ship_manifesto | Ash/Misty (Pokemon)

Title: At the Beginning- A Ash/Misty ship manifesto
Author: [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com]
Fandom: Pokémon
Pairing: Ash/Misty
Word Count: 4467
Spoilers: Anime seasons 1-5, Pokémon Chronicles, Pokémon the First Movie- Mewtwo Strikes Back, Pokémon 2000- The Power of One, Pokémon Heroes.
Notes: A huge thanks to Bulbapedia, Satokasucastle, watchpokemon episodes.com for providing information, episodes and many details that helped compose this essay. Also a warm hug to the Ash/Misty community, which has some amazing links, and people on there. ♥

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T H E. P O K É M O N. W O R L D

Every child has a chance, and every child has a goal: become a Master. However that’s not all that can be done around here, there are possibilities of becoming a Pokémon Researcher, a Breeder, a Coordinator, or just simply a Trainer. The only thing that is needed to start is a starting Pokémon, which differs in each region and can be a Fire, Water or Grass Pokémon. But what are Pokémon?

Pokémon are creatures that inhabit this world in almost anywhere whether it is the sky, the sea, or land- they can be fought against and captured with a Poké ball (a device that transforms a weakened Pokémon into energy and then transfers it into its interior where it can rest and heal until further use of the trainer). Pokémon like all creatures fight for play, for food, or for defense and can die if injured enough.

Once at the age of ten, children are able to choose their starter Pokémon and begin their journey throughout their region, battling against other trainers with different Pokémon from their own, joining contests for special prizes, and battling against Gym Leaders to earn badges and qualify for tournaments. The reason for this fighting is to gain experience and level up your Pokémon, trying to evolve it into its next stage, in turn become stronger and thus come closer to achieving their dreams.

HOT ASH

T H E. H E R O: ASH KETCHUM

Meet Ash Ketchum- a ten year old starting out his Pokémon journey ready to show the world what he’s made of and make his dreams come true of becoming a Pokémon Master. However he’s got a long way to go before he becomes anywhere near “Pokémon Master” status and like all trainers he must start out with a Beginner Pokémon that turns out to be quiet different from most: an electric mouse-like creature named Pikachu. However despite receiving a different starter than most- one that refuses to enter its Poké ball and that refused to listen to him at first- he proves himself to be an able and caring Pokémon Trainer when he is willing to sacrifice his own safety for that of Pikachu during a Spearow (small bird-like creatures with a raptor-like beak, and a nasty temper) attack. This is the first display we see of his caring nature towards his Pokémon and eventually leads to his way of bonding with each of them.

At first he tends to be a little hot headed and ignore the advice if he believes it is wrong and often does what he feels is right. This boy with a heart of gold has on numerous occasions saved many Pokémon no matter how they may act- he believes that all Pokémon are the same and should be treated with respect despite their previous actions. Ash is a fair and kind person often willing to give people or Pokémon second chances if they show an act of kindness towards him or his friends. This young master-to-be is someone who takes responsibility of his own actions and is quick to prove himself in more ways then one. His love for Pokémon is unique as stated by many who have yet to see another like him.

Throughout the series we see him grow and mature a good deal. From being that competitive, impulsive, and unskillful boy during his first journey through the Kanto region he is now a mature, confident and determined Trainer working his way through Shinoh. However like all great trainers when first beginning out he was young and learned to depend on his best friends (which range from his traveling companions to acquaintances) and family (his mother in fact is the only known relative he has) and other Trainers most particularly for support and advice. He’ll do anything for them and go out of his way to make sure they’re okay despite dangerous situations or other’s suggestions not to.

AshxMisty 1

T H E. G I R L. W I T H. T H E. B I K E : MISTY

Misty, a water Pokémon Trainer who is also the fourth Sensational Sister and fourth Gym Leader of Cerulean City as well as the first person to begin traveling with Ash and notice his difference to other Trainers. Frustrated by always being overshadowed by her three beautiful sisters Lily, Daisy, and Violet she leaves her home in order to become the best water Pokémon Trainer in the world and make up her own reputation. A feisty red-head with a fear of bugs, hatred for peppers and carrots, Misty is at first thought to be a tomboy with wild and extreme mood swings but as time goes by she shows that she is anything but a tomboy. She is characterized for always holding her baby Pokémon Togepi or later Azurill taking care of the baby Pokémon showing her gentle motherly side.

