Villainous team

Villainous teams (English: Team ~; Japanese: -団 -dan) are criminal organisations which form the core of the storyline of Pokémon games.There are six as of Generation IV: Team Rocket, found in Generation I, Generation II and the Generation I remakes, Team Aqua and Team Magma, found in the Generation III main games, Cipher and Team Snagem, found in the Gamecube games, Team Galactic, found in Generation IV, and the Go-Rock Squad, of Pokémon Ranger.

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 are cult-like, fanatically believing that achieving their goals will bring about the best interests of the peoples of the world. Cipher and Team Snagem work together to steal Pokémon from others and create Shadow Pokémon from them, while the leader of Team Galactic wishes to recreate the universe in his image with the powers of Dialga or Palkia. Each has an iconic leader - Giovanni (later missing), Archie, Maxie, Evice and Greevil, Gonzap, Akagi, and Gordor respectively.

Team Rocket had extensive presence in Generation I, known activities include running the Celadon Game Corner, invading Silph Co., 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 and 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, while Cipher steals countless Pokémon and closes their hearts artificially to make them into fighting machines.

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

Trademark Characteristics

Team Rocket

They wear black costumes and have a red "R" as their crest. We have seen many variations of the costume. Their leader is Giovanni.

In the Games

Giovanni was the leader of the Viridian City Gym until Blue took over.

In the Anime

Team Rocket has appeared in almost every episode since the second, usually as the bumbling trio Jessie, James, and Meowth, though at times Giovanni as well as other members will appear.

Team Aqua

They wear blue costumes that look like pirate outfits. They have a anchor looking "A" as their crest. Their leader is Archie. Team Aqua tries to expand the ocean and awaken Kyogre.

Team Magma

They wear red jumpsuit outfits, which have been variously interpereted to look like Ninja costumes or an appearance of the Devil. They have a stylized "M", appearing like a volcano, as their team's signature crest. Their leader is Maxie. Team Magma attempts to wake Groudon and expand the land area of the world.

Cipher

In the Games

In Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD this group aims to turn every Pokémon in the world into Shadow Pokémon

Team Snagem

In the Games

In Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD this team tries to steal every Pokémon in the world using their special device, the Snag Machine.

Team Galactic

In the Games

In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, this team's leader wishes to remake the universe in his image with the powers of Dialga and Palkia.

Go-Rock Squad

In the Games

In Pokémon Ranger, this team does bad things to hinder the progress of the hero.