Jessie, James & Meowth's personality change?

[PokeDot517]

If i'm correct, ever since Unova, Team Rocket's personality have been nonexistent. Remember how Jessie, James and Meowth used to bond and interact with each other in the Original Series all the way up until Diamond and Pearl where they were really enthusiastic and hyper (which i miss a lot). In BW they became much more serious with their black suits which i admired for a while but because of the seriousness, their individual personalities have been missing.

Even now in the XY series where they have reverted back to being comic relief, they still don't seem the same for some reason...hmm.

Or ya know, maybe it's just me...but I don't think it is.

Anyways just wanted to speak my mind on here. ^_^

 

[MizuTaipu]

They have shown a lot of their pre-BW selves in previous XY episodes (the Trimmien and PokéVision episodes come to mind), but they have little presence in some stories and there hasn't been a Rocket-centered episode at all since DP so they come off as subdued.

 

[Gabo2oo]

They're back as comedy relief, but the writers are clearly not focusing on them as true main characters, like... at all. As far for the XY series, they're only existing in relation to Ash's group. Every scene about them is about stealing the gang's Pokémon or doing some kind of mischief, even the one episode that most centered about them (the one where they get Clemont to do their job). In fact, the scenes where they seem to be happy about their job at the Summer Camp are the only ones I can remember where they aren't thinking about stealing or causing troubles for Ash and co.

 

[Shadao]

They haven't fallen out of Giovanni's favor since Operation Tempest, as evidenced by the trio contacting him on good terms in XY. Much of Jessie, James and Meowth's personality quirks and developments revolve around their relationship with the Boss. After numerous failures, Giovanni severed their funds, became harshly critical of them, and even once kicked them out of Team Rocket. Due to this, the trio had to fight tooth and nail to earn enough money to survive and fund their own independent operations. Because of this, they are more passionate with their goals, dysfunctional at times, and worked with what they can with the few Pokémon on their belts. Ever since Giovanni gave them the promotion, their lifestyle is significantly better in a sense they now have proper equipment and food service, and thus don't have to worry as much about their usual situation with Ash and friends.

And since Giovanni doesn't often give this kind of deal to our Rocket trio, it's clear that they have take this more seriously and screw up less in order to maintain their new status in BW. After they went independent and became comic reliefs again, they still manage to maintain Giovanni's trust. The closest to them losing their that privilege was not providing Pokémon for the Boss, which was narrowly averted by Meowth's last minute decision to give up their Unova Pokémon to him.

 

[Dogasu]

It feels like the writers are afraid to write the Rocket trio the way they did before Best Wishes! and so we get this weird situation where they get like 80% of their old personalities but also carry around some of the baggage from the previous series like the reduced screentime and lackluster pokemon interactions.

 

[Alola]

It feels like the writers are afraid to write the Rocket trio the way they did before Best Wishes! and so we get this weird situation where they get like 80% of their old personalities but also carry around some of the baggage from the previous series like the reduced screentime and lackluster pokemon interactions.

This. This exactly. It's as if we're in Rocket limbo. I do hope they (the writers) snap out of their funk soon; I miss pre-BW Team Rocket.

 

[Beth Pavell]

Their pokémon interactions are rubbish. Honestly, their Kalos pokémon might as well belong to a character of the day, because they only ever appear as weapons. I dunno, I don't mind their appearances being cut back - much as I've always liked the classic TRio's silliness, seeing it episode after episode for so long did wear it out. I'm more glad that XY has seen less of the Unova Rocket trait of them standing around pulling evil faces while they explain their own plans to each other

 

[CrashBash]

I think the problem is that not only do they not do much, but for the most part, they're forced into an episode seemingly for the sake of being there. The Sky Battle episode, anyone?

 

[Johtohfiller]

I think the problem is that not only do they not do much, but for the most part, they're forced into an episode seemingly for the sake of being there. The Sky Battle episode, anyone?

I agree with this. I've liked them in episodes where they get a lot of screentime (Furfrou, Chespin's capture, fake Heliolisk, the summer camp eps, etc.), but they haven't been doing much for me in the eps where they just appear briefly to attack. The Trevenant episode, for instance; I thought it was a very good episode for the most part but TR's inclusion was meh.

