Question for the "higher ups"

[Sasuke Uchiha]

Seems a bit restrictive, meaning in your example pokemon trainer type players would have a disadvantage or a negative handicap if you will, just from choosing to play a trainer. Having to focus/unable to defend just to perform simple moves because they aren't the caster, their pokemon is, seems unnecessary to me. Personally, I always considered a pokemon trainer character, and the way I always thought I would do it was like this:

Create NPC for my pokemon. (This way they don't have to 'disappear' after a move is performed.)

Create single use moves for my pokemon, example: Flamethrower- Charmander exhausts a cone of fire for a range of bla bla bla.

Create assists to allow for more fluid fighting instead of single use moves.

Other than that, I don't see the point in trying to rework some new mechanic to it. Players would still attack you, not your pokemon(Players don't attack weapons, but the players), and you shouldn't not be able to act, simply because you're firing a fireball (Someone with a gun move wouldn't be restricted, so why should you?)

Just my thoughts. Try not to make it more painful on yourself than it has to be, no? I could do this now, with Sasuke. Nothing is stoping me from catching a Squirtle as Sasuke(Except maybe Alex, haha) and doing this exact thing.