Thread: Rocketshipping General Discussion

Very interesting read. (And you're awesome for translating this!) A few lines that stuck out to me...

Musashi, is a beautiful woman and suffers hardships of being beautiful. These experiences aren’t quite complete, but there is plenty of them.

I'm not really sure what this line means. There's even more heartache ahead of her?

Well, it’s not that she can’t say that she easily falls in love because she can’t become a world-class beauty...

This really stuck out like a sore thumb to me because of the Grand Festival. Musashi reiterates this very point, and it now makes me realize that Shudo seems to be saying that Musashi doesn't want to be seriously involved with anyone because then she wouldn't be idolized.

Since this part of her character seems to still be intact, I think we have another obstacle to overcome before Rocketshipping can get anywhere... Musaashi's idol dream.

Incidentally, it seemed like the animators also get on board, since every time during this speech they were coming up with different poses.

That explains every motto related hint. (Heart Scale say hello.)

I may have previously written about it in this column, but Team Rocket’s lines, with the exception of the most essential ones, were improvised and they were said without reporting to the producer by one of the voice actors.

I think calls into question who the real Rocketshippers are... Is it Inuko who thinks Musashi and Kojiro act love-love? Was it Megumi and Miki who came up with those great lines in the St. Anne arc? What about Guradie and Kojiro? Was the ending scene considered essential? Now, I'm not saying Junki isn't a shipper, he obviously is. But I wonder how involved the VAs were in some of this stuff. We really need to go over their lines in the original series with a fine toothed comb.

I've been praising Oohashi (and recently Fujita) for how the Rockets sound more Kantoish nowadays. Do Megumi and Miki still have some say in what Musashi and Kojiro say?

I’ve intended to express what kind of beings is Team Rocket for me in the lyrics for unconventional song called “Team Rocket Forever”, but in relation to copyright management, it looks like that various procedures are needed to appear for even 2,3 verses in your own song lyrics.

This makes me wonder if his lack of going in depth on the characters is because they're still on the show. Kasumi has been gone for over five years, so perhaps that's why he could describe his intent with her so freely. It just seems odd that he loves these characters so much, yet doesn't talk to deeply about them.

Yeah, thanks Jeska! It's always interesting to read official stuff that goes into deeper analysis...

Originally Posted by Musashi

This really stuck out like a sore thumb to me because of the Grand Festival. Musashi reiterates this very point, and it now makes me realize that Shudo seems to be saying that Musashi doesn't want to be seriously involved with anyone because then she wouldn't be idolized.

Since this part of her character seems to still be intact, I think we have another obstacle to overcome before Rocketshipping can get anywhere... Musaashi's idol dream.

Never thought about that. If Musashi ever has to (fake-)reject Kojiro, I can see her saying that she's too busy for romance.

I think calls into question who the real Rocketshippers are... Is it Inuko who thinks Musashi and Kojiro act love-love? Was it Megumi and Miki who came up with those great lines in the St. Anne arc? What about Guradie and Kojiro? Was the ending scene considered essential? Now, I'm not saying Junki isn't a shipper, he obviously is. But I wonder how involved the VAs were in some of this stuff. We really need to go over their lines in the original series with a fine toothed comb.

I've been praising Oohashi (and recently Fujita) for how the Rockets sound more Kantoish nowadays. Do Megumi and Miki still have some say in what Musashi and Kojiro say?

I wouldn't be surprised if they affected the important lines of DP117... Btw, I've always wondered why Musashi has a different tone in her voice through that whole episode. It's much more cutesy than usual...

This makes me wonder if his lack of going in depth on the characters is because they're still on the show. Kasumi has been gone for over five years, so perhaps that's why he could describe his intent with her so freely. It just seems odd that he loves these characters so much, yet doesn't talk to deeply about them.

I think there's a chance he might talk about their relationships... But he can't spoil anything, right?

Thank you so much Jeska! We really appreciate your hard work <3

Originally Posted by Musashi

I'm not really sure what this line means. There's even more heartache ahead of her?

Perhaps he meant heartache as a more general term? Correct me if I'm wrong, but this was written when the second movie came out right? Because Musashi's failure in AG at becoming a coordinator could possibly count as heartache. And then in DP, losing the GF could count too. Of course, this is if heartache is a general term. I also think Dokucale's release can count as heartache too.

This really stuck out like a sore thumb to me because of the Grand Festival. Musashi reiterates this very point, and it now makes me realize that Shudo seems to be saying that Musashi doesn't want to be seriously involved with anyone because then she wouldn't be idolized.

Since this part of her character seems to still be intact, I think we have another obstacle to overcome before Rocketshipping can get anywhere... Musaashi's idol dream.

