{{Short description|Fictional crime organization in the Pokémon series}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{for|the 2016 Lil Uzi Vert song "Team Rocket"|Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World}} {{Infobox fictional organisation | name = Team Rocket | image = Team Rocket Logo.svg | caption = Logo | alt = A red 'R' in sans-serif font | series = ''Pokémon'' | first = ''Pokémon Red'' and ''Green'' (1996) | creator = Ken Sugimori | genre = Role-playing video game | type = Criminal syndicate | footnotes = }} {{nihongo|'''Team Rocket'''|ロケット団|Roketto-dan|Rocket Gang|extra={{IPA|ja|ɾo̞ke̞t̚to̞ dã̠ɴ|lang}}|lead=yes}} is a fictional crime syndicate in the ''Pokémon'' franchise. Team Rocket is the primary antagonist in the original ''Pokémon'' video games ''Red'', ''Green'', and ''Blue'', as well as in the long-running ''Pokémon'' anime TV-series. In the latter, Team Rocket is primarily represented through the trio of characters Jessie, James, and Meowth, who are major secondary characters throughout the ''Pokémon'' TV-series.
Team Rocket is portrayed as a serious crime syndicate in the video games series. In the TV-series, Team Rocket has a largely comedic role, as the trio of grunts repeatedly fail to steal Pokémon while operating increasingly flashy mecha. The Team Rocket trio in the anime are popular among fans who relate to their roles as young adults.
==In video games== Team Rocket first appeared in the video games ''Pokémon Red'', ''Green'', and ''Blue'', where they are portrayed as a serious and affluent crime syndicate aiming to capture and steal Pokémon for profit. The games present Team Rocket breaking and entering, murdering a mother Marowak, and chopping off the tails of Slowpoke to sell on the black market.<ref name=IGN2012>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/12/pokemon-report-pokemafia|work=IGN|title=Pokemon Report: Pokemafia|last=Devries|first=Jack|date=2012-06-14|access-date=2023-05-03|archive-date=2023-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503140959/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/12/pokemon-report-pokemafia|url-status=live}}</ref> In ''Pokémon Gold'', ''Silver'', and Crystal, it is revealed that Team Rocket's leader Giovanni had disappeared after being defeated in the original games, and the syndicate is disbanded. Giovanni himself reappears in the 2009 remakes ''Pokémon HeartGold'' and ''SoulSilver''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://diehardgamefan.com/2010/03/18/pokemon-heart-gold-and-soul-silver-the-return-of-giovanni-and-celebi/|work=Diehard GameFan|title=Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver – The Return of Giovanni and Celebi!|last=Lucard|first=Alex|date=2010-03-18|access-date=2023-05-03|archive-date=2023-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503140914/https://diehardgamefan.com/2010/03/18/pokemon-heart-gold-and-soul-silver-the-return-of-giovanni-and-celebi/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Each subsequent set of ''Pokémon'' video games has its own villainous teams, such as Team Aqua and Team Magma in ''Pokémon Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'', and Team Galactic in ''Pokémon Diamond'' and ''Pearl''.<ref name=IGN2012 /> Team Rocket and Giovanni returned as a major antagonist team in the 2017 video games Pokémon ''Ultra Sun'' and ''Ultra Moon'', as "Team Rainbow Rocket."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/11/02/team-rocket-officially-returns-in-pokemon-ultra-sun-and-ultra-moon|title=Team Rocket Officially Returns in Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon|work=IGN|last=Barnett|first=Brian|date=2017-11-02|access-date=2023-05-03|archive-date=2023-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503130341/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/11/02/team-rocket-officially-returns-in-pokemon-ultra-sun-and-ultra-moon|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.nl/pokemon-ultra-sun-en-ultra-moon-brengen-team-rocket-terug|work=Eurogamer|title=Pokémon Ultra Sun en Ultra Moon brengen Team Rocket terug|last=de Coninck|first=Michiel|date=2017-11-02|access-date=2023-05-03|archive-date=2023-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503130342/https://www.eurogamer.nl/pokemon-ultra-sun-en-ultra-moon-brengen-team-rocket-terug|url-status=live}}</ref>
