To
Lizardo:
I wouldnt say Misty exist at end of Johto in rushed, abrupt manner without accomplishing something big enough that we could say she came closer toward achievement of her dreams was nusproduct of writers "not caring."
Especially if we take in account how in last season of Johto writers did more for development of Misty water pokemon master dream through water tournament, capture of new pokemon, meeting and battling several trainers and sharing for first time with audience from where her passion for water pokemon comes from; Episode "Some Like it Hot!".
Reason behind random out of blue departure is plexus of unfortunate circumstances in decision behind Misty removal from main cast being brought up in middle of Johto generation after pokemon fad and popularity started to drop of. With production staff deciding to shake things up and replace one of main characters.
When Johto just started out no one among writers and directors according to Takeshi Shudo blogs even thought of replacing main female lead.
By time it was decided that Misty receives middle finger by end of Johto her story, goal of becoming top water trainer and plots which defined her character were NOT developed enough to fulfill parameters required to bring someone story to an end. Since by end of Johto plots which formed her story didnt reached point to even get climax, let alone resolution.
Not just water pokemon master dream. Misty desire to learn everything she can about them becoming powerful as E4 nmembers are. But also her unresolved fears, inability to fully understand pokemon feelings using them to full potential(such as Psyduck), parents which abandoned her and sisters, unsolved disputes with sisters or lack of resolution in what way and how she can come closer toward her ultimate aims.
Etc.
Misty storyline simply wasnt developed enough alongside her dream to jump from tangle of someone plot and prelude immediately to resolution. Thats not way to tell storyline and writers were painfully aware how they screwed up not having enough space and time to finish job. Not without more time to let Misty character unfold out enough to wrap things up afterwards.
Time Misty didn't had because of being replaced. Sure she had some amazing development in chronicles overcoming Gyarados fear, gettzing sense of pride and sewlfaccomplishment when saing gym and becoming more tough, badass and independent as person as showed in taking care of Hanbson in Hoenn, taking care of Max when got lost or dealing with Butch/Cassidy on her own, while building on sweet and endearing sister bond with Daisy having great dynamic encompassed throughg Misty sarcastic remarks or older sister vasnity driving her crazy yelling at her. But aldso working as team when battling and Daisy trying to talk MIsty in all kind of embarassing things much to her younger sister displease.
Fact that even Togepi subplot wasnt resolved until Misty made return in Hoenn generation during mirage Kingdom tells ALOT about writers not planning to relace Misty.
With decision catching them unprepared having to come up with some excuse to justify Misty removal from main cast. So they used random idea of older sisters suddenly winning prize to go on world trip leaving Misty with no choice but to stop traveling and go back to take care of their home.
Thus stopping with development and progression of her character started by end of 4th season in middle.Sure she had some amazing development in chronicles overcoming Gyarados fear, getting sense of pride and sewlfaccomplishment when saing gym and becoming more tough, badass and independent as person as showed in taking care of Hanson in Hoenn, taking care of Max when got lost or dealing with Butch/Cassidy on her own, while building on sweet and endearing sister bond with Daisy encompassed throughg Misty sarcastic remarks or older sister vanity driving her crazy yelling at her. But also working as team when battling and Daisy trying to talk Misty in all kind of embarassing things much to her younger sister displease.
HOWEVER large part of her story, career of water trainer and desire to achieve mastery over water pokemnon catching up to her idol she fangirls and admire so much was left completely open leaving material to be done alot more.
If Misty wasnt replaced she would receive continuation. More focus and build up on dreams, subplots, unresolved conflicts fermenting inside character and more throgh explanazion behind what title of water master entails and possibility to become eventually E4 member apprentice teaching her how to develop stronger bond with pokemon and become more creative in battles,.
Take just Hoenn for example and possibility of Misty being there either instead of May or instead of Brock or Max having two girls in main cast. I mean just think for moment of possibilities which existed there for Misty character:
It had so much water based themes. Champions like Wallace and powerful water trainers like Juan, villains like Team Aqua which used water pokemon for malefic purposes centered around legendary Kyogre, possible expansion from Whirl Cup entering tournamentds which would advance her water master career, even 9th movie about Manaphy offered so much potential to develop her character more.
I definitely enjoyed when Misty joined for awhile in her cameos to Ash, May, Max and Brock and her presence could help improve several story plots which took place in Hoenn.
I enjoyed in her interactions when she made cameos in Hoenn in light of more badass, mature character when using Gyarados while still grimming with lot of flare, spunk and vibrant attitude with mix of shyness added to whole thing).
