GymShipping
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This article is about shipping. As hints and evidence for ships are mostly speculation, this page may contain personal points of view. |
One of the earliest ships in the Pokémon fandom was Gymshipping, (Japanese: タケカス TakeKasu) the belief in romance between the Cerulean City Gym Leader, Misty, and the Pewter City Gym Leader, Brock.
Hints in the anime
The Indigo League
The two characters first met in the episode "Showdown at Pewter City" In comparison to the introduction Brock has with May and Max, his first meeting with Misty was quite sublte, with him reffering to her as 'that girl' whilst Ash runs off in an attempt to lose her. It is unknown whether or not Brock knew of Misty's position as a Gym Leader, during his conversation with Ash it appears he knows the special attacks the Gym Leader possess, but out of respect for the Cerulean Gym Leader gives Ash no further information. Interestingly enough, he reffered to the Cerulean Gym Leader as a 'he' and incidently disappears for a great proportion of the episodes whilst Ash battled Misty. To this day it is unknown where he went and actually did, though people have come up with numerous theories. One such response was that he was simply buying supplies (i.e potions and antidotes) though this raises the question of why he was so secretive about it.In any case, Brock and Misty soon develop a strong friendship.
In the episode "The School of Hard Knocks", when Ash and Brock fall in love with Giselle, Misty gets mad. Some say that she has jealous because of Brock, but others say that was because of Ash.
The idea of the two in a romantic relationship generally arose from the episode entitled "Mystery in the Lighthouse". In this episode, Brock asks Misty to dance. She accepts, and so they waltz against the music made a by a large and (then) mysterious Pokémon.
Generally speaking, there are no 'hints' or 'evidence' indicating with 100% certainty that either Misty or Brock has/had feelings for the other. However, there are quite a few moments involving the two whom Gymshippers like, many of these moments arising from the fact that both characters in general had a greater awareness, as well as interest (Brock particularly) in romance than Ash.
An example of this was in the episode entitled "The Ghost of Maiden's Peak". Brock becomes infatuated with a maiden he sees, and when an old lady explains that the Maiden is a ghost who harms men who cross her path, Misty misinteprets, exclaiming "I must be the beautiful girl, but I'd never hurt Brock!"
Brock was initially more subtle in his romantic feelings, and this lead to a humerous situation in "Bulbaaur and the Hidden village" where Misty would continously tease Brock about his feelings for Melanie, right until the end of the episode where she asks "So, Brock, how'd you tell Melanie you loved her? Did you kiss her goodbye?" resulting in him trying to keep her quiet. His bevahiour soon changes as the series progresses, though his interest in girls has remained the same ever since.
Another humerous situation occured whilst Ash was competing in the Indigo league against Janet. Brock, infatatued once again, wishes for Janet to win, resulting in Misty having remind him (by screaming) that they're supposed to be both cheering for Ash.
As stated earlier, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that they have/had romantic feelings for each other. Indeed, in the episode "Make room for gloom' Misty doesn't appear to be disturbed by the thought of Brock with Florinda (though this is the only time she has reamined so indifferent to Brock's lovelife, and eventually it is revealled that Florinda has feelings for Potter) . However, there are times in which they've been stunned by each other's appeance. During the Indigo League, it is Brock who is stunned a couple of times. Interestingly enough, whenever Misty has been shown in differnt clothing he has never actually commented. For example, in the episode "Beauty and the Beach" he simply stares and smiles (perhaps a smirk) when Misty arrives wearing her bikina. Also, in "The March of the Exeggutor Squad" whilst Ash comments (in the dub at least) that her dress is cute, Brock meanwhile says nothing (eating popcorn as well as stares when he sees Misty wearing a kimono in the episode "Princess vs. Princess". More notably, Brock blushes at the image of a girl in a mermaid constume in "The Misty mermaid" As the title suggests, it is Misty who ends up wearing the Mermaid costume. Interestingly enough, Brock doesn't appear to be too dissapointed when he finds out the role is to be filled by her. In addition, when Ash sugests that the Mermaid on the poster looks like Misty (whilst Brock is still gawking) she bears a expresion on her face which can best be said to be embarrassment.
Shippers also have noted a common occurance whereby Misty and Brock are left together. Though a more common occurance during the Johto League, a notable instance of this happening is in the episode "Snow Way Out". After the snow storm, Ash finds out that Brock and Misty found a hot spring, with Misty saying (whilst blushing) "You can't believe how comfy we were!". This also occurs when they both leave Ash to go windsuring in "The Evolution Solution".
