Meowth has such a tragic backstory of abandonment, heartbreak, rejection and belonging. Abandoned as a kitten, learned to walk on two legs to impress Meowzie only to be outcast for it, learned to talk but realized learning to talk and walk instead of training has made him weak and unskilled in battles, rejected by both other Meowths and humans for being a "freak" that is too different from either group, finally finding acceptance and a place with Jesse and James.

I think you're right that his job and his co-workers are what keep him going without any need for extra manipulation, although his massive jealousy of Giovanni's Persian fueled by his insecurity of never being able to be seen as such a prized Pokemon are a part of that drive.

[–] Jomega 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Fun fact: Meowth's dub actress, Maddie Blaustein, realized she was trans after recording that particular episode.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

I haven't watched the series since my childhood - is there actually any backstory to Pikachu? I just remember that I always felt so sorry for Meowth for being so awfully underappreciated when he is so obviously the most precious and interesting Pokemon individual in the whole Pokemon world. I'm not even sure what was supposed to be special about Pikachu - the fact that he is too bratty to go into a pokeball?

I remember the backstory of Meowth and I think even some of Jessy and James (wasn't she an orphan and he was a rich son being forced into marriage?) but as far as I remember Ash and Pikachu were pretty much white sheets of paper.