Team Rocket was introduced to ''Pokémon Go'' under the name of "Team GO Rocket" in 2019, allowing players to encounter and battle Team Rocket grunts, its leaders Sierra, Arlo and Cliff, and Giovanni himself.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2019/07/17/team-rocket-is-coming-to-pokemon-go-very-soon-with-a-new-update-and-some-special-research/?sh=2594b149fd48|work=Forbes|title=Team Rocket Is Coming To 'Pokémon GO' Very Soon With A New Update And Some Special Research|last=Thier|first=Dave|date=2019-07-17|access-date=2023-05-04|archive-date=2023-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504095123/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2019/07/17/team-rocket-is-coming-to-pokemon-go-very-soon-with-a-new-update-and-some-special-research/?sh=2594b149fd48|url-status=live}}</ref> Team Rocket grunts also appear in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' as DLC costumes for Mii Fighters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/09/04/super-smash-bros-ultimate-home-run-contest-and-new-mii-fighter-costumes-announced-sans-undertale-team-rocket-pokemon-mega-man-zerourl=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/09/04/super-smash-bros-ultimate-home-run-contest-and-new-mii-fighter-costumes-announced-sans-undertale-team-rocket-pokemon-mega-man-zero|work=IGN|title=Team Rocket grunts is part of the DLC Mii costume in Round 3 in SSBU|last=Bankhurst|first=Adam|date=2019-04-09}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
==In the anime== {{Infobox character | multiple = yes | name = Jessie, James, and Meowth | series = Pokémon | image = Team_Rocket_trio.png | alt = | caption = James, Meowth, and Jessie, as they appear in the early seasons of the Pokémon TV series | first = "Pokémon Emergency!" (1997) | last = "The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!" (2023) | designer = Sayuri Ichishi | portrayer = {{ubl|'''Jessie'''|Lauren Kling (''Pokémon Live!'')|'''James'''|Andrew Rannells (''Pokémon Live!'')}} | voice = {{Collapsible list|title=Japanese |{{ubl|'''Jessie'''|Megumi Hayashibara}} |{{ubl|'''James'''|Shin-ichiro Miki}} |{{ubl|'''Meowth'''|Inuko Inuyama}} }}{{Collapsible list|title=English |{{ubl|'''Jessie'''|Rachael Lillis (Seasons 1–8)|Michele Knotz (Seasons 9–25)}} |{{ubl|'''James'''|Ted Lewis (Season 1){{refn|group=nb|Episodes 2–8}}|Eric Stuart (Seasons 1–8)|James Carter Cathcart (Seasons 9–25)}} |{{ubl|'''Meowth'''|Matthew Sussman (Season 1){{refn|group=nb|Episodes 2–31}}|Maddie Blaustein (Seasons 1–8)|James Carter Cathcart (Seasons 9–25)}} }} }} In the long-running ''Pokémon'' anime series, a trio of Team Rocket grunts {{nihongo|Jessie|ムサシ|Musashi}}, {{nihongo|James|コジロウ|Kojirō}}, and {{nihongo|Meowth|ニャース|Nyarth}} are major secondary characters. The three were the primary antagonists of the anime series, where each episode they attempt to kidnap Ash Ketchum's Pikachu. In the earliest produced episodes of the anime, the trio was halfway intelligent and at times were very formidable foes; while they have assumed a more sinister role in various parts of the series, most notably in the ''Black and White'' anime, the three mainly act as comic relief. The characters are presented as simple-minded, bringing slapstick antics to the series.<ref name="CBR2020">{{cite web |last=O'Neal |first=Christopher |date=2020-04-01 |title=Pokemon: Why Team Rocket Wants to Catch Ash's Pikachu |url=https://www.cbr.com/pokemon-why-team-rocket-want-pikachu-explained/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503130859/https://www.cbr.com/pokemon-why-team-rocket-want-pikachu-explained/ |archive-date=2023-05-03 |access-date=2023-05-03 |work=Comic Book Resources}}</ref> Team Rocket's Meowth – a common species of Pokémon – is unusual within the ''Pokémon'' canon, as he is the only Pokémon creature able to speak the human language, whereas all other Pokémon in the series only utter syllables of their own names.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/04/pokacmon-indigo-league-season-1-volume-3-dvd-review|work=IGN|title=Pokémon: Indigo League Season 1, Volume 3 DVD Review|last=Harris|first=Jeffrey|date=2008-02-04|access-date=2023-05-03|archive-date=2021-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182557/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/04/pokacmon-indigo-league-season-1-volume-3-dvd-review|url-status=live}}</ref>
