Previously, I wrote about the only villainess who could prepare us for trouble, but this is the only one who could “make it double.” Unlike Jessie, who was the fiery and wrathful spirit of Team Rocket, James serves as its heart. This is evident in the way he raises and trains his Pokémon, as they fight their hardest out of the love they share. However, they’re still not any better than Jessie’s Pokémon, and have the same problems of wasted potential.
13. Morpeko
The two-sided Pokémon serves as James’ most recent and final catch, but it’s easily his most forgettable. First of all, it only knows two moves in Aura Wheel and Stomping Tantrum. While these moves are very powerful and effective by themselves, it hasn’t bothered to learn anything else in the three seasons since its debut. Of course, it doesn’t help that Morpeko never really battled at all, only a couple times out of hangriness.
What’s worse is that neither James nor Jessie had caught this Pokémon until towards the end of the Journeys series. They had an admittedly powerful pikaclone in their grasp all this time, but they were content letting it hang around and eat all their food. At the very least, they could’ve found a way to get rid of it sooner and save them all that trouble.
All the same, I’m glad James and Morpeko shared a tender moment and James expressed the desire to train and bond with it.
12. Chimecho
Now, don’t get me wrong, I always appreciate tender bonds and the backstories behind them, and Chimecho is no exception. After all, James always wanted one as a child, but due to how horrible and strict his parents were, he never got his chance. Receiving Chimecho as an adult helped heal his inner child, but while I’m happy for the guy, I can’t ignore how weak and forgettable this Pokémon is.
Most likely due to how much James babies it, we never really see Chimecho battle. The only time we see its potential is when Jessie borrowed it for a contest and it battled against May’s Combusken, and using the one move James never wanted it to use (Double-Edge). Therefore, Chimecho’s role has mainly been a healer, but we barely even see it do that either. Instead, it mainly just hangs around rather than contributing anything to the team.
11. Growlie/Growlithe
Fans will probably hate me for putting such an iconic part of James’ backstory so low, but I have to be honest with myself here. Just like Chimecho, I do appreciate how much Growlie helped James as a child, essentially serving as his emotional support dog. However, my main issue is that if Growlie was such an important part of James’ past, then why has it never been brought up more often?
Throughout the whole entire series, Growlie has only been in two episodes and hasn’t even been mentioned that much. I understand that characters won’t want to bring up their pasts and forget about them, especially if those pasts possess excruciating pain; but James clearly loves that Growlithe a lot, as he gave up marrying Jessebelle to keep it. You’d think such love would at least drive James to say that he misses it, but after telling it to watch over its parents, we never see that fire puppy until the Diamond and Pearl series.
10. Gyarados
This Pokémon’s debut was absolutely criminal! No, it wasn’t because it was weak or anything, quite the opposite actually. Gyarados already have a reputation for destructive tempers and incredible power in battle, so it really makes you wonder why James threw away such amazing potential. While it’s understandable that James was not only tricked into buying that Magikarp, and the frustrations with being stranded at sea, he should’ve known it’d evolve into an absolute beast. Instead, he thinks it’s absolutely worthless and kicks it into the ocean, only for it to evolve and retaliate by sending everyone blasting off.
Granted, it usually takes one attack to send Team Rocket flying, but an attack like Dragon Rage? The name alone already sounds like overkill, but imagine if it knew other moves like Outrage or Hydro Pump! With a Pokémon as powerful as Gyarados on their side, they would either finally catch Pikachu or at least give it a run for its money. It really frustrates me when I think about what might’ve been.
9. Amoonguss
Not many fans bring up Amoonguss, and I can’t say I blame them. After all, it wasn’t used as much as Yamask since it was caught in the second half of the Black and White series offscreen. Plus, we don’t see much (if any) of its character or personality, or anything that shows a bond with James like his other Pokémon. We see it happy to reunite with James in To Be A Master, but that’s about all we see.
Nonetheless, Amoonguss is actually quite the formidable opponent. Its moveset of Hidden Power, Spore, Body Slam, and Energy Ball is very impressive and versatile. However, its physical strength is where it truly shines. For example, one time when battling Pikachu, Amoonguss was able to knock it out with one Body Slam. It’s also been able to incapacitate a brainwashed Meowth and a shiny Druddigon using the same move, with that oomph to back it up.
