Giovanni

If you were looking for the character in the games whose Japanese name is Giovanni, see Earl Dervish. For the episode of Pokémon Origins, see File 3: Giovanni.

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Giovanni サカキ Sakaki
"The Self-Proclaimed Strongest Trainer"
Artwork from Let's Go, Pikachu!, Let's Go, Eevee! by Megumi Mizutani
Age	Unknown
Gender	Male
Eye color	Black
Hair color	Black
Hometown	Viridian City
Region	Kanto
Relatives	Silver (son)
Trainer class	BossRBYFRLG/Rocket BossHGSS/Team Rocket BossPE Gym LeaderRBYFRLGPE Pokémon TrainerB2W2USUM Team Rainbow RocketUSUM
Generation	I, III, IV, V, VII, VIII, IX
Counterpart(s)	Giovanni (GO), Giovanni (Masters)
Games	Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, LeafGreen, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black 2, White 2, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Let's Go, Pikachu!, Let's Go, Eevee! Stadium, Masters EX
English voice actor	Andrew Russell (Masters EX)
Japanese voice actor	Kōji Ishii (Masters EX)
Member of	Team Rocket
Rank	Boss
Member of	Indigo League
Rank	Gym Leader
Leader of	Viridian Gym
Badge	Earth Badge
Specializes in	Ground types
Member of	Team Rainbow Rocket
Rank	Boss
Animated series	Pokémon the Series Pokémon Origins Pokémon Generations
Debut	Battle Aboard the St. Anne (Pokémon the Series) File 3: Giovanni (Pokémon Origins) The Chase (Pokémon Generations)
Counterpart(s)	Giovanni
English voice actor	Ed Paul (EP015-AG132, DP080-JN145), Craig Blair (DP002-DP043) (Pokémon the Series) Jamieson Price (Pokémon Origins) Richard Epcar (Pokémon Generations)
Japanese voice actor	Hirotaka Suzuoki (EP015-AG132), Kenta Miyake (DP002-JN145) (Pokémon the Series) Rikiya Koyama (Pokémon Origins) Akio Ōtsuka (Pokémon Generations)
Manga series	Pokémon Adventures Pokémon Pocket Monsters Pokémon Zensho
Counterpart(s)	Giovanni (Adventures), Giovanni (Pocket Monsters)
Debut	Make Way For Magmar! (Pokémon Adventures) Pikachu Was Kidnapped!! (Pokémon Pocket Monsters) Tamamushi City (Pokémon Zensho)

Giovanni (Japanese: サカキ Sakaki) is the head of Team Rocket, who serves as the secretive Gym Leader of Viridian City's Gym, known officially as the Viridian Gym, in Generation I, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, and Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. He hands out the Earth Badge to Trainers who defeat him in battle. As a Gym Leader, he specializes in Ground-type Pokémon, but his master plan includes collecting rare Pokémon of all types. After he disbands Team Rocket and abandons his Gym, his role as the Viridian Gym Leader is taken over by Blue. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, he makes a return appearance as the leader of Team Rainbow Rocket. He is the only character in the games to have the Trainer classes Boss^FRLG/Rocket Boss^HGSS/Team Rocket Boss^PE (Japanese: ロケットだんボス Team Rocket Boss) and Team Rainbow Rocket (Japanese: Rロケットだん Team R Rocket).

Terminology

In the English version of Pokémon Stadium, his name is misspelled "Giovani" (with one n) to fit the game's seven-character limit for Trainer names. His name is correctly written as Giovanni in the Pokémon Stadium: Official Nintendo Player's Guide.

In the Japanese version of the Trainer Card from the Generation I games, he is unidentified and his name is written as ???, as opposed to other Gym Leaders who have their names written on the Trainer Card. However, the English version of the Generation I Trainer Card does not have any names of Gym Leaders. Giovanni appears as a silhouette in both language versions.

He is also unidentified and has his name is written as ??? on the list of Gym Leaders seen in Japanese and English manuals of the Generation I games and the English manual of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, even though he is identified normally in the Japanese manual of FireRed and LeafGreen.

In the core series games

Character profile

Giovanni is the primary antagonist of the games taking place in Kanto.

In the first games Giovanni appeared in, he served a dual role: one that was well known to the residents of Kanto, and one that was more secret. He was first shown as the leader of the villainous Team Rocket, the first of many criminal organizations to grace the Pokémon games. After the player defeated him and his team of Grunts at Silph Co., Giovanni fled to a hideout that the player is unaware of. Once the player returned to Viridian City, one of the major plot twists of these games revealed that Giovanni, in addition to his role as a criminal, was the final Gym Leader to be fought before the Elite Four—albeit one without a formal title. Here, he specializes in the Ground type. Once defeated, he disbanded Team Rocket and left the player with the Earth Badge and TM27 (Fissure). If talked to again, he then vanishes and is not seen again for the rest of the game.

Giovanni's role in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen is much the same; the one difference is that defeating him in the Gym battle will earn the player TM26 (Earthquake), instead of TM27 (Fissure). He also implies that he intends to return to power one day rather than being moved to dedicate his life to the study of Pokémon. There is a side-plot in the Sevii Islands that revolves around Giovanni; a group of Team Rocket members are trying to continue the aims of Team Rocket, but they abandon this when they realize that their leader has been defeated once and for all.

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Giovanni's story is slightly expanded from his first appearance. During his first appearance, he is seen talking with Archer and giving him the permission to proceed with the plan to take over Silph Co. After being defeated for the first time, he gives the player the Silph Scope as a token of apology for mocking them, as opposed to just leaving the device behind before leaving, like in previous games. At the Silph Co., a part of his conversation with the Silph Co. President is shown, with Giovanni demanding him to hand over the Master Ball like they had previously agreed. In the Gym battle, Giovanni's reward TM once again contains Earthquake, although now, it's TM41, instead of TM26.

In Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver, a group of Team Rocket members tries to relaunch the old team. They take over Goldenrod Radio Tower, and broadcast a radio announcement intended for Giovanni. Only in HeartGold and SoulSilver is it revealed that Giovanni does hear the broadcast, from his hideout in Tohjo Falls - an event in the remakes involving a time-traveling Celebi allows Ethan and Lyra to travel back in time and defeat Giovanni at the same time the rest of Team Rocket is being defeated at the Radio Tower. Upon defeat, he will begin ranting about how he keeps losing to children and, like before, Giovanni will leave the room and disappear. Later, in Kanto, it is revealed that Blue took over the Viridian Gym after his disappearance.

The Celebi event also reveals some of Giovanni's background from the three years between Generation I/III and Generation II/IV. While it was mentioned by Scientist Gideon in FireRed and LeafGreen that Giovanni has a son with red hair, the son's identity wasn't revealed until the time travel event in HeartGold and SoulSilver. As many fans speculated (and as was mentioned in the Pokémon Adventures manga), this son is the rival of the Johto player character, Silver. The Celebi event allows Ethan and Lyra to witness the moment Giovanni left his son behind after being defeated by Red and their last conversation on Route 22. Much of Silver's personality is a result of the treatment he received from Giovanni, which includes this abandonment. Like many of Giovanni's other actions throughout the games, this reflects on his selfishness.

