Team Rocket in thePokemonanime were some of the most iconic villains in animated history. Jesse, James, and Meowth would attempt to steal Ash’s Pikachu in almost every episode of the series. As they followed Ash across the ocean into new territories, they sometimes left behind their team for a greater purpose or were forced to turn them in as an offering to Giovanni.
During their 25 seasons of chasing Ash, the trio would be joined by many different Pokemon, all of whom they loved and treated like family. These are the ten best Pokemon Team Rocket has ever had.
10Meowth
A Talking Meowth
Meowth may not be the most powerful Pokemon in Team Rocket’s arsenal, but he is the most useful. Having taught himself to read, walk upright, and talk the human language, he could easily help Team Rocket accomplish many feats.
Unfortunately, Meowth is more interested in coming up with schemes that could impress Giovani and make him want to adopt him as a replacement for his pet Persian. If he knew the move payday, it would also solve all of Team Rocket’s financial troubles.
9Mime Jr
A Silly Companion
Mime Jr was a silly little companion for James during their travels in the Hoenn region and the Sinnoh region. Despite only being a baby Pokemon, Mime Jr could have easily evolved into Mr. Mime had it chosen to.
Despite being villains, Team Rocket has always shared a special bond with their Pokemon, which would be the perfect environment for Mime Jr to evolve into the more powerful Mr. Mime. Even lacking a fairy typing during generation four, it still had the potential to become powerful due to its psychic typing.
8Mimikyu
Jealous Of Pikachu
In Alola, Jesse managed to capture a Mimikyu, which was by far one of the more capable Pokemon in Jessie’s lineup. It is powerful enough to defeat Pikachu easily and its ghost fairy typing is nothing to laugh at.
In time, Team Rocket would learn how to use the Z crystals to unlock Mimikyu’s full potential. Unfortunately, either through Bewear’s interference or its blinding jealousy of Pikachu, Team Rocket still didn’t succeed in stealing Ash’s partner Pokemon.
7Bewear
Team Rocket’s Caretaker
While not officially one of Team Rocket’s captured Pokemon, Bewear was still very much a part of the team; deep within the jungles of Alola, Bewear, and Team Rocket made their home inside the trunk of a tree. This Bewear would house the team and keep them fed on the wild berries that grew in the region.
After an encounter with Ash’s group, Team Rocket would be whisked away by Bewear, which was so powerful that it could leap from anywhere while carrying the team back to base. This strength also prevented Team Rocket from snagging a few victories.
6Growlithe
James’s Most Loyal Pokemon
Growlithe was never officially a part of Team Rocket, but its history with James goes far deeper. James was originally raised in an oppressive household where he was forced to become engaged to a rich girl named Jessebelle.
James’s only companion was a Growlithe who would defend him from his family, but eventually, he would run away from his home and leave Growlithe behind. Despite this, the Growlithe would remain loyal to James during his few visits to his old home so since Growlithe is a very popular Fire-type Pokemon, it’s a shame it never joined James on his journey.
5Gourgeist
A Showcase Favorite
Gourgeist was originally introduced in the Pokemon X and Y anime; starting as Jessie’s Pumpkaboo, it would eventually evolve after being traded. A powerful ghost and grass type, Gourgeist would become a great asset to Team Rocket and Jessie’s ambitions.
Gourgeist would be the Pokemon most used by Jessie during the Kalos showcase, and together they would make it to the grand finals of the Masterclass Showcase. They would place in the top four, making it one ofJessie’s greatest accomplishments in the anime.
4Victreebell
Tries To Eat James
Victreebell might be considered one of Team Rocket’s long-forgotten Pokemon, and it had an impact on the anime that lasted till its final season. Originally introduced as a Weepinbell, it would evolve off-screen after being left at a daycare center set up by Team Rocket’s rivals.
Once evolved, Victreebelll would become powerful but developed a lovable trait that stuck around forever, and it would be so overjoyed to see James that it would attack him and try to swallow him. This same trope of attacking James would be repeated with Cacnea, Mareanie, and Carnivine.
3Magikarp
A Missed Opportunity
Magikarp was one of the best Pokemon Team Rocket ever had if only they had the patience to train it instead of attempting to eat it. Early on in the Pokemon anime, James is tricked into spending all his money on a Magikarp that came inside a golden-plated Pokeball and was advertised as being capable of laying golden eggs.
After many mishaps, James kicks the Magikarp into the sea only for it to emerge as a Gyarados. If James could have waited just a few extra minutes, he would have had one of the most powerful Pokemon in the Kanto region.
2Wobbuffet
Most Recurring Team Member
Wobbuffet was a Pokemon that ended up on Team Rocket through an accidental trade. Despite this, it would continue to stick with Team Rocket for years as their official fourth member, which would also temporarily replace the iconic Meowth balloon.
Wobbuffet is not as useless as it initially seems, being able to absorb high amounts of damage it can later counter. Wobbuffet is also known for constantly escaping the confines of his Pokeball at will and even retreating into it whenever it feels like the situation is too much to handle.
1Arbok And Weezing
The Original Team
Arbok and Weezing may have been foiled at every turn in the original series, but they were by far the most iconic Pokemon Team Rocket ever had. Until they met Ash, they were also the most successful.
In their first stage, Koffing would use a smokescreen to create an impenetrable wall of smoke, whileEkans would incapacitate trainersand Pokemon with poison stings. These made it easy to snatch and steal Pokemon, earning Jessie and James wanted ads scattered across Kanto, but they would eventually evolve and be left behind to defend their kind from poachers.
