4 October 2007: Herein I offer two reasons why Misty was not a worthless addition to VanDread
Misty sees Meia sitting alone. CHANCE!
Most people consider Misty to be a fairly worthless addition to the Second Stage of VanDread. I did, too, initially, but after my recent re-watching of the series, I find that Misty contributes meaningfully in at least two respects.
Misty knows viewers don't like her.
Dita loves Hibiki, and it's not just because the only
other guy to come on to her is an ape fucker.
First, her rivalry with Dita highlights how far the Mejale crew members have come in accepting their male enemies as compatriots. As Misty points out, she's an outsider squaring off against a united Nirvana crew—150 strong—when it comes to competing for Hibiki's attention. That these man-hating Mejale pirates consider Hibiki (still a punk) as a suitable wife love interest for one of their own speaks volumes about their newfound respect for their male prisoners.
Misty loves Meia, but not in a gay way.
Second, she enthusiastically admires (idol worships, really) Meia so we don't have to. Viewers are able to focus their attention on the other characters and their interaction with each other, instead of spending each episode glowing about Meia's awesomeness. Misty espouses what we've known all along, and keeps us from fixating on just one character.
Meia takes one for the team.
Actually, no. We still fixate on Meia. She's just that awesome.