Jessie and James originally had an Ekans and a Koffing as their signature Pokémon, respectively, and the trio were later joined by a Wobbuffet as one of their only major recurring Pokémon as the series progressed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goulene |first=Angela |date=2020-05-04 |title=A Team Rocket Pokemon Is Hiding a Dark Secret - and It Changes Everything |url=https://www.cbr.com/team-rocket-pokemon-wobbuffet-destiny-bond/ |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=CBR |language=en |archive-date=2022-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030115946/https://www.cbr.com/team-rocket-pokemon-wobbuffet-destiny-bond/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As the ''Pokémon'' series evolved, the Team Rocket trio uses an increasingly large number of vehicles and mecha. Most notably, they travel in a Meowth-shaped hot air balloon throughout the show, and use a Gyarados-shaped submarine in its early seasons. Later on, Team Rocket became known for their large number of mecha and gadgets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/pokemon-why-team-rocket-rarely-used-mechas-in-season-1/|work=Comic Book Resources|title=Pokémon: Why Team Rocket Rarely Used Mechas in Season 1|last=York|first=Marc|date=2022-06-08|access-date=2023-05-03|archive-date=2023-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503131153/https://www.cbr.com/pokemon-why-team-rocket-rarely-used-mechas-in-season-1/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Team Rocket characters have sympathetic backstories and share a strong camaraderie. They are not ideologically aligned with Giovanni and therefore frequently find themselves siding with the series' protagonists. Due to how frequently Jessie and James are shown to crossdress across the series, they are commonly read as queercoded.<ref name=Yahoo2023>{{cite web|url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/very-queer-25-legacy-pok-003629798.html|work=Yahoo! Sports|title=The Very Queer, 25-Year Legacy of 'Pokémon' Antiheroes Team Rocket|last=Castello|first=Jay|date=2023-04-08|access-date=2023-05-03|archive-date=2023-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503133349/https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/very-queer-25-legacy-pok-003629798.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2011, the ''Pokémon'' series was building up to an arc in which Giovanni faces off against rival organization Team Plasma, but the episodes were cancelled following the Great East Japan Earthquake.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/pokemon-anime-lost-episodes-team-rocket-earthquake-1850396995|work=Kotaku|title=Lost Pokémon Anime Episodes Rediscovered After 12 Years|last=Jiang|first=Sisi|date=2023-05-02|access-date=2023-05-04|archive-date=2023-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504164746/https://kotaku.com/pokemon-anime-lost-episodes-team-rocket-earthquake-1850396995|url-status=live}}</ref> Team Rocket departed the series at the end of the ''Pokémon Ultimate Journeys'' anime.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=2023-03-14 |title=Pokémon's Team Rocket blasts off for what may be the final time |url=https://www.polygon.com/23639424/pokemon-anime-team-rocket-says-goodbye |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105214709/https://www.polygon.com/23639424/pokemon-anime-team-rocket-says-goodbye |url-status=live }}</ref> The team also appears in ''Pokémon Origins'' and ''Pokémon Generations'', in portrayals more closely aligned with their in-game counterparts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pokémon TV |url=https://watch.pokemon.com/en-us/#/player?id=29a21d87a69e4b018ae8163cd83a336d&channelId=pokemon-generations&cameFromHome=false |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=watch.pokemon.com |archive-date=2023-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318023126/https://watch.pokemon.com/en-us/#/player?id=29a21d87a69e4b018ae8163cd83a336d&channelId=pokemon-generations&cameFromHome=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pokémon TV |url=https://watch.pokemon.com/en-us/#/player?id=773767497a694a1e83132efcfa936c00&channelId=pokemon-origins&cameFromHome=false |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=watch.pokemon.com |archive-date=2023-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318023126/https://watch.pokemon.com/en-us/#/player?id=773767497a694a1e83132efcfa936c00&channelId=pokemon-origins&cameFromHome=false |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Development=== The names Jessie and James reference famous American outlaw Jesse James; their Japanese names Musashi and Kojirō refer to the samurai Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro.
