Giovanni

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"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 games

File:100px-Red Blue Giovanni.png

Generation 1 artwork.

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, subsequently disbands the organization, and disappears, and is not seen again for the rest of the game.

Later on, in the Generation II games, Team Rocket has reorganized, now functioning without Giovanni, and believes that he will return. The lost Team Rocket attempts 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 committing 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 disappears.

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 his Celebi event outfit.

Sprites

RB Battle Sprite		Y Battle Sprite		FRLG Battle Sprite		HGSS Battle Sprite		Vs Sprite		B2W2 Battle Sprite
				File:Giovanni(FrLg)Sprite.png

In the anime

Main article: Giovanni (anime)

Main article: Giovanni (Origins)

In the manga

Main article: Giovanni (Adventures)

Pokémon

In Games

Pokémon Red and Blue

• First Battle
• Second Battle
• Gym Battle

File:Onix(RB)Sprite.png Onix		File:RedBlueRhyhorn.png Rhyhorn		File:Kangaskhan(RedBlue)Sprite.png Kangaskhan
Lv. 25	-	Lv. 24	-	Lv. 29	♀
-		Horn Attack		Comet Punch		-	-	-
-		-		Rage		-	-	-
-		-		Bite		-	-	-
-		-		-		-	-	-

File:Nidorino(RedBlue)Sprite.png Nidorino		File:RedBlueRhyhorn.png Rhyhorn		File:Kangaskhan(RedBlue)Sprite.png Kangaskhan		File:NidoqueenRBSprite.png Nidoqueen
Lv. 37	♂	Lv. 37	-	Lv. 35	♀	Lv. 41	♀
-		Stomp		Comet Punch		Scratch		-	-
-		Horn Attack		Rage		Tail Whip		-	-
-		Tail Whip		Bite		Body Slam		-	-
-		-		Tail Whip		Poison Sting		-	-

File:RedBlueRhyhorn.png Rhyhorn		File:Dugtrio(RedBlue)Sprite.png Dugtrio		File:NidoqueenRBSprite.png Nidoqueen		File:RedBlueNidoking.png Nidoking		File:Rhydon(RB)Sprite.png Rhydon
Lv. 45	-	Lv. 42	-	Lv. 44	♀	Lv. 45	♂	Lv. 50	-
-		Growl		Scratch		Tackle		Tail Whip		-
-		Dig		Poison Sting		Horn Attack		Stomp		-
-		Sand-Attack		Tail Whip		Poison Sting		Horn Drill		-
-		Slash		Body Slam		Thrash		Fissure		-

Pokémon Yellow

• First Battle
• Second Battle
• Gym Battle

File:Onix(Y)Sprite.png Onix		File:YRhyhornSprite.png Rhyhorn		File:Persian(Yellow)Sprite.png Persian
Lv. 25	-	Lv. 24	-	Lv. 29	-
-		Horn Attack		Pay Day		-	-	-
-		-		Scratch		-	-	-
-		-		Bite		-	-	-
-		-		Growl		-	-	-

File:NidorinoYSprite.png Nidorino		File:YRhyhornSprite.png Rhyhorn		File:Persian(Yellow)Sprite.png Persian		File:YellowNidoqueen.png Nidoqueen
Lv. 37	♂	Lv. 37	-	Lv. 35	-	Lv. 41	♀
-		Stomp		Scratch		Double Kick		-	-
-		Horn Attack		Growl		Tail Whip		-	-
-		Tail Whip		Bite		Body Slam		-	-
-		-		Pay Day		Poison Sting		-	-

File:DugtrioYSprite.png Dugtrio		File:Persian(Yellow)Sprite.png Persian		File:YellowNidoqueen.png Nidoqueen		File:Nidoking(Y).png Nidoking		File:Rhydon Sprite.png Rhydon
Lv. 50	-	Lv. 53	-	Lv. 53	♀	Lv. 55	♂	Lv. 55	-
-		Screech		Double Kick		Thunder		Rock Slide		-
-		Fury Swipes		Thunder		Leer		Fury Attack		-
-		Double Team		Tail Whip		Earthquake		Horn Drill		-
-		Slash		Earthquake		Thrash		Earthquake		-

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

• First Battle
• Second Battle
• Gym Battle

File:Onix(FRLG)Sprite.png Onix		File:Rhyhorn(FRLG)Sprite.png Rhyhorn		File:Kangaskhan(FRLG)Sprite.png Kangaskhan
Lv. 25	♂	Lv. 24	♂	Lv. 29	♀
Ability: Rock Head		Ability: Rock Head		Ability: Early Bird
Item: None		Item: None
-		Stomp		Fake Out		-	-	-
-		Fury Attack		Bite		-	-	-
-		Scary Face		Mega Punch		-	-	-
-		Tail Whip		Tail Whip		-	-	-

