Universally accepted by who? Pokemon fandom has millions of fans worldwide, few vocal voices do not speak in name of everyone.
In Kanto, OI and Master Quest she was indeed active (in fact in master Quest her goal of water master and pokemon team were better handled than in rest of OS and Misty felt more active again in characterization as well, so its unfair to generalize whole Johto as bad). Just because you don't see that doesn't make it incorrect.
She may have not been knowledgeable as Brock was, but at end of the day she still warned Ash about type advantages, suggested to use for example water pokemon vs fire types. Pointed out Ash flaws in strategy such as blindly sticking with same idea over and over again relying on luck to pull of win.
And pushing someone to train, giving him motivational talks to not self pity himself because of one measly loss like in Kanto league. Indirectly influencing change of strategy in middle of fight like it happened with Rudy when Squirtle was losing. To criticize Ash for his arrogance and overconfidence being reason behind losing infamously, like it happened vs Skiplum boy in grass tournament with Ash ignoring Brock bond Misty advice.
To provide encouragement and anchor to rely back on through hard times when suffering defeats or facing doubts.
Is indeed clear sign of Misty being both coach and mentor to Ash in his early days, Helping him to soothe on his overconfident nature , in teaching him how to be more observant and pay attention to his pokemon needs and prepare him for dangers out there, in intervening when Ash was about to fall for TR trucks getting in their trap, when he was too gullible or just prevented biggest mistake someone can do when being carried away by success. im not understanding their limits.
Saving his life twice, being voice of reason and someone who kept in check Ash ego teaching him how to be better as person and as result of that trainer as well.
So yes while Ash through his passion and love for pokemon managed to go far, it was Brock and Misty merit to become more humble, better prepared and smarter in making decisions. Not growing as much or with equal speed through his journey from rookie to end of Os respectable and strong trainer if there wasn't for Brock and yes Misty as well on his side.
Words of one writer ill repeat do not reflect on what were everyone else opinions and feelings regarding Misty character with contradictions in canon refuting mr. Shudo claims about some things as well himself admitting there did not existed general consensus on several subjects proving that.
Just because you believe Misty was worst girl in pokemon series is at end of the day still your opinion. And while I can respect that if thats how you feel, that's not a fact.
For record im not even a shipper, never was interested in something which has no future in series like pokemon. But I like to stick to facts and Misty even in late Johto still revealed to harbor romantic affection toward Ash as incidents with Macy and departure episode undeniably showed. Same goes for chronicles and episode where Misty was asked to go on date admitting she likes someone else)educated guess would say that was Ash). Revealing how even at that time writers still weren't sure what will be future of Misty keeping her subplots alive just in case she gets revived for longer than brief visits.
As for interactions i think Misty had genuinely quality dynamic with Ash in her first Hoenn cameo and now in SM episodes. Playfully flirting, revealing to still have fire inside her being sarcastic and confident testing Ash but not in repulsive more so entertaining way keeping spirit of their old times alive, complimenting Ash in sincere manner on his skills and feeling like two close and very good friends.
If your gonna use real life examples as testament to "good and realistic" development, than you'll have to concede and admit how complex of inferiority was also realistic and good character development. Otherwise we have case of double standards.
Neither i can agree how character development is measured only through hoe big arc someone has received. Because having chain of competitions to enter on regular basis doesn't mean Dawn or Serena were active and equally contributive in all other fields and disciplines where other characters shined.
Misty and Iris were what i consider active characters too, especially when comparing them to male sidekicks in pokemon series,. Let alone females from other shounen franchise such as Dragon Ball, Yugioh, Digimon, Bakugan etc, etc.
Battling, entering tournaments, having their dreams, fears and emotional struggles through which viewer could sympathize with them. Along with getting fairly good amount of focus and various activities they were enrolled into.
In fact this 2 were probably closest to competent female trainer traveling with Ash so far(not saying May or Dawn weren't competent; far from it but were talking about trainers and they were coordinators primarily).
