The "Nude" Controversy: Japanese vs. International Art The card "Misty's Tears" was originally released in Japan in 1998 as part of the Hanada City Gym (Leaders' Stadium) expansion. As a Trainer card, it allowed players to discard cards to retrieve Water Energy. However, the card's mechanics were overshadowed by its artwork.
The original Japanese illustration features Misty holding a Squirtle with tears in her eyes. The controversy stems from the art style: Misty is depicted in a silhouette that strongly implies she is nude. While no explicit details are shown, the "naked" suggestion was deemed inappropriate for the Western audience by Wizards of the Coast, the licensors at the time.
Consequently, when the card was localized for the English Gym Challenge set, the artwork was completely changed. The censored international version shows a fully clothed Misty wiping tears from her face, with Squirtle by her side. This censorship turned the original Japanese "Naked Misty" card into a "banned" collector's item, driving up its value and mystique in the TCG community.
The Story Behind the Tears Beyond the "censorship" scandal, the concept of "Misty's Tears" aligns deeply with her character arc in the video games. As seen in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, players encounter Misty at the Cape on Route 25, where her romantic date is interrupted by the player.
Initially angry and upset that her boyfriend fled, Misty's emotional reaction highlights her struggle between being a normal teenage girl longing for romance and her responsibilities as a Gym Leader. The card captures this vulnerable side of the "Tomboyish Mermaid."
So, if you stumble upon a Japanese version of this card, you are holding a piece of TCG history—a rare artifact of the era before strict localization standards changed "Misty's Tears" forever.