Misty (Pokémon)

Misty
Misty as seen in the Hoenn story arc (seasons 6-9)
Japanese name	Kasumi (カスミ, Kasumi?)
Voice actor(s) (English)	Rachael Lillis (seasons 1-8) Michelle Knotz (season 10)
Voice actor(s) (Japanese)	Mayumi Iizuka
First appearances
Game	Pokémon Red and Blue
Anime episode	Season 1 No 1, "Pokémon, I Choose You!"
Pokémon Adventures chapter	"Gyarados Splashes In!"
In-Universe Information
Preferred Pokémon type	Water-type Pokémon
Occupation	Games: Cerulean City Gym Leader Anime: Roaming Pokémon trainer (Seasons 1-5) Cerulean City Gym Leader (Seasons 6+)

Misty, known as Kasumi (カスミ, Kasumi^?) in Japan, is a fictional character in the Pokémon franchise. She has appeared as a Gym Leader in the Pokémon video games, several seasons of the Pokémon anime, The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga, the Ash & Pikachu manga, toys, books and other media.

In the anime

The Pokémon anime series and films are a meta-series of adventures separate from the canon that most of the Pokémon video games follow (with the exception of Pokémon Yellow, a game based on the anime storyline). The anime follows the quest of the main character, Ash Ketchum^[1]—an in-training Pokémon Master—as he and his friends travel around the fictitious world of Pokémon along with their Pokémon partners.

Personality

She has a slight inferiority complex, especially due to the fact that her three sisters Daisy, Lily and Violet do not think much of her, claiming that there are only three Sensational Sisters (the name under which they perform synchronized swimming) and one "runt". This complex diminishes over time as Misty grows much closer to Daisy (the most motherly and girly of the sisters). They are the ones who usually take care of the issues related to the Cerulean Gym, although it was Misty who battled Ash when he was battling for his Cascade Badge there. In the early episodes, Misty is depicted as having a wicked temper, spoiled attitude, stubborn temperament, and little patience. As the series progresses, however, she gradually shows herself to be kind and sensible. She reins in Brock when he becomes enamored with cute girls, often pulling him away by the ear. (This role was later taken by Max and, briefly, Brock's Bonsly during seasons 6-9, and then by Brock's Croagunk in season 10.) She has a slight rivalry with Ash in some episodes. She is also terrified of Bug-type Pokémon and dislikes carrots and peppers. Misty aims to be a world-class Water-type Pokémon trainer despite her sisters' ridicule. Her well trained Pokémon reflect her aspiration. She admires the Ice-type trainer Lorelei.^[2] She is a good friend of Sakura, a young girl who also has older sisters who treat her like a child.^[3] When a Pokémon egg that Ash had been carrying in his backpack hatches, Togepi is born. Since Togepi had already chosen her as its "mother", Misty ended up keeping it, even though Ash had won the Pokémon in a mini-tournament involving him, Misty, Brock, and Meowth.^[4] She takes on a motherly role to Togepi, being virtually inseparable from it throughout future seasons.

History

As a main character

Misty as seen in the Kanto, Orange Islands, and Johto story arcs (seasons 1-5) and Pokémon Chronicles

Although Misty is the leader of the Cerulean Gym in the games, she left the Gym to her three older sisters prior to traveling with Ash in the animated series. She first came across Ash when she accidentally fished him and his Pikachu out of a river while fishing for water Pokémon. Soon after this incident, Ash "borrowed" her bike, attempting to flee from a flock of wild Spearow. The bike was later charred to a crisp by a Thundershock from Pikachu.^[5] Misty used the destroyed bike as an excuse to become Ash's friend, telling him she wouldn't leave him alone until he replaced the bike. However, this plot point later became moot, as Misty actually forgot why she started traveling with him in the first place.

Hoenn and beyond

After retrieving her bike at the end of the Johto League Silver Conference, she returns to Cerulean Gym and resumes her duties as the Gym Leader while her sisters leave for a cruise around the world. As such, she is not featured as a main part of the Advanced Generation series and only appears in five episodes and in The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon, a 10th Anniversary special episode event. However, she is often a central character in the Shūkan Pokémon Hōsōkyoku, and Pokémon Chronicles. In one of her few appearances in the Advanced Generation series, her Togepi evolves into Togetic. Misty releases Togetic after it chooses to stay behind to defend the Mirage Kingdom. After Ash finishes competing in the Hoenn League, he returns home to Pallet Town to find Misty waiting for him. However, she isn't the only one to rejoin Ash, as May, Max, and Brock join him as well for the Battle Frontier challenges. She remains in his team for three episodes, and shortly after returns to her gym.