Giovanni reappears in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 in the Pokémon World Tournament, replacing Blue, who instead participates in the Champions Tournament. Giovanni returns to using Ground types exclusively. While the announcer usually introduces Gym Leaders by their title, Giovanni, who does not have a title, is introduced as "The Self-Proclaimed Strongest Trainer" (Japanese: さいきょうの トレーナーと なのる Self-Proclaimed Strongest Trainer).

An alternate universe Giovanni appears in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon's Episode RR post-game story as the Boss of Team Rainbow Rocket. This version of Giovanni came from a universe where Team Rocket succeeded in taking over the world. He is first seen during the Aether Foundation's broadcast from Aether Paradise, where he seizes control of the organization from Lusamine. He uses an Ultra Wormhole to transform her mansion into Team Rocket's Castle, fortifies himself inside it, and stations versions of Archie, Maxie, Cyrus, Lysandre, and Ghetsis from other worlds as his guards, along with an army of Team Rainbow Rocket Grunts. After battling through his army, the player and Lillie find Giovanni holding an unconscious Lusamine inside his control center deep within the castle. He introduces himself and reveals that he plans to create an army of Ultra Beasts in order to conquer all worlds. For that purpose, he needs the Aether Foundation's resources, and intends to brainwash Lusamine into serving him. Feeling nostalgic that a child would challenge him, Giovanni battles the player with a party that includes a Mewtwo capable of Mega Evolving, and is ultimately defeated. Accepting his loss, Giovanni abandons his plans for the Aether Foundation but swears that Team Rainbow Rocket will never fall. He leaves as Colress begins working to revert Team Rocket's Castle back into Lusamine's mansion, and is last seen reflecting on what world he should target for his schemes next before warping away.

After Episode RR has started, Sophocles creates a battle program based on Giovanni that appears as a boss in the Battle Agency within Festival Plaza. Giovanni is also implied to have stopped by at the Alola Photo Club to leave villainous team-based stickers for the player to use after he was defeated by them.

Appearance

In most of the games he appears in, Giovanni is depicted as a tall, middle-aged man. He has very short, flat, dark hair and small dark eyes. He wears a long sleeved black shirt with a large V neck that shows off a white undershirt, black slightly baggy trousers, and black shoes. On the left side of his shirt is the red Team Rocket logo.

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, he wears a black trench coat with a red triangular symbol on it instead of his usual black shirt. He also wears a black fedora hat.

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, he looks the same as his normal appearance, with the only difference being that his undershirt is red instead of white.

His alternate universe self in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon looks the same as his original counterpart, with the only difference being that the Team Rocket logo on his shirt being changed into the rainbow-colored Team Rainbow Rocket logo.

Fame Checker

This is a list of the Fame Checker's information on Giovanni in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

Rocket Hideout - Giovanni

What does this person do?

Team Rocket captures Pokémon from around the world. They're important tools for keeping our criminal enterprise going. I am the leader, Giovanni!

Silph Co. - Scientist

Favorite kind of Pokémon?

Those thugs that took over our building... Their Boss said he was looking for strong Pokémon.

Silph Co. - Scientist

What is this person like?

Team Rocket's Boss is terribly cruel! To him, Pokémon are just tools to be used.

Viridian Gym - Giovanni

What does this person do?

Welcome to my hideout! It shall be so until I can restore Team Rocket to its former glory.

Viridian Gym - Gym guide*

What does this person do?

Blow me away! Giovanni was the Gym Leader of Viridian?

Rocket Warehouse - Scientist Gideon*

Family and Friends?

You... You're not Giovanni's kid, are you? No, that can't be right. Giovanni's kid has red hair.

Message from Giovanni

• From: Giovanni
• To: [Player]

"There is nothing I wish to say to you.

I will concentrate solely on bettering myself, and none other."

Pokémon

Pokémon Red and Blue

In all three battles, Giovanni has one Guard Spec. per Pokémon to use randomly 25% of the time.

First battle

Giovanni Rocket Hideout Red, Green, and Blue Reward: $2871

Types: Rock Ground Onix Lv.25 Screech Normal   --       Bind Normal   --       Rock Throw Rock   --       Rage Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhyhorn Lv.24 Horn Attack Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Type: Normal Unknown Kangaskhan Lv.29 Comet Punch Normal   --       Rage Normal   --       Bite Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --

Second battle

Giovanni Silph Co. Red, Green, and Blue Reward: $4059

Type: Poison Unknown Nidorino Lv.37 Horn Attack Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Focus Energy Normal   --       Fury Attack Normal   --       Type: Normal Unknown Kangaskhan Lv.35 Comet Punch Normal   --       Rage Normal   --       Bite Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhyhorn Lv.37 Horn Attack Normal   --       Stomp Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.41 Scratch Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Body Slam Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --

Gym battle

Giovanni Viridian Gym Red, Green, and Blue Reward: $4950

Types: Ground Rock Rhyhorn Lv.45 Stomp Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Fury Attack Normal   --       Horn Drill Normal   --       Type: Ground Unknown Dugtrio Lv.42 Growl Normal   --       Dig Ground   --       Sand-Attack Normal   --       Slash Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.44 Scratch Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Body Slam Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoking Lv.45 Tackle Normal   --       Horn Attack Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Thrash Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhydon Lv.50 Stomp Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Fissure Ground   --       Horn Drill Normal   --

Pokémon Yellow

In all three battles, Giovanni has one Guard Spec. per Pokémon to use randomly 25% of the time.

First battle

Giovanni Rocket Hideout Yellow Reward: $2871

Types: Rock Ground Onix Lv.25 Screech Normal   --       Bind Normal   --       Rock Throw Rock   --       Rage Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhyhorn Lv.24 Horn Attack Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Type: Normal Unknown Persian Lv.29 Growl Normal   --       Bite Normal   --       Screech Normal   --       Pay Day Normal   --

Second battle

Giovanni Silph Co. Yellow Reward: $4059

Type: Poison Unknown Nidorino Lv.37 Double Kick Fighting   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Focus Energy Normal   --       Fury Attack Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhyhorn Lv.37 Horn Attack Normal   --       Stomp Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Type: Normal Unknown Persian Lv.35 Growl Normal   --       Bite Normal   --       Screech Normal   --       Pay Day Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.41 Scratch Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Body Slam Normal   --       Double Kick Fighting   --

Gym battle

Giovanni Viridian Gym Yellow Reward: $5445

Type: Ground Unknown Dugtrio Lv.50 Dig Ground   --       Sand-Attack Normal   --       Fissure Ground   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Type: Normal Unknown Persian Lv.53 Screech Normal   --       Double Team Normal   --       Fury Swipes Normal   --       Slash Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.53 Earthquake Ground   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Thunder Electric   --       Double Kick Fighting   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoking Lv.55 Earthquake Ground   --       Leer Normal   --       Thunder Electric   --       Double Kick Fighting   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhydon Lv.55 Rock Slide Rock   --       Fury Attack Normal   --       Horn Drill Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

