Boss fantasy

A typical boss fantasy

The boss fantasy (Japanese: ニャース妄想 Nyarth delusion) is a segment in the Pokémon anime in which Meowth thinks of practical uses Giovanni can make of the Pokémon being focused on in the current episode. Through this, the Giovanni in Meowth's imagination rewards Team Rocket for their generosity, which gives Jessie and James the motivation to go through with their next plan, only for Ash and his friends to go after and foil it once it is carried out. The segment often depicts Giovanni in humorous and exaggerated situations.

The segment debuted in Bye Bye Butterfree!, but became regular only after The Kecleon Caper, appearing as often as the motto and blast offs during the Hoenn saga. The segment appeared less often in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl. Due to the trio shifting to a more serious tone, the boss fantasies did not appear in Pokémon the Series: Black & White, though afterwards they made a return in Pokémon the Series: XY and Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, although much less frequently than before.

Meowth's chibi view of Giovanni

It can be noted that the Giovanni in such fantasies almost always says he will reward "Meowth and his friends" for bringing (Pokémon so and so) instead of "Jessie, James, and Meowth" or a variation of that. This can be attributed to the fact that Meowth is usually the one who dreams up these fantasies, and his ego causes him to imagine Giovanni rewarding him first, then his friends. In one episode, James finishes off the fantasy, where he imagines Giovanni saying "James and his friends" instead. Occasionally, Meowth will imagine Giovanni in chibi form while in others, Meowth will imagine Giovanni with a muscle-covered body.

On rare occasions, the fantasy will not pan out as planned and Giovanni's unhappiness encourages the trio to do something else instead.

The reality, however, is that since Giovanni's behavior in these fantasies are solely based around Meowth's opinion on how he would react, they don't reflect Giovanni's true personality since the trio remain unaware of his personal dislike (and sometimes, his general disinterest) towards them at the time. On most occasions, Meowth is so overconfident with these fantasies that he doesn't realize that his plans are generally flawed and wouldn't actually work, usually due to Giovanni's desire for only strong Pokémon.

List of boss fantasies

Original series

Episode	Item/Pokémon	Use
Bye Bye Butterfree!	Butterfree	Meowth being in the Boss's lap (with Persian being down in the dumps).
The Battle of the Badge	Togepi	Giovanni praising the trio in his office.
Bound for Trouble	Pikachu	Meowth in the boss's lap, being his favorite Pokémon, after singlehandedly bringing Pikachu to Giovanni.
The Kecleon Caper	Kecleon	Captured for the jewelry box it swallowed, to impress Giovanni with the rarity of the Pokémon and the value of the jewels.
A Corsola Caper!	Corsola	To make Giovanni's estate look beautiful and pink.
Whichever Way the Wind Blows	Bellossom	To cheer him up when he wakes up.
EP250	Jynx, Swinub, and Piloswine	Jynx will kiss Giovanni when he wakes up, Swinub will brush his hair with Powder Snow, and Piloswine will blanch the floor.
Just Add Water	Mantine, Qwilfish, and Lanturn	To swim with Giovanni in his pool in the morning.
Here's Lookin' at You, Elekid	Elekid and Larvitar	Elekid will power an electric razor and a hair dryer and Larvitar will show his sincere loyalty.

Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire

Episode	Item/Pokémon	Use
Tree's a Crowd	Treecko	To wake Giovanni up by rubbing his nose with its tail and to massage him.
The Lotad Lowdown	Lotad	To bring water to Giovanni for washing in the morning right in the bed.
Which Wurmple's Which?	Wurmple	To provide thread for sewing.
Seeing is Believing	Seedot	To help Giovanni with his morning exercises.
Now That's Flower Power!	Bluk Berries	To make Giovanni's hair look perfect. This is the first fantasy with an item instead of a Pokémon, as well as the first time a negative effect appears in Meowth's fantasy scene (Giovanni's mouth becomes black from Bluk Berry juice), though only James mentions it verbally.
Jump for Joy	Shiftry	To fan Giovanni with leaves on arms.
A Poké-BLOCK Party!	Whismur	To serve as an alarm clock and a lunch bell.
Watt's with Wattson?	Voltorb, Magnemite, and Magneton	Voltorb will wake Giovanni up with a slight zap and Magnemite and Magneton will provide him free electricity.
What You Seed is What You Get	Watermelons	To slake Giovanni's thirst when he is in a desert.
Love at First Flight	Volbeat and Illumise	Entertain Giovanni while he's doing his work.
Let Bagons be Bagons	Bagon	To crack coconuts for Giovanni when he will be 1) wandering in a jungle or 2) flying a helicopter. The thought about helicopter came to Meowth when Bagon told him that he wanted to learn to fly. It is the first time two fantasies appear in one episode.
I Feel Skitty!	Fragrances	To help Giovanni relax and brush his teeth better.
I Feel Skitty!	Skitty	Make Giovanni happy early in the morning.
Maxxed Out	Surskit	Lift his spirit when it's cloudy.
Poetry Commotion!	Torkoal	To light Giovanni's barbecue grill and candles.
Delcatty Got Your Tongue?	Skitty and Delcatty	Giovanni will simply be happy to own both.
Take the Lombre Home	Lombre	To fill its lilypad with water to use as a sink.
True Blue Swablu	Swablu	Act as his pillow and make him fall asleep by using Sing.
Exploud and Clear!	Exploud	Act as an alarm clock.
Go Go Ludicolo!	Ludicolo	Entertainment for when he wakes up and to lighten his spirits.
Love, Petalburg Style!	Slakoth, Vigoroth, and Slaking	Vigoroth to wake him up, and Slakoth and Slaking to help him relax after a long day's work.
A Six Pack Attack!	Kanto and Hoenn first partner Pokémon	To remind him of his early days as a Pokémon Trainer.
Pearls are a Spoink's Best Friend	Spoink	To make a crown.
Lights, Camerupt, Action!	Movie projector and Camerupt	To watch his favorite films on the big screen and ride Camerupt in the moonlight.
The Garden of Eatin'	Snorlax	To put the Boss on its shoulder so he can see the sunrise.
Judgment Day!	Ivysaur, Charmeleon, and Wartortle	To remember himself the nice era.
Clamperl of Wisdom	The blue pearl	To make a crown or a ring.
Clamperl of Wisdom	Spoink, Clamperl, and the blue pearl	To use as a stylish crown. (Spoink and the blue pearl, the reasoning for capturing Clamperl is not addressed.)
The Relicanth Really Can	Sunken treasure	To buy him sparkling furniture for his bedroom.
The Evolutionary War	Huntail and Gorebyss	To allow him to go "extreme surfing".
Training Wreck	A physically fit Team Rocket	To use as bodyguards.
It's Still Rocket Roll to Me!	A space shuttle	To inspire him and allow him to explore outer space.
Solid as a Solrock	Lunatone and Solrock	To shine light on him in a dark street, making him dance happily.
Where's Armaldo?	Prehistoric Pokémon	To awaken his wild side.
Once in a Mawile	Mawile	Entertainment with its ribbon dancing skills, a living fan by the use of its back jaw, and using said back jaw as a cushion to rest his weary head on.
Once in a Mawile	Lombre	Waking up to see its loamy face in the morning...or maybe walking out to the pool to see its...no. Maybe a staring contest?
Beg, Burrow, and Steal	Trapinch	Crack a walnut.
Absol-ute Disaster	Absol	Make him angry when he is brushing his teeth.
Do I Hear a Ralts?	Ralts	To stop thieves from stealing his things and putting him back to sleep after with Hypnosis.
Showdown At Linoone	Linoone	Make gifts to the Boss thanks to his Pickup Ability.
Date Expectations	Donphan	If he went bowling with it, then he would get a strike every time... if it didn't destroy the bowling alley. Or he could use it for transportation... if he didn't mind leaving all of his belongings behind. Or he could use it to get a massage... if he didn't mind being flattened.
Less is Morrison	Beldum	Massager.
Like a Meowth to a Flame!	Moltres's flame	Source of fire.
Numero Uno, Articuno	Articuno	To cool Giovanni off after he has collapsed, barely dressed, from the blazing heat.
Rough, Tough, Jigglypuff	Jigglypuff	To be used as a decoration, exercise ball and sleep aid.
On Cloud Arcanine	Arcanine	To keep Giovanni warm at night.
Sitting Psyduck!	Psyduck	Make Giovanni happy he has a brain and non-webbed toes when he hurts his fingers and toes, and to make his mind go blank when he has an ice cream headache.
Odd Pokémon Out!	Tropius	To provide Giovanni with shade and fresh fruit from its neck.
Pokémon Ranger - Deoxys Crisis	Deoxys	To travel in space. Team Rocket abandoned the fantasy.
All That Glitters is Not Golden!	Golden Sudowoodo	It will make Giovanni happy by matching his golden house, clothes, and bathtub.
Grating Spaces	Pokémon of the Pewter Gym	Geodude will massage him, other Pokémon will keep him company.
Aipom and Circumstance	A crown	For Giovanni to 1) wear in bed, 2) fill with water to use as a sink, and 3) use in a curling game.
Strategy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight!	Chatot	To "quote" everything Giovanni says; to wish him a good morning, tell one-sided jokes, and help him berate Grunts.
Overjoyed!	Chansey	To box with Giovanni, and treat his injuries when it beats him up.

Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl

Episode	Item/Pokémon	Use
Like It or Lup It!	Ludicolo	Playing music for him while he's waking up in the morning, as well as during a work-out ("shaking his boss booty").
A Staravia is Born!	Bird Pokémon	The boss is flying in the air, sitting on a chair strapped to a bunch of Flying-type Pokémon.
Leave It To Brocko!	Nuzleaf	To make the Boss think that money don't buy him happiness, so he will give all his money to the trio.
A Gruff Act to Follow!	Fossil Pokémon	Giovanni is using the revived Fossil Pokémon to take over Sinnoh, with him sobbing in happiness.
Drifloon on the Wind!	Ampharos	Calm the boss down when he is having nightmares.
Some Enchanted Sweetening	Enchanted Honey	He runs through the desert in a speedo, covered in Enchanted Honey. Then the wild Pokémon come and lick and rub against him. This fantasy was completely removed from the dub, presumably due to the extremely suggestive nature of the shot where the Pokémon are rubbing up against Giovanni. This was the second boss fantasy after EP250 that was not seen in the English dub.
All Dressed Up With Somewhere To Go!	A Pokémon Egg	To provide good sleeps to the boss thanks to the warm presence of the Egg.
Buizel Your Way Out of This!	Buizel	To save his life when he's out yachting during a storm and his boat capsizes.
An Elite Meet and Greet	Lucian's Bronzong	Um... Dancing? A hat? A paper weight? A door knocker? Nah, there's no way Giovanni would like an extremely rare Pokémon owned by a member of the Elite Four.
Steamboat Willies!	All of the twerps' Pokémon	To be playmates
Mass Hip-Po-Sis!	Hippopotas	Get his golf ball out of a sand trap and making a beach. This fantasy was imagined by James, because Meowth fell asleep after being hit by Hippopotas's Yawn.
Bibarel Gnaws Best!	Machamp and Machoke	Build a giant stone castle.
Hot Springing a Leak!	Hot spring	For Giovanni to be relaxed
Bells are Singing!	Francesca's Chingling	Alarm clock
Fighting Fear with Fear	Gligar	Gligar will shield Giovanni's eyes from the rising sun in the morning, so that he doesn't wake up and miss the best part of his dream.
A Lean Mean Team Rocket Machine!	Mew, Riolu, Celebi, Milotic, and Shieldon	Examples of rare Pokémon that can be caught for the boss.
Ancient Family Matters!	Giant Anorith	To offer it to the boss.
Hold the Phione!	Phione	For good luck, winning sweepstakes that he enters.
Stealing the Conversation!	Chatot	To give Giovanni a confidence boost by asking it loaded questions, which Chatot will mimic.
The Lonely Snover!	Snover	To give Giovanni Snover Berries for breakfast, thereby inspiring him to open a snow-cone business.
Battling a Cute Drama!	Cherubi	To charm and relax Giovanni after a hard day of making a "zillion dollars".
Promoting Healthy Tangrowth!	Tangrowth	To use Absorb to cure Giovanni's insomnia.
A Rivalry to Gible On!	Gible	To play in the water with Giovanni and "help him find his inner Boss."
Try for the Family Stone!	Mismagius	To cast a spell that will make Giovanni happy.
Gotta Get a Gible!	Gible	To get rid of the scrap thanks to Gible eating it, and because in addition it is ecological.
The Fleeing Tower of Sunyshore!	Sunyshore Tower	To provide headquarters with warm floors (that the boss will want to sleep on), stoves and hot baths.
Pokémon Ranger: Heatran Rescue!	Heatran	To be used as a grill, a sauna heater, and a fireplace.
An Elite Coverup!	Magby	To help Giovanni light his barbecue and birthday candles. Also, to light the Team Rocket headquarters in the event of a blackout.
Dealing With a Fierce Double Ditto Drama!	Narissa's Ditto 1 and 2	To help Giovanni catch Legendary Pokémon like Giratina and Regigigas.
For The Love of Meowth!	Mamie's Glameow	To make the boss happy when he wake up thanks to the beauty of Glameow. It was in fact a decoy because Meowth just wanted to escape with Glameow since he felt in love with her.
Four Roads Diverged in a Pokémon Port!	Kenny's Floatzel	When Giovanni can't sleep at night, Floatzel can give him its floatation sac to use as a pillow (Meowth doesn't consider the fact that Floatzel can't actually remove the sac from its body).

Pokémon the Series: XY

Episode	Item/Pokémon	Use	Image
Awakening the Sleeping Giant!	Poké Flute	To gather an army of Snorlax.
Battling at Full Volume!	Pikachu	Giovanni rewards Meowth lots of desserts, but Meowth doesn't like how his boss gave him too much desserts.

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

Episode	Item/Pokémon	Use
Tasting the Bitter with the Sweet!	A rare Pokémon	Meowth in the boss's lap.
Don't Ignore the Small Stufful!	All the Pokémon from the Aether Paradise Conservation Area	To please Giovanni and make all the Pokémon even happier than in the wild.
A High-Speed Awakening!	Vikavolt	To pull Giovanni in a flying sled.