James

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If you were looking for the voice actor, see Eli James.
If you were looking for the recurring character whose Japanese name is James, see Hobbes.
James
コジロウ Kojirō
File:James SS.png
James in the new series
Age 25 (as of M02, not stated in dub)
Gender Male
Eye color Green
Hair color Lavender
Hometown Unknown
Region Kanto
Relatives Grandparents (Nanny and Pop-Pop), unnamed parents
Trainer class Agent, Aether Foundation Employee,
RocketY/Team RocketPE
Generation I, VII
Games Yellow, Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Member of Team Rocket
Aether Foundation (SM046 - SM049; SM096)
Rank Agent (Team Rocket)
Former Employee (Aether Foundation)
Partner Jessie, Meowth
Anime debut Pokémon Emergency!
English voice actor Ted Lewis (EP002-EP008)
Eric Stuart (EP009-AG145)
Carter Cathcart (MoMP-present)
Japanese voice actor Shin'ichirō Miki

James (Japanese: コジロウ Kojirō) is a member of Team Rocket, more specifically part of a trio with Jessie and Meowth, that follows Ash Ketchum and his friends around in the Pokémon anime, usually trying to steal Ash's Pikachu.

In the anime

In the main series

History

Pre-series
Younger James and Growlie

As an only child of millionaires, James was forced to endure formal society while growing up. Often having to take part in numerous lessons and activities he had little to no interest in, he eventually began to grow weary of the rules and standards that appeared to be ever-present within the upper-class.

At a young age, he was engaged to a girl named Jessebelle. It was revealed in The Treasure Is All Mine! that he wanted to marry her at some point but he changed his mind after he saw how controlling and overbearing she was. Unable to stand her, he ran away, leaving his lavish lifestyle as well as his beloved pet Growlithe, Growlie, behind.

James as "Trainer James" when he was part of the bridge bike gang

In The School of Hard Knocks, Jessie and James told Meowth that while they were at the Pokémon Trainers' school Pokémon Tech, they both received the lowest scores in the school's history. The school later brought back bad memories for both Jessie and James.

After this, as revealed in The Bridge Bike Gang, Jessie and James joined a bicycle gang in Sunnytown. During his tenure there, James was known for using training wheels, subsequently acquiring the nicknames "Little Jim" and "Trainer James".

Due to conflicts in canon between Kanto and Johto episodes and the special episode Training Daze, what happened between James and Jessie after the bike gang is unknown. What is known, as shown in the special episode, is that they joined Team Rocket separately and were on initially unfriendly terms after being grouped with Meowth but they quickly made up and became good friends.

Original series
050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: EP110 and EP245
Jessie and James's first appearance in Pokémon Emergency!

James debuted in Pokémon Emergency alongside Jessie and Meowth. The trio first set their sights on the injured Pokémon in the Viridian Pokémon Center. Sending out their Ekans and Koffing from their Meowth balloon, they quickly overtook the Pokémon Center, which only had Nurse Joy, Ash, and Misty inside. Before they could steal any of the Pokémon, however, Ash's Pikachu, who teamed up with many other Pikachu in the Pokémon Center, used an electric attack, causing the entire Pokémon Center to explode. It was here that Team Rocket decided to capture Pikachu, deeming him as an exceptionally powerful Pokémon, and made it their goal to capture him.

In Electric Shock Showdown, after hearing that Pikachu would fight to defend his own honor and Ash's, the trio were inspired to cheer on Pikachu before his rematch against Vermilion Gym Leader Lt. Surge's Raichu.

In Holy Matrimony!, James returned to his home as a result of a trap by his parents, who pretended to be dead in order to get him to come back to the estate, knowing he would return to pay his respects. He suspected that it was a trap, but he ended up being forced into participating by Jessie and Meowth, who wanted the fortune. After the deception was revealed, he was once again subjected to Jessebelle's torment until Growlie came to his rescue. After temporarily chasing Jessebelle away, James soon left his family's manor and as a result declined his inheritance. Growlie stayed behind upon James's request when he returned to Jessie and Meowth.

In The Ultimate Test, James expressed interest in joining the Indigo Plateau Conference and decided to take the Pokémon League Admissions Exam in order to accomplish that. However, when the results of an exam that measured his knowledge on Pokémon were revealed, he was shown to be one of the lowest ranking applicants along with Jessie and Ash. Later, during the practical skills exam, where he had to face one of the instructors in three consecutive Single Battles, he broke the rules by sending two Pokémon at once and was expelled.

Advanced Generation series

James went with Jessie and Meowth to Hoenn while they were stuck on the hull of the ship.

In That's Just Swellow, James partook in the Crossgate PokéRinger competition. He was able to get to the final round with Jessie's Dustox but lost to Ash's Swellow. He was taken by Jessie and Meowth to their balloon in which they reveal the stolen Pokémon. Swellow freed them with Wing Attack and then Team Rocket was sent flying by Pikachu.

In Sweet Baby James, James reunited with his grandparents, Nanny and Pop-Pop. While there, they looked after his sick Chimecho while James got a Mime Jr.

In Off the Unbeaten Path, James along his Team Rocket colleagues participated in Pokémon Orienteering. He was able to win the contest with Mime Jr. Despite winning, James gave the fruit to Ash and his friends for their actions earlier.

In The Ole' Berate and Switch!, following a failed attempt of getting Ash's Pikachu, James separated with Jessie and Meowth, and met up with Cassidy. James went back with Jessie and Meowth after Team Rocket were caught with stealing a load of Poké Balls.

Diamond & Pearl series
050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: DP054, DP139, and DP153

The trio arrived in Sinnoh using their balloon. In Two Degrees of Separation!, the trio arrived in James's vacation house and James retrieved his Carnivine that he caught a long time ago. James left the house with Jessie and Meowth because Mr. Cheeves told James that Jessebelle would be coming to the house soon. Giovanni approved the trio's plans to set up a Team Rocket branch in Sinnoh.

