Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in show?

[pokemon fan 132]

Hi everyone before i get bad ratings for this i would just like to ask for little of your patience and listen what i have to say.

Reason why i created this thread is because during my time i spended on bulbagarden i noticed lot of unclear and undefined opinions when it comes to suggestion of Misty's return,and i would like to hear what is general consensuz from fandom on this site which was never seem to be established.

Another purpose would be to have at least one discussion about Misty flowing peacefully without turning into mindless fest of flaming and ranting.

So with that being said i would like to ask all of you,do you think Misty could work as main character again?

Poll is not multioptional so choose wisely.

Reasoning behind this suggestion and few things to point out:
Right as we all know writers didnt treated her story in some parts properly back than(especially during Johto)with ex head writer mr.,Shudo.being mostly responsible for this.

However that is matter of past and purpose of this thread isn't to discuss how was Misty treated before and how often she appears nowdays nor how big chance she has to become major character again so try to stay within topic.

Point of this thread is to discuss about current state of writing and future and how would be possible to incorporate Misty's character in current formula of this anime.
Since than writing has improved alot with writers becoming much better with continuity and character development so nowdays she would be probably handled better getting more focus.

When you think about it Misty as character was left with lot of unexplored and unused potential to do more with her not being wrapped up.From her goal of becoming water master,relatively unown past(like what happened with her parents,from where some fears like bugphobia comes from etc),with her pokemon not being used to full potential either.I don't have to mention potential which lies in new pokemon she would obtain and subplots in order to refresh character being interesting to see how would she interact with new characters and function in current group.
So in reality writing staff has material and direction through which they could go with her.
Purpose in case of return would probably be for continuity reasons serving as bridge of connection to past bringing dash of spirit of older days,to develop character more tying up some things,to serve as nice twist changing formula abit adding to surprise and that writing staff try to redeem for some of past mistakes with bonus of pleasing fansbase.

Of course in case of return writers would have to give character some purpose and reasoning behind this to fit in properly.One of posibillities is picking up on some of plots where they stopped continuing from there like expanding more on goal of becoming water pokemon master.

Problem with this goal before was that writers often just left it lose and only drudged it up when they needed it with Whirl Cup only giving small picture out of whole puzzle how it's supposed to reach this.However now that writing has progressively become better with few adjustments they could create some story arc which would serve as indicator of character being developed further taking some notable steps toward it.
Of course she wouldn't get same amount as focus like coordinators like Dawn did which isn't to expect,but to be fair for good development of someones story you dont need alot.

Please bear in mind how with this im not suggesting whole chain of water based competitions or anything along those lines.It would be enough to create few events being followed with one bigger tournament(like Whirl Cup was)in well planned intervals which would actively focus on this goal breaking new grounds with it serving as indication of character making steps forward being backed with episodes which would focus on training and character development.It would also serve as nice break from usual gyms giving to audience something new to look forward to.

OR
if needed they could change or adjust her goal as long as it fits and goes into Mistys character.
It could be done with the Elite Four thing, and certainly give her character more power stock, which is more than nice. They'd have to define more clearly than they have how exactly her appointment would come about: who she needs to battle/what tests she has to pass.
When you think about it Misty did viewed Lorelai when she met her as her idol admiring her skills in use of water and ice types and she always wanted to become strongest water trainer in world so striving for this aim would be in character.

Another interesting thing to point out is how in Gold and Silver games when you beat her she says how she plans to leave gym to travell and meet stronger trainers to battle them so this would fit nicely with game cannon aswell.

With this being said i humbly ask everyone in here to give this thread a chance having at least for once civilized and mature discussion when it comes to Misty.I understand there have been many threads about this being made in past but none of them managed to work out well and after this there would be no need for new threads about it being made hence being reason why its called "Final discussion".

Few rules which should be adressed before posting(IMPORTANT):
-please be respectful and civilized toward each other and their opinions with no character bashing or insulting being involved.
If you disagree with someone explain in polite way why you don't share same view as other side do.

