Villainous team

Villainous teams (US: Team -, Japanese: -団 -dan) are criminal organisations which form the core of the storyline of Pokémon games.There are three as of generation III: Team Rocket, found in Generation I, Generation II and the Generation I remake, and Team Aqua & Team Magma, found in Generation III.

Comparisons

Whereas Team Rocket has vague goals and is Mafia-like (or perhaps Yakuza-like, considering the Japanese background), Team Aqua and Team Magma have clear goals and is cult-like. (Expand.) All three have iconic leaders - Giovanni (later missing), Archie and Maxie respectively.

Team Rocket had extensive presence in Generation I, known activities include running the Celadon casino, invading the Silph offices, and murdering at least one Pokémon. Even in the anime, where law enforcement officers are clearly present, Team Rocket's activities continue unhindered, as if they were above the law. (Analysis?)

In contrast, Team Aqua & Team Magma's activities are at extremes: simple theft: stealing a Pokémon, a meteorite, and one submarine; and causing catastrophes: halting the activity of a volcano and causing droughts and heavy rains by awakening Groudon and Kyogre.

The above refers to the games, however, there is a darker interpretation of the teams in the manga Pocket Monsters Special.