Team Rocket, the notorious trio that terrorize Ash Ketchum and friends, have encountered many Pokémon during their Pikachu-pinching capers. Throughout Pokémon's steady run, Jessie and James have captured loveable Pokémon that quickly became life-long friends, and even loved and lost some Pokémon along the way.
While some Pokémon clearly belong by their side, Jessie and James could benefit from a healthy mixture of other Pokémon under their belts. Regardless of Generation, catching probability or other hindering factors, here are some suggestions for Jessie and James' perfect Pokémon teams.
Jessie's Perfect Pokémon Team
Jessie made her debut in Pokémon Emergency, the second episode of the original anime. Starting in Hoenn, Jessie became a Pokémon Coordinator and began entering every Pokémon Contest she possibly could. It seems that Jessie has a special preference for snake-like Pokémon, given that she has owned both an Arbok and a Seviper. Without a doubt, Jessie is feisty and competitive, so her ideal Pokémon team should reflect that passion.
Arbok
With Ekans (Arbok's first evolution) as Jessie's original Pokémon partner, it would be criminal not to include it on Jessie's team. She loved it, trained it and evolved it. In "A Poached Ego!", the sixth episode of Pokémon: Advanced, Jessie released Arbok so that it could guard a group of young Ekans. We all remember that one -- many tears were shed.
Seviper
As previously mentioned, Jessie is an avid lover of snake-like Pokémon. It makes sense to include both of her beloved serpents in her perfect battling squad. Like James and Meowth, Seviper is afraid of Jessie's fury and rage, which makes it easier to tame. In order to capture Seviper, Jessie physically beats it up after it accidentally bites her hair and cuts it off to medium length. Seviper replaced Arbok as Jessie's main battle Pokémon during the Hoenn and Sinnoh arcs.
Espeon
Espeon are regal, independent and dainty creatures. They tend to show extreme loyalty to any trainer who it considers worthy, using its psychic powers to protect its owner. Espeon is one of eight Eevee evolutions; it takes patience and a strong bond to evolve Eevee into Espeon, and it must evolve in the daytime. Given how dearly she loves her other Pokémon, Jessie would surely give Eevee the affection it needs to evolve into Espeon and become a formidable edition to Jessie's Pokémon lineup.
Dustox
Jessie's Dustox was her second faithful companion, captured during her Hoenn travels. Jessie raised Dustox from a Wurple (its first evolution), and when Wurple evolved, she stayed well-behaved and was very loyal to Jessie. The two had a very strong connection, as evidenced upon Dustox's release in "Crossing Paths" -- another heart-wrenching farewell.
Jigglypuff
Always looking for the upper hand, Jessie would benefit greatly from having a Jigglypuff by her side. Jigglypuff have the ability "Sing," which puts anyone within hearing range (both people and Pokémon) to sleep. Not only would its abilities be of use to Jessie, but she and Jigglypuff have similar personalities. They are both easily frustrated and unrelenting in pursuit of an objective.
Plusle
As an electric-type Pokémon, Plusle would effectively counter Ash's Pikachu and nullify its attacks. Plusle are also loveable creatures, which would make it a loyal and hard-working addition to Jessie's team. Plusle are rarely seen without their counterpart, Minun, which James would capture as a metaphorical symbol of duality. Plusle and Minun produce positive and negative electricity respectively. They both love cheering on their teammates and place the encouragement of their partners over their own safety.
James' Perfect Pokémon Team
James debuted in Pokémon Emergency alongside Jessie and Meowth. As an only child of millionaires, James was forced to endure formal society. He eventually began to grow weary of the rules and expectations that appeared to be ever-present within the upper class. He was engaged to a girl named Jessebelle, but after discovering how overbearing she was, he ran away, leaving his fortune and lavish lifestyle behind. Given James' flamboyant personality, his perfect Pokémon team should be just as fun and outgoing.
Weezing
Weezing was the first Pokémon that James was known to have. He received it as a Christmas gift from Giovanni, the Team Rocket boss. Weezing was loyal only to James; it cared about him a great deal and took orders exclusively from him. However, despite this obedience, Weezing has been shown to possess a moral conscience of its own. In "A Poached Ego!," along with Arbok, Weezing cried when it was separated from Jessie and James.
Growlithe
As a child, a Growlithe, nicknamed Growlie, was James's only friend on his parents' estate. The two were inseparable, and Growlie often comforted James whenever he had problems. Although they now rarely see each other, Growlie remains protective of and devoted to its master. Mostly for the sake of sentimentality, a Growlithe (whether it be James' Growlie or another wild one) certainly belongs on James' team.
Vaporeon
Vaporeon, the water-type Pokémon, evolves from Eevee when exposed to a Water Stone. It is one of Eevee's final forms, also known as Eeveelutions. Complementing Jessie's Espeon, Vaporeon would be a compatible battle partner. Given James' extensive Pokémon knowledge, he would make quick work of finding a Water Stone and evolving an Eevee.
Inkay
Inkay is the only Pokémon that James caught in the Kalos region. An underestimated Pokémon, Inkay is also a powerful and resourceful battler. In "Facing the Grand Design!," he is depicted as having a strong bond with his trainer, similar to that of Ash and his Pikachu. He also has a great relationship with Team Rocket to the point of wanting to protect them from harm. James and Inkay have an emotional relationship based on mutual love and respect.
Cacnea
Immediately after releasing his Weezing, Cacnea was the first Pokémon that James caught during his travels through Hoenn. Each time it was called out to battle, Cacnea would leave its Pokéball and instead affectionately embrace its master, much to James' frustration. When it did battle, it was fairly formidable. Like most of James's Pokémon, Cacnea respected him and strived to please him, so it very much deserves a place on James' prospective dream team.
Minun
With all similar traits to Plusle, discounting the output of negative energy as opposed to positive, Minun is also capable of canceling out the electricity of Ash's Pikachu. With its blue markings, it matches James' color scheme quite nicely, just as Plusle's red markings match Jessie's. Plusle and Minun are cheer Pokémon, well-known for spreading positivity and goodwill. After several blast-offs, Team Rocket could use that motivation.