RocketShipping

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370Luvdisc.png This article is about shipping.
As hints and evidence for ships are mostly speculation, this page may contain personal points of view.

Jessie and James choose flight over fight in Watt's with Wattson?

RocketShipping (Japanese: コジムサ KojiMusa) is the belief that Jessie and James of Team Rocket belong in a romantic relationship. It is also known as JAJL, or Jessie and James Love.

History of RocketShipping

An image from the epilogue to Electric Tale of Pikachu

The term "RocketShipping" was the first time the suffix "Shipping" had been applied to any couple outside of the X-Files fandom where it originated. Maria Rocket and other fans on the message board of TRHQ applied the term to Jessie and James. Other names for the pairing were coined later.

The RocketShipping fandom has seen some changes over the years. In the beginning, there was only one kind of RocketShipper—the one who thought that Jessie and James were attracted to each other. Some fans hoped they would eventually become a full-fledged couple. The situation grew more intense when a member of TRHQ came across an untranslated graphic novel in a bookstore.

Upon first glance, it appeared to be simply the last volume of Toshihiro Ono's The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga, which was in the process of being released in the United States. However, inside the book was something that changed the face of the fandom. Inside the epilogue were two important scenes: one was James confessing his love to Jessie; the other was a full-page illustration in which Jessie and James were married and Jessie visibly pregnant. Most importantly of all, this was all official and approved by Nintendo.

The RocketShipping fan community went crazy. It finally had officially sanctioned proof that Jessie and James were a romantic couple. Some believed that it was only a matter of time before something similar happened in the TV anime series.

Eventually, the famous manga was translated and released in the United States, and RocketShippers rejoiced now that they could hold the evidence in their own hands. Around the same time, a website named Pokemopolis was getting attention for rebutting the "evidence" found in the manga. Pokemopolis became and has remained the most prominent anti-Rocketshipping site in the Pokémon fandom, as well as the main proponent of the theory that James is gay.

Around the same time, the number and frequency of the Rocketshippy hints on the anime decreased, along with other changes in characterization. As a result, the RocketShipping fan community split into several sects, each with different takes on RocketShipping.

Nowadays, thanks to the episode Noodles! Roamin' Off!, RocketShipping has had a resurgence in popularity, and RocketShippers feel more confident about their ship than ever.

Sects of RocketShipping

These sects were in use to differentiate between various "types" of RocketShipper who each had a different perception of the ship. It should be noted, however, that they have not actively been in use in the fandom since the Advanced Generation series of the anime started airing in America.

RocketShippers
This is the general term for anyone who supports the idea of Jessie and James being a couple, whether past, present, or future. It is was also a term for a sect consisting of people who believe that Jessie and James are currently not in love but believed that they eventually would be.

R*cketShippers
This was a more extreme type of RocketShipper, who believed that Jessie and James are currently attracted to each other. They fervently denied that James is anything but heterosexual.

QueerShippers
Self-proclaimed "in-character RocketShipping". Supporters generally believed that James plays the role of a woman and Jessie plays the role of a man, but that they would become a couple nevertheless.

WrongRocketShippers
Smaller sect which believed that Jessie and James are currently in a "friends with benefits" type relationship. They didn't necessarily believe that they are in love with each other, but did believe that they have some kind of secret physical relationship going on. They took a more relaxed and joking stance to the Ship.

AntiRocketShippers
Supporters denied any sort of romantic relationship between Jessie and James. They liked to see them as best friends, but nothing more. In most cases, they believed that James is undeniably gay, based on the more camp portrayal of James by Eric Stuart and James's cross-dressing. Opinions on Jessie's sexuality varied.

Evidence

The following is a list of points that point to a potential relationship between James and Jessie.

Anime evidence

Jessie's hints

File:James Jessie SS012.png
Jessie blushing after James accidentally falls on top of her in Training Daze!
Jessie, with a flirtatious facial expression, explains that a real gentleman always carries a bag for a lady. Probably since he grew up with housekeepers catering to him, James flatly refuses. However, he carries her bags later in the series.
Jessie gives James a rose, much to his astonishment. Jessie goes on to say that beautiful things can be painful.
When a Hitmonchan hits James in the face, Jessie quickly jumps to his defense, saying, "How dare you strike my friend." This implies that Jessie does care for James and is willing to protect him.
Jessie blushes and looks at James adoringly when he is doing well in battle against Ash and company.
Jessie picks a fight with Butch after Cassidy throws James against a wall across the room. This results in Butch throwing Jessie against the wall.
Although Jessie seems enthusiastic about James marrying Temacu, her reason for getting them together is so that Team Rocket can steal the Pokémon Temacu's father's keeps for research. She assures the reluctant James that he will only have to stay with Temacu as long as it takes for them to get close enough to the Pokémon. When telling Temacu's father a false story of how Temacu and James came to be together, she adds that the meeting was "perfect, beautiful, like something someone with an overactive imagination would dream up in her unfulfilled fantasies!"
After James hits all of his targets with a gun that is loaded with corks, Jessie blushes.
James, disguised as Juan, flirts with three Juan fans, who swoon in return. He kisses the hand of the nearest fan, who blushes and complements him on his way with words. Jessie looks either uncomfortable, disappointed, or saddened by this.
Later, Jessie gets angry when James laments having to leave Juan's mob of adoring fans, who all happen to be women.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the blast-off, Meowth says, "Perdimos todo el dinero"; or, "We lost all of the money." James adds, "Sí, y yo ya perdía todas mi chiquitas"; or, "Yes, and I lost all of my babes." Jessie fires back with, "¡Si no te callas, perderás tu perfil Griego!"; or, "If you don't shut up, you're going to lose that flawless face of yours!" Griego literally means "Greek," but, in this context, it is an adjective meaning "flawless" or "symmetrical."
James becomes furious when Jessie says it would be a waste of time to look for Mime Jr. To try to relax him, she puts her hands on his back.
During the blast-off, James says that no matter how many times this happens, he's fine as long as he's with with his Mime Jr. This causes Jessie to turn and look at him, very annoyed. Normally she and Meowth are the objects of James's attention.
James is competing in a Pokémon Orienteering competition, so Jessie and Meowth try to find a shortcut for him. They find what they mistakenly think is a shortcut, and when they show it to James, Jessie pats him on the back.
After Meowth's boss fantasy, in the Latin American Spanish dub, Jessie says, "Equipo, el tiempo vuela. ¿Ahora que haremos?"; or, "Team, time flies. Now what will we do?" James asks, "¿Quieres que te cantas una rancherita?"; or, "You want to sing a short ranchera, don't you?" The ranchera Jessie is referencing is "Vuela Paloma" by Miguel Aceves Mejía. The song is about a man says he will go after the person he loves should that person leave him, and they will reminisce over the fond memories that they have shared and get back together.
Jessie wraps her arm around James's neck and pulls him to her shoulder. She refers to him as her training partner and friend. In the Latin American Spanish dub, Jessie calls James, "Jamesito," meaning "James dear."
Jessie and James are traveling while exhausted. In the Latin American Spanish dub, Jessie references the song "Princesa Tibetana" by Timbiriche. The song is about a man who is in love with a woman whom he would follow anywhere, even through a field of plants covered in thorns, because it is as if she is a flower planted in his heart and spreading through his being. Jessie says, "Prisa. Dolor de los pies. Son como de princesa Tibetana"; or, "Hurry. My feet are aching like a Tibetan beauty."
Instead of waiting to see if James can win a Pokémon cosplay competition fair and square, Jessie decides the odds are not in his favor and that it would be more advantageous to steal the prize while everyone is distracted. James is disappointed by this, but forces himself to say the motto with her. At the end of it, Jessie strikes a pose, but then moves over slightly to put her hand on James's shoulder.
While spying on Ash and company, Jessie has her hand on James's shoulder.
James comments, "That haughty Hunter J. Try as we might, she manages to maintain her one-upmanship." Jessie yells back, "When it comes down to bushels of unbridled beauty, try using those eyes connected to that pea brain of yours and see who rules! I do!"
This episode is one of several examples where Jessie feels the need to compete with Hunter J in reaction to James's observations about J's skills. Here James complains with: "First we get pre-empted by a pack of Pokémon Hunter henchmen, then we get upstaged by a Pokémon Ranger." Not wanting to acknowledge that J and her henchmen were quicker on the draw, Jessie says, "That Hunter hussy. Hunter J is going to pay. I'll turn the tables on her so fast, her head will spin." In disbelief, James says, "Bold, but this is Hunter J you're putting away." Jessie responds with, "The 'j' stands for 'jerk.'" Jessie's comment is directed at J, but can also be aimed at James for being impressed with J.
Since James chooses not to take a side in an argument between Jessie and Meowth, Jessie briefly blushes, though it is unclear why. Then she and Meowth fall over.
When Jessie pitches her idea to travel to Kalos, she puts one hand on Meowth's back and the other on James's shoulder, looking at James all the while.

James's hints

Throughout the Diamond & Pearl series, when James watches Jessie participate in events under an assumed name, he keeps forgetting to call her by her fake name and instead calls her Jessie before correcting himself. This appears to mean that he cares more about watching her participate than the current plan Team Rocket is up to. In Dawn of a Royal Day!, James cheers on Jessie using her real name and does not correct himself. In Opposites Interact!, James tries to get Jessie to let him watch her performances.