The Orange League
Brock eventually leaves the group and stays at Valencia Island with Professor Ivy. At the time, it was believed that he had left for good, and naturally with him gone not many people saw any moments suggestive of a romantic relationship between them. However, it can be noted that Misty does mention Brock a couple of times. Once, in "Stage Fright", where Misty tells Tracey that the advice Ash is giving is exactely the same as the advice given to him by Brock. The other time is in the episode "Bye Bye Psyduck" when she says that the Golduck, when revealing that he likes to impress girls, is a "Pokémon version of Brock" - Incidently, she appears to have been 'infatuated' with the Golduck when she first saw it.
The Johto League
When the group arrives back at Pallet Town, they are greated by Brock at Ash's house. Naturally, both are surprised, though it seems that Misty is incredibly curious as to what Brock was doing at his house. Nevertheless, they're both glad he's back and they begin travelling agian.
It is during from this season that a new gag is introduced. Brock is now much more overt in his feelings, and so Misty pulls him back (usually his ear, but at times has used other parts of his body, for example his nose) whever he tries to get the attention of a girl he likes. Some Gymshippers have used the ear-pulling as a sign of jealousy, although others believe that it is simply annoyance.
During this season there's not a lot to be said in terms of relationship development,though the episode "The Heartbreak of Brock" is one in which a focus is brought upon Brock and Misty. Many shippers have used this episode to argue that Misty has no feelings for Brock whatsoever and that her response to the question "How do you know?" when she says that "It’s easier to like someone who likes you than someone who doesn’t" is a direct reference to Ash. Other people believe otherwise. In any case, it is interesting to note the interest that Misty takes in Brock’s love life, going to almost excessive lengths for Brock to return Temaku’s feelings, even if it isn't particularly under his free will
Brock: But, maybe a relationship should start with both people liking each other, maybe...
Misty: SHE'S YOUR ONLY HOPE!!! FORCE YOURSELF TO LIKE HER!!!!!
It was also during the Johto League whereby the movie Pokémon 4Ever took place. It was in this movie where people noticed some nice scenes between the two- in particular when Misty hurts her knee and Brock helps her out by carrying her on his back. Also, when she first hurt it, Brock seemed the most concerned about her, even putting his hand on her shoulder and kneeling down beside her.
Hoenn League
With Misty returning to Cerulean Gym, there wasn't much to be said for Gymshipping, however in the two-part of which she has a cameo, it appears that her ear-pulling technique was particularly forceful. There are many who will argue against the ear-pulling due to the fact that Max now does it also, though it is interesting to note that his ear-pulling was the result of him being impressed by Misty's technique in these two episodes.
Kanto Battle Frontier
With the Hoenn league finished, Ash returns to Pallet and rejoins his friends after they make a temporary return to their houses, and so the group temporary travel with Misty at Mt Moon. It appears from this episode that Misty and Brock still share a close friendship, as he was the only one to actually express concern for Misty's wellbeing when the group gets split up. Ash, meanwhile, was worried about Pikachu, whilst May's primary concern was Max.
Similaries/Coicidences
1. Both are/were Gym leaders.
2. Both have left the main group at some point.
3. Both have been proposed to (Misty by Rudy in the Japanese version).
4. Misty and Lola (Brock's mother) both have a passion for water Pokémon, and water Pokémon also appeared to be a focus of Brock's also.
5. Both have/had 'baby' Pokémon (Misty had Togepi and now has Azurill, and Brock had a Bonsly and now has Happiny) Also Brock was the one to take care of Togepi's egg.
6. Both have a similar view on love and romance...
Brock : Love is War, and if you want to win a war you'll have to use ammunition!!...I bet Azumarill will love a jar of my home-made Pokémon treats! Give her this and I bet she'll call a truce.... or even an unconditional surrender!
Misty: You've got to be assertive! Love is all about attacking your opponent first! Get in a quick punch and surprise them, and while they're still weak take the lead and you'll beat them hands down! Trust me I know, that's the best way to win!
Hints in the manga
In Pokémon Special, Brock and Misty are two of the non-Team Rocket-affiliated Gym Leaders. However, there are no hints for romance between them; indeed, Brock has very little character development at all, and Misty has a crush on Red.
However, in the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga, there are instances where Brock seems to find Misty attractive. This particularly happens during a scene in a hot spring in the second volume (though the scene was cut from the American release of the manga). Since, however, there are many discrepencies between the anime and manga which lead many to believe that one ending doesn't have to nessessarily follow the other, the manga is usually not considered by shippers who only follow the relationship in the anime.
Gymshipping Links
- Unintended - Gymshipping Mihoshi
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This article is part of Project Shipping, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each couple in Pokémon. |