Pokémon

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At Cerulean Gym

• Goldeen

Goldeen is the first Pokémon Misty was seen with. She caught it before she met Ash.^[6] In Goldeen's first appearance, Misty used it to distract Team Rocket. She kept Goldeen with her for her entire journey. Because Goldeen was unable to battle on land, it was not seen often. It has also been used for searches and rescuing people from drowning.

• Staryu

Staryu is another of the first Pokémon that Misty had in her possession, and was the only other Pokémon she carried for the entire series. She also caught Staryu before befriending Ash. Staryu is often a supporting Pokémon to other important water Pokémon such as Ash's Squirtle or Totodile, but it also helps Brock across water when the main characters need to swim long distances.

• Starmie

Starmie is the last of the three Pokémon that Misty had caught before she met Ash. It was first used in her Gym Battle against Ash.^[7] Misty used Starmie in Kanto, but then left it at the Cerulean Gym with her sisters where it inhabited the fish tanks with her Horsea.^[8] She reclaimed both Pokémon again when she returned to the Gym. Starmie is used more for traveling purposes and has also been used for racing.^[9]

• Horsea

Horsea was an ailing Pokémon caught at the seaside town of Porta Vista.^[10] However, it was later revealed that Horsea's condition grew worse the longer it stayed out of the water. Because of its condition, Misty left it behind in the Cerulean Gym in the care of her sisters, where it inhabited the fish tanks. She reclaimed her Pokémon when she returned to the Gym. Misty's Horsea is almost never used for battle; however, it shows that it has a smarter side when leaving an ink trail for Misty to follow whenever it is stolen.^[11]

• Psyduck

Psyduck was captured when Misty accidentally dropped one of her empty Poké Balls on the ground.^[12] Psyduck is absentminded - perhaps to the degree of being dense - and often has a headache, which greatly annoys Misty. However, when its headache becomes powerful enough, it can use immense psychic powers and become formidable. To induce a headache while battling, Misty would often trick opponents into attacking it,^[4] in the hopes of adding to Psyduck's headache. Despite its battling capabilities, Psyduck is an otherwise inept Pokémon and, despite being a Water-type Pokémon, it never learned to swim.

A running gag involves Psyduck popping out of his Poké Ball at inopportune times much to Misty's embarrassment and annoyance, often when she calls for another Pokémon. Despite all of this however, Misty loves Psyduck just as much as her other Pokemon. This was proven when she was given the option to trade it,^[13] but refused.

• Poliwag → Poliwhirl → Politoed

The only Pokémon Misty caught in the Orange Islands was a Poliwag. Poliwag had originally helped Misty find some Salveo Weed, which could be made into medicine for curing an ailing Ash and Tracey (and later, Team Rocket), who had succumbed to a wild Vileplume's Stun Spore^[14].

In Johto, Ash and Misty had a match to see who would keep a captured Totodile. Misty used Poliwag against Ash's Bulbasaur, and Poliwag evolved into a Poliwhirl during the battle. Later on, Ash won a King's Rock, which Poliwhirl unwittingly grabbed from Ash's Backpack. It was recalled into its Poké Ball soon after, and evolved into Politoed the next time it was summoned.^[15] Misty thought that her Politoed was cute and thought it was much better than having it evolve into a Poliwrath. Politoed likes to act as a cheerleader for Misty's other Pokémon, as well as some of Ash's and Brock's. Politoed has actually become less of a battler after evolving from Poliwhirl.

• Corsola

Corsola was the only Pokémon caught by Misty in Johto. From then on, it became her main battling Pokémon, and it is often used in Gym battles. Its main ability is Recover, which is useful as it allows Corsola to restore all damage done to itself during battle. Corsola has been used more than any of her previous Pokémon, including Staryu and Goldeen who have been with Misty throughout the entire series.

• Gyarados

Gyarados was the only Water Pokémon that Misty feared and disliked, as she had accidentally crawled into a the mouth of a Gyarados when she was a baby. However, after Ash left for Hoenn, Misty was able to conquer her fear of Gyarados and now uses one as part of her team.^[16] When the Cerulean Gym was being inspected, Misty threw herself in front of an attack heading for Gyarados, who was trapped in a cage. Misty took the blow and, in that instant, Gyarados became devoted to Misty, which allowed Misty to overcome her fear.

• Seel → Dewgong

Seel was first seen when Misty returned to the Cerulean Gym, however it belonged to the gym and was probably considered to be its mascot, indicated by the Dewgong artwork on gym building. In the episode "The Misty Mermaid",^[8] however, Seel was considered Misty's in her underwater show. Seel later evolved into Dewgong to help defeat Team Rocket.

