Giovanni

If you were looking for the character in the games whose Japanese name is Giovanni, see Earl Dervish. For the episode of Pokémon Origins, see File 3: Giovanni.

Giovanni
サカキ Sakaki
"The Self-Proclaimed Strongest Trainer"
Lets Go Pikachu Eevee Giovanni.png
Artwork from Let's Go, Pikachu!, Let's Go, Eevee! by Megumi Mizutani[1]
Age Unknown
Gender Male
Eye color Black
Hair color Black
Hometown Viridian City
Region Kanto
Relatives Silver (son)
Trainer class BossRBYFRLG/Rocket BossHGSS/Team Rocket BossPE
Gym LeaderRBYFRLGPE
Pokémon TrainerB2W2USUM
Team Rainbow RocketUSUM
Generation I, III, IV, V, VII, VIII, IX
Counterpart(s) Giovanni (GO), Giovanni (Masters)
Games Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, LeafGreen, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black 2, White 2, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Let's Go, Pikachu!, Let's Go, Eevee!
Stadium, Masters EX
English voice actor Andrew Russell[2] (Masters EX)
Japanese voice actor Kōji Ishii[3] (Masters EX)
Member of Team Rocket
Rank Boss
Member of Indigo League
Rank Gym Leader
Leader of Viridian Gym
Badge Earth Badge
Specializes in Ground types
Member of Team Rainbow Rocket
Rank Boss
Anime series Pokémon the Series
Pokémon Origins
Pokémon Generations
Debut Battle Aboard the St. Anne (Pokémon the Series)
File 3: Giovanni (Pokémon Origins)
The Chase (Pokémon Generations)
Counterpart(s) Giovanni
English voice actor Ed Paul (EP015-AG132, DP080-present), Craig Blair (DP002-DP043) (Pokémon the Series)
Jamieson Price (Pokémon Origins)
Richard Epcar (Pokémon Generations)
Japanese voice actor Hirotaka Suzuoki (EP015-AG132), Kenta Miyake (DP002-present) (Pokémon the Series)
Rikiya Koyama (Pokémon Origins)
Akio Ōtsuka (Pokémon Generations)
Manga series Pokémon Adventures
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
Pokémon Zensho
Counterpart(s) Giovanni (Adventures), Giovanni (Pocket Monsters)
Debut Make Way For Magmar! (Pokémon Adventures)
Pikachu Was Kidnapped!! (Pokémon Pocket Monsters)
Tamamushi City (Pokémon Zensho)

Giovanni (Japanese: サカキ Sakaki) is the former head of Team Rocket, who served as the secretive Gym Leader of Viridian City's Gym, known officially as the Viridian Gym. He handed out the Earth Badge to Trainers who defeated him in battle. As a Gym Leader, he specialized in Ground-type Pokémon, but his master plan includes collecting rare Pokémon of all types. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, he makes a return appearance as the leader of Team Rainbow Rocket. He is the only character in the games to have the Trainer classes BossFRLG/Rocket BossHGSS/Team Rocket BossPE (Japanese: ロケットだんボス Team Rocket Boss) and Team Rainbow Rocket (Japanese: Rロケットだん Team R Rocket).

Terminology

In the English version of Pokémon Stadium, his name is misspelled "Giovani" (with one n) to fit the game's seven-character limit for Trainer names. His name is correctly written as Giovanni in the Pokémon Stadium: Official Nintendo Player's Guide.

In the Japanese version of the Trainer Card from the Generation I games, he is unidentified and his name is written as ???, as opposed to other Gym Leaders who have their names written on the Trainer Card. However, the English version of the Generation I Trainer Card does not have any names of Gym Leaders. Giovanni appears as a silhouette in both language versions.

He is also unidentified and has his name is written as ??? on the list of Gym Leaders seen in Japanese and English manuals of the Generation I games and the English manual of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, even though he is identified normally in the Japanese manual of FireRed and LeafGreen.

In the core series games

Giovanni is the primary antagonist of the games taking place in Kanto.