This is why I love rocketshipping, there is always so much to analyze!

I have never thought about this as an obstacle before, but I think you are right about it. Perhaps Musashi has to give up on her idol dream before she starts a serious relationship with Kojiro. However, this is a very difficult obstacle for her, since I don't see her giving it up very easily.

Originally Posted by Meron

I think there's a chance he might talk about their relationships... But he can't spoil anything, right?

I think so too. Obviously their friendship with each other is part of what makes the rockets great. But I wonder if he isn't permitted to talk about since it's possible he could spoil something...

Ah, thank you for the translation, Jeska! <3

Originally Posted by Paperhorse108

I have never thought about this as an obstacle before, but I think you are right about it. Perhaps Musashi has to give up on her idol dream before she starts a serious relationship with Kojiro. However, this is a very difficult obstacle for her, since I don't see her giving it up very easily.

It's very possible that a relationship might be what she needs to give up on her idol dreams. And while they're important to her, she wouldn't have to give up on them completely. (But I do agree with Meron, I can see her telling Kojiro she's "too busy" ;P) Sure, having one person idolize you isn't the same as millions of fans, but we do know how she feels about love in general, especially after what happened with Astin, when she chose to to follow her idol dreams instead of her heart, and it was obvious she regretted it. (lol run on sentence) It was kind of implied that she'll find her true love someday at the end of the episode (the dub at least, if I remember right. It's been a while since I saw DP073, dub or sub). Whether or not that will happen in the anime...well...(especially if that's just a dub line, I don't remember the sub.)

And Kojiro doesn't seem to mind helping her achieve what she wants. Even though he wasn't too fond of her contest career at first, he did eventually start going out of his way to do things to help her. It's possible that eventually Musashi will realize that even though she didn't become famous, he still helped her try, and always will. And if they were to start a relationship, he would only continue to help her achieve her dreams. Sometimes I kind of wonder how he feels when she talks about wanting to be famous so much, even though in her day dream sequence in DP176 he and Nyasu were both right there with her. I doubt she'd leave them behind...we know Kojiro wouldn't leave Muashi for money.

I don't see her giving up on it easily either, though. It's been something that has been consistently important to her, some times more than others. The whole thing is kind of a catch-22...

Edit: Plus I don't really think we know exactly how serious Musashi is about it. I always kind of thought her idol dreams were more of a Kanto thing, (as it was more frequently talked about then, and when she stole those badges and everything...) but I guess she is more serious about than, at least I, thought, especially with the GF. She got to kind of live out her dream for a bit, so now I guess we'll see where she takes it from here.

You're all welcome and thank you

Originally Posted by Musashi

Very interesting read.

I haven't primarily thought it would be that interesting, but after considering it more deeply and understanding a few things, it's indeed interesting :D

I'm not really sure what this line means. There's even more heartache ahead of her?

That's what I was thinking too.

This really stuck out like a sore thumb to me because of the Grand Festival. Musashi reiterates this very point, and it now makes me realize that Shudo seems to be saying that Musashi doesn't want to be seriously involved with anyone because then she wouldn't be idolized.

Since this part of her character seems to still be intact, I think we have another obstacle to overcome before Rocketshipping can get anywhere... Musaashi's idol dream.

Another character development yet to be done in the future :D I haven't ever thought that it could be an obstacle, everyone seemed to concentrate on Kojiro's fear of marriage and not on Musashi's idol dream.
It's true that in Japan, many female stars are kinda "forced" to be single, because they would be more popular with fanboys like this. Besides, it's difficult to reconcile career with love life.

There could be also a reason why she decided to separate from Kojiro in DP117 in order to achieve her dream. Maybe it wasn't only because she didn't want to be egoistic (though, her reasoning was very stupid as she knew that Kojiro wouldn't be happy coming back home), but also because she simply because didn't want to have a man at her side when she's trying to become a star. But then, after DP1117, a lot of things have changed. Kojiro not only started to support her wholeheartedly, but also you can say that she owes him a huge part of her success. And she's aware of it, at least subconsciously. If I'm not mistaken, her DP176's idol daydream was the first one to involve Kojiro (correct me if I'm wrong).
So maybe she doesn't see Kojiro's companionship as the obstacle anymore?

Musashi still hasn't been outspoken about it. But even, if her Contests career is gone, her idol dream certainly isn't, so we still have chance to have this topic explained :)

That explains every motto related hint. (Heart Scale say hello.)

And that's the animators' doing :)

I think calls into question who the real Rocketshippers are... Is it Inuko who thinks Musashi and Kojiro act love-love?