Lot of times when pokefandom start complaining about girls being underused in pokemon should take a look at some other anime where definition of inactive gets a whole new meaning.
Looking back I still feel Misty was able to shine regardless of how much focus her dreams received, because often she through her string presence and charisma overshadowed other characters making her stand out in numerous episodes which weren't even directed toward her, In solving problems through her intelligence, delivering lot of humor, temper, endearing mischief outbursts and strong competitive fire smoldering inside her being at times like rival in friendly aspect to Ash. Along with many races and tournaments she entered(which wasn't just Whirl Cup).
Not being pointless fillers, because those episodes often:
-dive deeper in here past and preferences(like why she loses water pokemon so much)
-gave her development helping viewers to learn new things about Misty
-contributed to Ash goal progression or displayed evolution or capture of new pokemon.
No one is having better choices, its just case of different cultures and mentality prevailing in different parts of world. While in west people like more independent females who are tough, not afraid to speak up their mind , feisty and loves to fight. In japan female heroines charm is measured through different standards and criteria Nothing more, nothing less.
No one is right or wrong in here.
In goal progression i agree, in personality development not at all. Because unlike Serena or Dawn for example whose growth primarily happened through contests or showcases with much higher prefix being out on goal progression. In Misty case importance was given more to analysis and development of her inner personality, underlying depth hiding behind that rough and abrasive mask of hers.
Like i said before problem is with Misty things often weren't straightforward and right in your face. Her development was more gradual happening due to line of various events, issues she faced against and circumstances leaving effect on character.
Along with sometime experiencing direct change through episodes like overcoming Gyarados fear, learning to understand better water pokemon like Marill when saving its life or sharing her own tragic past and childhood with Ash and Brock revealing how underneath rough surface and tough attitude is hiding insecure girl, full of fears and desire to be noticed and acknowledged for her qualities. I cannot agree her past wasn't impactful either, maybe not to anime plot itself but it held importance in shaping Misty character evidently.
Important thing is how with time through individual episodes where she struggled, had selfdoubts and diving in her own thoughts and fear being showed changes happening within her and what caused her to become person she was and is today. Subtly but notably starting to mature and evolve in personality and emotional aspect, along with her skills as trainer.
Making you appreciate all that more those moments of introspection of Misty psyche, inner thoughts and dilemmas and trying to find way ho to overcome them.
With viewer having to think for a moment and look for clues to be able form all pieces of puzzle and how this affected Misty growth in emotional sense on larger scale as time went on.
In end Misty might not have received si much exposition like May or Dawn had for example but truth to be told she didn't had to necessarily. Her curious, tomboyish nature having wide range of emotions and internal desires, conflicts which brought more complexity to character, interesting pokemon, touching and interesting backstory(Mistys childhood growing without parents neglected by older siblings was something many viewers could sympa thize about with her)) accompanied with unique dreams and aspirations of becoming water master. Dreams which brought dimension and certain mysterious quality to character in presenting different, new way to see someone grow and succed as pokemon trainer in world.
Were recipe for success and compelling, well rounded character just enough to become heavily liked and appreciated.
When people mention Misty development and why arguably she changed more than some if later girls is not coming from her pokemon team or goal, but more so way relationships with others and emotional growth of hers was constructed changing significantly.
And that's your prerogative respecting your opinion, but i cannot agree that Misty was worse handled than all girls, especially in all areas for numerous already stated reasons. In some aspects way i see it she was handled worse, but she was also handed better in some other aspects.
Croatia faced Spain , Germany or Argentina before, and guess what? They weren't always winners. As well not taking in account how small country like this which have much smaller population than for example Spain has much harder timer in finding players who could as easy fill up places and be of caliber as those who left representation.You can devalue and disparage their success all you want, at end of the day they reached finals and will be remembered in history of football as inspiring small nation. Which proved how in soccer everything is possible if ambition,, spirit between players and unity is strong enough and how big results are not reserved solely for select few big representations.
Croatia success showed how if you underestimate anyone it can easily backfire on you.
You were right though, were obviously not gonna reach common ground on this subjects.