When Dr. Proctor asks Jessie on a date, James cocks an eyebrow and looks unimpressed.
To get Dr. Proctor to defend her against Ash and company, Jessie puts her hand on Proctor's chest. James glares angrily at Jessie and clenches his fists.
Dr. Proctor asks Jessie to assist him, and she agrees, so James volunteers to assist as well.
After Jessie is expelled from the test, James says in a determined voice that he will do his best for her.
Jessie frolics in a field of flowers and manages to get her head stuck inside of a Vileplume. She becomes extremely sick, and quite convinced of an imminent death, so James crossdresses to try to trick Misty into giving him Salveyo weed for Jessie's recovery. He and Meowth are relieved when Jessie gets better, and worry when she insists on battling instead of resting.
James says that he has been buying less candy, and has been buying less expensive candy, to save money so that Jessie will be proud of him.
When Jessie gets very excited about playing with Brad's Smoochum, James looks suspicious and either annoyed or jealous. James may have thought that who Jessie really wanted to see was Brad.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Insensible" by Juan Gabriel. The song is about a man who used to be in a dark and gloomy relationship, but the person he was with didn't count on him being bulletproof, so to speak. The narrator in the song finds happiness after his bad relationship ends; and James is happy when he's hanging out with Jessie, rather than at home with Jessebelle. The line James sings says, "Soy insensible a heridas de amor"; or, "I am impervious to the wounds of love." In Aipom and Circumstance!, Jessie rejects the gift of bottle caps that James gives her. James shouts, "¡Eres una insensible a las heridas de amor!" In this context, the implication changes. It comes to mean, "You are insensitive to the pain that accompanies romance!" James also sings "Insensible" during the motto in I Feel Skitty! and A Lean Mean Team Rocket Machine!.
During the motto, Jessie is leaning on James. In the Latin American Spanish dub, during this sequence, James references the song "No Vale La Pena" by Juan Gabriel. The song is about a man who needs the person he's in love with to show him more affection; but even without much affection, no one could ever take that person's place. The line James sings says, "No vale la pena lo que tú me quieres"; or, "Your love comes at too high of a cost."
In the Latin American Spanish dub, when Jessie swears on her Team Rocket honor, James says, "¿Cuál honor, mamita?"; or, "What honor, honey?"
Jessie and James hold hands out of fear when Hunter Rico's Pupitar evolves.
Jessie and James continue to travel to Rustboro City. On their way, in the Latin American Spanish dub, James asks Jessie, "¿Tú crees que Arbok y mi Weezing van a estar bien, mamita?"; or, "Do you think Arbok and my Weezing are going to be alright, honey?" Jessie says she hopes so.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Mi Gran Noche" by Raphael. The song is about a man who enjoys wandering around aimlessly at night with the person he loves, because the dark is full of mystery and romance. The line James sings says, "¿Qué misterio habrá puede ser mi gran noche?"; or, "Could the mystery to come be my special night?" James sings "Mi Gran Noche" again during the motto in The Lotad Lowdown, All Things Bright and Beautifly!, Which Wurmple's Which?, Whiscash and Ash, Pearls are a Spoink's Best Friend, A Shroomish Skirmish, Claydol Big and Tall, and Mean With Envy. It is noteworthy that Jessie winks during the motto in Pearls are a Spoink's Best Friend.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Estar Enamorado" by Raphael. The song is about how when people are in love, their whole outlook on life changes for the better. The line James sings says, "Estar enamorado es confundir la noche con el día"; or, "To be in love is to confuse night with day."
During the motto, James is on bended-knee in front of Jessie.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Coqueta" by Pedro Fernández. The song is about a young man who is in love with a girl that wears a mini skirt and a bold grin, but all the guys vie for her attention. The line James sings says, "Coqueta. Me gusta tu mirada de coqueta"; or, "Flirt. I enjoy your flirtatious stare." James sings "Coqueta" again during the motto in The Princess and the Togepi, while Jessie is looking at him and leaning on him.
Jessie, James, and Meowth are dehydrated, so James faints. When he comes to, he tells them to go on without him, without returning, so that he won't be a burden. Jessie and Meowth cry, clench their fists, and refuse. James cries and tells them that he is going to miss them terribly because they're such good friends. Nearby, Jessie and Meowth find a Tamato Berry and James asks only for a sip of its juice. Jessie and Meowth bite into it, but find out it's extremely spicy. Wobbuffet finds a body of water for them.
Despite Jessie and Meowth's greediness, James asks them if they're all right.
While Jessie is drinking water, James seems to be checking her out.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Mi Amigo El Puma" by Sandro. The song is about a haughty yet romantic man that can charm any woman. James paraphrases the song by singing, "¡Dueño del corazón: amor, amor, amor!"; or, "The keeper of the heart: love, love, love!" The song actually says, "Dueño del corazón de todas las mujeres que sueñan con su amor," or, "The keeper of the heart of every woman who dreams of his love." By leaving out the part about multiple women, 'heart' comes to refer to one heart. James also sings shorter pieces of "Mi Amigo El Puma" in A Poached Ego! and A Mudkip Mission.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song, "La Boa" by La Arrolladora. The song is about a man who is a sharp dresser and great dancer but the only person who doesn't notice that is a woman that sweeps people off their feet. The line James sings says, "Y los locutores lo saben. Lo saben"; or, "And the DJs know it. They know it." The 'it' is a dance that the guy in the song comes up with. James sings "La Boa" again during the motto in A Different Kind of Misty!.
During the motto, James kneels before Jessie and then Jessie kneels before James.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "La Cama de Piedra" by Cuco Sánchez. The song is about a man who is in love with someone and will be until the day he dies, so if that person will never love him then someone should hurry up and shoot him. The line James sings says, "De piedra ha de ser la cama"; or, "The bed would be a bed of stone." He starts to sing the next line, but Meowth cuts him off. The next line of the song is, "De piedra la cabecera"; or, "With a stone headboard."
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Vamos al Noa Noa" by Juan Gabriel. The song is about a man asking someone to go away with him to dance endless together. The line James sings says, "Vamos al Noa Noa." In English that would be, "Let's go to Noa Noa," which is analogous to saying 'Take me to La La Land.'
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Ni Princesa Ni Esclava" by Vikki Carr. The song is about a woman who cares not for luxury, and merely wants the person she loves to love her as much as she loves that person. The line James sings says, "Ni princesa ni esclava. Simplemente mujer"; or, "Neither a princess nor a slave. Simply a woman." He references it again in The Treasure Is All Mine!. Regarding Jessebelle, he says to Jessie, "Sí, pero si se aparece ya me amolé. Me llevará de vuelta con mis fervientes deseos y me hará su princesa y su esclava"; or, "Yes, but if she arrives, then I am already doomed. She will do away with my fervent desires and will make me her princess and her slave." Since he would be like a princess and like a slave, he evidently wants Jessie to picture the opposite of lyrics in the song. The opposite would be a song about a greedy woman with no love in her heart, who never leaves the lap of luxury. The song aside, James probably associates princesses with being locked away from the outside world. James also sings "Ni Princesa Ni Esclava" during the motto in Just One of the Geysers and Pacifidlog Jam.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "1 + 1 = 2 Enamorados" by Luis Miguel. The song is about how when people are in love, their souls are said to merge. James sings the line, "Somos dos. Dos enamorados"; or, "We make two. Two lovers." The episode revolves around Shauna pretending to be Brawly's girlfriend, so James could be implying that the only two lovers present are he and Jessie.
Jessie is training with her Dustox. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James walk up to her and asks, "¿Qué estás haciendo aquí, Jessita?"; or, "What are you doing over here, Jessie dear?"
Jessie moves close to James's face to yell at him, but he blushes before she says anything. They proceed to talk about stealing a Wailord, while James continues to blush. Jessie also briefly blushes. James stops blushing once they start talking about Giovanni.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Querida" by Juan Gabriel. The song is about a man who is in love with someone more than anyone else could ever love that person, and not being with that person is killing him. The line James sings says, "Querida, no me ha sanado bien la herida"; or, "Sweetheart, I have not healed from the wound." James actually calls Jessie "querida" from time to time.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "En El Mar" by La Sonora Matancera. The song is about a man who is in love and falls deeper in love with that person the longer they're at sea together. The line James sings says, "En el mar, la vida es más sabrosa"; or, "At sea, life is more palatable." James sings "En El Mar" again in Gettin' Twiggy With It!, when pedaling the Magikarp submarine.
Jessie and James decide to scrap their plan. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James says, "Sí, ya está, mamita"; or, "Yes, that's that, honey."
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "El Listón de Tu Pelo" by Los Ángeles Azules. The song is about a man who is in love with a woman who usually has too much pride and vanity to say what she feels, so he wants to give her a rose as an expression of his feelings. The line James sings says, "Suelta el listón de tu pelo"; or, "Take the ribbon out of your hair." This is analogous to saying, 'Let your hair down and relax.' James sings "El Listón de Tu Pelo" again in Let Bagons be Bagons, Poetry Commotion!, and Gulpin it Down. Jessie is leaning on James when he is singing it in Let Bagons be Bagons.
Jessie flees the battle because May's Skitty messes up her hair, and James and Meowth run after her. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James says, "¡Espéranos, mamí!"; or, "Wait for us, honey!"
Jessie plans to steal Ash's Pikachu after weakening it in a battle. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James asks, "¿Y si no ganas, mi reina?"; or, "And if you don't win, my queen?"
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "La Batidora" by El General, while dancing. He sings a line that can't be quoted on a G-rated website, but basically the song is about an attractive woman. He sings it again while dancing in Hokey Poké Balls!.
After seeing a movie, Jessie cries. James assures her that "It will be OK," because they will have a more successful plan next time. However, it turns out that those are tears of joy because the movie had a happy ending.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "La Camisa Negra" by Juanes. The song is about a man who is full of darkness and is dead on the inside due to his last relationship, which he equates to being under a curse, choking from bitter-tasting smoke, and drinking poison. The line James sings says, "Tengo la camisa negra porque negra tengo el alma"; or, "I wear a black shirt because I have a black soul." Although it is a song about heartbreak, James either seems to find heartbreak songs romantic or uses them to refer to how glad he is to be away from Jessebelle, because he sings them when he is very happy.
During the motto, James seems to be checking out Jessie.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Mi Dulce Niña" by Chili Fernández. The song is about a young man who's in love with his best friend, but too afraid to tell her; so, to see how she feels about him, he asks her to travel with him. The line James sings says, "Mi dulce niña, tú me fascinas"; or, "My sweet baby, you fascinate me."
Excited about Meowth's plan to steal a Linoone, Team Rocket put their hands together. James goes a step further and wraps his hand around Jessie's.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Que Me Perdone Tu Señora" by Manoella Torres. The song is about a woman who is in a relationship with a married man, but doesn't mind because she is madly in love with him. James paraphrases the song by singing, "¡Que perdone la señora!"; or, "May the lady pardon me!"
During the motto, James is on bended-knee; so, in the Latin American Spanish dub, James references the song "Te Traigo Estas Flores" by Lucha Villa. The song is about a man who is afraid to tell the woman he loves how he feels, so he gives her flowers to match her enchanting beauty and dreamy smile. The line James sings says, "¡Te traigo estas flores porque lo encontré dos peores!"; or, "I brought you these flowers because I've encountered two worse things!" In so saying, James is joking about Jessie's fists, because the song actually says, "Te traigo estas flores porque no encontré palabras"; or, "I brought you these flowers because I couldn't find the right words."
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Doce Rosas" by Lorenzo Antonio. The song is about a man that buys the woman he loves a dozen roses to symbolize each month where he had no idea what to do with himself except to cry; and with the roses, he asks the woman to look into her heart and find the love she has for him. The line James sings says, "Son doce rosas que hablarán de ti"; or, "A dozen roses that will speak to you." For context, the next line says, "Del gran amor que para mi tu eres"; "or, "Of the grand capacity to love that you bring out in me."