I've always wondered about this line, since it was weird for me how Shudo could write such a direct line, especially if his episodes doesn't seem to be really Rocketshippy (besides EP020, but again, we don't know to what extent this episode's Rocketshipping is his doing). So I'm putting my money on it to be Inuyama's improvised line.

Was it Megumi and Miki who came up with those great lines in the St. Anne arc? What about Guradie and Kojiro? Was the ending scene considered essential? Now, I'm not saying Junki isn't a shipper, he obviously is. But I wonder how involved the VAs were in some of this stuff. We really need to go over their lines in the original series with a fine toothed comb.

I've been praising Oohashi (and recently Fujita) for how the Rockets sound more Kantoish nowadays. Do Megumi and Miki still have some say in what Musashi and Kojiro say?

I'm not sure if this rule doesn't apply only to Shudo's scripts. It's been Shudo who was telling them to ignore the script and improvise when they feel like it, but did he say it as a series constructor or as the script writer? It's hard to tell, but maybe it will be more clear once I translate next parts.

This makes me wonder if his lack of going in depth on the characters is because they're still on the show. Kasumi has been gone for over five years, so perhaps that's why he could describe his intent with her so freely. It just seems odd that he loves these characters so much, yet doesn't talk to deeply about them.

I can't think of any other reason than this. When he's talking about Rockets, he only comes up with less concrete stuff and doesn't talk about anything too directly as if he wasn't allowed to say too much. But even if so, you can say how much he loves his characters. When talking about Kasumi, he's very direct and concrete, because she's gone from the main staff forever.

Originally Posted by Meron

Never thought about that. If Musashi ever has to (fake-)reject Kojiro, I can see her saying that she's too busy for romance.

Such reasoning is so her! She "rejected" similar way that guy from Mewtwo special movie after all xD;

But as I said earlier, after DP117, her approach towards this topic may be a little different now. In DP117, she had to choose between Team Rocket, or rather, Kojiro and her contest career. What she chose in the end? Kojiro. Did she ever regretted it? No, in fact she wouldn't get that far if not for Kojiro being by her side. But it's not even like it could ever come to her having to "reject" Kojiro because of her contest. If Kojiro was ever to confess to her, we know that it wouldn't end up like this.

I wouldn't be surprised if they affected the important lines of DP117... Btw, I've always wondered why Musashi has a different tone in her voice through that whole episode. It's much more cutesy than usual...

Hayashibara and Miki are considered the greatest seiyuu's, they know how to play their roles

I think there's a chance he might talk about their relationships... But he can't spoil anything, right?

He won't, he just have finished his articles' series last week, sadly. But as you can see, we can still interprete some things he says in terms of Rocketshipping.

Originally Posted by Paperhorse108

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this was written when the second movie came out right?

No, it was written in August of 2009. He's just reminiscencing things here.

Because Musashi's failure in AG at becoming a coordinator could possibly count as heartache. And then in DP, losing the GF could count too. Of course, this is if heartache is a general term. I also think Dokucale's release can count as heartache too.

Well, in the next sentence he used term "ki ga ooi" which means a person who falls in love fast/is into many different things and yet can't decide what/whom to choose, so it's exactly what RG said - it's that she has to choose between love and her career/duties.

I have never thought about this as an obstacle before, but I think you are right about it. Perhaps Musashi has to give up on her idol dream before she starts a serious relationship with Kojiro. However, this is a very difficult obstacle for her, since I don't see her giving it up very easily.

I wonder if she will resign from her career in the end. While it may be true that in many cases (not only in Japan) getting married for woman means the end to her career and dreams, but I don't think that Musashi's that kind of person. Especially if she will be in relationship with Kojiro, who's rooting for her as no one else. She can still resign, but I don't think it would be because of Kojiro.

Originally Posted by CarlyRocketto

especially after what happened with Astin, when she chose to to follow her idol dreams instead of her heart, and it was obvious she regretted it. (lol run on sentence) It was kind of implied that she'll find her true love someday at the end of the episode (the dub at least, if I remember right. It's been a while since I saw DP073, dub or sub). Whether or not that will happen in the anime...well...(especially if that's just a dub line, I don't remember the sub.)

Unfortunately, that's all dub stuff. The original version was just about finding happiness.

Originally Posted by jessierocketka

If I'm not mistaken, her DP176's idol daydream was the first one to involve Kojiro (correct me if I'm wrong).

He was just being her chauffeur though.

Originally Posted by jessierocketka

So maybe she doesn't see Kojiro's companionship as the obstacle anymore?

Companionship, yes. She wouldn't just dump her friends if she became famous. But I don't see how this would help us at all. Kojiro may have seen a bright future, but I just see fights breaking out because she's too busy for them and would eventually have to choose which one she wanted.