First battle

Boss Giovanni Rocket Hideout FireRed and LeafGreen Reward: $2900

Types: Rock Ground Ability: Rock Head Held item: None Onix♂ Lv.25 Rock Throw Rock   --       Bind Normal   --       Rage Normal   --       Harden Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Ability: Rock Head Held item: None Rhyhorn♂ Lv.24 Stomp Normal   --       Fury Attack Normal   --       Scary Face Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Early Bird Held item: None Kangaskhan♀ Lv.29 Fake Out Normal   --       Mega Punch Normal   --       Bite Dark   --       Tail Whip Normal   --

Second battle

Boss Giovanni Silph Co. FireRed and LeafGreen Reward: $4100

Type: Poison Unknown Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidorino♂ Lv.37 Horn Attack Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Helping Hand Normal   --       Fury Attack Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Ability: Rock Head Held item: None Rhyhorn♂ Lv.37 Fury Attack Normal   --       Scary Face Normal   --       Stomp Normal   --       Rock Blast Rock   --       Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Early Bird Held item: None Kangaskhan♀ Lv.35 Fake Out Normal   --       Rage Normal   --       Mega Punch Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoqueen♀ Lv.41 Double Kick Fighting   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Body Slam Normal   --

Gym battle

Giovanni has two Hyper Potions and a Full Heal.

Leader Giovanni Viridian Gym FireRed and LeafGreen Reward: $5000

Types: Ground Rock Ability: Lightningrod Held item: None Rhyhorn♂ Lv.45 Take Down Normal   --       Rock Blast Rock   --       Scary Face Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Type: Ground Unknown Ability: Sand Veil Held item: None Dugtrio♂ Lv.42 Slash Normal   --       Sand Tomb Ground   --       Mud-Slap Ground   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoqueen♀ Lv.44 Double Kick Fighting   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Body Slam Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoking♂ Lv.45 Double Kick Fighting   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Thrash Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Ability: Lightningrod Held item: None Rhyhorn♂ Lv.50 Take Down Normal   --       Rock Blast Rock   --       Scary Face Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Rocket Boss Giovanni Tohjo Falls HeartGold and SoulSilver Reward: $8280

Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoking♂ Lv.42 Shadow Claw Ghost Physical   --       Focus Energy Normal Status   --       Fury Attack Normal Physical   --       Double Kick Fighting Physical   --       Types: Dark Flying Ability: Super Luck Held item: None Honchkrow♂ Lv.43 Nasty Plot Dark Status   --       Swagger Normal Status   --       Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Shadow Ball Ghost Special   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoqueen♀ Lv.46 Crunch Dark Physical   --       Roar Normal Status   --       Earth Power Ground Special   --       Superpower Fighting Physical   --       Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Scrappy Held item: None Kangaskhan♀ Lv.40 Outrage Dragon Physical   --       Leer Normal Status   --       Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Dizzy Punch Normal Physical   --

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

Pokémon World Tournament

Giovanni uses three of these Pokémon in Single Battles, four in Double and Rotation Battles, and all six in Triple Battles. Giovanni will always lead with his signature Pokémon, Rhyperior.

Kanto Leaders Tournament

PKMN Trainer Giovanni Pokémon World Tournament Black 2 and White 2 Reward: 1BP

Types: Ground Rock Ability: Lightningrod or Solid Rock Held item: Liechi Berry Rhyperior♂/♀ Lv.50 Hammer Arm Fighting Physical   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --       Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Drill Run Ground Physical   --       Types: Rock Ground Ability: Rock Head or Sturdy Held item: Rindo Berry Golem♂/♀ Lv.50 Roar Normal Status   --       Stealth Rock Rock Status   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Rock Blast Rock Physical   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point or Rivalry Held item: Shuca Berry Nidoking♂ Lv.50 Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Blizzard Ice Special   --       Earth Power Ground Special   --       Sludge Wave Poison Special   --       Type: Ground Unknown Ability: Rock Head or Lightningrod Held item: Yache Berry Marowak♂/♀ Lv.50 Bonemerang Ground Physical   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --       Outrage Dragon Physical   --       ThunderPunch Electric Physical   --       Type: Ground Unknown Ability: Sand Veil Held item: Salac Berry Sandslash♂/♀ Lv.50 Sandstorm Rock Status   --       Rock Slide Rock Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Brick Break Fighting Physical   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point or Rivalry Held item: Passho Berry Nidoqueen♀ Lv.50 Superpower Fighting Physical   --       Poison Jab Poison Physical   --       Earth Power Ground Special   --       Thunder Electric Special   --

Type Expert/World Leaders Tournament

PKMN Trainer Giovanni Pokémon World Tournament Black 2 and White 2 Reward: 1BP

Types: Ground Rock Ability: Lightningrod or Solid Rock Held item: Life Orb Rhyperior♂/♀ Lv.50 Hammer Arm Fighting Physical   --       Rock Blast Rock Physical   --       Ice Punch Ice Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Types: Dragon Ground Ability: Sand Veil Held item: Choice Scarf Garchomp♂/♀ Lv.50 Brick Break Fighting Physical   --       Outrage Dragon Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Rock Slide Rock Physical   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point or Rivalry Held item: Choice Specs Nidoking♂ Lv.50 Flamethrower Fire Special   --       Ice Beam Ice Special   --       Earth Power Ground Special   --       Thunderbolt Electric Special   --       Types: Ground Flying Ability: Hyper Cutter or Sand Veil Held item: Flying Gem Gliscor♂/♀ Lv.50 Fire Fang Fire Physical   --       Acrobatics Flying Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Tailwind Flying Status   --       Types: Ground Dark Ability: Intimidate or Moxie Held item: Expert Belt Krookodile♂/♀ Lv.50 Superpower Fighting Physical   --       Fire Fang Fire Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Grass Knot Grass Special   --       Type: Ground Unknown Ability: Sand Stream Held item: Quick Claw Hippowdon♂/♀ Lv.50 Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Ice Fang Ice Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

Giovanni's Pokémon are kept in Master Balls. His Mewtwo's moveset and Mega Stone differ between the two versions.

Pokémon Ultra Sun

Team Rainbow Rocket Giovanni Team Rocket's Castle Ultra Sun Reward: $22,400

Type: Ground Unknown Ability: Sand Veil Held item: Smooth Rock Dugtrio♂ Lv.68 Sandstorm Rock Status   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Stealth Rock Rock Status   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoking♂ Lv.68 Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Poison Jab Poison Physical   --       Throat Chop Dark Physical   --       Aqua Tail Water Physical   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoqueen♀ Lv.68 Surf Water Special   --       Sludge Wave Poison Special   --       Earth Power Ground Special   --       Flamethrower Fire Special   --       Types: Ground Rock Ability: Lightning Rod Held item: None Rhyperior♂ Lv.68 Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --       Thunder Punch Electric Physical   --       Type: Psychic Unknown Ability: Pressure Held item: Mewtwonite X Mewtwo Lv.70 Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --       Drain Punch Fighting Physical   --

