There are subtler implications of their queerness, too.

run, but was later released with the scene omitted.) (You might not remember this from your childhood experience of the show-the episode was originally banned during the show’s U.S. In another notable episode, “Beauty and the Beach,” Jessie and James (as well as Ash’s friend Misty) appear in bikinis, with James apparently using “inflatable breasts” to get the effect. Jessie wore a tuxedo, while James was the bride in the white dress. In one scene, for example, they disguised themselves as a couple on their way to their wedding ceremony. Often he and Jessie both appeared in skirts or dresses, but other times, they both subverted traditionally gendered expectations. The trio often appeared in disguise, and these often involved James wearing clothes that are traditionally considered feminine. Perhaps the most obvious example was James’ repeated crossdressing. And where there’s fandom, there’s always going to be queer interpretations of the text-of which there are plenty around Team Rocket.īut in Team Rocket’s case, the readings had a pretty solid foundation in canon. A sub-fandom of the larger Pokémon fanbase sprang up, dedicated to the trio. Suddenly, the struggling twenty-somethings who couldn’t quite find their place in the world or succeed at their ambitions felt more relatable than the plucky, eternally optimistic kid protagonists. Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/The Nintendo CompanyĪs the first generation of Pokémon anime fans grew up, Team Rocket became more and more of a cultural touchstone. Their incompetence means they never really pose a threat to Pikachu instead, the whole affair is played for laughs, thanks to their constant failures. For starters, they’re more comic relief than villains. Jessie, James, and Meowth appear in the second-ever episode, and they’ve been a fixture of every season since.ĭespite being nominally the show’s main antagonists, the group has long been popular with viewers. But in the anime, it’s usually only a trio of bumbling, loveable field agents, scheming up ways to separate Pikachu and Ash. In the Pokémon games, Team Rocket is an evil organization dedicated to exploiting Pokémon. But just as heartbreaking has been the farewell to the long-time villains of the show-and, for many parts of the internet, a set of beloved queer icons. Perpetual 10-year-old protagonist Ash Ketchum is headed off with Pikachu to make room for new stars, sparking a wave of nostalgic sadness among multiple generations of fans. After more than 25 years, the Pokémon anime is making some big changes.

Voice actor for jessie team rocket