Giovanni サカキ Sakaki
General
Name	Giovanni
Japanese Name	サカキ Sakaki
Age	40 or more
Hometown	Viridian City
Region	Kanto
Family	Silver (son) Madame Boss (mother anime only)
Badge	Earth Badge
Preferred Type	Ground
First Appearance	Battle Aboard the St. Anne (Anime) Pokémon Red and Blue (Game)
Voice actor	Ted Lewis (English) (4kids (Up to AG145)) (PUSA (Current; returned in DP080)) Craig Blair (English) (AG146-DP052)
Class:	Gym Leader Team Rocket Boss

"So! I must say, I am impressed you got here. Team Rocket captures Pokémon from around the world. They're important tools for keeping our criminal enterprise going. I am the leader, Giovanni! For your insolence, you will feel a world of pain!"

— Giovanni, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

Giovanni (Japanese: サカキ Sakaki) doubles as the Gym Leader for Viridian City's Gym, and as the Boss of the criminal organization Team Rocket. As the Gym Leader, Giovanni holds the Earth Badge for the trainers that defeat him, and specializes in Ground-type Pokémon.

In the Generation II games, Giovanni has disappeared inexplicably after his final loss to Red, leaving Team Rocket disorganized and confused.

In the anime

Giovanni serves as the Head of Team Rocket in the anime, never really shown taking action in field work, but rather sends the grunts and other members for that. Jessie, James, Meowth, Butch and Cassidy along with other members, are constantly striving to please him in their actions, usually without his compliance.

In the early episodes of Pokémon, his face was hidden from view and his voice was distorted. However, this version was later dropped as the series went on to become more comical. Giovanni has only been shown once as the Gym Leader of Viridian Gym, in the episode The Battle of the Badge, facing off against Gary. In this episode he used Mewtwo, which he was controlling with a machine, against Gary's Pokémon, brutally defeating him. By the time Ash challenged the Gym, Giovanni left on account of an emergency, leaving Jessie, James and Meowth in charge. Ever since the destruction of the Gym, he had never returned to it, rather it was rebuilt and had Agatha of the Kanto Elite Four take temporary leadership of it. Giovanni in the anime series might be some sort of businessman, because he is revealed to own Pokémon Island.

He possesses knowledge of the other crime syndicates in the Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Unova regions, which are also regions that he does not have a branch of Team Rocket. Despite his dislike of Jessie, James and Meowth, he allows them to try setting up new branches (as they kept following Ash to capture his Pikachu). Upon Team Galactic's defeat, Giovanni began looking into the working of a mysterious organization in Unova as he wished obtain artifacts to further his plans for global domination without confronting them. Giovanni allowed Jessie, James and Meowth to do as they please in Unova, working with Dr. Zager.

Giovanni returned to spearhead Team Rocket's: Operation Tempest, a stratagem which involved caputuring Meloetta. He did just this using goggles created by Dr. Zager to be see the mythical Pokémon even when she was invisible. Giovanni quickly defeats Ash and rejoins Jessie, James, Meowth and Zager. Team Rocket led Giovanni to the Abyssal Temple which they had spent a while looking for. With Ash & Pikachu captured, Giovanni uses Meloetta to summon the Reveal Glass and rise the Abyssal Temple, using Meloetta's calming song, that Team Rocket had insidiously recorded during her time with Ash. Meloetta is caused to suffer in this ceremony. The Kami trio are summoned and the Reveal Glass morphs them into their, feral, viscious Therian Formes. At Giovanni's command, they battle the resistance created by the escpaed Ash, Pikachu and their friends, Iris' Dragonite leds this resistance. In the midst of a titanic battle, Ash and Pikachu confront Giovanni. Ash orders Pikachu use Electro Ball, because Piakchu had been charged up from an earlier attack, the Electro Ball's size and power are augmented significantly. The electric attack incinerates the platform Giovanni was standing on and severes the link between the sadistic leader and the tortured Meloetta. However Giovanni loses his mind because of this, ordering the Kami trio to destroy the Unova region. Jessie, James and Meowth throw themselves at their beloved boss and succesfully save him, not only from a fatal explosion but from his insane state. Team Rocket then make a total retreat to Kanto.