When she first meets Ash she unknowingly “catches” him from being drowned in a river after running away from a Spearow attack. She shows no real interest in him at first but more so for Pikachu who is injured and tells him to take him to a Pokémon Center. He, taking her advice goes in the direction of the center but takes her bike in order to run away from the flock of Spearows that are still following him. Afterwards she meets up with him at the center to get him to repay her for her bike but upon seeing him upset over his Pokémon’s injuries she lets it go for the time being and chooses instead to follow him around with the excuse of getting her bike.

A caring and loyal friend she is always willing to do anything for those she cares about including her Pokémon. More than once while Ash is in trouble she has stayed behind in order to distract the people after him to give him time and ensure his safety. A girl with a quick-temper but a big heart she becomes a very powerful trainer proving herself to be just as capable of defeating enemies or challengers as the rest of the boys in the group and anyone else who tries to make her out as weak.

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P O K E S H I P P I N G

Now you may be asking yourself what is “Pokéshipping”? Well Pokéshipping is the popularly known name for the Ash/Misty ship. But what is it all about really? These two are just travelers right? Wrong. Pokéshipping isn’t just about two travelers, it’s about two friends, two rivals, two people who had never known each other before and were unexpectedly thrown together in what may be called as an inexplicable twist of fate- or maybe due to a bike. Yes, that’s right because of the bike. These two are friends that are always, always being thought of as a couple yet they deny, deny, deny all the time proving to be much more stubborn than would be thought of two friends who are nothing but friends.

Their Journey

The first “hint” most fans consider important is when she comes up with the excuse to follow him into the next town just for her bike (which he conveniently destroyed when facing an enemy known as the Team Rocket trio) also insisting that the road he is on is the only way to Pewter City, his next destination. This is probably what drew the attention to most shippers who first started to like them but there are many, many hints towards their relationship. These two fight constantly throughout their journey about everything and nothing at all. Sometimes Ash would get them lost and Misty would be angry. Sometimes Ash would just be making fun of her and she’d explode. Sometimes she’d just be trying to help him but he would often refuse insisting he would do it himself. All in all their fights came to be a pretty major aspect in their relationship but don’t let that fool you. They really do care.

Throughout the show it cannot be denied that Misty does truly care for Ash for more than once she is always trying to help him and make sure he’s fine. She expresses her one-sided feelings by trying to keep him out of trouble, sometimes being jealous of other girls (such as Giselle˚, Melody, Bianca˚˚, and Macey˚˚) who get his attention and at other times mentioning romantic feelings and how beautiful they are. She is the only one to hear his voice when he is separated from his body at one occasion and she goes so far as to begin crying when she sees his body laying on the floor unconscious in the same episode. She can be seen as a typical girl with a great crush on her best friend. However Ash is slightly oblivious to her crush. He shows interest in the opposite sex but only sees Misty as a friend just like almost all girls he meets. So why should Misty, a young Gym Leader who is perfectly able to travel on her own and become stronger, follow around a trainer who isn’t worth her time at all? The answer to that is simple: Ash is different from other trainers and has proved himself to be unique many, many times. At first glance he seems just like any other kid trainer with a dream of becoming a master but he’s not and Misty is the first person to see that. Not only is he stubborn in trying to do things on his own, he refuses anyone who wants to help him in his training even when he needs it.

Probably the biggest statement made about Ash’s difference from other trainers can be found in Pokémon the First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back. During the battle between the “real” Pokémon and their clones everyone talks about how useless the fighting is and how they wish to end it but Ash is the only one who expresses for someone to stand up and take a stand just like his Pokémon, Pikachu who all along has refused to fight his clone. This results in his own interference between Mew’s and Mewtwo’s last energy blast, dying, turning to stone and then revived by the Pokémon’s tears. This marks a great difference between Ash and others. Most if not all trainers although hurt to see Pokémon being treated wrongly would not interfere- Ash is the one of the few who would interfere.

