Team Rocket trio: Difference between revisions

Official art of Jessie, James, and Meowth from the XY series

The Team Rocket trio, sometimes abbreviated as TRio or JJM, is a trio of members of Team Rocket, consisting of Jessie, James, and Meowth.

In the anime

Character

Since making their debut in the second episode of the anime, they have appeared in almost every episode up until the beginning of the Best Wishes series. As such, they are the most prominent representation of Team Rocket as a whole in the anime. Before Rematch at the Nacrene Gym!, the very first episode was the only regular episode (not including the clip show AG120) where Team Rocket trio was completely absent.

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

The Team Rocket trio blasting off again

Since witnessing his power, the trio has been obsessed with capturing Ash's Pikachu. They have relentlessly pursued Ash and his friends across the various regions of the Pokémon world, and often succeed in catching the Pokémon. However, they never manage to hold on to Pikachu for long. They frequently develop various kinds of shockproof gadgets and machinery to aide in capturing the electric rodent (mechas, rubber suits, etc.). However, these gadgets are often circumvented by non-Electric attacks and abilities, which they constantly forget to account for, or simply backfire in the end.

Even though they usually only cause trouble for the main characters, they have sometimes helped them. This is typically when dealing with a common enemy, as shown in The Power of One and later against Team Aqua and Team Magma. They also played a key part in the fight against Team Galactic, teaming up with Looker. They occasionally put their differences aside for personal reasons, only to later return to their thieving ways. One of the more common moments of truce is during Pokémon Contests, which Jessie had a fondness for participating in. However, she is usually in disguise, so Ash and his friends are unaware that it is her.

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

History

This section does not yet meet the quality standards of Bulbapedia. Please feel free to edit this section to make it conform to Bulbapedia norms and conventions.

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Role in Kanto through Sinnoh

Team Rocket with all of their Pokémon in the original series (minus Wobbuffet)

The Team Rocket trio first appeared in Pokémon Emergency where they took over the Viridian Pokémon Center. After their first defeat at the hands of Ash's Pikachu convinced them of its extraordinary power, the trio made it their main goal to capture Pikachu. However, the trio's general incompetence does not help their standing in Team Rocket, with temporarily being expelled from Team Rocket in Dues and Don'ts and Giovanni not even remembering who they were in The Thief That Keeps on Thieving!.

At the start of the Best Wishes series, Giovanni assigned the trio to infiltrate the Unova region. The trio became more serious and less goofy, changing from their original white uniforms to black uniforms. They focused less on capturing random Pokémon and more on assignments given to them straight from headquarters. In Battling For The Love of Bug-Types!, however, Giovanni's secretary informed them that Giovanni has no new mission for them and that they will be left to their own devices, to do their best for Team Rocket. At this, the trio returned to their white uniforms and began planning their own schemes again, but they often carried out their new plans in the same manner as their most recent missions. Dr. Zager would also frequently assist them in their schemes. The trio very rarely blasted off during the Best Wishes series.

The trio in their black uniforms

For a brief time starting in Meowth's Scrafty Tactics!, Meowth traveled with Ash, Iris, and Cilan. He told the group he was fired from Team Rocket after screwing up a mission, but in Crisis from the Underground Up!, it is revealed that he was only deceiving them as part of the trio's latest ploy.

When Meloetta joined Ash and his friends starting in An Epic Defense Force!, Jessie, James, and Meowth made many attempts to capture it, but each time it disappeared. In Meloetta and the Undersea Temple!, however, they finally managed to capture it with the help of Giovanni and Dr. Zager. When Pikachu freed Meloetta in the next episode, Giovanni became possesed by the Reveal Glass and the trio temporarily sided with Ash and his friends in order to stop Giovanni. When Giovanni regained his senses, the trio rejoined him and they all retreated to head back to Kanto.

In New Places... Familiar Faces!, Jessie, James, and Meowth reappeared in Unova. This time around, the trio was largely back to old form, with their old motto and old gags returning, and once again intent on capturing Pikachu or any valuable Pokémon. Some effects of their recent experience seemed to persist, however, such as occasions when they would retreat by jetpack instead of blasting off, and trying to accomplish their plans in a serious way, as seen when Jessie asked for Meowth to stop singing in The Light of Floccesy Ranch!.

After Meowth, Colress and Team Rivalry!, the trio decided to head for the White Ruins, where they would spy on Team Plasma's movements for a time while plotting to steal the Light Stone. However, when Looker found them and asked for their help, the trio helped Ash and his friends defeat the rival organization.

