Pokémon Horizons is the newest adaptation of the popular Pokémon anime. Although the relatively new adaption does its best to be visually and thematically distinct, it reuses several of the original’s popular ideas. Like most seasons of the anime, Pokémon Horizons features an evil team. Coral and Sidian are a clear but subtle reference to Jessie and James. However, they have different ideals and goals than their original counterparts. The Explorers and the evil duo are only focused on stealing a single Pokémon. Sidian and Coral are often just as incompetent, if not more so than Jessie and James. Despite being much older, they are regularly defeated by Liko and Roy.

The newer Pokémon series covers a completely new side of the Pokémon world. However, no story could function without antagonists. Although Amethio and Spinell are usually reserved for Cap and Fried, the main protagonists needed some strong opponents as well. They surpassed Zirc and Onia early in the anime. This is surprising, given the supposed strength of their Pokémon. While Sidian and Coral are a clear callback to Team Rocket’s Jessie and James, they are distinct enough to be a much better version. The two elite Explorers are not completely loyal to their organization.

Sidian and Coral Are a Clear Reference To Team Rocket’s Jessie and James

Both Evil Teams Share Characteristics But Are Easily Distinguishable

The Explorers are the clear and most prevalent antagonists in Pokémon Horizons. They originally served Lucius, but they will now stop at nothing to catch Terapagos. The Explorer’s backstory, though simple, is more than we ever see about Team Rocket’s founding in the original Pokémon anime. The organization’s full history is demonstrated. Therefore, each of its members is allowed an almost equal opportunity to shine.

While there are a few notable members of the Explorers, the two most featured ones are Sidian and Coral. The interesting duo is introduced after Zirc and Onia are defeated. Their prominence in the anime, along with some of their quirks, is likely a mirror to the original adaptions’ Jessie and James. Yet, they are clearly original characters. Many of their quirks allow them to be more memorable than their nostalgic predecessors.

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If Team Rocket’s Jessie and James ever tried to go on an Ash-like Pokémon journey, they would be the very worst, like no one ever was.

Team Rocket is the main antagonist for Ash during most of his Pokémon journey, specifically Jessie and James. They follow him throughout the Pokémon World, trying desperately to get their hands on his Pikachu. Both Jessie and James typically possess one main Pokémon partner besides the ever-present Meowth. They are completely subservient to the organization’s boss, Giovanni. However, they rarely speak with him directly.

Try as they might, Ash always seems to have the upper hand against the evil team. Aside from a select few times, Team Rocket seems to consistently lose to their young opponent. The Explorers seem to mirror this trait of consistently being bested by a less experienced trainer. Liko and Roy consistently defeat trainers who are supposedly elite members of a powerful organization. The constant losses slightly discredit the idea that either evil organization is a threat.

Both Team Rocket and The Explorers suffer from many of the same problems. Although they tackle these issues completely differently. Jessie and James are acting of their own volition to steal Pikachu, which they assume Giovanni will commend them for. Coral and Sidian are forced to follow The Rising Volt Tacklers around the world and even sometimes participate in the same events. The evil antagonist pairs have unique similarities and differences that make them interesting for different reasons. While Jessie, James, Coral, and Sidian are all part of organizations, they are the most well-known members of each of their respective teams.

Sidian and James Are Both Soft-Spoken and Subjected To Their Partner’s Antics

James Is Far More Patient With His Partner Than Sidian

Sidian’s backstory has yet to be revealed. He is the most somber member of the evil team and is regularly used to help keep Coral’s emotions in check. He is forced to undertake Terra Training along with Dot on Gibeon’s orders. Despite having a rocky exterior, Sidian is a big softie. This is reflected in his partner Pokémon, Garganacl, who is much sweeter than it seems. He even loses points during Terra Training for only protecting his partner’s Pokémon.

