Also @DBZ-fan ,
Misty's Violent side is part of her personality ! Cutting it off in excuse of character development is same as killing a part of her.
The main reason your okay with this because its Misty !
To You , Misty has to be a "Flawless Being" and you want everyone to see Misty that way.
So , You can't bear anyone point a flaw in Misty Or talk about her becoming Boring.
Imagine Otae (Gintama) completely cut off her violent side and become a total nice girl in Order to be Mature! Do you think people like her that way.
Thats the main problem of the Anime , Writers think Development mean Characters becoming non-violent & More mature! But Mature characters are usually the stupidest and weakest in most Anime! Example : Lucy (Fairy Tail) is the most mature member of Fairy tail But she often regard as the weakest or Useless by many fans.
There is different between maturity and Competency ! During Original series , Brock was the most mature But Misty was The sharpest since she's always the 1st one to suspect TR's plan.
The main reason rebooting Ash in BW series failed because Writer only made him weaker and studier while keeping his "Perfect mannered Mature" personality from DP .
However , if Ash regained his self-centered , arrogant and sarcastic personalty from Original series while keeping his Battling skill and knowledge from DP then the rebooting would became a Success.
Im afraid you dont understand point of character development than. Character development involves exactly that: Someone changing and growing emotionally with his/her personality evolving as result of various new people, new experiences, circumstances and struggles, challenges in life you face as person.
Becoming stronger as trainer and staying 100% same like you were as small child is NOT character development.
It only means how you became better with practice at what you enjoy doing, but if that knowledge and experience you received had no long lasting impact on you as person. Your essentially staying a same mental level with no progress or direction of going somewhere as individual building on yourself to become better and more resourceful person. Work on overcoming fears, flaws and develop new sides to your personality or skills.
In Misty case character development didn't killed character but allowed to add extra depth to her personality. Let alone punching others being only bizarre, eccentric and outstanding character trait known by her.
Additionally violence was never part of personality which defined how she should act.
Far from it being used as mechanism, part of rough exterior from Misty side to hide her inner feelings, fears and flaws. Due to growing without parents and being berated and underestimated by older sisters and everyone else shaking up her selfworth and confidence. Developing need to be tough, abrasive and headstrong not wanting to give out impression of being weak. Or having need for anyone help, which wasnt true,. With Misty herself showing she wants to be recognized and noticed for her qualities and achievements. Having feelings for others but having trouble in expressing them properly like it was case with Ash and not being fine of being alone.
Showing how stubborn, violent attitude didn't appeared out of nowhere setting up ground for meaningful character development in Misty case. Exploring on various other sides of her personality and showcase her other quirks and traits beside temper, being more than just loud cranky redhead. Get over complex of feeling less worthy compared to older siblings fighting for her place under the sun and discovering talents and strength she posess . Nevertheless presence of Ash and Brock made her recognize value and importance behind friendship and having someone to rely on not having to be all alone. Resulting in developing lot of care and atachment for them evolving and becoming stronger as person.
Most of all becoming less violent as character does not mean someone have to turn in
stepford wife having always smile on your face and be super nice to everyone.
Nor Misty acted way your present to be the case in Hoenn at all still having flare presented through scolding, arguing and sarcasm(you dont need to punch someone in face or break his neck to be temperament or interesting).
Still being full of sass, temper, loved to tease and be curious, Followed by her girly and adventurous nature.
But Misty in Hoenn was also full of pride for her achievements, more compassionate and understanging for people needs and less selfish. Being willing to accept criticism and work on improving on her negative sides showing how she evolved and learned something as character.
Something i appreciated.
Not because Misty is among my favorites or because im apparently "blinded by liking toward fictional character to see anyhing wrong with it"(nice try at
Ad Hominem there btw).
But because i can recognize and appreciate when someone evolves and learn new things a character leaving impact on him. With growing up and developing forward allowing to explore and build on various new, fresh quirks and emotions to someone personality making it more rich that way.
Because it prevents stagnation with characters not feeling static and repetitive going somewhere alongside their story.
And because it allow us to better know protagonists in story and get grasp of idea in what are their motives. Why they behave in way they do and if their failures, hard work and learning on mistakes will get them somewhere or not.
For same reason i don't find Ash to be "shell of his former self" nowadays just because he isn't acting like idiot full of himself and arrogant thinking he knows better than everyone else(that would be just giant step backwards cancelling out any influence and development Ash received in Pokemon series being back to starting point).
But in a way evolved character who got molded thanks to various people, battles, bad and good times he went through shaping him up to become person he is at this moment. Not necessarily a bad thing, only adding more dimension to Ash who still has his core(being selfless, clueless, easy going and stubbornly rude), something which define his personality. But also developed more mature, selfcritic and responsible approach toward life and those who surround him being like older brother to his new friends in Kalos.
Lastly how will someone act toward others as i mentioned before also largely depends on way others communicate with you as well.
If everyone is nice, friendly, supportive and admirng of you, than it makes no sense or there exists any justification to act stubborn. Arrogant, imulsive and demeaning toward any of them.
Delivering exact opposite instead of humor making character jarring and tasteless to follow.
