Is there a way to stop Team Rocket for good?

[PokeLady Jeannette]

Might be an important issue here. Ash will soon have to make a very difficult choice. Should he keep his Pokemon journey going or should he change gears and get Team Rocket off his back?

PS. One other option, but it might be a difficult choice:

ASH! GIVE THEM YOUR FRIGGIN' PIKACHU!!! No wonder they've been harassing you for what was it...300+ episodes so far. Give them what they want and they'll let you go.

[Heald]

Pikachu must be at level one hundred now because he can kill anyone with just a thundershock. Ash isn't going to give him away.

James and Jessie are never going to give up, but they are the only Rockets who think Pikachu is of any worth, Ash should just shoot them or something.

Anyway, James and Jessie keep using bombs, guns, missiles and stuff so they should be arrested as dangerous criminals.

[Rocketboy]

I think Ash does want to shoot and kill TR. Anyway, there is probably some way stop them for good, but Ash hasn't found out that thundering human beings DOSEN'T get rid of people.

[Jo-Jo]

I think there's only one way Ash is going to escape TR, and that's if they reform. At some point, probably not 'til the show's almost ended, Jessie, James and Meowth are going to turn over to the side o' good(TM) and quit Team Rocket. I don't see any way that they could not; they're much-loved characters, which means they have to have a happy ending, but they can't stay evil, because then they wouldn't really deserve it. So, they must change sides.

[PokeLady Jeannette]

I think there's only one way Ash is going to escape TR, and that's if they reform. At some point, probably not 'til the show's almost ended, Jessie, James and Meowth are going to turn over to the side o' good(TM) and quit Team Rocket. I don't see any way that they could not; they're much-loved characters, which means they have to have a happy ending, but they can't stay evil, because then they wouldn't really deserve it. So, they must change sides.

Some ideas to 'exterminate' J, J and M for good.

1. Convince them to be on Ranma 1/2. Akane Tendo would hammer them good!
2. Have a Kirlia do ballet for Jessie. When she's mesmerized enough, say to Kirlia, "KIRLIA, PSYBEAM....ON KILL!!!" Then watch the fun as Jessie's head explode.
3. Have a Guillotine equipped Pokemon ready when we should "prepare for trouble".
4. Condemn them to UPN. Remember the "What if Ash had a Metapod?" fanfic? If you'll like, I'll let you have a look at the fic (I'll PM you the URL), but be advised, it's an R-rated humour fic.
5. Insert your idea (and foot in mouth) here.

[Charles Legend]

Dudes Chill out.*has ness frezze you* but sersily now do you realy want to get rid of JJ&M, Sheer they are part of Team rocket but their not all that bad Rember their Arbok and Wezzing well if Jessie and James are as crule as you say they are they would never have let them go to protect there own kind, this is futher Prof that even thought they act evil on the outside they care about thier pokémon.

Soplease Stop saying Ash should kill them, you got me?


~Ryu

[PokeLady Jeannette]

Uh-huh. (Please release me.)

Okay, let's rephrase this. I think we need Ash to use a few of his Pokemon as a small attack squad. Ash has to send a clear message to Team Rocket (without killing them), something like, "NO! You're not having my Pikachu, so if you know what's good for you, you'll forget about it."

Maybe we can have Noctowl send that message out with a carefully modulated Hypnosis attack. (Remember the Pidgey Express episode aka "Carrying On"?)

Or maybe guerrilla strikes might send the same msg, only stronger.

PS. Step into Ash's sneakers and know what it's like to be harrassed 300+ times by Team Rocket. Remember, you're dealing with an entertaining, yet inferior enemy who doesn't know when to quit. The sooner you can get through to their thick skulls that "NO MEANS NO!!! You're not having my Pikachu!", the sooner you can continue your journey and all you have to worrry about is:

1. Team Aqua and Team Magma
2. When you're gonna get your next Badge and where?
3. Will you kiss May?
4. What you'll be facing in the 8th Pokemon Movie?
5. Will Plusle and Minun and/or Espeon and Umbreon get their own Pokemon mini-movie?
6. What's the next cossie (bathing suit) that May's gonna wear. And...
7. Who's more attractive at Mossdeep Gym? LIZA OR TATE?

[Celebii]

I agree with PokeLady Jeanette. Ash has to send a clear and definitive message to Team Rocket that they won't get Pikachu, and having Pikachu Thunderbolt them again isn't the answer. That's why I think that Ash would do well to get a psychic pokemon like Ralts or one of its evolutions. He could send it via a Psychic attack set on very heavy stun.

[Jo-Jo]

But TR have been electrocuted, blown up, set on fire, arrested, flung down gorges, etc. etc. etc., for six seasons now, and none of it has discouraged them. Why would more violence work? (Ignoring for a moment the fact that it's ludicrously OOC for Ash, who is not a sadist.) I still think that the only thing that's going to stop TR going after Pikachu is a change of heart.

