Team Rocket trio: Difference between revisions

Since making their debut in the [[EP002|second episode of the anime]], they appeared in almost every single episode until the {{series|Best Wishes}}, in which they appeared less frequently. As such, they are the most prominent representation of [[Team Rocket]] as a whole in the anime. Prior to ''[[BW016|Rematch at the Nacrene Gym!]]'', the [[EP001|very first episode]] was the only single regular episode (excluding the clip show [[AG120]]) in which Team Rocket trio was completely absent.

 

In most of their appearances, they attempt to capture [[Ash's Pikachu]], or any other Pokémon to give to Team Rocket's boss, {{an|Giovanni}}. However, they usually get defeated and are {{DL|Team Rocket mottos|Blasting off|blasted off}} with their iconic catchphrase "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" ([[4Kids Entertainment|4Kids]] dub) or "We're blasting off again!" ([[The Pokémon Company International|TPCi]] dub). Typically, right after making a capture, they will recite their {{motto}}, although on some occasions they are unable to finish. This has been parodied by protagonists and even other Team Rocket members, such as [[Butch]] and [[Cassidy]].

Since witnessing his power, the trio has been obsessed with capturing Ash's Pikachu, relentlessly pursuing Ash and his friends across the various regions of the [[Pokémon world]] to do so. Although they often succeed in capturing Pikachu, they never manage to hold on to him for long. They frequently develop or purchase various kinds of shockproof gadgets and machinery ({{TP|Team Rocket|mechas}}, rubber suits, etc.) to aid in his capture, but these gadgets are often circumvented by non-Electric attacks and abilities (which the trio constantly forget to account for) or simply backfire.

Even though they usually only cause trouble for the main characters, they have sometimes helped them. When they have a common enemy they will often ally with Ash and his friends, as shown in ''[[M02|The Power of One]]'' and later against [[Team Aqua]] and [[Team Magma]]. They also played a key part in the fight against [[Team Galactic]], teaming up with [[Looker]]. They occasionally put their differences aside for personal reasons, only to later return to their thieving ways. One of the more common moments of truce is during [[Pokémon Contest]]s, which Jessie had a fondness for participating in under aliases.

On several occasions, Jessie, James and Meowth have shown that they are not all evil and even have affection for Ash and his friends. The trio heroically sacrificed themselves to what they thought was certain death in ''[[M02|The Power of One]]'' in order to allow Ash's escape on Lugia. They also saved him from a fall in the next movie, ''[[M03|Spell of the Unown: Entei]]''. Their justification was that in the case of the world being destroyed or Ash's death, they would be [[Breaking the fourth wall|out of show business]], but it is implied that this is just bluster to cover the fact that they are not bad people. In ''[[EP134|Charizard's Burning Ambition]]'', Team Rocket kept [[Ash's Charizard]] awake as it lay in the lake, and then built a huge mecha and attacked the [[Charicific Valley]] for the sole purpose of allowing Charizard to defeat them and gain acceptance in the valley.

The Team Rocket trio first appeared in ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency]]'', in which they took over the {{ci|Viridian}} [[Pokémon Center]]. After their first defeat at the hands of [[Ash's Pikachu]] convinced them of its extraordinary power, the trio made their main goal to capture Pikachu.

 

The trio's general incompetence usually makes them incapable of helping Team Rocket with their significant plans. In ''[[EP231|Dues and Don'ts]]'', they discovered that their membership in Team Rocket had lapsed, although they were able to rejoin due to labor shortages, provided that they pay their debts. In ''[[DP080|The Thief That Keeps on Thieving!]]'', Giovanni did not even remember who they were.

In ''[[DP130|Frozen on Their Tracks!]]'', the Team Rocket trio befriended [[Looker]] after sharing boxed lunches with him, calling him "Boxed-Lunch Guy" or "Mr. Lunchbox". Later in the {{series|Diamond & Pearl}}, after discovering that Looker was an [[International Police]] Officer, they assisted him in taking down [[Team Galactic]].

At [[Matori|his secretary]]'s recommendation, Giovanni promoted them as part of his plans in the [[Unova]] region. After their promotion, they changed from their original white uniforms to black uniforms. In the {{series|Best Wishes}}, they acted in a more serious manner, focusing more on completing specific assignments, often using gadgets such as jetpacks to retreat instead of blasting off.

In ''[[BW023|Battling For The Love of Bug-Types!]]'', after Giovanni's secretary informed them that they wouldn't be needed for any more missions, they worried Giovanni had lost faith in them and returned to their white uniforms. They returned to planning their own schemes, although often in a more competent manner and with the assistance of [[Dr. Zager]]. They participated in [[Operation Tempest]], [[Team Rocket]]'s mission to capture {{an|Meloetta}} and harness the power of the [[kami trio]].

Due to the failure of Operation Tempest, starting in ''[[BW109|New Places... Familiar Faces!]]'' they reverted to their traditional comedic personalities, using their {{DL|Team Rocket mottos|original motto}}, and travelling in their [[Team Rocket's mechas|Meowth balloon]] (with enhancements); however, their newfound competence was not completely lost, with the trio still occasionally retreating using jetpacks instead of blasting off.

After ''[[BW119|Meowth, Colress and Team Rivalry!]]'', the trio decided to head for the {{an|White Ruins}}, where they would spy on [[Team Plasma]]'s movements for a time while plotting to steal the [[Light Stone]]. However, when their friend [[Looker]] spotted them and asked for their help, the trio helped Ash and his friends defeat the rival organization. After helping defeat Team Plasma in ''[[BW123|Farewell, Unova! Setting Sail for New Adventures!]]'', the trio returned completely to their previous role as comic relief, retaining only their upgraded technology and slight competence.

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| style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #C00; background: #CCC; width:auto" | [[File:Team Rocket trio OS.png|200px]]

| style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #C00; background: #CCC; width:auto" | [[File:Team Rocket Trio AG.png|200px]]

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| style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #C00; background: #CCC; width:auto" | [[File:Team Rocket trio BW.png|160px]]

| colspan=4 style="{{roundy|15px}} border: 2px solid #C00; background: #CCC; width:96px" | For more artwork, please see [[a:Category:Jessie|Jessie]], [[a:Category:James|James]], and [[a:Category:Meowth (Team Rocket)|Meowth]] images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

Later, in [[Celadon City]]'s [[Celadon Game Corner|Rocket Game Corner]], Jessie and James guard Giovanni's room in the Team Rocket base. During that time, as the player runs into them, they are eager for revenge after the main character busted up their plans at Mt. Moon.

;[[Mt. Moon]]

:''"Stop right there!"''

;[[Rocket Hideout]]

;[[Pokémon Tower]]

*Before battle

;[[Silph Co.]]

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|-

|- style="font-size: 80%"

| {{color2|000|Jessie}} and {{color2|000|James}}'s sprite<br>from {{color2|000|Pokémon Yellow Version|Yellow}}

===In the Ash & Pikachu manga===

The Team Rocket trio is seen following {{Ash}} and company in the manga series [[Ash & Pikachu]], which is based on the {{pkmn|anime}}.

===In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga===