Prepare for trouble!
And make it double!
To protect the world from devastation!
To unite all peoples within our nation!
To denounce the evils of truth and love!
To extend our reach to the stars above!
Jessie!
James!
Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!
Surrender now, or prepare to fight!
Meowth!
That’s right!
Team Rocket motto is a slogan that Team Rocket members often recite or adhere to.
In the show, Jessie, James, and Meowth have various phrases,
and they use one or more of them in almost every episode when they show their identities before Ash and his companions.
In the beginning, they felt an insatiable desire to say the phrase whenever they heard “trouble”, but this appears to be no longer the scenario.
This phrase was typically repeated by everyone in the group, however, when there is a member who isn’t present, another person takes their place.
Be aware that the line “To denounce the evils of truth and love!” as well as “To extend our reach to the stars above!” were frequently uttered by Jessie along with James during the initial season.
In a number of later episodes, beginning with “Fit to be Tide, James said, “fight, fight, fight” instead of the single “fight” at the end of his final phrase.
Wobbuffet also began to pronounce his name at the conclusion of the phrase during Tunnel Vision and has continued to do the same in all episodes since.
There were numerous occasions when the trio used radios or similar devices to play background music.
Since the time Team Rocket was introduced in the series, the two have been in a rhyming “prepare for trouble” and “make it double” phrases.
In every episode following “The Orange League”, they tend to modify the initial two sentences to reflect the current circumstances.
A good illustration is taken from ZigZag Zangoose!, in which Jessie was in training Seviper and Meowth was in charge for her and Meowth was in charge of her training, is:
This particular version of the motto was utilized in commercials for Pokemon FireRed as well as LeafGreen with the line being spoken by various children,
leaving out the lines in which Jessie, James, and Meowth speak their own names and the phrase “Team Rocket, blasting off at the speed of light.” This slogan was later incorporated into the music Team Rocket Forever and Double Trouble.
Team Rocket used this motto in The”Lean Mean” Team Rocket Machine as a return to the “hip and cool” ways that were performed by Jessie, James, and Meowth and without the typical finishing and the additions that include Wobbuffet and Mime Jr.
This slogan was also utilized as a theme in Alola, Kanto!, where Team Rocket had followed Ash and his peers to Kanto in their extracurricular activities.
Team Rocket Motto in Original Series
The original slogan was used throughout the series, from Pokemon Emergency! to From Brags to Riches.
The original soundtrack was used throughout the original series.
The music was released with “Get the Show On to the road!.
Japanese | Translation | English |
---|---|---|
ムサシ: なんだかんだと聞かれたら | Musashi: If you ask us this or that… | Jessie: Prepare for trouble! |
コジロウ: 答えてあげるのが世の情け | Kojirō: The pity of the world is what responds! | James: Make it double! |
ムサシ: 世界の破壊を防ぐため | Musashi: To prevent the destruction of the world! | Jessie: To protect the world from devastation! |
コジロウ: 世界の平和を守るため | Kojirō: To protect the peace of the world! | James: To unite all peoples within our nation! |
ムサシ: 愛と真実の悪をつらぬく | Musashi: To stand by the evils of love and truth! | Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love! |
コジロウ: ラブリー・チャーミーな敵役 | Kojirō: The lovely, charmy villains! | James: To extend our reach to the stars above! |
ムサシ: ムサシ | Musashi: Musashi! | Jessie: Jessie! |
コジロウ: コジロウ | Kojirō: Kojirō! | James: James! |
ムサシ: 銀河をかけるロケット団の二人には…… | Musashi: The pair from Team Rocket soars through the galaxy! | Jessie: Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light! |
コジロウ: ホワイトホール、白い明日が待ってるぜ | Kojirō: A white hole, a white tomorrow awaits us! | James: Surrender now, or prepare to fight! |
ニャース: にゃんてにゃ | Nyarth: Something like that! | Meowth: Meowth! That’s right! |
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire
In the Battle Frontier saga, Jessie, James, and Meowth changed their motto. This motto was featured in “The Scheme Team to Two Degrees of Separation!.
Since the very first episode in the series, they’ve adapted their rhyming motifs of “Prepare for trouble” and “Make it double” into the motto, and thus restored those two first lines from the motto.
James’s Chimecho and title “James’s Mime Jr.” Mime Jr.
Additionally, their names are included at the end of the motto on the majority of episodes that they are in.
