BREAKING NEWS FOR ALL FANS OF THE ANIME!

[Catilena1890]

WARNING!

This news post contains spoilers for an episode of pokemon that has not yet been dubbed. If you do not wish to have it ruined for you, press the back button now, for whatever good it`ll do you. The topic discussed in this thread is being highly debated even as you read, and you may not avoid it anyway.

Sneer Says:

Read at your own risk, you insolent fools.





So we all good to continue? Good. Let's move onto the post.


So, I was randomly browsing Bulba's episode list for Black&White tonight to see what the next upcoming episode was in japan, and to see if they had any episode summaries yet. And I came across this:



Needless to say, I was shocked. I decided to look for any discussions/explanations on google *and there are a LOT* and I found a pretty good link. It basically gives a more in-depth description of what is going on, as well as the preview for the next several episodes.

If I were you, I would follow the advice they give you and go straight to 1:16 for Meowth's part, as you will most-likely be scarred for life seeing the pokemon Sawk for the first time *the blue dude you can only get in black.

HERE is the link. I suggest you click it, watch it, read it, then come back here and debate it. Do YOU think Meowth has left Team Rocket for good? Has he turned into a twerp? Or is this just a truly intricate plan to get Ash to let his guard down so Meowth can capture his pokemon and bring them back to Giovanni?

Give all your opinions and information in this thread please.

DISCUSS

UPDATE


In BW042, while in Nimbasa City, Team Rocket prepared to put their latest plan into action. Later, in the next episode, Meowth was found injured by Ash, Iris and Cilan. While recovering, Meowth explained that while in Nimbasa City, he had botched up Team Rocket's scheme badly and was fired by Giovanni, leading to Jessie and James turning their backs on him. Later, Iris's Axew was kidnapped by a Scrafty, who wanted Axew's help to get its home back from a Mandibuzz. Using his ability to speak to both Pokémon and humans, Meowth not only helped get Axew back but also helped Scrafty get its home back and helped Mandibuzz return to her original nest. Afterwards, Meowth decided to travel with Ash and his friends, only for Iris to attempt to capture him in a Poké Ball. The capture nearly succeeded but Meowth broke out and told her he was going to help her regardless. - By a Bulbapedia Editor, read the whole thing HERE.

DISCUSS

[sularis]

I dunno what to think. I haven't really watched the anime since Meowth's original voice actor passed away R.I.P, Maddie Blaustein, we miss you terribly.


I think this is a plot to get Ash's pokemon if I had to pick one of the other two options. Meowth just can't suddenly turn good like that. Its way out of character.

[dizzy]

I'm kind of terribly conflicted at what to think as well. Like you mentioned Cat, Meowth has considered joining the 'twerps' before, but he always goes right back to being satisfied with the Rockets for the moment. I mean, he's pretended to be nice before, and he's also be genuine with some of them before too. But then, he, Jessie, and James have had heartfelt moments before too.

I dunno! I really just don't know. XD

I'm really intrigued to know what happens though.

[Catilena1890]

Well according to the page I linked to, he's staying with them for quite a few episodes. Whether it is permanent or not, it's certainly a landmark in the anime for being with them the longest. He's NEVER "converted" for more than half an episode, and yet this looks like it spans at LEAST 3, with him being mentioned in BW episodes 43, 44 and 45.

You gotta consider too, Team Rocket in BW is far more serious than their first 4 generation incarnations. Jessie and James are being taken seriously for once, and obviously receiving funding from Giovanni for the Mecha's, as well as getting their missions from him and his subordinates. They have stopped making puns and they no longer Blast Off in the traditional way. I know James liked Meowth, but Jessie is in it for Jessie, I could see them turning tail on Meowth in favor of getting the Boss's favor.

Then again, they HAVE pulled stunts like this before, sending Meowth in to join them or "converting" themselves for the sake of getting Ash's guard down. I guess it depends on how you look at it. One thing's for sure, the anime will never be the same.