In the first games Giovanni appeared in, he served a dual role: one that was well known to the residents of Kanto, and one that was more secret. He was first shown as the leader of the villainous Team Rocket, the first of many criminal organizations to grace the Pokémon games. After the player defeated him and his team of Grunts at Silph Co., Giovanni fled to a hideout that the player is unaware of. Once the player returned to Viridian City, one of the major plot twists of these games revealed that Giovanni, in addition to his role as a criminal, was the final Gym Leader to be fought before the Elite Four—albeit one without a formal title. Here, he specializes in the Ground type. Once defeated, he disbanded Team Rocket and left the player with the Earth Badge and TM27 (Fissure). If talked to again, he then vanishes and is not seen again for the rest of the game.

Giovanni's role in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen is much the same; the one difference is that defeating him in the Gym battle will earn the player TM26 (Earthquake), instead of TM27 (Fissure). He also implies that he intends to return to power one day rather than being moved to dedicate his life to the study of Pokémon. There is a side-plot in the Sevii Islands that revolves around Giovanni; a group of Team Rocket members are trying to continue the aims of Team Rocket, but they abandon this when they realize that their leader has been defeated once and for all.

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Giovanni's story is slightly expanded from his first appearance. During his first appearance, he is seen talking with Archer and giving him the permission to proceed with the plan to take over Silph Co. After being defeated for the first time, he gives the player the Silph Scope as a token of apology for mocking them, as opposed to just leaving the device behind before leaving, like in previous games. At the Silph Co., a part of his conversation with the Silph Co. President is shown, with Giovanni demanding him to hand over the Master Ball like they had previously agreed. In the Gym battle, Giovanni's reward TM once again contains Earthquake, although now, it's TM41, instead of TM26.

In Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver, a group of Team Rocket members tries to relaunch the old team. They take over Goldenrod Radio Tower, and broadcast a radio announcement intended for Giovanni. Only in HeartGold and SoulSilver is it revealed that Giovanni does hear the broadcast, from his hideout in Tohjo Falls - an event in the remakes involving a time-traveling Celebi allows Ethan and Lyra to travel back in time and defeat Giovanni at the same time the rest of Team Rocket is being defeated at the Radio Tower. Upon defeat, he will begin ranting about how he keeps losing to children and, like before, Giovanni will leave the room and disappear. Later, in Kanto, it is revealed that Blue took over the Viridian Gym after his disappearance.

The Celebi event also reveals some of Giovanni's background from the three years between Generation I/III and Generation II/IV. While it was mentioned by Scientist Gideon in FireRed and LeafGreen that Giovanni has a son with red hair, the son's identity wasn't revealed until the time travel event in HeartGold and SoulSilver. As many fans speculated (and as was mentioned in the Pokémon Adventures manga series), this son is the rival of the Johto player character, Silver. Much of Silver's personality is a result of the treatment he received from Giovanni, which includes abandonment. Like many of Giovanni's other actions throughout the games, this reflects on his selfishness.

Giovanni reappears in Black 2 and White 2 in the Pokémon World Tournament, replacing Blue, who instead participates in the Champions Tournament. Giovanni returns to using Ground types exclusively. While the announcer usually introduces Gym Leaders by their title, Giovanni, who does not have a title, is introduced as "The Self-Proclaimed Strongest Trainer" (Japanese: さいきょうの トレーナーと なのる Self-Proclaimed Strongest Trainer).

An alternate universe Giovanni appears in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon as the Boss of Team Rainbow Rocket. This version of Giovanni came from a universe where Team Rocket succeeded in taking over the world, featured in Episode RR. He is first seen during the Aether Foundation's broadcast from Aether Paradise, where he seizes control of the organization from Lusamine. He fortifies himself inside Team Rocket's Castle and stations versions of Archie, Maxie, Cyrus, Lysandre, and Ghetsis from other worlds as his guards, along with an army of Team Rainbow Rocket Grunts. After battling through his army, the player and Lillie find Giovanni holding an unconscious Lusamine inside his control center deep within the castle. He introduces himself and reveals that he plans to create an army of Ultra Beasts in order to conquer all worlds. For that purpose, he needs the Aether Foundation's resources, and intends to brainwash Lusamine into serving him. Feeling nostalgic that a child would challenge him, Giovanni battles the player with a party that includes Mewtwo, and is ultimately defeated. Accepting his loss, Giovanni abandons his plans for the Aether Foundation but swears that Team Rainbow Rocket will never fall. He leaves as Colress begins working to revert Team Rocket's Castle back into Lusamine's mansion, and is last seen reflecting on what he will do next before being warped away.

