Team Rocket

Overview

Team Rocket is an evil organization of Pokémon Trainers that specialize in stealing Pokémon from other Trainers.

Their ultimate goal is to gain possession of the most powerful Pokémon so they can take over the world. They headed by Giovanni, who also acts as the Viridian City Gym Leader. The organization has a recurring presence in the Pokémon series.

Role in Games

Red/Blue/Yellow/FireRed/LeafGreen

Team Rocket are a criminal organization operating in the Kanto region. A young trainer named Red encounters them multiple times during his journey and foils their plans one by one, culminating in a final showdown with the Rocket Boss Giovanni, who also happens to be the Gym Leader of Viridian City. After his defeat, Giovanni accepts fate and disbands the organization. Before disappearing to train in secret, Giovanni also abandons his young son Silver, who would grow to hate him and Team Rocket.

After becoming Indigo League Champion, Red later discovers a surviving branch of Team Rocket in the Sevii Islands. He defeats them as well, with their leader Archer in disbelief of the organization's disbanded status until he notices that Red has the Earth Badge, which is only given to trainers that have defeated Giovanni. He disbands his group, but vows to resurrect Team Rocket one day.

Gold/Silver/Crystal/HeartGold/SoulSilver

Three years later, Archer has become leader of a revived Team Rocket remnant that is making strides in the Johto region. He and his Executives, Petrel, Ariana, and Proton wreak havoc and crime across the Johto region in an attempt to restore the organization to its former glory. However, just like three years ago, they are continually foiled by a young trainer, this time being Ethan/Kris/Lyra, with the help of Indigo League Champion Lance. Giovanni's son Silver, now a Pokémon trainer, also interferes with Team Rocket, though only out of a petty desire to prove himself, which Lance sets straight.

In one final stand, Team Rocket takes over the Goldenrod City Radio Tower in an attempt to contact their old leader, Giovanni, but they are defeated once and for all by the player.

Other Media

Anime Series

In the Pokémon anime series, Team Rocket exists as a recurring menace to protagonist Ash Ketchum and his Pokémon.

In particular, Team Rocket members Jessie and James, along with a special Pokémon that can talk, Meowth, are the most frequently seen Team Rocket members on the show. However, they are rarely a true threat and are a primary source of the show's comic relief.

Jessie and James also feature heavily in Pokemon Yellow, a special edition of the game inspired by the anime series. In earlier episodes, Jessie and James frequently used the Pokemon Ekans and Koffing. Jesse is the bossy member of the pair, while James is the more soft-spoken and effeminate member. Meowth is there for comic relief, as he rarely does any fighting.

In the anime, Team Rocket's leader Giovanni is the lead factor that lead to the creation of Mewtwo. Giovanni is most seen accompanied by his favorable pet Persian.

Team Rocket Intro

A long-running gag revolves around an intro that Jessie and James recite when they first make their appearances known in each episode. Other characters often make fun of our outright steal it to humorous effect:

Prepare For Trouble...

...And Make It Double

To Protect The World From Devastation

To Unite All Peoples Within Our Nation

To Denounce The Evils Of Truth And Love

To Extend Our Reach To The Stars Above

Jessie...

...James

Team Rocket Blast Off At The Speed Of Light

Surrender Now Or Prepare To Fight!

MMMMEEEEEEOOOOOWTH That's Right!