From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.

Meowth (Japanese: ニャース Nyarth) is a Normal-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

It evolves into Persian starting at level 28.

Meowth has a Gigantamax form.

In Alola, Meowth has a Dark-type regional form. It normally evolves into Alolan Persian when leveled up with high friendship. However, in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, it instead evolves into Alolan Persian starting at level 28.

In Galar, Meowth has a Steel-type regional form. It evolves into Perrserker starting at level 28.

Biology

Meowth is a small, feline Pokémon with cream-colored fur that turns brown at the tips of its hind paws and tail. Its ovoid head features four prominent whiskers, wide eyes with slit pupils, two pointed teeth in the upper jaw, and a gold koban coin embedded in its forehead. Its ears are black with brown interiors and are flanked with an additional pair of long whiskers. Meowth is a quadruped with the ability to walk on its hind legs; while the games always depict Meowth on two legs, the anime states that Meowth normally walks on all fours. It can freely manipulate its claws, retracting them when it wants to move silently. The tip of its tail curls tightly.

Meowth is attracted to round and shiny objects and has the unique ability to produce coins using Pay Day. Being nocturnal, it is known to wander about city streets at night and pick up anything that sparkles, including loose change. Upon finding a sparkling object, its eyes will glitter and the coin on its forehead will shine brightly. It shares this intrigue with Murkrow, with whom it often fights with for objects and prey. Meowth is a playful but fickle Pokémon with the capacity for human-like intelligence, with at least one member of the species teaching itself how to speak. Meowth tends to live in urban areas.

Meowth was introduced to Alola as a gift to royalty.[1] The luxurious royal lifestyle soon led to Meowth diverging from its origins and becoming the selfish, prideful, and cunning Alolan Meowth. Alolan Meowth will turn hysterical if its coin or pride are besmirched. When the monarchy fell, the rare Alolan Meowth went feral and eventually grew as common in Alola as anywhere else. Alolan Meowth's fur is a light blue-gray color. Instead of brown markings, the tip of its tail, whiskers, digits, and the insides of its ears a whitish-gray. Alolan Meowth's whiskers have a slight curve compared to regular Meowth's straighter whiskers, and it has silvery eyes.

Galarian Meowth has a shaggy, greyish-brown coat resembling a beard, as well as yellow eyes and a toothy grin. Its coin is now black and extremely hard, with the hardest coins being especially valued. The darker the coin is, the more respect it gets from its peers. Galarian Meowth's body has partially turned to iron as a result of many years of living with a race of savage seafarers. Regular Meowth and Galarian Meowth don't get along.

As Gigantamax Meowth, it has become larger and longer in size. The body extends from the lower half to the shoulder, while the gold coin gains a symbol. Meowth's eyes change to a glowing gold color. The tail grows long as well, with the end of it tips extending. The tail gets even larger and bumpy when it uses an attack. Three red clouds surround it below the shoulders. The giant coin emits a lot of Gigantamax power that surrounds the area with a golden gleam. Its desire for shiny objects increases to the point where it will cause damage to skyscraper windows and exterior walls for the sake of sharpening its claws.[2] The symbol on Gigantamax Meowth's gold coin is believed to be the key to unlocking the secrets of Dynamax.

Gigantamax Meowth is the only known Pokémon capable of using the exclusive G-Max Move G-Max Gold Rush.

In the anime

In the main series

Kantonian Meowth and Alolan Meowth in the anime

Major appearances

Meowth is a member of Team Rocket, and he is unlike ordinary Meowth in that he can speak human language. His first appearance was in Pokémon Emergency!, which also marked the species' debut.

Meowzie is the main reason behind Meowth's ability to talk and walk on two legs. He fell in love with her when he was still a stray Pokémon on the streets of Hollywood.

Tyson's Meowth debuted in Like a Meowth to a Flame and made further appearances throughout the Ever Grande Conference arc. This Meowth was dressed up like Puss in Boots, giving it the nickname "Meowth in Boots".