Pokémon Ultra Moon

Team Rainbow Rocket Giovanni Team Rocket's Castle Ultra Moon Reward: $22,400

Type: Ground Unknown Ability: Sand Veil Held item: Smooth Rock Dugtrio♂ Lv.68 Sandstorm Rock Status   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Stealth Rock Rock Status   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoking♂ Lv.68 Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Poison Jab Poison Physical   --       Throat Chop Dark Physical   --       Aqua Tail Water Physical   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoqueen♀ Lv.68 Surf Water Special   --       Sludge Wave Poison Special   --       Earth Power Ground Special   --       Flamethrower Fire Special   --       Types: Ground Rock Ability: Lightning Rod Held item: None Rhyperior♂ Lv.68 Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --       Thunder Punch Electric Physical   --       Type: Psychic Unknown Ability: Pressure Held item: Mewtwonite Y Mewtwo Lv.70 Psystrike Psychic Special   --       Aura Sphere Fighting Special   --       Psychic Psychic Special   --       Ice Beam Ice Special   --

Battle Agency

Pokémon Trainer Giovanni Battle Agency Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Reward: 180-380 FC
# Pokémon Item Moves Nature EVs HP Attack Defense Sp. Atk Sp. Def Speed 0105 Marowak  Red Card Bone Rush Double Kick Endeavor Smack Down Sassy 252 - - - 252 - 0103 Exeggutor  Petaya Berry Psyshock Grass Knot Light Screen Synthesis Mild - - - 170 170 170 0051 Dugtrio  Bright Powder Fissure Toxic Substitute Sandstorm Timid 252 - - - - 252 0105 Marowak  Thick Club Earthquake Stone Edge Brick Break Brutal Swing Jolly - 252 - - - 252 0115 Kangaskhan  Kangaskhanite Fake Out Facade Rock Slide Sucker Punch Jolly - 252 - - - 252 0103 Exeggutor  Grassium Z Leaf Storm Psychic Sludge Bomb Grassy Terrain Modest 252 - - 252 - - 0130 Gyarados  Wacan Berry Dragon Dance Waterfall Ice Fang Earthquake Jolly - 252 - - - 252 0059 Arcanine  White Herb Overheat Sunny Day Solar Beam Extreme Speed Timid - - - 252 - 252 0115 Kangaskhan  Kangaskhanite Fake Out Double-Edge Earthquake Sucker Punch Jolly - 252 - - - 252 0130 Gyarados  Gyaradosite Dragon Dance Waterfall Stone Edge Crunch Jolly - 252 - - - 252 0059 Arcanine  Fightinium Z Close Combat Flare Blitz Crunch Extreme Speed Jolly - 252 - - - 252

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

First battle

Team Rocket Boss Giovanni Team Rocket Hideout Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! Reward: $5,600
Type: Normal Unknown Mega Stone: None Persian♂ Lv.35 Slash Normal Physical   --       Feint Normal Physical   --       Fake Out Normal Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Types: Ground Rock Mega Stone: None Rhyhorn♂ Lv.35 Drill Run Ground Physical   --       Take Down Normal Physical   --       Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Rock Throw Rock Physical   --

Second battle

Team Rocket Boss Giovanni Silph Co. Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! Reward: $6,240

Type: Normal Unknown Mega Stone: None Persian♂ Lv.39 Slash Normal Physical   --       Feint Normal Physical   --       Fake Out Normal Physical   --       Play Rough Fairy Physical   --       Types: Ground Rock Mega Stone: None Rhyhorn♂ Lv.39 Drill Run Ground Physical   --       Take Down Normal Physical   --       Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Rock Throw Rock Physical   --       Types: Poison Ground Mega Stone: None Nidoqueen♀ Lv.39 Crunch Dark Physical   --       Body Slam Normal Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --

Gym battle

Gym Leader Giovanni Viridian Gym Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! Reward: $8,000

Type: Ground Unknown Mega Stone: None Dugtrio♂ Lv.49 Slash Normal Physical   --       Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Types: Poison Ground Mega Stone: None Nidoqueen♀ Lv.49 Super Fang Normal Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Types: Poison Ground Mega Stone: None Nidoking♂ Lv.49 Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Poison Jab Poison Physical   --       Horn Drill Normal Physical   --       Types: Ground Rock Mega Stone: None Rhydon♂ Lv.50 Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Rock Slide Rock Physical   --       Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --

In the side series games

Pokémon Stadium

Giovanni appears in Pokémon Stadium as the final Gym Leader the player faces during the Gym Leader Castle challenge. His name is spelled "Giovani" to fit the game's seven-character name limit.

Pokémon

Round 1

Giovani Gym Leader Castle Stadium

Type: Normal Unknown Persian Lv.50-100 Toxic Poison   --       Slash Normal   --       Thunderbolt Electric   --       BubbleBeam Water   --       Type: Ground Unknown Dugtrio Lv.50-100 Sand-Attack Normal   --       Slash Normal   --       Dig Ground   --       Rock Slide Rock   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.50-100 Double Kick Fighting   --       Strength Normal   --       Surf Water   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoking Lv.50-100 Horn Drill Normal   --       Thunder Electric   --       Blizzard Ice   --       Toxic Poison   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhydon Lv.50-100 Fury Attack Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Body Slam Normal   --       Fissure Ground   --       Type: Normal Unknown Tauros Lv.50-100 Thunder Electric   --       Fire Blast Fire   --       Blizzard Ice   --       Stomp Normal   --

Round 2

Giovani Gym Leader Castle Stadium

Type: Normal Unknown Persian Lv.50-100 Screech Normal   --       Slash Normal   --       Thunderbolt Electric   --       BubbleBeam Water   --       Type: Normal Unknown Tauros Lv.50-100 Thunder Electric   --       Fire Blast Fire   --       Blizzard Ice   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.50-100 Double Kick Fighting   --       Body Slam Normal   --       Thunderbolt Electric   --       Blizzard Ice   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoking Lv.50-100 Thrash Normal   --       Thunder Electric   --       Surf Water   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Types: Ghost Poison Gengar Lv.50-100 Hypnosis Psychic   --       Dream Eater Psychic   --       Night Shade Ghost   --       Explosion Normal   --       Types: Fire Flying Moltres Lv.50-100 Fire Spin Fire   --       Toxic Poison   --       Fly Flying   --       Double-Edge Normal   --

In the spin-off games

Super Rare print of Giovanni

Pokémon Puzzle League

In Pokémon Puzzle League, Giovanni, as he appears in Pokémon the Series: The Beginning, is one of the opponents in the 1P Stadium mode, and one of the characters available in the 2P Stadium mode.

Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!

In Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!, the The Boss's Way card is available. The boss mentioned by the card is Giovanni.

Pokémon GO

Main article: Giovanni (GO)

In Pokémon GO, Giovanni appears as the boss of Team GO Rocket, who operate by invading PokéStops and battling using Shadow Pokémon.

Pokémon Masters EX

Main article: Giovanni (Masters)

Giovanni forms a sync pair with Mewtwo, Nidoking, Persian, Rhydon, and Nidorino in Pokémon Masters EX. His Mewtwo is capable of Mega Evolving into Mega Mewtwo Y, while his Nidoking is capable of Dynamaxing. Giovanni became a playable sync pair on December 5, 2019.