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James paraphrases the song "Disponible Para Mi" by La Arrolladora. The song is about a man who is in love with a woman that stole his heart and robbed all that was good in him, leaving him in a dark place until she returns. James sings, "Me metistes un penalty, mi amor"; or, "You struck me with a penalty, my love."
When Team Rocket is about to fall through a roof, James grabs onto Jessie's shoulder, though that just drags Jessie down with him.
James blushes as he falls on top of Jessie after being attacked by a Jigglypuff.
Jessie gets her hair tangled in Cacnea's thorns, so she has to get a haircut. James and Meowth attempt to steal Pokémon as gifts to cheer her up. They fail, but the attempt cheers Jessie up.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, when May and Nicolette fail to blast-off Team Rocket, James references the song "Lo Pasado Pasado" by José José. The song is about a man who does not care about all the crying and suffering in the past because he has someone who loves him back, so he will never be sad again. James sings, "¡Ya lo pasado pasado!"; or, "The past has already past!"
Team Rocket come across a poster for the Silver Town Contest. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James says, "¡Jessita, hay que entrarle!"; or, "Jessie dear, let's enter!"
Having earlier heard that May may have a crush on Drew, Jessie gazes into the ocean and ponders the concept of love, as James and Meowth watch from a distance. In the Latin American Spanish dub, Meowth remarks, "Yo olvidé el amor de verano"; or, "I don't even remember who my summer love was." James muses, "Tal vez no reconocemos la verdad cuando la vemos"; or, "Perhaps we don't know the truth when we see it."
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the blast-off, Jessie says that Team Rocket's blasting-off again. At the same time, James shouts, "¡Ay, mamacita, ciaita!"; or, "Oh, honey, this is goodbye!"
James says that he sold his bottle caps so Jessie could buy the dress she wanted.
James is annoyed when Harley insults both Team Rocket and Jessie, holds Jessie's hands, and tells her that he is nevertheless a fan of her Contests. Jessie giggles and James looks at her with a disappointed or concerned expression, arms folded.
When Jessie and Harley hold hands again, James looks disappointed or concerned.
James tells Harley that he's being too hard on Jessie.
Jessie borrows Cassidy's Charizard and James borrows Butch's Aggron, and are very impressed when they see them. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James says to Jessie, "¡Ay, mamacita!", meaning "Oh, honey!"
James seems to be checking Jessie out when they invite themselves into Flint and Lola's house.
Jessie asks James if he heard Brandon reciting the legend of the ruins, to which James responds, "Loud and clear, dear." In the Latin American Spanish dub, James uses the word "querida," meaning "sweetheart," "dear," or "darling."
James gives Jessie some of his own bottle caps to cheer her up, but she throws them away.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, at the end of the blast-off, James whines, "¡Ay, mama!"; or, "Oh, honey!" In this context, mama means the same thing as mamacita, meaning "honey," "baby," or "babe."
A Bulbasaur uses SolarBeam, causing Team Rocket to blast off. As they are soaring through the air, James has his arm around Jessie's shoulder.
As a Regirock and a Registeel use Lock-On, James carries Jessie away to save her, and she holds onto his arm. As they are blasting off, James puts his arm around Jessie's shoulder.
Jessie, James, and Meowth are hanging out at one of James's homes when a housekeeper alerts James that his parents and Jessebelle will come see him in a day's time. Jessie and Meowth continue to enjoy their stay, but James decides that he cannot take the risk. He declares that he must leave right away, but does not ask Jessie or Meowth to leave early. Nonetheless, Jessie and Meowth drop what they are doing and leave with him.
James suggests that maybe someday he, Jessie, and Meowth can afford to live in a cottage together.
Right before Jessie performs in the First Round of a practice Contest, James shouts encouragement from the audience. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James says, "¡Órale, mi reina de cempasúchil!"; or, "Spot on, my marigold queen!" When Jessie completes the round, James says, "¡Ay, esa mi Jessie se la hizo!"; or, "Gosh, my Jessie did that!"
When Jessie wins the Contest, James and Meowth cry, and James says, "Our girl's gotten her first victory!"
After the Contest, James leaves, returns in the Meowth hot air balloon, and throws down a rope ladder. Jessie hangs onto it saying, "Listen, I think my ride is here." James pulls the ladder up as he says, "Your chariot calls for you loud and clear."
After landing on top of James, Jessie shouts, "Would you fall a bit lighter next time?!" He nods and agrees, smiling. She responds with, "Enough of the sweet talk!" to which he says, "Yes, dear." In the Latin American Spanish dub, James uses the word "querida," meaning "sweetheart," "dear," or "darling."
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, Jessie says, "¡Descargan con terror porque soy la reina!"; or, "Unleashing terror because I'm the queen!" Then James says, "Eso te crees , mi reina"; or, "That's what you think, my queen."
After Jessie introduces herself as a mystic, James introduces himself as, "Her guy, Friday."
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the blast-off, James tries to cheer Jessie up. Jessie shouts, "¡No llegamos al fin!"; or, "We didn't get to see it through!" James reassures her, "¡Eso ya no importa, mamita!"; or, "That is no longer important, honey!"
James asks Jessie if she thinks their aliases are too much of a stretch. Jessie retorts that she let him put on a disguise out of the goodness of her heart. James sarcastically remarks, "What a gal." In the Latin American Spanish dub, James sarcastically says, "Que tierna," or, "How sweet."
Jessie, under the alias Jessilina, tries seducing Wallace in hopes that he will go a bit easy on her at the Wallace Cup. When she strokes his chest, James becomes furious. James and Meowth drag her away.
James and Meowth are so proud of Jessie's accomplishments in the Pokémon Summer Academy, that they completely forget about stealing Pokémon. James also accidentally calls her Jessie, instead of her alias Ms. Jessalinda.
James massages Jessie's shoulders while she drinks a cocktail.
When Team Rocket are running from a Rotom, James is behind Jessie and is reaching for her with both hands. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James shouts, "¡Ay, mamita!"; or, "Oh, honey!"
While Jessie, James, and Meowth are in disguise, James and Meowth refer to Jessie as, "my lady."
After a Phione encases Jessie in a block of ice, James says, "Why, that Ice Beam casts you in an artistic light!" In the Latin American Spanish dub he says, "Ay, mamita, calladita te ves más bonita"; or, "Oh, honey, you're even prettier when you're silent." It is a common expression in Hispanic countries and is intended to be endearing in most contexts, and would be in this context.
James likes Jessie's stealing strategy. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James says, "¡Bien, mi Jessie! ¡Eres una sabia!"; or, "Great, my Jessie! You're so wise!"
Jessie complains about not liking PokéRinging. In response, in the Latin American Spanish dub, James says, "No haces así, mamita"; or, "Don't be that way, honey."
James likes Jessie's plan to go after Dawn. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James says, "¡Ay, que malvada eres, mamita!"; or, "Oh, you're so wicked, honey!"
Jessie, James, and Meowth are still looking for Dawn by sunset. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James says, "Pues, ya se lo está viniendo la noche, mamita"; or, "Well, night is approaching, honey."
James tells Mime Jr. that he is counting on it to get Jessie her third Ribbon.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, after Jessie loses in the Sandalstraw Contest, James says, "Además habrá otros Concursos y otros Listones, mamí"; or, "Besides, there will be other Contests and other Ribbons, honey."
When Azure and Crimson tell Jessie and James that they would never join a gang, Jessie explains that they're in Team Rocket because of the "swashbuckling romance." Azure and Crimson respond by saying that "romance" is an old-fashioned idea. Jessie and James's faces turn red with anger, and possibly embarrassment.
Jessie obsesses about ruining other people's love lives and shifts to a yami-or dark-form. James tells himself that Jessie's just not being herself because she's having an off day.
When James, disguised as Professor Oak, gets roped into giving a lecture, Jessie and Meowth run instead of helping him get out of the situation. As they leave, in the Latin American Spanish dub, James references the song "Desapareció" by Wisin & Yandel. The song is about a group of men who fell in love with women that disappeared before the men could get their numbers; and if they do not find those women, it will be the end of them. James says, "Me quedado solo, solito, solitario"; or, "I've stayed alone, alone, alone." It is analogous to saying, 'It's just me, myself, and I.'
A kid accuses Jessie and James of rigging the kingyo-sukui game, so Jessie gets confrontational and James stops her. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James says, "Espérate, mamita"; or, "Wait, honey."
A machine causes Ash's Pikachu and Dawn's Piplup to fall in love. Even though the machine breaks, Jessie tells James to steal the Pokémon anyway. James whines that, "They were great stuck together, but now I'm stuck with you." It's noteworthy that he addresses Jessie specifically, rather than both Jessie and Meowth.
During the motto, Jessie and James are seductively posed and looking at each other from the corner of their eyes. In the Latin American Spanish dub, Jessie says, "Una rosa con otro nombre es igual de dulce"; or, "A rose by any other name is just as sweet." James quips, "No te ponga romántica porque hoy es babosa"; or, "Don't mix romance with lechery." He is using wordplay because babosa can mean "silly" or "lecherous."
Jessie asks James if he thinks a Metagross and a Magnezone buy their partially made-up story. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James says, "Espero que hayas cruzado los dedos, mamita"; or, "I hope that you have your fingers crossed, honey."
In the Latin American Spanish dub, the motto opens with Jessie saying, "¿Acaso es una voz boba la que escucho?"; or, "Perchance, is that the voice of a numskull I hear?" James answers, "No, mamita, ya tienes una oído cucho"; or, "No honey, you're already hearing what you want to hear." Cucho literally means "off-kilter." Later in the motto, James makes a heart-shape with his hands.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Rosa, Rosa" by Sandro. The song is about a man who loves a woman so much that he cries agonizing over her; and that she can ask anything of him other than to stop loving her, because that could only happen if he died. James sings, "¡Rosa, Rosa, la rigurosa!"; or, "Rosa, Rosa is rigorous!"
James is proud when Jessie advances to the Final Round of the Neighborly Town Contest. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James says, "¡Nuestra linda Jessie está que arde!"; or, "Our pretty Jessie is on fire!"
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the First Round, James yells, "¡Eso es, mi Jessie!"; or, "That's how it's done, my Jessie!" Similarly, during the Final Round, James shouts, "¡A la otra ya se apestó, mi Jessie!"; or, "The other one is already done in, my Jessie!"
After Jessie loses, James worries about her and tells her that she was exemplary.
James seems to be selling a surplus of Jessilina products.
James cheers when Jessie advances to the Top 16. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James shouts, "¡Wow, eso es mi Jessie-Jess!"; or, "Wow, that's my Jessie-Jess!" Jessie-Jess is Jessie's nickname from her days at Team Rocket Academy.
When Jessie advances to the Semi-Finals, James shouts, "¡Échale, mi Jessie!"; or, "Go for it, my Jessie!"
Jessie, James, and Meowth pile their hands after a long day's work and say, "Great form!" Though Meowth simply puts an open paw on top of James's hand, James actually cups his hand around Jessie's.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James says, "Yo oliendo a rosa venus"; or, "I'm sniffing a rose of love." He is using wordplay because he is also referencing the planet Venus, as planet Earth is in the background during Jessie's line.
Jessie asks James where a hoard of Cottonee are aggregating. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James answers, "Ahorita te lo digo, mamacita"; or, "I will tell you right now, honey."
Jessie is a bit concerned that James is worrying about Meowth. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James tries to lighten the mood by referencing the song "La Que Me Quita El Sueño" by Peter Manjarrés. The song is about a man who did not want to fall in love but then he met a woman who is as sweet as a sunrise is pretty; however, all the other eligible bachelors want to be with her too. James says, "Pues, así como que me quite, que me quite el sueño no mucho"; or, "Well, that's what keeps me, what keeps me from sleeping much." He pauses for a reaction and Jessie continues to be silent, so he gives her a real answer. Jessie advises him to focus, so he formally responds, "Sí, madame," meaning "Yes, madam."
Jessie, James, and Meowth chase a Carracosta into a cave. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James says, "Y estamos a nada de completar nuestra misión, Jessie mía"; or, "And we're so close to completing our mission, my Jessie."
When a swarm of Beedrill are getting ready to chase Jessie and James, Jessie stands frozen in terror, having been attacked by Beedrill many times in the past. James puts his hands on her shoulders and guides her out of the way.
Jessie wants James's Amulet Coin, so James gloats, "Finders, keepers, dear."

