Team Skull: Difference between revisions

'''Team Skull''' (Japanese: '''{{j|スカル{{tt|団|だん}}}}''' ''Skull-dan'', literally ''Skull Gang'') is a [[Villainous teams|villainous team]] based in the [[Alola]] region.

==In the games==

===In Pokémon Sun and Moon===

Team Skull appears in {{pkmn|Sun and Moon}}. As revealed by some of their members, Team Skull is composed of misfits who failed the [[island challenge]]. They steal Pokémon from people, but unlike previous villainous teams, they do not have a specific goal other than to cause trouble and acquire enough money to support themselves. In a stark contrast to other villainous teams, they do not pose a serious threat to the wellbeing of Alola and its residents, the majority of whom consider them thuggish nuisances at worst.

Team Skull originated from a group that coalesced around one of Alola's [[Island Kahuna|kahuna]]s. This group provoked the wrath of the four island deities and was struck down. The survivors became the first members of Team Skull. At some point, Team Skull took over [[Po Town]] on [[Ula'ula Island]], driving away the original residents, vandalising the buildings with graffiti and structural damage along with generally preventing others from entering the town and hindering the flow of electricity.

After [[Guzma]] is rescued from [[Ultra Deep Sea|Ultra Space]] by the player, he disbands Team Skull and its members go their separate ways. Guzma returns to his parents' house on [[Melemele Island]], while [[Plumeria]] takes up residence in a camper on {{rt|13|Alola}} and later challenges the Alola {{al|Pokémon League}}. One Grunt becomes an apprentice chef under [[Mallow]] in [[Konikoni City]], while two others in the Po Town Pokémon Center offer a Skull Tank for sale in order for them to make enough money to leave. Others are taken by [[Hala]] to train in [[Iki Town]], deciding to become a rescue team and dubbing themselves "Team Reskull" (Japanese: '''タスカル団''' ''Tasukaru-dan'', literally ''Rescue Gang''). Guzma is one of the former members taken under Hala's wing, but rather to help hone his potential and help him overcome his anger issues.

Team Skull debuted in ''[[SM001|Alola to New Adventure!]]'', where three {{tc|Team Skull Grunt}}s, [[Tupp]], [[Rapp]], and [[Zipp]], were seen harassing {{an|Kiawe}} in front of the [[Pokémon School]]. Though the three Grunts outnumbered Kiawe and {{Ash}}, the two Trainers emerged victorious through the combined efforts of [[Ash's Pikachu]] and [[Kiawe's Turtonator]]. This particular trio have become recurring characters, often appearing to cause trouble only to be stopped by Ash and Pikachu's {{m|Gigavolt Havoc}}. These three Grunts would go on to become recurring characters throughout the {{series|Sun & Moon}}.

Team Skull fought {{TRT}} in ''[[SM025|A Team-on-Team Tussle!]]'' over possession of a [[Darkinium Z]], which multiple [[Regional variant|Alolan]] [[Totem Pokémon#Ally Rattata|Rattata]], {{p|Raticate}}, and a Totem Raticate were protecting. They lost after a wild {{an|Bewear}} showed up, scaring the Totem and Ally Pokémon away while Team Rocket unearthed the Darkinium Z from the hill it was embedded in.

In ''[[SM129|Battle Royal 151!]]'', all the members of Team Skull entered the [[Manalo Conference]], although only Guzma managed to get past the preliminary round. While Guzma competed, the Grunts created havoc and mischief around [[Manalo Stadium]]. In [[SM137]], after Guzma had been defeated by Ash in the semifinals, he attempted to dissolve the team, but the Grunts wanted to stay with Guzma, as they wanted him to teach them how to battle as well as he does.

===In the Pokémon Adventures manga===

In the {{chap|Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon}}, a pair of {{tc|Team Skull Grunt|Grunts}} are berated by Guzma because their attempt to skip out on paying {{adv|Sun}} for his part-time job ended in their defeat. They are ordered to find Sun so that they can be taught a lesson.

Following the conclusion of the Iki Town festival, Guzma follows Gladion to the [[Ruins of Conflict]] and praises his strength, asking for him to join Team Skull as its enforcer. To Guzma's surprise, Gladion quickly accepts.

===In the movie adaptations===

A group of Team Skull members appears in [[ICYR2]]''

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* Team Skull is the first villainous team to make their debut in the [[SM001|first episode]] of an {{pkmn|anime}} [[series]].

* The lyrics to the Team Skull encounter theme contain the word "dokuro" ('''ドクロ'''), meaning "skull" in Japanese.

* In [[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]], {{p|Pichu}} can wear the Team Skull cap as one of its palette swaps.