Pokémon Wiki

Don't like the ads? Then create an account! Users with accounts will only see ads on the Main Page and have more options than anonymous users.

READ MORE

Pokémon Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Template:GymLeaderBox

"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

File:Giovanni BW.png

Giovanni's updated look in Pokémon: Black and White

Main Article: Giovanni(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 has not been seen since the Meteorite plan's climax and has allowed Jessie, James and Meowth to do as they please in Unova.

While he is rarely shown, he is implied to be 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

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
Giovanni(RB)Sprite
Giovanni(Y)Sprite
Giovanni(FrLg)Sprite
GiovanniHGSS
VSGiovanni
GiovanniB2W2

Pokémon

In Games

Pokémon Red and Blue

First Encounter

File:Onix(RB)Sprite.png
Onix
 Type Rock Type Ground 
File:RedBlueRhyhorn.png
Rhyhorn
 Type Ground Type Rock 
File:Kangaskhan(RedBlue)Sprite.png
Kangaskhan
 Type Normal 
[[File:{{{P4}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P4}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
[[File:{{{P5}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P5}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
Lv. 25 - Lv. 24 - Lv. 29 Lv. ? - Lv. ? - Lv. ? -
Item: ? Item: ? Item: ? Item: ? Item: ? Item: ?
Rock Throw Horn Attack Comet Punch - - -
Bind - Rage - - -
Rage - Bite - - -
Screech - - - - -

Second Encounter

File:Nidorino(RedBlue)Sprite.png
Nidorino
 Type Poison 
File:RedBlueRhyhorn.png
Rhyhorn
 Type Ground Type Rock 
File:Kangaskhan(RedBlue)Sprite.png
Kangaskhan
 Type Normal 
File:NidoqueenRBSprite.png
Nidoqueen
 Type Poison Type Ground 
[[File:{{{P5}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P5}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
Lv. 37 Lv. 37 - Lv. 35 Lv. 41 Lv. ? - Lv. ? -
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

File:RedBlueRhyhorn.png
Rhyhorn
 Type Ground Type Rock 
File:Dugtrio(RedBlue)Sprite.png
Dugtrio
 Type Ground 
File:NidoqueenRBSprite.png
Nidoqueen
 Type Poison Type Ground 
File:RedBlueNidoking.png
Nidoking
 Type Poison Type Ground 
File:Rhydon(RB)Sprite.png
Rhydon
 Type Ground Type Rock 
[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
Lv. 45 - Lv. 42 - Lv. 44 Lv. 45 Lv. 50 - Lv. ? -
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

File:Onix(Y)Sprite.png
Onix
 Type Rock Type Ground 
File:YRhyhornSprite.png
Rhyhorn
 Type Ground Type Rock 
File:Persian(Yellow)Sprite.png
Persian
 Type Normal 
[[File:{{{P4}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P4}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
[[File:{{{P5}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P5}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
Lv. 25 - Lv. 24 - Lv. 29 - Lv. ? - Lv. ? - Lv. ? -
Item: ? Item: ? Item: ? Item: ? Item: ? Item: ?
Rock Throw Horn Attack Pay Day - - -
Bind - Scratch - - -
Rage - Bite - - -
Screech - Growl - - -

Second Encounter

File:NidorinoYSprite.png
Nidorino
 Type Poison 
File:YRhyhornSprite.png
Rhyhorn
 Type Ground Type Rock 
File:Persian(Yellow)Sprite.png
Persian
 Type Normal 
File:YellowNidoqueen.png
Nidoqueen
 Type Poison Type Ground 
[[File:{{{P5}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P5}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
Lv. 37 Lv. 37 - Lv. 35 - Lv. 41 Lv. ? - Lv. ? -
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

File:DugtrioYSprite.png
Dugtrio
 Type Ground 
File:Persian(Yellow)Sprite.png
Persian
 Type Normal 
File:YellowNidoqueen.png
Nidoqueen
 Type Poison Type Ground 
File:Nidoking(Y).png
Nidoking
 Type Poison Type Ground 
File:Rhydon Sprite.png
Rhydon
 Type Ground Type Rock 
[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
Lv. 50 - Lv. 53 - Lv. 53 Lv. 55 Lv. 55 - Lv. ? -
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

File:Onix(FRLG)Sprite.png
Onix
 Type Rock Type Ground 
File:Rhyhorn(FRLG)Sprite.png
Rhyhorn
 Type Ground Type Rock 
File:Kangaskhan(FRLG)Sprite.png
Kangaskhan
 Type Normal 
[[File:{{{P4}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P4}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
[[File:{{{P5}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P5}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
Lv. 25 Lv. 24 Lv. 29 Lv. ? - Lv. ? - Lv. ? -
Ability: Rock Head Ability: Rock Head Ability: Early Bird Ability: None Ability: None Ability: None
Item: ? 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