Japanese | Translation | English |
---|---|---|
ムサシ: なんだかんだと声がする | Musashi: There is a voice saying something. | Jessie: Prepare for trouble from the skies! |
コジロウ: 地平線の彼方から | Kojirō: From beyond the horizon… | James: From beyond the stars, a nasty surprise! |
ムサシ: ビッグバンの彼方から | Musashi: From beyond the big bang… | Jessie: An evil as old as the galaxy… |
コジロウ: 我らを呼んでる声がする | Kojirō: A voice is calling us! | James: …sent here to fulfill our destiny! |
ニャース: お待たせにゃ | Nyarth: Sorry to keep you waiting! | Meowth: Plus, there’s me! |
ムサシ: 健気に咲いた悪の花 | Musashi:Evil flowers who have courageously bloomed! | Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love! |
コジロウ: ハードでスイートな敵役 | Kojirō: In the role of the villains who are hard and sweet! | James: To extend our reach to the stars above! |
ムサシ: ムサシ | Musashi: Musashi! | Jessie: Jessie! |
コジロウ: コジロウ | Kojirō: Kojirō! | James: And James! |
ニャース: ニャースでニャース | Nyarth: And Nyarth! | Meowth: And Meowth are the names! |
ムサシ: ロケット団のあるところ | Musashi: The place where Team Rocket is | Jessie: Anywhere there’s peace in the universe… |
コジロウ: 世界は | Kojirō: The world- | James: …Team Rocket… |
ニャース: 宇宙は | Nyarth: The universe- | Meowth: …Will be there… |
All: 君を待っている | All: Awaits you! | All: To make everything worse! |
ソーナンス: ソーナンス! | Sonans: Sōnansu! | Wobbuffet: Wobbuffet! |
Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl
Then, in Sinnoh, the trio changed to a new slogan again. This motto was utilized in when Pokemon Worlds Collide! to The Treasure Hunting trend!
Japanese | Translation | English |
---|---|---|
ムサシ: なんだかんだの声を聞き | Musashi: We hear voices saying this and that… | Jessie: Listen, is that a voice I hear? |
コジロウ: 光の速さでやってきた | Kojirō: We come along in a swift current of light… | James: It’s speaking to me loud and clear. |
ムサシ: 風よ | Musashi: The wind! | Jessie: On the wind! |
コジロウ: 大地よ | Kojirō: The land! | James: Past the stars! |
ニャース: 大空よ | Nyarth: The sky! | Meowth: In your ear! |
ムサシ: 世界に届けよう デンジャラス | Musashi: The danger we will deliver to the world! | Jessie: Bringing chaos at a breakneck pace. |
コジロウ: 宇宙に伝えよう クライシス | Kojirō: The crisis we will convey to the universe! | James: Dashing hope, putting fear in its place. |
ムサシ: 天使か悪魔か その名を呼べば | Musashi: Whether angels or demons, if you call the name, | Jessie: A rose by any other name is just as sweet. |
コジロウ: 誰もが震える魅惑の響き | Kojirō: The captivating echo that shakes everyone… | James: When everything’s worse, our work is complete. |
ムサシ: ムサシ | Musashi: Musashi! | Jessie: Jessie! |
コジロウ: コジロウ | Kojirō: Kojirō | James: And it’s James! |
ニャース: ニャースでニャース | Nyarth: And Nyarth! | Meowth: And Meowth, now that’s a name! |
ムサシ: 時代の主役はあたしたち | Musashi: The stars of the era are us! | Jessie: Putting the do-gooders in their place… |
コジロウ: 我らは無敵の | Kojirō: We are the invincible… | James: …we’re Team Rocket… |
All: ロケット団 | All: Team Rocket! | All: …in your face! |
ソーナンス: ソーナンス | Sonans: Sōnansu! | Wobbuffet: Wobbuffet! |
In the dub, they often replace the first two lines with
Jessie: Listen, is that a twerpish voice I hear?
James: It’s shrieking to me loud and clear.
Jessie: Listen, is that a pitiful head of a Pokécenter I hear?
James: It whines to me loud and clear.
or something similar. In Battle Frontier, Mime Jr. is named after Wobbuffet.
It is interesting to note it is notable Sinnoh motto is changed more frequently than its Japanese version.
Pokémon the Series: Black & White
Best Wishes! and Best Wishes! Season 2
When they performed in Unova In Unova, the group changed their motto once more. The slogan was first used in entering Iris And Axew! to A Restore Confrontation! Part 1.
” *” is the name of”*” denotes Jessie copies when they are about to announce their slogan.