So i imagine AG series might have been even better than they already were if Misty was used in all those water themed stories enriching on them and delivering another fresh, diverse storyline into the mix.
Speaking of Original series:
When it comes to Misty development in general you have to keep in mind how during Kanto, Orange Islands and beginning of Johto when mr. Shudo was in charge pokemon anime followed completely different prnciples and values. Shudo wanted anime more directed toward wider audience such as teenagers, adults, elders rathger than just kids. His policy was about pokemon being primarily based on adventure aspect, emotional snd personality growth of human characters, build on friendship and exploration of world mysteries and various species going through all kind of side adventures.
Under mr. Shudo command focus on development of smeone dreams, trainer skils and pokemon wasnt priority.
Hence why most focus Misty had in first half of her run being revolved around coaching and mentoring Ash, warning him about other people tricks and how to not fall for them. Playing role of heroine in classic sense of that word by being chgaracter which was selfrighteous, adamant and strongwilled in her resolves often taking initiative to save other people lives. Stop wild pokemon, bail groupo out of dangerous situations and resolve secrets. Such as leading others out of sink ship, stopping Tentacruel from destroying Porta Vista, befriending pokemon like Hoot Hoot figuring out how to find way out from enchanted forest. Playing role of undercover detective to prove Ash and Brock innocence by freeing them out of prison etc.
Accompanied with her growth being comprised of developing feelings for Ash which were especially notable by time Orange Islands started giving insight in her sad childhood suffering from complex of feeling inferior to older siblings and looking for parental love and care she never receved. In learning how to be more tolerant and open minded toward people around her and pokemon like Psyduck etc.
Which worked fine and gave Misty enough options and substance to thrive in earlier seasons. But for longer saga like Johto personality development, moral support and overly curious nature in trying out various activities wasnt enough. Needing to receive more emphasis on her dreams, goals, pokenon and her skills as trainer as well. To give viewer impression how it wasnt just character and his relatiponship with others that was developing, but its story and dreams as well.
Something Takeshi Shudo realized expressing regret in his blogs of not doing more with Misty character leaving lot of poitential untapped.
In vein of this events Misty goals of becoming water pokemon master. Her resolve in becoming more independent and confident in her abilities making amends with past. We saw that when Misty helped Sakura she met in Johto helping to cope with same difficulties youngest member in family goes through not being anymore full of pent up aggresion and sadness but joking on her account and being sarcastic about it maturing as character greatly(watch "Trouble Brewing! or "Espeon Included!", youll know what i mean).
Opening to Sakura how much she learned anout pokemon, battles and world in Ash and Brock company and how she consider them as her second family by this point.
Her skills as trainer and determination to show world how beautiful and powerful water pokemon can be. Did not happened until Takeshi Shuido left position of main writer and Atsuhiro Tomioka took over changing direction in which pokemon anime will go.
In case you didnt noticed Master Quest was much more plot related and story based than rest of Johto.Whether its case with TR arcs being linked in some way to past, , Whirl Islands which foreshadowed Corsola Capture and Whirl Cup tournament, evolution of Poliwhirl using King Rock which was direct consequence of Sumo tournament match in which Snorlax competed in "Ring Masters" etc.
Introduction of Delibird which was send by TR talent scout to follow Jessie, James and Meowth collecting money they owe to TR organization appearing in multiple episodes etc.
Red gyarados arc, build upo in Phanphy hatching from Ash egg. Lugia and her child storyline. Whole plot about dragon temple and sacred fire featuring Clair, return of Ash Charizard etc.
Most episodes in beginning (Johto Journeys) were highly enjoyable as well having many memorable moments like battle for Totodile,memorable bond between Misty and Marill, Brock taking care of hurt Stantler, wacky episodes focusing on resolving mysteries like Gligarman etc.
With GS ball being heavily built up making it seem like something spectacular is going to happen just to end up dropped.
It was by time GS ball got dropped that anime took decline in Johto. Abandonment of GS ball really hurted Johto storyline since it lost main vector and plotline which was supposed to fill up time and provide story in which main cast could be involved regarding mystery surrounding that ball and Celebii potential as pokemon.
Because GS ball was intended to play crucial role in Johto series plot with huge arc accompanying it making Misty, Brock and Ash in charge much more proactive that way.
Thus causing pokemon series to drop in slump resorting to fillers until writers deeloped direction and plans how to move characters and plot forward by end of 4th season and in Master Quest which was heavily plot centric and filled with lot of character development once Whirl islands started.
