RocketShipping

RocketShipping (Japanese: コジムサ KojiMusa) refers to the romantic pairing of Jessie and James. It is one of the most popular and enduring ships within the Pokémon fandom. It is also one of the few officially recognized by The Pokémon Company, having been canonized in The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga, with more ambiguous evidence found across other adaptations.

Jessie and James first appeared in Pokémon Emergency!, alongside Meowth as members of the villainous organization Team Rocket. They served as the show's primary antagonists for the duration of Pokémon the Series.

As well as a strong emotional connection, Jessie and James demonstrated more physical contact with each other than most other characters on the show by hugging, holding hands, and even sleeping on each other. They were also unusual in frequently sharing Pokémon (who showed affection to the pair in similar ways), as well as a Z-Power Ring.

History and fandom

RocketShipping is notable for introducing the "-Shipping" naming convention to the Pokémon fandom after members of the TRHQ message board coined the term, inspired by the X-Files fandom where it originated.

The first major event in the RocketShipping fanbase occurred when a member of TRHQ came across an untranslated copy of the final volume of Toshihiro Ono's The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga. The epilogue of the manga contained two important scenes: a panel showing James confessing his love to Jessie, and a full-page illustration in which Jessie and James were married and Jessie visibly pregnant. Most importantly for fans this was official and approved by Nintendo, and some believed that it was only a matter of time before something similar happened in the animated series.

However, not long after this, the number and frequency of hints in the animated series decreased, along with changes in characterization that meant the pair were frequently at odds. Around this time, a website named Pokemopolis began rebutting the "evidence" found in the manga. Pokemopolis became a prominent anti-RocketShipping site in the fandom, as well as the main proponent of the theory of James being gay.

Behind the scenes the original Team Rocket voice actors were unhappy with the changes in characterization, so much so that Megumi Hayashibara who voices Musashi (Jessie) asked the writers to tone it down as she felt it was out of keeping with the intentions Takeshi Shudo, the original writer of the show, had for the characters^[1]. Following this RocketShipping experienced a general resurgence in popularity. Specific upticks in fandom activity coincided with the episode Noodles! Roamin' Off!, during the airing of Team Rocket's Secret Empire and again after A Fork in the Road! A Parting of the Ways!.

In animation

There is significant variation in the characterization of Jessie and James across languages, most notably between the original and the English dub. In addition to Eric Stuart's stereotypical gay interpretation of James, the TPCi dub consistently added discord to the Team Rocket trio's relationship where there originally was none. For example, during Contests James's original lines would often be fundamentally altered from expressions of support towards Jessie to fear of retribution if she failed. At the other end of the spectrum, the Latin American Spanish dub has James frequently call Jessie “mamita” or “querida” (terms of endearment like “honey” or “sweetie”), “mi Jessie” (my Jessie) or by pet name “Jessita”.

Pre-series

The side-story episode Training Daze! is a flashback to the formation of the Team Rocket trio. Jessie is introduced as a loner who does not trust her partners before she meets James. The two share their greatest vulnerabilities with each other - for James a lifetime of running away, and for Jessie being alone - before vowing to be there for each other. Jessie almost gives their mission up after James is seriously injured, but James turns up despite his injuries to prevent this and recites a variation of what will become the first line of their motto. James later makes another attempt to sacrifice himself but Jessie refuses to leave him, declaring that their friendship is more important than succeeding. She pulls him up and he lands on top of her as the shot pans to them panting heavily and staring into each other's eyes, with Jessie visibly blushing.

Episodes The School of Hard Knocks and The Bridge Bike Gang state that the pair knew each other prior to this, flunking the entrance exam to Pokémon Tech and being members of the bike gang together. Whether these details have been officially retconned is disputed among fans.

Pokémon the Series: The Beginning

Jessie and James were shown to be close teammates from the beginning, frequently protecting and encouraging each other when faced with hardships. We see declarations of friendship, commitment and compliments in the face of death and danger when trapped aboard the S.S. Anne in Pokémon Shipwreck, during their encounters with Gastly during The Ghost of Maiden's Peak, when Kaiser brandishes a gun at them during EP035 and when Jessie finds their situation overwhelming in Good 'Quil Hunting.

James is shown to be jealous when other men show interest in Jessie, as with Dr. Proctor in A Chansey Operation. The inverse is shown in Pikachu Re-Volts! when Jessie possessively drags James away from Cassidy.

Jessie frequently compliments James for his skills and talents, whether it be picking locks, having a good memory, doing well in Pokémon battles and mastery of haiku.

James encourages Jessie's aspirations outside of Team Rocket during Princess vs. Princess when Jessie wants to win the competition and the Hinamatsuri dolls. After she loses, James, Meowth, and their Pokémon dress up as the dolls with James and Jessie as the Emperor and Empress in their "doll" set, a gesture that Jessie is very touched by.