Japanese | Translation | English |
---|---|---|
ムサシ: 「*」と聞かれたら | Musashi: If we were asked “*“ | Jessie: What a question, twerpish indeed! |
コジロウ: 答えてあげよう明日のため | Kojirō: We will answer for the sake of tomorrow! | James: We’ll answer these questions when we feel the need! |
ムサシ: フューチャー 白い未来は悪の色 | Musashi: Future! A white future reflects the color of evil! | Jessie: Bringing the blinding white light of evil into the future! |
コジロウ: ユニバース 黒い世界に正義の鉄槌 | Kojirō: Universe! The hammer of justice in a black world! | James: Thrusting the hammer of justice down onto the black darkness of the universe! |
ニャース: 我らこの地にその名を記す | Nyarth: Our names will be remembered in this place! | Meowth: Carving our names in the Rock of Eternity! |
ムサシ: 情熱の破壊者 ムサシ! | Musashi: Destroyer of passion, Musashi! | Jessie: The fiery destroyer, Jessie! |
コジロウ: 暗黒の純情 コジロウ! | Kojirō: Pure heart of darkness, Kojirō! | James: And with thunderous emotion, I am James! |
ニャース: 無限の知性 ニャース! | Nyarth: Infinite intelligence, Nyarth! | Meowth: Wisest of the wise, Meowth! |
All: さあ集え! ロケット団の名のもとに! | All: Come gather! Under the name of Team Rocket! | All: And now gather, under the name of Team Rocket! |
Best Wishes! Season 2: Episode N and Best Wishes! Season 2: Decolora Adventure!
In New Places… Familiar Faces! Jessie, James, and Meowth returned to their original motto with a few minor changes after failing in their last operation and then making a short retreat to Kanto.
Beginning in Adventures in Unova and Beyond the motto is changed to reflect the circumstances.
Japanese | Translation | English |
---|---|---|
ムサシ: なんだかんだと聞かれたら | Musashi: If you ask us this or that… | Jessie: Prepare for trouble, you know the drill! |
コジロウ: 答えてあげるのが世の情け | Kojirō: The pity of the world is what responds! | James: And make it double, you’ll get your fill! |
ムサシ: 世界の破壊を防ぐため | Musashi: To prevent the destruction of the world! | Jessie: To protect the world from devastation! |
コジロウ: 世界の平和を守るため | Kojirō: To protect the peace of the world! | James: To unite the people within our nation! |
ムサシ: 愛と真実の悪をつらぬく | Musashi: To stand by the evils of love and truth! | Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love! |
コジロウ: ラブリー・チャーミーな敵役 | Kojirō: The lovely, charmy villains! | James: To extend our reach to the stars above! |
ムサシ: ムサシ | Musashi: Musashi! | Jessie: It’s Jessie! |
コジロウ: コジロウ | Kojirō: Kojirō! | James: And it’s James! |
ムサシ: 銀河をかけるロケット団の二人には…… | Musashi: The pair from Team Rocket soars through the galaxy! | Jessie: Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light! |
コジロウ: ホワイトホール、白い明日が待ってるぜ | Kojirō: A white hole, a white tomorrow awaits us! | James: Surrender now, or prepare to fight! |
ニャース: にゃんてにゃ | Nyarth: Something like that! | Meowth: Meowth! That’s right! |
Pokémon the Series: XY
Like in Adventures in Unova and Beyond, Jessie, James, and Meowth are still using their initial motto from the original series, however, it has been modified to fit the circumstances that are being dealt with in the episode.
Japanese | Translation | English |
---|---|---|
ムサシ: なんだかんだと聞かれたら | Musashi: If you ask us this or that… | Jessie: Prepare for trouble! |
コジロウ: 答えてあげるのが世の情け | Kojirō: The pity of the world is what responds! | James: And make it double! |
ムサシ: 世界の破壊を防ぐため | Musashi: To prevent the destruction of the world! | Jessie: To protect the world from devastation! |
コジロウ: 世界の平和を守るため | Kojirō: To protect the peace of the world! | James: To unite all people within our nation! |
ムサシ: 愛と真実の悪をつらぬく | Musashi: To stand by the evils of love and truth! | Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love! |
コジロウ: ラブリー・チャーミーな敵役 | Kojirō: The lovely, charmy villains! | James: To extend our reach to the stars above! |
ムサシ: ムサシ | Musashi: Musashi! | Jessie: It’s Jessie! |
コジロウ: コジロウ | Kojirō: Kojirō! | James: And James! |
ムサシ: 銀河をかけるロケット団の二人には…… | Musashi: The pair from Team Rocket soars through the galaxy! | Jessie: Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light! |
コジロウ: ホワイトホール、白い明日が待ってるぜ | Kojirō: A white hole, a white tomorrow awaits us! | James: Surrender now, or prepare to fight! |
ニャース: にゃんてにゃ | Nyarth: Something like that! | Meowth: Meowth! That’s right! |
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
Then, in Alola, the group once more adopted a new motto which was first introduced with The Dex is Loading! It’s very similar to Unovan one.
“*” denotes the phrase Jessie copies as they prepare to announce their slogan.