A battle program based on Giovanni appears as a boss in the Battle Agency within Festival Plaza. He's also implied to have stopped by at the Alola Photo Club to leave villainous team-based stickers for the player to use after he was defeated by them.

Fame Checker

This is a list of the Fame Checker's information on Giovanni in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

Rocket HQ - Giovanni
What does this person do?
Team Rocket captures Pokémon from around the world. They're important tools for keeping our criminal enterprise going. I am the leader, Giovanni!
Silph Co. - Scientist
Favorite kind of Pokémon?
Those thugs that took over our building... Their Boss said he was looking for strong Pokémon.
Silph Co. - Scientist
What is this person like?
Team Rocket's Boss is terribly cruel! To him, Pokémon are just tools to be used.
Viridian Gym - Giovanni
What does this person do?
Welcome to my hideout! It shall be so until I can restore Team Rocket to its former glory.
Viridian Gym - Gym guide*
What does this person do?
Blow me away! Giovanni was the Gym Leader of Viridian?
Rocket Warehouse - Scientist Gideon*
Family and Friends?
You... You're not Giovanni's kid, are you? No, that can't be right. Giovanni's kid has red hair.
Message from Giovanni
  • From: Giovanni
  • To: [Player]
"There is nothing I wish to say to you.
I will concentrate solely on bettering myself, and none other."

Pokémon

Pokémon Red and Blue

In all three battles, Giovanni has one Guard Spec. per Pokémon to use randomly 25% of the time.

First battle



Second battle



Gym battle



Pokémon Yellow

In all three battles, Giovanni has one Guard Spec. per Pokémon to use randomly 25% of the time.

First battle



Second battle



Gym battle



Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

First battle



Second battle



Gym battle

Giovanni has two Hyper Potions and a Full Heal.



Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver



Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

Pokémon World Tournament

Giovanni uses three of these Pokémon in Single Battles, four in Double and Rotation Battles, and all six in Triple Battles. Giovanni will always lead with his signature Pokémon, Rhyperior.

Kanto Leaders Tournament



Type Expert/World Leaders Tournament



Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

Giovanni's Pokémon are kept in Master Balls. His Mewtwo's moveset and Mega Stone differ between the two versions.

Pokémon Ultra Sun



Pokémon Ultra Moon



Battle Agency



Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

First battle



Second battle



Gym battle



In the side series games

Pokémon Stadium

Giovanni appears in Pokémon Stadium as the final Gym Leader the player faces during the Gym Leader Castle challenge. His name is spelled "Giovani" to fit the game's seven-character name limit.

Pokémon

Round 1



Round 2



In the spin-off games

Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!

In Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!, the The Boss's Way card is available. The boss mentioned by the card is Giovanni.

Pokémon GO

Main article: Giovanni (GO)

In Pokémon GO, Giovanni appears as the boss of Team GO Rocket, who operate by invading PokéStops and battling using Shadow Pokémon.

Pokémon Masters EX

Main article: Giovanni (Masters)

Giovanni forms a sync pair with Mewtwo, Nidoking, Persian, Rhydon, and Nidorino in Pokémon Masters EX. His Mewtwo is capable of Mega Evolving into Mega Mewtwo Y, while his Nidoking is capable of Dynamaxing. Giovanni became a playable sync pair on December 5, 2019.

In this game, Giovanni is from an alternate universe where Team Rocket succeeded in taking over the world and later became the leader of Team Rainbow Rocket, which was introduced in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. He has made notable appearances in the game's Main Stories: the PML Arc, Legendary Adventures, and is the overall main antagonist of the Villain Arc. The whereabouts of Giovanni from this game's continuity are currently unknown.