In Pursuing a Lofty Goal!, James borrowed Jessie's Yanmega to enter the Squallville PokéRinger competition. In the first round, he and Yanmega faced off against Steveland and his Skiploom. James was confident he could win the match, but when an updraft hit the two Pokémon, Yanmega was left disoriented and fell to the ground. Skiploom used this opportunity to grab the ring from the balloon and bring it to the goal, earning Steveland the win. As a result, James was eliminated from the competition.

In Dressed for Jess Success!, James disguised himself as Jessilina and entered the Lilypad Town Pokémon Contest in Jessie's place. In the Performance Stage, James had Meowth use his Fury Swipes to slice ramen for the Contest Judges, which impressed them enough and put James among the eight Coordinators moving on to the Battle Stage. There, James faced off against Dawn in the semifinals. During their battle, he took advantage of the fact that Mamoswine usually started the battle off by swallowing Ice Shard and had Carnivine steal the Ice Shard with Vine Whip before it happened. As a result, Mamoswine became enraged and James was able to win. James went on to the finals and won, earning himself a Ribbon and gave it to Jessie afterwards.

Best Wishes series

In the Best Wishes series, Jessie, James, and Meowth were sent to the Unova region under orders from Giovanni after they were promoted in Memories are Made of Bliss!. Now wearing black uniforms instead of their previous white ones, Jessie and James, along with Meowth, followed various missions given to them by Giovanni through other people. To prevent them from getting too much attention, Giovanni did not allow their other Pokémon to be sent to them, making them use only Pokémon native to Unova. Unknown to the trio, Giovanni was not certain they would be successful; however, he knew that their presence in the region would force Team Plasma to reveal themselves. In Battling for the Love of Bug-Types!, Jessie and James go back to wearing their white uniforms. The trio seems to be more serious and is much less comedic than before, using thought-out methods of escape, such as jetpacks, and thus has not been sent blasting off in the Best Wishes series. They also appear much less often than in previous series.

In Meloetta and the Undersea Temple! and Unova's Survival Crisis!, he manages to capture Meloetta but was stalled by Cilan, allowing for Meloetta to get away. However, with Meloetta caught by Giovanni, James and Jessie go inside the submarine with Giovanni and Dr. Zager and take them to the Abyssal Ruins for the awakening of the Kami trio located there.

Along with Jessie and Meowth, James reappeared in New Places... Familiar Faces!, where he returned to Unova for the first time since their Operation Tempest and temporary retreat back to Kanto. He went back to this old ways by catching Pikachu but with a new addition to his team, with James catching an Amoonguss sometime before meeting up with Ash and his friends. In The Dream Continues!, he is forced to give away his Pokémon to Giovanni under the pretense that he captured them for him.

XY series

He returned once again in the XY series, following Ash into the Kalos region. In A Battle of Aerial Mobility!, Giovanni approved the trio's plan to steal as many rare and powerful Pokémon as they could in Kalos. In the same episode, James caught an Inkay.

The episode Facing the Grand Design! focuses highly on the strong bond between James and Inkay. During the episode, Inkay was furious when Malamar showed up with two other evil Malamar, and while Jessie and Meowth believed it was because Inkay wanted to hand them over to the evil Malamar, James knew otherwise, but was still concerned about why Inkay was acting the way he was. Later on after escaping being caught by the evil Malamar along with Meowth, Inkay, and Clemont, James found out through Meowth's translation that Inkay was furious with the evil Malamar for hypnotizing him in the past and wanted to make Malamar pay for what it had done.

Inkay then began talking to the forest Inkay and Malamar to try and get them to help with the quest to stop the evil Malamar. At first, the good Malamar were skeptical about Inkay's story until one of the Malamar showed up and attacked the forest Pokémon with Hyper Beam. As the gang worked to stop the evil Malamar, the leader captured Inkay and brainwashed him with Hypnosis and made him attack his Trainer. James took Inkay's Tackle head on and then fed him a croissant, Inkay's favorite food. As he ate, Inkay began to remember all the times he and Inkay spent together, and Inkay was successfully returned to normal. When the group finally defeated the evil Malamar, Team Rocket watched the forest Pokémon as the Inkay led James's Inkay into the forest to play with them. James got up to leave without Inkay, but Inkay went back to him. Although at first James told Inkay that all he wanted was for him to be happy, so he wasn't going to ask him to stay with him, Inkay began shouting at James and Meowth translated this to say that being with his Trainer and the rest of Team Rocket makes him happy. James was overcome with tears of joy after hearing this.

In Party Dancecapades!, James and his team members decided to attend a dance party hosted by Monsieur Pierre. After seeing Serena and her friends go inside, James noted that it was no surprise that they were there as well, and Meowth noted that it would be a perfect chance to catch Pikachu. Jessie and Gourgeist then approached the two, and Jessie decided that James would be her date while Gourgeist decided Inkay to be hers. Later, he was seen being flailed by Jessie during their dance. With the dance party over, Monsieur Pierre announced a Tag Battle and Miette and James were partnered against Ash and Serena, much to the chagrin of James. However, despite putting up a good fight, James and Miette lost, much to the frustration of Jessie and Gourgeist.

In An Explosive Operation!, Jessie, James and Meowth were first seen contacting Giovanni and informed them about Team Flare and a powerful Pokémon which can exhibit various Formes. Intrigued, Giovanni assigned them with the task to catch the Pokémon. As the trio searched for Squishy, they met up with another Pokémon resembling Squishy but having a blue core and Team Flare scientists Aliana and Mable. After his Inkay successfully damaged the device which was used by Team Flare to catch Z2, Jessie sent out her Gourgeist to attack Mable's Weavile and Aliana's Druddigon with Seed Bomb which created smoke, successfully allowing Team Rocket to escape with Z2. Upon noticing the tired condition of Z2, he climbed up a small cliff and put it on the top which allowed it to regain its energy by photosynthesis. He and his teammates were confronted once again by Team Flare but despite putting up a good fight, his Inkay ended up losing. Later, he witnessed Z2 transform into its 50% Forme to fight against Team Flare's Pokémon and later Alain's Charizard. When the Order Pokémon lost, he along with his teammates jumped in front of Z2 to rescue it from Team Flare but ended up being blasted off by Mable's Weavile and Aliana's Druddigon.

