On November 18th, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are set to be released to audiences that have been eagerly anticipating the new games. Fans are ready to discover new Pokémon, explore a new region, and learn what the villainous Team Star intends to do to disrupt the peace.Of course, despite the excitement for all these new elements, many fans are disappointed that they won't be able to face off against Team Rocket. The most well-known villains in the franchise, Team Rocket is often subject to being the butt of jokes, especially the Team Rocket of the Pokémon TV series. There's a reason there are so many Team Rocket memes that sum them up perfectly.
A Confusing Motto
While the Team Rocket motto has undergone some major changes over the years, the original version of the motto shocked fans with how sympathetic it was — at least until they reached the second verse. It plays into the fact that Team Rocket always appears lighthearted and benevolent on the surface until Ash digs a little deeper.
The team may claim to have noble goals, but then they argue against truth and love, clearly setting themselves apart as villains. It's why they're villains that Pokémon fans absolutely love. Meowth, Jessie, and James are sinister people with warm hearts, and it makes them fun.
Good Sense Of Humor
Of course, the team is absolutely beloved thanks to the strong and sharp sense of humor that their named agents tend to showcase. Often viewing themselves as being above the rest of the surrounding trainers, they can insult and undermine their fellow competitors.
Their strong sense of humor has made many fans fall in love with the characters, as they're as entertaining as they are creative. Even in a show intended for a younger audience, the humor manages to amuse adults and kids alike, which has certainly made them as memorable as they are.
Horribly Disguised
Another fun aspect about Team Rocket is the fact that they are utterly terrible about procuring convincing disguises. Though they often try to trick Ash and his friends, they're clearly just the same three antagonists dressed up in someone else's costumes.
Yet the fun part is that Ash never picks up on it. The bad disguises in both the game and the show have led to some of the funniest Pokémon scenes, especially because it shows how dumb characters can be by going unaware.
Always Lose To Pikachu
The main characters of the anime and of each game in the franchise happen to be no more than kids. Usually 10 years old, the protagonists are set against trained adult grunts and agents of Team Rocket, who should easily be able to wipe the floor with them.
Yet with the help of Pokémon, Team Rocket rarely gets one over on the protagonists. With electric shock, fire, or whatever else is at the Pokémon's disposal, Team Rocket is always sent blasting off again, because they will never actually be able to defeat anyone like Pikachu.
Climbing Ranks
When Jessie and James switched to dark versions of their uniforms, some fans were confused. Yet the reality is that the costume difference actually represents a change in rank. Team Rocket's uniforms distinguish between grunts, officials, and higher-order agents in the field.
It helps to tell Team Rocket agents apart at a glance, which is always helpful. It can also show which battles will be more difficult, as agents dressed in black will have some of Team Rocket's most powerful Pokémon at their disposal. That alone explains a lot about their agents.
Care For Each Other
While Team Rocket are certainly ruthless people who verbally snipe at each other at any opportunity, they tend to still be friends and struggle to think of their friends being hurt. When one of them is truly injured, they can set their mission aside to take care of their friend.
It also shows just how highly Team Rocket thinks of their allies and members. Even a rare talking Pokémon like Meowth earns affection and care from his fellow agents. They truly do view themselves as equals, much like Ash views Pikachu as his equal.
Desperate For Pikachu
One thing that defines Team Rocket is their desperate desire to capture and redistribute rare Pokémon. While that has led to a talking Meowth joining their ranks, they have also faced considerable conflict with Ash, who is in possession of a rare and stubborn Pikachu.
Even at the expense of capturing some of the strongest mythical or legendary Pokémon, they tend to focus only on Pikachu. Yet, despite their efforts, they rarely actually succeed. Instead, they are often just sent blasting off again a moment later with nothing but bruised pride and an empty Pokéball.
Will Never Actually Get Away
The worst always comes for Team Rocket whenever they think they have victory in the bag. Pikachu is in their grips, or the world is about to crumble before them, or Ash is entirely weak, defenseless, and out of Pokémon. Still, all it takes is a look at how much time is left in the game or show to know that they won't really win.
There's always a twist that drives Team Rocket back, much to their eternal frustration. Though their efforts might be valiant and their plans sound, there's always a last-minute mistake that ruins it for them. The rare Pokémon will always get away, and Team Rocket will blast off to return some other day.
Always Come Back
That in itself is a key feature of Team Rocket. After all, the team happens to be fierce fighters who aren't going to just lay down and accept defeat. Instead, the team always keeps fighting until they have victory in hand, and they'll keep fighting after.
Whether Team Rocket returns with weak Pokémon or the strongest that they have to offer, they will return. There's no true way to defeat the team because they're resilient enough that they won't accept that defeat. It's why fans can always rest assured that they haven't seen the last of Team Rocket, no matter the situation.
Fan Favorites
Team Rocket has lost a thousand times, and they will surely lose time and time again. While they return, they won't claim a win, and fans know that as well as Ash does. Yet it doesn't matter, because their determination is why fans have come to love them so much.
It's easy to root for an underdog, and there are few characters who have ever earned the title more than Jessie, James, and Meowth. As the most well-known representatives of Team Rocket, their endless failures have made fans yearn for them to have just one win, even if it would be devastating to the world at large.