An Alolan Meowth appeared in Acting True to Form!. After working with Team Rocket, it later arrived at the Team Rocket HQ after stealing the trio's money to buy an airline ticket to Kanto. At the Team Rocket HQ, it became an assistant to Matori.

Other

In The Purr-fect Hero, a Meowth saved Timmy from a Beedrill in the past. For most of the episode, Timmy believed Meowth was the same Meowth that had saved him. However, this was proven wrong when the real Meowth appeared to save Timmy again.

In Mewtwo Strikes Back, a Meowth was cloned from Team Rocket's Meowth. It was the only cloned Pokémon who didn't join its brethren in battling their progenitors. Unlike Team Rocket's Meowth, this Meowth is incapable of speaking human language, as that trait was learned behavior. Meowth reappeared in Mewtwo Returns.

Go West Young Meowth featured a gang of Meowth living on the streets of Hollywood. Team Rocket's Meowth was revealed to be a former member, while his love interest Meowzie currently is one.

In Spinarak Attack, The Black Arachnid had a Meowth over 100 years ago.

In Why Not Give Me a Z-Ring Sometime?, multiple Alolan Meowth live with Nanu in his house. They robbed Team Rocket of their food. In Tough Guy Trials!, Nanu made Ash play with the Meowth while he went off somewhere else. They reappeared in Guiding an Awakening!.

Minor appearances

In The Ultimate Test, Ash used a Meowth during the Pokémon League entrance exam. It was defeated by the instructor's Vaporeon.

In Lights, Camerupt, Action!, a Meowth was an actor in one of Elijah's movies. It was sized up to appear larger.

In Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, Mew transformed into a Meowth.

In The Island of Illusions!, a giant Meowth was one of Zoroark's illusions.

At the end of The Cave of Mirrors!, a Mirror World Meowth was a member of Mirror Team Rocket.

In Dreams Are Made of These!, three Meowth were followers of a Persian.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry AG109 Meowth Ash's Pokédex Meowth, the Scratch Cat Pokémon. Meowth loves to roam at night to gather coins and other objects that sparkle, but it spends most of the daylight hours sleeping.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP002 Meowth Dawn's Pokédex Meowth, the Scratch Cat Pokémon. It sleeps a lot during the daytime and during the nighttime becomes active, moving around its territory. DP014 Meowth Dawn's Pokédex Meowth, the Scratch Cat Pokémon. When it sees round objects, it plays and loses track of time.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry SM062 Meowth Rotom Pokédex Meowth, Alola Form. The Scratch Cat Pokémon. A Dark type. Meowth are not native to the Alola region, but people brought them here. Eventually, their appearance changed to what we now see. They are prideful and cunning.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry JN020 Meowth Ash's Rotom Phone Meowth, the Scratch Cat Pokémon. A Normal type. When Meowth encounters something shiny, the charm on its forehead gleams.

In Pokémon: Twilight Wings

In Assistant, a Galarian Meowth was at a café.



In the manga

In the Ash & Pikachu manga

Meowth appeared in Ash & Pikachu.

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Meowth appears in The Electric Tale of Pikachu along with his teammates Jessie and James. He first appears in Pikachu's Excellent Adventure.

In Days of Gloom and Glory, an unnamed Meowth based on Meowzie appears. Like the anime, Meowzie finds Meowth's ability to speak the human language "creepy". In the manga, however, she has at least one kitten, which she captures in a stolen Poké Ball in order to protect it from an impending flood.

In the movie adaptations

As Meowth has appeared in every movie to date, he has appeared in the manga adaptations of them as well.

In the Pocket Monsters manga

Meowth debuted in JNM04.

In the Pocket Monsters DP manga

A Meowth appeared in PMDP60.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Main article: Cent

Meowth debuted in a cameo in Bulbasaur, Come Home! as one of the Pokémon that escaped from Professor Oak's Laboratory.