• Luvdisc (nicknamed "Casurin")

Misty obtained a male Luvdisc while coming back from visiting Ash in Hoenn and she nicknamed it Casurin. Misty's sister Daisy has a female Luvdisc named “Luverin”. Both Casurin and Luverin are used in the Water Shows and are in love with one another. At first, Luverin did not really like Casurin, but after seeing the way he was determined to save her from Team Rocket, eventually developed feelings for him; up to the point of agreeing to kiss him to "fly out" of a trap by Team Rocket.

• Azurill

Azurill was a newly hatched Pokémon, and a gift from Tracey. Tracey's Marill is the mother, though the identity of the father is unknown. Azurill acts as a replacement to Misty's Togepi and she holds it in her arms like she did with Togepi. Unlike Togepi, however, Azurill is used in battle.

Released

• Togepi → Togetic

In episode #46, "Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon" from the first Pokémon season in Kanto, Ash finds a mysterious egg. Four episodes later, in #50, "Who Gets to Keep Togepi?" it (sort of) hatched, and appeared to be a Togepi. Ash and his friends then disagreed about who was going to keep it. The owner of Togepi was chosen through a mini-tournament that Ash won. However, Misty was the first person Togepi saw when it was born and, just like a new born chick (Togepi's evolved forms are quite bird-like), sees her and only her as its mother. So Ash didn't have much choice but to give it to her. Until Misty's latest appearance in the fifth season of Pokémon, Master Quest (she would later reappear again in the new series of Pokémon), Togepi was treated as Misty's little baby by the fellow trainers, their Pokémon and Misty herself, who mostly carried it around in her arms. Although Togepi seems to know some attacks, such as Metronome (which in the anime is depicted as a powerful but unpredictable telekinetic attack), Misty was largely unaware of its abilities. Some time later, Misty is mysteriously sent to Hoenn from an invitation and meets up with Ash again. They are sent to the Mirage Kingdom where an official, Colonel Hansen, wishes to steal Togepi, as it is considered to be sacred in the Mirage Kingdom. It is there that, to protect the fellow Togepi as well as to save Misty and company from the official, Togepi evolves to Togetic. Togetic subsequently leaves Misty in order to protect the fellow Togepi that live in the Mirage Kingdom.

• Seaking

Nothing is much known about Misty's Seaking. It's only appearance was in the episode 'Hook, Line and Stinker' where she caught a Seaking and won the Seaking catching contest. After that Misty's Seaking has never been seen. Perhaps all the Seakings caught during the contest are released afterwards.

In video games

Misty as seen in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

In the video games Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal, Misty is the Gym Leader of Cerulean City. She specializes in Water-type Pokémon. Misty, in her anime form, also appears as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and as a gym leader in Pokémon Puzzle League. Misty also appears on Pokémon Channel on a full Japanese Pichu Bros. Disk. It differs from the other Japanese Disk as Misty's (Kasumi) voice actor is the narrator.

In manga

The Misty that appears in the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga series, which is loosely based on the anime, is similar to the Misty in the anime, while the Misty in Pokémon Adventures is similar to the Misty in the video games. In Electric Tale of Pikachu, Misty dresses slightly differently from her anime counterpart. In Pokémon Adventures, Misty is still a stubborn tomboy who trains Water Pokémon but has no siblings. She is apparently quite wealthy, living in a large mansion near her Gym. When Red, the protagonist of the manga, first meets her, she is trying to recapture her Gyarados, which has been brainwashed by Team Rocket. They decide to team up to find the mystical Moon Stone inside Mt. Moon, and end up confronting Koga of Team Rocket's Elite Triad. Red manages to defeat Koga and get the Moon Stone, while Misty is knocked out by falling rocks. When they get to Cerulean City, Misty crossly insists Red shape up and start training. However, Red is perfectly calm about the situation, and politely insists that he can take on Team Rocket by himself. Misty gets a little mad, and yells at Red, to which he replies that she wouldn't be so doubtful if she "hadn't slept through his performance". Misty angrily leaves the room. The next morning, Misty leads Red to her Gym, and he discovers her to be the Gym Leader. Just as he is getting ready, she cruelly sprays him with her Starmie's Water Gun. Red draws out Bulbasaur, and eventually claims victory because Misty forfeits, as she is worried that if they don't prepare themselves, Team Rocket will defeat them easily. Red decides that he might actually need training, and agrees to train. At that point, they become close friends. Further into the series, Red reveals that he needs a Pokémon that knows Surf in order to cross the sea to the Seafoam Islands, so Misty trades her Gyarados for a Krabby that he had caught earlier. The Gyarados in question is still a major player of Red's team. Pokémon owned by Misty at one time or another:

• Staryu
• Goldeen
• Starmie
• Seaking
• Psyduck
• Golduck
• Togepi
• Togetic
• Gyarados
• Magikarp
• Luvdisc
• Corsola
• Quagsire
• Dewgong
• Seel
• Azurill
• Mantyke
• Krabby
• Shellder

Notes and references