Shared hints

Jessie and James have a tendency to hug or hold onto each other when they are scared (dubbed "fearhugs" by RocketShippers) or happy. Jessie and James also don't have a problem with physical contact such as sleeping on parts of the other's body or holding each other in ways that people who were simply friends normally wouldn't.

James falls asleep on top of Jessie.
When firing shots at a Dragonite, Jessie and James seem to speak in sexual innuendo.
Upon hearing that the St. Anne has sunk, James becomes catatonic. Jessie yells at him to calm down, and then calmly assures him that she has an idea.
Fearing for their lives, Jessie and James hold hands. James says, "Jessica, whoever said beauty doesn't last, must have been thinking of us." This is the only time James ever says "Jessica," adding to the seriousness of his statement. Jessie herself goes by Jessica in Come What May! and Cheer Pressure.
Misty interrupts the hand-hold, causing James to look annoyed.
Later, James is too scared to go any further, so Jessie slaps him to snap him out of it, which causes both Jessie and James to blush. In a caring tone she assures him that they will cross together and that she will not abandon him. James continues to blush, and cries in Jessie's arms. Ash interrupts, causing Jessie to look annoyed.
When nightfall hits, James sleeps on top of Jessie.
At the end of the episode, Jessie and James hug from fear of a swarm of Gyarados.
Jessie is angry with James for his obsession with the ghost and holds onto his pants so that he will not jump into the water to swim to the shrine. Jessie becomes distracted and lets go, causing James to lose his grip on the guardrails. Jessie grabs him, but falls down with him.
Even in a completely disoriented state due to the ghost's spell, James's first instinct is to recite the motto, and his second is to hug Jessie's leg.
When the ghost is dragging James away and he cries that he does not want to go to the Ghost World, Jessie pulls out a bazooka and shoots the ghost. Jessie then shouts, "Hey girl, you can't take him! You haven't got a ghost of a chance!" James tears up and exclaims, "Jessie, you really do care!", though Jessie attempts to hide the fact that she did it for his sake.
After Jessie fails to land any attacks against a Gastly using Arbok and Meowth, she puts her hand on James's hand and asks him to battle so she can take a break. He accepts.
When Ash fails to land any attacks against the Gastly, Jessie and James hug out of fear.
James points out the fact that roses are the flowers of love and romance. Later, during the motto, they are both surrounded by red roses and James is holding one.
James and Meowth compliment Jessie on her ambition. She snickers and blushes.
After dodging bullets from Kaiser, James stands in front of Jessie to block her from any forthcoming bullets. Jessie wails and James tells her to relax and trust him. He grabs her by the waist and jumps off the roof with a parachute. James crashes the parachute, seemingly because he is checking Jessie out. After the crash, the parachute falls on top of them and they scramble to get out of it. During this, Jessie says, "Where do you think you're touching?!" implying that James is doing more than simply trying to get out of the parachute, by accident or by design. Ash uncomfortably asks Team Rocket what they are doing under there. When Team Rocket emerge from under the parachute, James has a rather large grin.
Later, as revenge, Jessie and James point guns at Kaiser and demand to know where the local Dratini lives. When Jessie removes her gun, Kaiser stands up suddenly and yells at her with a clenched fist in the air, calling her a liar. This makes James very angry and he grabs onto Kaiser's arms. Kaiser breaks free and elbows James in the face, knocking James to the floor. Jessie gets angry and has her Arbok restrain Kaiser.
Excited that they have stolen a Ditto, Jessie and James turn to face each other. James smacks his palm with his fist while Jessie blushes.
Jessie shows the Ditto a photo of a boyfriend that she had when she was little. James insists on seeing the picture and triumphantly rolls on the floor laughing when Ditto does a poor imitation of the photo.
Jessie and James hug for warmth.
James cries and blushes happily when Jessie gets her doll back.
At the end of the episode, Jessie and James are sleeping next to each other.
When Meowth falls in love with Cassandra James tells him that he understands what he's going through. He goes on to say that, "Cupid's Arrow strikes when you least expect it." Immediately after he says that Jessie hits him with a paper fan. This is symbolic of James being "struck" by Cupid's arrow.
Jessie gets furious at the guy who beats up James.
When Team Rocket are getting ready to sing "Team Rocket Forever," Jessie puts her hands on Meowth and James's backs and they each put a hand on her back.
Jessie and James sleep leaning against each other.
At the end of the episode, Jessie is crushed, conceding that James has decided to marry his fiancée Jessebelle and come into his inheritance. James catches up to Jessie in their Meowth hot air balloon and picks her up, both completely forgetting about Meowth. James nervously tells Jessie that he'd rather have his freedom than money. They shake hands, making a heart-shape with their hands, and they don't let go. They gaze deeply into each other's eyes as the music swells.
James blushes when Jessie kicks him while she is wearing a maid café outfit.
Jessie and James sleep next to each other.
James and Meowth toss confetti at Jessie while she tries on clothes at a mall.
James and Meowth are quite taken by the way Jessie looks at the Princess Festival Contest, and to them she appears as if sparkling.
Before Jessie's battle with Misty, James and Meowth offer to take Misty out to fix Jessie's win, by use of Thompson submachine gun fire.
Jessie cries so James holds her hands and tells her that he hopes she will win. He tries to be strong for Jessie and not cry very much, but he ends up bawling, as does Jessie. During this exchange the background is full of rose bushes, symbolizing love.
After Jessie loses to Misty, James dresses himself and their Pokémon as the Hinamatsuri dolls that were the grand prize. Jessie is touched and cries.
Jessie and James disguise themselves as what appears to be an elderly couple.
James falls asleep on top of Jessie.
When their submarine is under attack, James holds onto Jessie, rather than his handlebars.
James falls asleep on top of Jessie a second time.
Jessie sleeps on top of James.
During the motto, Jessie and James link arms.
Jessie falls, so James rushes to catch her, but fails.
While declaring that Team Rocket runs Viridian Gym, Jessie has her hand on James's back and he has one hand on Jessie's back.
James and Meowth are very concerned about Jessie after she gets hurt from her Gym battle against Ash.
Jessie and James are headed toward a Team Rocket Headquarters, when suddenly it explodes. Alarmed, Jessie puts her hands on her chest, over her heart. James holds onto her arms to console her. Mewtwo is seen flying away. Jessie and James are shown watching Mewtwo, but are now pressed against each other, with Jessie's hands on James's chest. Jessie, James, and Meowth run to the ruins to rescue Giovanni. Seeing them tests Giovanni's nerves and he demands to know what they want. Jessie hides behind James and grabs onto his arm. This implies that Jessie feels safe with James protecting her. James is scared, but swallows hard and puts on a braver expression. Giovanni tells them to get back to their field work.
Later, a swarm of Beedrill corner Jessie, James, and Meowth. Jessie and James hold onto each other's arms, and have their arms wrapped around Meowth.
James tells Meowth that he will recognize Jessie no matter how she is disguised, because she thinks like him. While he is recalling their costumes, one of the images is of Jessie and James in their Salon Roquet outfits. Jessie is on bended-knee with her hand slid underneath James's hand, as if asking him to marry her. They both have very serious facial expressions.
Cassidy claims that there is a rumor that Jessie is getting fired. James scrambles on all fours over to Cassidy, grabs her arm, and asks if she has heard any rumors about him. Jessie angrily drags him back to the other side of the room.
Jessie and James hug out of fear when they are about to be attacked by their Pokémon, who are being controlled by Cassidy and Butch.
When trying to figure out what to do about grapefruit that are not intended to be eaten as fruit, James recalls having eaten their rinds candied. That gives Jessie the idea to sell the grapefruit, so she flirtatiously nudges him with her elbow and James blushes.
Jessie plans to steal two Nidoran who are in love to teach them that "The heart always leads one to heartache." James and Meowth become concerned and Jessie starts crying because she can't find love. James dejectedly agrees and says, "All in love's unfair."
The original plan does not work out, so Jessie and James crossdress as a married couple, hide their hot air balloon in a mock wedding cake, paint two hearts pierced by Cupid's arrows on their balloon basket, and tie honeymoon cans to the bottom of the balloon basket.
Jessie wants to beat up Dr. Quackenpoker for insulting the Magikarp submarine. James puts one hand on her shoulder and another on her back to calm her down.
A Magikarp chews on James's head and puts up a struggle. Once freed, Jessie and James hug and cry from relief. Meowth hugs their legs.
Jessie and James hug out of fear when a Gyarados makes eye contact with them.
During the motto, there are two hearts pierced by Cupid's arrows in the background. James is holding a rose as well.
During the part of "OK!" that says one should face their fears, Team Rocket hear a Jigglypuff Sing, and Jessie and James sleep leaning against each other.
When they are about to get sent blasting-off, Jessie and James hug out of fear.
Jessie is sleeping on top of James.
After James picks a lock with a paper clip, Jessie nudges James with her elbow and says, "Ooo, nice work James," in a flirtatious way.
James blushes while Jessie yells at him to stop whining about his bottle caps.
Jessie, James, and Meowth cry at the thought of their poverty. Jessie cries a little harder than she can handle and has to sit down. She apologizes for crying so hard, so James holds her hands and stops his crying for her.
Later, Jessie and James hug happily.
Jessie wonders if James and Meowth worry about her when she's away.
Jealous of all of the food that Ash and company have, Jessie recalls an occasion where she, James, and Meowth were eating instant noodles and crying from joy. James complimented Jessie on the way she prepared the noodles. The compliment caused her to grin widely.
For one of DJ Mary's radio dramas, Jessie and James are cast as a queen and king who are married to each other.
During the motto, Jessie and James hold hands.
One for drama, Jessie makes up a love story between her and Cullen to calm her nerves when she is preparing to ride into a fierce storm by hot air balloon. James tunes it out at first, and then evidently hears part of it and looks disappointed.
During the motto, James is holding a bouquet of flowers and is running after Jessie, as if trying to give them to her. He appears to have tossed some flower petals in her direction. Jessie is also holding a bouquet of flowers, and is running through a field of flowers.
Jessie and James hold hands and cheer to celebrate their escape. They continue to hold hands when they are surprised to see Janina ahead of them; and even still when Jessie gets annoyed that Janina will not make way for them.
Jessie and James hug out of fear when they are about to get attacked by Ash's Pikachu.
Disguised as geishas and getting ready to dance, James asks, "My dear Jessie, shall we show 'em?"
During the motto, James tosses cherry blossom petals at Jessie, then she tosses some at James.
Close to falling off a cliff, Jessie and James hug. Jessie tells everyone to calm down, but James panics and says, "If I never see you guys again, just know that I love you." Lily unobservantly runs up to them. Jessie and James nervously hold hands, while continuing to hug. James's lips appear to be pressed against their laced hands. Lily's weight causes the piece of cliff to fall off, so Jessie and James resume hugging.
Disguised as Professor Oak and DJ Mary, Jessie puts her arms around James's neck, rocks him back and forth, and complements him on his confidence.
Later, before James presents a haiku to compete with the real Professor Oak, Jessie says, "You don't know a thing about poems." James responds, "That's where you're wrong, dear Jessie." James goes on to recite a haiku that those present prefer over the real Oak's haiku. Jessie is especially impressed.
During the motto, James and Jessie are dressed as the king and queen of a playing card deck.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Carta a Eufemia" by Pedro Infante. The song is about a man who is in love with a woman but she has not been responsive, so love is killing him; therefore, he cannot handle what he has with that woman even though no one could ever take her place. The line James sings says, "Cuando recibas esta carta sin razón, Eufemia"; or, "When you receive this letter, Eufemia, you will know without a doubt." The next line of the song is, "Ya sabrás que entre nosotros todo terminó"; or, "You will already know that what is between us has ended." In the context of the episode, James could be implying that he and Jessie recently had a fight, seeing as the motto is at the beginning of the episode and James has a connection of sorts with Kate soon after. In fact, in the Latin American Spanish dub of Hold the Phione!, James says, "Fíjate que yo tuve una novia llamada Rose"; or, "Listen, I had a novia named Rose." "Novia" can mean "girlfriend" or "fiancée." Rose is Kate's name in the Japanese version of We're No Angels, so he might be referring to Kate, albeit with a dubbing error. If he is, then it is a pun, because James's voice actor in the Latin American dub, José Antonio Macías, voiced Jack in the Spanish dub of Titanic.