[Bayhound]

MEOWTH, Y U DO DIS TO US. Y U CHALLENGE OUR WEE LITTLE BRAINS. WE R NOT SCOOBY AND HIS GANG, WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE MYSTERY IS D:

I still have no idea what to expect. Although, when he was with the "twerps", didn't he usually have some sort of snide comments floating through his brain? I know the episode isn't translated yet and probably won't be for a while, but when I did see him with Ash and the gang, he looked totally relaxed and carefree. Not very 'gotta keep this up' and 'can't forget about the mission' type thing. Then again, all I saw were the previews, aaaaand there's a whole lot more to the episode. x3

Then again, you'd think Ash wouldn't have considered letting him join them after the other times they've joined forces unless he was for sure Meowth switched sides. THEN AGAIN, he still can't recognize Team Rocket in pathetic costumes after how many seasons? So who knows.

[dizzy]

Cat you have done your research!

If Meowth is staying for more than one episode it seems promising that he'd be leaving Team Rocket, in my opinion. That would have to be one extensive plot otherwise. If I'm being honest I have not been watching the Black and White Saga of the series too intensively, although I was aware Team Rocket has definitely kicked it up a notch. With all the changes I guess Meowth chaning sides is a very reasonable switch up in the series.

But I don't know how willingly Ash would just let him join the "twerps" if Meowth was being sincere. Well, I guess like Bay said, Ash wouldn't unless he was completely sure.

But Ash has done some silly and fairly stupid things in the past. XD

[Catilena1890]

Ash has done some silly and fairly stupid things in the past. XD

Case in point, in DP, when he and his pokemon were running to the Hearthome Gym, he saw Nando and I guess got distracted by Nando's dazzling looks/random appearance, cuz he AND staravia Frenched Fantina's door.

Ash's sense of suspicion is greatly lacking. When it comes to Team Rocket he'll distrust them for about 5 seconds and then decide "Ok, let's work together! OHYEAH!". Cilan and Iris, on the other hand, have a LOT more sense than Ash does, and they seemed to be fine with Meowth in the group, especially when Iris threw the pokeball at him. (Despite what the preview showed, it has been confirmed that she did NOT succeed in actually catching him.)

I would like it if Meowth joined them full-time, but it'd be weird, and it might actually take away from the plot of bit, since most of the filler episodes rely on the language barrier for plot focus. If Meowth is going to be there full-time, then he`ll just be able to tell everyone what the problem is and we will have around 20 minutes to figure out what the rest of the episode is.

It's both a good move on their part, refreshing the anime, and a bad move in terms of fillers.

[dizzy]

Ahaha, that episode I remember clearly!

And silly me, I forgot to take in Cilan's and Iris's insight on the matter. Taking into consideration the fact that Iris did indeed try to capture Meowth I am again being swayed he had an honest change of heart or else Iris would not have tried to capture him (which I'm glad she did not successfully do.)

Hmm, I didn't think about how Meowth joining them would affect the plot filler wise, although I definitely agree it would be a refreshing change for the anime. Him making it easier for the trainers to understand the pokemon definitely sets up some time roadblocks though.

And I'd also be curious in just the initial Team Rocket reaction. Jesse probably wouldn't really care, but I figure James would be a little upset. Maybe they'd just strike back with more wrath.

[Catilena1890]

SO it looks like the change is permanent. Though there is still room for Giovanni to change his mind, or for Meowth to redeem himself and make Giovanni change his mind. I don't know how likely that is though.

I for one, aside from the fact that they have screwed up their filler formula, think this is a good change. We'll see more Meowth funny, and this forces the creators to think about FRESH ideas for filler episodes and such.

The anime will never be the same though. I`ll miss Meowth on Team Rocket, but on the plus side, he`ll be truly cared FOR and ABOUT now. No more kicking around by Jessie and James, no more starving to death, no more pressure for ideas on stealing pikachu only to have them stolen by Jessie or James. I think this is good for him.