[quote name='Jasper Kazai']When talking about Ni no Kuni, Shipwreck said that he wishes JRPGs would "fix the issue" of grinding. That makes it sound like grinding is an unintentional aspect of the game(s). It's not... grinding is an intrinsic part of those types of games. Yes, it may not appeal so much to a Western crowd, but it's not something that is unintended and should be removed. I can't say I myself am a huge fan of grinding, but the games wouldn't be the same without it.[/QUOTE]
A balance needs to be struck though, a level of grinding should be required if the player wants to make the battles easier, but excessive grinding should not be required just to be able to advance in the game. Traveling through an area, killing every enemy once in the area as you move through should be enough for you to be able to scrap by through all but perhaps the end game boss IMHO.
That type of grinding I don't mind as much as at least you are free to pick what enemy you wish to fight. The type of grinding I despise is having to kill the same type of enemy over and over with the chance that it will drop a certain item. THAT's a pointless time waster, like the day(s) long hunt for the Pure Bladestone in Demon's Souls.