Meowth stands out among other Pokémon for its unique ability to speak like humans. In the early episodes of the series, Meowth fancied himself somewhat in charge of his group, taking responsibility for many of its plans and objectives.
The majority of Meowth's backstory is revealed in the anime episode "Go West, Young Meowth." After watching a film called "That Darn Meowth," he hitched a ride on a truck to Hollywood, dreaming of good food as depicted in the movie. He eventually joined a gang of stray Meowth led by a Persian. One day, he fell in love with a female Meowth who preferred being with humans over street Pokémon. To impress her, Meowth learned to walk and speak like a human. However, she looked down on him even more afterward. When Meowth joined Team Rocket, the female Meowth was abandoned by her owner and ended up joining the same gang Meowth had left. Ultimately, she fell for the Persian leading the gang.
Meowth is an essential part of Team Rocket, considering Jessie and James his only real friends. Yet, he often feels excluded from their rapport. In one episode, when he lured Pikachu to their side, it seemed he had his own agenda. Often, he explains why they should capture the main Pokémon of an episode by indulging in unrealistic fantasies about Giovanni’s reaction to their success. For instance, in "Beg, Burrow, and Steal," he suggested stealing Trapinch so Giovanni could use it to crack walnuts. This might be an unhealthy coping mechanism, as James noted that these fantasies proved Meowth had "officially lost it."
Meowth is essentially the "brains" of Team Rocket and comes up with most of their plans. He shares his species' thematic association with money and is usually the most concerned with practical issues like the team's finances. Because of this, Meowth operates Team Rocket's Pokémon-stealing machinery, working behind the scenes while Jessie and James confront the protagonists. Starting in the Johto season, Meowth learned to pick locks to aid their criminal lifestyle. He is also skilled at piloting Team Rocket's hot-air balloon and other getaway vehicles. Among other things, he can sing, dance, read, and write—skills rarely possessed by Pokémon. Being able to understand both Pokémon and humans, Meowth often translates their speech for Jessie, James, and other characters.
Meowth showed great care for Misty's Togepi when it was an egg, battling for the right to raise it and wishing Togepi happiness with its new owner. Later, he became infatuated with May's Skitty and helped her escape, contrary to Jessie's plans. He has remarked that if he had met Pikachu under different circumstances, they might have been friends. On occasion, Meowth befriends other Pokémon (usually outcasts like him), but by the end of the episode, he is separated from his new companions. He also seems to have a good relationship with Jessie and James' Pokémon.
In Pokémon Yellow, Meowth is one of the Pokémon players must defeat when fighting Jessie and James. This contradicts the anime, where he rarely battles and isn't trained or owned by either Jessie or James.
One of the trophies in Super Smash Bros. Melee is "Team Rocket's Meowth." It states that Meowth dreams of becoming a rock star. This dream was also shown in one of the Japanese ending songs and a special CD released only in Japan. The plot of one Pokémon short revolved around him throwing a concert for his fellow Pokémon.
In Pokémon Channel, Team Rocket's Meowth acts like an emcee or newscaster. An armband he wears references a line from the Japanese motto.
