PokéShipping: Difference between revisions

Ash and Misty first encountered each other in ''[[EP001|Pokémon, I Choose You!]]''. Misty was [[fishing]] in a river, and she hooked {{Ash}} and his injured {{AP|Pikachu}} who had been chased by a flock of {{p|Spearow}}. After pointing Ash in the direction of the nearest [[Pokémon Center]], he borrowed her [[bicycle]]. They reunited in ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency]]'' when Misty arrived at the Pokémon Center with her broken bicycle, demanding that Ash pay her back, saying she'd continue to follow him until he does. As the series progressed, the pair developed a strong bond and had many adventures together, with Misty being the primary female protagonist through the [[Kanto]] [[region]], the [[Orange Archipelago]] and the [[Johto]] region with Ash. Misty continues to make reappearances in subsequent series as well since her departure.

Despite Misty's initial insistence that she is only following Ash until he pays for her bike, in ''[[EP003|Ash Catches a Pokémon]]'', she admires his deep love and care for Pokémon. Early on in their journey, she primarily serves as a tutor for Ash, explaining to him how the [[Badge]] system works, even assisting him in battles and training. From the beginning, she is happy to offer her own Pokémon to support Ash in his battles, such as seen in ''[[EP005|Showdown in Pewter City]]''.

Despite Misty's best efforts to convince Ash to pass by [[Cerulean City]], when they do make it, Misty's sister, {{an|Daisy}}, questions if the pair of them have become a couple, which embarrasses Misty. And, when the group reaches [[Pokémon Tech]], Misty becomes frustrated with Ash and Brock when the pair become infatuated with [[Giselle]].

At the end of ''[[EP020|The Ghost of Maiden's Peak]]'', during the festival, Ash begins to see Misty in a different light, and common romantic tropes occur, such as a bubbly background and romantic harp strings. When Misty invites Ash to dance, he happily accepts by taking her hand. The pair are shown holding hands again during ''[[EP023|The Tower of Terror]]'' while traversing the mist on their way to [[Lavender Town]]. When Ash decides to investigate the [[Pokémon Tower|tower]] alone, he is knocked out by a falling chandelier. Outside, Misty voices her concerns to Brock about letting Ash and Pikachu enter the tower alone. When the pair go inside and find Ash unconscious, Misty is visibly upset, holding Ash in her arms before he regains consciousness. Misty and Ash continue to remain very protective of each other, always showing concern at any risk of injury and supporting each other through their hardships and battles throughout the series.

During a scene from ''[[EP036|The Bridge Bike Gang]]'', Brock unknowingly pins Ash to his seat at the Pokémon Center and Misty has a frightened look on her face. Later, in the same scene, Misty is seen trying to free Ash, with Pikachu's help.

By the time Ash, Misty and Brock reach [[Cinnabar Island]], she'd forgotten that she started to follow Ash because of her bike, indication that the two had developed a strong friendship. Misty continues supporting Ash as he battles through the [[Indigo Plateau Conference]], and attempts to cheer him up when he loses to [[Ritchie]], before losing her temper with him.

[[Image:PokeShipping 3.png|thumb|325px|right|Misty is annoyed when Melody flirts with Ash]]

Ash, Misty, and Brock travel onwards to the [[Orange Archipelago]], with Brock leaving them early on to help at [[Professor Ivy]]'s laboratory. During ''[[EP083|Poké Ball Peril]]'', [[Team Rocket]] comment that they've caught "a pair of very romantic creatures" and how Misty and Ash are "lovebirds," which they both deny. A sub-theme during this arc is the closeness of their relationship, culminating in Misty admitting to herself her feelings for Ash in the [[M02|second movie]]. Other characters who also comment on their closeness include [[Danny]], the [[Navel Island]] [[Gym Leader]], {{Tracey}} and {{OBP|Melody|M02}}.

The events of ''[[EP103|Misty Meets Her Match]]'', are another key episode that people supporting PokéShipping point to, despite [[Rudy]]'s interest in Misty and their impromptu date, she continues to cheer for Ash in their gym battle. Recognizing her feelings for Ash at the culmination of their battle, Rudy comments to himself that "She wants him."

Misty notices when others show an interest in Ash, such as in ''[[EP267|Love, Pokémon Style]]'' when Macy invites Ash out to lunch, interrupting her saying that Ash is "booked." Later in the same scene, Macy questions Misty's right to interfere in Ash's personal affairs as she's not his girlfriend. Misty looks quite unimpressed as Macy continues flirting with Ash.

When Misty, Ash and Brock split up in ''[[EP273|Gotta Catch Ya Later!]]'', initially she is upset that Ash doesn't seem to care that the three of them will be going their own ways. However, by the episode's conclusion, as they think back on their journey together, they're all upset, but concede they will always be the best of friends. As a parting gift, Misty gives Ash a handkerchief, which is customary in Japan and other East Asian cultures, to "wipe away tears" when someone leaves your life (e.g. a death, a breakup, or saying goodbye to a good friend).

After their initial adventure, the pair are always excited to see each other and continue traveling together for short lengths. This is seen during their time together at the [[Mirage Kingdom]] in [[Hoenn]], traveling to the {{gdis|Battle Factory|III}} in Kanto or reuniting when they meet up during the series, {{series|Sun & Moon}}.

Ash also has a [[Misty's special lure|special lure]] featuring Misty's likeness that he received as a gift from her and has been seen using it on numerous occasions, carrying it with him throughout his adventures.

In ''[[ET20|Epilogue: Wild Type]]'', in a letter he writes home to his mother, Ash recounts his adventures in the Orange Islands and brief glimpses are shown. These include a panel with Ash and Misty facing each other, blushing furiously, in the scene, Ash asks, "Which jacuzzi...was this?". In the letter, Ash describes this moment as "some other stuff too..." saying "I can't tell '''Mom''' about ''that''!".