Personality

Giovanni is very evil and sadistic and it is hinted that he conducts dangerous experiments with Pokemon and is behind his Team Rocket schemes in Kanto, Johto and Unova. In Mewtwo Returns he shows more sadistic and evil personality than in anime, because he tortures Mewtwo even when Domino advises that he could use Mewtwo's power for himself and before that implies that if Mewtwo doesn't surrender he will use his clones on dangerous experiments which will kill them.

In Manga

Main article: Giovanni_(Adventures)

Yellow Arc

Just like in the game he disbanded Team Rocket. In the Manga, he is not the Gym Leader.

FireRed and LeafGreen Arc

He discovered about Deoxys and captured it. He also battled Red and Mewtwo while trying to locate his son, Silver.

In Game

Giovanni first appeared in the Generation I games as the Leader of Team Rocket. After he and his Team Rocket Grunts were defeated at both the Rocket Hideout and Silph Co., Giovanni escapes to an unknown hideout where the protagonist is unaware of. Eventually, it was revealed that he was the Gym Leader of the Viridian Gym, and the final Gym Leader the player faces. Upon defeating him, Giovanni states that he's giving up on Team Rocket and disappears.

Later on, in the Generation II games, Team Rocket still functions without Giovanni, and believe that he will return. The lost Team Rocket attempt several acts, in order to call their former Leader, though he never makes an appearance.

In the Generation III remakes, Giovanni retains his first role in exactly the same way, with the exception of his updated appearance. Also, instead of passing the protagonist the TM(Fissure), he passes him the TM(Earthquake). At the Sevii Islands, a group of renegade Team Rocket Grunts and Admins attempt to continue their schemes but are defeated by the protagonist.

In Generation IV, another branch of Team Rocket led by Executive Archer attempt to relaunch the team by commiting several acts such as at the Slowpoke Well and the Lake of Rage. After being foiled by the protagonist, the new Team Rocket took over the Goldenrod Radio Tower to contact their missing leader but are once again defeated. Archer then disbands Team Rocket forever, much like his leader three years ago.

It was later revealed during the Celebi Event that Giovanni heard the broadcast from his radio in his hideout in Tohjo Falls. After being defeated, he disappeared.

During the event it was also revealed that Silver was Giovanni's son who was abandoned by his father when he met his defeat at the hands of Red. This act reflects on Giovanni's selfishness, something that the much more ruthless Giovanni in the manga would not do.

In Generation V, Giovanni appears in Black 2 and White 2 in the World Tournament mode wearing a Team Rocket uniform.

Sprites

RB Battle Sprite		Y Battle Sprite		FRLG Battle Sprite		HGSS Battle Sprite		Vs Sprite		B2W2 Battle Sprite

Pokémon

In Games

Pokémon Red and Blue

First Encounter

Onix		Rhyhorn		Kangaskhan		[[File:{{{P4}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P4}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif	[[File:{{{P5}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P5}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif	[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif
Lv. 25	-	Lv. 24	-	Lv. 29	♀	Lv. ?	-	Lv. ?	-	Lv. ?	-
Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown
Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?	Item: ?	Item: ?
Rock Throw		Horn Attack		Comet Punch		-	-	-
Bind		-		Rage		-	-	-
Rage		-		Bite		-	-	-
Screech		-		-		-	-	-

Second Encounter

Nidorino		Rhyhorn		Kangaskhan		Nidoqueen		[[File:{{{P5}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P5}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif	[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif
Lv. 37	♂	Lv. 37	-	Lv. 35	♀	Lv. 41	♀	Lv. ?	-	Lv. ?	-
Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown
Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?	Item: ?
Horn Attack		Stomp		Comet Punch		Scratch		-	-
Poison Sting		Horn Attack		Rage		Tail Whip		-	-
Focus Energy		Tail Whip		Bite		Body Slam		-	-
Fury Attack		-		Tail Whip		Poison Sting		-	-

Gym Battle

Rhyhorn		Dugtrio		Nidoqueen		Nidoking		Rhydon		[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif
Lv. 45	-	Lv. 42	-	Lv. 44	♀	Lv. 45	♂	Lv. 50	-	Lv. ?	-
Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown
Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?
Stomp		Growl		Scratch		Tackle		Tail Whip		-
Tail Whip		Dig		Poison Sting		Horn Attack		Stomp		-
Fury Attack		Sand-Attack		Tail Whip		Poison Sting		Horn Drill		-
Horn Attack		Slash		Body Slam		Thrash		Fissure		-