In the English dubbed anime, Jessie was initially voiced by Rachael Lillis, until the dub switched production from 4Kids Entertainment to The Pokémon Company International in 2006, when she was replaced by Michele Knotz.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-27 |title=Michele Knotz Voice Actor |url=http://micheleknotz.com/resume/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |archive-date=2022-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127071957/http://micheleknotz.com/resume/ }}</ref> During her audition, Lillis was instructed to make Jessie "sultry" while also keeping her "tough." Lillis did not expect Jessie to be a recurring character in the series. James was originally voiced by Eric Stuart. The two actors quickly started to play around with their voices, giving the characters a "prissy" attitude that contrasted with their inability to succeed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-03-23-0003230299-story.html|work=Chicago Tribune|title=Anime Star|last=Liebnson|first=Donald|date=2000-03-23|access-date=2023-05-04|archive-date=2023-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504124359/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-03-23-0003230299-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Meowth was voiced by Maddie Blaustein for seasons one to eight of the series until her death in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/forgotten-women-of-genre-maddie-blaustein|work=Syfy|title=Forgotten Women of Genre|last=Enlow|first=Courtney|date=2019-03-27|access-date=2023-05-04|archive-date=2022-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112145646/https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/forgotten-women-of-genre-maddie-blaustein|url-status=live}}</ref> James Carter Cathcart took over the roles of James and Meowth in 2006, and continued to voice the characters until 2023, when he retired from ''Pokémon'' due to oral cancer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/pokemon-anime-professor-oak-james-carter-retires-cancer/|work=Comic Book Resources|title=Pokémon: Team Rocket's James and Meowth Voice Actor James Carter Retires Due to Cancer|last=Leung|first=Hilary|date=2023-04-19|access-date=2023-05-03|archive-date=2023-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503125908/https://www.cbr.com/pokemon-anime-professor-oak-james-carter-retires-cancer/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/pokemon-anime-oak-james-carter-cathcart-retire-cancer-1850353327|work=Kotaku|title=Pokémon's Team Rocket, Professor Oak Voice Actor Retires Due To Cancer|last=Winslow|first=Levi|date=2023-04-19|access-date=2023-05-03|archive-date=2023-04-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426173236/https://kotaku.com/pokemon-anime-oak-james-carter-cathcart-retire-cancer-1850353327|url-status=live}} </ref>
==Other media== Team Rocket appear as the main antagonists in several arcs of the ''Pokémon Adventures'' manga, including the ''Red, Green,'' and ''Blue, Yellow,'' and ''Gold and Silver'' arcs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-06-22 |title=POKeMON adventures |url=http://www.vizkids.com/pokemon/adventures/characters.html |access-date=2024-01-05 |archive-date=2000-06-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000622095516/http://www.vizkids.com/pokemon/adventures/characters.html |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> The Team Rocket trio from the anime appear in the Alternative Universe manga adaptation ''Electric Tale of Pikachu'' loosely inspired by some episodes of the Indigo Ligue and created in 1999, where Jessie and James are shown at the end to be married and expecting a child.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ono |first=Toshihiro |title=Pokemon Graphic Novel, Volume 4: Surf's Up, Pikachu |date=December 1999 |publisher=Viz Media |isbn=1-56931-494-2}}</ref>
Team Rocket is the central antagonist in the 2000 stageplay ''Pokémon Live!'', in which Jessie, James, and Meowth successfully steal Ash Ketchum's Pikachu and use it to train Giovanni's Mewtwo.<ref name="CBR2020" /> Team Rocket characters additionally frequently appear on cards in the ''Pokémon Trading Card Game,'' most notably in the ''Team Rocket'' expansion released in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/pokemon-japanese-team-rocket-booster-box-on-auction-at-heritage/|work=Bleeding Cool|title=Pokémon Japanese Team Rocket Booster Box On Auction At Heritage|last=Nelson|first=Joshua|date=2021-06-16|access-date=2023-05-08|archive-date=2023-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508084044/https://bleedingcool.com/games/pokemon-japanese-team-rocket-booster-box-on-auction-at-heritage/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/pokemon-tcg-reveals-pokemon-card-151-giovanni/|work=Bleeding Cool|title=Pokémon TCG Reveals Pokémon Card 151: Giovanni|last=Dwyer|first=Theo|date=2023-04-11|access-date=2023-05-08|archive-date=2023-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508084044/https://bleedingcool.com/games/pokemon-tcg-reveals-pokemon-card-151-giovanni/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Reception and legacy== [[File:Pokemon-James-Blowup.gif|thumb|left|James' tendency to crossdress in earlier episodes of the anime has led to the duo being read as queercoded. The scene depicted where he utilizes inflatable breasts resulted in the episode being removed from circulation for western audiences.