Giovanni

If you were looking for the character in the games whose Japanese name is Giovanni, see Earl Dervish.

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Giovanni サカキ Sakaki
"The Self-Proclaimed Strongest Trainer"
Art from FireRed and LeafGreen
Age	Unknown
Gender	Male
Birthday	August 1
Eye color	Black
Hair color	Black* Brown*
Hometown	Viridian City
Region	Kanto
Relatives	Silver (son) Madame Boss (mother, anime) Unnamed twin brother*
Trainer class	BossRBYFRLG/Rocket BossHGSS Gym LeaderRBYFRLG Pokémon TrainerB2W2
Generation	I, III, IV, V
Games	Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, LeafGreen, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black 2, White 2, Stadium
Leader of	Viridian Gym
Badge	Earth Badge
Specializes in	Ground types
Member of	Team Rocket
Rank	Boss
Anime counterpart	Giovanni
Counterpart debut	Battle Aboard the St. Anne

Giovanni (Japanese: サカキ Sakaki) was the head of Team Rocket, and serves 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. As a Gym Leader, he specialized in Ground-type Pokémon, but his master plan includes collecting rare Pokémon of all types. He is the only character in the games to have the Trainer class Boss (Japanese: ロケットだんボス Team Rocket Boss). In the English Generation IV games, his Trainer class is Rocket Boss.

In the 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 he and his team of Grunts were defeated at Silph Co. by an eleven-year-old boy, Giovanni fled to a hideout that his antagonist was 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). He then vanishes, and is not seen again.

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 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. Like before, once defeated, Giovanni will 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 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 Claiming Himself the Strongest Trainer).

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 - Man

What does this person do?

Blow me away! Giovanni was the Gym Leader of Viridian?

Rocket Warehouse - Team Rocket 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, Blue, and Green

First battle

Giovanni Rocket Hideout Red, Green, and Blue Professor and Professor Giovanni Oak Rocket Hideout Red, Green, and Blue Reward: $2871

Types: Rock Ground Onix Lv.25 Rock Throw Rock   --       Bind Normal   --       Rage Normal   --       Screech Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhyhorn Lv.24 Horn Attack Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Type: Normal Unknown Kangaskhan Lv.29 Comet Punch Normal   --       Rage Normal   --       Bite Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --

Second battle

Giovanni Silph Co. Red, Green, and Blue Professor and Professor Giovanni Oak Silph Co. Red, Green, and Blue Reward: $4059

Type: Poison Unknown Nidorino Lv.37 Horn Attack Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Focus Energy Normal   --       Fury Attack Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhyhorn Lv.37 Horn Attack Normal   --       Stomp Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Type: Normal Unknown Kangaskhan Lv.35 Comet Punch Normal   --       Rage Normal   --       Bite Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.41 Scratch Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Body Slam Normal   --

Gym battle

Giovanni Viridian Gym Red, Green, and Blue Professor and Professor Giovanni Oak Viridian Gym Red, Green, and Blue Reward: $4950

Types: Ground Rock Rhyhorn Lv.45 Stomp Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Fury Attack Normal   --       Horn Attack Normal   --       Type: Ground Unknown Dugtrio Lv.42 Growl Normal   --       Dig Ground   --       Sand-Attack Normal   --       Slash Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.44 Scratch Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Body Slam Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoking Lv.45 Tackle Normal   --       Horn Attack Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Thrash Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhydon Lv.50 Stomp Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Fissure Ground   --       Horn Drill Normal   --

Pokémon Yellow

First battle

Giovanni Rocket Hideout Yellow Professor and Professor Giovanni Oak Rocket Hideout Yellow Reward: $2871

Types: Rock Ground Onix Lv.25 Rock Throw Rock   --       Bind Normal   --       Rage Normal   --       Screech Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhyhorn Lv.24 Horn Attack Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Type: Normal Unknown Persian Lv.29 Pay Day Normal   --       Scratch Normal   --       Bite Normal   --       Growl Normal   --

Second battle

Giovanni Silph Co. Yellow Professor and Professor Giovanni Oak Silph Co. Yellow Reward: $4059

Type: Poison Unknown Nidorino Lv.37 Double Kick Fighting   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Focus Energy Normal   --       Fury Attack Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhyhorn Lv.37 Horn Attack Normal   --       Stomp Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Struggle Normal   --       Type: Normal Unknown Persian Lv.35 Scratch Normal   --       Growl Normal   --       Bite Normal   --       Pay Day Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.41 Double Kick Fighting   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Body Slam Normal   --

Gym battle

Giovanni Viridian Gym Yellow Professor and Professor Giovanni Oak Viridian Gym Yellow Reward: $5445

Type: Ground Unknown Dugtrio Lv.50 Sand-Attack Normal   --       Dig Ground   --       Fissure Ground   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Type: Normal Unknown Persian Lv.53 Screech Normal   --       Slash Normal   --       Fury Swipes Normal   --       Double Team Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.53 Tail Whip Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Double Kick Fighting   --       Thunder Electric   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoking Lv.55 Thunder Electric   --       Leer Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Thrash Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhydon Lv.55 Rock Slide Rock   --       Fury Attack Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Horn Drill Normal   --

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

First battle

Boss Giovanni Rocket Hideout FireRed and LeafGreen Boss and Professor Giovanni Oak Rocket Hideout FireRed and LeafGreen Reward: $2900

