Misty's Goldeen (Japanese: カスミのトサキント Kasumi's Tosakinto) was one of the three original Pokémon acquired by Misty in the Kanto region prior to the start of the anime, and the first to be seen in her possession.

In the anime

History

Original series

Kanto

Goldeen was first used in Pokémon Emergency! to distract Team Rocket while Ash rescued the Pokémon in the Viridian Pokémon Center. Since Goldeen was a Water Pokémon that couldn't battle on land, it uselessly flopped on the ground until Misty recalled it seconds later.

Goldeen has proved helpful when Misty and her friends need assistance swimming or locating something underwater. In Pokémon Shipwreck, Goldeen tried to find an exit out of the sunken St. Anne. Instead, it discovered Team Rocket, who would otherwise have drowned, and brought them to the surface. Later, Goldeen towed Misty to the surface, while Starmie and Squirtle followed behind with Ash and Brock. It was later sent out to attempt to drag the raft away from James's Gyarados, but they were all caught up in the Dragon Rage and sent flying. It reappeared in Tentacool & Tentacruel, where it helped Staryu and Starmie rescue sailors who had been attacked.

Orange Islands

Misty used Goldeen sparingly because it could not battle or maneuver outside of water. It often did poorly when it was called out due to its lack of battle experience. An example of this is a battle against Marina in Bye Bye Psyduck, where it lost to her Tentacruel, before Misty's Staryu took over and won.

In Snack Attack, Goldeen was sent out in an attempt to fight a wild Snorlax, but it was completely helpless and was almost eaten before being recalled.

However, in The Stun Spore Detour, Goldeen defeated James's Victreebel with ease thanks to Fury Attack, despite the type disadvantage. Its ability to use Water Gun was revealed in Viva Las Lapras, where it joined Misty's Staryu, Poliwag, and Ash's Squirtle in attacking Captain Crook's poacher ship.

Johto

In Spell of the Unown: Entei, Goldeen was called up against Molly Hale. Being underwater, Goldeen was able to fight to its full potential. Despite this, it was no match for Molly's Kingdra, who knocked it out with a single Headbutt.

In Mewtwo Returns, Goldeen was sent out alongside Misty and Brock's Pokémon to stop Giovanni and the rest of Team Rocket from recapturing Mewtwo. Their distraction gave Ash the time he needed to take Mewtwo to the top of Mount Quena so it could be healed.

In its continued infrequent usage, Goldeen fought Dorian's Qwilfish in Just Add Water, managing to land a Horn Attack after dodging Qwilfish's Tackles with Agility. Goldeen then used Supersonic, but Qwilfish shrugged off its effects and fired Pin Missile. Goldeen managed to reflect those coming its way by spinning its tail. Goldeen aimed a Horn Drill, which Qwilfish dodged. Qwilfish used another Pin Missile, hammering Goldeen from behind. A final Take Down was enough to knock Goldeen out and win the round for Dorian.

Pokémon Chronicles

In Luvdisc is a Many Splendored Thing!, Goldeen performed as a part of Daisy's water ballet.

Personality and characteristics

Goldeen is shown to be quite strong and fast, often being called upon to transport Misty or others in the water. In a true testament to its strength, Goldeen rescued the Team Rocket trio when they were trapped and drowning aboard the capsized St. Anne during Pokémon Shipwreck.

Goldeen wasn't seen very often due to it being a water-bound species, flailing when displaced from it. However, in water, Goldeen's potential shone through. Goldeen was shown to know a variety of techniques that helped it defeat other Pokémon, such as Victreebel in The Stun Spore Detour. Its incredible Agility and deadly Horn Attack were amongst its best techniques, though it was overwhelmingly a physical attacker. Goldeen faced difficulties against other Water-type specialists like Marina in Bye Bye Psyduck and Dorian in Just Add Water.

Moves used

In the games

In the spin-off games

Pokémon: Catch the Numbers!

Goldeen appears in Pokémon: Catch the Numbers! as one of the Pokémon the player needs to get back from Team Rocket.