Sync Dex Trainer NDex Pokémon Type Weakness Role Base Potential Availability
#074   Giovanni #0150   Mewtwo
  Mega Mewtwo Y
Psychic
 
Dark
 
  ★★★★★☆EX Legendary Adventures
Lurking Shadow
#074   Sygna Suit
Giovanni
#0034   Nidoking  
Ground
 
Psychic
 
  ★★★★★☆EX Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout
#074   Classic
Giovanni
#0053   Persian
Normal
 
Fighting
 
  ★★★★☆☆EX Sync Pair-Up Event
#074   Giovanni #0112   Rhydon  
Ground
 
Grass
 
  ★★★★★☆EX Variety Sync Pair Scout
#074   Giovanni #0033   Nidorino
Poison
 
Ground
 
  ★★★★☆☆EX Trainer Lodge Friendship Level 100

Gallery

Artwork

               
Headshot from
Red and Green
Artwork from
Red and Blue
Artwork from
Yellow
Artwork from
FireRed and LeafGreen by Ken Sugimori[4]
Artwork from
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Artwork from
Pokémon Origins
Concept art from
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

Sprites and models

In the core series

           
Sprite from
Red and Blue
Sprite from
Yellow
Sprite from
FireRed and LeafGreen
Sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver
VS sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver
Sprite from
Black 2 and
White 2
       
Overworld sprite from
Generation I
Overworld sprite from
FireRed and LeafGreen
Overworld sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver
Overworld sprite from
Black 2 and
White 2
       
VS model from
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Battle Agency VS sprite from
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
High-poly model from
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
VS model from
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
   
Overworld model from
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Overworld model from
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

In other games

   
The Boss's Way from
Pokémon Card GB2
Portrait from
Stadium

Quotes

Main article: Giovanni/Quotes

In the anime

 
Giovanni in the anime

Main series

Main article: Giovanni (anime)

Giovanni appears in the anime as the head of Team Rocket. Unlike the members of other prominent criminal organizations, he is a recurring character from Pokémon the Series: The Beginning to Pokémon Journeys: The Series, usually keeping in contact with the Team Rocket trio. In Pokémon the Series: Black & White, he also appears in person to take on the role of direct antagonist at times.

Pokémon Origins

 
Giovanni in Pokémon Origins

Giovanni appeared in File 3: Giovanni. Red first recalled meeting him at the Rocket Hideout. They later encountered again at Silph Co. after Team Rocket had taken over the building. Seeing Red's arrogant and determined attitude to stop Team Rocket every time, Giovanni decided to put him in his place, and battled Red's Charizard with his Nidoqueen, winning easily before escaping with a helicopter, declaring that Red could never understand what he was hoping to achieve.

 
Giovanni as a child

Giovanni appeared once more as the Viridian Gym Leader. Giovanni accepted his Gym challenge, but Red claimed that he would battle him as the enemy of all Pokémon, instead of a Gym Leader. Hearing this, Giovanni put aside his usual Gym Leader battling team and took out his strongest pair of Pokémon, contained within Ultra Balls. The first one was Rhyhorn, which single-handedly was able to defeat four of Red's Pokémon before drawing with his Hitmonlee. During the battle, Giovanni started actually feeling excited, and wondered why he was feeling that way. When he saw the pose Red took while sending out his Charizard, he finally remembered his childhood passion for Pokémon and battling, and wondered how he could have ever turned into a person who only treated Pokémon as tools for business. After Red's Charizard had defeated Giovanni's last Pokémon, Rhydon, Giovanni offered him the Earth Badge as a proof of his victory. Red, however, refused to take a Badge from the Boss of Team Rocket. Seeing this, Giovanni turned to his minions, informing them that from that moment onward, Team Rocket would be officially disbanded. He then turned back to Red, now offering the Badge to him not as the Boss of Team Rocket but as the Viridian City Gym Leader. Red accepted the Earth Badge and left, heading for the Pokémon League.

As his battle with Red had reminded Giovanni of how Pokémon could be taken as fun rather than business, he decided that he wanted to find a new path for himself and his Pokémon, without being the Boss of Team Rocket any longer.

Pokémon


This article is missing information on this character's Japanese voice actor and English voice actor.
You can help by adding this information.


On hand
 
Nidoqueen
Giovanni used Nidoqueen to battle Red's Charizard at Silph Co. and won easily.

Nidoqueen's known moves are Double Kick and Surf.

Debut File 3: Giovanni
 
Rhyhorn
Rhyhorn was the first Pokémon Giovanni used in his Gym battle against Red. It was able to defeat Red's Victreebel, Kabutops, Snorlax, and Jolteon, despite the former two having the type advantage. It finally drew with Red's Hitmonlee.

