Welcome to Vol. 3, issue 31 of Johto Times. We have taken a break from our scheduled content to pay tribute to the wonderful actor and script adapter of the Pokémon anime: James Carter Cathcart, who passed away a few weeks ago. Several Pokémon fansites, including Johto Times, have shared our thoughts on James, the characters he played, and the legacy he leaves behind. We also have a recap of the latest Pokémon news.

Wisdom of Sea and Sky released on July 30th, 2025, in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Two Legendary Pokémon from the Johto region, Lugia and Ho‑Oh, headline Wisdom of Sea and Sky, the latest expansion for Pokémon TCG Pocket, released on July 30th, 2025. This new expansion brings over 200 cards to collect, including powerful new Pokémon ex, stunning illustrations, and beloved Johto region characters such as Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile.

An official statement from Pokémon TCG Pocket confirms a production issue in relation to the Ho-Oh featured in the immersive card artwork for Ho-Oh ex ★★★ and Lugia ex ★★★ cards. The artwork has been removed temporarily, while new artwork will be introduced as soon as it's ready. They have also confirmed that they are conducting an investigation to ensure no similar issues exist elsewhere in the game.

Source: Pokémon

Following a recent issue that temporarily prevented Trainers from catching wild Pokémon, which led to missed opportunities for Shiny encounters, Niantic is offering compensation to all players. You can now use the code POKEBALL50 to claim a free item bundle. The code is redeemable via the in-game shop or on the official Niantic rewards page for a limited time.

Source: Pokémon GO in-app notification

To commemorate the final expansions of the Scarlet & Violet series, a limited-time bonus code for Pokémon TCG Live has been shared: TCGLIVEONSOCIAL Enter the code in the app to receive 2,000 Trainer Points and one booster pack from each expansion in the Scarlet & Violet era.

Source: Pokémon TCG Live

A new feature called Expert Mode is scheduled to be introduced to Pokémon Sleep in the next update, planned for early August. This new mode offers a more challenging experience, allowing all types of helper Pokémon to contribute in different ways. Raising Snorlax will become more difficult, but the rewards available in Expert Mode will be more generous than ever. Expert Mode will become available starting the Monday following the next maintenance and version update. To unlock it, players will need to reach Master 18 with Snorlax on Greengrass Isle. Those who have already met this requirement will gain access to the mode automatically once it is added to the game.

Source: Pokémon Sleep

To mark the upcoming Good Sleep Day, a new limited-time bundle will be available in Pokémon Sleep. The bundle includes 9 Great Biscuits, 2 Luck Incenses, 2 Growth Incenses, and 2 Focus Incenses. It will be available from August 7th at 4:00 UTC to August 12 at 3:59 UTC.

Source: Pokémon Sleep

In honor of Pokémon UNITE’s fourth anniversary and the arrival of Battle Pass 33, all players can receive a free Gyarados Unite License. Log in to the game anytime between July 18th and September 4th, 2025, to claim your reward and dive into battle with Gyarados.

Source: Pokémon Unite

Trainers in Japan and Australia who pre-order Pokémon Legends: Z-A, either physically or digitally, will receive an exclusive in-game trench coat customisation item. This bonus will be distributed via serial code and will be available through select retailers, including Amazon Japan and EB Games Australia. Availability may vary by location. At this time, no additional details have been shared about whether this item will be offered in other regions.

Source: Pokémon

Carmine & Sinistcha are making their debut in Pokémon Masters EX for the “Poké Fair Scout” starting July 28th, 2025. This 5★ sync pair features a powerful Grass-type sync move, “Relentlessly Stir Things Up Tera Blast”, bringing new strategic options to your team.

Source: Pokémon Masters EX

A special Hatch Day event featuring Munchlax is on the way in Pokémon GO. During the event, Munchlax will hatch much more frequently from 2 km Eggs, with an increased chance of encountering its Shiny form. Trainers can enjoy event bonuses such as double Candy from hatching Eggs, a higher likelihood of receiving 2 km Eggs from PokéStops, and a greater chance of hatching a Shiny Munchlax. The event will take place on August 9th, 2025, from 11:00 to 17:00 (local time).

Source: Pokémon GO

Feature: A Tribute to James Carter Cathcart

James Carter Cathcart, also known as Jimmy Zoppi, passed away on July 8th, 2025. He was the original voice of Gary Oak in the English adaptation of the Pokémon anime. Starting with season four, he also localised scripts for the English dub, and he took complete control of them from season nine. He was the English script adaptor for the show for seventeen years before stepping down in season twenty-five. James retired from voice acting in 2023 after receiving a diagnosis of throat cancer.

James’s acting contribution to Pokémon is significant. In addition to Gary Oak, his notable roles included Todd Snap, and in later seasons he took on the roles of James, Meowth, and Professor Oak.

I reached out to several Pokémon fansites and communities to share their heartfelt tributes to James, including some words from someone who knew him well. Here’s what they had to say.

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A photograph of James Carter Cathcart, the original voice of Gary Oak

Joe Merrick, Serebii

It's really a great loss for the Pokémon community. He was with the anime from the start to Ash's final journeys and so has been cemented in the Pokémon fan's memories across generations from old to new. He helped bring to life so many icons throughout the years.

