>>52779080>Conflating typical childhood interactions between a boy and a girl as some sort of deep romance implied by the early days of the animeThe shipper, trannies and gentlemen. Can't even remember what life was like before they sat down in front of their monitor and dedicated the last decade+ of their life to the romantic life of a child.
Shudo simply had the balls to depict pubescent growing pains in Ash, Misty, and Brock, and that meant natural struggles with the opposite sex.
It does not mean Ash and Misty have feelings for each other and are destined to be. It was simply a realistic portrayal of a kid entering into puberty. His rivalry with Gary and drive to prove himself a man over the rival who emasculates him was also an extension of this.
>I'd be happy with just a bit of childish ribbing and bickering back and forth like the old daysAgreed. But conflating that and the pursuit of romance is intentionally dishonest, you eevee fucking trash.