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Tobin |first=Joseph |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U7hthImoc5AC&dq=%22beauty+and+the+beach%22+pokemon+-wikipedia&pg=PA93 |title=Pikachu's Global Adventure: The Rise and Fall of Pokemon |date=2004-02-05 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=978-0-8223-3287-9 |language=en}}</ref>]] As comic relief characters, Jessie, James, and Meowth are very popular among ''Pokémon'' viewers. ''Yahoo!''-writer Jay Castello notes that as ''Pokémon'' fans grew up, the struggle of "twenty-somethings who couldn't quite find their place in the world or succeed at their ambitions" became increasingly relatable, and a sub-fandom dedicated to the trio sprang up. The LGBT community largely embraced Team Rocket's queercoding, interpreting them as bisexual drag artists.<ref name=Yahoo2023 /> Blaustein was inspired by Meowth-focused episode "Go West, Young Meowth" to come out and transition as a transgender woman, a friend of her later metaphorically describing the character as "a human trapped in a Pokémon's body."<ref>{{cite web |last=Levesley |first=David |date=2019-02-27 |title=The Inspiring Story of the Trans Actress Behind Your Favorite Pokémon's Voice |url=https://www.them.us/story/maddie-blaustein-pokemon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329054213/https://www.them.us/story/maddie-blaustein-pokemon |archive-date=2023-03-29 |access-date=2023-05-04 |work=Them}}</ref>
In both their games and anime portrayals, Team Rocket have been cited as some of the best villains in the ''Pokémon'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lima |first=Leo Noboru |date=2022-07-13 |title=The Best Characters In The Entire Pokemon Franchise According To Fans |url=https://www.svg.com/927139/the-best-characters-in-the-entire-pokemon-franchise-according-to-fans/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=SVG |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105214709/https://www.svg.com/927139/the-best-characters-in-the-entire-pokemon-franchise-according-to-fans/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Chris Carter of ''Destructoid'' called the English voice team for Jessie, James, and Meowth (Lillis, Stuart, and Blaustein) "some of the show's finest work."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/team-rocket-might-be-blasting-off-into-pokemon-go/|work=Destructoid|title=Team Rocket might be blasting off into Pokemon Go|last=Carter|first=Chris|date=2019-07-09|access-date=2023-05-04|archive-date=2023-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504094158/https://www.destructoid.com/team-rocket-might-be-blasting-off-into-pokemon-go/|url-status=live}}</ref> The relationship between Team Rocket and show's central cast has been noted as a core part of the show by children, as was their moral ambiguity, due to their positive actions contrasting with their antagonistic role. Their complex relationship with the main cast was highlighted as an element that was a core part of the television series, acting as a contrast to Ash while viewers are also made to sympathize with them.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tobin |first=Joseph |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y3z0WzvUDqYC&dq=Team+Rocket+-wikipedia+pokemon&pg=PA233 |title=Pikachu's Global Adventure: The Rise and Fall of Pokemon |date=2004-02-05 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=978-0-8223-8581-3 |language=en |access-date=2024-02-06 |archive-date=2024-02-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206003021/https://books.google.com/books?id=y3z0WzvUDqYC&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA233&dq=Team+Rocket+-wikipedia+pokemon&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Their role in Pokémon The Series: Black and White was cited by ''Polygon'' to be one of the biggest missed opportunities with their characters, due to the sudden cancellation of several episodes leading to Team Rocket's character changes in the series being for "nothing."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dockery |first=Daniel |date=2023-09-30 |title=An earthquake changed one of Pokémon's most promising seasons |url=https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/23895988/pokemon-black-white-anime-lost-episodes-fukushima |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304155911/https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/23895988/pokemon-black-white-anime-lost-episodes-fukushima |url-status=live }}</ref> American rapper Lil Uzi Vert named the eighth song on their mixtape, Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World, "Team Rocket", along with other Pokémon references on earlier songs.