In Master Class Is in Session!, James first appeared praising Jessie, who had entered the Gloire City Pokémon Showcase Master Class, as the future Kalos Queen. He seemed visibly excited just before the first round of Master Class, claiming that they could successfully return to the life of crime if Jessie managed to win this. He, time and again, cheered Jessilee from the sidelines during her performances, causing his neighbors to be bothered. When the Master Class was over, he, along with Meowth, Inkay, Gourgeist and Wobbuffet, were seen walking behind a silent Jessie through Gloire City, fearing her wrath on losing. However, she shrugged their fears and decided that she just wanted to give them a feast for supporting her, which causes them to be overjoyed and jump over her; Jessie then angrily declared that the feast shall be financed by James, something James readily accepted.

He, his teammates, and Jessie's Wobbuffet worked as Malva's assistants during the Lumiose Conference from A League of His Own! to Down to the Fiery Finish!, with the aim of earning money and capturing any strong Pokémon in the Kalos League. However, they were not very pleased with their job and felt that they were overworking; despite this, they did not quit their jobs. In Kalos League Passion with a Certain Flare!, they made it a point to steal the two finalists, Ash and Alain's, Pokémon after the battle, but could not execute their plan due to Team Flare wreaking havoc in Lumiose City.

In Coming Apart at the Dreams!, he, in disguise of a news reporter, set out with his teammates, Serena, Mairin and Professor Sycamore towards Lysandre Labs in an attempt to take over the base and bring Team Flare down. They reached the Lysandre Labs in The Right Hero for the Right Job!, where a surprise attack from Celosia's Drapion caused him, and his teammates, to be enraged enough to remove their disguises and take on Celosia and Drapion with his Inkay. In the next episode, he finally subdued Celosia, Mable, and their Pokémon by trapping them in a net, and after the Giant Rock transformed into a Zygarde, fled the Lysandre Labs along with his teammates on their helicopter. He piloted the helicopter as they followed the Rock on its way towards Anistar City, and like his teammates, was utterly surprised to see the seven Gym Leaders and Kalos Champion Diantha arrive on the scene to deal with the Giant Rock. He later assisted Ash and Alain in infiltrating the Giant Rock by sending out his Inkay in Forming a More Perfect Union! to fight the Megalith Zygarde. One of the roots, however, blasted him and his teammates out of the helicopter, but they were saved by Diantha's Gardevoir.

After the disaster, he and his teammates claimed sole credit for defeating Team Flare to Giovanni.

Sun & Moon series
050Diglett.png This role is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this role to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Role during the Nihilego-Lusamine arc

In Loading the Dex!, the trio arrived in the Alola region to obtain some rare Alolan Pokémon for Giovanni, as well as Ash's Pikachu, which they were surprised to find on Melemele Island. They had also left Inkay and Gourgeist behind at the headquarters. They allied with a Mimikyu which hated Pikachu, but at the end of the episode, a wild Bewear kidnapped Jessie and James. In First Catch in Alola, Ketchum-Style!, the Bewear looked after the trio, giving them food and shelter at its den. Jessie used James's Luxury Ball to capture Mimikyu.

In The Sun, the Scare, the Secret Lair!, James made an attempt to catch a Carvanha, but he failed. However, in the same episode, he managed to catch a female Mareanie after saving her from a Tentacruel.

In A Seasoned Search!, the trio completed their secret base in Bewear's den.

In A Team-on-Team Tussle!, the trio, upon learning about Z-Moves, began their search for a Z-Crystal. They discovered a Darkinium Z in a nest of Alolan Rattata and Raticate, led by a Totem Raticate, and attempted to retrieve it. However, they were intercepted by members of Team Skull, also after the same Z-Crystal. Ultimately, after a clash with the other team, and with the Totem Pokémon, the trio obtained the Z-Crystal for themselves.

In Pulling Out the Pokémon Base Pepper!, James, along with his teammates, played Pokémon Base against Ash and his classmates in an effort to get Oluolu's autograph for Jessie, but lost.

In Alola, Kanto!, Team Rocket was revealed to have flown to Kanto as per orders from the headquarters. At the airport, the trio noticed Misty and Brock meet up with Ash and his classmates, and after eavesdropping on the group's conversation, decided to steal Pokémon off of Professor Oak's Laboratory to present them to Giovanni. However, their attempt to steal the group's Pokémon was thwarted, and they were carried back to Alola by Bewear in When Regions Collide!.

In Fighting Back the Tears!, James fought with Mareanie's former crush, a Toxapex, for her affections. Later, James talked about leaving Mareanie with Toxapex. She eavesdropped on this and subsequently ran away, later finding sanctuary with Ash at Professor Kukui's house. The next morning, James saw Mareanie being attacked by another Tentacruel, and saved her again. Despite their reunion, he still insisted on releasing Mareanie, leaving her in tears. However, James was then challenged to a fight by Toxapex to make Mareanie happy, which ended in a tie. Following the fight, Mareanie decided to stay with James, which he accepted.

In Battle Royal 151!, James entered the Manalo Conference alongside Jessie. Disguised as "Jamesio" (Japanese: デコジロウ Dekojirō), James was among the 151 Trainers taking part in the Battle Royal preliminary round. Using Mareanie, James was one of the 16 Trainers still standing at the end of the round. The match-ups for the next round revealed that he would be battling Jessie.

