Meowth’s voice actor is retiring from the Pokémon anime due to cancer

James Carter Cathcart, the English-language voice actor for James and Meowth and others in the Pokémon anime series, is retiring from his roles after 25 years due to cancer. The show’s 25th season will be the last time he appears on it. Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The SeriesMartha Jacobi, wife of Jacobi’s husband, told reporters on Monday.

Cathcart’s cancer was diagnosed in January. Per his wife’s description, the cancer started at the base of his tongue and later spread to both sides of his tongue and lymph glands in his neck. Jacobi stated on CaringBridge, April 17, that the tumors had not responded to chemotherapy in the way that was expected and that a more aggressive approach would be needed. Jacobi will also be leaving his role on the show.

“Jimmy has decided to retire from script adapting and voice dubbing for Pokémon USA, effective at the conclusion of Season 25. He has been with the series since the 1st episode, so it is a timely decision as the series transitions to new characters and story lines,” Jacobi said on CaringBridge.

Cathcart’s voice is a familiar comfort to many who grew up watching the Pokémon series. He has played the recurring roles of two members of Team Rocket, the flamboyant James and the special-speaking Meowth since the series started in addition to characters like Professor Oak and other Pokémon. Although he played the role of two of the series’ “bad guys,” both James and Meowth are fixtures of the franchise and have grown into beloved characters as fans watched their antics over the years.

Cathcart’s departure from the show comes at a transitional period for the Pokémon series. Ash and Pikachu have retired in Japan where the series is still going on. Two new characters, Liko & Roy, are now taking their place. Ash retired his cap, leaving Team Rocket’s future uncertain. We saw the Team Rocket blast off for what we thought would be the last time, but then the team made one last return in Ash’s final episode. We don’t have confirmation, but for now, it’s looking like a group called the Explorers could be the next new villains.