I love your take on Jessie/James/Meowth, particularly in light of the first sketch. There's a lot there, and I like thinking of them as people looking for a new start after something that hadn't fit right for them. Zager's role, as related to them in particular, is also interesting --- I mostly know about him from reading your fic but it seems like he adds something different to Team Rocket, a new set of motivations and also a difference in age.

Kodai is the only one here who feels truly villainous. I think this is justified, but it's interesting to compare him to Giovanni here, who is sympathetic for a comrade's loss and playfully skirts his mother's rules to woo someone. The contrast really brings home the nuanced portrayal of Team Rocket that you offer, and makes Kodai seem like even more of a jerk. I wonder: Is there anything redeeming about him other than ambition and skill?

Thanks for sharing these!