A Meowth appeared in a flashback in The Coming of Slowpoke (Eventually), when the Pokémon Fan Club President explained the move Pay Day, the species' signature move.

A Meowth appeared as one of Sham's Pokémon, which attacked Green and Silver while they were escaping from Masked Man's compound, as seen in a flashback from The Escape. Sham's Meowth later presumably evolved into one of her three Persian.

A Meowth appeared in The Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.

Multiple Meowth were used by Team Galactic Grunts in Cleaning Up Grimer.

In The Grand Entrance and Delivery Boy Sun, during a flashback, three Alolan Meowth were shown under the care of Sun's great-grandfather. In the present day, Sun was shown with one of these Meowth, nicknamed Cent, using him to defeat two Team Skull Grunts with Pay Day. A Meowth also appeared with a Persian in the book Sun had when he was younger.

An Alolan Meowth appeared in The Decision and the Tournament of Six.

In the Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All manga

A Meowth appeared in a background collage in Catch the Poliwag!.

Masatoshi has a Meowth, which debuted in GDZ18. It is talented at playing the shamisen, a Japanese stringed instrument.

In the Pokémon Horizon manga

A Trainer's Alolan Meowth appeared in The Power of Teamwork.

In the Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition ~ Ranse's Color Picture Scroll ~ manga

Multiple Meowth appeared in The White Scroll: Oichi's Worries.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Multiple Meowth appeared in Which One is the Real Clefairy!?, under the ownership of Team Rocket Grunts.

Green owns a Meowth, which first appeared in The No. 1 Pokémon!!. It later evolved into a Persian and devolved back into Meowth.

Red borrowed a Meowth from Blaine in The Pokémon Banana League (Part 1). It is unknown if Red kept it or returned it to him.

Giovanni owns a Meowth, which often assists his Hitmons, as first seen in Bring Down the Strongest Pokémon!!.

A Meowth appeared in Fighting Over Otoshidama!!.

A Meowth appeared in Pikachu's Birthday Party.

In the TCG

In the TFG

One Meowth figure has been released.

Other appearances

Multiple Meowth can be found during the Beach level. These Meowth are prone to accident and injury, as Pidgey is easily provoked to use Gust on them. Snap can also knock Meowth off a rock, making it fall to the ground.

Meowth appears as a Poké Ball summon. It attacks opponents with Pay Day.

Meowth appears as a random trophy. Meowth's trophy in this game is based on the anime ending theme Meowth's Party.

Meowth using Pay Day in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Trophy information

"This... is Meowth's dream. Meowth strides all over the globe, scattering invitations to other Pokémon insisting they come to "Meowth's Party." At this wonderful party, guests are packed in like sardines as Meowth climbs up the stage with its faithful guitar. It strikes a chord, pauses, and then rocks their world!''

Meowth returns as a Poké Ball summon, attacking opponents with Pay Day. However, it instead faces one direction rather than attacking from all sides.

Trophy Information

"A Scratch Cat Pokémon. It's one of the most famous Pokémon and very fond of things that glitter--the gold medallion on its head could be seen as an indicator of this infatuation. There are many Pokémon that resemble cats, but Meowth is the only one that can use Pay Day to receive coins at the end of battle. It evolves into Persian."

Meowth in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS

Meowth returns as a Poké Ball summon, with its abilities unchanged from Brawl.

Trophy information

NA: "Meowth is a Normal-type, Scratch Cat Pokémon who absolutely loves anything shiny. It's a creature of the night, and it's not unusual to discover a Meowth and a Murkrow fighting over their finds. Meowth's attack Pay Day can deal a ton of damage if an opponent gets caught in it. How purrfect!"

PAL: "Meowth, a Normal-type Pokémon, loves round, shiny things. It runs around at night, hunting for little treasures and trinkets, but often ends up getting into fights with Murkrow about who'll get to keep them. Watch out for Meowth's Pay Day attack. If it catches you from behind, it can be purralysingly pawerful!"

Meowth returns as a Poké Ball summon, retaining the same behavior as before. It also appears as a Spirit.