-This thread isn't to discuss "Will Misty Return","Should she return" or do you "Want her to return".Its about people voicing out their opinion whether they think or not if Misty could work as main character again having required potential.

-remember point of this thread is to have for a change fun discussion and speculation and in case of beng for it feel free to add suggestions how could this character function today in anime.

p.s.Special thanks to mods Commander Pigg and Chosen of Mana who approved this thread.

 

[proserpina]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

IMO, once you get rid of a character as a main it very rarely works to try to bring them back with a big part. I do, however, agree that Misty deserves a little more fleshing out and I'm sure it'd be interesting if, for example, she began to travel as a specialist water trainer by some circumstance and enter competitions to be randomly met and spent a couple of episodes with every so often. I don't suppose a lot of the newer fans know that much about Misty, considering it's been a while, and it'd be refreshing to have her back and striving for bigger goals either way. While I can't see her being a champion I can certainly see her being one of the best water trainers around and being known for it eventually, and it'd be nice to pick up on the ambitions she clearly had and never really got a chance to develop further.

 

[Grave-E]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

I don't think it's neccesary to go into into too much detail here, so I'll just say "No, I don't". I don't feel Misty has any real potential as a protagonist anymore. This 'water pokemon master' thing that is mentioned ad nausium, is redundant poppycock that would only promote restrictions imo, and is definately an avenue that doesn't need to be explored outside of a filler episode.

Adding to that; As much as I like(d?) the character personality-wise, I have little confidence in the writers ability to even make her worthwhile in that department. I personally think that assumption is somewhat justified given her final appearences in AG.

 

[Joshawott]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

If Misty had to return, I really don't see her working out as a main character. For one thing, the Chronicles specials shown her as really wanting to get stuck in with running the Cerulean Gym. She did her adventuring, and is now taking it easy in the gym.

Personality wise, I found her a bit plain (cue the fanboys wanting to rip my throat out). Characters that have come since, like Dawn and Cilan have more firm personalities in my book. She'd probably end up being another DP-Brock.

A lot of the newer fans probably wouldn't even know who Misty is. A few specials focusing around her could work; but let's be fair, Misty hasn't appeared in the anime in five years, and we didn't see her when Ash returned to Pallet Town after the Sinnoh League. The writers obviously don't care that much about her.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

If Misty had to return, I really don't see her working out as a main character. For one thing, the Chronicles specials shown her as really wanting to get stuck in with running the Cerulean Gym. She did her adventuring, and is now taking it easy in the gym.

Personality wise, I found her a bit plain (cue the fanboys wanting to rip my throat out). Characters that have come since, like Dawn and Cilan have more firm personalities in my book. She'd probably end up being another DP-Brock.

To be fair reason behind Misty staying at gym was more out of necessity not having anyone to rely on than anything else never viewing gym as "new call"or anything.Chronicles showed mix of hapiness and displeasure coming from Mistys character implying desire to leave place but at same time feeling responsibillity to get gym back on right track after it was almost closed down.
We can see that in some of episodes like "A Date with Delcatty" or in recent cameo "A Real Cleffa Hanger".
If more realible substitute were to find with her character being free to leave while having invoked aspiration to go on next adventure that could be easily solved.

Personality wise judging by character handling(Iris and Cilan)in BW writers showed to know how to do things right and while i respect your view imo there is no reason to believe Misty would be exception.She did matured as character but i view that as good thing being nice blend of old and new personality adding more depth to character.Going by chronicles and cameo appearances in general we can see she is still abit of hothead,loves to tease with sarcastic remarks having that quirks and vibrant personality traits but at same time becoming more sequre in herself.

About new fans not knowing about her in case of coming back she would be probably viewed by them essentially as new character and those who want to find out about past always have reruns.