Rhyhorn's moves are Horn Attack, Take Down, Thunderbolt, and Horn Drill.

Debut File 3: Giovanni
 
Rhydon
Rhydon was the second Pokémon Giovanni used in his Gym battle against Red. It went up against Red's Charizard and lost after a tough fight, taken down by Charizard's Seismic Toss.

Rhydon's known moves are Mega Punch, Fury Attack, and Horn Drill.

Debut File 3: Giovanni
Status unknown
 
Charmander
Charmander only appeared in a flashback during Giovanni's battle with Red, when Giovanni recalled the time having one in his youth.

None of Charmander's moves are known.

Debut File 3: Giovanni

Voice actors

Language Voice actor
Japanese 小山力也 Rikiya Koyama
English Jamieson Price
Italian Raffaele Farina
European Spanish Richard del Olmo


Pokémon Generations

Giovanni first appeared in The Chase. After the International Police had failed to find him during a raid at the Viridian Gym, he was seen standing on a hill near Viridian City, declaring that Team Rocket would never fall, before walking away. Along with his disapparance, rumors about Team Rocket's disbandment began circling around.

He reappeared in a flashback in The Legacy. Looker approached Giovanni's son Silver, hoping to find information on him as he had not been seen since his disappearance three years prior. However, all Silver could describe was his own last encounter with Giovanni three years ago, in which the two had a falling out that fractured their relationship.

Voice actors

Language Voice actor
Japanese 大塚明夫 Akio Ōtsuka
English Richard Epcar
Italian Giorgio Bonino
Brazilian Portuguese Ronaldo Júlio
European Spanish José García Tos


GOTCHA!

Giovanni briefly appeared as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Main article: Giovanni (Adventures)

In Pokémon Adventures, Giovanni serves much of the same role as he does in the games, although he now has Lt. Surge, Sabrina, and Koga as subordinates. However, Giovanni is much more ruthless than his other counterparts.

 
Giovanni as a kid in How I Became a Pokémon Card
 
An older Giovanni in How I Became a Pokémon Card

How I Became a Pokémon Card

Giovanni and Persian were revealed to have been together for a long time, as he rescued the Pokémon when he was a child.


Pokémon

On hand
 
Persian
Main article: Persian (Jungle 42)

Giovanni found this Persian when he was a kid.

Debut PW17
Mentioned
 
Diglett
Giovanni's Diglett was only mentioned when it was commanded to use Sand Attack.

Diglett's only known move is Sand Attack*.

Debut PW17
 
Rhyhorn
Giovanni was about to send out Rhyhorn after recalling Diglett but he threw the Poké Ball too high.

None of Rhyhorn's moves are known.

Debut PW17

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Main article: Giovanni (Pocket Monsters)

Giovanni is the boss of Team Rocket in Pokémon Pocket Monsters.

Pokémon Zensho

 
Giovanni in Pokémon Zensho

Giovanni appears in PZ05, where he is watching Satoshi from the hidden cameras within the Silph Co. building. He orders one of his Team Rocket Grunts to try and stop Satoshi from reaching him. Two chapters later, he has taken the boss of Silph Co. hostage and threatens to harm him if he refuses to tell Giovanni where the Master Ball was. However, he is interrupted when Satoshi and Sabrina teleport their way to the top floor. Lapras uses Mist to blind Nidoqueen, but she launches a Poison Sting attack. One of the needles from the attacks hits Giovanni. Satoshi and the others manage to escape afterwards. In Viridian City, Giovanni was revealed to be the final Gym Leader that Satoshi challenges. Satoshi manages to defeat him and earns the Earth Badge.

Pokémon

 
Nidoqueen
While taking over the Silph Co., Giovanni used Nidoqueen to hold the Silph co. boss hostage.

Nidoqueen's only known move is Poison Sting.

Debut Saffron City
 
Rhydon
Rhydon was Satoshi's opponent for his final Gym battle. It went up against his Lapras and was defeated by his Charizard after Satoshi switched out Lapras.

Rhydon's only known move is Take Down.

