The thing is, DBZ fan, that you're looking at it from a storytelling perspective rather than a promotional perspective. The reason the main girl has been replaced in this pattern is to promote the new generations. The reason Brock was replaced was for promotion- of both the new generation and the "reset" feel they were going for. It was not because the writing dictated they be replaced due to closed arcs; that was just a side-effect of the later closures. Misty did not get an especially good closure because she had not gotten much development prior to the set time of the AG switch. As far as I can tell, by the time they decided she was going to leave, it was too late to expand a lot on her character. We did see a sudden upswing in her accomplishments in late Johto- she won the Seaking fishing competition and the Tour de Altomare, and did well in the Whirl Cup. But ultimately she was essentially forced to give up travelling and take care of the gym, which leaves her in an unfortunate position- she is stuck where she is with little room for expansion. That's her ending, really, which is not nearly as happy as May or Dawn's. Those two left Ash and Brock after significant personal development and continued to pursue their dreams. Misty, as far as we can tell, got neither of those things.
((Let's take an aside and talk about closure- the word seems almost misleading when the characters we deem as receiving better closure actually have not shut the doors on their journeys but instead continue to learn and grow and experience beyond the confines of the screen we view them from.))
From a storytelling perspective, Misty's ending is very weak. Her developmental arc was nearly nonexistent. It would be wonderful if she either came back under better writing or got a spinoff series or something to remedy the injustice to her character. But from a marketing perspective, that's probably not going to happen. The companions are for promotion. And the number of Kalos natives is already a significant amount; it'd be a shame not to at least use some of them. And then the writers would be juggling characters as they tried to feature the Kalos kids enough to get the direct promotion in while also rewriting Misty (and Brock, if you want the original trio) and honestly it would be a confusing mess of too many things jammed into one place.
Like I said before, the best chance of an Original Twerps reunion would be a filler saga in between times of essential promotion. And then I would love to see them back- as long as there was significant character development for Misty involved.
I know what you mean.
In reality Misty was in anime at time when formula was mainly centralized around Ash not having chance to have fully fledged out story like May or Dawn had.
Most of her growth happened gradually coming through episodes either centered on her or ones where she shared focus with someone else , while sometimes getting arc for herself like Whirl Cup. While majority of her focus and screen time was connected with Ash growth as trainer helping him to improve and better himself, playing role in various episodes by helping resolve various plots, helping other characters and how to solve their issues learning things in process.
As result of that her aspirations, goal of becoming water pokemon master and plots which formed her story ended underdeveloped leaving many things unexplored about past, her trainer abilities and what path she requires to follow in order to achieve her dreams.
We don't know even motives behind Misty's desire to become water pokemon master and what influenced her to have preference for one type never achieving something significant enough which would push her forward or fill her realization how to achieve dreams either.
. In reality majority of Misty character development came in emotional sense from adjusting to Ash, Brock, Pikachu etc, learning how to be more open and discover her own qualities breaking free from egocentric sisters influence, develop her own talent as trainer and learn how to become more responsible and confident in her own abilities gradually exploring on various sides of character through sagas she traveled through(like hotheadedness, sarcasm, passion for romance and water types, girly aspect etc). As such when she received character development it was usually believable and endearing to follow. Misty gaining sisters respect getting over complex of feeling less worthy, getting over Gyarados fear, growing as water trainer coming in light of more confident and responsible person, bonding with various pokemon like Marill etc were all examples of some quality done job.
In end Misty developed to some extent as person(though there exist room to be done more there too), but her growth as trainer didn't accompanied that leaving sore taste in mouth.
If we look back at end of Johto, Misty left in such rushed manner that there was no build up prior to that or any questioning in Misty character just enjoying in company of her friends while working toward dreams.
Considering how her story wasn't fleshed out enough and unmasked top allow to take character from point A top point B wrapping things up there was no other conceivable option to write Misty out at end of Johto but to abruptly break her own desires and journey being forced to go back to her hometown and help sisters out.
Going by narrative way in which Misty was replaced left several windows open through which writers could easily do something with her being put on a bus.
That usually happens when writers want to make sue to have that "extra option", leaving Misty story on purpose unresolved(like goal of water master, not being set what are future plans along with several unanswered things) to have easier way of bringing her back in case they decide to do something in future.