8. Mareanie
Watching this relationship in Sun and Moon made me a bit uncomfortable, not gonna lie. I mean the idea of a creature crushing on a human already sounds wrong on so many levels, but in all seriousness, it’s still sweet all the same. Mareanie may have stuck around because James reminded her of her ex, but that hasn’t kept either of them from growing as a team. For instance, when Mareanie’s ex came back for her, James felt unworthy of being her trainer and considered letting her go. However, he would soon fight for her and that bond would only deepen all the way to the Alola League, where James would realize how much she wanted to fight her best for him.
Sentiments aside, Mareanie is actually pretty strong for an un-evolved Pokémon. Mareanie may only know Knock Off, Sludge Bomb, and Spike Cannon, but they pack a surprisingly extra punch! In her first ever battle alongside Team Rocket, she was able to defeat Ash’s Rowlet and would’ve won if Bewear hadn’t dragged them away from the fight. She has also shown great defensive stats, as it took quite a beating from Gladion’s Lycanroc and still carried on until her unfortunate defeat.
7. Inkay
The revolving Pokémon served as James’ first (and only) catch in Kalos, and to think it all started with a croissant. Ever since James shared that croissant, him and Inkay have been inseparable, even when the odds stacked high against them. For instance, when faced against a group of evil Malamar, they brainwashed Inkay to fight for them until James was able to break it free with the deep bond they shared. Afterwards, James offered to leave Inkay with its new friends but it passionately shouted that it wanted to stay with James, which tugs on my heartstrings every time I think about it.
Surprisingly, in spite of its small size and involved state, it’s truly capable in battle. In one battle against Pikachu, it had Pikachu on the ropes by matching his strength and speed, plus some sneaky ink blotches to further blind him. It was only when Wobbuffet’s Mirror Coat deflected Pikachu’s Thunderbolt into Inkay that the battle took a turn for the worse, but Inkay still proved it had potential to take Pikachu down in a fair fight. Unfortunately, though, it’s still pretty weak when going against opponents such as Team Flare and their fully evolved Pokémon. Defeats like that make me imagine how much higher Team Rocket’s success rate would be if Inkay evolved, but it’s still just as tough as if it already had.
6. Yamask
Funnily enough, Yamask’s bond with James also began with some shared food. Unlike Inkay, though, we don’t see many displays of affection, but sometimes it’s the little things that are the most effective. For instance, one thing I love is how Yamask seems to smile every time James compliments it. In the very last episode of the Black and White, Team Rocket launches one final ambush at Professor Oak’s lab with a Will-O-Wisp. James praises the attack, to which Yamask floats into view and beams with pride and joy.
Moments like these seem to fuel its desire to battle at its best, as we can often see Yamask match the twerps’ Pokémon on multiple occasions. With its impressive moveset of Nightshade, Shadow Ball, Will-O-Wisp, and Haze, it’s no wonder Ash has to stay on his toes. As a more specific example, look no further than Operation Tempest. Yamask must’ve known how serious the situation was, as it not only mercilessly pursued Meloetta, but was even willing to launch Ash and Pikachu off the side of the temple so they couldn’t save Meloetta.
If that isn’t a strong, dedicated Pokémon then I don’t know what is.
5. Weezing
It honestly hurt to rank James’ first and most iconic Pokémon in the bottom five, especially when Arbok was so much higher on Jessie’s list. However, compared to Arbok, Weezing is unfortunately not as impressive. It’s just as weak as Arbok and, whether it’s to cover getaways or battle, it pretty much only uses gas-based attacks and barely any other kinds. In spite of this, Weezing’s smokescreens have come in handy quite a lot, as they’ve managed to throw off Ash and the gang quite a few times. Sure, they’d always catch up in the end, but Weezing has earned its mettle in strategic battling.
Where Weezing truly shines, though, is in its character and morals. If you’ve read the previous article on Jessie’s Pokémon, then you’re familiar with the time when they were still un-evolved and stranded on a deserted island with giant Pokémon. Even though Koffing was mainly the “yes-man” and agreeing with everything Ekans said, it still not only believed but also practiced those beliefs just as much as Ekans. Years later, when it assisted battling the Pokémon hunter, Weezing also grew sympathetic towards the horde of Koffing that the hunter held prisoner. Noticing this, James told Weezing to leave along with Arbok and its Ekans friends, which made Weezing just as stubborn to leave as Arbok was. By the time it finally left James for good, both of its heads were crying waterfalls. Just seeing the anguish in its saddened expressions always tugs on my heartstrings.
I can’t even imagine how this must’ve effected James, as years of battles and travels have created a brother James never knew he had (or needed).