In The Battlefield of Truth and Love!, James used Mareanie against Jessie and Wobbuffet, but resigned himself to defeat and took a halfhearted approach to the match. When Mareanie became locked in a stalemate with Wobbuffet, James advised her to throw the match by pretending to be defeated. However, her resolve to continue battling inspired James to take the fight more seriously, and his newfound determination to win allowed Mareanie to defeat Wobbuffet with a relentless Spike Cannon barrage. James subsequently advanced to the second round, where he was set to face Gladion.

In Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Strategy!, Jessie gave James the trio's Z-Power Ring to be used in his battle against Gladion, telling him not to lose. Remembering his motivation to reach the Masked Royal in the Manalo Conference's exhibition match, James and Mareanie resolved to give it their best in the battle. In the match, Mareanie was getting badly beaten up by Gladion's Lycanroc, so James decided to perform Black Hole Eclipse. However, Gladion countered it with Continental Crush, before dealing the finishing blow on Mareanie. Despite fearing a scolding from Jessie due to his loss, she instead comforted him, and the trio returned to selling donuts.

Character

James disguised as Juan

James' well-traveled and wealthy lifestyle afforded him luxuries and time to become well versed in various activities, including Pokémon Haiku, Pokémon Orienteering, and PokéRinger, among other things. Despite James' wealthy upbringing, he often criticizes it as sheltered and because of Jessebelle's harassment. Joining Team Rocket offered James an adventurous escape from his families demands, riches, and expectations.

James also has a tendency to cross-dress. He commonly impersonates Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny, and Jessie. He also often dresses up like famous celebrities like Professor Oak, Juan, and Norman, and impersonates other non-human objects, including Pokémon, animals, and shrubs.

One of James's Pokédex cards, detailing Croagunk

James has collected an impressive amount of rare bottle caps since he was a young child. In the episode All That Glitters! it is revealed that he has "drunk enough soda pop to float an aircraft carrier".

At times, instead of a Pokédex, he uses a deck of cards to identify Pokémon, such as in Gymbaliar! when he first learned of Croagunk's Poison Jab, or in Mass Hip-Po-Sis! when he used it to look up Hippopotas. The cards, used in the Sinnoh region, shared similar details to an electronic Pokédex, including statistics like height and weight.

James has an odd and rather submissive personality. He regularly complies with Jessie and Meowth's schemes, the results of which often do not fare in his favor, including the loss of his bottle caps and trading away his Victreebel. He and Meowth also bear the brunt of Jessie's many tirades. However, James is sometimes shown to get angry himself, though not to the same extent as Jessie. Despite the arguments, James' self-doubt and lackluster confidence is bolstered by his fellow teammates. In A Hole Lotta Trouble, Ash and Brock attempted to make James aware that he needed to assert himself without his teammates.

Victreebel and Mareanie's overenthusiastic displays of affection are evidence of James' strong relationships with his Pokémon. James has been shown to be emotional and shares a close bond with his Pokémon, in which he prioritizes their health and potential. For example, James left his Chimecho at his old vacation home so it could recover fully from a fever in Sweet Baby James. Also, in Once There Were Greenfields, James accepted Gardenia's offer to train Cacnea on how to master Drain Punch.

James's Pokédex remote device

James has a tendency to be swindled by the Magikarp salesman, who, despite James's increasing wariness and personal vendetta against the shady character, has on many occasions tricked him into buying a Magikarp or other useless Pokémon and items for large sums of money.

Throughout most of the series, James and his two friends were presented as horribly failing and erroneous criminals, always botching their missions to capture Pikachu or other Pokémon. However, early in the Best Wishes series, the Team Rocket trio had developed a more serious work attitude. This slowly reverted to the previous, blundering attitude by the end of the Best Wishes series. In the XY series, James's Pokémon flash cards returned in the form of a handheld computer with a Pokédex function.

Pokémon

As the standards of the Team Rocket organization dictated, James was first shown with a Poison-type Pokémon. However, James seems to have a fondness for carnivorous (or at least dangerous) Grass-type Pokémon, owning Weepinbell, Victreebel, Cacnea, Carnivine and Amoonguss. It was shown during a flashback in Cream of the Croagunk Crop! how James, as a boy, found Carnivine in the Great Marsh. It was trapped in the mud and James rescued it, the two forming a bond of friendship. The capture of a Cacnea early in Hoenn furthered his apparent preference for Grass types. Often, when going into battle, his Grass Pokémon will show great affection towards James, which usually results in pain for him since all of them either have sharp teeth or spines. It is also shown that James develops a strong bond with each of his Pokémon in general; James almost treats them as his own children, and they in turn are all greatly attached to him. This could stem from the childhood memories he occasionally brings up, where it is shown that while growing up James hadn't really had any friends other than his Pokémon. When it comes time to leave a Pokémon behind for one reason or another, James often has great difficulty in letting go of his beloved friends, as shown in A Poached Ego! when he had to release his Weezing, and in Throwing the Track Switch, when he spend much of the episode depressed due to leaving his Cacnea behind one episode prior.

Travels with

This section is for the Pokémon that James currently travels with, but has not caught.

Meowth Team Rocket.png
Meowth
At Team Rocket's headquarters
James Mime Jr.png
Mime Jr.
James Carnivine.png
Carnivine
James Inkay.png
Inkay
In training
James Cacnea.png
Cacnea
At home
Growlie.png
Growlie
With relatives
James Chimecho.png
Chimecho
Released
James Weezing.png
Koffing → Weezing
James Gyarados.png
Magikarp → Gyarados
James Victreebel EP261.png
Weepinbell → Victreebel
James Mareanie.png
Mareanie
Traded away
James Victreebel.png
Weepinbell → Victreebel
Given away
James Yamask.png
Yamask
James Amoonguss.png
Amoonguss
Escaped
James Hoppip.png
Hoppip
Lived with

This section is for the Pokémon that James lived with, but has not caught.