Jessie becomes alarmed when Kate is about to ask James to live with her.
When James asks Jessie and Meowth if maybe they could try living in the village to see if they would like it, Jessie unenthusiastically agrees to it, rather than leaving James behind. James looks like he is feeling guilty about bringing it up.
Due to a malfunction with a mecha, none of them end up staying. James is upset at first, but gets over it right away. In contrast, in Noodles! Roamin' Off! James never gets over Jessie's departure and is grateful for her return.
Jessie gives her food ration to Meowth and James, despite James having declined her offer.
Jessie's generosity does not go unnoticed, for James subsequently vows to always do his best so that she can always trust him to be there for her.
Despite having had twelve previous partners and managing to abandon them all without regret, Jessie becomes hysterical when James is injured and almost gives up on Team Rocket altogether. She refuses to let him become injured again later in the episode.
Jessie feels really bad for James when she is visiting him in the medical facility at Team Rocket Academy.
In spite of being severely injured, James comes back to participate in his team's mission, to Jessie's shock. He assures her that she never has to worry about being on her own when she's his partner. Jessie is touched and cries. As they perform the mission, "Double Trouble" plays in the English dub; wherein, James characterizes himself as a king and Jessie characterizes herself as a queen.
Later, James almost falls, but Jessie and Meowth do not let him. He reminds them that the police are already on their way and tries to convince them to go on without him to save time, but Jessie assures him that they are in it together. James concedes, visibly touched. When Jessie manages to pull James up, he falls on top of her. Jessie blushes, and the two stare into each other's eyes until Meowth interrupts.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, after Meowth interrupts and Jessie asks if they are ready, James responds in a tone much deeper than the already deep and serious tones he uses throughout the episode. In a baritone and triumphant voice he says, "Más listos que nunca"; or, "We are more ready than ever." A far cry from him panicking and nearly crying before falling on top of Jessie.
Upon receiving Field Agent status, Jessie and James hold onto each other's arms and wrap their arms around Meowth.
Meowth remarks that the mine must be haunted, so Jessie tells him to stop scaring James.
James is afraid to go back in the mine because now he is sure that it is haunted. In the Latin American Spanish dub, Jessie tells him, "No te preocupes"; or, "Don't you worry."
A Taillow starts to mess up Jessie's hair, so she pulls out a bomb. In hopes of placating Jessie, James says, "But Jessie, sweetheart..." though she does not respond. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James uses the word "querida," meaning "sweetheart," "dear," or "darling."
When Illumise and Volbeat perform a "mating" dance, they are said to bring good fortune to spectators who are in love. Jessie wonders if it could work for her since she's in love with the idea of being married and living happily ever after. She pictures a prince from a fairy tale, since she's not talking about anyone in particular. There's a possibility that she is dropping a hint for James. Either way, James is disappointed by her explanation.
During the motto, Jessie dresses as an Illumise and James dresses as a Volbeat. In costume, James walks behind Jessie, with his hands on her hips, then they wiggle their behinds to show off the light fixture on the back of James's costume. The back of Jessie's costume has a heart on it, which is not a feature found on Illumise.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "A Mover la Colita" by La Sonora Dinamita. The song is about chasing the sadness in one's heart away by dancing, and names some cartoon couples. The line James sings says, "A ver, a ver, a mover la colita. Si no la mueves se le va a poner malita"; or, "Let us see. Let us see you shake your tail. If you don't, then it [your heart] won't be any good."
Jessie and James hug out of fear when Hansen's Shedinja uses SolarBeam. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James stammers, "¡Mamac-mamacita!"; or, "Hon-honey!"
Jessie and James hug again out of fear when Hansen's Ninjask use Shadow Ball.
Afraid of getting hit with rocks from an Eruption from a Camerupt, Jessie puts her hand on James's shoulder. When Jessie and James emerge from hiding, James no longer has any interest in helping his friend Vito, for having put them in danger.
During the motto, Jessie winks. Perhaps in reaction to that, in the Latin American Spanish dub, James sings the narcocorrido "Jefe de Jefes" by Los Tigres del Norte. The song is about a ganster to whom hot shots ask favors, because they know his services are top-notch. James brags, "Soy el jefe de jefes, señores"; or, "I'm the boss of bosses, you guys." 'You guys' is an imperfect substitution, as señores means "gentlemen" or "ladies and gentlemen."
Impressed by James's battling, Jessie blushes when James's Cacnea gets up after a strong Tackle from Brock's Forretress.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "La Mesa Que Más Aplauda" by Climax. The song is about a woman who travels a lot and, wherever she goes, men in all professions and walks of life-from rich men to thieves-vie for her attention. James is unhappy at the time because Jessie's stealing his spotlight, but the song reference may imply he's jealous of other guys giving her attention. The line James sings could indicate that the woman in the song is a Japanese criminal, which fits Jessie even more. The line's spelling in the music video is written out as "Za Za Za Ya-Cu-Za Ya-Cu-Za"; and 'yacuza' would be a logical Hispanicization of yakuza. James also sings "La Mesa Que Más Aplauda" during the motto in Jump for Joy!.
During the motto, there are hearts in the background followed by Jessie clinging to a giant heart that James is carrying.
Jessie and James dress up as Gym Leader Norman and his wife Caroline. Meowth and Wobbuffet clash with the disguises, so James, playing the role of a married man, says to Jessie, "Everything was going as planned and then your kids had to mess it all up."
During the motto, Jessie is seductively posed. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James references the song "La Manzanita" by Erasmo Catarino. The song is about a man who wants to buy gifts for a gorgeous woman who is ripe for love. The line James sings says, "¿Qué rica está la manzana que cuelga de la ramita?"; or, "How delicious is the apple hanging from a twig?" For context, the next line of the song says, "Se está cayendo de buena porque ya está madurita"; or, "It's falling into place because it's charmingly mature."
Jessie accidentally steals May's Torchic instead of Ash's Pikachu. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James exclaims, "¡Ay, mamita!"; or, "Oh, honey!"
In the Latin American Spanish dub, in a drunken state, James calls Jessie "mi Jessie," meaning "my Jessie."
In the Latin American Spanish dub, while drunk and dancing, Jessie, James, and Meowth sing "Baila Suavecito" by La Sonora Dinamita. The song is about a man who is with a haughty woman that wears skirts, and likes to dance and play drums with him. The song says she's his "novia," which could mean "girlfriend," "fiancée," or "wife." The line Team Rocket sings says, "Baila. Baila. Báilamela suavecita"; or, "Dance. Dance. Dance with me very slowly."
When Oscar and Andi assume Jessie and James are a couple, James looks confused and Jessie just ignores it. Since they don't get upset at it like Ash and May do, it could be interpreted that Jessie and James find the presumption acceptable.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, when Oscar and Andi assume Jessie and James are a couple, James seems nervous about Jessie possibly overhearing it. Standing next to Meowth, with Jessie somewhat in the distance, James says, "Yo... tengo nada que ver con esta; or, "I... have nothing to do with this one," meaning Meowth.
Jessie and James argue after their failed Tag Battle. One of James's complaints is, "If it weren't for my sterling loyalty, I would've become solo years ago," as if they were a couple. One of Jessie's accusations is, "Have you ever considered that maybe our blasting-off expertise comes from your side of the family?", as if they were married. When James jokes that Jessie's ugly, he sings about it. Jessie is somewhat angry and blushes, then smiles, covers her ears, and sings to drown out his voice. Since Jessie is obsessed with her appearance and is infuriated by even the most minuscule remarks about it, her laid back reaction signifies that she treats James somewhat differently than other people. All in all, it resembles a lovers' quarrel. In the Latin American Spanish dub, during their argument, James even sarcastically calls Jessie "chucha," meaning "honey."
When they put the fighting behind them, they link arms and shortly afterwards recite the motto. After Jessie says her name, James says, "With James," as if they are a couple. After the motto, Jessie says, "It's you and I again, James."
In the Latin American Spanish dub, to start the motto, Jessie says, "Prepárense para los problemas. ¡Estamos unidos!"; or, "Prepare for trouble. We're reunited!" Then James says, "Así es. complemente unidos"; or, "That's right. Complementarily united." After a few more motto lines, James references the song "La Tanguita Roja" by Oro Sólido. He sings a line that can't be quoted on a G-rated website, but basically the song is about an attractive woman.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Hoja en Blanco" by Monchy & Alexandra. The song is about two people who wait until it is too late to admit that they're in love each other. The line James sings says, "Fue imposible que sacar tu recuerdo de mi mente"; or, "It proved impossible to get the memory of you out of my mind." James sings "Hoja en Blanco" again during the motto in Lights, Camerupt, Action!
While Jessie and James are fighting, a Shuppet hits them with Dream Eater to calm their nerves. Jessie observes, "Strange, I hated you both moments ago." James echoes, "Yes, I hated you too." Jessie tries to rationalize the situation by saying, "Well, maybe that had something to do with being such great friends." James agrees, explaining, "They say that you always hurt the ones you love!"
A group of Breloom are pursuing Jessie and James, so they hug out of fear. They end up having to choose between Breloom attacks or jumping off a cliff. Indecisive, they hug again and Jessie cries in James's arms.
James starts to describe a memory and Jessie interrupts, saying that if it has to do with his past love life, she would rather jump off a cliff than hear it. It turns out that he was simply describing why he always wanted a Chimecho.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the blast-off, James shouts, ¡Ay, mamacita, estás tan quieta!"; or, "Oh, honey, you're so calm!"
When Jessie and James imagine themselves dancing together at the Team Rocket nightclub, they do not include Meowth or any of their Pokémon in the fantasy. The 'R' on the wall of the club has hearts all over it.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Cobarde" by Selena. The song is about a woman that is in love with someone who has drifted away from her, but she's certain that person will remember how great they were together sooner rather than later. James sings a line from the chorus, except he changes the 'you' in the song to 'they' to joke about Ash and company. He sings, "Cobardes. Son solos cobardes"; or, "Cowards. They're just cowards." James sings "Cobarde" again during the motto in Judgment Day!
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the blast-off, James whines, "¡Mamacita!", meaning "Honey!"
Jessie and James hug out of fear before their mecha breaks.
After Team Rocket crashes into a tree, Jessie says in a dramatic tone, "You know James, I never felt this close to you before." Equally dramatically, James comments, "I feel the same about you..." In a displeased tone, James adds, "and Wobbuffet."
Jessie motions that once she and James figure out where they are, they should go home and Meowth will eventually show up there. James attempts to figure out how she expresses emotion. He muses that her logic hides the fact that she doesn't care and her anger hides the fact that she does care.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the second motto, James references the song "Verónica" by Víctor Yturbe. The song is about a man who has to tell the woman he loves how he feels because he misses her too much when she isn't around. James paraphrases the song by singing, "Verónica, extraño tu amor"; or, "Verónica, I miss your love."
Jessie and James are lowered into Mossdeep Gym on set pieces shaped like a sun and a moon. Jessie gets off onto a platform and James gets on bended-knee before her. All the while they sing a motto to each other.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, James references the song "Serenata Huasteca" by Pedro Infante. The song is about a man who is in love with a woman and will stop at nothing to become the man of her dreams, despite his friends' warnings that he needs to wake up from that dream. James chooses this song for the motto because it says, "Dicen que para conseguirte, necesito una fortuna que debo bajar el cielo, las estrellas, y la luna"; or, "They say that to win you over, I'll need a fortune that could buy the sky, the stars, and the moon." James paraphrases the song by singing, "Canto al pie de tu ventana para que sepas que te quiero. Tú a mi no me quieres nada, ¡pero yo a ti si te quiero!"; or, "I'm serenading you at your windowsill so that you know that I love you. You don't like me at all, but I love you!"