James has had over twenty years of screen time. Over the years, James’ backstory has been teased and explored to a considerable degree. James abandoned his family at an early age and joined Team Rocket along the way. There he was partnered with Jessie and the rest is history. Given James’ extensive coverage over the original anime’s many seasons, he has had many partner Pokémon. Yet, Weezing and Carnivine remain his most popular companions.

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Like James, Sidian is mainly focused on assisting his partner in their antics. Both James and Sidian do their best to accommodate their assigned colleagues to varying degrees of success. They are often both yelled at or belittled by their constant companion, which they don’t seem to mind. Sidian and James also do a great deal to protect their partners from harm. However, that is the extent of their similarities.

James often indulges in Jessie’s various schemes just as much as he comes up with his own. Unlike his shy contemporary, James never refuses an excuse to break into costume. Sidian lies at the end of the spectrum and would prefer to watch Coral’s antics from afar. He often gets dragged into his growing behest. He does his best to battle The Rising Volt Tacklers while also worrying about his partner’s use of Self-Destruct.

Coral Is Surprisingly More Intense Than Her Original Counterpart

Coral Even Shares Jessie’s Iconic Pink Hair

It currently remains unknown what Coral was doing before The Explorers. It has been hinted that Coral was and likely is a collector of rare food items. She spends most of her time outside The Explorers searching for rare delicacies and treats. Coral has one of the worst tempers in the Pokémon franchise and has a terrible habit of using Self-Destruct if the battle isn’t going her way. She is many fans’ biggest complaint with the series.

Like her constant companion, James, Jessie has an interesting and mostly quirky backstory. Not every aspect of Jessie’s history makes sense, but they help establish Jessie’s dreams and motives outside Team Rocket. Jessie dreams of being a professional Pokémon Coordinator and even competes against Dawn several times in the Sinnoh Region. Jessie has also had her fair share of skilled Pokémon companions, but her fan favorites are Arbok and Seviper.

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As she forever reaches the stars above, Jessie from the Pokémon anime will always be remembered for her role in leading the Team Rocket trio.

Both Coral and Jessie sport bright pink hair. They also share an explosive temper that is often redirected at their unfortunate partners. This fury often gets the better of them and leads them to make rash decisions that negatively affect the team. Coral has defeated Sidian’s Pokémon more than once by using the move Self-Destruct out of anger. She has yet to learn the benefits of actually working with her assigned teammate.

Surprisingly, Jessie and Coral have a lot more differences than similarities. Coral has expressed no interest in Pokémon contests, and collecting is more of a James thing. The characters are often wrongfully compared to each other given their surface-level parallels. However, true Pokémon fans understand the characters couldn’t be more different. Jessie and Coral would likely hate each other if they ever actually met.

Sidian and Coral Are More Dynamic Characters Than Jessie and James Were Initially

Many Pokémon Fans Still Prefer The Original Evil Duo

While Coral and Sidian have been given much less time to be explored, they are still better versions of Jessie and James were initially. It took several seasons for the original anime to completely understand what to do with the OG Team Rocket duo. Thankfully, the creators behind Pokémon Horizons seem to have a clear direction for Sidian and Coral. Their designs and personalities are more interesting and reflect the care put into each episode of Pokémon Horizons​​​​​.

Many fans prefer Jessie and James because of the nostalgia factor that accompanies them. Team Rocket chased Ash Ketchum for the better part of two decades, and many fans consider them the trademark Pokémon evil team. Although they are on the constant hunt for Pikachu, Jessie and James are also Ash Ketchum’s biggest fans. They are often in attendance in his various League battles, rooting him on in secret. Yet, they would probably still snatch Pikachu if a good opportunity arose.

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Overall, Coral and Sidian are a clear reference to Jessie and James but are different enough to revitalize the popular formula. There are so many possibilities for The Explorers and their backstories. Even without a backstory, their designs are more interesting than their predecessors. Many fans still prefer the originals for good reason. For fans of the original Pokémon anime, Team Rocket will always be just as iconic as Ash and Pikachu.