Now I kinda want the BW Rocketshipping episode to be Musashi becoming famous but turning it down because she'd rather be with her friends.

Originally Posted by Musashi

Now I kinda want the BW Rocketshipping episode to be Musashi becoming famous but turning it down because she'd rather be with her friends.

There's no way she would turn it down at first. She acts before she thinks, after all. Maybe she would get into the idol career for a bit, but gets in trouble and Kojiro and Nyasu saves her. Then she's all "You guys ILU ;__;" and gets back to them.

I'm with you, Meron. I think at first she would be tempted to pursue that career but then either realize she misses something, James and that crazy feline (but James more naturally ). Or she might get into trouble, perhaps signing a contract that makes her famous, but also a slave to her manager or so, and then James and Meowth come to save her, and she will hug them because she is so touched by that.

Originally Posted by Meron

There's no way she would turn it down at first.

Well I didn't mean at first. I thought the episode would go something like:


Rockets fail to get Pikachu.

They get blasted off somewhere and Musashi gets some chance to be an idol.

Everyone is all happy at first, but soon it goes to Musashi's head and she becomes a jerk.

Kojiro and Nyasu think of a way to get her back. There might be some plot where the manager is the bad guy like you guys said.

Musashi realizes she's been acting like a bitch (cue some shippy scene with Kojiro about how close him they all used to be/Kojiro and Nyasu save the day.

The TRio goes off/blasts into the sunset all happy and say they'll always be together and all that.

Originally Posted by Musashi

He was just being her chauffeur though.

Yeah, but that's one little step forward, it's still better than some random guy

Companionship, yes. She wouldn't just dump her friends if she became famous. But I don't see how this would help us at all. Kojiro may have seen a bright future, but I just see fights breaking out because she's too busy for them and would eventually have to choose which one she wanted.

And everytime when she puts her contest stuff before her TR duty, he always had that confused face, even after he started to support her, as if he worried if she wouldn't ignore her job and especially, him too much. And he has his right to worry. In DP175 she was so full of herself as she got so far to the extent she didn't want her friends to cheer on her, because she "didn't need it", when poor Kojiro really cared for her. And he was obviously happy when she was all "Let's get Pikachu!" in DP177. It looks like he feels safe as long as she's concentrated on TR stuff, because it requires some interaction with him, while with her contest stuff, he can be easily ignored.

If Fujita took over I can see him to go around this topic more. But in the end, it would lead to some settlement and character development, because we know that they won't break up because of it. The best Rocketshipping scenes always come from drama ;D

So you think that Musashi has to get rid of her dreams in order to get in serious relationship with Kojiro? How would that happen?

Now I kinda want the BW Rocketshipping episode to be Musashi becoming famous but turning it down because she'd rather be with her friends.

I've been wanting similar episode for a longer time and I hoped for it to happen after GF, but since it didn't happen... I hope she will get some new activity, but even if she didn't get one, it may still happen. It would be interesting if some guy from model agency notices her beauty (pretty impossible to happen, but it would make things even more interesting) and she gets popular instantly.

Originally Posted by Musashi

Rockets fail to get Pikachu.

They get blasted off somewhere and Musashi gets some chance to be an idol.

Everyone is all happy at first, but soon it goes to Musashi's head and she becomes a jerk.

Kojiro and Nyasu think of a way to get her back. There might be some plot where the manager is the bad guy like you guys said.

Musashi realizes she's been acting like a bitch (cue some shippy scene with Kojiro about how close him they all used to be/Kojiro and Nyasu save the day.

The TRio goes off/blasts into the sunset all happy and say they'll always be together and all that.

And here comes the perfect recipe for another break-up episode :D

Originally Posted by jessierocketka

So you think that Musashi has to get rid of her dreams in order to get in serious relationship with Kojiro? How would that happen?

That's a tricky question. I guess the only way I can think of at the moment is the plot I just went over. I think she'd have to realize just how important Kojiro is to her and decide that he's more important than being a star.

Originally Posted by jessierocketka

I've been wanting similar episode for a longer time and I hoped for it to happen after GF, but since it didn't happen...

Well the writers don't want to use up all their plots. They need to leave something for future series.

Originally Posted by jessierocketka

And here comes the perfect recipe for another break-up episode :D

So much for me not wanting them anymore.

Originally Posted by Musashi

That's a tricky question. I guess the only way I can think of at the moment is the plot I just went over. I think she'd have to realize just how important Kojiro is to her and decide that he's more important than being a star.