In this game, Giovanni is from an alternate universe where Team Rocket succeeded in taking over the world and later became the leader of Team Rainbow Rocket, which was introduced in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. He has made notable appearances in the game's Main Stories: the PML Arc, Legendary Adventures, and is the overall main antagonist of the Villain Arc. The whereabouts of Giovanni from this game's continuity are currently unknown.

Dex	Trainer		NDex	Pokémon		Type	Weakness	Role	EX role	Base potential	Availability
#074		Giovanni	#0150		Mewtwo Mega Mewtwo Y	Psychic	Dark			★★★★★☆EX	Legendary Adventures Lurking Shadow
#074		Sygna Suit Giovanni	#0034		Nidoking♂	Ground	Psychic			★★★★★☆EX	Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout
#074		Classic Giovanni	#0053		Persian♂	Normal	Fighting			★★★★☆☆EX	Sync Pair-Up Event
#074		Giovanni	#0112		Rhydon♂	Ground	Grass			★★★★★☆EX	Variety Sync Pair Scout
#074		Giovanni	#0033		Nidorino♂	Poison	Ground			★★★★☆☆EX	Trainer Lodge Friendship Level 100

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket

Main article: Giovanni (Genetic Apex 223)

Giovanni makes an appearance as a Supporter card in Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket's first expansion, Genetic Apex. On the turn the player plays this card, attacks used by their Pokémon do an additional 10 damage to their opponent's Active Pokémon.

Cards featuring Giovanni
Card	Type	Expansion		Rarity	#
Giovanni	Supp		Genetic Apex		223/226
			Genetic Apex		270/226

Gallery

Artwork

Headshot from Red and Green	Artwork from Red and Blue	Artwork from Yellow	Artwork from FireRed and LeafGreen by Ken Sugimori		Artwork from Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon	Artwork from Pokémon Origins	Concept art from Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

Sprites and models

In the core series

Sprite from Red and Blue	Sprite from Yellow	Sprite from FireRed and LeafGreen	Sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver	VS sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver	Sprite from Black 2 and White 2
Overworld sprite from Generation I		Overworld sprite from FireRed and LeafGreen	Overworld sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver		Overworld sprite from Black 2 and White 2
VS model from Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon		Battle Agency VS sprite from Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon		High-poly model from Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon	VS model from Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Overworld model from Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon					Overworld model from Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

In other games

The Boss's Way from Pokémon Card GB2	Portrait from Stadium

Quotes

Main article: Giovanni/Quotes

In animation

Giovanni in Pokémon the Series: Black & White

Pokémon the Series

Main article: Giovanni (anime)

Giovanni appears in Pokémon the Series as the head of Team Rocket. Unlike the members of other prominent criminal organizations, he is a recurring character from Pokémon the Series: The Beginning to Pokémon Journeys: The Series, usually keeping in contact with the Team Rocket trio. In Pokémon the Series: Black & White, he also appears in person to take on the role of direct antagonist at times.

Pokémon Origins

Giovanni in Pokémon Origins

Giovanni appeared in File 3: Giovanni. Red first recalled meeting him at the Rocket Hideout. They later encountered again at Silph Co. after Team Rocket had taken over the building. Seeing Red's arrogant and determined attitude to stop Team Rocket every time, Giovanni decided to put him in his place, and battled Red's Charizard with his Nidoqueen, winning easily before escaping with a helicopter, declaring that Red could never understand what he was hoping to achieve.

Giovanni as a child

Giovanni appeared once more as the Viridian Gym Leader. Giovanni accepted his Gym challenge, but Red claimed that he would battle him as the enemy of all Pokémon, instead of a Gym Leader. Hearing this, Giovanni put aside his usual Gym Leader battling team and took out his strongest pair of Pokémon, contained within Ultra Balls. The first one was Rhyhorn, which single-handedly was able to defeat four of Red's Pokémon before drawing with his Hitmonlee. During the battle, Giovanni started actually feeling excited, and wondered why he was feeling that way. When he saw the pose Red took while sending out his Charizard, he finally remembered his childhood passion for Pokémon and battling, and wondered how he could have ever turned into a person who only treated Pokémon as tools for business. After Red's Charizard had defeated Giovanni's last Pokémon, Rhydon, Giovanni offered him the Earth Badge as a proof of his victory. Red, however, refused to take a Badge from the Boss of Team Rocket. Seeing this, Giovanni turned to his minions, informing them that from that moment onward, Team Rocket would be officially disbanded. He then turned back to Red, now offering the Badge to him not as the Boss of Team Rocket but as the Viridian City Gym Leader. Red accepted the Earth Badge and left, heading for the Pokémon League.

As his battle with Red had reminded Giovanni of how Pokémon could be taken as fun rather than business, he decided that he wanted to find a new path for himself and his Pokémon, without being the Boss of Team Rocket any longer.

Pokémon

の	This article is missing information on this character's Japanese voice actor and English voice actor. You can help by adding this information.

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On hand

Nidoqueen ♀

Debut	File 3: Giovanni

Giovanni used Nidoqueen to battle Red's Charizard at Silph Co. and won easily.

Nidoqueen's known moves are Double Kick and Surf.

Rhyhorn

Debut	File 3: Giovanni

Rhyhorn was the first Pokémon Giovanni used in his Gym battle against Red. It was able to defeat Red's Victreebel, Kabutops, Snorlax, and Jolteon, despite the former two having the type advantage. It finally drew with Red's Hitmonlee.

Rhyhorn's moves are Horn Attack, Take Down, Thunderbolt, and Horn Drill.

Rhydon

Debut	File 3: Giovanni

Rhydon was the second Pokémon Giovanni used in his Gym battle against Red. It went up against Red's Charizard and lost after a tough fight, taken down by Charizard's Seismic Toss.

Rhydon's known moves are Mega Punch, Fury Attack, and Horn Drill.

Status unknown

Charmander

Debut	File 3: Giovanni

Charmander only appeared in a flashback during Giovanni's battle with Red, when Giovanni recalled the time having one in his youth.

None of Charmander's moves are known.

Voice actors

Language Voice actor Japanese 小山力也 Rikiya Koyama English Jamieson Price Italian Raffaele Farina European Spanish Richard del Olmo

Pokémon Generations

Giovanni in Pokémon Generations

Giovanni first appeared in The Chase. After the International Police had failed to find him during a raid at the Viridian Gym, he was seen standing on a hill near Viridian City, declaring that Team Rocket would never fall, before walking away. Along with his disapparance, rumors about Team Rocket's disbandment began circling around.

He reappeared in a flashback in The Legacy. Looker approached Giovanni's son Silver, hoping to find information on him as he had not been seen since his disappearance three years prior. However, all Silver could describe was his own last encounter with Giovanni three years ago, in which the two had a falling out that fractured their relationship.

Voice actors

Language Voice actor Japanese 大塚明夫 Akio Ōtsuka English Richard Epcar Italian Giorgio Bonino Brazilian Portuguese Ronaldo Júlio European Spanish José García Tos

GOTCHA!