After helping to defeat Team Plasma, the trio returned completely to their previous role as comic relief, retaining only their upgraded technology and slight competence from Best Wishes!.

Artwork

Official artwork from the original series	Official artwork from the Advanced Generation series	Official artwork from the Diamond & Pearl series	Official artwork from the Best Wishes series
For more artwork, please see Jessie, James, and Meowth images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

In the games

In Pokémon Yellow, Jessie and James appear and are involved in Team Rocket's four major schemes (Mt. Moon, Rocket Hideout, Pokémon Tower, and Silph Co.), and typically appear before the player battles Giovanni. They also replace the three Team Rocket members in the Pokémon Tower that hold Mr. Fuji hostage as well as two other Team Rocket Grunts: one close to the exit of Mt. Moon and the other one near the entrance to the President's room at Silph Co. Curiously, they are never referred to by their individual names and share their Trainer class with all other Team Rocket Grunts.

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

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 in the anime, Jessie and James do not follow the main character around and come up with their usual evil plans to capture Pikachu. In addition, Meowth cannot talk, and he resides in a Poké Ball instead of traveling around with Jessie and James.

In addition, they also receive their own encounter music, a track not heard in Red and Blue.

Pokémon

First battle

Rocket Mt. Moon Yellow Reward: $420

Type: Poison Unknown Ekans Lv.14 Wrap Normal   --       Leer Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Struggle Normal   --       Type: Normal Unknown Meowth Lv.14 Scratch Normal   --       Growl Normal   --       Bite Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Type: Poison Unknown Koffing Lv.14 Tackle Normal   --       Smog Poison   --       Struggle Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --

Second battle

Rocket Rocket Hideout Yellow Reward: $750
Type: Poison Unknown Koffing Lv.25 Tackle Normal   --       Smog Poison   --       Struggle Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Type: Normal Unknown Meowth Lv.25 Growl Normal   --       Bite Normal   --       Pay Day Normal   --       Screech Normal   --       Type: Poison Unknown Ekans Lv.25 Bite Normal   --       Leer Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Glare Normal   --

Third battle

Rocket Pokémon Tower Yellow Reward: $810
Type: Normal Unknown Meowth Lv.27 Growl Normal   --       Bite Normal   --       Screech Normal   --       Pay Day Normal   --       Type: Poison Unknown Arbok Lv.27 Bite Normal   --       Leer Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Glare Normal   --       Type: Poison Unknown Weezing Lv.27 Tackle Normal   --       Smog Poison   --       Sludge Poison   --       Struggle Normal   --

Fourth battle

Rocket Silph Co. Yellow Reward: $930
Type: Poison Unknown Weezing Lv.31 Tackle Normal   --       Smog Poison   --       Sludge Poison   --       Struggle Normal   --       Type: Poison Unknown Arbok Lv.31 Bite Normal   --       Leer Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Glare Normal   --       Type: Normal Unknown Meowth Lv.31 Growl Normal   --       Bite Normal   --       Pay Day Normal   --       Screech Normal   --

Quotes

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..."

Sprites

Jessie and James's sprite from Yellow	Jessie's overworld sprite from Yellow	James's overworld sprite from Yellow

In the manga

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.

In the Ash & Pikachu manga

The Team Rocket trio is seen following Ash and company in the manga series Ash & Pikachu, which is based on the anime.

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

The trio appears in The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga series. Jessie and James are later shown married, with Jessie visibly pregnant.

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 were also preconstructed Theme Decks based on Jessie and James.

• 

  Team Rocket artwork

• 

  EX Team Rocket Returns artwork

See also

• Episodes focusing on Team Rocket
• Team Rocket mottos
• Team Rocket's mechas
• Mirror Team Rocket
• List of Pokémon temporarily owned by the Team Rocket trio

Team Rocket's Pokémon
Travel with:	Meowth	Rotom Phone
	Jessie			James
On hand:	Wobbuffet	Seviper	Yanmega	Mime Jr.	Carnivine	Yamask
	Woobat	Frillish	Gourgeist	Amoonguss	Inkay	Morpeko
In training:				Cacnea
At home:				Growlie	Chimecho
Released:	Arbok	Dustox	Mimikyu	Weezing	Gyarados	Mareanie
Traded away:	Lickitung			Victreebel
Lived with (all three):	Bewear	Stufful
Worked with (all three):	Delibird	Pelipper
Temporarily owned:	Porygon Zero	Shellder	Magikarp	Hoppip	Second Victreebel
	Mawile
Befriended:	Blissey
Status unknown:	Starmie			Pidgey	Numel
For a list of other Pokémon Team Rocket has commanded, see here and here

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