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Other Pokemon who could have worked for Team Rocket instead of Meowth?

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garrison-san

someone in the dark
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A short while back, we had a discussion thread about possible alternate pokemon who could have worked as Ash’s main partner instead of Pikachu, and I was wondering the same about Meowth. Do you think there are any other pokemon who could have worked just as well as the main Team Rocket pokemon had Meowth not been chosen? Let’s assume that this pokemon would also have had the abilities to talk and walk upright, had a similar personality, and shared Meowth’s disdain for its evolutionary form, if it had one.

I’m sure the writers had their reasons for choosing Meowth, of the original 151 pokemon. Being a cat makes him an obvious predatory counterpart to Pikachu the rodent (the whole Cat vs. Mouse thing has been a recurring theme in animation since virtually the beginning), while the species’ connections to the Maneki Neko, their Pay Day ability and their general fixation with coins could also be considered fitting for the mercenary nature of Team Rocket. All the same, are there any other pokemon you could picture in the role?

Of the Generation I pokemon, I guess I could see Mankey working (though it’s admittedly hard to picture Primeape as Giovanni’s petting poke). And, for some reason, Farfetch’d (no evolutions there, but it’s a comical-looking pokemon I could see making much the same use of his leek as Meowth would with his claws when he was angry).
 
I'd say Venonat or Grimer, since they're Poison-types and would match J&J's Ekans and Koffing. Grimer would be on a never-ending quest to smell good enough for da boss.
 
I think Garrison-San meant out of the Kanto Pokemon.

I think Raticate, Vulpix, Golduck or Growlith would be nice options. Especially Growlith since James had ones as a kid and It would be cute to see it standing up and talking.
 
It immediately becomes apparent to me why they didn't allude to what his pokes are in game, since none of their basic forms can be anthropomorphized that well. Looking throughout the other pokes within the type, you come up to Sandshrew and Cubone, which neither of them have the added appeal of Meowth in that he also gives off a sort of cat burglar (pun intended) sort of vibe. Well, I suppose you could try to pass off either as a sort of thief, but Sandslash and Marowak don't seem like the kind of pokes he would favor above others. Yes, he would battle with them, but not as a symbol of status. The other Poison types don't seem well suited for this task, either. Giovanni's other characteristic pokemon in the games was Kangaskhan, which doesn't have a pre-evo, unless they really wanted to show off a baby Kanga without it's mother, which I don't think they did, as it would misrepresent the pokemon. (I know that they showed one out of the pouch before, but that was in an ep that had other Kangaskhans in it) The only alternative is to find a random poke to fill Meowth's role. Rattata is a poke TR is known for, but somehow, I don't see Giovanni having a prize Raticate. There's a lot of other pokes I feel the same way about. Geez, there really was no better choice than Meowth for this sort of thing. The imagery is perfect, it's evo is classy, and as such the sort of thing Giovanni would be attracted to. I don't hold any particular affinity for him, but I really can't find an alternate that could've done the same thing or something similar.
 
Playerking said:
I think Garrison-San meant out of the Kanto Pokemon.
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Since the discussion is basically all hypothetical anyhow, I guess it can't do much harm to suggest pokemon from later generations. Sorry for not being clearer about that.
 
Well if it had to talk, I guess Gastly would be a good choice. I liked the Gastly from the Summer Festival episode, it was both mean and funny yet it helped that ghost girl. Its evolved forms could work too.
 
Despite the 'quaint' nature of "The Problem With Paras", I have always considered Parasect to be an evil/evil looking Pokemon; I think it was the RB sprite. So in my opinion, Parasect could have worked, but it's not anthropromorphic enough to be able to speak English. That would be too weird. An anthropromorphic-friendly choice, (IE - One who would get away with talking)... I don't know, maybe Golem. But it's too evolved for the lowly stature of J&J.

I've always loved to see Team Rocket with a permanent Voltorb. I don't think it would have been too out of the question to have a talking Voltorb. It could have been a cheeky little ball of exploding fun! Plus, light screen would have been invaluable against Pikachu.
 
A male Nidoran or a Machop would be a good idea. Giovanni has a Nidoking and a Machamp in the anime, so one of the two could play Persian's role. However, Nidoking and Machamp aren't ''pets''.
 
I agree with Meron that Gastly would have been a good choice. From viewing EP020 "The Ghost of Maiden's Peak," I think it would bring enough comedy and have good chemistry with Jessie and James.
 
Eitarou said:
A Ditto would be lovely.

A Pokemon that could transform would easily make Team Rocket more hilarious, or actually funny.
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My god. The lulz that would come out of that.

That way, TR doesn't need any money for mechas, or actual mechas BECAUSE ITS MASCOT CAN JUST TURN INTO IT.
 
Aestivate said:
My god. The lulz that would come out of that.

That way, TR doesn't need any money for mechas, or actual mechas BECAUSE ITS MASCOT CAN JUST TURN INTO IT.
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That and I just want to see it turn into a bomb at one point and explode, causing a giant mushroom cloud to appear in the shape of a rocket.

...Yes, I've been watching too much Yatterman..
 
Playerking said:
I think Garrison-San meant out of the Kanto Pokemon.

I think Raticate, Vulpix, Golduck or Growlith would be nice options. Especially Growlith since James had ones as a kid and It would be cute to see it standing up and talking.
Click to expand...

And it could come in use for an Officer Jenny disguise.
 
If the writers had originally planned to make Clefairy the main mascot of the anime series, there would not have been a reason to include Meowth as the third member of TRio. Jigglypuff might have been a viable option as a third mascot just becuase it seems to be Clefairy's counterpart; both were Normal-type pokemon that evolved from Moon Stones.

I also felt that TRio could have been given a Ditto because of its ability to transform into numerous pokemon, and in the anime, objects as well.
 
I think a Mankey would have worked. The thought of it getting really pissed off and beating on James makes me laugh. I could see an Abra being a part of their team, too. It's difficult for me to think of something that could have worked instead of Meowth - I've gotten so used to Meowth's personality over the years that I can't see anything else working.
 
Team Rocket having a Ditto would just be brilliant! And it would make stealing Pikachu really easy.
I wonder if, if they'd chosen another Pokemon anyone would suggest a Mewoth in this thread?
 
Lickitung I think the element of having a near useless pokemon for Team Rocket would be fun. Ditto would also be fine.
 
Please note: The thread is from 14 years ago.
Please take the age of this thread into consideration in writing your reply. Depending on what exactly you wanted to say, you may want to consider if it would be better to post a new thread instead.
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