Fun fact: It's been 16 years this November since the end of the original anime and Misty
The Johto seasons ended in Japan in 2002. That means this November it's officially been 16 years since it ended, and of course the permanent end of Misty as a main character and the original trio. Of course Misty got a few returns in the series, but as a main character she really did stay gone for good since the end of Johto for the entire duration of the series.
It's funny how almost 20 years has passed since then, it certainly doesn't feel like it. I guess not enough people really cared when Misty originally left to get her back in the series, so she stayed gone when May was introduced and became one of the most popular characters, and then we went on from there with every new companion. I heard Takeshi Shudo said he removed Misty because he felt she was the least justified character of the original cast and wasn't a particular good female character, lol.
Oh well.
It's funny how almost 20 years has passed since then, it certainly doesn't feel like it. I guess not enough people really cared when Misty originally left to get her back in the series, so she stayed gone when May was introduced and became one of the most popular characters, and then we went on from there with every new companion. I heard Takeshi Shudo said he removed Misty because he felt she was the least justified character of the original cast and wasn't a particular good female character, lol.
Oh well.