If Contests/Tripokalons/whatever become a big thing in this series I hope Jessalina makes a comeback.

 

[Lluksonak]

If Contests/Tripokalons/whatever become a big thing in this series I hope Jessalina makes a comeback.

And more Meowth and James torture lols

 

[BlackButterfree]

I think anime fans would be better screenwriters than the actual screenwriters. Pokémon needs a revamping before X/Y becomes the blandest series of all.

 

[JacobYBM]

I think anime fans would be better screenwriters than the actual screenwriters. Pokémon needs a revamping before X/Y becomes the blandest series of all.

It's the same head writer and freelance writers that wrote Diamond & Pearl. Tomioka Atsuhiro knows how to make a great story, his superiors (Chief Director Yuyama Kunihiko and Series Director Yajima Tatsuo, not to mention producers from Game Freak and TV Toukyou) merely do not allow him to tell such a story. There are plenty of left over threads from Diamond & Pearl that could be expanded on, so it isn't like Tomioka and the freelance writers he hires are out of ideas for stories.

 

[BlackButterfree]

I think anime fans would be better screenwriters than the actual screenwriters. Pokémon needs a revamping before X/Y becomes the blandest series of all.

It's the same head writer and freelance writers that wrote Diamond & Pearl. Tomioka Atsuhiro knows how to make a great story, his superiors (Chief Director Yuyama Kunihiko and Series Director Yajima Tatsuo, not to mention producers from Game Freak and TV Toukyou) merely do not allow him to tell such a story. There are plenty of left over threads from Diamond & Pearl that could be expanded on, so it isn't like Tomioka and the freelance writers he hires are out of ideas for stories.

Then the higher ups need to be scrapped, then. My point is, whoever is stopping Ash's development needs to be replaced with Pokémon fans. We know what we want from the anime, and while many would prefer getting rid of Ash altogether, many of us know exactly what his story needs to become interesting again and we would give the writers all the leeway to reach those goals. (Well, anything is possible short of getting Serena to give birth to an Octillery. That might not be appropriate for Pokémon's demographic lol)

 

[Pokemaster97]

I think anime fans would be better screenwriters than the actual screenwriters. Pokémon needs a revamping before X/Y becomes the blandest series of all.

It's the same head writer and freelance writers that wrote Diamond & Pearl. Tomioka Atsuhiro knows how to make a great story, his superiors (Chief Director Yuyama Kunihiko and Series Director Yajima Tatsuo, not to mention producers from Game Freak and TV Toukyou) merely do not allow him to tell such a story. There are plenty of left over threads from Diamond & Pearl that could be expanded on, so it isn't like Tomioka and the freelance writers he hires are out of ideas for stories.

Then the higher ups need to be scrapped, then. My point is, whoever is stopping Ash's development needs to be replaced with Pokémon fans. We know what we want from the anime, and while many would prefer getting rid of Ash altogether, many of us know exactly what his story needs to become interesting again and we would give the writers all the leeway to reach those goals. (Well, anything is possible short of getting Serena to give birth to an Octillery. That might not be appropriate for Pokémon's demographic lol)

I'd rather not this thread be turned into another debate about replacing the writing staff and Ash's development etc. We can discuss the changed personality of Team Rocket (or other character development of any character) without it degrading into a "replace the writers" campaign.

 

[Gotapennaame]

It feels like the writers are afraid to write the Rocket trio the way they did before Best Wishes! and so we get this weird situation where they get like 80% of their old personalities but also carry around some of the baggage from the previous series like the reduced screentime and lackluster pokemon interactions.

I agree with you completely and selfishly I wish they would not be cause the Pre BW Team Rocket Trio is the one I fell in love with.

At the same time I begrudgingly understand why they do so. Pre BW Team Rocket in later season has been largely disliked for being increasingly goofy and sympathetic in North America and loved the BW serious flat minor character Team Rocket. Also there target market is only familiar with BW Team Rocket. So I understand if they feel re- introducing to the series the Trios back stories and having them bond and care about there Pokémon would alienate those crowds especially the latter group.