Bewear anime.png
Bewear
Stufful anime.png
Stufful
Borrowed
James Dustox.png
Dustox
James Yanmega.png
Yanmega
M19 Mega Pinsir.png
Pinsir ↔ Mega Pinsir
Temporary
Main article: List of Pokémon temporarily owned by the Team Rocket trio
PLEEI Pikachu.png
Pikachu
File:PLEEI Ivysaur and Charizard.png
Ivysaur
File:PLEEI Ivysaur and Charizard.png
Charizard
Team Rocket Delibird.png
Delibird
James Venusaur.png
Venusaur
Team Rocket Dragonite.png
Dragonite
Team Rocket Taillow.png
Taillow (multiple)
Anthony Pelipper.png
Pelipper
Anthony Bellsprout.png
Bellsprout
Anthony Magby.png
Magby
Anthony Magnemite.png
Magnemite
Team Rocket Pikachu.png
Pikachu
James Aggron.png
Aggron
Team Rocket Emolga.png
Emolga
Team Rocket Exploud.png
Exploud
Clemont James Malamar Inkay.png
Malamar (×3)
Clemont James Malamar Inkay.png
Inkay (multiple)
Team Rocket Grumpig.png
Grumpig
James Pumpkaboo.png
Pumpkaboo
Team Rocket Garchomp.png
Garchomp ↔ Mega Garchomp
Team Rocket Florges.png
Florges
Team Rocket Zygarde.png
Z2
Status unknown
Team Rocket's Pidgey
Pidgey
Multiple Pidgey were seen in one of Team Rocket's mottos in the episode. However, it is unknown if they still have the Pidgey with them or if the Pidgey even belong to them.

None of Pidgey's moves are known.

Debut Tanks a Lot!
James's Numel
Numel (multiple)
Seven Numel were seen in a flashback of James's. He said he used to have them warm him up while he was sleeping. However, it is unknown if he owned them, or he just befriended them. It is also unknown if they still reside at his home.

None of Numel's moves are known.

Debut Game Winning Assist

Pokémon League

James has competed in the following Pokémon League Conferences:

Pokémon competitions

The Teamwork Medal won in the Pokémon Orienteering

James has competed in the following Pokémon competitions:

Voice actors

Language Voice actor
Japanese 三木眞一郎 Shin'ichirō Miki
English Ted Lewis (EP002-EP008, A Sneak Peek at Pokémon)
Eric Stuart (EP009-AG145, M01-M08, Mewtwo Returns, Pokémon Chronicles)
Carter Cathcart (AG146-present, M09-present, The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon)
Arabic زياد الرفاعي Ziad Ar-Rifa'i
Mandarin Chinese 孫誠 Sūn Chéng
符爽 Fú Shuǎng
陳進益 Chén Jìnyì
吳東原 Wú Dōngyuán
Croatian Hrvoje Klobučar
Czech Michal Michálek (EP002-present, M01-M03, M11)
Robert Jícha (M04)
Radek Škvor (M06-M07)
Danish Thomas Kirk
Dutch Bram Bart (EP002-AG092, M01-M03)
Paul Disbergen (AG093-present, M08-present)
Unknown voice actor (M04-M07)
Filipino Jefferson Utanes
Finnish Velimatti Ranta (EP002-EP051, EP054-EP057, EP117-EP136, AG041-DP052, DP071-DP072, M01-M02, M04, M10, MR, MoMP)
Anssi Känsälä (EP052, EP053, EP058-EP063, EP066-EP079, M03)
Antti Jaakola (EP064, EP065, Holiday Hi-Jynx, Snow Way Out!, EP137-EP142)
Peter Pihlström (EP158-EP183, DP053-DP070, DP073-present, M11-present)
Saku Mäkynen (EP263-AG026)
French Canada Antoine Durand
Europe David Manet
Luc Boulad (M06)
Thomas Roditti (M04, M07)
German Matthias Klie
Greek Φώτης Πετρίδης Fotis Petridis
Hebrew גיא נתיב Guy Nativ (EP002-AG040, M01-M04)
לירון לב Liron Lev (AG041-AG092, AG146-DP157, M12, Pokémon Chronicles)
גיל צרנוביץ Gil Chernovich (AG093-AG145)
גילן שחף Gilan Shahaf (XY001-present)
Hindi किशोर भट्ट Kishore Bhatt (Cartoon Network dub)
राजेश शुकला Rajesh Shukla (Hungama dub)
Hungarian Tamás Toth (Original Series)
István Fazekas (M03)
Gábor Seder (M04)
Tamás Markovics (DP)
Icelandic Atli Rafn Sigurðarson (M03)
Orri Huginn Ágústsson (M05)
Indonesian Boy Muki (Kanto saga)
Rudi Sukistiyono (Johto saga-Diamond & Pearl series, M02-M07)
Dandi Lesmana (Diamond & Pearl series-DP191, BW001-present, M08-M13)
Kamal Nasuti (DP160-DP161)
Ary Wibowo (XY series)
Italian Simone D'Andrea
Korean 김일 Gim Il (EP002-EP274)
김영선 Gim Yeong Seon (AG001 - present)
Norwegian Ola Fjellvikaas (EP002EP079, M01-M03)
Kim Fangen
Simen Sand
Polish Jarosław Budnik (EP002-AG040, DP053-present, M01-present, Mewtwo Returns)
Marcin Przybylski (DP001-DP052)
Portuguese Brazil Márcio Araújo (S01-S18, M01-M18)
Thiago Fagundes (S19-present, M19-present)
Portugal Peter Michael (EP001-EP093, M01-M04)
Rui Quintas (EP094-DP052, Pokémon Live!, Pokémon Chronicles)
Unknown actor (movie 7)
Pedro Mendonça (DP053-present, M10-present)
Romanian Doru Fârte (original series)
Dan Lupu (Diamond & Pearl series)
Russian Анатолий Зиновенко Anatolii Zinovenko (EP002-EP105)
Евгений Вальц Evgeni Valtz (DP105-BW142)
Сергей Смирнов Sergey Smirnov (XY001-present)
Spanish Latin America José Antonio Macías
Eduardo Garza (young, EP048)
Gabriel Gama (one scene of AG098, AG121, AG132 and AG144)
Gerardo García (AG105-AG110, one scene of AG174)
Spain Iván Jara
Luis Manuel Martín Díaz (M03 and Mewtwo Returns)
Swedish Andreas Nilsson
Thai สุภาพ ไชยวิสุทธิ Supap Chaiwisut
นิธิวัชร์ ตันติภัสร์สิริ Nitiwat Tantipatsiri (DP054 - Present)
Turkish Levent Sülün
Aydoğan Temel
Murat Sarı (SM001 - Present)
Uğur Taşdemir (M06)
Ukrainian Андрій Свистун Andrii Svystun
Vietnamese Lê Trường Tân (BW001-BW097)
Hồ Tiến Đạt (EP002-EP080, BW109-present, M19-present)
Thái Minh Vũ (M10-M18)


