Remembering James Carter Cathcart: The Best Moments Of His Many Pokemon Characters

Not even a year after the loss of original Misty and Jesse voice actress Rachael Lillis, the Pokemon anime fandom has again been plunged into mourning at the news that voice actor James Carter Cathcart has passed away from throat Cancer at the age of 71. In the early seasons of the dub, produced by 4Kids, Cathcart mostly voiced Ash Ketchum's main rival Gary Oak, and occasionally Gary's Grandfather, Professor Oak.

Cathcart became one of the few English voice actors to remain with the Pokemon dub when it switched companies, at which point he additionally took over the voices of Team Rocket's James and Meowth from their original actors. He continued to voice these characters through the remainder of the original series, and was able to complete dub work on Aim To Be A Pokemon Master!, the epilogue of Ash Ketchum's journey, before retiring due to his Cancer diagnosis.

Since the sad news was released, both Pokemon fans and Cathcart's fellow voice actors have been sharing some of their favourite moments from the characters he voiced.

Gary Oak's First Appearance

As mentioned earlier, in the early seasons Cathcart mostly voiced Gary Oak, Grandson of the Pokemon expert Professor Oak and Ash Ketchum's first rival. Gary first appears in the anime's very first episode, 'Pokemon, I Choose You!', when Ash, running late for his meeting with Professor Oak, crashes into him and his cheerleaders. Gary immediately insults Ash for his lateness, sparking a long-running rivalry between the two.

While the episode initially plays this as Ash and Gary's first meeting, this is later retconned to having them always having known each other. Still, an iconic early moment for what would become an iconic character.

Gary faces Mewtwo

For most of the Pokemon anime's Indigo League arc, Gary is cocky, irritating, and constantly looking down on Ash. His overconfidence is not entirely misplaced, given he is usually at least one Gym badge above Ash at any given time. So, it comes as a shock when Ash and co return to Viridian City Gym to find that Gary has been brutally defeated by the Gym Leader.

Unbeknownst to Gary, he had faced the clone Pokemon, Mewtwo. Even in the face of his defeat, he manages to get a dig in at Ash.. if Gary couldn't win, Ash definitely can't. Thankfully, Ash doesn't yet face Mewtwo. His arrival in Viridian coincides with Team Rocket Boss/Viridian Gym Leader Giovanni losing control of Mewtwo, events later seen in Pokemon: The First Movie.

Rivalry Revival

After crashing out of the Indigo League before Ash's own shock loss, Gary is finally humbled. However, the fact he ranked higher than Gary in the Indigo League, followed shortly after by his victory in the Orange League, has boosted Ash to almost dangerous levels of confidence. When Ash finally battles Gary for the first time shortly after returning to Pallet Town, he is certain of his victory, and thus surprised when his Pikachu is defeated by Gary's Eeevee.

Ash gets no sympathy from Misty and Brock, who had warned Ash that Eeevee was in good condition, and had clearly been trained well. However, Gary, contrary to his earlier behaviour, chooses not to rub it in, instead expressing a wish for a rematch in the not too distant future. Ash, realizing he still has much to learn, is inspired to follow Gary to Johto to compete in the Johto League Silver conference, beginning a more friendly chapter in the rivalry between the two.

Ash vs Gary at the Silver Conference

Ash and Gary get their long awaited rematch in the third round of the Johto League Silver Conference. After a match spanning two episodes, it all comes down to Ash's Charizard, and Gary's Blastoise, which had been his Starter Pokemon. Despite the fire-type Charizard's major disadvantage against the water-type Blastoise, Ash is able to scrape through to a victory with a few strategic moves.

Gary, showing his growth, is not upset at the loss, proud to have done his best and been beaten fair and square.

Following the tournament, Gary reveals his plans to retire from formal battling and become a researcher like his Grandfather. When Ash and Gary meet again beyond this point, they are meeting not as rivals, but as friends.

James gives up Chimecho

As a child, Team Rocket's James had always wanted a Chimecho. While travelling through Hoenn, he fulfills the dream of capturing one. James dotes upon Chimecho, spoiling it and not allowing it to battle, to the occasional annoyance of Jessie and Meowth. Sadly, during the Pokemon: Battle Frontier season, Chimecho falls gravely ill. He takes Chimecho to his Grandparents, who often care for sick Pokemon, and when it becomes clear that healing will take time, reluctantly leaves it with them to recuperate.

