If you asked a Pokemon fan to name an iconic villain, it’s likely that Jessie and James would be two of the first names that popped into their head.
First appearing at the very beginning of the Pokemon anime: Jessie, James, and Meowth developed a cult following in the community despite technically being villains. They’re lovable and quirky, and anything with their face on is snapped up by fans, ranging from cards to merchandise.
The dynamic duo of Jessie and James (sorry Meowth) have been spotted in Pokemon Go a handful of times in the past, but according to players, it’s high time that they return to Niantic’s beloved mobile game.
Pokemon Go content creator @PoGo_Central started a conversation about the return of this duo with a fan discussion online. They shared a handy graphic listing the times that the characters have been seen in Pokemon Go, prompting others to demand their return to the game.
Some players were astounded to see how long it’s been since the legendary pair popped up in Pokemon Go. One shocked fan asked, “Sheesh. It’s been THAT long???”
Another player poked fun at Niantic’s love for the Kanto Region, saying, “The one part of Kanto we don’t see every week. I guess they prefer the new bosses they’ve made now.” Team Rocket does still have a heavy presence in the game, with bosses like Sierra and Arlo.
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A handful of fans chimed in with their ideas on how the dynamic duo could be introduced into the game once again, while others pointed out that it might not make sense considering that Jessie and James are no longer in the Pokemon anime.
One Pokemon Go fan suggested, “They’d be a good addition to add into both the Pokemon Day and PoGo Anniversary events tbh. One or twice a year is enough. They were a pleasant change to the regular Grunts we battle.”
Another added, “Considering they’re no longer in the main anime, it’ll be interesting to see how they handle a possible return, it would have to be a movie tie in or something.”
Whether you’re hoping for a Jessie and James event or feel indifferent about the possibility of them returning, it’s hard to deny there’s an air of change in Pokemon Go right now – especially with the recent Dynamax news emerging in the community.