In I Choose You! and The Power of Us

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Expansion of role in M20, full role in M21

James appeared in I Choose You!, which is set in a different continuity from the main series. He first appeared in disguise with Jessie and Meowth in a Pokémon Center, being wanted for stealing Pokémon. When a Trainer who had just battled an Entei hurried inside the Pokémon Center, Team Rocket eavesdropped on the conversation and decided to hunt for Entei themselves. While looking for Entei in the forest, they were blasted off by a raging Onix.

Pokémon

Travels with

This section is for the Pokémon that James currently travels with, but has not caught.

Team Rocket trio M20.png
Meowth

Voice actors

Language Voice actor
Japanese 三木眞一郎 Shin'ichirō Miki
English Carter Cathcart
Dutch Paul Disbergen
Finnish Peter Pihlström
European French David Manet
German Matthias Klie
Hebrew גילן שחף Gilan Shahaf
Italian Simone D'Andrea
Norwegian Simen Sand
Polish Jarosław Budnik
Portuguese Brazil Thiago Fagundes
Portugal Pedro Mendonça
Russian Сергей Смирнов Sergey Smirnov
Spanish Latin America José Antonio Macías
Spain Iván Jara
Turkish Murat Sarı
Vietnamese Hồ Tiến Đạt


Artwork

James.png James anime.png James BW.png James SM.png James Pokémon Radio Show.png SugimoriJames.png
Official artwork from the
original series
Official artwork from the
Advanced Generation series
Official artwork from the
Best Wishes series
Official artwork from the
Sun and Moon series
Official artwork from the
Pokémon Radio Show
Official artwork from the
Trading Card Game

Sprites

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Missing overworld model from LGPE, need higher quality images from LGPE
Spr Y Jessie James.png VSJames PE.png
Jessie and James's sprite from
Yellow
James's VS model from
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
James OD.png
James's overworld sprite from
Yellow

In the games

Both Jessie and James appear in Pokémon Yellow as in-game bosses, though neither are referred to by name. They first attack the player in Mt. Moon while trying to take one of the rare Fossils uncovered there.

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

They hold Mr. Fuji hostage at Pokémon Tower, attacking the player on the seventh floor.

Finally, at Silph Co. in Saffron City, Jessie and James make their final appearance, once again trying to stall the main character from reaching their Boss.

Unlike the anime, Jessie and James do not follow the main character around and come up with their usual evil plans to capture Pikachu.

Pokémon

Pokémon Yellow

First battle



Second battle



Third battle



Fourth battle



Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

First battle



Second battle



Third battle



Fourth battle



Fifth battle



Quotes

Pokémon Yellow

Mt. Moon
  • Before battle
"Stop right there!"
"That fossil is Team Rocket's! Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"
  • Being defeated
"A brat beat us?"
  • After being defeated
"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!"
Rocket Hideout
  • Before battle
"Not another step, brat!"
"How dare you humiliate us at Mt. Moon! It's payback time, you brat!"
  • Being defeated
"Such a dreadful twerp!"
  • After being defeated
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
Pokémon Tower
  • Before battle
"Stop right there!"
"Grampa here wanted to complain, so we're setting him straight. So render yourself invisible, or prepare to fight!"
  • Being defeated
"You will regret this!"
  • After being defeated
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
Silph Co.
  • Before battle
"Hold it right there, brat!"
"Our Boss is in a meeting! You better not disturb him!"
  • Being defeated
"Like always..."
  • After being defeated
"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light! Again..."

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Need info from LGPE

Pokémon Puzzle League

Along with many other anime characters, both Jessie and James appeared in Pokémon Puzzle League, where they appeared with a Weezing, an Arbok, and a Golbat. They are the main opponents in the "Spa Service" line clear challenge.

Pokémon Zany Cards

James in Pokémon Zany Cards

Jessie and James appear as the first opponents in both Wild Match mode and Special Seven mode.

In the manga

In the Ash & Pikachu manga

James in the Ash & Pikachu manga

In Ash & Pikachu, James appears along with the rest of the Team Rocket trio, Jessie and Meowth.

Pokémon

On hand
James Chimecho AP.png
Chimecho


Temporary
Team Rocket Pikachu AP.png
Pikachu


James in the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

James debuts in Pikachu's Excellent Adventure. He, Jessie and Meowth tag along with a group of lost Pokémon, including Pikachu, to try to find the Hidden Village. When they arrive, he and Jessie attempt to steal the Pokémon living in the village, but they are quickly expelled by a Kangaskhan. In this chapter, he uses a Koffing in battle.

Jessie and James as a married couple in the manga

James's next appearance is in You Gotta Have Friends. He and Jessie attempt to steal a herd of wild Pikachu. At this point in the manga, James's Koffing has evolved into Weezing, though its evolution is not depicted in the manga.

