For many fans of transporting or pairing fictional characters, Pokémon anime was the first time they introduced the concept, due to the complicated feelings Misty and Ash have for each other. While Ash and Misty are still a popular couple, especially among older fans starting with the original series, the truth is that their relationship has less of a hint of romance than in Japanese. .
Of course, that’s not to say that Ash and Misty’s hidden romance is purely the dub’s creation. Misty is often jealous when Ash gets attention from other girls, as in Pokémon the Movie 2000, when Melody asks Ash to dance. She also blushes when she thinks about him, often lying about what she’s thinking when pressed. However, the idea of Ash and Misty together being voiced is much stronger than in the Japanese original, although the reason why is less obvious.
Misty & Ash’s relationship is not romantic in Japanese
Pokémon the Movie 2000 really is a perfect example. Melody is better at dealing with Misty in Japanese than acting like she’s trying to take Ash away. Melody’s flirtation is clearer in English, making her even more at odds with Misty. When asked if she and Ash were going together, Misty then started talking about him being “a boy” and a “friend” while trying not to say boyfriend — but in Japanese, Misty insists that they continue to travel together is just a coincidence. same direction. Both imply some intrigue, but the English version is clearly clearer. Of course, there are also circumstances outside of the movie; in “The Heartbreak of Brock”, for example, Brock gets a girl who cares more for him than he does for her, talking about marriage. Misty tells Ash that, “you and I will get married someday too,” leaving him confused and confused. In Japanese, Misty comments on how the girl was the one who fell in love with Brock once, making absolutely no mention of herself and Ash.
The push for Ash and Misty extends beyond the show as well. Pokémon 2.BA Master CD has a track called “Misty’s Song” in which Misty sings about her feelings for Ash, ending with the line “I want to tell you how I feel and say I love you.” This is only the first of such songs, and Misty’s affection for Ash is often reflected in these American-made tracks. It’s possible that this aspect of the dub was done in the hope that it would help appeal to female audiences and fans who are said to want a little romance in their entertainment. However, given that their relationship has never received any form of return, that might be a stupid angle to pursue.
With the original Pokémon anime coming to an end, it looks like Misty and Ash’s relationship may never get to a proper resolution, either in English or Japanese. That doesn’t change the fact that pairing is one of Pokémonmost popular, and the open ending allows fans to picture Ash with whoever they want—even if it’s just due to a voiceover change.