How Old Are Jessie & James? & 9 Other Questions About Team ...

Pokémon has remarkably managed to not just remain relevant, but also find new markets to dominate and further strengthen its brand. Any series that's run for decades is likely to change over time and Pokémon's anime series has evolved in effective ways and utilized a rotating cast of supporting characters.

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Ash Ketchum was a constant in the Pokémon anime until fairly recently, but the same can be said for Jessie and James, two representatives of the evil organization Team Rocket. Team Rocket is a very recognizable group, but there's also much more to them than it may seem.

Updated March 23, 2023, by Daniel Kurland: Pokémon is the highest-grossing multimedia franchise of all time and even though its roots go back to the RPG Game Boy title, the Pokémon anime has accumulated more than 1200 episodes and two-dozen feature films. The conniving Team Rocket have become perpetual thorns in the side of Ash, Pikachu, and the rest of Pokémon's heroes. It's easy to write off Team Rocket as generic villains, but there's a lot more nuance to these recurring characters than Pokémon fans realize.

15 How Old Are Jessie & James?

They're In Their 20s (In The Original Anime)

Time can be a tricky thing in anime, especially in something like the collective Pokémon series that has amassed hundreds of episodes and been running for decades. The Pokémon anime charts Ash's collective progress, but he certainly doesn't grow older as the anime continues.

A special promotional CD for the anime reveals that Jessie and James are in their twenties as of the second episode of the series, which is a little jarring considering that Ash himself is only 10. Curiously, the video games make Team Rocket's cohorts the same age as the protagonist.

14 Are Jessie, James, & Meowth Still A Team?

They’ve Broken Up & Gone Their Separate Ways

Pokémon audiences have consistently depended on appearances from Team Rocket's Jessie, James, and Meowth as Ash continues to cover new ground with Pikachu. Audiences were shocked by the news that Ash and Pikachu will finally be saying goodbye after more than 1200 episodes and it turns out the same is true for Pokémon's infamous Team Rocket trio.

Episode 1232, "Team Rocket Strikes Back!," becomes Jessie, James, and Meowth's swan song. All three members experience some prolific soul-searching over the installment that concludes with the trio going their separate ways, but freshly empowered.

13 Is There Any Significance In The Name?

Yes, It's Actually An Acronym

Pokémon has a lot of fun with the different names for its characters, locations, and Pokémon. The name, Team Rocket, has never been put under too much scrutiny and if anything this title feels like an easy excuse to make the anime's constant "Blasting Off" puns.

The Pokémon manga isn't completely analogous to the anime and video games, but the Pokémon Adventures manga drops shocking news courtesy of Team Rocket's Giovanni. Giovanni claims that "Rocket" is an acronym that stands for Raid On The City, Knock Out, Evil Tusks.

12 How Many Times Have Team Rocket "Blasted Off"?

Over 850 Times

After more than 1200 episodes, Pokémon has developed several running gags that have become playful trademarks of the series. One gag that's practically become synonymous with Team Rocket is that Jessie, James, and Meowth's evil exploits typically conclude with an explosion that leads to Team Rocket "blasting off again."

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It might seem like these blast off sessions happen every episode, but that's not the case. In reality, Team Rocket has blasted off closer to 850 times, which is still staggering. Team Rocket's blast off total was around 700 when the gag was briefly retired when the Unova region was reached, only for it to gradually return over time.

11 Has Their Relationship With Pikachu Changed?

Meowth & Pikachu Develop An Understanding Friendship

Team Rocket is known for their perpetual attempts to acquire Ash's Pikachu, but these enemies have also endured a lot alongside the Pokémon that it's only natural that this relationship has matured over time. In fact, Episode 1229, "And We're Looking at the Same Moon!," explicitly explores the bond that’s been formed between Pikachu and Team Rocket's Meowth.

Pikachu and Meowth must work together to find their respective parties after they all get separated. After this exercise, it feels like these two Pokémon have each other's backs and newfound respect is present between them.

10 Do Their Uniforms Draw Inspiration From Anywhere?

Yes, They Pull From Bosozoku Motorcycle Subculture

A lot can be said through a uniform and there's a particular look that Pokémon's Team Rocket pulls from for their distinguished attire. Bosozoku is a Japanese subculture that's often associated with youthful custom motorcycle gangs.

Bosozoku members often wear leather jackets, boilersuits, and clothing that's inspired by American greaser culture or World War II kamikaze pilots. This is a fitting style for Team Rocket to adopt since their own motives run counter to society and it seems as if many of their members are co-opted angry youth.

9 What's Their Mission Statement?

That Pokémon Exist Purely For Profit & Exploitation

Team Rocket is known for their criminal behavior, and if something diabolical is afoot then it's safe to assume that Team Rocket is responsible. However, this isn't a group that just engages in anarchy and chaos for the purposes of fear.

Team Rocket has a mission statement that very plainly articulates where their priorities lie. The group has a three-part creed that states that Pokémon exist for the purpose of being stolen or exploited in order to make a profit. Above all else, they believe that Pokémon exist explicitly for their use and to help them bring about world domination.

8 Who Is Their Leader?

Their Leader Is Giovanni (In The Original Anime)

Team Rocket is a vast organization that is responsible for so many mysterious operations that it would make a lot of sense if their leader were someone who guards their identity and keeps their role a secret. Giovanni proudly flaunts his role as Team Rocket's leader, despite how he used to moonlight as a Gym Leader.

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Some leaders are just glorified figureheads, but Giovanni has a serious passion for the group's mission. It's Giovanni that picks up the pieces whenever Team Rocket falters and he stays with the group through its various permutations, valuing them even above his family.

7 Where Are They Located?

Their Main Bases Of Operation Are Found In Johto, Kanto, & The Sevii Islands

It's been fascinating to watch the literal world of Pokémon grow as each new generation introduces more regions or expands upon previous real estate. There's now quite a broad map that exists in the series and it's worth noting that Team Rocket is prominent in many areas, but hasn't exactly spread everywhere.

Team Rocket is the villainous team with the most locations and broadest scope with their major bases of operations being in Johto, Kanto, and the Sevii Islands. The Pokémon anime has also shown factions in the Orange Islands, Unova, and an implied presence in Hoenn and Sinnoh, too.

6 Are They Violent Towards Pokémon?

Yes, & They've Actually Killed Pokémon

There are plenty of villains in Pokémon, but there's certainly a sliding scale of how far these individuals will go, especially when it comes to the actual harm that's done to Pokémon. Pokémon works hard to skirt around concepts like death with its premise that Pokémon "faint" in battle, but there are a few occasions where references to Pokémon death are made.

Perhaps the most chilling and memorable example of this involves the dead Marowak that's present in Pokémon Tower. Marowak's death is revealed to be the work of Team Rocket and makes a morbid connection to Cubone's Pokémon Pokédex entry.