Giovanni (Pokémon)

* Gen. 1
* Gen. 7

**Giovanni** (Japanese: **サカキ** / *Sakaki*) is a main antagonist in the *Pokémon* video game franchise. He is the leader of Team Rocket and later Team Rainbow Rocket, as well as the former Gym Leader of Viridian City.

## What Makes Him Magnificent?

### In general

* Though he repeatedly loses battles through the whole story, this is due to the mechanics of *Pokémon* games themselves, in which the player needs to win for the story to progress. It is how he responds after losing that marks his magnificence in the games.
	+ Furthermore, even when he loses, he adapts to the situation and modifies his plans so that he never loses entirely. He always makes sure that his losses are ones which he can recover from to continue his plans anyways.
* Leading a Kanto-wide and Johto-wide criminal empire in the form of Team Rocket. He runs illegal businesses alongside owning the Game Corner (in other words, a casino) in Celadon City.
* Consistently being charismatic and honorable in all his core series appearances, showing respect for the player.

### Generation 1 games

* When he first battles the player under the Game Corner, upon losing, he quickly realizes that the player is treating their Pokémon well and takes note of it.
* Having Team Rocket raid the Silph Co. building to steal data on the Master Ball, while also promising money and power to any Silph Co. scientist who will join them.
* After being beaten in the Silph Co. building, he realizes his plan fell apart and thus retreats to come up with a new one.
* Secretly being the Gym Leader for Viridian City. Though this is common knowledge among fans now, in-universe, nobody knew this and he kept it secret from them the whole time.
* Being exited when the player beats him in Viridian City's Gym. He honorably gives the player their Earth Badge and wishes them luck in facing the Pokémon League. Soon afterwards, he disbands Team Rocket and retires, but not without making sure Team Rocket's cellls had enough resources to function without his leadership.

### Generation 2 games

* The Celebi events of *Heart Gold and Soul Silver* mention how, following the dissolution of Team Rocket, Giovanni went to go train on his own until he believed himself powerful enough to revive Team Rocket and try again.

### Generation 7 games

* *Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon* reveals that, several generations after his first appearance, Giovanni had revived Team Rocket under the banner of Team Rainbow Rocket.
* Using the Ultra Wormholes in Alola to conquer multiple worlds.
* Attacking the Aether Paradise to get information and technology on other universes, in the meantime turning Lusamine's mansion into Team Rocket's Castle.
* Using the Ultra Wormholes to summon the leaders of other villainous teams - namely Maxie, Archie, Cyrus, Ghetsis, and Lysandre - from alternate universes where they succeeded so they can help him.
* Brainwashing Lusamine into helping him.
* When the player battles him (which makes him feel somewhat nostalgic) and he loses, he pulls out of the Aether Paradise by warping away, presumably to some other world he can conquer.

## What Makes Him A Baddie?

* Leading a criminal empire in the form of Team Rocket, and as a result being behind their various criminal actions. These include:
	+ The theft of countless living Pokémon, falling under both theft and animal cruelty.
	+ Invading Lavender Town, killing a Marowak, and holding the elderly Mr. Fuji hostage.
	+ Practically taking over Saffron City to steal countless goods from the Silph Co. building.
* Leading Team Rainbow Rocket and using it to attempt to conquer several universes with an army of Ultra Beasts.
* Brainwashing Lusamine and taking over her mansion.

## External Links

* Giovanni at the Villains wiki
* Giovanni on Bulbapedia.