Meowth (Japanese: ニャース Nyarth) is a Normal-type Pokémon.
It evolves into Persian 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 oval 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. It is known to wander about city streets 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. Meowth is a playful 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.
In the anime
Game Freak artwork of Meowth
Major appearances
Meowth is one of the two main Pokémon in the series (the other being Pikachu). Meowth is a member of Team Rocket, and he is unlike ordinary Meowth in that he can speak human language and walk on two legs instead of four. His first appearance was in Pokémon Emergency!.
His background story, including another female Meowth named Meowzie, was told in Go West Young Meowth.
Meowth was cloned in Mewtwo Strikes Back, but his clone couldn't talk or walk on two legs, just like an ordinary Meowth, likely due to the fact that its progenitor needed to learn how to do this. The Meowth clone is encountered again in Mewtwo Returns.
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. This Meowth was dressed up like Puss in Boots, giving it the nickname "Meowth in Boots".
Other
In The Purr-fect Hero, Timmy was reunited with a Meowth that saved him from a Beedrill.
A gang of Meowth on the streets of Hollywood, which Meowth was a part of and Meowzie currently is, appeared in Go West Young Meowth.
Over 100 years ago, The Black Arachnid had a Meowth as seen in Spinarak Attack.
Minor appearances
Ash used a Meowth during the Pokémon League entrance exam in The Ultimate Test. The Meowth was defeated by the instructor's Vaporeon.
A Meowth appeared in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew as a Transformation of Mew.
A Giant Meowth appeared in The Island of Illusions!, but as one of Zoroark's illusions.
A Mirror World Meowth briefly appeared at the end of The Cave of Mirrors!, as part of Mirror Team Rocket.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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AG109
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Meowth
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Ash's Pokédex
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Meowth, the Scratch Cat Pokémon. Meowth loves to roam at night to gather coins and other objects that sparkle, but it spend most of the daylight hours sleeping.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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DP002
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Meowth
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Dawn's Pokédex
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Meowth, the Scratch Cat Pokémon. It sleeps a lot during the day time and during the night-time it becomes active, moving around its territory.
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DP014
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Meowth
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Dawn's Pokédex
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Meowth, the Scratch Cat Pokémon. When it sees round objects, it plays and loses track of time.
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In the manga
Meowth in The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga
In the Ash & Pikachu manga
- Main article: Meowth (Team Rocket)
Meowth appeared in the Ash & Pikachu manga.
In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga
- Main article: Meowth (Team Rocket)
Meowth appears in the The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga series along with his teammates Jessie and James. He first appears in the chapter Pikachu's Excellent Adventure.
In Days of Gloom and Glory, an unnamed Meowth based on Meowzie appears. Like in the anime, Meowzie finds Meowth's ability to speak human language "creepy". In the manga, she has at least one kitten, which she captures into a stolen Poké Ball to protect it from an impending flood.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Meowth's first appearance is a cameo in Bulbasaur, Come Home! as one of the Pokémon that escapes from Professor Oak's Laboratory.
In The Coming of Slowpoke (Eventually) when the Pokémon Fan Club President explains about the move Pay Day he also states that it is normally an attack specific for Meowth.
It then appeared as one of Sham's Pokémon which attacked Green and Silver while they were escaping from Masked Man's compound (flashback at the start of the FireRed & LeafGreen arc). Sham's Meowth would have evolved into one of her three Persian.
Another Meowth appeared in The Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to help the fight in Ilex Forest.
In the Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All manga
In Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All, Shu's rival Masatoshi has a Meowth. Masatoshi's Meowth is talented at playing the shamisen, a Japanese stringed instrument.
In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga
Red borrowed a Meowth from Blaine. It is not known if Red kept it or returned it to him.
Green owns a Meowth which first appeared in The No. 1 Pokémon!!. It later evolved into a Persian and devolved back into Meowth.
Giovanni owns a Meowth too, often assisting his Hitmons.
In the TCG
- Main article: Meowth (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 from a Poké Ball. 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 Pokémon, attacking opponents with Pay Day.
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 reappears as a Poké Ball Pokémon, 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!
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
Generation I
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Red(ENG)
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Adores circular objects. Wanders the streets on a nightly basis to look for dropped loose change.
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Blue
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Yellow
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Appears to be more active at night. It loves round and shiny things. It can't stop from picking them up.
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Stadium
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Sleeps in the daytime. At night, its eyes glow as it happily collects coins, its favorite things.
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Generation II
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Gold
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It is fascinated by round objects. It can't stop playing with them until it tires and falls asleep.
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Silver
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It loves anything that shines. It especially adores coins that it picks up and secretly hoards.
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Crystal
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It loves things that sparkle. When it sees a shiny object, the gold coin on its head shines too.
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Stadium 2
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It is fascinated with round objects. It can't stop playing with them until it tires and falls asleep.
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Generation III
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Ruby
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Meowth withdraws its sharp claws into its paws to slinkily sneak about without making any incriminating footsteps. For some reason, this Pokémon loves shiny coins that glitter with light.
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Sapphire
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Emerald
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Meowth withdraw their sharp claws into their paws to silently sneak about. For some reason, this Pokémon loves shiny coins that glitter with light.
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FireRed
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All it does is sleep during the daytime. At night, it patrols its territory with its eyes aglow.
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LeafGreen
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Adores round objects. It wanders the streets on a nightly basis to look for dropped loose change.