They gave goofy part back so the Trio can fit the tone of XY and maybe throw a bit of bone to those who like them Pre- Bw.

Right now with the XY being the highest rated Pokémon series in many countries see them changing anything in regards to Team Rocket and the personalities including brining them back there back stories or them bonding with there Pokémon although they may lose there goofiness again for some more intense story line down the road.

As for those who did enjoy them Pre BW . I guess we have fair share of episodes and we should just be happy with that and maybe write a fan fic or two.

 

[henrymidfields]

I actually would rather see less of them, to be honest. As much as I enjoyed them during most of Kanto and Johto, it was jarring to see them chase Ash all the way to Hoenn and beyond.

Or at the least, more focus on Ash and Co, and the local people. At least now the writers are starting to play with the pre-BW TRio formula. XY010 having Ash and Clemont ignoring TRio's intro is something I would like to see more of.

 

[Gotapennaame]

How you feel is how I am sure the majority of the fan base feels.

Brining back the Trio backstories and them bonding with there Pokémon would just piss off the majority of the older fans who feel the less time spent on Team Rocket the better and more importantly(in there minds at least) , be way too jarring for the younger crowd who watches the show.

Only a minority of fan like myself desire to see references or focus on Team Rocket bonding with there Pokémon and there backstories in X/Y. Those of this in the minority are just going to have accept that these unpopular parts of the Team Rocket however much we personally enjoy them are gone and staying that way.

As much as to admit this them returning these elements of the characters would ruin the show for ton of People and only please a small few.

Those small few should just enjoy what else we can about Pokémon X/Y and/or Team Rocket pre BW in re-runs of those shows.

 

[Satoshi Da Ze]

I'm actually one of the people who APPROVE their reduced screen time. As much as I like the gang I don't like when writers ruin perfectly fine episodes by hijacking Rocket into it. I mean, not trying to make fans mad or anything, but I rarely liked them as real villains... I though when they did that they just made episodes boring. I liked them as comic relief and as characters as opposed to drones or 1-dimensional thieves.
I don't approve the missing personality traits of the trio and/or their pokemon though. And I certainly miss Musashi having other ambitions outside of pleasing Sakaki.

I don't mind that they're comic relief. But it's like... Well, better than nothing IMO. Like I said, I miss the rest of their personality and less pokemon-stealing driven scenes and goals.

I think the problem is that not only do they not do much, but for the most part, they're forced into an episode seemingly for the sake of being there. The Sky Battle episode, anyone?

The Joutou part of the original series did this worse than XY. I don't like how they went back to doing this when in the beginning of XY it gave me the impression they had finally realised they could have good episodes without having to shove TR attacks every single time, but everytime one of these episodes happen I look back and remember at least it didn't get Joutou bad in that aspect...

 

[Muur]

The pre BW TR had become stale. They were better at the beginning of BW but now they're back to sucky. Least they don't turn up as much but even when they do it seems forced.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

Speaking of Team Rocket personalities, one of most common misconcepotions i noticed in pokemon fandom is inclination to consider fictional character losing its personality if he/she stops acting or repeating same patterns of behavior we got used to see in past.

When in reality change of characterization can be conditioned by various factors such as character development with some maturing and developing new traits and quirks because of that; or showing previous ones but in more grown up ight.

Some unexpected trauma or circumstances, various experiences, people protagonist in question met and inreracted or challenges it dealt with which left influence on fictional character psyche starting to harden up. Or do exact opposite closing in itself and becoming more quiet deviating from previous attitude he/she displayed.

In Jessie and James case its neither of those, but writers themselves being in highly delicate and in lot of ways ungrateful situation.
Which in my opinion is cause behind inconsistent portrayal of emotions and unique characteristics specific for Jessie and James personalities now in XY series.

Rocket trio and how fans perceive them caused always lot of polarizing opinions. Some absolutely adore goofy Jessie, James and Meowth coming up with jokes, silly tantrums and all kind of wiles they come up with . They do not mind Jessie and James chasing after Pikachu and being blasted of.

