>>715946585There is no rule against a platformer mascot having a girlfriend. But Candy has never been DK's girlfriend. She was an amicable slightly flirty character but she was never DK's love of his life, that would be bananas.
The fact of the matter is that no one gave Candy an actual role or fully realized archetype in the franchise so she became unremarkable as a character. Even Tiny Kong has the whole tomboy personality. And right now can't even actual settle down and think of a role for Candy that wouldn't be a knock off of another character's gimmick. We know Candy is into music and she's the music character before the rebooted Pauline but music? You really can't do much with music. And that still doesn't give Candy much of a fully realized personality. Even Krystal from Star Fox has her official role, she's truly on screen committed to being the girlfriend of the main protagonist. And since Candy is not even that she really has no reason to hang around the DK crew.
Candy is the one character that was allowed to remain purposeless and that's why she disappeared like superfluous animal buddies. For Japan has nothing against sexy females, it's just that she really has nothing as a concept to fuel her character and role in the franchise. The fact this thread is so dead should tell you this.