[Rocketboy]

True, but I think it would be when they capture a REALLY RARE Pokèmon in order for them to stop following Electric-obsessed-Ash.

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

But even if they knew they couldn't catch it, I think they'd still follow him because it's their routine. I mean, if they gave up trying to get it, they'd just get reassigned and go after some other creature, so why start over when you're experienced at this?

[Charles Legend]

But even if they knew they couldn't catch it, I think they'd still follow him because it's their routine. I mean, if they gave up trying to get it, they'd just get reassigned and go after some other creature, so why start over when you're experienced at this?

Point taken, if they quit tring to get Pikachu, just think off what horres Geo woyuld put them threw Cleaning all of the TR headquaters with nothing more then a touthbrushe........
your if you think they want to do that for the rest of there lives insted of folowing Ash around atlest trying to Stell Pikachu is alot Safer then Geo's Wrath......

~Ryu

[Chris 2.1]

I think TR know now that this Hoenn Mission was simply Gio's way of getting these two off his case. How could he expect TWO Team Rocket agents to overthrow TWO large organisations in the reigon? This way, in Hoenn, which is miles away from Kanto, TR don't get let down by J&J.

I think they realise this, and simply look at it this way: If they go to HQ, they'll get officially sacked, but if they keep looking for Pikachu, despite knowing they will never get it, they'll stay on TR.

[AbareMax]

I hate TR. They've really ruined the show IMO. They just need to give up and make themselves useful or something...

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

How have they ruined the show? I think they've improved it.

[Heald]

How have they ruined the show? I think they've improved it.

Because the formula is so damned predictable. It could have been more about the Pokémon and about the battles, but instead since the introduction of Team Rocket (in episode 2...) and their crappy Poison pokémon, here is the formula of the show:

Annoying kids find Pokémon.
Team Rocket tries to steal Pikachu.
Pikachu thunderbolts Team Rocket.
Team Rocket happen to be wearing rubber bodysuits so are immune to electric attacks.
New Pokémon does its uber attack and Team Rocket fly away.
Everyone learns a valuable lesson.
The annoying kids seldom catch the new Pokémon (thus missing the point of the game COMPLETELY).

I mean Ash is going around going 'OMG! I AM TEH UBER POGEYMAN MAYZTER!' and yet every time he finds a new Pokémon, he never catches it, even though this new Pokémon kicks Team Rocket's ass.

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

But the formula of a show would be predictible even without them. I mean, the whole 'friend of the day' thing is so dry, and TR's appearences spice things up a bit.

[Scythemantis]

Because the formula is so damned predictable. It could have been more about the Pokémon and about the battles, but instead since the introduction of Team Rocket (in episode 2...) and their crappy Poison pokémon, here is the formula of the show:

WHAT!?!? TR are the STARS of the series. The show would be insipid, repetitive crap without them. They're lovable, entertaining, and hundreds of times more developed (characterwise) than Ash & Co. Team Rocket and Brock are the only main characters with likeable personalities. Period.

Also, poison pokemon are the coolest type. They were the "villainous" pokemon before Dark weaseled in (sneaseled?) and Arbok & Weezing rule!

Really, though, Wobbuffet should get a show to himself.

[Rocketboy]

If Team Rocket ever left (And it would be because of Ash) I would never watch the show.

[G-Prime]

Why doesnt TR just go back to the first city (i cant remember Hoenn's start town) for a while and harass the n00bs, take their pokemon and work their way up to ash from there. If they just trained a little away from ash they could seriously do some damage

[PokeLady Jeannette]

1. Have Kirlia ballet dance on Jessie's head.
2. Loudred can make TR go deaf.
3. "Beautifly! Beautifly!" (Silver Wind Flight Show For Team Rocket)
4. Swellow can peck them on their heads.
5. Blaziken can kick their butts and cook them over an open Sky Uppercut BBQ. (Then serve with Japanese BBQ sauce)

PS. Have you let your Beautifly say "Beautifly!" and let her sit on your head? Did your Beautifly give you a kiss and a cuddle?
PPS. Beautifly: Better than the average butterfly. Plus, she can watch TV with you. (Soon, what TV programs various Pokemon like!)