File:Nidorino(FRLG)Sprite.png Nidorino		File:Rhyhorn(FRLG)Sprite.png Rhyhorn		File:Kangaskhan(FRLG)Sprite.png Kangaskhan		File:Nidoqueen(FRLG)Sprite.png Nidoqueen
Lv. 37	♂	Lv. 37	♂	Lv. 35	♀	Lv. 41	♀
Ability: Poison Point		Ability: Rock Head		Ability: Early Bird		Ability: Poison Point
Item: None		Item: None		Item: None
-		Fury Attack		Mega Punch		Double Kick		-	-
-		Rock Blast		Rage		Tail Whip		-	-
-		Tail Whip		Fake Out		Body Slam		-	-
-		Scary Face		Tail Whip		Poison Sting		-	-

File:Rhyhorn(FRLG)Sprite.png Rhyhorn		File:Dugtrio(FRLG)Sprite.png Dugtrio		File:Nidoqueen(FRLG)Sprite.png Nidoqueen		File:Nidoking(FRLG)Sprite.png Nidoking		File:Rhyhorn(FRLG)Sprite.png Rhyhorn
Lv. 45	♂	Lv. 42	♂	Lv. 44	♀	Lv. 45	♂	Lv. 50	♂
Ability: Lightningrod		Ability: Sand Veil		Ability: Poison Point		Ability: Poison Point		Ability: Lightningrod
Item: None		Item: None		Item: None		Item: None
-		Mud-Slap		Double Kick		Thrash		Take Down		-
-		Sand Tomb		Poison Sting		Earthquake		Rock Blast		-
-		Slash		Earthquake		Poison Sting		Scary Face		-
-		Earthquake		Body Slam		Double Kick		Earthquake		-

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver (Special Event)

File:Nidoking(HGSS)Sprite.png Nidoking		File:HonchkrowHGSSSprite.png Honchkrow		File:NidoqueenHGSSsprite.png Nidoqueen		File:HGSSKangaskhan.png Kangaskhan
Lv. 42	♂	Lv. 43	♂	Lv. 46	♀	Lv. 40	♀
Ability: Poison Point		Ability: Super Luck		Ability: Poison Point		Ability: Scrappy
Item: None		Item: None		Item: None
-		Nasty Plot		Crunch		Outrage		-	-
-		Swagger		Roar		Leer		-	-
-		Dark Pulse		Earth Power		Sucker Punch		-	-
-		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: Life Orb		Item: Quick Claw		Item: Choice Scarf		Item: Expert Belt		Item: Choice Specs		Item: Flying Gem
-		Earthquake		Outrage		Earthquake		Earth Power		Acrobatics
-		Crunch		Earthquake		Superpower		Ice Beam		Earthquake
-		Ice Fang		Rock Slide		Fire Fang		Flamethrower		Fire Fang
-		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: Liechi Berry		Item: Rindo Berry		Item: Yache Berry		Item: Salac Berry		Item: Shuca Berry		Item: Passho Berry
-		Earthquake		Bonemerang		Earthquake		Earth Power		Earth Power
-		Stealth Rock		Stone Edge		Rock Slide		Sludge Wave		Poison Jab
-		Rock Blast		Outrage		Brick Break		Megahorn		Superpower
-		Roar		Thunderpunch		Sandstorm		Blizzard		Thunder

Pokémon Stadium

• Gym Leader Castle Round 1
• Gym Leader Castle Round 2

File:Persian(FrLg)Sprite.png Persian		File:Dugtrio(FRLG)Sprite.png Dugtrio		File:Nidoqueen(FRLG)Sprite.png Nidoqueen		File:Nidoking(FRLG)Sprite.png Nidoking		File:Rhydon(FrLg)Sprite.png Rhydon		File:Tauros(FrLg)Sprite.png Tauros
Lv. 50	-	Lv. 50	-	Lv. 50	♀	Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	-	Lv. 50	♂
-		Sand-Attack		Double Kick		Horn Drill		Fury Attack		Fire Blast
-		Rock Slide		Strength		Blizzard		Earthquake		Blizzard
-		Slash		Surf		Thunder		Body Slam		Stomp
-		Dig		Earthquake		Toxic		Fissure		Thunder

File:Persian(FrLg)Sprite.png Persian		File:Tauros(FrLg)Sprite.png Tauros		File:Nidoqueen(FRLG)Sprite.png Nidoqueen		File:Nidoking(FRLG)Sprite.png Nidoking		File:Gengar(FrLg)Sprite.png Gengar		File:Moltres(FrLg)Sprite.png Moltres
Lv. 50	-	Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	♀	Lv. 50	♂	Lv. 50	-	Lv. 50	-
Ability: Levitate		Ability: pressure
-		Blizzard		Double Kick		Thrash		Hypnosis		Fire Spin
-		Thunder		Body Slam		Earthquake		Dream Eater		Fly
-		Fire Blast		Thunderbolt		Thunder		Night Shade		Toxic
-		Earthquake		Blizzard		Surf		Explosion		Double-Edge

Videos

Main article: Giovanni/Video

Trivia

• 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 Generation IV and V 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 Pokémon 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 identity 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 Pokémon franchise.
• In the Celebi event, Silver is Giovanni's son. However in the anime this relationship is absent or not mentioned in the anime.

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