TV Special
Description
Nyarth, known as Meowth in localizations, is a Normal-type Pokémon and core Team Rocket member. His origins trace back to being an abandoned stray kitten who joined a gang of alley cats led by a Persian. During this time, he met a female Meowth named Meowzie and fell for her. To win her affection, he dedicated immense effort to mimic humans—learning to walk upright and speak human language, adopting a distinct New York accent in English. This backfired when Meowzie rejected him as unnatural, driving him to join Team Rocket. Reportedly, "Rocket" was the first human word he understood, influencing his choice.
His self-taught human speech and bipedal stance came at a high cost: they permanently diminished his innate combat abilities. He lost the capacity to use his species' signature move, Pay Day, which generates coins. This often renders him ineffective in direct battles, though rare surges of passion or anger can temporarily boost his prowess. His speech ability allows him to translate Pokémon communication for humans, positioning him as Team Rocket's primary strategist and gadget builder. He frequently envisions himself as the trio's leader due to these roles, though Jessie and James rarely acknowledge this authority. Despite constant bickering, he shows deep loyalty to them. He harbors jealousy toward Giovanni's Persian and aspires to replace it as Giovanni's "top cat," reflecting a broader disdain for his evolved form.
Personality-wise, Nyarth exhibits cunning, pride, and greed, aligning with Team Rocket. He is skilled at deception, often feigning allegiance to Ash and friends to infiltrate their group, though Pikachu consistently distrusts him due to their long rivalry. Despite this antagonism, he and Pikachu have collaborated in crises, and Nyarth occasionally laments their inability to be friends. He displays unexpected philosophical depth, musing on shared experiences under the moon, and shows empathy toward abandoned or mistreated Pokémon—stemming from his own early hardships. He remains a wild Pokémon by choice, resisting capture despite occasional interest in Luxury Balls.
In "Pikachu Kōri no Daibōken," Nyarth's actions reflect his broader traits. He appears at the beach with Jessie and James's Pokémon, declaring his intent to surf and become a "legend." Spotting the protagonists' Pokémon, he immediately shifts to scheming, directing Yanmega to attack Pikachu and the group. Displaced to a frozen island alongside them, he initially prioritizes escape but later cooperates to repair ice statues damaged by Croagunk. He contributes by crafting miniature replacement statues, showcasing his persistent creativity. His interactions underscore his role as both adversary and reluctant ally in extraordinary circumstances.
Romantic pursuits recur throughout his arc, including attractions to Skitty, Glameow, and Meloetta, echoing his fixation on Meowzie. His refusal to evolve persists, though whether by choice or inability remains unclarified. His partnership with Jessie and James endures across regions despite repeated failures, cementing their dynamic as foundational to his identity.
His self-taught human speech and bipedal stance came at a high cost: they permanently diminished his innate combat abilities. He lost the capacity to use his species' signature move, Pay Day, which generates coins. This often renders him ineffective in direct battles, though rare surges of passion or anger can temporarily boost his prowess. His speech ability allows him to translate Pokémon communication for humans, positioning him as Team Rocket's primary strategist and gadget builder. He frequently envisions himself as the trio's leader due to these roles, though Jessie and James rarely acknowledge this authority. Despite constant bickering, he shows deep loyalty to them. He harbors jealousy toward Giovanni's Persian and aspires to replace it as Giovanni's "top cat," reflecting a broader disdain for his evolved form.
Personality-wise, Nyarth exhibits cunning, pride, and greed, aligning with Team Rocket. He is skilled at deception, often feigning allegiance to Ash and friends to infiltrate their group, though Pikachu consistently distrusts him due to their long rivalry. Despite this antagonism, he and Pikachu have collaborated in crises, and Nyarth occasionally laments their inability to be friends. He displays unexpected philosophical depth, musing on shared experiences under the moon, and shows empathy toward abandoned or mistreated Pokémon—stemming from his own early hardships. He remains a wild Pokémon by choice, resisting capture despite occasional interest in Luxury Balls.
In "Pikachu Kōri no Daibōken," Nyarth's actions reflect his broader traits. He appears at the beach with Jessie and James's Pokémon, declaring his intent to surf and become a "legend." Spotting the protagonists' Pokémon, he immediately shifts to scheming, directing Yanmega to attack Pikachu and the group. Displaced to a frozen island alongside them, he initially prioritizes escape but later cooperates to repair ice statues damaged by Croagunk. He contributes by crafting miniature replacement statues, showcasing his persistent creativity. His interactions underscore his role as both adversary and reluctant ally in extraordinary circumstances.
Romantic pursuits recur throughout his arc, including attractions to Skitty, Glameow, and Meloetta, echoing his fixation on Meowzie. His refusal to evolve persists, though whether by choice or inability remains unclarified. His partnership with Jessie and James endures across regions despite repeated failures, cementing their dynamic as foundational to his identity.