Japanese | Translation | English |
---|---|---|
ムサシ: 「*」と言われたら | Musashi: If asked, “*” | Jessie: Did someone ask something? We’re here to find out! |
コジロウ: 聞かせてあげよう 我らが名を | Kojirō: We shall tell you our names | James: Noble answers are what we’re all about! |
ムサシ: 花顔柳腰 羞月閉花 | Musashi: A flower’s face and a willow’s waist, makes the moon abashed and flowers wilt | Jessie: The beauty so radiant, the flowers and moon hide in shame. |
ムサシ: 儚きこの世に咲く一輪の悪の花 | Musashi: A single flower of evil blooming in this fleeting world | Jessie: A single flower of evil in this fleeting world: |
ムサシ: ムサシ! | Musashi: Musashi! | Jessie: Jessie! |
コジロウ: 飛竜乗雲 英姿颯爽 | Kojirō: An exquisite talent and the perfect gentleman | James: The nobly heroic man of our times! |
コジロウ: 切なきこの世に一矢報いる悪の使徒 | Kojirō: A disciple of evil-fighting back against this tragic world | James: The master of darkness fighting back against a tragic world! |
コジロウ: コジロウ! | Kojirō: Kojirō! | James: It’s James. |
ニャース: 一蓮托生 連帯責任 | Nyarth: Walking the same path, the deeds of one are the deeds of all | Meowth: It’s all for one and one for all! |
ニャース: 親しき仲にも小判輝く悪の星 | Nyarth: Even among friends, the star of evil shining like gold | Meowth: A glittering dark star that always shines bright! |
ニャース: ニャースでニャース! | Nyarth: Nyarth! | Meowth: Dig it, while Meowth takes flight! |
ムサシ、コジロウ: ロケット団 参上! | Musashi, Kojirō: We are Team Rocket! | Jessie, James: Team Rocket, let’s fight! |
ニャース: なのニャ! | Nyarth: We are! | Meowth: That’s right! |
ソーナンス: ソ~ナンス! | Sonans: Sōnansu! | Wobbuffet: Wobbuffet! |
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
In the Pokemon Series XY, Jessie, James, and Meowth adopt their original slogan from the original anime.
Japanese | Translation | English |
---|---|---|
ムサシ: なんだかんだと聞かれたら | Musashi: If you ask us this or that… | Jessie: Prepare for trouble! |
コジロウ: 答えてあげるが世の情け | Kojirō: The pity of the world is what responds! | James: And make it double! |
ムサシ: 世界の破壊を防ぐため | Musashi: To prevent the destruction of the world! | Jessie: To protect the world from devastation! |
コジロウ: 世界の平和を守るため | Kojirō: To protect the peace of the world! | James: To unite all people within our nation! |
ムサシ: 愛と真実の悪を貫く | Musashi: To stand by the evils of love and truth! | Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love! |
コジロウ: ラブリーチャーミーな敵役 | Kojirō: The lovely, charmy villains! | James: To extend our reach to the stars above! |
ムサシ: ムサシ | Musashi: Musashi! | Jessie: Jessie! |
コジロウ: コジロウ | Kojirō: Kojirō! | James: And James! |
ムサシ: 銀河を駆けるロケット団の2人には | Musashi: The pair from Team Rocket soars through the galaxy! | Jessie: Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light! |
コジロウ: ホワイトホール 白い明日が待ってるぜ | Kojirō: A white hole, a white tomorrow awaits us! | James: Surrender now or prepare for a fight! |
ニャース: ニャーンてな! | Nyarth: Something like that! | Meowth: Meowth! That’s right! |
ソーナンス: ソーナンス! | Sonans: Sōnansu! | Wobbuffet: Wobbuffet! |
FAQs
Why do Team Rocket members recite the motto?
The Team Rocket Motto is a tradition within the organization, and it is meant to convey the group’s goals and beliefs. Reciting the motto is also a way for Team Rocket members to assert their identity and intimidate their opponents.
Who came up with the Team Rocket Motto?
The origin of the Team Rocket Motto is unclear, but it is believed to have been created by the writers of the Pokemon anime. The motto has become a popular and iconic part of the franchise.
Does the Team Rocket Motto change over time?
The basic structure of the Team Rocket Motto remains the same, but variations of the motto have been used in different episodes of the Pokemon anime. Some episodes feature altered versions of the motto that reflect the specific circumstances of the story.
Who are Jessie and James?
Jessie and James are two of the most prominent members of Team Rocket, and they often recite the Team Rocket Motto in the Pokemon anime. They are known for their distinctive personalities and for their comedic interactions with their Pokemon, including Jessie’s Arbok and James’ Weezing.