Home > Anime > Anime List

Pokemon Reveals Ash Ketchum’s True Love, and It’s Not Misty

Exploring Pokémon Romance: Ash’s Many Admirers, from Misty to Serena and Beyond

SUMMARY

  •  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 teases of romance with other companions, Ash has not shown any romantic feelings towards any of them. He values his companions but has never pursued a romantic relationship.
  •  The hopes for a romance between Ash and Misty were dashed in the final episodes of the series, as their interactions remained platonic. Serena’s potential romance with Ash also remains unresolved.

Despite the fervent support from fans, the enduring ship of Ash and Misty in the Pokémon series hasn’t sailed into the realm of long-term couples. Since its inception in 1997 in Japan, and a year later in English-speaking markets, Pokémon has introduced a plethora of companions for its main hero. Among these, none have come as close to potentially blossoming into a romantic relationship as Serena.

Throughout the anime’s extensive run, viewers have rooted for various pairings, but perhaps none as passionately as the duo of Ash and Misty, who shared a deep bond as long-time traveling companions. However, despite their undeniable chemistry and countless adventures together, the series has yet to solidify them as a romantic couple.

As the narrative progressed, the introduction of new characters and story arcs opened up new possibilities for Ash’s relationships. Enter Serena, a character who struck a chord with audiences and quickly became a frontrunner in the realm of potential love interests for Ash. Her dynamic with the main hero offered a fresh perspective, sparking intrigue and speculation among fans.

While Ash and Misty remain cherished figures in the Pokémon universe, their relationship has evolved into one of enduring friendship rather than romantic entanglement. As the series continues to captivate audiences around the world, the question of Ash’s true love remains a topic of fervent discussion and debate among fans, showcasing the enduring appeal and complexity of the Pokémon franchise.

TRENDING NOW

Considering the age of the characters (Ash is consistently said to be 10 years old in every Pokémon season) and the audience, it makes sense that there wouldn’t be any official relationships early on. However, after twenty-five years, there still haven’t been very many romantic developments for the series’ long-term hero, aside from one particular character: Serena.

Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Episodic Narratives: Unveiling Anime’s Diverse and Captivating Worlds

READ OUR REVIEW

Ash's True Love: Serena Takes Center Stage in the Pokémon Anime, Leaving Misty Behind

Pokémon is Produced By OLM & Based on the Video Game Franchise By Game Freak

Throughout the Pokémon series and associated films, there have been subtle moments and poignant songs hinting at Misty’s romantic feelings for Ash. Notably, in Pokémon the Movie 2000 and the episode “Misty Meets Her Match!” from Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands, glimpses of Misty’s affection towards Ash were teased. These sentiments were further expressed in songs like “Misty’s Song” (featured in Pokémon: 2.B.A. Master) and “He Drives Me Crazy” (from Totally Pokémon), which offer poignant insights into Misty’s unspoken emotions.

However, despite these tantalizing hints, the romantic aspect of Ash and Misty’s relationship was never fully realized within the series. Many of the suggestions of a potential romance between them were amplified in the English dub, leaving their dynamic more ambiguous in the original Japanese version. Eventually, Misty transitioned away from her role as a regular character, making room for new female leads such as May, Dawn, Iris, and ultimately, Serena, who emerged as a new romantic contender from the Pokémon XY series.

This shift in character dynamics led to the emergence of distinct fan groupings, notably PokéShipping (Ash and Misty) and AmourShipping (Ash and Serena). Serena’s unique connection with Ash stems from their childhood encounter before the events of the series, where Ash assisted her during a summer camp mishap. Throughout Pokémon XY, it becomes increasingly evident that Serena harbors romantic feelings for Ash, a sentiment that is acknowledged by other characters as well.

While Ash and Serena never officially enter into a relationship within the series, a notable moment occurs in the XYZ seasons when they part ways, suggesting an implied kiss between them as they bid farewell. This pivotal moment grants Serena a significant advantage over Misty in terms of romantic progression, as no such explicit romantic gesture occurred between Ash and Misty throughout their journey together.

No Romance for Ash Ketchum

Despite the numerous romantic teases scattered throughout the Pokémon series, including encounters with characters like Melody in Pokémon the Movie 2000, Latias/Bianca in Pokémon Heroes, and Miette in Pokémon XY/XYZ, Ash Ketchum has remained tight-lipped about his own romantic inclinations toward any of his companions. Instead, he has consistently emphasized the value of his friendships and the cherished memories he has built with his fellow travelers.

While Ash has occasionally expressed sentiments of missing his companions or carrying mementos of them, such as Misty’s fishing lure, it’s worth noting that he also holds onto tokens from companions with whom he shared no romantic connection, such as Cilan. This suggests that Ash’s sentimentality extends beyond romantic attachments to encompass the bonds forged through shared adventures and experiences.

Many fans held out hope for a romantic resolution for Ash, particularly when it was announced that he would be departing from the series. The prospect of Misty reuniting with Ash for his final 13 episodes sparked anticipation for a potential culmination of their relationship. However, these hopes were ultimately dashed as the series once again sidestepped any overt romantic developments between Ash and Misty. Their interactions in these final episodes remained platonic, with Misty playing a relatively minor role in the series finale.

Even the long-awaited final goodbye between Ash and Misty fell short of fans’ expectations, ending on a disappointingly casual note and effectively quashing any hopes for a canonical romance between the two. Similarly, Serena’s brief return appearance late in Pokémon Journeys offered little closure for fans invested in her relationship with Ash. Despite their momentary encounter, the two characters didn’t exchange words, leaving their potential romance hanging in the balance.

While Misty may hold a more iconic status within the Pokémon franchise, Serena’s character has made significant strides in expressing her feelings for Ash. In fact, Serena has arguably come the closest to openly declaring her affection for Ash, even taking the bold step of revealing her feelings. This pivotal development places her ahead of Misty in terms of laying claim to the title of Ash’s true love within the Pokémon universe.

Episodes of Pokemon are available on Netflix!

READ OUR REVIEW

READ OUR REVIEW

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

Scroll to Top