A notable plot point is James's forced engagement to Jessebelle, introduced in Holy Matrimony!. At the end of this episode, Jessie is crushed, believing that James has decided to marry Jessebelle. Just then, to her delighted surprise, James swoops down in the balloon to pick her up. When he apologizes for not being able to get his inheritance she brushes it off, saying they don't need it as long as they have their freedom. They shake hands to reaffirm their friendship and their hands form a heart as the viewers are shown a prolonged scene of them gazing into each other's eyes whilst the music swells, so caught up in the moment that they forget to pick up Meowth.

They are happy to both play to and subvert romantic tropes in their disguises, as in Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon? where they appear as newlyweds but with the twist of James being the bride and Jessie the groom.

Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire

This series showed more discord in Jessie & James's relationship, however it also showed how easily they can slip back into friendship after an argument. In The Bicker the Better, when Meowth signals to them to get Pikachu they immediately stop fighting and get back in sync, and James goes on to state in their motto: "We are the villains with an unshakeable bond!". When they split up in The Ole' Berate and Switch, Cassidy briefly claims James to which Jessie reacts by jealously kicking a fire extinguisher.

James's history with Jessebelle surfaces again in Sweet Baby James when they visit one of his family's estates and the housekeepers mistake Jessie for Jessebelle. Jessie is unimpressed by James's negative reaction to the thought of being married to her, and further upset when he introduces her as his secretary to cover up being in Team Rocket. She only becomes supportive again after James has been honest about their identity. Incidentally this episode debuts James's Mime Jr., a Pokémon Jessie goes on to develop a close relationship with, eventually contributing to James changing from a skeptic to a supporter of Jessie's Contest ambitions.

There are many occasions where they share intimate physical contact, including snuggling together in bed in Hail to the Chef and James carrying Jessie bodily away to protect her from Regirock and Registeel in Pace - The Final Frontier!. There are also further examples of disguising themselves as romantic couples including Illumise and Volbeat in Love at First Flight, and Norman and Caroline in A Double Dilemma.

They have significant movie appearances in this series. In the climax of Jirachi: Wish Maker, Jessie and James hold each other cheek-to-cheek, stating they are happy living just in the moment. James's attempt to save Jessie from the leukocyte in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew ends in heartbreak when he is unable to, and he is so broken that he simply allows the leukocyte to engulf him moments later.

Of note, in the Latin American Spanish dub of Game Winning Assist, when Cacnea affectionately attacks James he replies with, "¿Cacnea, por qué me quieres besar si sabes que ya tengo novia?"; or, "Cacnea, why do you want to kiss me if you know that I already have a girlfriend?". Jessie is the only person James could be referring to as his girlfriend here.

Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl

Jessie's Contest arc in this series is a major source of development. James becomes increasingly involved, often loaning her his Pokémon and on one memorable occasion winning a contest on her behalf when she is sick. He also comforts her in Dawn of a Royal Day! after her loss and stops her from throwing away the "pity" Ribbon given by Salvia, thereby ensuring she makes the Grand Festival. He repeatedly forgets to cheer her by her Jessilina alias and instead calls her Jessie before correcting himself. In the Latin American Spanish dub, James frequently cheers Jessie with nicknames including "my marigold queen" or Jessie-Jess, which is Jessie's nickname from her days at Team Rocket Academy.

The two demonstrate care towards one another in other ways too. In Throwing the Track Switch Jessie and Meowth try to lift James out of a depression by stealing Buizel and Aipom. When he accidentally foils this plan, James is moved to tears by Jessie's explanation. Likewise James is concerned Jessie might come to regret releasing Dustox in Crossing Paths, reminding her that she has lovingly raised it from a Wurmple. When she explains that this is Dustox’s chance at love, he is touched and assures her his help. The pair describe themselves as romantics in Beating the Bustle and Hustle! and Where No Togepi Has Gone Before!.

The trio once again break up in Noodles! Roamin' Off! and James is devastated when Jessie leaves, suggesting that James's future lies with his family and fiancée. In desperation he decides to catch a dangerous Shiny Metagross and when Jessie hears that James is in mortal peril she immediately rushes to his aid. Believing that they are about to die, James apologizes for getting Jessie involved and Jessie says, “If there is another world after we die, let’s meet again there.” A smiling James agrees, a reference to his promise in Training Daze to never leave her.

In The Treasure is All Mine!, we come to learn that James actually originally fell in love with Jessebelle at first sight before she began mistreating him - an important detail because she and Jessie look exactly the same.

Pokémon the Series: Black & White

Pokémon the Series: Black & White is noteworthy for attempting to put Jessie, James, and Meowth in more serious, antagonistic roles. Their normal personalities and relationships are so much suppressed during the series that it inspired the creation of the Team Rocket's Secret Empire radio show, in the introduction to which James accuses Jessie of only speaking to him these days to confirm mission plans.^[2] This change resulted in a complete absence of shipping evidence in the animated series as their usual personalities only start to resurface in the final Decolora Adventure portion of the saga.