Excited to pursue a Claydol, Team Rocket decide to do a little song and dance. In the Latin American Spanish dub, they sing a paraphrased version of the chorus from the song "Gasolina" by Daddy Yankee. The song is about a man whose significant other is an adrenaline junkie who is into cars and motorcycles, so she's always hitting him up for fuel; but he doesn't complain because she's gorgeous and can beat him up. Together they're a team of feared criminals. Team Rocket sings, "Dame más gasolina. Quiero más gasolina. ¡Ay, mamí, gasolina!"; or, "Give me more gasoline. I want more gasoline. Oh, honey, gasoline!" James paraphrases the song by himself in Saved by the Beldum, where he sings, "A mi me gusta la gasolina"; or, "I like gasoline."
After successfully returning the Claydol to its Poké Ball, Jessie and James fist-bump.
Team Rocket decide to steal a Donphan. In the Latin American Spanish dub, Jessie says, "Es una buen oportunidad de rodarme felicidad"; or, "It's a good opportunity to bring me happiness." James responds with a reference to the song "El Rey" by José Alfredo Jiménez. The song is about a man who is telling the person he loves that even though that person claims not to feel the same way, that person will at least love him after he is dead, if not sooner. He is sure of this because whether he has money or is completely broke, he does what he wants and keeping his word is the only law he lives by. James sings the line that says, "rodar y rodar"; or, "rolling along." The full line is, "Una piedra del camino me enseño que mi destino era rodar y rodar"; or, "A rocky road will show me that my destiny is to roll along and keep going." James sings this again during the motto.
James interjects in Meowth's boss fantasy a couple of times, as it becomes less and less logical. Jessie cuts them off and yells that the point is that they are going to try to steal a Donphan. Her yelling makes James blush. James does not seem to be blushing from embarrassment because he was not the one with the lousy ideas.
The second time Chimecho uses Astonish, Meowth holds onto one of Jessie's legs and James holds onto her other leg.
When two Donphan prepare to use Rollout on Team Rocket, Jessie moves closer to James and holds onto his shoulder.
Jessie, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet play seven hands of rock-paper-scissors, and each time they make the same move as one another.
While making up a rhyme, Jessie and James play a hand game.
When Meowth is bragging about his mecha, Jessie and James speak in what seems to be sexual innuendo.
Team Rocket are working at a bakery. When their boss yells at them to stop slacking off, Jessie and James hold hands out of fear.
Jessie, James, and Meowth make a wedding cake and decorate it with candy versions of their Pokémon.
Jessie and James are seen asleep on a bed with the covers partly over them. Jessie is sleeping on top of James.
A motto sequence from Uncrushing Defeat!
James's housekeepers mistake Jessie for Jessebelle and say, "She looks like such a dear." James panics and says, "Me and Jessie?"
In the Latin American Spanish dub, the housekeepers say, "Se ve que es una lindura"; or, "She's a beauty." To which James exclaims, "¿Qué? ¡Yo y Jessie no se azoten!"; or, "What? Jessie and I don't torture each other!" Whereas, being around Jessebelle is torture for him.
Jessie looks annoyed when James freaks out at the idea of being married to her.
Throughout Team Rocket's stay, the housekeepers continue to enjoy Jessie's company and ask about her when she's not around. They even approve of her after a guilt-ridden James explains that they're both in Team Rocket.
After Ranger Solana helps Team Rocket out of a thorny situation, the relieved Jessie and James hold hands while hugging. Solana tells them the woods are off-limits, so Jessie lets go of James and James takes one hand off Jessie, in order to salute to the Ranger. Perhaps because Jessie is distracted, James takes the initiative to move his remaining hand from Jessie's arm down to her hip.
A Meganium chooses a Tropius over Ash's Grovyle. James pities him, saying, "Poor Grovyle, another victim of the heart." Jessie remarks, "Clueless, just like a man."
After snagging the Meganium and Tropius with a mecha, Jessie complains in an angry and/or jealous tone, "Quit your crying. At least you're together."
When fighting Ash and company, Jessie and James speak in what is potentially sexual innuendo.
During the blast-off, Jessie complains about always failing. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James expands upon his sympathy for Grovyle by referencing the song "Ni Hablar Mujer" by Pedro Infante. The song is about the simple pleasures in life that do not include women; because, even though women are great, when women are angry there is no way to reason with them. James says, "¡Ni hablar mujer! ¡Traes puñal!"; or, "Don't talk about women! You'll end up carrying a dagger!" "Ni Hablar Mujer" says, "¿Qué bonito es el reír? ¿Qué bonito es el querer? ¿Qué bonito es el vivir? ¡Ni hablar mujer!"; or, "How beautiful is a smile? How beautiful is it to be passionate about something? How beautiful is living life? But don't start talking about women!" The song is from the 1948 movie Nosotros los Pobres, in which "¡Traes puñal!" is said at a later point.
Jessie gets upset over being cut from a movie. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James says, "¿Y ahora que hacemos, Jessita?"; or, "And now what do we do, Jessie dear?"
A Bonsly and a Mime Jr. are playing lovers in a movie. So, in the Latin American Spanish dub, Jessie starts the motto by saying, "Prepárense para los problems. ¡Están muy juntos!"; or, "Prepare for trouble. You guys are very close!" By close, Jessie means the Pokémon are close romantically and also that trouble is close. James follows up with, "Ay, sí, ésta parece que se quieren mucho"; or, "Why yes, since it appears that your feelings run deep." In other words, they are agreeing that love is trouble.
At the beginning of the episode, James does not allow his Mime Jr. to battle, for fear of it getting hurt. However, at the end of the episode, he has a change of heart. Brock's Bonsly relentlessly attacks Jessie with Double-Edge, so James angrily orders Mime Jr. to perform Mimic, Tickle, and Teeter Dance.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the blast-off, James shouts, "¡Ay, mamacita!"; or, "Oh, honey!"
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the argument, Jessie sarcastically says, "¿Y la llave, querido James?"; or, "And what happened to the key, James darling?"
After Jessie, James, and Meowth decide to go their separate ways, Cassidy convinces James to join her. Upon seeing Cassidy come close to kissing James and then dragging him away, Jessie kicks a fire extinguisher in anger.
Later, Jessie and James try to steal Poké Balls to impress each other, and apologize for having argued.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, when Jessie is stealing Poké Balls to impress James she says, "Cuando James vea esto, se que ha comer la cena que yo preparé"; or, "When James sees this, he's going to gobble up the dinner that I will have made for him."
After listening to Meowth's boss fantasy, Jessie and James high-five each other.
James feels sorry for Jessie when she agrees to Harley's plan after being coerced into participating.
Harley asks Jessie to travel with him to Johto to be his training partner. James seems annoyed with Jessie during this. Jessie politely declines the invitation, pointing out that she has Team Rocket-related work elsewhere. This pleases James, but Harley throws a fit. The fallout marks the end of Jessie and Harley's friendship, even though, in New Plot, Odd Lot!, Harley had called Jessie his soul mate.
When Minnie is poised to battle Jessie, who is disguised as a Gym Leader, Brock tells Minnie that she will win because of her "ravishing beauty." Jessie takes her glove off and punches him with an uppercut, knocking him off his seat. Brock gets up and insists that Minnie is more beautiful, so Jessie yells at James-the Gym Referee-to make a ruling. James, having just seen how hard Jessie hits, declares Jessie the winner. Jessie happily spins around in circles. Brock yells at James for being a bad Referee.
Jessie ends up battling Minnie with a Croagunk. When the Croagunk faints, James draws out his ruling until Croagunk comes to. As a consequence, James once again gets insulted by Brock, and by Ash as well. James comments that Croagunk is unable to resist Jessie's voice.
While blasting off, James motions that they run a Gym together for real. Jessie replies, "When you act like a real man!"
When Jessie, James, and Ash are entering Hunter J's aircraft, James is briefly holding Jessie's hand.
After Jessie and James rescue Meowth from J, they hold onto each other's arms and have their arms wrapped around Meowth.
When Jessie, James, and Meowth are at risk of being blown out of J's plane, Jessie holds onto James's waist. When the risk decreases, Jessie and James hold onto each other's arms and wrap their arms around Meowth.
Jessie feels the need to jealously bring up her own attractiveness whenever James mentions J. First James says, "When it comes to slippery fingers, she rules," and Jessie chimes in with, "Unlike the looks department, where I rule." Next, James says, "Pokémon Hunters, the lowest of the low," and Jessie asks in an irritated tone, "What are you, the president of their fan club?" She adds, "Though it pains me to say it, looks aren't everything... I know I'm much prettier than her, but I will not be out-nastied." At the end of the episode, James says, "I may respect that wench, but I don't like her," causing Jessie to admit that, "I may be prettier than J, but when it comes of devilry, I have work to do."
Jessie can't remember what the 'B' in B-Button League stands for, so James pulls her aside and whispers in her ear, "Beautiful." In response, the B-Button League asks them what the C on their shirts stands for. Jessie flounders, so James comes up with "Crystal" and puts his hand on Jessie's shoulder as if to tell her to relax.
When the B-Button League are going to battle Jessie and James, they hug out of fear.
Jessie moves that instead of helping Ash and company, she and James wait out the danger. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James says, "Sí, mamí. Sí, me encanta el color que tiene"; or, "Yes, honey, and I do love the color scheme."
In the hideout, Jessie and James sleep next to each other.
As Abigail's Raichu is pounding the mecha, Jessie and James speak in what is potentially sexual innuendo.
When James is tired of dealing with Gym Leader Gardenia's obsession with his Pokémon, he puts his hand on Jessie's hand and asks her to battle Gardenia for him. Jessie accepts.
While Jessie is asleep, she says, "How sweet to be swept away by the special someone that I hold dear." She wakes up to find that she is literally being swept off her feet because James's battle sent them blasting off. James reminds her to be careful what she wishes for.
Gardenia insists that James give her his Cacnea and proves that Cacnea isn't realizing its full potential under James's tutelage. Jessie is very annoyed by this and watches James stare into space crestfallen. She clenches her fists and goes over to James, telling him to forget what Gardenia said. James looks back at her sympathetically and tries to assure her that he is fine.
To Ash and company, Jessie guiltily confesses that James did not sulk until she asked if he was serious about giving up Cacnea. In actuality, James was sulking earlier than that.
When James tries to talk Cacnea into going with Gardenia, Jessie and Meowth try to stop him. Without turning to face them, James says that he is not a good Trainer. He proceeds to give Cacnea's Poké Ball to Gardenia and runs off, trying very hard not to cry. Jessie and Meowth are extremely worried and chase him.
Although Jessie is running a scam unbeknownst to James, James immediately recognizes Jessie in spite of her disguise.
James is still silent and depressed over losing Cacnea, so Jessie and Meowth try to cheer him up by giving him pineapple slices. James doesn't even want to look at the food, so they try to cheer him up by stealing Buizel and Aipom. When James hears about it, he is touched and he, Jessie, Meowth, and Wobbuffet cry and hug. James helps them steal the Pokémon and, even though they end up stealing the wrong Pokémon, James is moved to tears and he and Jessie hold hands. Jessie sees James no longer being distant as a sign that they are a "true" team again.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, when James takes a key out of his pocket, he references the song La Llave de Mi Corazón by Juan Luis Guerra. The song is about a man who is in love with a hopeless romantic, so he will do anything to get her to notice him more. James sings, "Aquí esta la llave de mi corazón"; or, "Here is the key to my heart."
Later, Jessie interrupts Brock and Autumn looking into each other's eyes. In the Latin American Spanish dub she says, "Es un concurso de admiraditas, OK?"; or, "So it's a competition between young lovers, is it?" This is wordplay because in the English dub Jessie calls it a "staring contest," and admiradas can mean "stares" or "admirers." The -itas suffix adds endearment, so the latter definition is used. Jessie and James then battle Brock and Autumn. It is noteworthy that in the Latin American Spanish dub of The Bicker the Better, Tag Battles are called "Batallas del Amor," meaning "Love Battles."
Jessie, James, and Meowth narrate a made-up story about how they found a hot spring. During it, in the Latin American Spanish dub, Jessie says, "No podemos perder el tiempo con estas joyas cuando tenemos aguas termales que encontrar"; or, "We can't waste time with these jewels when we have hot springs to find." James sympathetically responds, "Ay, pues, a veces dimes toda la razón, aunque no seguido, mi reina"; or, "Uh, well, sometimes you make good points, although I can't always follow your train of thought, my queen."