Giovanni briefly appeared as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Main article: Giovanni (Adventures)

In Pokémon Adventures, Giovanni serves much of the same role as he does in the games, although he now has Lt. Surge, Sabrina, and Koga as subordinates. However, Giovanni is much more ruthless than his other counterparts.

Giovanni as a kid in How I Became a Pokémon Card

An older Giovanni in How I Became a Pokémon Card

How I Became a Pokémon Card

Giovanni and Persian were revealed to have been together for a long time, as he rescued the Pokémon when he was a child.

Pokémon

On hand

Persian

Debut	PW17

Main article: Persian (Jungle 42)

Giovanni found this Persian when he was a kid.

Mentioned

Diglett

Debut	PW17

Giovanni's Diglett was only mentioned when it was commanded to use Sand Attack.

Diglett's only known move is Sand Attack*.

Rhyhorn

Debut	PW17

Giovanni was about to send out Rhyhorn after recalling Diglett but he threw the Poké Ball too high.

None of Rhyhorn's moves are known.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Main article: Giovanni (Pocket Monsters)

Giovanni is the boss of Team Rocket in Pokémon Pocket Monsters.

Pokémon Zensho

Giovanni in Pokémon Zensho

Giovanni appears in PZ05, where he is watching Satoshi from the hidden cameras within the Silph Co. building. He orders one of his Team Rocket Grunts to try and stop Satoshi from reaching him. Two chapters later, he has taken the boss of Silph Co. hostage and threatens to harm him if he refuses to tell Giovanni where the Master Ball was. However, he is interrupted when Satoshi and Sabrina teleport their way to the top floor. Lapras uses Mist to blind Nidoqueen, but she launches a Poison Sting attack. One of the needles from the attacks hits Giovanni. Satoshi and the others manage to escape afterwards. In Viridian City, Giovanni was revealed to be the final Gym Leader that Satoshi challenges. Satoshi manages to defeat him and earns the Earth Badge.

Pokémon

Nidoqueen ♀

Debut	Saffron City

While taking over the Silph Co., Giovanni used Nidoqueen to hold the Silph co. boss hostage.

Nidoqueen's only known move is Poison Sting.

Rhydon

Debut	Viridian City

Rhydon was Satoshi's opponent for his final Gym battle. It went up against his Lapras and was defeated by his Charizard after Satoshi switched out Lapras.

Rhydon's only known move is Take Down.

At the Pokémon Tower

Machamp

Debut	Celadon City

Giovanni has owned this Machamp ever since he was a child. When it passed away, it turned him into a bitter person. The spirit of Machamp was called out by one of the Team Rocket grunts to deal with Satoshi. However, it was defeated by Gastly as physical attacks had no effect on the Ghost-type Pokémon.

None of Machamp's moves are known.

Nidoking ♂

Debut	Viridian City

Giovanni has owned this Nidoking ever since his childhood. He first appeared in Satoshi's flashback while Satoshi was in his house. At the Viridian Gym, Nidoking appeared in Giovanni's imagination where it was revealed that his passing during Giovanni's childhood turned him into a bitter person.

None of Nidoking's moves are known.

Kangaskhan ♀

Debut	Viridian City

Kangaskhan only appeared shadowed in Satoshi's imagination.

None of Kangaskhan's moves are known.

In the TCG

Giovanni has an eponymous Theme Deck in the Gym Challenge expansion.

Cards

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Giovanni or his Pokémon in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Giovanni's Pokémon Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format. Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card	Type	English Expansion	Rarity	#	Japanese Expansion	Rarity	#
Giovanni's Gyarados		Gym Challenge		5/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Machamp		Gym Challenge		6/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Nidoking		Gym Challenge		7/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Persian		Gym Challenge		8/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Nidoqueen		Gym Challenge		23/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Pinsir		Gym Challenge		24/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Machoke		Gym Challenge		42/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Meowth		Gym Challenge		43/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Nidorina		Gym Challenge		44/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Nidorino		Gym Challenge		45/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Machop		Gym Challenge		72/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Magikarp		Gym Challenge		73/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Meowth		Gym Challenge		74/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Nidoran♀		Gym Challenge		75/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Nidoran♂		Gym Challenge		76/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Nidoking					Unnumbered Promotional cards
Pretend Boss Pikachu Team Rocket					SM-P Promotional cards		191/SM-P
Diglett		Unbroken Bonds		85/214	Double Blaze		043/095
Rhydon		Unbroken Bonds		94/214	Double Blaze		049/095
Other related cards
Card	Type	English Expansion	Rarity	#	Japanese Expansion	Rarity	#
The Boss's Way	T	Team Rocket		73/82	Rocket Gang
		Legendary Collection		105/110
Giovanni	T	Gym Challenge		18/132	Challenge from the Darkness
		Gym Challenge		104/132
Giovanni's Last Resort	T	Gym Challenge		105/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Viridian City Gym	T [St]	Gym Challenge		123/132	Challenge from the Darkness
Giovanni's Scheme	Su	BREAKthrough		138/162	Red Flash		058/059
		BREAKthrough		162/162	Red Flash		064/059
					Premium Champion Pack		121/131
					XY-P Promotional cards		277/XY-P
Gym Badge	I	XY Black Star Promos		XY210	XY-P Promotional cards
Giovanni's Exile	Su	Unbroken Bonds		174/214	Double Blaze		085/095
		Hidden Fates		67/68	Double Blaze		105/095
		Hidden Fates		57/68
					Tag All Stars		151/173
Boss's Orders Giovanni	Su	Rebel Clash		154/192	Rebellion Crash		092/096
		Rebel Clash		189/192	Rebellion Crash		106/096
		Rebel Clash		200/192	Rebellion Crash		112/096
Giovanni's Charisma	Su	151		161/165	Pokémon Card 151		162/165
		151		197/165	Pokémon Card 151		197/165
		151		204/165	Pokémon Card 151		207/165

Trivia

• Giovanni is the only Gym Leader in the games to appear outside of his Gym in Generation I, a feature that would become more and more common up to Generation IV, during and after which all Gym Leaders in the featured regions appear outside of their Gym in one way or another.
  • He is also the only Gym Leader not to use the "A Trainer Appears (Boy Version)" song before the battle.
• In the official Red and Blue guide from Nintendo Power, Giovanni was labelled to be a regional boss of Team Rocket (implying he's not the absolute leader). This was invalidated in Gold, Silver, and Crystal, where it was made clear that Giovanni was the absolute leader of Team Rocket (even having an office in Johto).
• Giovanni is likely based on the boss of a Yakuza faction, possibly more on the bakuto factions than others, considering Team Rocket's former ownership of the Celadon Game Corner. Outside of Japan, this reference is localized, making him more akin to a Mafia boss (especially considering his English name being Italian in origin).
• In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Giovanni and Norman are tied for using more different species of Pokémon than any other Gym Leader at the Pokémon World Tournament, with a total of 10.
• Official material for the Pokémon World Tournament uses Giovanni's official artwork from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, even though he uses his design from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver in the games themselves.
  • He is the only character to appear in the Pokémon World Tournament who does not use his most recent official artwork in promotional material.
• In Pokémon Yellow, he is the only Gym Leader who uses a Pokémon not of the type he specializes in during Gym battles.
• In his official Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon artwork, Giovanni has the same pose as Mega Mewtwo X in its official artwork, just mirrored.
• Artwork made by Ken Sugimori suggests that Giovanni was not originally going to be the Gym Leader of Viridian City.
• Giovanni debuted in Pokémon GO as a GO Snapshot photobomb at Pokémon GO Fest in Yokohama.
• The teaser trailer for the debut of Team GO Rocket in GO contains the line "Earth is where I shall unleash my evil schemes next!" This is a reference to Giovanni's final line in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, in which he ponders "Now...what new world shall I unleash my evil schemes upon...?" before warping away from Aether Paradise.
• Giovanni is the only character to be the leader of more than one villainous team.