Following this, James and Jessie begin more regularly appearing in the manga, following Ash to the Pokémon League championship at Indigo Plateau and cheering him on at the Orange League. James, along with Jessie, seems to maintain a friendship or at least acquaintance with Ash, as he has the Team Rocket trio deliver a letter to his mother as they are passing Pallet Town in Epilogue: Wild Type.

While in the anime, the nature of James's relationship with Jessie is not explicitly stated, in the epilogue of the manga, he is shown confessing his love to Jessie. They are shown afterwards married with Jessie visibly pregnant.

Pokémon

On hand
James Weezing EToP.png
Koffing → Weezing


In the movie adaptations

As James has appeared in every movie to date, he has appeared in the manga adaptations of them.

In the TCG

Jessie and James appear on both versions of the card Here Comes Team Rocket!, which originally released in the Team Rocket set; it was re-released with different artwork in EX Team Rocket Returns. In that expansion, there was also a preconstructed Theme Deck based on James.

It is rumored that James may also be on the Gym Challenge set card Rocket's Secret Experiment, as there is a Rocket in the background, seen only from the back, who has his hairstyle.

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring James or his Pokémon in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

James's Pokémon
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Meowth Pokémon M Colorless       Movie Commemoration Random Pack   017/022
Mareanie Water       Ash vs Team Rocket Deck Kit   002/026
Other related cards
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Jessie & James Su Hidden Fates Rare Holo 058/068 Sky Legend R 048/054
      Sky Legend SR 062/054
 


Trivia

James and Jessie
  • James uses the name Jameson at times.
  • James hasn't evolved any of his Pokémon since Here's Lookin' at You, Elekid!.
  • James is the only main character to have one Pokémon and release it or give it away, then get another Pokémon of the same species.
  • James was the only main character to not obtain any Pokémon in the Johto region, if his second Victreebel is not counted.
  • James was the first main character to release a Pokémon.
  • A running gag in the anime involves James's Pokémon hurting him in a show of affection.
    • Victreebel would often try to swallow him when called from its Poké Ball.
    • Cacnea would hug him around the neck or waist, driving the spikes on its arms into James.
    • Chimecho would wrap its tail around him, leaving him unable to see.
    • Carnivine would often get a death grip on James's head with its mouth.
    • Mareanie would wrap her tentacles around James's head and poison him.
  • In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, a Newscaster on Area 4 of Mt. Battle references James, claiming she is looking for someone with the same Pokémon as she has. The Pokémon she uses are Cacnea and Chimecho.
  • He shares both his Japanese and Brazilian voice actors with Ryusuke Yamino, from Detective Loki.
  • Excluding Victreebel, James has never battled any of his Pokémon before catching them.
  • Including the Hoppip that James briefly owned, James has owned a Grass-type Pokémon from every generation until Generation VI.
  • James has owned three Psychic-type Pokémon which is more than any other main character thus far.
  • In early concept art, James was depicted wearing a hat.

Name origin

James's English name is taken from Jesse James, an American outlaw. His Japanese name, Kojirō, is taken from 佐々木小次郎 Sasaki Kojirō, a prominent Japanese swordsman most famous for being killed by his rival, 宮本武蔵 Miyamoto Musashi, the namesake of Jessie. Also, 二郎 Jirō is a name meaning "second son," while 三郎 Saburō means "third son." Kojirō takes advantage of Jirō, while the Japanese name of Butch, Kosaburō, takes advantage of Saburō.

He is based on Leonardo Medici Bundle from the GoShogun anime (originally written by Takeshi Shudō), and the young thief Benten Kozō Kikunosuke from the "Five Men of the White Waves" kabuki.

In other languages

Language Name Origin
Korean 로이 Roy Starts with 로 ro, like 로켓단 Rocket-dan and 로사 Rosa (Jessie)
Chinese 小次郎 Xiǎo Cìláng From 佐々木小次郎 Sasaki Kojirō
Indonesian James (Kanto saga)
Kojiro (Johto saga - present)
Based on English and Japanese name
Russian Джеймс Dzheyms Transcription of English name
Thai โคจิโร่ Kojiro Based on the original Japanese name


Related articles


Members of Team Rocket
Bosses:

Giovanni (animeAdventuresPocket MonstersMasters)
Madame Boss (anime only) • Masked Man (Adventures only)

Executives:

Archer (Masters) • Ariana (Masters) • Petrel (Masters) • Proton (Masters)
Anime only: Iron-Masked Marauder
Adventures only: CarlShamWill (former) • Karen (former)
Golden Boys only: Grey

Trios:
 

Jessie (Masters), James (Masters), & Meowth (JJM)
Koga, Lt. Surge, & Sabrina (Triad) (Adventures only; former)
Ken, Al, & Harry (TRET) (Adventures only)
Carr, Sird (former), & Orm (T3B) (Adventures only)

Duos:

Anime only: Butch & Cassidy (former) • Attila & HunAnnie & Oakley (dub only)

Scientists

Gideon
Anime only: Dr. FujiDr. NambaSebastianDr. Zager
Adventures only: Blaine (former)

Others: 

GruntsRocket BrothersRBYFRLG/Rocket SistersPE
Anime only: DominoRocket ScoutWendyTysonJubeiViper
Christopher (former) • Matori (Matori Matrix) • PierceGozu
Radio drama only: MiyamotoMondo
How I Became a Pokémon Card only: Kaede


President: Lusamine (animeMasters)
Branch Chiefs: Faba (anime) • Wicke
Lower members: Aether Foundation Employees
Former members: Mohn
Anime only: JessieJamesMeowth
Related: Lillie (Masters) • Gladion (Masters)
Ultra Guardians:
(anime only)
AshLanaKiaweLillie
SophoclesMallowGladion
Locations: Aether ParadiseHeahea CityAether House
Aether Bases (Route 8Route 16)