Debut Viridian City
At the Pokémon Tower
 
Machamp
Giovanni has owned this Machamp ever since he was a child. When it passed away, it turned him into a bitter person. The spirit of Machamp was called out by one of the Team Rocket grunts to deal with Satoshi. However, it was defeated by Gastly as physical attacks had no effect on the Ghost-type Pokémon.

None of Machamp's moves are known.

Debut Celadon City
 
Nidoking
Giovanni has owned this Nidoking ever since his childhood. He first appeared in Satoshi's flashback while Satoshi was in his house. At the Viridian Gym, Nidoking appeared in Giovanni's imagination where it was revealed that his passing during Giovanni's childhood turned him into a bitter person.

None of Nidoking's moves are known.

Debut Viridian City
 
Kangaskhan
Kangaskhan only appeared shadowed in Satoshi's imagination.

None of Kangaskhan's moves are known.

Debut Viridian City

In the TCG

Giovanni has an eponymous Theme Deck in the Gym Challenge expansion.

Cards

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Giovanni or his Pokémon in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Giovanni's Pokémon
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a silver background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Giovanni's Gyarados   Gym Challenge   5/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Machamp   Gym Challenge   6/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Nidoking   Gym Challenge   7/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Persian   Gym Challenge   8/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Nidoqueen   Gym Challenge   23/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Pinsir   Gym Challenge   24/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Machoke   Gym Challenge   42/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Meowth   Gym Challenge   43/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Nidorina   Gym Challenge   44/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Nidorino   Gym Challenge   45/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Machop   Gym Challenge   72/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Magikarp   Gym Challenge   73/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Meowth   Gym Challenge   74/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Nidoran♀   Gym Challenge   75/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Nidoran♂   Gym Challenge   76/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Nidoking         Unnumbered Promotional cards    
Pretend Boss Pikachu Team Rocket         SM-P Promotional cards   191/SM-P
Diglett   Unbroken Bonds   85/214 Double Blaze   043/095
Rhydon   Unbroken Bonds   94/214 Double Blaze   049/095
Other related cards
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
The Boss's Way T Team Rocket   73/82 Rocket Gang    
Legendary Collection   105/110      
Giovanni T Gym Challenge   18/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Gym Challenge   104/132      
Giovanni's Last Resort T Gym Challenge   105/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Viridian City Gym T [St] Gym Challenge   123/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Giovanni's Scheme Su BREAKthrough   138/162 Red Flash   058/059
BREAKthrough   162/162 Red Flash   064/059
      Premium Champion Pack   121/131
      XY-P Promotional cards   277/XY-P
Gym Badge I XY Black Star Promos   XY210 XY-P Promotional cards    
Giovanni's Exile Su Unbroken Bonds   174/214 Double Blaze   085/095
Hidden Fates   67/68 Double Blaze   105/095
Hidden Fates   57/68      
      Tag All Stars   151/173
Boss's Orders Giovanni Su Rebel Clash   154/192 Rebellion Crash   092/096
Rebel Clash   189/192 Rebellion Crash   106/096
Rebel Clash   200/192 Rebellion Crash   112/096
Giovanni's Charisma Su 151   161/165 Pokémon Card 151   162/165
151   197/165 Pokémon Card 151   197/165
151   204/165 Pokémon Card 151   207/165
 


Trivia

  • Giovanni is the only Gym Leader in the games to appear outside of his Gym in Generation I, a feature that would become more and more common up to Generation IV, during and after which all Gym Leaders in the featured regions appear outside of their Gym in one way or another.
    • He is also the only Gym Leader not to use the "A Trainer Appears (Boy Version)" song.
  • In the official Red and Blue guide from Nintendo Power, Giovanni was labelled to be a regional boss of Team Rocket (implying he's not the absolute leader). This was invalidated in Gold, Silver, and Crystal, where it was made clear that Giovanni was the absolute leader of Team Rocket (even having an office in Johto).
  • Giovanni is likely based on the boss of a Yakuza faction, possibly more on the bakuto factions than others, considering Team Rocket's former ownership of the Celadon Game Corner. Outside of Japan, this reference is localized, making him more akin to a Mafia boss (especially considering his English name being Italian in origin).
  • In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Giovanni and Norman are tied for using more different species of Pokémon than any other Gym Leader at the Pokémon World Tournament, with a total of 10.
  • In Pokémon Yellow, he is the only Gym Leader who uses a Pokémon not of the type he specializes in during Gym battles.
  • In his official Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon artwork, Giovanni has the same pose as Mega Mewtwo X in its official artwork, just mirrored.
  • Artwork made by Ken Sugimori suggests that Giovanni was not originally going to be the Gym Leader of Viridian City.[5]
  • Giovanni debuted in Pokémon GO as a GO Snapshot photobomb at Pokémon GO Fest in Yokohama.
  • The teaser trailer for the debut of Team GO Rocket in GO contains the line "Earth is where I shall unleash my evil schemes next!" This is a reference to Giovanni's final line in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, in which he ponders "Now...what new world shall I unleash my evil schemes upon...?" before warping away from Aether Paradise.
  • Giovanni is the only character to be the leader of more than one villainous team.