Another reason behind writing in Johto comes from fact of head writer at that time Takeshi Shudo often getting in clashg and arguments with other wruiters, pokemon series director(Yuyama Kunihiko) and his superior he often referred as Omae Sama in his blogs rejecting his plans and ideas how series should be written. With pokemon anime passing through turbulent time with writers and those athigher positions at game Freak and Nintendo.
BUT i feel need to address how true of whole doesnt make true of all of its parts.
Because Johto series gave Misty very good development, screen time and sense of stoiry moving forward in last aseason Master Quest and third season if battle for Totodile, scenes of praying to water godess, bonding with Marill, attempts at catching wild Quagsire or Chinchau are something to go by.
Playing fun roel in several episodes not fading in background until end of 3rd season and 4th season.
But you could hardly call her inactive once Ecruteak gym and town was passed.
Going back to beginning of my post and talking about Misty abrupt and forced exist leaving her story unfinished.
You have to keep in mind fact how reasoning behind writers leaving Misty future undefined, her goals of becoming water master unfinished with several things going for her pending during Hoenn generation when they still returned character in person through cameos and chronicles might be:
Because at that time when Hoenn aired writers probably werent sure how would new girl May be accepted among people(afterall many older fans abandoned show when Misty left and things were quite touchy back than), so writers purposely left story open with Misty to allow easier way to return her back in case they decide to do more with her keeping her as back up plan. But as time went on and May became liked enough amoing fans gaining lot of support they decided to continue adding new girls they didn't bothered or forgot of finishing what they started about character. Much to fanbase sadness and disappointment sadly.
P.S.
You have to take in account all factors and variables in here Lizardo. Because not everything regarding Misty position in main series, decisions behind her removal and pending status of way how her story was left unresolved leaving room to be done much more than delivered wasn't black and white.
But if anything, Satoshi is a great demonstration of why it's good that Haruka's (and Kasumi's) time was so limited. Would you really want to see Haruka continue to start over with a new team of Pokémon each new region, and have to go through the challenges of earning her ribbons over and over again like we have to do with Satoshi and his Gym badges? Would you really want Haruka and her journey to become stale like Satoshi and his have?
Aside from Ash out of traveling companions was ever someone regressed though? No one except Ash and that only happened in Unova because of writers attempting to do reboot like games did by transferring new tone if it onto already established characters. Which proved to be mistake fixing it up now in XY.
Not to mention Dawn, May, Misty etc aren't driving force of pokemon anime like Ash is. Given how as someone with who kids associate pokemon the most representing new male players from games through wearing their clothes writers on purpose keep him in never ending loop to be relatable more that way for new generations which start playing games and watch anime. With his companions they definitely have more free hands in determining at what pace theyre gonna grow. With Dawn, May, Misty, Iris etc growing and developing faster than Ash does because of that.
Your comparing apples to oranges in here to be honest. Especially when Ash instead of regressing only msatured and developed forward from Johto to Hoenn or Hoenn to Sinnoh.
So based on this its safe to say with very high percentage how Misty or May in case of staying for longer than they were would only benefit them and allow going through deeper, more significant development and progression of their story.
Regardless of leaving some of older pokemon behind to make space to castch new ones which is expected from any succesful trainer,coordinator etc learning more about various type of pokemon that way and adapting your battling style to it becoming stronger.
Especially when with anime exclusive dreams like Misty has there doesnt exist danger of material from which writers draw inspirationstopping to exist. Like its case with contests and games.
Hence allowing writers to take Msty character and way through which her water master dream would thrive in more than one direction creating substantial story out of it. Because thius kind of dreams depend on their imagination like its case with manga based shows.
I don't think it's a problem that Kasumi got replaced, the problem is that Kasumi didn't accomplish much towards her goal when she was actually around for 270+ episodes. If the writers could do what they did with Haruka in 192 episodes, then they should have been able to do the same for Kasumi. And if Satoshi and the Rocket trio haven't benefitted from sticking around as long as they have, why would Kasumi or Haruka?
In Misty case 270 episodes wasnt enough because story wasnt designed initially in such way that it ends within this episode count, due to pokemon following different principles back than.
Original series followed entirely different formula with way how Misty story, dreams and plots which represented character being constructed to develop slowly over long period of time. Accompanied with fact how certain plots in Misty story didnt started to be developed until before she was planned to be removed from anime. Thus not having enough time to develop and get conclusion(explained throughly above in my post).