Pokémon Yellow

First Encounter

Onix		Rhyhorn		Persian		[[File:{{{P4}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P4}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif	[[File:{{{P5}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P5}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif	[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif
Lv. 25	-	Lv. 24	-	Lv. 29	-	Lv. ?	-	Lv. ?	-	Lv. ?	-
Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown
Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?	Item: ?	Item: ?
Rock Throw		Horn Attack		Pay Day		-	-	-
Bind		-		Scratch		-	-	-
Rage		-		Bite		-	-	-
Screech		-		Growl		-	-	-

Second Encounter

Nidorino		Rhyhorn		Persian		Nidoqueen		[[File:{{{P5}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P5}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif	[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif
Lv. 37	♂	Lv. 37	-	Lv. 35	-	Lv. 41	♀	Lv. ?	-	Lv. ?	-
Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown
Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?	Item: ?
Double Kick		Stomp		Scratch		Double Kick		-	-
Poison Sting		Horn Attack		Growl		Tail Whip		-	-
Focus Energy		Tail Whip		Bite		Body Slam		-	-
Fury Attack		-		Pay Day		Poison Sting		-	-

Gym Battle

Dugtrio		Persian		Nidoqueen		Nidoking		Rhydon		[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif
Lv. 50	-	Lv. 53	-	Lv. 53	♀	Lv. 55	♂	Lv. 55	-	Lv. ?	-
Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown
Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?
Sand Attack		Screech		Double Kick		Thunder		Rock Slide		-
Dig		Fury Swipes		Thunder		Leer		Fury Attack		-
Fissure		Double Team		Tail Whip		Earthquake		Horn Drill		-
Earthquake		Slash		Earthquake		Thrash		Earthquake		-

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

First Encounter

Onix		Rhyhorn		Kangaskhan		[[File:{{{P4}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P4}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif	[[File:{{{P5}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P5}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif	[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif
Lv. 25	♂	Lv. 24	♂	Lv. 29	♀	Lv. ?	-	Lv. ?	-	Lv. ?	-
Ability: Rock Head		Ability: Rock Head		Ability: Early Bird		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown
Item: None		Item: None		Item: None		Item: ?	Item: ?	Item: ?
Rock Throw		Stomp		Fake Out		-	-	-
Bind		Fury Attack		Bite		-	-	-
Rage		Scary Face		Mega Punch		-	-	-
Harden		Tail Whip		Tail Whip		-	-	-

Second Encounter

Nidorino		Rhyhorn		Kangaskhan		Nidoqueen		[[File:{{{P5}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P5}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif	[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif
Lv. 37	♂	Lv. 37	♂	Lv. 35	♀	Lv. 41	♀	Lv. ?	-	Lv. ?	-
Ability: Poison Point		Ability: Rock Head		Ability: Early Bird		Ability: Poison Point		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown
Item: None		Item: None		Item: None		Item: None		Item: ?	Item: ?
Horn Attack		Fury Attack		Mega Punch		Double Kick		-	-
Poison Sting		Rock Blast		Rage		Tail Whip		-	-
Helping Hand		Tail Whip		Fake Out		Body Slam		-	-
Fury Attack		Scary Face		Tail Whip		Poison Sting		-	-

Gym Battle

Rhyhorn		Dugtrio		Nidoqueen		Nidoking		Rhyhorn		[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif
Lv. 45	♂	Lv. 42	♂	Lv. 44	♀	Lv. 45	♂	Lv. 50	♂	Lv. ?	-
Ability: Lightningrod		Ability: Sand Veil		Ability: Poison Point		Ability: Poison Point		Ability: Lightningrod		Ability: Unknown
Item: None		Item: None		Item: None		Item: None		Item: None		Item: ?
Earthquake		Mud-Slap		Double Kick		Thrash		Take Down		-
Scary Face		Sand Tomb		Poison Sting		Earthquake		Rock Blast		-
Rock Blast		Slash		Earthquake		Poison Sting		Scary Face		-
Take Down		Earthquake		Body Slam		Double Kick		Earthquake		-

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver (Special Event)

