Serena vs Misty: Who is Ash’s True Love in Pokémon Anime?
Discover the potential romantic relationships in the Pokémon anime between Ash and his companions Serena and Misty. While Misty had hints of romantic feelings, Serena showed clear affection and even had an implied kiss with Ash. Find out who comes closest to being Ash’s true love.
Serena vs Misty: Exploring Ash’s Potential Romantic Relationships
In the world of Pokémon, Ash Ketchum has had numerous companions throughout his journey, but two stand out when it comes to potential romantic relationships: Serena and Misty. Let’s delve into their connections with Ash and examine who comes closest to being his true love.
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Starting with Misty, there have been hints of romantic feelings towards Ash. In Pokémon the Movie 2000 and the episode “Misty Meets Her Match!” in Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands, we catch glimpses of Misty’s affection for Ash. Even songs like “Misty’s Song” and “He Drives Me Crazy” give us insight into her unspoken emotions.
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However, these hints were never fully developed, and many were added by the dub. Misty eventually left the show, making way for new female leads like May, Dawn, Iris, and Serena. This led to fan ships being split between PokéShipping (Ash and Misty) and AmourShipping (Ash and Serena).
Serena’s Affection for Ash: A Unique Connection
Serena stands out among Ash’s female companions due to their pre-series encounter. When they were younger, Ash helped Serena at a summer camp after she injured herself. Throughout Pokémon XY, it becomes clear that Serena has a crush on Ash, and others even discuss her feelings. While their relationship never became official, there was an implied kiss between them when the XYZ seasons concluded and they bid farewell. This gives Serena an edge over Misty, who never shared a kiss with Ash.
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Despite various potential romantic interests along the way, such as Melody in Pokémon the Movie 2000, Latias/Bianca in Pokémon Heroes, and Miette in Pokémon XY/XYZ, Ash has not shown romantic feelings for any of his companions. He values their friendship and cherishes the time spent together, often carrying reminders of them. It’s worth noting that Ash also keeps a fishing lure from Cilan, a traveling companion with whom he had no romantic connection.
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Unresolved Romances: The End of Ash and Misty’s Story
Many fans hoped for a romantic development between Ash and Misty, especially when it was announced that Ash would be leaving the series. The anticipation grew stronger when it became clear that Misty would reunite with Ash for his final 13 episodes, offering a chance to give closure to their relationship. However, the series once again ignored their potential romance, and their interactions remained platonic. Even their final goodbye was disappointingly casual, putting an end to any hopes of a canonical Ash and Misty romance.
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Serena, on the other hand, made a late return appearance in Pokémon Journeys, but the episode only showed a brief encounter between her and Ash without any meaningful conversation. This leaves their potential romance unresolved as well.
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While Misty may be a beloved character in the Pokémon franchise, Serena has come closest to declaring her feelings for Ash and even took a step further by revealing them. This gives her a stronger claim to the title of Ash’s true love.