Names

Language Name Origin
Japanese サカキ Sakaki From 榊 sakaki (a sacred tree in Shinto from which the Earth Badge bears a resemblance) and 坂 / 阪 saka (slope)
English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Indonesian, Brazilian Portuguese, Turkish Giovanni From geo- (a prefix of Greek origin pertaining to earth). The name "Giovanni" is the Italian cognate of John, possibly a reference on his resemblance to a mafia boss.
Korean 비주기 Bijugi From 비쭈기나무 bijjuginamu (sakaki)
Chinese (Mandarin) 阪木 Bǎnmù*
坂木 Bǎnmù*
From the Japanese name 阪木 / 坂木 Sakaki and 阪 / 坂 bǎn (slope)
板木 Bǎnmù* Similar to his other names. May be taken from 老板 lǎobǎn (boss).
Chinese (Cantonese) 阪木 Báanmuhk* From the Japanese name 阪木 / 坂木 Sakaki and 阪 / 坂 bǎn (slope)
坂木 Báanmuhk*
沙加 Sāgā*
From the partial transcription his Japanese name and 沙 (sand)
Hindi जोवानी Giovanni* Transcription of his English name
Russian Джованни Dzhovanni Transcription of his English name
Thai ซากากิ Sakaki*
ซาคากิ Sakhaki*
Transcription of his Japanese name
Vietnamese Sakaki Transcription of his Japanese name

BossFRLG/Rocket BossHGSS/Team Rocket BossPE

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 火箭隊老大 Fójin Déui Lóuhdaaih
Mandarin 火箭隊老大 / 火箭队老大 Huǒjiàn Duì Lǎodà
  Finnish Pomo
  French Boss Team RocketPE
Boss RocketHGSS
BossFRLG
  German Rocket-BossPE
Rocket BossHGSS
BossFRLG
  Italian Capo del Team RocketPE
Capo RocketHGSS
CapoFRLG
  Korean 로켓단보스 Rocket-dan Boss
Portuguese   Brazil Chefe da Equipe Rocket
  Portugal Chefe da Equipa Rocket
Chefe do Team Rocket
  Spanish Jefe del Team RocketPE
Jefe RocketHGSS
JefeFRLG

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Gym Leaders of the Kanto region
Pewter Gym  
 
Brock
Cerulean Gym  
 
Misty
Vermilion Gym  
 
Lt. Surge
Celadon Gym  
 
Erika
Fuchsia Gym  
   
Koga Janine
Saffron Gym  
 
Sabrina
Cinnabar Gym  
 
Blaine
Viridian Gym  
   
Giovanni Blue
Members of Team Rocket
Bosses:

Giovanni (animeAdventuresPocket MonstersMasters)
Madame Boss (anime only) • Masked Man (Adventures only)

Executives:

Archer (Masters) • Ariana (Masters) • Petrel (Masters) • Proton (Masters)
Adventures only: CarlShamWill (former) • Karen (former)
Golden Boys only: Grey

Trios:
 

Jessie (Masters), James (Masters), & Meowth (JJM)
Koga, Lt. Surge, & Sabrina (Triad) (Adventures only; former)
Ken, Al, & Harry (TRET) (Adventures only)
Carr, Sird (former), & Orm (T3B) (Adventures only)

Duos:

Anime only: Butch & Cassidy (former) • Attila & HunAnnie & Oakley (dub only)

