The Tragic History And Current Status Of The Voice Of James Pokémon: A Complete Timeline

The character of James from Team Rocket is one of the most iconic and enduring villains in anime history, yet his English voice has undergone a tumultuous journey, culminating in a series of poignant and recent changes. As of December 13, 2025, the character's voice status is a fresh topic of discussion due to the passing of a legendary actor and a major shift in the Pokémon anime's main series, making the history of his voice a fascinating and often emotional timeline for fans. We will explore the three main English voice actors who brought the flamboyant, cross-dressing, and surprisingly sensitive villain to life, the stable Japanese voice, and who currently holds the role following the recent recasting.

The Men Behind the Motto: A Biography of James's Voice Actors

The character of James, known as Kojirō in the original Japanese version, has been voiced by a small but memorable group of talented actors. The contrast between the rock-solid consistency of the Japanese voice and the dramatic shifts in the English dub is a key part of the character's legacy.

Shin-ichiro Miki (Japanese Voice Actor)

• Role in Pokémon: James (Kojirō) (1997–Present), and various other Pokémon.
• Date of Birth: March 18, 1968
• Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
• Notable Roles: Miki is renowned for his distinctively smooth voice and calm delivery, often cast as handsome young men in anime. His other major roles include Takumi Fujiwara in *Initial D*, Kisuke Urahara in *Bleach*, and Roy Mustang in the 2003 *Fullmetal Alchemist* anime. He has voiced James consistently since the series began, lending an unparalleled stability to the character in his native language.

Eric Stuart (English Voice Actor, 4Kids Era)

• Role in Pokémon: James (Seasons 1–8), Brock, Squirtle, and Charizard (in early seasons).
• Hometown: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Stuart is a multi-talented American voice actor and musician, known for his work with 4Kids Entertainment during the original dubbing era. Beyond Pokémon, he is famous for voicing Seto Kaiba in *Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters* and Gourry Gabriev in *Slayers*. His portrayal of James is often considered the most iconic, defining the character's flamboyant and dramatic personality for an entire generation of Western fans.

James Carter Cathcart (English Voice Actor, TPCi Era)

• Role in Pokémon: James (Season 9–*Journeys*), Meowth, Professor Oak, and Gary Oak.
• Date of Birth: March 8, 1954
• Date of Death: July 8, 2025 (Note: Passed away in 2023)
• Hometown: West Long Branch, New Jersey, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Also credited as Jimmy Zoppi or Carter Cathcart, he took over the role of James (and several others) when The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) took over the dubbing in 2006. He was a voice director and script adaptor for the series as well. His other major role was Weevil Underwood in *Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters*. Cathcart’s passing in 2023 following a battle with throat cancer marked a significant, somber moment for the Pokémon community.

The Three Eras of English James: From 4Kids to TPCi

The English dub of the Pokémon anime has seen three primary voice actors for James, each leaving an indelible mark on the character's personality and the famous Team Rocket motto.

1. The Ted Lewis Introduction (The Pilot Voice)

The very first episodes of the English dub, specifically the character's debut in "Pokémon Emergency!" (EP002) up to EP008, featured a different, often forgotten voice: Ted Lewis. Lewis’s take was short-lived, but he set the initial tone for the character's dramatic flair before the role was permanently assigned for the long haul of the original series.

2. The Eric Stuart Icon (Seasons 1–8)

Eric Stuart defined the character of James for the majority of the original series, including the beloved *Indigo League*, *Johto Journeys*, and *Advanced Generation* arcs. Stuart’s voice provided James with a higher-pitched, more theatrical, and effeminate quality, which perfectly matched the character’s gags, such as his love for cross-dressing and his over-the-top reactions. This era, often referred to as the "4Kids era," is the voice many original fans associate with the iconic "Prepare for Trouble, and Make it Double!" motto.

3. The James Carter Cathcart Tenure (Seasons 9–25)

In 2006, with the beginning of *Pokémon: Battle Frontier* (Season 9), the English dubbing production shifted to The Pokémon Company International (TPCi), resulting in a complete recasting of the English voice actors. James Carter Cathcart, already known as the voice of Gary Oak, took over the role of James, as well as Meowth and Professor Oak. Cathcart’s voice for James was noticeably deeper and more gravelly than Stuart's, reflecting a change in the character's vocal presentation that lasted for nearly two decades, through the *Diamond and Pearl*, *Black and White*, *XY*, *Sun and Moon*, and most of *Journeys* series.

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The Current Status of James’s Voice and Team Rocket’s Future

The most recent and significant news surrounding the voice of James stems from the retirement and subsequent passing of James Carter Cathcart. This event led to a final, necessary recasting for the character's last appearances in the main Pokémon continuity.

The Recasting for 'Aim to Be a Pokémon Master'

Following Cathcart's retirement announcement in early 2023 due to his cancer diagnosis, the roles of James, Meowth, and Professor Oak were immediately recast for the English dub of the final 11 episodes of Ash Ketchum’s saga, titled *Pokémon: Aim to Be a Pokémon Master*. The new voice actors who stepped in to complete the run of the classic Team Rocket trio were Edward Bosco and Mick Wingert. This move ensured that the iconic villains had a voice to deliver their final motto alongside Ash, marking the end of an era with a new, yet temporary, sound.

The Status in Pokémon Horizons

The Pokémon franchise entered a new phase with the debut of *Pokémon Horizons: The Series*, which features a new protagonist, Liko, and a new group of antagonists, the Rising Volt Tacklers. Crucially, the classic Team Rocket trio of Jessie, James, and Meowth are not main characters in the *Horizons* series. This means that, for the first time in the franchise's history, the character of James is not a regular, recurring character in the main English dub, effectively placing the role in a state of indefinite hiatus. While the character remains a beloved part of the franchise, his voice, now a blend of history and recent recasting, is currently silent in the new series. The legacy of Eric Stuart and the late James Carter Cathcart, however, ensures that the flamboyant villain's spirit—and his many voices—will live on in the memories of millions of fans worldwide.