Names

Language	Name	Origin
Japanese	サカキ Sakaki	From 榊 sakaki (a sacred tree in Shinto from which the Earth Badge bears a resemblance) and 坂 / 阪 saka (slope)
English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Indonesian, Brazilian Portuguese, Turkish	Giovanni	From geo- (a prefix of Greek origin pertaining to earth). The name "Giovanni" is the Italian cognate of John, possibly a reference on his resemblance to a mafia boss.
Korean	비주기 Bijugi	From 비쭈기나무 bijjuginamu (sakaki)
Chinese (Mandarin)	阪木 Bǎnmù* 坂木 Bǎnmù*	From the Japanese name 阪木 / 坂木 Sakaki and 阪 / 坂 bǎn (slope)
	板木 Bǎnmù*	Similar to his other names. May be taken from 老板 lǎobǎn (boss).
Chinese (Cantonese)	阪木 Báanmuhk*	From the Japanese name 阪木 / 坂木 Sakaki and 阪 / 坂 bǎn (slope)
	坂木 Báanmuhk* 沙加 Sāgā*
		From the partial transcription his Japanese name and 沙 sā (sand)
Hindi	जोवानी Giovanni*	Transcription of his English name
Russian	Джованни Dzhovanni	Transcription of his English name
Thai	ซากากิ Sakaki* ซาคากิ Sakhaki*	Transcription of his Japanese name
Vietnamese	Sakaki	Transcription of his Japanese name

Boss^FRLG/Rocket Boss^HGSS/Team Rocket Boss^PE

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 火箭隊老大 Fójin Déui Lóuhdaaih Mandarin 火箭隊老大 / 火箭队老大 Huǒjiàn Duì Lǎodà Finnish Pomo French Boss Team RocketPE Boss RocketHGSS BossFRLG German Rocket-BossPE Rocket BossHGSS BossFRLG Italian Capo del Team RocketPE Capo RocketHGSS CapoFRLG Korean 로켓단보스 Rocket-dan Boss Portuguese Brazil Chefe da Equipe Rocket Portugal Chefe da Equipa Rocket Chefe do Team Rocket Spanish Jefe del Team RocketPE Jefe RocketHGSS JefeFRLG