I was lucky enough to speak with him on a few occasions and he was always very nice to me and always wanted to learn more about the Pokémon fandom.

His presence will be sorely missed by the community. He was a legend, and as we rewatch through all sagas of the anime, his passion will shine through forever.

Archaic, Bulbagarden

Most of us probably never had the pleasure of meeting James. I certainly didn't. But I'd challenge you to find any Pokémon fan whose connection to that fandom hasn't in some way been influenced by the amazing work James did over his literal decades of association with the original Pokémon anime, [both as] a voice actor and as the series sole script adapter for the English dub for its entire post-4Kids run. It's truly a cruel cosmic joke for such a talented voice actor to have been taken away from us by throat cancer. I'm quite a bit too old for him to have been my James, Meowth or Professor Oak growing up (though he was and remains my Gary and Todd Snap), but as far as I'm concerned, he made those roles his own, and he was the definitive version of each of those characters. Smell ya later, James, you will be sorely missed.

Lawliet and Rob from The PokéCenter Blog

The PokéCenter Blog team is saddened to hear about the passing of JCC. We didn't get to hear him as much as other fans from around the world, but we recognize and celebrate his contribution to the Pokémon franchise.

Lady Vulpix, The PokéMasters

I'm not sure what to say. I did not grow up with Pokémon, and I stopped watching the anime early into the Advanced Generation series. I only got back to it and watched the last two seasons earlier this year (2025), and I must admit I did enjoy them. James Carter Cathcart was probably one of the reasons I had fun watching it, since I switched to the English version as soon as I could because I couldn't stand the Latin American dub, especially the voice of James. I understand that he did a great job and brought joy to numerous people.

nza, PLDH

James' voices were iconic in the plural. The unique voices and charm he provided for characters like Gary not only defined them in a way that remains fundamental to how they are imagined, but simply hearing his performances could immediately lighten your mood and bring joy and humour. We'll miss him dearly, but know he'll never truly leave us—his contributions to Pokémon as a whole have woven him into our lives in an enriching, indelible way.

Gary Oak from the episode "A Tent Situation"

Nick15, Pokémon Aaah!

Sometimes the best compliment you can give an actor is that they made you want to punch their character in the face! James Carter Cathcart’s irritatingly smug Gary Oak did that with aplomb, and that takes serious skill. That same talent later let him expand into the carefree James, the conniving Meowth, and the authoritative (if also aloof) Professor Oak, showing just how much range he brought to the series. But that voice, that wisdom, is now gone... and the world is worse off for it.

I didn’t grow up with Pokémon (I was already in high school when it first aired), but I know how deeply his performances affected those who did. Cathcart helped elevate the show into something more than a passing fad, leaving a lifelong mark on those who heard him over the last two decades. And it’s even more bittersweet knowing how much the losses of Cathcart, Rachael Lillis, and Maddie Blaustein have impacted Team Rocket in particular. It’s hard to put into words... but simply put, he will be missed.

Sunain, PocketMonsters.net

James voiced 140+ characters in the Pokémon anime and over 60+ Pokémon species. His impact on the English Pokémon anime is unmatched. He will be missed by the fans! Extend your reach to the stars above, James! Thanks for all the memories from all the roles you voiced!

Paul, PokéJungle

James Carter Cathcart's passing is a tragic loss for the Pokémon community. His iconic roles in the animated series, including Professor Oak, Gary Oak and Team Rocket's James and Meowth, will be fondly remembered. Personally, I feel he did a wonderful job portraying James' flamboyant personality. I am grateful he brought his talent to the Pokémon franchise and will miss his contributions.

Darren, Johto Times

I was saddened to hear of James’s passing. While I was not familiar with his later work on the anime (I stopped watching after Master Quest), I will always appreciate his performance as the character Gary Oak. Gary was one of my favourite characters from the anime, and it was always great to see him appear in an episode, which wasn’t as often as I would have liked! I regret I wasn’t able to express my appreciation to him directly, but I do want to say a huge thank you to James for everything he did for Pokémon throughout the years. My thoughts are with his loved ones.

A photograph of Pokémon voice actors Stuart Zagnit, James Carter Cathcart, and Jamie McGonnigal (Photograph provided by Stuart)

Stuart Zagnit, voice of Professor Oak (1998 to 2008)

James Carter Cathcart was bigger than life; he was a big man, a big spirit with a very big heart. Whenever we would see one another, primarily at anime cons, he always greeted me warmly, as if no time had passed. He was generous and demonstrated the best of us; he was “People Forward.” He was devoted to his family and approached everyone as a potential friend. And even though we shared different incarnations of the same character, I never got a sense of competitiveness – we were all just there because of the work – he was one of the easiest people to chat with and to know. I mourn his passing, my heart goes out to his family, and [I] am proud to call him a colleague. Our Pokémon family may have gotten smaller, but James’s big spirit will be with us for all time.

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For anyone wishing to learn more about James and his contribution to Pokémon, PocketMonsters.net has a great resource of information detailing his roles and work, which you should definitely check out!