But for what it's worth, I checked the list of Kasumi-focused episodes on Bulbapedia here:
http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Category:Episodes_focusing_on_Misty. Out of OS episodes total (not counting AG or the specials), there were about 41 episodes centered around Kasumi. For Jouto alone, that was 20 episodes listed as being focused around her. If that list is correct (and I can't be bothered to search every episode to verify it exactly, so I'll let you be the judge of that), then Kasumi episodes were very occasional.
Not that that should matter to how much one enjoys Kasumi, of course.
Your forgetting one important thing in here:
-character centric episodes arent only episodes where main character develops. Where someone battles, learn new things, explore on his backstory or plays importance in various storylines,conflicts and episodes. Helping to resolve them or save day by himself.
Because there are many story arcs and episodes which werent Misty centric, yet Misty still developed from them playing influencing part there.
I cannot talk in other people name. But i can speak for myself how reason why i find Misty storyline, development and character more eventful than its case with other girls is because:
Of her rich highly passionate personality, backstory which was more sympathetic and heartfelt(losing parents as child and growing in shadow of older sisters which berated and neglected her treating like trash is pretty touching).
, funny and interesting pokemon(like Psyduck, incredibly resistant and agile Staryu, powerful Gyarados, intrusive and with versatile moveset Corsola) and all those moments when she took charge in resolving various issues, serving as motivator and voice of reason not letting others to fall in depression and fool around and pushing things forward by resolving mysteries, protecting towns or guided Ash in becoming better trainer showed how you don't need huge fleshed out goals to be noticed and proactive. Not that she didn't had very unique dream too making her stand out from rest of companions in being only one type trainer in cast so far wanting to become strongest water expert in world expressing devotiuon and love toweard pokemon more than any other female.
Not to mention Misty developed more than Dawn and Iris did in emotional, personality sense. Aside from May who changed just as much as person, if not even more.
Because development doesnt lie only in advancement of someone dreams and goals. There is also emotional, personality growth causing chasnges in someone behavior. Way he perceives people and surrounding or overcoming personal fears and flaws going inside someone.
With Misty when compared from start of Kanto to Hoenn changing and growing alot over time. Arguably i would say Misty accomplished more as water trainer and on road of becoming water mastere than Iris did as well but thats debatable(because Whirl Cup wasnt only instance where Misty dreams were focused and pushed forward).
In end other girls may have received more focus or exploration of their own stiory and dreams. But Misty left in exchange much bigger impact on Ash character, and main storyline by oushing it firward as whole in my honest opinion.
Ignorance? He shows no clear problem with Misty; he's just pointing out that she's kind of been off the main show for twelve years now. I'm not sure what you're reading :/. If anything, you're more hurt by the fact that he's being realistic based on the current trend the anime has been going for the past twelve years, going on thirteen now.
He/she may be realistic. However based on his responses in here and other pokemon sites comments always have negative foretoken when Misty is center of talk. Coincidence or something else?
I don't even have anything against Misty as a character, I just wonder what logic you're working on when you actually think the writers are going to suddenly change their minds and use Misty again when they've shown little to no interest in her for over a decade.
Because he isnt relying on past patterns, but what future nmight hold for Misty chaeracter.
Writers are humans of blood and flesh just like anyone else,. They do mistakes, they learn from their failures in past, they try to improve their work and have pokemon anime become more accessible to their viewers.
They go through selfquestioning, insecurities and most of all they change decisions and views on storyline, planning and characters all the time. With each new series doing something different/unexpected from previous one.
Based on those facts alone possibility that producers and directors in chage change their stance toward Misty character and decide to give her second chance in pokemon show cannot be excluded as out of realm of possibilities.
Because past has no influence on future decisions made from writing team.
For example lets take a look at coin toss and how statistics work in here:
If you flipped coing 10 times in a row and 9 of results were heads. Would that mean that for next flip there would exist 90% of chance that coin lands on head again?
No, because following
Bayrem's theory[/B before every coin flip probability of it landing on either head or tails would always and under any circumstance be 50%. With previous incidents and results not having influence on what will happen in future.
Same paralell can be drawed to animated show and writing which changes from generation to generation, Therefore rules which existed before dont extend to next saga and who would have chance to return or not in case writers break pattern and theuir policy over bringing back past female leads delivering sequel to their stories shaking things up and making not just target audience, but older viewers intrigued back into pokemon series again through such gesture.