When Jessie and James are in a hot spring together, it is clear that they are not wearing anything under the water.
When the meteorites glow, Jessie and James hug out of fear. After they stop hugging, Jessie momentarily leaves one hand on James's back.
After escaping from Officer Jenny and Team Galactic, Jessie, James, and Meowth gleefully stroll down a backstreet. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James references the song "Falsa" by Eddie Santiago. The song is about a man who was in a nightmare of a relationship with a deceptively charming woman who wears a thousand masks, so to speak. James sings, "¡Falso fue tu amor!"; or, "Yours was a hollow love!" The full line of the song is, "Tus promesas fueron falsas como falso fue tu amor"; or, "Your promises were as empty as your love." Although it is a song about heartbreak, James either seems to find heartbreak songs romantic or uses them to refer to how glad he is to be away from Jessebelle, because he sings them when he is very happy.
While Jessie is unconscious, James is watching her sleep. When she wakes up, she explains that she wants to release her Dustox, despite the pain it will cause her. James assures her that he will do anything he can to help. Jessie replies, "That's sweet of you, James," then thanks Meowth. Jessie says the same thing in the Latin American Spanish dub, but she uses an interesting word choice. She says, "Que lindo eres, James." Lindo means a guy who is beautiful on the inside and/or physically attractive.
The narration at the episode's closing goes: "True friendship is forever, although life's pathways can twist and turn in unexpected directions; but the everlasting bond between Pokémon and Trainer makes love like this possible. Perhaps one day Jessie will find the love she's been searching for as well." During the "makes love like this possible" part, the visual is Jessie and James standing next to each other.
Jessie is upset about losing in the Sinnoh Wallace Cup, so James and Meowth go grab a TV camera. They suggest that Jessie cheer up by interviewing Coordinators and snubbing Ash and company. Jessie is touched and tears up. The plan goes better than expected, because Master of Ceremonies Marian congratulates her on a job well done, and further congratulates her for her work at the Kanto Grand Festival.
When Jessie and James find out that Jessie's Yanmega learned Ancient Power, they face each other and hold hands.
Due to James's overtly dark and villainous attitude, Jessie admiringly calls him "strong."
Jessie calls the mecha a hunk and James, holding a rose, brags that he modeled it after himself.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, after James brags about designing the robot, he references a song. The song is definitely "Ah, Ah, Ah" by Pedro Fernández because Meowth hums the tune after James sings, and because James sings a song from the same album in A Bite to Remember. "Ah, Ah, Ah" is about a young man who is madly in love with someone, and always will be, but he lets his beloved go because he is slowing that person down. However, James paraphrases the song dramatically and mumbles it, so it is unclear what he saying specifically. He might be singing, "Que mundo sé, que mundo sé como me quiero"; or, "All the world knows, all the world knows how I want it."
James says he will become "king of the Team Rocket hill" and Jessie says she will be the queen.
Later, they hug and say that together they will be "Lording over Sinnoh, East to West."
When Jessie tells James to catch a Lickilicky, James answers, "Yes, dear." In the Latin American Spanish dub, James uses the word "querida," meaning "sweetheart," "dear," or "darling."
James tricks Ash's Staravia into falling for a fake Staravia and declares, "Truth is, only love can break your heart." Jessie responds with, "I'm a big fan of your game."
Since Staravia is out of the picture, Ash sends out Gliscor. Jessie says, "I think it's time to reprise your role as Cupid." James responds with, "I'm not exactly prepared for Gliscor love." However, it is equally possible that he instead says, "I'm not exactly prepared for Gliscor, love."
When Meowth says he wants to quit Team Rocket, Jessie says, "Are you pulling my leg?" James adds, "Jessie's ticklish!"
In the Latin American Spanish dub, during the motto, Jessie says, "La dulce rosa es muy innoble"; or, "The sweetest rose is the most ignoble." James replies with a reference to the song "Cómo Te Voy A Olvidar" by Los Ángeles Azules. The song is about a man who can think of nothing other than kissing the person he love's red lips, because that person's essence is in his every breath and is in every rose. James sings the line that says, "¿Cómo te voy a olvidar?"; or, "How am I going to forget you?"
Worn out from dealing with an uncooperative Chatot, Jessie, James, and Meowth lay down, as if ready to sleep off the stress. Jessie lays on top of James.
When blasting-off, Jessie asks James if he still feels like a bowling pin getting knocked over. In the Latin American Spanish dub, since they are going up not down, James answers, "Pues, ya no sé, mamita"; or, "Well, now I'm not so sure, honey."
After finishing her bowl of ramen, Jessie says, "Be a love, James, and pick up the tab."
When Meowth leaves to pursue a career as a ramen chef, James wants to run after Meowth. Jessie puts her hand on James's shoulder to calm him down.
When Jessie suggests that James marry Jessebelle, James cries.
When Jessie leaves to pursue a career in Coordinating, James runs off, crying and clenching his fists tightly. That night, he is still crying and ponders how strong their bond really is. The next morning he is still depressed and decides to risk his life by battling a Shiny Metagross that has caused people to "vanish" before.
Jessie freaks out when she hears that James is fighting the Metagross.
When Jessie saves James from the Metagross, James gets on his knees and cries with joy.
When the Metagross is about to kill Jessie and James, James smiles sweetly at Jessie and says that life wasn't a waste because he spent it with good friends. Jessie agrees and says that if they end up in the same place in the afterlife, James should find her. James agrees to that, smiles, and no longer looks afraid. This is an addendum to James's promise in Training Daze to always be at Jessie's side.
When the Metagross gets ready to use Gyro Ball, Jessie and James hug out of fear.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, when Jessie approaches James after leaving him, he sarcastically calls her "migui," short for amiguita, meaning "dear friend." Shortly afterward, he bursts into tears and affectionately calls her "amigui."
In the Latin American Spanish dub, James sarcastically calls Jessie "chucha," meaning "honey," when Jessie blames the second failed plan of the day on him and when Jessie approaches him after having left him. Since he is rather angry, it is clear that he uses that particular word because it can either be used as a term of endearment or as various strong insults.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, James calls Jessie "mamita," meaning "honey," affectionately. He uses it when he asks Jessie how they are going to sneak out of the restaurant, when he agrees with Jessie that being nice to people has its perks, when he is crying over Jessie's suggestion that he marry Jessebelle, and when he is panicking right before Jessie asks him to be with her in the Ghost World.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, right after Jessie leaves, James yells, "¡Querer es poder!"; or, "Desire is power." It is analogous to saying 'When there is a will there is a way'; but querer literally means "to desire" or "to love," so it is a curious choice of expression.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, while crying before a campfire, James references the song "No Hay Quien Te Aguante" by Héctor Lavoe. The song is about a man whose relationship ended because he slaved away at work and spent every last penny on his girlfriend, but she only returned his sacrifices and affection with contempt. James says, "Ay, y yo solito me aguanto; y tampoco hay quien me aguante"; or, "Oh, and I alone can stand myself; and there won't be anyone to hold me either."
During the motto, Jessie and James are on a set of scales with a pink heart on it. They are seemingly at balance, despite it swinging slightly.
When Ash's Pokémon get ready to launch a group attack on Team Rocket, Jessie and James hug out of fear.
In the Sinnoh Team Rocket base, there is no bed in James's room. However, there is a cat-sized pet bed in Meowth's room and a large bed in Jessie's room. Therefore, James would appear to share Jessie's bed.
When a sick Jessie overexerts herself and begins to faint, James catches her, helps her stand up, and supports her weight as he walks her back to bed, all the while having a comforting smile on his face. When Meowth says Jessie should rest, James agrees, scolds with a caring tone, "Dr. James's orders."
Later, James disguises himself as Jessalina and enters his first Contest. He is reluctant at first, but knows depression will make Jessie's sickness worse, so he puts on a performance that is met with the some of the loudest cheers that Master of Ceremonies Marian has ever heard. He ends up winning the Ribbon.
When James and Meowth get back to their cabin, Jessie hugs them and nuzzles her Ribbon in a childlike manner. Meowth comments that, "This Jessie was worth the wait," and James shares the sentiment.
After Meowth's boss fantasy, Jessie and James link arms.
James, desperate to destroy his written marriage proposal to Jessebelle, blushes, cries, and begs Jessie and Meowth to help him. They agree, so James stops crying and hugs them, while blushing.
James refers to Jessebelle as his first love, implying that he'd fallen in love with someone else subsequently after becoming engaged; otherwise, one would expect him to say she was his 'one love,' his 'only love' or his 'true love.' Yet, there are no other love interests in his past, and he did not even have any friends until he met Jessie.
Before intentionally getting hit by a Thunderbolt to escape Jessebelle, Jessie wraps both of her hands around one of James's hands. On impact, she lets go, but James grabs one of her hands. The recoil pushes Jessie out of the way.
When Jessebelle's security guards mistake Jessie for Jessebelle, and try to take her to Jessebelle's estate, Jessie refuses, throws a tantrum, and just wants to go find James and Meowth. This mirrors James choosing Jessie and Meowth over the luxuries of being married to Jessebelle in Holy Matrimony!.
After telling Dawn's Piplup a made-up story to lure it, Jessie and James high-five each other.
After Meowth's boss fantasy, Jessie and James hold hands.
Jessie wants Dawn's Togekiss, so he says to James and Meowth, "So be dears and find me a stealing strategy." James and Meowth respond in unison with, "Dears? You mean us?"
In the Latin American Spanish dub, when Jessie says she wants Togekiss, James says, "Ay, mamí, se ves como una abusadora"; or, "Oh, honey, you're coming across as taking advantage of the situation." An abusadora is a woman who is either an opportunist at others' expense, or a heart-breaker. Jessie insists and says, "Se han lindos y busquen una estrategia de robo"; or, "Be cutie-pies and find a stealing strategy."
During the motto, Jessie and James are seductively posed and looking at each other from the corner of their eyes. In the Latin American Spanish dub, Jessie, in a tender tone, says, "Una rosa con otro nombre es igual de dulce"; or, "A rose by any other name is just as sweet." In the same tone, James responds, "Y tus babosadas hacen que mi córazon pulse"; or, "And your daffiness makes my heart race."
In the Latin American Spanish dub, when Team Rocket arrive at the ruins, James says, "No, es la forma de caer suavemente"; or, "No, this is the way to swoop in smoothly." He sings the word "suavemente" to the tune of "Suavemente" by Elvis Crespo. The song "Suavemente" is about a man who is in love with someone whose slow kisses stir his very soul, and there is no escaping dreams of those kisses. Likewise, when Team Rocket are blasting-off, Jessie sings, "A veces siento que el tesoro y yo somos uno mismo"; or, "Sometimes I feel that treasure and I are one in the same." However, she clearly sings this to the tune of "No Sé Qué Pasó" by Elvis Crespo. "No Sé Qué Pasó" is about a man who is in love with someone who is not returning his calls, so he is willing to do anything to fix things, because his life completely changed for the better when they met.
A swarm of Tentacruel gather around the Magikarp submarine to protect an item that James knows to be a bottle cap, but Jessie and Meowth are lead to believe is a precious metal or a precious stone. Jessie puts her hand on James's shoulder and says, "James, make sure nothing stands between our fortune and us."
When the Tentacruel back Jessie, James, and Meowth into a corner on a ferry, Jessie and James hold hands. Once Ash and Dawn show up, Jessie immediately lets go of James's hands.
In the Latin American Spanish dub, James often calls himself "Jam-me-me-mes." In this motto, Jessie decides to introduce herself as "¡La mamita más agresiva, Jes-s-s-sie!"; or, "The most aggressive knockout, Jes-s-s-sie!" Mamita means an attractive woman. James then says, "¡Ja! ¡Y consume! ¡Yo soy Jam-me-me-mes!"; or, "Ha! And use me! I am Jam-me-me-mes!" Due to James's choice of verb and choice of its conjugation, this seems to be sexual innuendo.
Jessie and James are sleeping next to one another under a tree. In contrast, Ash is sleeping in a tree, Cilan is sleeping under the tree, and Iris is sleeping in another tree - not near each other at all.