Which in a way puts her in favorable position making it all that much easier for writers to bring her back.Unlike May and Dawn she isn't dependent on game quests like contests, her role hasn't been solidified to such degree that her rejoining to cast would damage storyline and anime exclusive dreams which don't depend on game quests and liberty of not being tied to any specific generation like game protagonists are gives writers liberty and chance to fit her in any region being easily infiltrated within current story and plot.
In other words they left her water master goal and story lingering in air allowing to do with character whatever they want with purpose of advancing her career and build up on what they established before.Whether it involves expansion on water master career making further steps forward by entering competitions related to Whirl Cup. Take step forward with her pokemon building up on team through evolutions, new captures or intense work. Such as Psyduck learning how to swim and battle being plausible way to showcase her further growth as trainer . Follow Wallace footsteps who left gym to improve skills eventually becoming champion and one of best water trainers in world to develop battle style, sharp her skills and meet strong specialists from which she could learn what it takes to become one of best etc.
While putting on table new, fresh approach through which water types could be advertized in different way and have develop character forward.
So while chance isn't very big, its not impossible that staff at some point takes in consideration revival of some of popular older characters already proving to possess appeal and required popularity to return and even exceed invested money in their revival.
Way i see it they only need slight motivation, push to dare themselves to bring back older friends for awhile to shake things up and recapture watchers interest.And Misty is massively popular with whole internet being full of fans demanding her return. For any other character which left cast there has never happened such backlash and desire that he comes back to main cast again like its case with Misty. No pun intended but this i believe only reflects people disappointment of way character was replaced unfinished never being given justice and enough development.Which says something.
Im not proposing that new characters gets shafted in favor of older ones, but if you cut down a bit on constant cycling bringing new companions at slower speed(such as one at time instead of complete cast revamp after every four years)finding way to tie previous companion in show story without hurting growth of new character could establish groundwork for new fresh interactions, allow us to learn more about favorites we like doing sequel to their story bringing new, unpredictable change of pace to current formula.
In nutshell im not against adding new characters, im not against chronicles but i also believe mix of older and new in form of rotation could definitely work with older companions having chance to go through more meaningful growth because of this and help promote games through new pokemon, new events they would enter connected to games and certain brand, familiarity they could recreate around themselves acting like new saga representatives.
Especially in filler regions like OI or Battle Frontier was which are much less focused on game promotion like main regions are, with writers having more liberty in including older characters back. For same reason filler arcs have more references to past,older pokemon are more promoted etc. We cant deny how chances for past character return are bigger in filler arcs,where advertizing of new region isnt so much prevalent like its case with main sagas.
Ironically it seems our views manage to somehow bypass themselves because when taking about Misty or Brock return i mainly referred to mini arcs which serve as bridge filling up time between older and new generation as well agreeing with your proposal of bringing them back in such sagas.
Perhaps biggest chance for Misty becoming major character again is if writers one day reunite original trio when pokemon comes to an end with purpose of things coming to full circle to emphasize better on show going back to its roots if they decide to end it in such way.
Original trio was proven to be successful being extremely popular to this day starting pokemon series becoming iconic and most recognizable group in this show so i wouldn't completely rule out possibility of getting them reunited for last season or something with demand for it being huge among fans.
So pardon me if it didn't seemed that way but in general i agree with you when it would be most optimal time to bring Misty or Brock back in case writers ever decide to return them again.
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★Hoenn★: I admit in many ways i share same sentiment as you do about this.
Personally i liked May, Dawn and Iris, but i can say how anime for me lost great deal of appeal, lively humor, sarcasm and flare Misty colorful personality brought to anime with series losing that level of emotion, identity and charm said character strong presence brought to it. Her niche of using mostly water type which i find kinda cool and unique compared to others, sad background growing without parents being constantly mocked by older sisters and all those things she gave to anime helping Ash to grow, playing role of classic heroine saving people lives, helping others about problems ad bringing humor and endearing dynamic with her tantrums and various passionate sides on daily basis made her complete and relatable in many ways.
As for her water master career interesting detail is it implication in original series how Misty goal involves becoming strongest water trainer in world being on pair with E4 members. Who are best mono trainers often being labeled as one type masters, with Misty showing clear fascination over Lorelei being her idol. So there exists high indication of Misty water master career involving to become one of E4 members. Which is very prestigious and renown position for any aspiring one type trainer and logical step forward from current position.