Trainers in League Conferences
Indigo
(Kanto)
MandiPeteGaryJeanetteMelissaAshRitchieAssunta
Silver
(Johto)
DarrenSalvadorJacksonMacyGaryAshHarrisonJon
Ever Grande
(Hoenn)
JumpVivicaGilbertGavinDominickClarkJohnny
KatieMorrisonAshTyson
Lily of the Valley
(Sinnoh)
JeffreyNandoBarryConwayPaulAshTobias
Vertress
(Unova)
RadleyMikaelUltimoKendrickTripBiancaEmmanuel
GeraldoStephanFloraKentonManningAsh
KatharineAntonioRussetRamoneCameronDinoVirgil
Lumiose
(Kalos)
TrevorTitusAstridTiernoRemoSawyerAshAlain
Manalo
(Alola)
HirokiPikalaMr. ElectricMad MagmarRappZipp
TuppPlumeriaDJ LeoMaster fishermanOluoluKahili
FabaIlimaSamsonMallowMina"Jessina"Acerola
Lillie"Jamesio"HauSophoclesLanaKiaweGuzma
GladionAsh


Template:Ringertrainers

Anime characters
Protagonists Ash Ketchum (Pikachu) • Misty (Togetic) • BrockTracey SketchitMayMaxDawn (Piplup) • Iris (Haxorus) • CilanSerenaClemontBonnie (Dedenne) • LanaKiaweLillieSophoclesMallowRotom PokédexGoh (Grookey)
Rivals GaryRitchieHarrisonDrewHarleyMorrisonTysonSolidadPaulNandoZoeyKennyConwayBarryUrsulaTripBiancaBurgundyStephanGeorgiaCameronAriaAlainMietteTiernoShaunaTrevorNiniSawyerGladionHoracioHauLeonRaihanHoraceBeaLeague Conference participantsCoordinatorsPerformersWorld Coronation Series participants
Antagonists Jessie (Wobbuffet) • JamesMeowthGiovanniButchCassidyDr. NambaMatoriPierceDr. ZagerGozuTabithaMaxieShellyArchieHunter JSaturnCyrusMarsJupiterCharonColressAldithGhetsisBarretMalamarLysandreMableCelosiaAlianaXerosicBryonyTuppZippRappPlumeriaGuzmaVirenRoseOleana
Professors Professor OakProfessor IvyProfessor ElmProfessor BirchProfessor RowanProfessor CarolinaProfessor JuniperDr. FennelCedric JuniperProfessor SycamoreProfessor KukuiProfessor BurnetProfessor CeriseProfessor MagnoliaSoniaProfessor Amaranth
Relatives Delia KetchumDaisyVioletLilyJames's parentsFlintLolaForrestBrock's siblingsNormanCarolineJohannaChiliCressGraceMeyerLana's fatherLana's motherHarper and SarahRangoSimaMimoKiawe's grandfatherMohnLusamineGladionSophocles's parentsMolayneAbeMallow's motherUluWalkerCamilleHalta
Supporting Officer JennyNurse JoyMagikarp salesmanTodd SnapCharles GoodshowCaseyLizaSakuraLanceClairRaoul ContestaMr. SukizoSteven StoneVivian MeridianRobertScottLilian MeridianSolanaBrandonMarianYuzoRhondaCynthiaReggieAngieLookerIzzy and CaraLyraKhouryTobiasDon GeorgeElderAlderLukeFreddy O'MartianIngoEmmetJervisVirgilNAnthea and ConcordiaPorterAlexaSophieCosetteClembotSanpeiMairinAstridDianthaKorrinaGurkinnMonsieur PierrePalermoKeananMalvaSamson OakAnelaHobbesNinaAnnaLakiDanaYansuWickeFabaIlimaAcerolaDiaChloeChrysaRenParkerTaliaLeiDanikaQuillonHopGym LeadersElite FourFrontier BrainsIsland kahunasMany temporary characters
Supporting Pokémon FearowHo-OhSquirtle SquadPink ButterfreeHaunterJigglypuffMewtwoMimeyLapras herdGranbullPichu BrothersLugiaSilverDelibirdWynautLarvitarKyogre and GroudonArticunoDeoxysLake guardiansForces of NatureMeloettaReshiramSuper-ancient PokémonWooperFlorgesSquishyZ2Guardian deitiesBewearToucannon's flockStoutlandOranguruNebbyStuffulUltra BeastsGrandpa ForestNecrozmaLunalaShayminMewRotom PhonesPelipperThievul trioEternatusDrone RotomLegendary heroesLatiasRecurring wild Pokémon
See also: Pokémon Horizons characters


Ash & Pikachu characters
Main characters
Ash KetchumPikachuMistyTogepiBrockMayMaxJessieJamesMeowth
Rivals
Gary OakDrewMorrison
Gym Leaders and Frontier Brains
WhitneyClairRoxanneNormanNolandGretaLucy
Other
AnnaAzusaProfessor BirchCalistaCarolineProfessor CozmoDrakeEriko
Eriko's grandmotherMrs. GrimmHirotoJack PollocksonKaburagiKiyoLilyProfessor Oak
OliverRobertShellySolanaSusieTabithaTeam Rocket ScientistTimmy
Whitney's grandmotherWinstrate family


Main characters
Ash KetchumPikachuGary OakRitchieMay OakProfessor OakDelia KetchumJessieJamesMeowth
Gym Leaders
BrockMistyKogaSabrinaGiovanniRudyDrake
Other
A.J.AyaBillDamianDarioDuplicaEevee brothersGiselleJeanette FisherOfficer JennyJoeNurse Joy
Lara LaramieMahriMelanieMikeyMimiProfessor OrvillePotterFlorinda ShowersRubySamuraiTommy


Project Anime logo.png This article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of the Pokémon anime.