Anyone that watched the original Pokémon anime will often share their favorite moments of the show. Although Ash Ketchum, Misty, and Brock are no longer traveling together, Team Rocket's Jessie, James, and Meowth maintain their companionship and evilness up to the recent season, Pokémon Journeys.
Not only have they managed to keep their team together for this long, but Team Rocket has also done some out-of-left-field shenanigans in the Pokémon anime worth noting.
11 Meowth Wanting A Bigger Part In The Next Pokemon Movie
Pokémon 3: The Movie — Spell of the Unown: Entei isn't only one of the highest-grossing Pokémon films ever, but it contains an intriguing quote from Team Rocket that breaks the fourth wall. While Brock and Misty are fending off the film's main antagonists Molly Hale and her temporary companion Entei, Team Rocket takes it upon themselves to follow Ash.
However, during Misty's battle with Molly— which takes place underwater— Meowth asks Jessie, "do you think we're going to get a bigger part in the next movie?" This statement is comical considering how Meowth understands they're in a film and aren't the main bad guys' Ash and friends have to defeat.
10 James Lamenting "Wasting An Episode" On The Wrong Side
Not only is "Electric Shock Showdown" one of the best Pokémon episodes ever, but it also is an episode that features a hilarious fourth wall break from Team Rocket's James. During the heated battles between Lt. Surge and Ash, Team Rocket shows concern for Ash's Pikachu and decides to do some various cheerleading antics after its first loss in hopes of lighting up Pikachu's fighting spirit.
Eventually, Ash and Pikachu defeat Lt. Surge's Raichu, celebrate, and fans receive a quick cutaway to Team Rocket, who are proud they assisted Ash in defeating Lt. Surge. However, after the narrator ends his statement about the episode, James says, "Drat, we wasted this episode cheering the good guys," showcasing his knowledge that they're on a TV show.
9 Meowth Commenting On Being Designed Without A Nose
"Pokémon Scent-Sation" wasn't only an episode that featured Ash going to many heights to receive a gym battle from the Grass-Type gym leader Erika. This Pokémon episode also features an intriguing fourth-wall-breaking line from Meowth regarding his understanding of his character's design.
While infiltrating encountering a random Gloom, James summons his Koffing to fight it. Gloom retaliates with a horrible odor, causing Team Rocket to suffer through the smell. When Jessie informs Meowth that he doesn't have a nose, Meowth replies, "the cartoonist never gave me a nose."
8 Singing A Song About Being In A Cartoon
Not only does the Pokémon episode "The Song of Jigglypuff" feature an adorable Pokémon every trainer should catch, but it contains a humorous fourth-wall-breaking line from Team Rocket. After stumbling upon Ash and his friends while they have a wild Jigglypuff in their possession, Team Rocket makes their appearance known and sings a quick song.
During the earlier half of their song, Jessie, James, and Meowth sing the following lines, "we want to capture Pikachu we hope to do it soon, and when we do, we'll be the new stars of this cartoon."
7 Acknowledging The Anime's Camera Operators & Writers
"The Crystal Onix" doesn't just feature one of the best Orange Islands Pokémon battles in the anime, but it also features two fourth-wall-breaking moments from Team Rocket. While stumbling upon the Crystal Onix's homeland, the screen pans over to Jessie and James and excludes Meowth.
When Meowth says, "Down Here. I'm down here," the screen pans over to him, implying that he understands he's on camera. Furthermore, when James comments that it's a mystery how they broke free from their trap, Jessie says, "the writers can't think of it either," implying they understand this episode's story written by real-life humans.
6 Wondering If They'll Learn Their Lesson "Next Season"
"Home Is Where The Start Is" is not only an episode featuring one of Gary Oak's strongest Pokémon ever, but it's also an episode featuring a fourth-wall-breaking line from Team Rocket. After trying to capture Gary's Electivire, Team Rocket bears witness to this Sinnoh Region Pokémon's strength after Gary orders it to Thunder Punch them sky-high.
While blasting off with electric sparks flickering on them, James asks his friends, "Do you think we'll ever learn," and Meowth replies, "I'll let you know next season."
5 Being Aware Of How Many Seasons The Anime Has Been On
Although their noodle shop worker outfits aren't one of Team Rocket's best disguises, they were good enough to trick Ash in the episode "Homes Is Where The Start Is." Not only was Team Rocket close to stealing Pikachu, but while trying to get away from Ash, Jessie utters a humorous fourth-wall-breaking response.
While in their vehicle, Jessie says, "We waited for nine seasons," which not only implies how long they've waited to steal Pikachu from him in their world, but it also alludes to how long it took them to swipe Pikachu from an "anime runtime" perspective.
4 Mentioning The Audience
"When The Pokémon Worlds Collide" isn't only an episode that sets the groundwork for Ash and Dawn's companionship throughout the Sinnoh Region anime, but it highlights an intriguing fourth-wall-breaking moment from Team Rocket.
After getting hit with Pikachu's iconic thunderbolt attack and while blasting off, James says, "Weren't we supposed to leave our audience wanting more." Meowth responds, "You go tell that to the writers."
3 Still More Complaining About The Writers
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The Pokémon episode "A Slippery Encounter" doesn't only feature a dragon-type Pokemon that shouldn't be a dragon. The episode also showcases another funny scene with a fourth-wall-breaking line from Meowth. After imprisoning Ash's Pikachu and the random Goomy Ash and his friends encounter on their journey, Team Rocket decides to celebrate their victory with a comedy picnic session.
After Wobbufet showcases a funny face drawing on his stomach, Jessie vouches for Meowth to go next, in which Meowth says, "I'm out of material. The writers left me high and dry."
1 Meowth Censors Mimikyu On Behalf Of The Anime's Family Audience
"Loading the Dex" features a lot of humor from Team Rocket, so much so that it contains a hilarious moment regarding their first encounter with Mimikyu. While walking in an Alolan forest, Team Rocket stumbles upon a wild Mimikyu and is terrified by its awkward appearance and body movements.
Furthermore, while terrified by its spookiness, Mimikyu utters something in its respected language, to which James asks Meowth to translate what it's trying to tell them. Meowth replies, "This is a family show."