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Generation IV
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Diamond
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It is nocturnal in nature. If it spots something shiny, its eyes glitter brightly.
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Pearl
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Platinum
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HeartGold
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It is fascinated by round objects. It can't stop playing with them until it tires and falls asleep.
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SoulSilver
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It loves anything that shines. It especially adores coins that it picks up and secretly hoards.
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Generation V
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Black
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It is nocturnal in nature. If it spots something shiny, its eyes glitter brightly.
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White
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Black 2
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It is nocturnal in nature. If it spots something shiny, its eyes glitter brightly.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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X
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It is nocturnal in nature. If it spots something shiny, its eyes glitter brightly.
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Y
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Adores round objects. It wanders the streets on a nightly basis to look for dropped loose change.
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Omega Ruby
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Meowth withdraws its sharp claws into its paws to slinkily sneak about without making any incriminating footsteps. For some reason, this Pokémon loves shiny coins that glitter with light.
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Alpha Sapphire
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Game locations
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Generation III
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Ruby
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Sapphire
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Emerald
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FireRed
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LeafGreen
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Routes 5, 6, 7, and 8, Bond Bridge, Canyon Entrance, Cape Brink, Five Isle Meadow, Kindle Road, Ruin Valley, Sevault Canyon, Treasure Beach, Water Path
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Colosseum
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XD
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In side games
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Generation II
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This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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In events
Held items
Stats
Base stats
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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40
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100 - 147
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190 - 284
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45
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45 - 106
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85 - 207
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35
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36 - 95
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67 - 185
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40
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40 - 101
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76 - 196
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40
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40 - 101
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76 - 196
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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Total: 290
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
- This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 40.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Meowth
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Meowth
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Meowth
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Meowth
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Meowth in Generation VI
- Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
- Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Meowth in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Meowth
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Meowth
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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- A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Meowth can be tutored the move in that game
- A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Meowth cannot be tutored the move in that game
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Meowth
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Meowth
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
Pokémon Pinball
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Acquisition: Catch
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Pokémon Pinball RS
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Pokémon Trozei!
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Rarity: Common
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Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
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Body size: 1
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Recruit rate: 12%
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Friend Area: Energetic Forest
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Phrases
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51%-100% HP
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Round things... I adore them, meow!
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26%-50% HP
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My HP is half gone, meow!
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1%-25% HP
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No more, meowch... Going to fall over, meowch...
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Level up
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Leveled up! Happy, mrowl!
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Partner phrases
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51%-100% HP
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<name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%.
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26%-50% HP
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<name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%.
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1%-25% HP
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<name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%.
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Level up
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Leveled up! Happy, mrowl!
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Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky
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Pokémon Ranger
Group: Normal
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Poké Assist:
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None
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Field move:
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(Cut ×1)
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Loops: 5
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Min. exp.: 18
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Max. exp.: 23
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Browser entry
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Meowth can cut trees down with its claws. It cleverly walks on its hind legs.
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Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Group: Normal
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Poké Assist:
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None
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Field move:
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None
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Browser entry
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This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
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Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group:
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Poké Assist:
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Field move:
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Normal
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None
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Past
( Normal )
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None
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Past
(Electrify ×1)
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Browser entry
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This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
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Attack
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●
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Defense
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●
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Speed
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●●●
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Attack
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Not Available
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Defense
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Speed
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Attack
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●
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Defense
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●
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Speed
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●●●
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Attack
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Not Available
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Defense
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Speed
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Attack
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Not Available
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Defense
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Speed
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Attack
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Not Available
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Defense
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Speed
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PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
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PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
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Strong:
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Weak:
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PokéPark Pad entry:
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He is shrewd, but surprisingly earnest. He collects Berries so the one he's thinking about will pay attention to him.
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Evolution
Sprites
Trivia
- Niue released a one-dollar coin featuring Meowth as part of a commemorative promotion for the Pokémon franchise, with Meowth on one side and the nation's coat of arms on the other.
- In the Pokémon anime episode Go West, Young Meowth, it was stated that Meowth of Team Rocket had to learn and practice standing on his hind legs like a human, implying that Meowth as a species are not naturally able to stand on their hind legs. However, almost all sprites in the games and the Pokédex in the anime depict it standing on its hind legs, suggesting Meowth has the natural ability to walk on two legs. Tyson's Meowth is also able to walk on two legs, seemingly naturally.
- Meowth is the first Pokémon in the Pokémon anime to talk.
- The charm on Meowth's forehead bears a strong resemblance to an Amulet Coin.
Origin
Bulbanews has an article related to this subject:
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 or 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. Its Japanese species name also suggests it is based on a Bakeneko.
Name origin
Meowth may be a combination of meow (the sound a cat makes) and mouth. 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
Language
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Title
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Meaning
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Japanese
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ニャース Nyarth
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From ニャー nyā
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French
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Miaouss
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From miaou
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Spanish
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Meowth
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Same as English name
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German
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Mauzi
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From mauzen
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Italian
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Meowth
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Same as English name
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Korean
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나옹 Naong
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Possibly a corruption of 야옹 yaong
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Mandarin Chinese
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喵喵 Miāomiāo 喵貓 / 喵猫 Miāomāo
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喵 miāo is the sound a cat makes, pronounced like "meow" From 喵 miāo and 貓 māo
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Cantonese Chinese
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喵喵怪 Mīumīugwaai
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喵 mīu is the sound a cat makes. Literally "Meowing freak"
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Related articles
External links
Notes
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This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
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