Sorry for replying two weeks late, but Pokemon has been somewhat "progressive", especially as the franchise started getting more inspiration from non-Japanese regions. IDK if it's purely for EDI/ESG or just because they know that the brand has a worldwide fanbase though.
I will give the Pokemon company points for trying to keep everything neutral and seldom (if ever) commenting on big social issues. For example, there's a lot more dark-skinned characters in the games and XY introduced a minor tranny character (at least in the English version; a Beauty trainer says they used to be a Black Belt). When people complained that Nessa, a dark-skinned Galarian gym leader was being "whitewashed" by fans because she's a "nigger", the Pokemon company said nothing. They didn't even confirm if Nessa is "black" or even "brown"... we only know is that she's dark-skinned from a fictional place that isn't a real equivalent to U.K (Galar).
There was similar speculation about Geeta being Pajeet-coded (nothing confirmed, and wouldn't make sense for a Mexico or Iberian-inspired region) or accusations that Cynthia was supposed to be Ainu and that Legends: A was an overt reference to Japanese imperialism, but they never said shit either. It seems to me that we're expected to accept that Pokemon is a fictional world where our real-life social concepts mean nothing and I'm fine with that.
I agree with 'progession'.
Gen 1 already had many girls whose competence level is on the same level that boys have. Even then, they do not always fit with neat 'boxes': while Erika is a Yamato Nadoshiko and Misty was a Tomboy, Sabrina was more self-restrained and serious, dominating yet pacifist. Meanwhile, Lorelei was a professor, whereas Agatha managed to be a Blood Knight even in her advanced age, defying preconceptions about being old. Also, Lt Surge and maybe a few of his gym trainers were from the United States (which would make him a foreigner, since Kanto is based off Nippon), yet he is put on the same level of the other, native leaders. They also had fat characters who were not mocked because of their weight and were on the same level of trainers of other body types.
Gen 2 kept going wi the variety o female trainers, though now your player character could be female. There were also bikers who were no thugs in Cycling Road. Chuck was also rather fat, something that his wife mocked, but his belly is actually accurate to those who are strong in a practical way instead of being bodybuilders. Pryce was also ld, bu that was in context of giving him an 'experienced elder' appearance.
Gen 3 got rid of the sexism that plagued Gen 2's Pokémon, since gender came from the personality value instead of IVs. Another part was actually having the father of the protagonist present in the game. More to the point, Phoebe was the first non-Asian trainer of colour, since she appears Polynesian. Watson was fat and old, but fun and knowledgeable; one of his Gym Trainers actually liked hi shiny forehead. Pokémon Colosseum also officially had a region based off the United States; that game also had female bodybuilders. Gen 3 is also the start of things possibly getting too 'diverse', since breeding Pokémon actually benefits from incest.
Gen 4 also had a 'tough biker with a soft center', but otherwise kept going wi the patterns from previous games. Gen 4's 'too diverse' moment was an allusion to bestiality being normal back then.
Gen 5 actually had a game based off the United States, which meant plenty of African characters, including Lenora nd Marshall. Lenora was even altered because she appeared to be a 'mammy', but in context she was actually a studious archaeologist who definitely shows her knowledge in battle while being proactive. There is also an embracing of the future, down to Alder believing tha the future is in believing in the newer generation instead of sticking wi the ideas of old, which is progressive in tradition-honouring Nippon. Gen 5's 'too diverse' moments are the gay/lesbian allusions in the Ferris Wheel.
Gen 6 is based on France. Moreover, Shauna is another person of color, whereas Tierno is fat. (Then again, fat rainers are common a this point.) Gen 6's 'too diverse' moment was the transgender Battle Maison trainer.
Gen 7 is based on Hawai'i, which means a lot more Polynesians.
Gen 8 is based on th entire United Kingdom, not just England. The rival and Champion are also African.
Gen 9 is based on the Iberian Peninsula with some references to Latin America in general. That means a lot more Hispanics and Latinos. Gen 9's 'too diverse' moment is the 'gender neutral' references to the protagonists.