The Real Love Interest of Ash Ketchum in Pokémon: Debunking Misty's Claim

Article Overview

Serena, not Misty, is Ash's true love in the Pokémon anime. Serena has shown clear romantic feelings for Ash and even had an implied kiss with him.

Despite flirtations with other companions, Ash has never displayed any romantic interest towards them. While he values his companions, he has never actively pursued a romantic relationship.

Any hopes for a romantic connection between Ash and Misty were crushed in the concluding episodes of the series, as their interactions continued to remain strictly platonic. Furthermore, Serena's potential romance with Ash also remains unresolved.

Despite being highly cherished by fans, Ash and Misty from Pokémon did not become a lasting couple in the series. Throughout the years, the anime has introduced various companions for the main character. Among all the girls Ash has befriended, none have come as close to a potential romantic relationship as Serena.

Pokémon premiered in Japan in 1997, followed by the English release a year later. Right from the start, fans passionately supported different pairings. One of the earliest popular partnerships in the Pokémon anime was between Ash and Misty, his constant travel companion. Considering the young age of the characters (Ash is consistently depicted as 10 in every season) and the initial target audience, it's understandable that official relationships were not established early on. However, even after twenty-five years, there have been limited advancements in terms of romance for the series' enduring hero, except for one character specifically: Serena.

Serena is Ash's True Love in the Pokémon Anime, Not Misty

Misty's potential romantic feelings towards Ash have been hinted at in a few moments and songs throughout the Pokémon series and associated films. These hints were particularly teased in Pokémon the Movie 2000 and the episode "Misty Meets Her Match!" in Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands. Songs like "Misty's Song" (from Pokémon: 2.B.A. Master) and "He Drives Me Crazy" (from Totally Pokémon) also provide insight into Misty's hidden emotions. However, it's important to note that these romantic teases were never fully explored, and many of the hints suggesting a romantic relationship between Ash and Misty were added by the English dub.

Misty eventually departs from the regular show, making way for new female leads such as May, Dawn, Iris, and later, Serena, who becomes a new romantic "rival" for Ash in the Pokémon XY series, which is part of the sixth generation. This divide among fans has led to two primary groupings: PokéShipping (Ash and Misty) and AmourShipping (Ash and Serena).

What sets Serena apart from Ash's other female companions is that it is revealed she actually knew Ash prior to their journey. The two met as young children when Ash helped Serena during a summer camp after she injured herself. Throughout the XY and XYZ series, it becomes evident that Serena has developed a crush on Ash, to the extent that it is even acknowledged by other characters, including her romantic rival, Miette. While Ash and Serena have never officially been in a relationship, there is an implied kiss between them as the XYZ seasons featuring Serena come to a close and the two bid farewell. This puts Serena at an advantage over Misty, as there was never a similar romantic moment between her and Ash.

No Romance for Ash Ketchum

Despite various potential romantic interests throughout his journey (such as Melody in Pokémon the Movie 2000, Latias/Bianca in Pokémon Heroes, and Miette in Pokémon XY/XYZ), Ash has never admitted to having romantic feelings for any of his companions. Nevertheless, it is evident that he cherishes his companions and the time he has spent with them. There have been instances where he expresses missing them or carries sentimental items, like Misty's fishing lure, as a reminder of them. It's worth noting that Ash also possesses a fishing lure from Cilan, a former companion with whom he had no romantic connection.

When it was revealed that Ash Ketchum would be departing from the series, many fans held onto the hope that a romantic relationship would finally be established for him. These hopes escalated when it became apparent that Misty would reunite with Ash for his final 13 episodes, offering a potential resolution to their relationship. However, once again, the series ignored the possibility of romance between Ash and Misty. Their interactions in these concluding episodes were no more romantic than those in the early episodes, and Misty played a minor role in the finale. Even their final farewell lacked any significant sentiment, ultimately solidifying the absence of a canonical romance between Ash and Misty. Serena also made a brief appearance in Pokémon Journeys, but their encounter was fleeting, leaving their potential romance unresolved as well.

Serena, while not as well-known as Misty in the Pokémon franchise overall, stands out as the girl who has come the closest to openly expressing her affection for Ash. In fact, she even went a step further by revealing her feelings, which gives her a stronger claim to the title than Misty.

Editor's P/S

Serena, not Misty, is Ash's true love in the Pokémon anime. Serena has shown clear romantic feelings for Ash and even had an implied kiss with him. Despite flirtations with other companions, Ash has never displayed any romantic interest towards them. While he values his companions, he has never actively pursued a romantic relationship. Any hopes for a romantic connection between Ash and Misty were crushed in the concluding episodes of the series, as their interactions continued to remain strictly platonic. Furthermore, Serena's potential romance with Ash also remains unresolved.

Personally, I have always been a fan of the PokéShipping pairing, and I was disappointed that Ash and Misty never became a couple. However, I can see why Serena is a better match for Ash. She is kind, caring, and supportive, and she understands Ash's dream of becoming a Pokémon Master. She is also the only girl who has ever kissed Ash. I think that Ash and Serena would make a great couple, and I hope that they will eventually get together.