I like Iris, from the Pokemon Anime.

The Iris picture does not belong to me, it belongs to the official company of course.
I did the edit however. So I don't claim the official art as mine.

Most people hate her over one dumb catchphrase. They should be annoyed at the writers, not Iris and even then it's tiny. I like all of the females. I don't hate Misty for her temper, May for being too normal or Dawn being too into super models. None of the girls are perfect and are for different audiences.

Episode: Enter Iris and Axew!
Iris blushes slightly upon meeting Ash, and throughout most of the episode. Later on, after Pikachu and Axew are stolen by Team Rocket, Ash jumps off a tree and falls down to the ground. Iris immediately jumps down from the tree, asking if Ash is all right, rather than trying to save the Pokémon. Iris also later thanks Ash for saving Axew, even though it was Oshawott who saved him. Iris then tells Ash that because of his actions she has started to change her view of him and she starts traveling with him.

Episode: The Battle According to Lenora!
She is also very concerned about Ash's depressed attitude after he loses the Gym battle.

Episode: A Venipede Stampede!
When Ash tries to help an injured Venipede, Iris constantly worries for him, because of the Venipede's Poison Point. She is concerned for him when he becomes poisoned due to contact with the Pokémon. Later, when Ash jumps in the path of Lampent's Shadow Ball to protect the boss Venipede and is hit, she rushes to his side and holds onto his arm.

Episode: Gotta Catch A Roggenrola!
On several different occasions when Ash was in mortal danger, Iris screamed his name with obvious strain in her voice. Meanwhile, Cilan and Mr. Garrison didn't say a thing.

Episode: Purrloin: Sweet or Sneaky?
Ash and the others end up in a sand trap when they try to help out a Purrloin. Ash uses his Snivy, but despite her best efforts she is unable to pull the group out. When Ash's head is almost covered in the sand, Iris calls out to him in concern before immediately asking Excadrill for help.

Epispde@ Enter Elesa, Electrifying Gym Leader!
When Bianca decides to keep her promise to her father and end her journey, the group is saddened to see her leave. However before Bianca's father can take her away, Iris insists that Ash say something to him and change his mind about letting Bianca travel. This is notable since it shows how much faith Iris has in Ash. Also she didn't ask Cilan, who is a better speaker, despite him being able to do the same thing.

Episode: Scraggy and the Demanding Gothita!
When Iris says that Scraggy and Axew are as competitive as rivals when they battle and that when the battles over they're best friends, she smiles at Ash. Later when Katharine tries to get Ash to trade Scraggy, she is worried that Ash will lose Scraggy. Cilan shows no concern over the battle.

Episode: Rocking The Virbank Gym Part 2!
Iris was adamant in cheering for Ash during his final Gym battle, despite Roxie having considerably more fans. To that end she and Axew cheered as loud as they could, beat on drums, came up with a cheer, and eventually she even dressed up and painted her face (and Cilan's) to give Ash an extra boost of confidence. After the battle was settled she cheered loudly when he won.

Episode: Drayden Versus Iris: Past, Present, and Future!
Iris feeling unsure of herself, is not looking forward to her battle with Drayden. However, Ash continually supports her and gives her words of encouragement to set her mind at ease. Once the battle is over, Iris happily returns the favor and encourages Ash to do his best in the Vertress Conference.

Episode: Curtain Up, Unova League!
Ash is too nervous to sleep the night before the Unova League begins. Iris wakes up seeing Ash staring out the window and he apologizes for waking her up, before she tells him it'd be best if he got his rest for the next day.

Episode: A Unova League Evolution!
Iris enthusiastically cheers Ash on in his battle in the Leauge against Cameron, stating he'll definitely win, even when the others think it's a long shot. Ash loses the battle, but Iris moves down and sits with him in the stands as they all watch Cameron's battle against Virgil.

Episode: Fires of a Red-Hot Reunion!
When the group arrives at a Kanto Fair, both Ash and Iris (despite her attempts to remain calm) are excited by all the festivities. Iris wants to learn much more about the region and it's Pokémon, even expressing an interest in visiting there sometime.

Episode: Ash and N: A Clash of Ideals!
Reaching the White Ruins, the group meets up with Professor Juniper's father. They find the Light Stone, only to have it stolen by N. When Ash chases after him, he and N both fall down into an underground cavern. Iris immediately falls to her knees with a worried look on her face, before she tries to follow them down into the cavern, only to be disuaded to do so by the Professor. She looks extremely distraught that she can do nothing to help and loudly screams out Ash's name in concern.

Episode: Farewell, Unova! Setting Sail for New Adventures!
After Team Plasma's defeat, the group returns back to Professor Juniper's lab. The Professor asks what they are going to do now, to which Ash replies he'll probably make his way home. Iris appears to be saddened by this, but then boldly declares that she wants to keep traveling with Ash and visit Kanto to learn about the dragons there.

Proof Ash and Iris are friends:

Episode: Episode: A Village Homecoming!
The group makes it to the Village of Dragons, Iris's hometown. Ash seemed especially interested in the village and it's uniqueness. The village Elder is pleased to find out that Iris has made such great friends and says she hopes Iris isn't too much of a handful, much to the embarrassment of both Ash and Iris. (So yes, Iris has always been a bit tough to handle at times, but the Elder knows deep down Iris is a good person and Iris's journey is all about her growth.) Not only this, but her friend Shannon even states: "You know only a select few have the powers to speak to Dragons. And the elder said you're one of them Iris. I don't have the talen you have." Now, guess what IRIS said? Roughly. "But I don't have any more talent than you Shannon." She was being /humble/ and was /shocked/ by what her friend had just said. Iris also calms a Hyrdeigon, despite the fact she got injured, she /never/ gave up. Because her spirit of being a master one day and to help her friend was /so/ strong. When the Elder tells Ash and co not to butt in Ash even says "Come on!!" Not liking Iris was in danger. (Hyrdeigon even gripping onto Iris, causin her great pain.) But they all believed in her.

^ There are more, but this is long enough.

In another episode:

Iris did not believe Haxorus could be evil. That there are "no evil dragons." Iris was willing to go against authority. Iris was willing to swim to the city, to see Haxorus, whether it was safe to do so or not. And even put herself in harms way, if not for N, she could of died!

Heck when Iris is dressed as the Shrine Maiden, she was willing to summon Landorus to help Lewis and the people of the island.

Long story short: If you hate a character for three words, then that's you choice. I'd hate to waste a perfectly good saga for it though. Sure I don't like Cilan, but I don't go around bashing him, I just comment I dislike him if someone asks. Just because I think he sucks, doesn't mean he does to others. I don't care, really.