Movie evidence

Jessie's hints

When James gets kidnapped by a Deoxys, Jessie shuts her eyes, shields her eyes, and blushes, as if she does not want to watch him go.
Jessie tells James and Meowth that they are going to be her dates for the ball. Once there, Meowth immediately wanders off to eat, and Jessie dances with James. When James mentions stealing Pokémon, Jessie explains that she just wants to dance all night. Another dancer cuts in, and Jessie is very flattered, but she did not intend to seek out a second dance partner. She meets back up with James later in the ball.
When Team Rocket are stealing a Manaphy egg, Jessie has her hands on James's shoulders as they walk.

James's hints

While Jessie is kidnapped by Iron-Masked Marauder, James worries about her and feels bad that he is not able to rescue her.
When James does reach Jessie, he says, "Oh, Jessie, thank goodness you're safe."
When Jessie almost falls out of the car due to the rocky road, James grabs her. As a result, he almost falls out with her.
To keep Phantom from getting in their escape pod, Jessie holds onto the door, James holds onto Jessie, and Meowth holds onto James. Phantom manages to throw them all against the wall, but James and Meowth do not let go until they land.
When Jessie puts on an ancient tiara, James and Meowth oo-and-ahh.
A Skiploom knocks Jessie out of Team Rocket's aircraft, so James grabs her, falling out himself.
Throughout the anime, James and Meowth constantly say they are not as physically strong as Jessie. However, in this case, when their 1953 Chevrolet Advance Design has car trouble, James and Meowth push it uphill. The work proves rewarding, because they get to watch to sun set over the Grand Canyon.
When Jessie starts to fall into a manhole, James grabs her and falls down with her, rather than letting go once he starts to lose his footing.

Shared hints

Jessie and James hug out of fear when the clones wake up, and continue to hug until Ash enters the room.
Immediately after Ash leaves the room, Jessie and James hug again, out of fear. They stop hugging when the cloning system is showing signs that it is being tampered with.
Jessie and James hug out of fear when Pokémon that were being cloned come out of their Poké Balls. They stop hugging when they leave the room.
While the Pokémon are befriending their clones, Jessie and James apologize to each other for past arguments. Then they hug and cry.
In the Japanese version, Meowth says to Jessie and James, "You guys act love-love all the time." In the English dub, the line is, "You two don't need the opposite sex because you got each other."
While a Zapdos is shooting electricity in all directions, Jessie and James hug out of fear. They stop hugging when Lawrence III starts trying to capture Zapdos.
During the motto, Jessie and James hold hands.
After falling off of Lugia, Jessie, James, and Meowth hold hands. They embrace before they plunge into the water below.
When Entei is trapping Team Rocket, Ash and company, Delia, and Molly, Jessie and James hold hands out of fear. Then they run closer to Ash and hold hands again.
When Team Rocket, Ash and company, Delia, and Molly are trapped by a hoard of Unown, Jessie and James hold hands out of fear.
While Entei, Pikachu, and Charizard are fighting the Unown, Jessie and James are holding hands out of fear. When Entei uses Flamethrower, Jessie and James huddle closer. They let go when Entei emits a green aura.
Jessie and James hold hands out of fear when they run into Iron-Masked Marauder.
In the Japanese version, the scene where Team Rocket are pedaling their Magikarp submarine is accompanied by the part of "You're Not Alone" that says one should never forget their loving and sharing heart.
After Butler and Diane-who are a canon couple-hug, Jessie, James, and Meowth are seen hugging. Then Jessie and James look into each other's eyes and James holds her hands. Next, they put the palms of their hands together and are cheek-to-cheek. All three proclaim that they do not need to make wishes because the only thing they have ever really wanted was the feeling they have when they are together.
After getting attacked by a Regirock, and rightfully anticipating another hit, Jessie and James hold hands.
After the leukocytes get Jessie, James uses his Cacnea to try and rescue her. In an uncommon show of seriousness, he dodges Cacnea when it tries to hug him. After he fails to rescue Jessie, she and James cry out to each other as she is dragged down. James stands there speechless, visibly heart-broken. He quickly releases his Chimecho, and gets engulfed as well.
The scene where the leukocytes take Jessie and James is quite different in the Latin American Spanish dub. In it, since Jessie and James are the only people or Pokémon around, and since James is babbling with starts and stops in a shaky voice, Jessie either thinks James is trying to tell her that he loves her or she is already aware of that and thinks he is going to ask her to marry him. Unbeknownst to her, the reason James is speaking awkwardly is because he is completely out of breath from running to catch up with her. Jessie asks, "¿Ay, cómo puedes hacer tan lejos?" or, "¿Oh, how can you be so distant?" She seems to mean "distant" both emotionally and in terms of James literally being in the distance. James says, "¿Ay, Jessie, no te haces más lina? Jessie, no me dejes. Mamita. Ay, Jessita, no me dejes"; or, "Oh, Jessie, can't you be more sweet? Jessie, don't leave me. Honey. Oh, Jessie dear, don't leave me." Next, James sees leukocytes behind Jessie and tries pointing to them. Consequently, he is also pointing to Jessie, making the gesture useless. It simply contributes to Jessie's belief that James is trying to say something important to her. James only musters enough courage to say, "Atrás de ti hay una..."; or, "Behind you there's a..." Jessie evidently does not hear him due to the distance, or tunes him out so as to only hear what she wants to hear. She gushes, "Me quieres mucho, ay. James, juego de huir de persecución"; or, "You love me so much, aww. James, I'm playful so as to avoid the chase." In other words, she is saying that she tries to be relatively upfront and wants him to do the same, instead of playing a game of cat and mouse. The joke is that the leukocytes then 'catch' Jessie. James switches gears, and in a deep, serious tone, sends out his Cacnea to help Jessie. He loses the tone upon seeing that Pin Missile has no effect on the leukocytes.
When the crystals turn red, Jessie and James hold hands out of fear. They let go when Cacnea hugs James.
When the crystals turn blue, Jessie and James are seen hugging. They include Meowth in the hug when he finds them.
At the end of the movie, Jessie, James, and Meowth are taking a quiet scenic route on their black rose boat. They determine that they no longer want to know future events because everything is perfect in that moment.

Manga evidence

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

  • Throughout the manga, there is some suggestive physical contact between Jessie and James.
  • Jessie and James share a bed.
  • At the end of the manga, Jessie and James end up married with a child on the way.
  • In the epilogue, there is a panel in which we see a flashback to James confessing his love and/or proposing to Jessie. It seems that James, too "old-fashioned" to directly propose, wrote a letter by hand several times - seemingly a marriage proposal - and distributed it to people in Pallet Town who promised to present it to Jessie on behalf of James.
    • Interestingly enough, he is just as old-fashioned in the anime, since, in a flashback in the episode The Treasure Is All Mine!, his marriage proposal to Jessebelle has the same sensibility. First, he composed a written marriage proposal, next his parents and Jessebelle's parents met and agreed to the union, and, finally, Jessebelle's parents allowed James to come over and present his written proposal to Jessebelle with a chaperone present.

Other evidence

During Round Four in Spa Service, they are wearing their bride and groom clothing from the episode Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon?. Unlike the episode, Meowth is dressed as a flower girl and the background music is "Treulich Geführt"-known in English as the "Bridal Chorus"-by Richard Wagner.
Mondo tells James that he is jealous. It is implied that he is jealous that James gets to be around Jessie. It is also possible that he thinks Jessie and James are a couple.
Jessie says the only thing she can rely on is her partner, and James insists on knowing whether she means him or her Arbok. Jessie does not respond.
When Jessie, James, and Mondo are soon to be attacked by a hoard of Beedrill, they recite the lines of a famous Kabuki scene when two lovers do a double suicide.
During one of James's occasional Q&A sessions on Twitter, a follower asked him, "Jessie is cute! Since you are together all the time, haven't you fallen in love with her?" James answered, "Because (she's my) eternal partner!" (「永遠のパートナーだからな!」)

Similarities

They have also donned various disguises pretending to be a couple, most notably as Gym Leader Norman and his wife Caroline in A Double Dilemma; newlyweds in Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon?; and, in Pokémon Fashion Flash, Bad to the Bone, In the Pink, and I Feel Skitty!, wearing outfits similar to the ones Oscar and Andi wear. The latter is most likely a reference to the the manga The Rose of Versailles.
Jessie is incapable of fooling James with disguises, as is evident in Bad to the Bone and Throwing the Track Switch. This is saying something, as even their close friend Christopher fails to recognize Jessie's disguise in Noodles! Roamin' Off!.
Indeed, in Holy Matrimony!, Meowth thinks Jessie is exactly like Jessebelle in looks and personality. By Two Degrees of Separation!, Meowth has decided that Jessie is nicer.
Ironically, Jessie calls one of her recurring aliases Jessebella.
Furthermore, in Where No Togepi Has Gone Before!, Jessie opens her closet door, revealing a full wardrobe in a style quite similar to what James's mother and Jessebelle wear.

Trivia

Jessie and James's first fearhug in Showdown in Pewter City
  • Jessie and James's first fearhug was at the end of the episode Showdown in Pewter City.
  • In the episode Noodles! Roamin' Off!, Jessie and James have a ramen shop named after them.
  • Jessie and James have had voice actors with prominent roles in the Slayers anime series. Jessie's seiyuu, Megumi Hayashibara, is also seiyuu to the main protagonist and heroine of Slayers, Lina Inverse, while James's most famous English voice actor, Eric Stuart, dubbed the voice for Lina's self-proclaimed guardian and constant traveling companion, Gourry Gabriev. Incidentally, the two characters fell in love with each other over time.
  • Due to a mistranslation before release of Celebi: Voice of the Forest, it was mistakenly thought for a time that the Iron-Masked Marauder was the future son of Jessie and James.

External links

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AntiRocketShipping support


Project Shipping logo.png This article is part of Project Shipping, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each couple in Pokémon.