Misty notices his uniqueness most of all referring to it as stubbornness and foolishness. It can be said that she is merely looking out for him as any friend would but she isn’t just doing that. She takes it as a responsibility none but she can hold. In Pokémon 2000 the movie - The Power of One she and Ash are picked and teased most unmercifully about whether they are or are not a couple. Misty firmly denies it all especially after getting jealous at Melody, a girl who kisses Ash on the cheek choosing him as “the chosen one” of the Shamouti Island’s ceremony. She insists on Ash being like all the rest and there having nothing special about him when throughout the movie it is shown that he is anything but ordinary. But as Ash is more and more determined to do things on his own almost resulting in his own death, Misty is the one to go after him implying to Melody that Ash is her problem and hers alone:

Melody: Take this. [Extends the ocarina* towards Misty]
Misty: Hmm? [A look of confusion crosses her face]
Melody: Legend or not Ash can’t do this alone.

[A pause during which Melody faces Misty determinedly and Misty looks back just as determined before shaking her head]

Misty: [making a sound in disagreement] You’ll have to play Lugia’s song I’ll go look for him. And Ash is never really alone because he’s got [a slight pause] me.
Melody: [A look of surprise crosses her face but she soon smiles]

[A look of understanding cross between the two girls before they nod and clasp each others hands before the scene changes.]

-dubbed version of Pokémon 2000- The Power of One

Misty in this part of the movie fully accepts as being the one to look after Ash and always being there for him no matter what type of trouble he is in. Even though she is capable of having other love interests who do see her as a potential girlfriend she turns them all down with the excuse that there is someone else often falling into lapses of deep thought before she makes her decision clear to them. Although asked and suggested to go back to her home Gym or to stay at another she continues traveling with Ash up until she is forced to go back after a call from her sisters who will be leaving on a trip around the world.

As mentioned before Misty is rather open about her feelings towards Ash, but he is rather oblivious and regards Misty as a very important friend to him. But there is a great potential in him actually having feelings for her. In an early episode known as "Ghost at Maiden’s Peak" romance is hinted at a lot and finally at the end we are shown Misty and Ash wearing formal kimonos while at a party. Misty has her hair down and from Ash’s point of view we see how surprised he is to see her dressed in such a fashion accompanied by the regular bubble background that is often used in romantic scenes. Not only does this give us shippers hope but also many times in the anime we are shown that he does feel a certain bit of jealousy for male characters that receive her attention. Some of these characters have included, Fiorello, Rudy and Danny the first of whom was merely a prize** while the other two showed genuine interest and a slight affection for her. Rudy’s is the most pronounced having asked her to stay and repeating he’s never met a girl like her before. Ash is especially baffled when Rudy first begins to show his rather peculiar way of displaying his affection towards Misty. However when Rudy tells him he’s a lucky guy he is honestly confused and wonders what he means to which the Gym Leader replies that he’ll see someday. All in all Ash is not aware of Misty’s feelings for him because he is very young and dense yet he still feels some sort of anger if not confusion as to how others steal Misty’s attention away from him making it clear that he does feel something for her.

The Goodbye

But like all good things they must come to and end. As mentioned before Misty never leaves Ash’s side despite having different third companions that include Brock and Tracey throughout either the Kanto, Orange Islands, and Johto regions and having many opportunities to follow her dreams elsewhere. It isn’t until in the episode “Gotta Catch Ya Later!” that she’s informed of her sisters leaving the care of the Gym up to her that she finally leaves for her home as Ash continues his way on his Pokémon journeys around the world. At the beginning of this episode when they first arrive at the Viridian City’s Pokémon Center she is told that her sister is expecting a call from her. After briefly wondering what they want to talk about Misty calls them up and Daisy tells her of her beauty contest prize of a trip around the world (with Lily, and Violet being her two companions). Brock and Ash call her lucky but Misty quickly replies that she is not and doesn’t think it’s fair that she has to take care of the gym while they’re away recovering from her initial shock after receiving the message from her sisters. After the call Nurse Joy comes in with her old bike now repaired and ready for her use informing her the Nurse Joy before her and the same one that she met the first time in Viridian City managed to fix it. Misty has a brief flashback of her bike’s history but ironically enough she says the words: “That’s when I first met Ash” clearing stating that she was thinking more about her first meeting with him than her bike to which she was often so worried about. Ash eagerly says how lucky she is to get her bike back but Misty shows little to no enthusiasm and gets very angry with him before storming off in tears.

Brock is the first one to actually mention the idea that maybe Misty wanted to stay with them thus helping Ash realize that it was never about the bike at all. Misty is visibly upset that Ash doesn’t show that he cares about them splitting up and her voice breaks when she speaks of how much they’ve been through. It is very clear that she doesn’t want to leave at all but due to the circumstances she has no choice. During the next part of the dub there is a song and a brief flashback that concentrates more on the Ash/Misty pairing than on Misty herself as the Japanese version does. There is still much debate over whether it can be considered canon or not due to the company’s different stands on the subject but it still very important to mention for this pairing. When Misty calls their meeting a mere “coincidence” Ash tells her that he doesn’t believe it was and said they were meant to meet and become friends. Brock adds that they’re more than just friends and that they truly are best friends to which the three happily agree.

Ash by this point seems to have realized a little more about how Misty feels about traveling with him and promises her that they’ll see each other again. As the three travelers go their separate ways Misty gives Ash a napkin, which he is seen using throughout future episodes.

Beyond the journey

True to his promise they do in fact meet up again. In the Mirage Kingdom mini-arc she returns to the group because of an invitation for being a Togepi holder. However this proves to a trap that she falls into and results in Togepi evolving into Togetic and releasing it back to its home where it takes care of other Togepis. This arc focuses less on the Ash/Misty pairing and more on Misty herself. Though Ash many times shows great concern for her and her young baby Pokémon it should also be pointed out what a warm welcome Ash gave her when she comes to meet Ash’s new companions. She however eventually returns back to her Gym where she resumes her duties as a Gym Leader

She makes another cameo during the mini-arc connecting Hoenn and the Battle Frontier where she and Ash show an unusual display of mutual teasing though in very good spirits. As he begins his new journey she follows along and continues to accompany them for a few episodes before she leaves for Cerulean City. She is briefly mentioned in a Diamond & Pearl episode “Buizel Your Way Out of This” where Ash is shown having a mini lure especially made by her. When Buizel steals the lure he shows his characteristic determination to get it back and when he does is immensely relieved. Although Misty is no where near him and they are each following their own dreams it is clear that Ash still finds Misty important to him in spite of the distance.

AshxMisty

W H Y. A A M L?

When I first started this essay I couldn’t help but think how fun it would be and how exciting it was to be writing about this ship. To be honest this was and still is one of my more favorite OTPs. I remember back when the fandom was still new the only thing that was shipped (otherwise you’d be burned and lynched) was Ash/Misty. Of course there were other ships, other shippers and every fandom has its wars. But no ship in this fandom has as much evidence as this one or a larger fanbase even though nowadays it has gotten a little quiet. I can’t properly explain why I like this couple without just outright demanding you to ship it as well. This is a pairing I grew up with over the years and it helped me develop a love for this show. I watched as both Ash and Misty grew together not only as trainers but also as people. I will never forget how Misty used to act before Togepi or how clueless Ash was to training and battling. It was a pleasure to watch these two grow up with time, as it was equally sad to see them separate.

Yet despite many episodes without Misty and despite many cameos made by her and others I can still say this ship is canon on both sides of the coin. Misty displayed her affection for him openly with the knowledge that she was at first nothing to him and was okay with that as long as she was with him. Ash as dense as he was knows she’s more than just his best friend. She’s the one who takes him as her burden and will not allow anyone else to do so. His other friends are there for him sure but none were so close as Misty. There are numerous times when each saves each other’s lives and they both have a respect for each other as trainers. Saying that it’s “just a crush on your friend” is putting it lightly. No one shows that much concern over a friend.