While Team Rocket were always been the villains of the original anime, their major redeeming quality was a genuine love for their Pokemon, as James proved here. Michelle Knotz, who voiced Jessie alongside Cathcart's James, has stated that Cathcart's performance through the above storyline moved her to tears.

Meowth encourages Chimchar

A common and tragic recurring theme in the Pokemon anime was Ash taking on the care of a fire-type regional Starter Pokemon who had been abandoned and mistreated by a previous Trainer. The second such occurrence of this was with Chimchar in the Diamond and Pearl era. When Ash's current rival, Paul, abandons Chimchar for perceived weakness, Ash invites it to join his team. While Chimchar accepts, it's self-esteem has clearly taken a hit.

Struggling to sleep among his new friends, Chimchar takes a late night stroll, stumbling upon Team Rocket's Meowth. Rather than taking advantage of the troubled Chimchar as one might expect, Meowth instead comforts and encourages Chimchar, telling him how lucky he is to have a new family who will do anything for him. Chimchar returns to Ash, and neither it nor Meowth reference their encounter.

Although he is a criminal, Meowth has always had a heart, and usually wants what is best for his fellow Pokemon, even if circumstances prevent him showing it.

Meowth helps the stray Litten

One of the most heartbreaking storylines throughout the whole Pokemon anime is when Ash befriends a stray Litten and it's ageing Stoutland companion. Team Rocket's Meowth, knowing what it is like to be a 'stray cat', also befriends Litten, quietly offering help where it can. Both parties become concerned at Stoutland's failing health, and while Ash doubts Meowth's motives in helping Litten, Meowth claims to only want Litten to be safe.

Meowth proves this when, after Stoutland's death, he witnesses Ash offer Litten a place on his team, and does not intervene in Litten's decision. The best place for Litten is with Ash, even if, for Meowth, it means losing him as a friend.

Team Rocket support Ash during the Masters Eight Tournament

Despite viewing Ash as an enemy, The three members of Team Rocket are often among his most vocal supporters at many of the tournaments that end each regional adventure. This is especially evident in the World Championship Master's Eight Tournament that is not just the climax of the Pokemon: Journeys arc, but Ash's entire adventure.

Many fans note that although Ash's own Mother does not even make it to watch Ash compete in person, Team Rocket carry out a successful plan to sneak into the arena. Officially, they are there to make money selling bootleg merchandise, but become completely distracted from this task whenever Ash battles.

Team Rocket Belongs Together

Discouraged by their repeated failure to capture Ash's Pikachu, Team Rocket briefly part ways during Ash's final story arc, Aim To Be A Pokemon Master!. However, upon realizing that each of them have been pursuing Ash separately, they reunite for one last shot at Pikachu. The attempt fails, thanks to unexpected intervention of Ash’s long-lost Pidgeot, but they ultimately decide not to give up, ending the series back together, and pursuing Ash on his newest adventure.

Team Rocket may be villains, but they are a family, just as much as Ash and his Pokemon.

Gary prompts Ash to consider his future

After an extended absence from the Pokemon anime, Gary Oak returned during Pokemon: Journeys, as a rival and later friend of Ash's new travelling companion, Goh, as they strive to earn a place on the exclusive Project Mew research team. His final appearance comes at the very end of Ash's story, in the final episode of Aim to be a Pokemon Master.

After Ash has spent some time at home, a visiting Gary, while congratulating him on his World Championship win, asks how close he is to achieving his original goal of becoming a Pokemon Master. This conversation prompts Ash to consider just what being a Pokemon Master actually means, inspiring him to travel once more. Just as Gary was one of the first people Ash spoke to before beginning his first adventure, he is the first person he speaks to before pursuing a brand new adventure, bringing the series full circle. Gary Oak is also the only dub character to be voiced by the same English voice actor in both his first and last appearance.

Rest In Peace, James Carter Cathcart. Your work will never be forgotten.