Yeah, I'd like it to happen. Personally, I have a very strong feeling of independence, to the extent I'm afraid of getting into relationship, because I'm afraid it would disturb my plans and dreams and usually I think less of women who sacrifice her dreams in order to get married/bear a child, but when it comes to the Rockets... Musashi and Kojiro just feel like they have to be together no matter what. It feels like being together is what keeps them alive, it's because their bond is so natural... I can't really explain it.

Well the writers don't want to use up all their plots. They need to leave something for future series.

Of course, and they did a lot of things in DP anyway.


I'm reading the next article now... He speaks only a little about the Rockets, but since for most of the time he explains, what "coexistence" means to him, I have to translate the whole thing. I'm like "woah" when I read it. I have an urge to start translating now, even though I planned drawing today.

I'm seriously worried about my doujinshi's future now xD; When do I find time for drawing? :(

Originally Posted by jessierocketka

Yeah, I'd like it to happen. Personally, I have a very strong feeling of independence, to the extent I'm afraid of getting into relationship, because I'm afraid it would disturb my plans and dreams and usually I think less of women who sacrifice her dreams in order to get married/bear a child, but when it comes to the Rockets... Musashi and Kojiro just feel like they have to be together no matter what. It feels like being together is what keeps them alive, it's because their bond is so natural... I can't really explain it.

For the rockets, I think it's possible for them to be both independent and in a relationship. I don't view Rocketshipping as getting married and having children, but more like finding themselves both through each other and by themselves, by being soulmates. Musashi and Kojiro are both "incomplete", but together they are... well, complete. And together they help each other fulfill their dreams, someday... (Yeah, I'm being all cliché, but I can't explain my thoughts better either.)

I still don't get what Kojiro's main dream is. To be with Musashi and Nyasu? That's it?

I've recently realized that I won't be too disappointed if they won't insanely make out at the end of the anime; I'll be happy if they're still together as best friends, and continue their adventures together.

Originally Posted by Meron

For the rockets, I think it's possible for them to be both independent and in a relationship. I don't view Rocketshipping as getting married and having children, but more like finding themselves both through each other and by themselves, by being soulmates. Musashi and Kojiro are both "incomplete", but together they are... well, complete. And together they help each other fulfill their dreams, someday... (Yeah, I'm being all cliché, but I can't explain my thoughts better either.)

I know what you mean and you're not cliché at all. I think the same too, but I'd better finish what I'm translating now, before I say anything concrete ;)

I still don't get what Kojiro's main dream is. To be with Musashi and Nyasu? That's it?

It looks like it. He wants TRio to become a succesful team, but being succesful isn't as much as important ing the same dream together with someone really close to you. You would think that with talents like him, he should be way more ambitious, but he's devoted to his friends to the extent he even doesn't think about himself and his future.

It's sweet, but still, I wonder why he's the only one who doesn't see there's more to life thn just Team Rocket? Is there a purpose to it? I hope that the writers will deal with it someday.

I've recently realized that I won't be too disappointed if they won't insanely make out at the end of the anime; I'll be happy if they're still together as best friends, and continue their adventures together.

Exactly, staying together forever it's what the most important to me too

Originally Posted by jessierocketka

I'm afraid it would disturb my plans and dreams and usually I think less of women who sacrifice her dreams in order to get married/bear a child, but when it comes to the Rockets... Musashi and Kojiro just feel like they have to be together no matter what. It feels like being together is what keeps them alive, it's because their bond is so natural... I can't really explain it.

Yes, I understand what you mean. I agree, I usually think less of women who sacrifice their dreams for marriage or whatever, but I don't think that applies to Musashi because most likely her dream of being an idol would never come true. I know I'm being a little dramatic here, but personally, I don't think being an idol is the right path for her. So say if Musashi thinks that she can't be with Kojiro because it prevents her from being a star, her thinking is definitely misguided.

Overall, Musashi won't sacrifice her dream of being a star because of Kojiro, it would be because she realizes that it is futile and won't ever happen.

Originally Posted by Meron

For the rockets, I think it's possible for them to be both independent and in a relationship. I don't view Rocketshipping as getting married and having children, but more like finding themselves both through each other and by themselves, by being soulmates. Musashi and Kojiro are both "incomplete", but together they are... well, complete. And together they help each other fulfill their dreams, someday... (Yeah, I'm being all cliché, but I can't explain my thoughts better either.)

Lol, it may be somewhat cliche but it holds true to the rockets. Although I like traditional romance stuff such as getting married, having kids or whatever, I agree that their relationship is not the traditional sort of relationship at all, so it is difficult to imagine them in conventional romantic relationship. But, as you said, they complete each other, and that's the important thing.