IN SHOW
When Misty laid eyes on her very first Caterpie, no one could understand why she wouldn’t love the adorable critter. He was the first pokemon Ash Ketchum would ever capture, and that has a special place in our hearts. Caterpie was only around for one episode, but it only wanted to be loved and everyone hated Misty for not returning the sentiment.
WHY YOU WANT A CATERPIE
You wanted a Caterpie if you wanted a Butterfree. Everyone had to choose at some point, except for the greedy who caught both, but you could always tell what kind of person was playing the game depending on which pokemon they were still playing at the end. Caterpie actually looked like a Caterpie in the pokedex and that was a big thing after the first 9 pokemon on the list expressed some difficulty with it.
WHY YOU DO NOT WANT A CATERPIE
If you caught Caterpie, it had to evolve. It had no move set, only Tackle and String Shot and that was not gonna get you very far in the game.
IN SUMMARY
The Caterpie in the show was cute. It was enough to turn any bug hater into an immediate bug activist. But the show also showed us that Caterpie was merely a stepping stone to the bigger pokemon, and prepared us for the fact that yes, our Caterpie would suck, but it could be worth it.
You are wrong, saying that "everyone hates Misty for not loving Caterpie". Well, not me.
ReplyDeleteBefore you judge the 10-year old girl, watch original Japanese dubbing with English fansubs. You'll be shocked how much American censorship twisted her lines.
Kasumi (real Misty) is actually cute, and her original voice is also much softer and sweeter. No wonder that many males in anime find her attractive: Danny (Orange Islands), Mr. Ryuu (Holiday in Aopulco), young doctor (Chansey Operation), Surge (Vermillion Gym), Kangaskhan Kid (in uncensored version). Also male Pokemon are fond of her: Pikachu, Weedle, Spinarak, Caterpie...
Particularly Caterpie. In Japanese version it's rather obvious that Caterpie has a crush on Kasumi, while in English version it's constantly called "friendship" (WTF? Friendship is mild and slowly growing feeling. Caterpie's affection was sudden and strong, towards a total stranger, only because she was pretty... It was innocent, puppy love, so what's the point of censoring it?) Examples? Original: "Caterpie slept WITH me!", censored: "Caterpie slept NEAR me!"... Original: "Don't you see Caterpie's feelings for you?", censored: "Caterpie means no harm"...
In that case, Kasumi's fear is understandable. She's just scared little girl, and her dread is caused less by her suitor's looks, but mostly by his clingy behaviour. Her original lines are very soft, compared to English version. She never calls Caterpie "creepy bug", "ugly", "disgusting", "this thing", but only by his name. When she ordered him to get back to Pokeball, she even used honorific (-nasai), despite her shock and rage: "Since you are a Pokemon, behave like Pokemon, and please, return to Pokeball!". She wouldn't punish him if he hadn't earlier slept with her against her will.
In this context, Caterpie's reaction has also different reason. Kasumi is "captain of his heart", so he obeys her orders before Satoshi's (so he goes into Pokeball and ignores his calling). He also wants to regain her trust, and reconcile. Of course, he is also depressed. In English version, depression is the only reason.
While Kasumi was turned into a wicked witch, brainless Satoshi (real Ash) was turned into a saint.
Satoshi never mentions "hurting Caterpie by your silly fear of bug". Instead of this, he says: "Didn't Kasumi's mother teach her not to be picky?"
There were also no "big mouth". Before sleep, Satoshi says: "Pikachu, Caterpie, starting tomorrow you should work hard". Kasumi: You are the one who should work hard!" - she refers to his lack of knowledge. Satoshi mumbles to himself: "I know that!" and it's the end of the dialogue.
While fighting Pidgeotto, the dialogue is also totally different. Satoshi throws empty Pokeball. Kasumi: "You'll never learn? You must weaken Pokemon before catching it. The time you catched Caterpie, you were just lucky that he was a slowpoke". S: "I know that! But wait, you're badmouthing Caterpie again!" He shakes his fist before her nose. "Just you watch, I'll show you, and I'll make you say AH!")
He sent Caterpie. "I made you say 'AH', didn't I?" K: "You idiot! What you think you're doing?" In English version: "You have no idea about mistake you're doing" - how genderless, gutless phrase... What's the point censoring "idiot"??? Is it so obscene word???
After catching Pidgeotto, Satoshi brags about it, but Kasumi slaps him... for endangering Caterpie's life.
The whole scene shows that Kasumi may be harsh, but deep inside she cares about Caterpie.
During the battle with Rocket Team, she rooted for Caterpie. After battle, she admited that Caterpie is surprisingly strong (and her praise was more important to him than Satoshi's).
And you still hate her?