Buster wolf, you're amazing as always...sometimes I think you have magic hands.
After reviewing the latest episodes with Misty to air in America, I'm completely convinced that Misty will never be back. Why, you ask? The reason is actually incredibly simple. During the two-episode Togepi Festival arc; her first guest appearance since being taken off of the show, the story for both of those episodes primarily focused on her (through Togepi, of course, but she was the star of the show among all human characters.) During this second appearance, however, she played a very low-key, background role, much like Delia and Professor Oak do in all episodes where Ash returns to Pallet Town. They do nothing more than act as scene filler, making bland comments from their peanut gallery, as much mere Pallet Town scenery as is Oak's windmill or the Ketchum residence's garden. Misty was no different in this episode, merely being there to be there, bearing a frightening resemblance to what has been done with Tracey in the few valuable moments in which he is depicted. She stood back, agreed, commented, echoed; went through the motions in a halfhearted appeasement of the fanbase but did absolutely nothing of note. In fact, even some of Ash's pokemon, Muk and Snorlax, for instance, had more prominent and interesting roles than Misty herself. I was incredibly disappointed, especially after I realized what these things meant for her future. If there's any hope, I didn't see it and I hold none.