Nidoking		Honchkrow		Nidoqueen		Kangaskhan		[[File:{{{P5}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P5}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif	[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]] [[]]  File:Type .gif
Lv. 42	♂	Lv. 43	♂	Lv. 46	♀	Lv. 40	♀	Lv. ?	-	Lv. ?	-
Ability: Poison Point		Ability: Super Luck		Ability: Poison Point		Ability: Scrappy		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown
Item: None		Item: None		Item: None		Item: None		Item: ?	Item: ?
Shadow Claw		Nasty Plot		Crunch		Outrage		-	-
Double Kick		Swagger		Roar		Leer		-	-
Focus Energy		Dark Pulse		Earth Power		Sucker Punch		-	-
Fury Attack		Shadow Ball		Superpower		Dizzy Punch		-	-

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

Ground-type Tournament

Rhyperior		Hippowdon		Garchomp		Krookodile		Nidoking		Gliscor
Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	♂
Ability: Solid Rock		Ability: Sand Stream		Ability: Sand Veil		Ability: Moxie		Ability: Poison Point		Ability: Sand Veil
Item: ?		Item: Quick Claw		Item: Choice Scarf		Item: Expert Belt		Item: Choice Specs		Item: Flying Gem
Earthquake		Earthquake		Outrage		Earthquake		Earth Power		Acrobatics
Rock Blast		Crunch		Earthquake		Superpower		Ice Beam		Earthquake
Ice Punch		Ice Fang		Rock Slide		Fire Fang		Flamethrower		Fire Fang
Hammer Arm		Stone Edge		Brick Break		Grass Knot		Thunderbolt		Tailwind

Kanto Gym Leader Tournament/World Leaders Tournament

Rhyperior		Golem		Marowak		Sandslash		Nidoking		Nidoqueen
Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	♀
Ability: Solid Rock		Ability: Rock Head		Ability: Rock Head		Ability: Sand Veil		Ability: Poison Point		Ability: Poison Point
Item: ?		Item: Rindo Berry		Item: Yache Berry		Item: Salac Berry		Item: Shuca Berry		Item: Passho Berry
Drill Run		Earthquake		Bonemerang		Earthquake		Earth Power		Earth Power
Stone Edge		Stealth Rock		Stone Edge		Rock Slide		Sludge Wave		Poison Jab
Megahorn		Rock Blast		Outrage		Brick Break		Megahorn		Superpower
Hammer Arm		Roar		Thunderpunch		Sandstorm		Blizzard		Thunder

Pokémon Stadium

Gym Leader Castle

Persian		Dugtrio		Nidoqueen		Nidoking		Rhydon		Tauros
Lv. 50	-	Lv. 50	-	Lv. 50	♀	Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	-	Lv. 50	♂
Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown
Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?
Toxic		Sand-Attack		Double Kick		Horn Drill		Fury Attack		Fire Blast
Slash		Rock Slide		Strength		Blizzard		Earthquake		Blizzard
Thunderbolt		Slash		Surf		Thunder		Body Slam		Stomp
BubbleBeam		Dig		Earthquake		Toxic		Fissure		Thunder

Gym Leader Castle Round 2

Persian		Tauros		Nidoqueen		Nidoking		Gengar		Moltres
Lv. 50	-	Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	♀	Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	-	Lv. 50	-
Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Unknown		Ability: Levitate		Ability: pressure
Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?		Item: ?
Screech		Blizzard		Double Kick		Thrash		Hypnosis		Fire Spin
Slash		Thunder		Body Slam		Earthquake		Dream Eater		Fly
Thunderbolt		Fire Blast		Thunderbolt		Thunder		Night Shade		Toxic
BubbleBeam		Earthquake		Blizzard		Surf		Explosion		Double-Edge

In Anime

Pokémon Information Giovanni's Persian's 1st appearance was in Battle Aboard the St. Anne. It always appears being petted by Giovanni. Persian ♂

Pokémon Information Giovanni's Golem took an appearance in The Battle of the Badge it was defeated quickly by Gary Oak. Golem's only known move: Tackle. Golem ♂

Pokémon Information Giovanni's Machamp made an appearance in The Battle of the Badge it was defeated by Ash's Squirtle. Machamp's only known move: Karate Chop. Machamp ♂

Pokémon Information Giovanni's Rhydon appeared in The Battle of the Badge its moves are unknown and it was defeated by Ash's Pidgeotto. Rhydon ♂

Pokémon Information Giovanni's Cloyster appeared in a cameo in a The Battle of the Badge, it really appeared in a water tank and nothing else is known about it. Cloyster ♂

Pokémon Information Giovanni's Kingler appeared fighting Ash's Bulbasaur in the episode The Battle of the Badge. It's only known moves are: Bubble, Crabhammer, and Harden. Kingler ♂