 

[Jukain]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

If you were searching for a way to stump me, then congratulations, you succeeded. I don't know what would happen if Misty was re-written with the current standards of the anime. That is, if I were to ignore everything that has been established about Misty, like you seem to be suggesting. If it were to be a return of the Misty we know, then I still say no because I don't care what you say, her story was resolved and she isn't going anywhere from where she is. If they changed her goal, that would backfire drastically, regardless of what it is. If they expanded upon what her goal was, I don't see too well what else they could do with it. The only way she can go further than where she is if she become one of the Elite Four, which doesn't happen at any time anywhere, so I don't see why they would do that. (True it has never been explained how one becomes an Elite, but I digress) Furthermore, Iris already does what Misty used to do, except less aggressively.

 

[Haruka]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

No. May and Dawn have potential too, that doesn't mean they have to return.

If Misty would've taken part in 6 water tournaments and not in 2, would she still had an "unused potential"? No.

If Misty would've stayed a regular trainer and not a gym leader would she still had an "unfinished story"? No.

Her story is OVER.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

To Samurott:Thank you for your conribution and sharing what is your view on whole subject.

Regaarding Misty story i cannot agree with you on this.Unlike say some other characters like May she never got any closure. She never achieved her dream or came to some significant realization that will help her achieve her dream. Sure, May didn't win a GF, but she realized that she was too reliant on Ashs training style, set out to establish her own, traveled on her own (or with her rivals), overcame her fear and loathing of Pokemon, etc. She had massive character development and proper closure. Misty didnt. Misty didnt choose to stop traveling with group nor hard interest in running gym.
Furthermore specials after departure didnt offered any progrees of plots of her story(like her goal of becoming one type master,potential to be developed more,other aspirations etc)nor there was ignited any change in character of deciding to pursue something else.

About your questioning how they coiuld expand on characters goal of becoming water master well as it was showed during Whirl Cup there exist certain tasks someone would need to overcome to achieve this(similar how its case with coordinators or Ash),it just happens writers never breaked new grounds with it.So leaving gym to expand horizonts and learn more about water types and battling improving herself while advancing goal through tasks would be plausible thing to do(similar to how Wallace left his gym position to improve skills as trainer later on becoming one of best watr trainers out there).

About changing goal,perhaps i should exlain more what i meant with this(though even if they changed it it wouldnt be any worse received than it was case with Gary or Brock with people accepting it more or less without any negative repercusions).

I wasnt suggesting any drastic change,but more adjustment if needed which would still be inside frame of Mistys character and her aspirations.
As we can see some E4 are labelled as one type masters(like Lance for example being called dragon master or Lorelai being viewed as ice master)so by wanting to become E4 that would if not have character avhieve what he strived for bring him very close toward it serving as somekind of push still being into character.

 

[Kazamatsuri]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

I suppose it could happen if the writers really wanted to bring her back in, but there's absolutely no incentive for them to do so, and absolutely no indication that the writers are even considering bringing her back.

Quite frankly, few people on the face of the planet seem to care that Misty is permanently out of the series. The only people who seem to give a damn these days are diehards on the internet fandom in the West, most of whom are driven by the pairing of Ash and Misty due to the invention of Pokeshipping, mainly because of these supposed hints that were created due to rewrites in the English Dub. I doubt that's reason enough to bring her back.

 

[Cybersai]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

Not really. The only time I could have seen this happen is back in AG, if both Misty and May were on the show at the same time.

By the time DP started it was obvious it wasn't going to happen.

 

[Hellion]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

Long story short: No, I don't.

The writers have already pretty much done everything they can with her storyline and dream of being a water pokémon master (water race, water pokémon tournament, fishing tournament), and so it'd be pretty much redundant at this point to see her go through again, and it wasn't all that compelling in the first place.

Characters have an expiration date, and Misty stayed well beyond hers already, so no.

 

[Tsuness]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

Quite simply, no. Her character has been gone for too long and I doubt the writers would want to have to give her a reason to suddenly pop in again and at the same time re-explain her character for all the young viewers that have no idea who she is.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

Long story short: No, I don't.

The writers have already pretty much done everything they can with her storyline and dream of being a water pokémon master (water race, water pokémon tournament, fishing tournament), and so it'd be pretty much redundant at this point to see her go through again, and it wasn't all that compelling in the first place.

