harder in the anime than it ever was in the games. By comparison, the closest equivalent is usually those big postgame tournaments or something that a lot of people don't even bother with.
That aside, this is certainly... a little weird. Just because I can't recall Ash or other anime characters ever being used this way before. But I guess Nintendo gotta keep finding new ways to advertise their best sellers, like how Breath of the Wild still gets new commercials even though it's obviously selling very, very well.
While that's true, the main reason I wish it was Veronica is just because Ash is using a design based on his original look. Even if it is from the newer movie.
Why should I listen to a loser like Ash? Kid lost countless times and went back to pokemon school while his rival made something of himself and probably already has a Ph.D in the same field as his grandfather.