Pokémon the Series: XY

James acts as a bedrock of support for Jessie during the Pokémon Showcase competition. As before, he often forgets to call her by her stage name and is frequently shown to be the most vocal supporter in the crowd. When Jessie loses the Master Class in Performing a Pathway to the Future! she thanks her friends for helping her get this far, and as everyone tackles her to the floor she and James are both blushing and we hear him say that he'll follow her anywhere.

We see several nods to their unusually close friendship. In Rivals: Today and Tomorrow! Jessie's infatuation with Steven Stone causes huge annoyance to James. (Ironically, the thing she finds most attractive is his status as heir to a huge fortune - a trait he and James happen to share.) James spends the majority of the episode Mending a Broken Spirit! going against Jessie's wishes by helping Serena's Braixen, however all it takes is a pleading look from Jessie to dissolve his resolution. In the climax of Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction, Jessie and James instinctively hug before they are attacked by Yveltal. The scenes of them being frozen and then unfrozen in each other’s arms are shown in parallel with those of Merilyn and Riot who become a canon couple at the end of the film.

After getting separated in A Fork in The Road! A Parting of The Ways!, Jessie is rescued by Dr. White and falls in love with him. James hears this and refuses to get in the way of her happiness, running off in tears as he reminisces about the life they have shared. When their Pokémon are stolen, James begs Ash and friends to help him so he doesn't have to rely on Jessie. In the original Japanese, Serena begins to ask James a question, implied to possibly be whether he has romantic feelings for Jessie, which he cuts short without answering. Jessie eventually comes to rescue them herself and at the end of the episode seems to wholeheartedly discard her love for Dr. White as she throws a symbolic bunch of flowers out of the balloon.

This series also re-establishes the pair's physical closeness. In Seeking Shelter From the Storm! we see them hug for the time since Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl. James spontaneously joins Jessie on stage in When Light and Dark Collide!, and spins and dips her during a short dance sequence. She later takes him as her plus-one to a dance party in Party Dancecapades!. When Jessie struggles to open a trick wall in A Gaggle of Gadget Greatness! James whacks his hand against it, briefly trapping her between his body and the wall. Irritated, she tells him, "That was misleading." The scene is presented like the classic Kabedon trope, often used in anime and manga for love confessions.

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

This series spotlights Jessie and James's near-familial bond, as they live in domestic harmony with Bewear. It also introduces their Z-Power Ring, remarkable as they are the only two trainers across the franchise known to share one.

Their concern for each other's wellbeing is frequently emphasized. James jumps in front of Jessie when Totem Raticate attacks in A Team-on-Team Tussle! and is very worried about her going missing in Mimikyu Unmasked!. He is noticeably more concerned about Jessie than Meowth when she gets possessed by Gengar in Why Not Give Me a Z-Ring Sometime?. He realizes he has to attack Jessie to release her and asks Mareanie to do so gently to avoid hurting her. Although he doesn't understand Jessie's need to perform in Lillier and the Staff!, he fully supports her and at the climax proudly calls her "the best!" and in This Magik Moment! he tells her that she looks beautiful before an audition.

Jessie's affection towards James is even more apparent, contrasting with some of her abrasive actions in earlier series. She becomes frantic with worry when Toxapex poisons James in Fighting Back the Tears! and is shown tenderly caring for him at their base. In the post-credits scene she emphasises that James's health is more important than getting a rare and powerful Pokémon. James gets cranky when trying to fix their van in Got Meltan? so Jessie surreptitiously feeds him and his mood immediately improves. In Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Strategy!, Jessie gives James the Z-Ring and furiously demands that he win his next match, having beaten her to a quarterfinal spot at the Manalo Conference. It is revealed that she has sent in a grossly exaggerated résumé for James, and Meowth points out that she is a little overzealous in her cheering for him. After he loses Jessie yet again shows she cares through food - by giving him a can of iced Komala Coffee and reminding him that Team Rocket always moves forward. James recognises the feeling behind the gesture and is very touched.

There is a final Easter egg in Thank You, Alola! The Journey Continues! when Mareanie has a fantasy wherein she is sat next to James at the front of a plane, with Jessie alone at the very back. In the context of her crush on James and her and Jessie having otherwise been on friendly terms, the natural inference is that she considers Jessie a romantic rival.

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

This series continues to maintain their emotional accord whilst increasing the frequency of physical contact between the two to a level not seen since the original series. There are a plethora of examples of their holding hands, hugging and otherwise sharing intimate physical space with one another, including in the only film of the generation Secrets of the Jungle. Even their stock motto animation contains a dance sequence in which James spins, dips and holds hands with Jessie.