Scientists

Gideon
Anime only: Dr. FujiDr. NambaSebastianDr. Zager
Adventures only: Blaine (former)

Others: 

GruntsRocket BrothersRBYFRLG/Rocket SistersPE
Anime only: DominoIron-Masked MarauderRocket ScoutWendyTyson
JubeiViperChristopher (former) • Matori (Matori Matrix) • PierceGozu
Radio drama only: MiyamotoMondo
How I Became a Pokémon Card only: Kaede


Boss: Giovanni (Masters)
Notable members: MaxieArchieCyrusGhetsisLysandre
Lower members: FabaTeam Rainbow Rocket Grunts
Locations: Festival PlazaTeam Rocket's Castle

Villainous team leaders
Core series GiovanniMaxieArchieCyrusNGhetsisColressLysandreGuzmaPiersCassiopeia
Masters EX GiovanniGuzmaCyrusNLysandrePiersGhetsisMaxieArchieColressPauloPenny
Other
games
BiruritchiGonzapEviceGreevilGordorBaron PhobosBlake HallKincaidSocieteaMunnaDark RustGiovanni
Anime GiovanniMadame BossMaxieArchieCyrusGhetsisLysandreGuzmaPiersGibeon
Adventures GiovanniMasked ManMaxieArchieCyrusNGhetsisColressLysandreGuzmaPiers
Other manga FraudMeja

Trainer classes in the Pokémon core series
Kanto Ace Trainer*BeautyBikerBird KeeperBlack Belt*Bug CatcherBurglarCamper*ChampionGSCFRLGHGSSPE
ChannelerElite FourGSCFRLGHGSSPEEngineerFishermanGamer*GentlemanGym Leader*GSCFRLGHGSSPE
HikerJugglerLassPicnicker*Poké Maniac*Pokémon Trainer*GSCPEPsychicRivalFRLGRockerRoughneck*
SailorScientistSuper NerdSwimmerTamerTeam Rocket Boss*FRLGHGSSPETeam Rocket Grunt*Youngster
BoarderHGSSDouble TeamHGSSFirebreatherGSCHGSSGuitaristGSCHGSSMediumGSCHGSS
PokéfanGSCHGSSSchool Kid*GSCHGSSSkierHGSSTeacherGSCHGSSTwinsGSCFRLGHGSS
Cool CoupleFRLGCrush KinFRLGSis and BroFRLGYoung CoupleFRLGHGSS
Coach TrainerPEKarate MasterPEPunk GuyPETeam RocketPETeam Rocket AdminPE
Master TrainersPE
Unused Trainer class:
ChiefRGBY
Alola Ace DuoAce TrainerAether Branch ChiefAether FoundationAether Foundation Employee
Aether PresidentAthletic SiblingsBackpackerBeautyBellhopBlack BeltCaptainCollectorCookDancer
Eevee UserElite FourEspeon UserFirefighterFishermanFlareon UserGAME FREAKGentlemanGlaceon User
Golf BuddiesGolferHikerHoneymoonersIsland KahunaJanitorJolteon UserKarate FamilyLassLeafeon User
MadameOffice WorkerPokémon BreederPokémon ProfessorPokémon TrainerPolice OfficerPreschooler
PrincipalPunk GirlPunk GuyPunk PairRising StarRising Star DuoScientistSightseerSwimmerSwimmers
Swimmer GirlsSylveon UserTeacherTeam SkullTeam Skull AdminTeam Skull BossTeam Skull Grunt
Trial GuideTwinsUmbreon UserVaporeon UserVeteranVeteran DuoWorkerYoungsterYouth Athlete
ActorUSUMCapoeira CoupleUSUMDancing FamilyUSUMKantonian GymUSUMMaster & ApprenticeUSUM
ReporterUSUMSparring PartnersUSUMSurferUSUMTeam AquaUSUMTeam FlareUSUMTeam GalacticUSUM
Team MagmaUSUMTeam PlasmaUSUMTeam Rainbow RocketUSUMTeam Rainbow Rocket GruntUSUM
Tourist CoupleUSUMUltra Forest KartenvoyUSUltra Recon SquadUSUM
Battle Tree, Battle Royal Dome, and Battle Agency only:
Battle LegendPokémon Center LadyPro Wrestler


  This game character article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.