I’ll admit when Misty left I was one of those upset and you could visibly see me storming around for an entire week before I decided to give the next series a go. I couldn’t. I couldn’t watch a Pokémon episode without Misty in it. After a while I did warm up to the show and to May and I’m pretty sure I’ll warm up to Dawn as well but I still can’t get over the fact how different their relationship with Ash is than that of his and Misty’s. No one can deny that Misty’s feelings aren’t true and dense, as Ash may seem he has gotten wiser and has matured a good deal to the point where he and Misty no longer fight as much as they used to and are always, always happy to see each other no matter what the circumstances they may be in. Every interaction between them has changed over time marking a difference in how things have changed between them. Their relationship was just too unique. They were rivals, they were friends, and they were travelers. Together.

T H E. S H I P P E R S. &. W O R K S.
Although this fandom isn’t quite dead yet, the shippers have become a bit quiet but there are still plenty of communities to check out.

Communities:

[Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] the official livejournal community for Pokémon

[Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] a Pocket Monsters Fans community where fans of the anime are welcome.

[Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] a community for drabbles relating to Pokémon no matter what the content. Moderated and maintained by yours truly.

[Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] a general Pokémon fanfiction community.

[Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] the official livejournal community for the Ash/Misty ship.

Now this next part was a little harder to organize mostly because there have been so many, many authors that I have read but I couldn’t quite remember all of the names or urls. However I’m quite happy with what I put together and I’m sure they’re of the best quality.

Fanfics/Other:

Warlordess who used to go by the name of Chibi-Suiko or simply Chibi on many sites. She was my main inspiration, still my favorite writer and a must read for others.

Sarah is also another good writer that I’ve come across in my older days.

Raichu’s personal site is a great place and you can easily find great fics on there that I have fallen in love with.

Torchic- well that was the name she went by when she was still writing. Now she’s moved on but her stuff is still good as gold and any fan of this ship should definitely read her stuff.

Ace is also another good author who I think has managed to write some very good stories. Take a look when you can.

Satokasucastle a lovely site made by Yellow-chan who is also the creator of the Ash/Misty LJ community. She’s got a couple of links you might want to check out too!

The Pokémon Tower a site filled with a great deal of Pokemon fanfiction.

PS @ Serebii.net A forum that holds many Pokeshipping discussions run by Yellow-chan as well.

Mahou Love an Ash/Misty fanlisting.

At the Beginning. A AMV that is in my opinion the best tribute to this pairing because of the song which is also the inspiration for the title.

If I Never Knew You Another sweet AMV.

When You're Gone. This one I feel is especially fit for Misty for after Ash leaves.

A Misty AMV I love this one the best because it's just a perfect tribute to her.

If Everyone Cared. It's one of those many videos that wonderfully portrays how unique Ash really is.

Notes:
˚Giselle first appeared in “The School of Hard Knocks.” She turned out to be an upperclassman student attending Pokémon Tech who took responsibility of credit for designing a program to help younger students that in reality was only to bully them around.
˚˚Bianca of the movie Pokemon Heroes was able to befriend a Latios and Latias. Latias had a tendency to take the form of this girl just to walk about the city. At the end of the movie Bianca (or not?) is seen rushing to Ash to give him a picture and presses a kiss to his cheek without another word. Latias was never able to talk when in Bianca’s form so it could be possible that it is Latias instead of Bianca.
˚˚˚Macey is a Pokémon trainer from Mahogany Town who entered the Johto League Silver Conference. She develops a crush on Ash after he saved her and her Vulpix from Team Rocket.
*A small flute-like instrument used in the Shamouti Island ceremony. It signifies Lugia’s song and later is seen to heal the great Pokémon.
**In the episode “Princess vs. Princes” Misty enters the Princess Festival Contest and Ash thinks it's just to get the picture that will be awarded to the prizewinner along with a doll set. Misty denies wanting the picture stating she is only doing it for the dolls.