Mistyhas been an iconic part of thePokémonanime franchise for as far as fans can remember. Not only was she one of the first characters to make an appearance in the show, but she was also a vital part of Ash’s team. She is by farone of the best companions in the animeand fans cannot imagine the series without her.
One of the reasons why Misty is held with so much regard in the West is thanks tothe many censored momentsthat were changed from the original Japanese series. One of these is particularly striking, as it was a strange and truly unnecessary attempt at sexualizing Ash’s first female friend. This moment saw a young boy asking to breastfeed from Misty, a scene that, thankfully, was never released outside of Japan.
Pokémon’s Kangaskhan Kid Episode Contains an Extremely Uncomfortable Moment
This Scene Was Completely Altered Outside of Japan
Episode #34, or #33 in America, of the first season of thePokémonanime series tells the story of Tommy, a child who was abandoned near the Safari Zone and was adopted by a pack of Kangaskhan. He was wild and often violent, not knowing how to interact with humans as he had only been around Pokémon his entire life. At some point during the episode, the boy is separated from the Kangaskhan who raised him, and he becomes hungry. In the Japanese version, Tommy looks at Misty and notices her breasts,prompting him to ask her to breastfeed him.
Misty’s Best Pokémon Episode Isn’t Just a Visual Treat, It Perfectly Captures What Makes the Character Work So Well
Misty’s best episode put her in the spotlight–literally–and allowed her to develop her relationship with her sisters, making for a memorable show.
This already uncomfortable sequence was accompanied by a slow zoom to the girl’s chest, a decision that still baffles fans. This moment was deemed too inappropriate for a plethora of reasons, the most important being the sexualization ofa 10-year-old girl. Misty was introduced as being the same age as Ash,who fans know is famous for never aging.
Of course, cultural differences always play an important part in these types of things. Sensibilities and humor are different between Japan and the West, but the focus on the breasts of a 10-year-old girl, especially the zooming, remains particularly controversial. In the U.S., the scene was changed to Tommy asking Ash and his friends if they are Pokémon, removing any reference to Misty’s breasts.
Misty Was Also Involved in Other Controversial Moments
While the events of episode #34 are often cited as the most uncomfortable moment involving Misty, there were many other inappropriate instances relating to her character. For example, episode #18 of the first season saw the main characters visiting a beach to enjoy a sunny day. While there, Misty decided to enter a beauty competition, during which she had to parade in front of a group of adults wearing nothing but a swimsuit. While nowhere near as bad as zooming on her chest, this scene was also heavily criticized.
During that same episode, Misty was accosted by an elderly man, who claimed that he would wait until she was old enough to marry her. These moments were really uncomfortable, considering the girl’s age. This would not be the first or the last time that Misty would be seen wearing bikinis or equally revealing clothing in the series. Despite beingone of the best gym leaders and trainers in the anime, her character was mistreated and oversexualized several times.
Episode #34 of the originalPokémonis indeed truly inappropriate, but they are by no means the onlycontroversies that the series has faced. The show does not deserve any less admiration or respect, as it changed over time, leaving behind its questionable practices. Nevertheless, scenes like this one still make fans wonder today.
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Pokémon follows Ash Ketchum on his journey to become a Pokémon Master, accompanied by his loyal Pikachu. Released in 1997, the series explores Ash’s travels through various regions, where he encounters new friends and challenges, underscoring the themes of adventure and teamwork.