[mr_pikachu]

13 Unlucky Ways to Get TR Off Your Back...

1. When they use a capture missile or something (with the net inside it), and blow it back towards TR. Or you could have Pikachu electrify their balloon, using magnetism to draw the missile back towards them.
2. Have the "World's Largest Snorlax" from the tabloids roll over near them. The shockwaves alone will send them flying.
3. Have Kurt from Azalea Town create an illegal Pokeball that catches humans. Then catch TR. (Hey, it's rather insane, but still!)
4. Cut a hole in the basket of TR's balloon, sending them crashing down to earth.
5. Use that weird laser thing from "Tron" to send them into a computer. Then force them to play on the Game Grid. (If you don't know what I mean, watch the movie, "Tron". Then you'll get it.)
6. Challenge them to a game of "Electrode Dodgeball". Do I even need to explain the rest?
7. Have a Kangaskhan stuff them inside her pouch, then walk away.
8. Lock them in a room full of toddlers. They'll go insane within the hour.
9. Trap them in a pitfall for once (okay, twice counting the Corphish-catching episode). Then bury them alive. Brutal, but effective.
10. Have a Mr. Mime trap them in a box of Barriers (or is it Light Screens?), then walk away, ignoring their screams for irrational needs like food, water, and oxygen.
11. Burn their balloon and just walk away, leaving them stranded.
12. When one of them's... uh... "going", push the Port-a-Potty that person's inside over a ledge. (This has actually happened to many people IRL, but those were just pranks.)
13. Have a Pokemon use Substitute on Pikachu, and let them run off with the fake.

[AKA Pokemon Fan]

Because the formula is so damned predictable. It could have been more about the Pokémon and about the battles, but instead since the introduction of Team Rocket (in episode 2...) and their crappy Poison pokémon, here is the formula of the show:

Annoying kids find Pokémon.
Team Rocket tries to steal Pikachu.
Pikachu thunderbolts Team Rocket.
Team Rocket happen to be wearing rubber bodysuits so are immune to electric attacks.
New Pokémon does its uber attack and Team Rocket fly away.
Everyone learns a valuable lesson.

This was never always true (though it almost became so through most of the middle of Johto) and is much less so in Hoenn, which has much better plots overall than most of the Johto episodes.

The annoying kids seldom catch the new Pokémon (thus missing the point of the game COMPLETELY). I mean Ash is going around going 'OMG! I AM TEH UBER POGEYMAN MAYZTER!' and yet every time he finds a new Pokémon, he never catches it, even though this new Pokémon kicks Team Rocket's ass.

How much have you even watched the show? It surprises me that people can see any large portion of it and yet still say the things you just did.

RULE #1: The anime is not the game. What applies to the game does not, and should not, necessarily apply to the anime.

Rule#2: "Gotta Catch'em All" was a dub invention (rarely used anymore) and not in the original.

Rule #3: The ultimate well being of your Pokemon is more important than making it stronger or evolving it, or even keeping it.

Trainers in the anime, Ash in particular, catch Pokemon they really want, or ones that choose to go with them. Therefore if a character has no reason to catch one, he'll leave it in peace. Obviously Ash and the others don't want to train many of the Pokemon they encounter. Gaining a new Pokemon in the anime is a much more serious matter than in the game where you can just casually toss a ball, turn off the game, and come back weeks later.

And really, most Pokemon of any good degree of strength can beat Jessie and James. That alone hardly makes that Pokemon really desirable.

WHAT!?!? TR are the STARS of the series. The show would be insipid, repetitive crap without them. They're lovable, entertaining, and hundreds of times more developed (characterwise) than Ash & Co. Team Rocket and Brock are the only main characters with likeable personalities. Period.

While one can appreciate your love for TR (I love them too), it's quite untrue that their characters are any more developed than Ash, May, Misty or Max's. Brock and Tracey's characters on the other hand, while great characters, have changed very little if at all since the beginning of their appearences. If you dispute these things please give me examples, as I can give a detailed account of how all the characters have changed and developed over the course of the series. ^_^

<><><>

Overall, I think some people enjoy the show less because they expect it to be something it's not. High expectations can ruin even the best shows. Not that I am saying you should have low expectations, I only suggest you watch Pokemon for what it is, don't compare it to other series, and let yourself judge it on its own merits. You'll probably find yourself much happier with it.

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

Rule#2: "Gotta Catch'em All" was a dub invention (rarely used anymore) and not in the original.

It's based on something from the Japanese version, though. Remember "Pokémon GET to daze" or however you spell it?

[AKA Pokemon Fan]

It's based on something from the Japanese version, though. Remember "Pokémon GET to daze" or however you spell it?

Which basically means "Get Pokemon," which could in turn be applied in many ways, "Get Pokemon stronger," "Get Pokemon happier" and such.

In any event, it remains true that catching all of them is not really a goal for most any trainer. Even in the first season Brock noted that an average trainer usually ends up having around thirty or forty Pokemon, probably over their lifetime. Of course this was said early in the series and may not apply now.

Most expressively, Ash has said himself he goes for "quality not quantity," and he has only ever tried to catch Pokemon he already wanted. All others are ones who wanted to go with him.

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

At the end of his haikus, Oak tells the kids something that basically means "Keep catching Pokémon"