The book ''Anime Classics Zettai!: 100 Must-See Japanese Animation Masterpieces'' reviews Team Rocket as the antagonists in the anime who actually provide comedic relief through the characters Jessie and James, with Meowth portrayed as a "clever cat" who stands out among other Meowth. The book also mentions Jessie, who possesses a charming allure, as the leader above James. Although the Team Rocket trio is positioned as antagonists, they are not hesitant to help Ash Ketchum and his friends on several occasions, especially when they find themselves in difficult and dangerous situations, as often depicted in the movies.<ref>{{cite book |title=Anime Classics Zettai!: 100 Must-See Japanese Animation Masterpieces|page=[https://archive.org/details/animeclassicszet0000camp/page/283 283] |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |date=May 2007 |author=Camp, Brian |author2=Julie Davis |isbn=978-1-933330-22-8 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/animeclassicszet0000camp/page/283 }}</ref> The book ''Japanese Influence on American's Children's Television: Transforming Saturday Morning'' describes them similarly, citing them as comic relief or as a tension breaker despite being the series' core antagonists. It describes Jessie as being a strong female character, acting as James's superior, as well as how she did not fall into a stereotypical female role.<ref>{{Cite book |last=O'Melia |first=Gina |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rAGiDwAAQBAJ&dq=Team+Rocket+-wikipedia+pokemon&pg=PA119 |title=Japanese Influence on American Children's Television: Transforming Saturday Morning |date=2019-07-11 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-030-17416-3 |language=en |access-date=2024-02-06 |archive-date=2024-02-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206003022/https://books.google.com/books?id=rAGiDwAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA119&dq=Team+Rocket+-wikipedia+pokemon&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Meowth's role on the team has been met with a positive response,<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Steven Bogos |date=2016-02-27 |title=The Top 10 Pokemon of All Time |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/the-top-10-pokemon-of-all-time/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |magazine=The Escapist |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307203552/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/the-top-10-pokemon-of-all-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref> being considered an integral and iconic part of the team.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Dale Bashir |date=2021-03-04 |title=The 25 Most Important Pokemon That Impacted the Franchise's History |url=https://sea.ign.com/pokemon/169418/news/the-25-most-important-pokemon-that-impacted-the-franchises-history |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=IGN Southeast Asia |language=en-sg |archive-date=2022-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921200318/https://sea.ign.com/pokemon/169418/news/the-25-most-important-pokemon-that-impacted-the-franchises-history |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=West |first1=Tracey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L9dz4A6HLmYC |title=Pokemon Top 10 Handbook: Our Top Picks! |last2=Noll |first2=Katherine |date=2007 |publisher=Scholastic, Incorporated |isbn=978-0-545-00161-8 |language=en |access-date=2024-03-07 |archive-date=2023-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324153349/https://books.google.com/books?id=L9dz4A6HLmYC |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |date=2007-10-06 |title=Smash It Up! - The Animal Kingdom |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/06/smash-it-up-the-animal-kingdom |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=2012-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318220243/http://wii.ign.com/articles/825/825314p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He has been highlighted as a key part of why his species was so well-known.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-01-02 |title=Page 8 - The complete Pokemon RBY pokedex, part 5 {{!}} GamesRadar |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/the-complete-pokemon-rby-pokedex-part-5/?page=8 |access-date=2024-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102063002/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-complete-pokemon-rby-pokedex-part-5/?page=8 |archive-date=2015-01-02 }}</ref><ref name=":0" /> The Fandom Post said Jessie and James were the "Best Villain Couple" due to their continuous hard work as well as interactions over several episodes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beveridge |first=Chris |date=March 7, 2024 |title=30 Days Of Anime Challenge Day 7: Your Favorite Couple |url=https://www.fandompost.com/2024/03/07/30-days-of-anime-challenge-day-7-your-favorite-couple-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307170756/https://www.fandompost.com/2024/03/07/30-days-of-anime-challenge-day-7-your-favorite-couple-2/ |archive-date=March 7, 2024 |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Fandom Post}}</ref>
In 2026, an investigative journalism and Urban Exploration trio adopted the pseudonym Team Rocket and became known for their urban photography and contributions to local news networks. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodell|first=Eric |date=February 17, 2026 |title= Long‑vacant Twin Falls clinic triggers lawsuit as city demands hazard removal|url=https://magicvalley.com/news/local/article_d109c003-c71b-48cb-9f5c-e13a9d5bc3fd.html |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20260218052800/https://magicvalley.com/news/local/article_d109c003-c71b-48cb-9f5c-e13a9d5bc3fd.html |archive-date=February 18, 2026 |access-date=February 21, 2026 |website=Magic Valley}}</ref>
==Notes== {{reflist|group=nb}}
{{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Pokémon Generation 1|state=expanded}} {{Pokémon}}
Category:Anime and manga characters introduced in 1997 Category:Characters created by Ken Sugimori Category:Fictional cross-dressers Category:Fictional organized crime groups Category:Fictional thieves Category:Fictional trios Category:Fictional terrorists Category:Pokémon characters Category:Video game bosses Category:Video game characters introduced in 1996 Category:Fictional organizations in video games Category:Fictional criminals in video games Category:Fictional criminals in television Category:Villains in animated television series