See also

• Images on the Bulbagarden Archives

Related articles

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Gym Leaders of the Kanto region Pewter Gym Brock Cerulean Gym Misty Vermilion Gym Lt. Surge Celadon Gym Erika Fuchsia Gym Koga Janine Saffron Gym Sabrina Cinnabar Gym Blaine Viridian Gym Giovanni Blue
Team Rocket Rocket Game Corner • Team Rocket Hideout • Viridian Gym • Team Rocket HQ • Rocket Warehouse Boss Admins Giovanni (Masters • Pocket Monsters) Archer (Masters) Ariana (Masters) Petrel (Masters) Proton (Masters) Other members Jessie (Masters) • James (Masters) • Meowth • Team Rocket Grunts (Rocket Siblings) • Scientists (Gideon) Grey (Golden Boys) • Kaede (How I Became a Pokémon Card) See also: Pokémon the Series • Adventures • Team GO Rocket • Team Rainbow Rocket
Team Rainbow Rocket Festival Plaza • Team Rocket's Castle • Ultimate weapon Boss Notable members Giovanni (Masters) Maxie Archie Cyrus Ghetsis Lysandre Other members Team Rainbow Rocket Grunts • Faba See also: Team Rocket • Team GO Rocket
Villainous team leaders Core series Giovanni • Maxie • Archie • Cyrus • N • Ghetsis • Colress • Lysandre • Guzma • Piers • Cassiopeia Side series Gonzap • Evice • Greevil Ranger series Gordor • Blake Hall • Kincaid • Societea Masters EX Giovanni • Guzma • Cyrus • N • Lysandre • Piers • Ghetsis • Maxie • Archie • Colress • Paulo • Penny Other games Biruritchi • Baron Phobos • Munna • Dark Rust • Don Roger • Giovanni Animated series Giovanni • Madame Boss • Maxie • Archie • Cyrus • Ghetsis • Lysandre • Guzma • Piers • Gibeon Adventures Giovanni • Masked Man • Maxie • Archie • Cyrus • N • Ghetsis • Colress • Lysandre • Guzma • Piers Other manga Fraud • Meja
Giovanni's Pokémon On hand: Persian  Status unknown: Golem  Kingler  Kingler  Machamp  Rhydon  Cloyster  Escaped: Mewtwo  Given away: Koffing  Woobat  Yamask  Frillish  Amoonguss  Controlled: Meloetta  Landorus  Tornadus  Thundurus  Origins only: Charmander  Pocket Monsters only: Hitmonlee  Hitmonchan  For Pokémon owned by the version of Giovanni that appears in Pokémon Adventures, see here; for a full list of Pokémon owned by the version of Giovanni that appears in the Pokémon Pocket Monsters series, see here
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Medium • Picnicker • Pokéfan • Poké Maniac* • PKMN Trainer • Policeman* • Psychic • RivalHGSS • Sage Sailor • School Kid* • Scientist • Skier • Super Nerd • Swimmer • Teacher • Team Rocket Grunt* • Twins • Youngster Mystery Man*CHGSS • Double TeamHGSS • ElderHGSS • PasserbyHGSS • Young CoupleHGSS Battle Frontier only:HGSS Aroma Lady • Artist • Battle Girl • Cameraman • Clown • Collector • Cowgirl • Cyclist • Dragon Tamer • Idol Jogger • Lady • Ninja Boy • Parasol Lady • PI • Poké Kid • PKMN Breeder • PKMN Ranger • Rancher • Reporter Rich Boy • Roughneck • Ruin Maniac • Socialite • Tuber • Veteran • Waiter • Waitress • Worker Arcade Star • Castle Valet • Factory Head • Hall Matron • Tower Tycoon Hoenn Ace Trainer* • Aqua AdminSEAS • Aqua LeaderSEAS • Aroma Lady • Battle Girl • Beauty • Bird Keeper • Black Belt Bug Catcher • Bug Maniac • Camper • Champion • Collector • Dragon Tamer • Elite Four • Expert • Fisherman Gentleman • Guitarist • Hex Maniac • Hiker • Interviewers* • Kindler • Lady • Lass • Leader • Magma AdminREOR Magma LeaderREOR • Ninja Boy • Old Couple • Parasol Lady • Picnicker • Poké Fan* • Poké Maniac* • Pokémon Breeder* Pokémon Ranger* • Pokémon Trainer* • Psychic • Rich Boy • Ruin Maniac • Sailor • Schoolkid* • Sis & Bro* • Swimmer Team Aqua GruntSEAS • Team Magma GruntREOR • Teammates* • Triathlete • Tuber • Twins • Winstrate • Young Couple • Youngster Ace DuoORAS • Brains & BrawnORAS • BackpackerORAS • DelinquentORAS • Fairy Tale GirlORAS • Fare PrinceORAS Free DiverORAS • LeadersORAS • LorekeeperORAS • Mysterious SistersORAS • ProprietorORAS • Rotation GirlORAS Scuba DiverORAS • Secret Base ExpertORAS • Secret Base TrainerORAS • SootopolitanORAS • Street ThugORAS Battle Frontier only:E Arena Tycoon • Dome Ace • Factory Head • Palace Maven • Pike Queen • Pyramid King • Salon Maiden Battle Institute and Battle Maison only:ORAS Artist • Battle Chatelaine • Butler • Chef • Furisode Girl • Garçon • Gardener • Madame • Maid • Monsieur • Owner • Preschooler Punk Girl • Punk Guy • Rising Star • Roller Skater • Schoolboy • Schoolgirl • Scientist • Tourist • Veteran • Waitress • Worker Sinnoh Ace Trainer • Aroma Lady • Artist • Battle Girl • Beauty • Bird Keeper • Black Belt • Bug Catcher • Cameraman • Camper • Champion Clown • Collector • Commander • Cowgirl • Cyclist • Double Team • Dragon Tamer • Elite Four • Fisher* • Gentleman • Guitarist Gym Leader* • Hiker • Idol • Interviewers • Jogger • Lady • Lass • Madame* • Ninja Boy • Parasol Lady • Picnicker • PI • Poké Fan* Poké Kid • Pokémon Breeder* • Pokémon Ranger* • Pokémon Trainer* • Police Officer* • Psychic • Rancher • Ranchers* Reporter • Rich Boy • Roughneck • Ruin Maniac • Sailor • School Kid • Scientist • Skier • Swimmer • Team Galactic Boss* Team Galactic Grunt* • Tower Tycoon • Tuber • Twins • Veteran • Waiter • Waitress • Worker • Young Couple • Youngster Arcade StarPt • Castle ValetPt • Factory HeadPt • Hall MatronPt • MaidPt • GAME FREAK'sBDSP Unova Ace Trainer • Artist • Backers • Backpacker • Baker • Battle Girl • Biker • Black Belt • Champion • Clerk Cyclist • Dancer • Depot Agent • Doctor • Elite Four • Fisherman • GAME FREAK • Gentleman • Gym Leader* Harlequin • Hiker • Hooligans • Hoopster • Infielder • Janitor • Lady • Lass • Linebacker • Maid • Motorcyclist • Musician Nurse • Nursery Aide • Parasol Lady • Pilot • Pokéfan • PKMN Breeder • PKMN Ranger • Pokémon Trainer* • Policeman Preschooler • Psychic • Rich Boy • Roughneck • School Kid • Scientist • Smasher • Socialite • Striker • Subway Boss Swimmer • Team Plasma • Team Plasma Grunt • The RichesBW • Twins • Veteran • Waiter • Waitress • Worker • Youngster BeautyB2W2 • Boss TrainerB2W2 • GuitaristB2W2 Pokéstar Studios only:B2W2 A-list Actor • Actor • Actress • Big Star • Celebrity • Chic Actress • Child Star • Comedian Fine Actor • Movie Star • New Actress • Star Actor • Suit Actor • Unique Star • Veteran Star Pokémon World Tournament only:B2W2 Junior Representative • Master Representative • Senior Representative World Champion • World Finalist • World Runner-up Blueberry Academy only:SV BB League Champion • BB League Elite Four • Blueberry Academy Director Director • Instructor • League Club • Student • Top Champion Kalos Ace Duo • Ace Trainer • Artist • Artist Family • Backpacker • Battle Girl • Beauty • Black Belt • Brains & Brawn Butler • Champion • Chef • Driver • Elite Four • Fairy Tale Girl • Fisherman • Furisode Girl • Garçon • Gardener Hex Maniac • Hiker • Honeymooners • Lass • Leader • Lumiose Gang Member • Mysterious Sisters • Owner Poké Fan • Poké Fan Family • Pokémon Breeder • Pokémon Professor • Pokémon Ranger • Pokémon Trainer Preschooler • Psychic • Punk Couple • Punk Girl • Punk Guy • Rangers • Rising Star • Roller Skater Schoolboy • Schoolgirl • Scientist • Sky Trainer • Successor • Suspicious Child • Suspicious Lady Suspicious Woman • Swimmer • Team Flare • Team Flare Admin • Team Flare Boss • Team Flare Grunt Tourist • Twins • Veteran • Waitress • Worker • Youngster Battle Chateau ranks: By male: Baron • Viscount • Earl • Marquis • Duke • Grand Duke By female: Baroness • Viscountess • Countess • Marchioness • Duchess • Grand Duchess Battle Institute and Battle Maison only: Battle Chatelaine • Lady • Madame • Maid • Monsieur • Rich Boy Unused Trainer classes: Ace Surfer • Swimmers Galar Artist • Backpacker • Beauty • Black Belt • Cabbie • Café Master • Cameraman • Champion • Colleagues • Cook • Dancer • Daring Couple Doctor • Fisher • GAME FREAK's • Gym Challenger • Gym Leader • Gym Trainer • Gentleman • Hiker • Interviewers • Lass • League Staff Macro Cosmos's • Madame • Medical Team • Model • Music Crew • Musician • Office Worker • Poké Kid • Pokémon Breeder Pokémon Trainer • Police Officer • Postman • Rail Staff • Reporter • Schoolboy • Schoolgirl • Swimmer • Team Yell Grunt • Worker • Youngster Expansion Pass only: Dojo Master • Dojo Matron • Master Dojo Student Hisui Clan Leader • Ginkgo Guild Member • Pokémon Wielder • The Bandit The Galaxy Team's • The Survey Corps' • The Security Corps' • Warden Paldea Artist • Backpacker • Black Belt • Cabbie • Champion • Cook • Courier • Director • Dragon Tamer • Elite Four • Gym Leader Gym Trainer • Hiker • Instructor • Janitor • Model • Musician • Office Worker • Poké Maniac • Pokémon Trainer Scientist • Student • Team Star • Team Star Grunt • Top Champion • Waiter • Waitress • Worker • Youngster The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero only: Glitterati Kitakami Backpacker • Black Belt • Courier • Delinquent • Dragon Tamer • Festival Boy • Festival Girl • Glitterati Hiker • Kitakami Ogre Clan • Office Worker • Photographer • Poké Maniac • Pokémon Trainer • Ruffian Mochi Mayhem only: Grandma • Grandpa

This game character article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.