On other hand some prefered more whe Jessie and James were finally given more serious and important role to plasy in pokemon anime.
Resulting in more organized, serious and toned down in expressions, humor and moments of arguing/ talking about their ills .Due to having already limited time on disposal in Unova dedicated mainly to concentrate on fulfillment of missions. But also writers wanting to portray Jessie and James change in characterization as someone who out of gratitude and excitement of promotion given to them didnt wanted to disappoint and fail enthrusted confidence from their boss.

Hence acting more serious and fixared solely on tasks to better reflect vibe of TR trio deciding or at least trying to be more competent villains.

However this change wasnt accepted well among fans who preferred more comedic JJM trio and times when they displayed wide range of emotions and traits characteristic for them.

So as caught between two fires i imagine writers decided to play safe with portrayal of Jessie and James characterization in XY, Kalos series, By retaining some of that competence still holding higher rank among TR members and enjoying full thrust of Giovanni and TR admins, but also reviving on some of that silly, goofy side of theirs.

Does that meant Jessie, James and Meowth stopped having personalities in Kalos?

I wouldnt go that far.
Because there were quite a few, infact more than few moments where Meowth conniving, ambituous and scurvy personality came to expression. Jessie temper, dominance and proactive nature taking lead. In fact her vanity and selfcentered attitude was showed as well such as in wanting to film pokevision with her in starring role.
Or James submisive, insecure personality with tendency to become despondent when left on his own to make decisions.

Enjoying in Team Rocket presence in various episodes such as masking themselves in fake Ash, Serena and Bonnie deceiving officer Jenny and putting all blame on real group of cheating, stealing food and causing chaos in harassing peaceful life of its citizens.

Definitely one of most clever and ingenious plans they ever came up with in my opinion.

In using more effectively their pokemon like Inkay and Wobbuffet by resorting to ink sprays to blind opponents. Relying on calculated use of Wobbuffet counter and mirror coat to repell attacks from Ash Pikachu and other group pokemon giving them bad time. Even Jessie Pumpkaboo showed some half successful results in battle, more notably in Pangoro episode coming of as threat.

Jessie, James and Meowth being terrified to death by Espurr running mindlessly. Showing how they still have lot of emotions, irrational fears and life into them.
Being embarassed and ashamed at failed plan to catch Pikachu ending tricked by Malamar in taking control of them(except Meowth), with James collaborating with Ash to stop this pokemon reminding me of previous days. When Rocket trio and Ash with friends teamed up to get themselves out of trouble. Displaying again how TR arent unreasonable and corrupted to bone villains capable to feel sympathy and get over differences in aiding help to "enemy side" .

Even at Summer camp i liked how at times they seemed to forget about catching Pikachu enjoying to work at kitchen.

So i wouldn't say they are robots, "emotionless drones". Not at all.

But what Jessie and James especially lack now in Kalos aga are episodes which would focus more throughly on their interests, expressions, personal dreams and moments of disagreement and cooperation when being alone interacting between themselves.

What TR needs are episodes focusing on themselves exploring and reminding audience of their own individual virtues and negative sides. Such as James passion for bottle caps, naive attitude in falling down for other people schemes. Jessie vain, shallow aspect of personality caring more about exterior than inner beauty or crazy fantasies and insight in her past like we used to get in OS, AG and DP. Meowth contemplating about his role in TR and how to please Giovanni demonstrating his infatuating side.

Its not that Jessie, James and Meowth didn't showed to still have emotions, flaws, personal interests and personalities in XY.
It just happens those personalities currently portrayed, their own quirks and inner thoughts arent complete and more dimensional as of right now.

Due to limited screentime given in Kalos, in fact highly limited compared to previous series before BW. As well lack of episodes focusing on their own characters and daily lives when not preparing plans to steal pokemon and disrupt main cast journey.

In short Jessie and James as far as im concerned do have personality in XY, but that characterization due to scarse focus isn't fleshed out as much as it could be.