4. Victreebel
Ah yes, the Pokémon that started a long trend of future Pokémon attacking James with love. Every time James called on it for battle, it would scream as it latched onto James’ head and basically almost eat him alive. While Team Rocket finds it annoying, I prefer to think of it as a sign of affection. After all, James did pour a lot of care into raising it before dropping it off at a daycare and finding it fully evolved afterwards, so how could it resist? While James agreed that the habit was annoying, he tearfully argued to keep it even when his teammates made him trade it for a Weepinbell.
However, whenever it wasn’t stuck on James’ head, Victreebel knew when it had to get down to business. Even though it gets defeated very easily in most cases, Victreebel seems to have a bulky build that helps it dish out any attack. As if that weren’t enough, it also has a pretty strong Razor Leaf and Vine Whip combination. Plus, if it only used its Sleep Powder a lot more often, battling Ash would be at least slightly easier (or at least they’d delay the inevitable a little longer). However, because it gets easily defeated too often, none of these benefits are properly exploited.
3. Carnivine
Carnivine was James’ childhood Pokémon that he’d always play with, only to rediscover it years later in one of his Sinnoh vacation homes. While I’m unsure why anyone would let that thing around a child, Carnivine never showed James any harm, even whenever it clamps onto James’ head like Victreebel. Once again, even though Team Rocket would find the habit just as annoying as Victreebel’s, it’s still a wholesome display of love that’s developed ever since James’ childhood. Seriously, it was still smiling as it chomped onto his head when he first caught it, but James always smiled then and even when he rediscovered Carnivine (although after Team Rocket, the gesture got quite old).
However, just like Victreebel, Carnivine battled fiercely whenever it needed to. For instance, Carnivine once battled a Rhydon and even Dawn’s Mammoswine, but completely demolished them. As if that weren’t enough, it once battled Dawn’s Piplup and literally ate its Bubble Beam, showing its versatility as well as its resilience. Finally, it knows some pretty great moves such as Vine Whip, Bullet Seed, Bite, and eventually Energy Ball. While Carnivine still gets beaten pretty easily, it’s shown to be a lot stronger than James’ other Grass-types and could be even stronger if they took things more seriously.
2. Mime Jr.
Mime Jr. may be small and seemingly weak, but this is one of James’ most underrated Pokémon that he’s ever caught. Now, this isn’t to say it’s his strongest Pokémon by a long shot, but it does pull its own weight when needed to (unlike Chimecho). For instance, when Team Rocket seemingly disbanded, James wanted to reunite the group by catching a shiny but very aggressive Metagross. The first thing he did after finding it was having Mime Jr. confuse it with Teeter Dance, which unfortunately backfired but the attack still accomplished its desired effect.
Aside from its battle capabilities, there’s no denying that Mime Jr. is one of James’ cutest Pokémon! While I can understand that James finds Chimecho so adorable, I can’t imagine why he’d think it’s more adorable than Mime Jr. After all, there’s just something about its small size, big eyes and smile, and its high cute voice that just makes anyone want to hug this Pokémon tightly. Plus, the way it mimics other people or Pokémon is also pretty adorable, and it’s more action than we’ve seen in Chimecho.
1. Cacnea
Unfortunately, Cacnea is not James’ best Pokémon because of its battle skills. More times than not, Cacnea’s attacks either don’t land a hit, or it gets knocked out just as easily as any of Team Rocket’s other Pokémon. Instead, Cacnea gets the number one spot because of its sentimental value. Just like Mime Jr., Cacnea’s size, eyes, and voice make it so adorable on its own; and combined with how it gives James those big (yet painful) hugs only add more to it. However, none of those would mean a thing if there wasn’t a story behind them.
When James first met Cacnea, he and his friends were running from a swarm of Beedrill which Cacnea saved the villainous trio from. James gave it some food as thanks and left, but that wouldn’t keep Cacnea away forever. After loosing Arbok and Weezing, Cacnea immediately showed up and gave James the healing he needed after losing his oldest friend. Unfortunately, the pain would return years later when Cacnea would try to learn Drain Punch. After training very hard and still not going anywhere, James makes the emotionally shattering decision to leave Cacnea with a Grass-type gym leader in Sinnoh. Cacnea was heartbroken at first, but agreed to stay for James’ sake.
James was also strong at first, but after handing it to Gardenia, ran away in tears as he couldn’t handle the pain of that loss.