Escaped

Pokémon Information Giovanni's Mewtwo was created by Giovanni's scientists on the Cinnabar Island. It first appeared in The Battle of the Badge in Giovanni's Gym battle with Gary Oak. It's so powerful it down Gary's Arcanine and Nidoking with little effort. When Gary tried to find what out Pokémon it was, Mewtwo overloaded his Pokédex. In It's Mr. Mime Time, Mewtwo escapes from Team Rocket Headquarters, destroying it in the process. Mewtwo

Voice Actors

• English: Ted Lewis (current)
• English: Craig Blair
• Japanese: Kenta Miyake (Diamond & Pearl)
• Japanese: Hirotaka Suzuoki (Pocket Monsters & Advanced Generation)

Gallery

Giovanni the Boss of Team Rocket

Giovanni's new suit in anime

Giovanni with his Persian, Domino & Rocket Grunts

Generation 1 artwork

Banned Boss fantasy scene

Add a photo to this galleryAdd a photo to this gallery

Videos

Main article: Giovanni/Video

Trivia

• Giovanni is believed by some to be the father of Ash Ketchum. This is due to his relationship with Delia Ketchum while they were teenagers.
• Giovanni's name may come from the word GEO for the first part of his name. Geo is Greek for Earth and this is because he is a Ground type trainer.
• It may also be a pun on how most 20's and 30's American gang members had Itallian names like Alfonso (Al) Capone. Giovanni is an English-Italian name and is a gang leader himself (Team Rocket).
• Giovanni's outfit in Black and White seems to be based on a general's uniform.
• In Pokémon Yellow, Giovanni replaced Kangaskhan with Persian since Yellow was based on the anime.
• He may be inspired by the villain of James Bond series, Ernst Stavro Blofeld. In Bond films and novels, Blofeld leads his own criminal organization, the S.P.E.C.T.R.E., to become rich and reign on the world. As a companion, Blofeld has a cat.
• In the Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Celebi event, your rival is found out to be the son of Giovanni.
• Giovanni's Generation I sprite has shown Giovanni with something that looks like a moustache, although Giovanni doesn't have a moustache. This could, however, simply be the shadow from his nose.
• The first time Ash Ketchum ever met Giovanni was in IL063, when he challenged Giovanni at the Viridian City gym, also in the same episode Giovanni is seen out of the shadows for the first time. The two have never seen each other again until the Pokemon Special "Mewtwo Returns." After that the latest appearance with Giovanni meeting Ash was in BW98 and BW99 in Unova
• Also in the same episode, his identity has been shown since the 15th episode that his identify would not be blown.
• Giovanni's Japanese name, Sakaki was the name of the leader of Rocket Reds, a gang which bullied the creator of Pokémon, and the one who killed Satoshi's tadpole, Nyorozo.
• He is considered to be the main antagonist of the entire Pokemon franchise.
• In the pwt, he doesen't seem evil whatsoever. he could have turned good.
• In the Celebi event, Silver is Giovanni's son. However in the anime this relationship is absent or not mentioned in the anime.

v • d • e Team Villains Teams Team Rocket: Giovanni · Archer · Ariana · Proton · Petrel Team Aqua: Archie · Matt · Shelly Team Magma: Maxie · Courtney · Tabitha Team Galactic: Cyrus · Mars · Jupiter · Saturn · Charon Team Plasma: N · (Ghetsis · Zinzolin · Seven Sages) · Colress · Anthea and Concordia · Shadow Triad

v • d • e Members of Team Rocket Members Bosses: Madame Boss · Giovanni · Mask of Ice Executives: Archer · Ariana · Proton · Petrel Elite Officers: Miyamoto · Vicious · Domino · Pierce Officers: Tyson · Attila · Hun · Keane Spies: Annie · Oakley Top Agents: Cassidy · Butch · Jessie · James · Meowth Trios: Ken, Al, and Harry · Carr, Sird, and Orm Sergeants: Viper · Lt. Surge Commanders: Karen · Will · Sabrina · Koga Scientists: Professor Sebastion · Dr. Fuji · Dr. Namba · Doctor Zager Other: Wendy · Giovanni's Secretary · Rocket Scout · Mondo · Chermaine

Kanto Gym Leaders
Brock Misty Lt. Surge Erika Koga/Janine Sabrina Blaine Giovanni/Blue