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 subtle, with him refering to her as 'that girl' while 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 posess, but out of respect for the Cerulean Gym Leader gives Ash no further information. Interestingly enough, he referred to the Cerulean Gym Leader as a 'he' and incidently disappears for a great proportion of time during the episode Ash battled Misty. To this day it is unknown where he went and what he did, though people have come up with numerous theories. One such idea was 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 was 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 at 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 mysterious Pokémon.
Generally speaking, there are no 'hints' or 'evidence' indicating with 100% certainty that either Misty or Brock has or 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 Bulbasaur 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 behavior soon changes as the series progresses, though his interest in girls has remained the same ever since.
Another humorous situation occurs when Ash was competing in the Indigo League against Jeanette. Brock, infatuated once again, wishes for Janet to win, resulting in Misty having remind him (by screaming) that they're both supposed to be 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 Showers (though this is the only time she has reamined so indifferent to Brock's love life, and eventually it is revealed that Florinda has feelings for Potter). However, there are times in which they've been stunned by each other's appearance. During the Indigo League, it is Brock who is stunned a couple of times. Interestingly enough, whenever Misty has been shown in different 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 bikini. Also, in The March of the Exeggutor Squad while Ash comments (in the dub at least) that her dress is cute. Brock meanwhile says nothing while eating popcorn as he 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. 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 expression on her face which can best described as embarrassment.
Shippers also have noted a common occurence 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 (while blushing), "You can't believe how comfy we were!" This also occurs when they both leave Ash to go windsurfing in The Evolution Solution.
The Orange League
Brock leaves the group and stays on 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 anything further suggesting 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 it likes to impress girls, is a "Pokémon version of Brock". Incidentally, 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 again.
It is during 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. In Fossil Fools, Brock even uses this move on Misty.
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 Temacu’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 that the movie Pokémon 4Ever took place. It was here 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, during her cameo in the two-parter, 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 took over for her, 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 well being when the group gets split up. Ash, meanwhile, was worried about Pikachu, and May's primary concern was for Max.
Similarities/Coincidences
- Both are/were Gym leaders.
- Both have left the main group at some point.
- Both have been proposed to (Misty by Rudy in the Japanese version).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- Both have frog-like Pokémon.
- Both have or had a Pokémon which is of the Normal type and which can evolve twice, Happiny, Azurill, and Togepi respectively.
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
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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. |