This series marks the end of their tenure on the show, and there are several references to previous pivotal moments. In The Good, The Bad, and The Lucky!, when the group are about to part ways, there is a shot of Jessie and James shaking hands which directly parallels their famous handshake at the end of Holy Matrimony. The same episode also recalls Training Daze. Where Jessie was once resigned to being alone, now despite believing she has left James and Meowth forever, she actually subconsciously expects them to come and rescue her - which they eventually do when she is about to apparently fall to her death.

Their final episode begins with them separated after having fallen out in Rocket Revengers. There is a little nod to Jessie's gentle gesture in Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Strategy, as James dejectedly drinks a can of Komala Coffee all by himself. In their final scene they realise that they want to stay together after all and leave the show as partners, continuing to chase the same dream together.

In other media

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Throughout the manga, there is suggestive physical contact between Jessie and James. The epilogue starts with a full page illustration of James holding Jessie, who is pregnant and wearing a wedding ring. There is then a panel containing a flashback to James confessing his love to Jessie.

Pokémon Puzzle League

During Round Four in Spa Service, they are wearing their bride and groom clothing from the episode Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon?. Unlike the episode, Meowth is dressed as a flower girl and the background music is "Treulich Geführt" by Richard Wagner, known in English as the "Bridal Chorus".

Radio

It's a White Tomorrow, Team Rocket!

During the radio drama, Jessie says the only thing she can rely on is her partner and James asks hopefully whether she means him, however much to James's annoyance she clarifies that she is referring to Arbok. Later on when trapped and anticipating a fatal attack from an angry hoard of Beedrill, Jessie and James recite the famous lines spoken by two lovers about to die from the play Sonezaki Shinjū (translated as The Love Suicides at Sonezaki).

Team Rocket's Secret Empire

A Japanese-only radio show that aired in the latter half of 2012, Team Rocket's Secret Empire featured a lot of interaction between the three members of Team Rocket. The official Twitter account featured several in-character tweets that indicated how close Jessie and James are. During one of James's occasional Q&A sessions on Twitter, a follower asked him, "Jessie is cute! Since you are together all the time, haven't you fallen in love with her?" to which James answered, "So (she's my) eternal partner, right!" (「永遠のパートナーだからな！」).

"Space People No. 1", the opening drama of Episode 7, explores the aftermath of a rocket ship accident. The characters played by Musashi (Jessie) and Kojirō (James) are named "Jessie" and "James", an homage to their dub names. "James" is frantically searching for "Jessie" and is distraught to find her injured and trapped under rubble. He is unable to free her so holds her as she dies. She tells him how happy she is that he is with her at the end and encourages him to save himself, as she believes they are connected by fate and will be reunited in another life. When asked in the final episode, Jessie cited this as her favourite opening skit of the series and James agreed.

In the final episode, the trio is asked to say what they like about each other. James is initially rendered incoherent and only able to describe Jessie as "good", before eventually saying they are a good balance. Jessie cites James always being there, saying that whenever she thinks she's alone she looks behind her and finds James. Although framed as a joke, this also acts as a reference to the promise he made in Training Daze! to never leave her side.

Trivia

• Scriptwriter Junki Takegami is responsible for writing what are generally considered to be the 3 most important Rocketshipping episodes: Holy Matrimony!, Training Daze and Noodles! Roamin' Off!. Interestingly, he also received joint writing credit with Shōji Yonemura for A Fork in the Road! A Parting of the Ways! in promotional material, although his name did not appear in the episode's end credits.
• Toshihiro Ono, the creator of The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga, continues to express his support for the pairing on his Twitter account.
  • He also infamously produced an unofficial hentai doujinshi which fills in the details of how they conceived their child.
• In addition to numerous appearances with Meowth and their other Pokémon, Jessie and James have featured together by themselves in 3 TCG cards:
  • Here Comes Team Rocket! (EX Team Rocket Returns print)
  • Team Rocket's Harassment
  • Jessie & James (Regular print)

• It was mistakenly thought for a time that the Iron-Masked Marauder was the future son of Jessie and James due to a mistranslation before the release of Celebi: Voice of the Forest, describing him as their "descendent".
• Disney's Big City Greens features a criminal duo who are in love in the episode "Gramma Driver". Storyboarder Kiana Khansmith confirmed that they were heavily inspired by Jessie and James. The pair gets engaged in a later episode.
  • Incidentally, Inuko Inuyama, the Japanese voice of Meowth, voices the titular "Gramma" in the Japanese dub of the show.

External links

• Rocketshipping General Discussion on Bulbagarden Forums (2010-present)
• Original Rocketshipping Club on Bulbagarden Forums (2005-2010)

This article is a part of Project Fandom, a Bulbapedia Project that aims to write comprehensive articles on every aspect of the Pokémon Fandom.