The original Pokémon anime first premiered in 1997 in Japan. Believe it or not, the series is approaching its 30th anniversary. Ash Ketchum’s journey as the “forever 10-year-old” lasted 26 years before he officially retired as the main character. However, even before Ash’s departure, the cast experienced a sudden and shocking change that still resonates with fans today.
A Major Turning Point Happened 23 Years Ago in Pokémon Anime
Over more than a quarter-century of airing, Ash’s traveling companions sometimes changed, but Misty’s departure at that time was especially shocking to viewers.
In 2002 in Japan, the episode “Gotta Catch Ya Later” unexpectedly said goodbye to Misty. She had to return to Cerulean City to run her family’s Pokémon Gym. This move came without any prior warning or buildup, leaving fans stunned. By then, Misty had been Ash’s constant companion for five years.
Longtime fans might recall Misty wasn’t the first to leave the group. Brock was the first to part ways during the Orange Islands arc. Although Brock’s departure was also surprising, he didn’t stay away long: he left in episode 83, returned in episode 115, and rejoined Ash’s group in episode 116.
Because of this, fans expected something similar for Misty, especially since the story suggested she’d only manage the Cerulean Gym until her sisters returned from their trip. However, that never happened.
950 Episodes Apart: A Long Wait for Fans
Misty returned occasionally as a guest and in flashbacks as Ash traveled through different regions. She appeared several times in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and Pokémon Sun and Moon, but was completely absent (aside from brief mentions and flashbacks) in both Diamond and Pearl and Black and White.
She finally returned as a main character and part of Ash’s team in the final season in 2023, episode 1223. In other words, there were 950 episodes between her departure and her return, a massive and lengthy wait for fans.
Over the years, Ash has traveled with many companions. His two longest-running partners after Misty were Dawn in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and Goh in Pokémon Journeys, along with many others like Tracey, May, Max, Serena, and more. As the series developed, a pattern of changing companions became expected.
However, the biggest surprise was when Ash himself was eventually phased out of the show. After many years, the Pokémon brand shifted focus to new protagonists Liko and Roy in Pokémon Horizons, with Ash no longer appearing.
A senior media production director at The Pokémon Company noted that Ash might still make guest appearances in the future since he has resumed his own Pokémon journey. But since the goal seems to be revitalizing the show with new regions and characters, fans shouldn’t expect this to happen anytime soon.