Characters have an expiration date, and Misty stayed well beyond hers already, so no.

Out of all this examples they only one which did something about goal of water master was Whirl Cup defining it abit,so while i respect your view to be fair goal being focused on in one mere tournament is hardly enough.
Considering how her story was barely focused on with character not being used as much as it could have been and considering how this dream was for most part unexplored(not knowing what it exactly involves,what kind of other tests there exist to break new grounds with it)there exist room to do something about it developing character more with unused potential existing.
There is also potential for character to train and prepare aswell potentially getting short lived rivals which could pose obstacle.


Speaking of redundancy considering how people didnt find gyms or contests redundant despite following more or less same formula for years,i dont think that few events which are distinct enough from each other to expand on this dream in much smaller amount would be repetitive giving something else beside gyms occasionally.

However thank you for expressing what is your opinion on this whole subject,i appreciate that.

 

[Masurao]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

To be honest, I don't think she could. She was a fun character while she lasted, alot moreso in Kanto obviously. They've done pretty much enough with her character, and I don't think she needs anymore. Personality wise she wouldn't be much different from Iris either. Giving her a still screen at the end of the show with her accomplishing something major would be interesting though.

 

[Spindae2]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

Misty is now a full grown-up gym leader! and she doesn't have time or a reason to travel with Ash!
Her story was told! She could have a better and more serious storyline but this is what we got! She developed nice and that is it! I like her character and I would love for her to have a cameo through BW and maybe a special and that's it!

 

[Froakie]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

Only if Ash travels through Kanto again.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

Misty is now a full grown-up gym leader! and she doesn't have time or a reason to travel with Ash!

Just to point out Misty is not grown up,she is still 10(as much as it seems strange aging doesnt happens in this show).

Personally while im not antigym or anything i think she deserves more than gym position(with character itself striving for bigger things) and chance to progress further toward her ultimate dream(becoming water master),and i feel she wasnt developed as much as she could with there existing unfinished things in story which were never much exploited(both in goal and character sense) deserving to get more.
That being said most plausible reason behind her rejoining to Ash and group would be to advance her goal and skills as trainer.Any other idea which doesnt fit character would seem out of place.

 

[Spindae2]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

But the point of this characters (misty, brock, may, dawn) is to let them have space to iprove without Ash by there side!
So Misty is training in her gym preparing for a possible rematch with Ash and kicking his Ass and for improve as a leader!!
The grown-up statment wasn't completely refaring to her age!

 

[pokemon fan 132]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

But the point of this characters (misty, brock, may, dawn) is to let them have space to iprove without Ash by there side!
So Misty is training in her gym preparing for a possible rematch with Ash and kicking his Ass and for improve as a leader!!
The grown-up statment wasn't completely refaring to her age!

I can see from where your coming and while gym can help her to improve to some extent in reality its not enough in order to become strongest water trainer worldwide(requiring to reach E4 or champion lv of skill).

What im tryiung to say is how gym isnt enough not being able to learn some things until you leave it and point of leaving it would be to learn more,catch new water types which arent available in place where she lives and improve skills as trainer more by battling stronger trainers and competing in events or tournaments which have high competition passing certain tasks which would serve as testament that skills arebeing gradually increased.That way she could improve alot more as trainer and bonus of travelling with Ash and group would be opportunity to see development on screen.

Many gym leaders leave their plasces for various purposes either to improve their skills as trainers or for something else,lik Fantina,Candice,Wallace etc.
I always said how by following Wallace footsteps Misty would have required push to have chance of achieving her dream.

As we can see characters can become strong while travelling with Ash too. Dawn for example managed to improve alot as coordinator almost winning whole GF while for Ash it took 12 years to reach only top 4.

 

[Ryushi]

Re: Final discussion:do you think Misty could work as main character once again in s

Characters have an expiration date

Ash, Pikachu, Jessie, James and Meowth say 'hi'. Anyway, Misty won't return as a main character. Misty reps Gen I while we're in Gen V now. Move the FUCK on, people!