File:Nidorino(FRLG)Sprite.png
Nidorino
 Type Poison 
File:Rhyhorn(FRLG)Sprite.png
Rhyhorn
 Type Ground Type Rock 
File:Kangaskhan(FRLG)Sprite.png
Kangaskhan
 Type Normal 
File:Nidoqueen(FRLG)Sprite.png
Nidoqueen
 Type Poison Type Ground 
[[File:{{{P5}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P5}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
Lv. 37 Lv. 37 Lv. 35 Lv. 41 Lv. ? - Lv. ? -
Ability: Poison Point Ability: Rock Head Ability: Early Bird Ability: Poison Point Ability: None Ability: None
Item: ? 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

File:Rhyhorn(FRLG)Sprite.png
Rhyhorn
 Type Ground Type Rock 
File:Dugtrio(FRLG)Sprite.png
Dugtrio
 Type Ground 
File:Nidoqueen(FRLG)Sprite.png
Nidoqueen
 Type Poison Type Ground 
File:Nidoking(FRLG)Sprite.png
Nidoking
 Type Poison Type Ground 
File:Rhyhorn(FRLG)Sprite.png
Rhyhorn
 Type Ground Type Rock 
[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
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: None
Item: ? 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)

File:Nidoking(HGSS)Sprite.png
Nidoking
 Type Poison Type Ground 
File:HonchkrowHGSSSprite.png
Honchkrow
 Type Dark Type Flying 
File:NidoqueenHGSSsprite.png
Nidoqueen
 Type Poison Type Ground 
File:HGSSKangaskhan.png
Kangaskhan
 Type Normal 
[[File:{{{P5}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P5}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
[[File:{{{P6}}}_BW.gif|link={{{P6}}}]]
[[]]
 Type  
Lv. 42 Lv. 43 Lv. 46 Lv. 40 Lv. ? - Lv. ? -
Ability: Poison Point Ability: Super Luck Ability: Poison Point Ability: Scrappy Ability: None Ability: None
Item: ? 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 BW
Rhyperior
 Type Ground Type Rock 
Hippowdon BW
Hippowdon
 Type Ground 
Garchomp BW
Garchomp
 Type Dragon Type Ground 
Krookodile BW
Krookodile
 Type Ground Type Dark 
Nidoking BW
Nidoking
 Type Poison Type Ground 
Gliscor BW
Gliscor
 Type Ground Type Flying 
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 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 BW
Rhyperior
 Type Ground Type Rock 
Golem BW
Golem
 Type Rock Type Ground 
Marowak BW
Marowak
 Type Ground 
Sandslash BW
Sandslash
 Type Ground 
Nidoking BW
Nidoking
 Type Poison Type Ground 
Nidoqueen BW
Nidoqueen
 Type Poison Type Ground 
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
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

File:Persian(FrLg)Sprite.png
Persian
 Type Normal 
File:Dugtrio(FRLG)Sprite.png
Dugtrio
 Type Ground 
File:Nidoqueen(FRLG)Sprite.png
Nidoqueen
 Type Poison Type Ground 
File:Nidoking(FRLG)Sprite.png
Nidoking
 Type Poison Type Ground 
File:Rhydon(FrLg)Sprite.png
Rhydon
 Type Ground Type Rock 
File:Tauros(FrLg)Sprite.png
Tauros
 Type Normal 
Lv. 50 - Lv. 50 - Lv. 50 Lv. 50 Lv. 50 - Lv. 50
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

File:Persian(FrLg)Sprite.png
Persian
 Type Normal 
File:Tauros(FrLg)Sprite.png
Tauros
 Type Normal 
File:Nidoqueen(FRLG)Sprite.png
Nidoqueen
 Type Poison Type Ground 
File:Nidoking(FRLG)Sprite.png
Nidoking
 Type Poison Type Ground 
File:Gengar(FrLg)Sprite.png
Gengar
 Type Ghost Type Poison 
File:Moltres(FrLg)Sprite.png
Moltres
 Type Fire Type Flying 
Lv. 50 - Lv. 50 Lv. 50 Lv. 50 Lv. 50 - Lv. 50 -
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 Persian3
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
Armored Mewtwo
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

Videos

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.

Template:Villains

Template:NavKantoGymLeader

Advertisement