Game data

NPC appearances

Pokémon Pinball: A Meowth appears in a bonus stage that is accessible from the Blue Table. The player must hit the Meowth and get it to drop gold coins which must be collected.

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

In events

Games Event Gigantamax Location Level Distribution period Sw Sh Wild Area News Yes hide 17, 30, 40, 50, 60 May 26, 2020 to June 1, 2020

Held items

Meowth

Alolan Meowth

Stats

Base stats

Kantonian Meowth

Alolan Meowth

Galarian Meowth

Pokéathlon stats

Type effectiveness

Meowth

Alolan Meowth

Galarian Meowth

Under normal battle conditions in Generation VIII, this Pokémon is: Damaged

normally by: Normal ½× Fighting 2× Flying ½× Poison 0× Ground 2× Rock ½× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic ½× Ice ½× Dragon ½× Dark 1× Fairy ½× None Weak to: Normal ½× Fighting 2× Flying ½× Poison 0× Ground 2× Rock ½× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic ½× Ice ½× Dragon ½× Dark 1× Fairy ½× None Immune to: Normal ½× Fighting 2× Flying ½× Poison 0× Ground 2× Rock ½× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic ½× Ice ½× Dragon ½× Dark 1× Fairy ½× None Resistant to: Normal ½× Fighting 2× Flying ½× Poison 0× Ground 2× Rock ½× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic ½× Ice ½× Dragon ½× Dark 1× Fairy ½× None

Learnset

Meowth

Alolan Meowth

Galarian Meowth

Meowth

Alolan Meowth

Galarian Meowth

Meowth

Alolan Meowth

Galarian Meowth

Meowth

Generation VIII Other generations: None Game Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Sw Sh IoA Lash Out Dark Physical 75 100% 5 Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Meowth

indicates a move that gets when used by Meowth Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Meowth

Alolan Meowth

Generation VIII Other generations: None Game Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Sw Sh IoA Lash Out Dark Physical 75 100% 5 Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Meowth

indicates a move that gets when used by Meowth Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Meowth

Galarian Meowth

Generation VIII Other generations: None Game Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Sw Sh IoA Lash Out Dark Physical 75 100% 5 Sw Sh IoA Steel Beam Steel Special 140 95% 5 Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Meowth

indicates a move that gets when used by Meowth Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Meowth

Meowth

Side game data

Meowth

Alolan Meowth

Galarian Meowth

Evolution

Meowth

Alolan Meowth

Galarian Meowth

Forms

Gigantamax

Sprites

Trivia

Origin

Meowth seems to be based upon the Japanese legend of the 招き猫 Maneki-neko, also known as the lucky cat or beckoning cat. According to one legend, a cat raised its paw to welcome a lord and saved his life when a lightning bolt hit the spot where he had been standing. Maneki-neko are often used as charms in restaurants and shops to bring customers fortune and good luck. Statues of the cat are usually depicted holding a koban, an ancient coin used in Japan, like the one on Meowth's head. Meowth's color and pattern suggest that it also draws inspiration from Siamese cats. Its Japanese Pokémon category also suggests it is based on a Bakeneko.

Based on its appearance and Sword Pokédex entry, Galarian Meowth may be based on Norwegian Forest cats, large fluffy cats with beard-like ruffs, with traits of the Vikings that kept the breed's presumed ancestors on their ships.

Name origin

Meowth may be a combination of meow (the sound a cat makes), mouth, and wealth, alluding to the Maneki-neko's capacity to bring good fortune. The -th may also be borrowed from Nyarth, as both meow and nyā are onomatopoeia of a cat's cry.

Nyarth may be a combination of ニャー nyā (the sound a cat makes) and the switched sounds of シャム Shamu (Siam, former name of Thailand), becoming ミャス Myasu. Siam relates to a cat breed, the Siamese, which in turn relates to Meowth's evolution, Persian, and the Persian cat breed.

In other languages





Related articles

Notes