Types: Rock Ground Ability: Rock Head Held item: None Onix♂ Lv.25 Rock Throw Rock   --       Bind Normal   --       Rage Normal   --       Harden Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Ability: Rock Head Held item: None Rhyhorn♂ Lv.24 Stomp Normal   --       Fury Attack Normal   --       Scary Face Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Early Bird Held item: None Kangaskhan♀ Lv.29 Fake Out Normal   --       Mega Punch Normal   --       Bite Dark   --       Tail Whip Normal   --

Second battle

Boss Giovanni Silph Co. FireRed and LeafGreen Boss and Professor Giovanni Oak Silph Co. FireRed and LeafGreen Reward: $4100

Type: Poison Unknown Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidorino♂ Lv.37 Horn Attack Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Helping Hand Normal   --       Fury Attack Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Ability: Rock Head Held item: None Rhyhorn♂ Lv.37 Fury Attack Normal   --       Scary Face Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Rock Blast Rock   --       Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Early Bird Held item: None Kangaskhan♀ Lv.35 Fake Out Normal   --       Rage Normal   --       Mega Punch Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoqueen♀ Lv.41 Double Kick Fighting   --       Tail Whip Normal   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Body Slam Normal   --

Gym battle

Leader Giovanni Viridian Gym FireRed and LeafGreen Leader and Professor Giovanni Oak Viridian Gym FireRed and LeafGreen Reward: $5000

Types: Ground Rock Ability: Lightningrod Held item: None Rhyhorn♂ Lv.45 Take Down Normal   --       Rock Blast Rock   --       Scary Face Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Type: Ground Unknown Ability: Sand Veil Held item: None Dugtrio♂ Lv.42 Slash Normal   --       Sand Tomb Ground   --       Mud-Slap Ground   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoqueen♀ Lv.44 Double Kick Fighting   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Body Slam Normal   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoking♂ Lv.45 Double Kick Fighting   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Poison Sting Poison   --       Thrash Normal   --       Types: Ground Rock Ability: Lightningrod Held item: None Rhyhorn♂ Lv.50 Take Down Normal   --       Rock Blast Rock   --       Scary Face Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Rocket Boss Giovanni Tohjo Falls HeartGold and SoulSilver Rocket Boss and Professor Giovanni Oak Tohjo Falls HeartGold and SoulSilver Reward: $8280

Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoking♂ Lv.42 Shadow Claw Ghost Physical   --       Focus Energy Normal Status   --       Fury Attack Normal Physical   --       Double Kick Fighting Physical   --       Types: Dark Flying Ability: Super Luck Held item: None Honchkrow♂ Lv.43 Nasty Plot Dark Status   --       Swagger Normal Status   --       Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Shadow Ball Ghost Special   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point Held item: None Nidoqueen♀ Lv.46 Crunch Dark Physical   --       Roar Normal Status   --       Earth Power Ground Special   --       Superpower Fighting Physical   --       Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Scrappy Held item: None Kangaskhan♀ Lv.40 Outrage Dragon Physical   --       Leer Normal Status   --       Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Dizzy Punch Normal Physical   --

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.

Kanto Leaders Tournament

Pokémon Trainer Giovanni Pokémon World Tournament Black 2 and White 2 Pokémon Trainer and Professor Giovanni Oak Pokémon World Tournament Black 2 and White 2 Reward: 1BP

Types: Ground Rock Ability: Lightningrod or Solid Rock Held item: Liechi Berry Rhyperior♂/♀ Lv.50 Hammer Arm Fighting Physical   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --       Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Drill Run Ground Physical   --       Types: Rock Ground Ability: Rock Head or Sturdy Held item: Rindo Berry Golem♂/♀ Lv.50 Roar Normal Status   --       Stealth Rock Rock Status   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Rock Blast Rock Physical   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point or Rivalry Held item: Shuca Berry Nidoking♂ Lv.50 Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Blizzard Ice Special   --       Earth Power Ground Special   --       Sludge Wave Poison Special   --       Type: Ground Unknown Ability: Rock Head or Lightningrod Held item: Yache Berry Marowak♂/♀ Lv.50 Bonemerang Ground Physical   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --       Outrage Dragon Physical   --       ThunderPunch Electric Physical   --       Type: Ground Unknown Ability: Sand Veil Held item: Salac Berry Sandslash♂/♀ Lv.50 Sandstorm Rock Status   --       Rock Slide Rock Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Brick Break Fighting Physical   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point or Rivalry Held item: Passho Berry Nidoqueen♀ Lv.50 Superpower Fighting Physical   --       Poison Jab Poison Physical   --       Earth Power Ground Special   --       Thunder Electric Special   --

Type Expert/World Leaders Tournament

Pokémon Trainer Giovanni Pokémon World Tournament Black 2 and White 2 Pokémon Trainer and Professor Giovanni Oak Pokémon World Tournament Black 2 and White 2 Reward: 1BP

Types: Ground Rock Ability: Lightningrod or Solid Rock Held item: Life Orb Rhyperior♂/♀ Lv.50 Hammer Arm Fighting Physical   --       Rock Blast Rock Physical   --       Ice Punch Ice Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Types: Dragon Ground Ability: Sand Veil Held item: Choice Scarf Garchomp♂/♀ Lv.50 Brick Break Fighting Physical   --       Outrage Dragon Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Rock Slide Rock Physical   --       Types: Poison Ground Ability: Poison Point or Rivalry Held item: Choice Specs Nidoking♂ Lv.50 Flamethrower Fire Special   --       Ice Beam Ice Special   --       Earth Power Ground Special   --       Thunderbolt Electric Special   --       Types: Ground Flying Ability: Hyper Cutter or Sand Veil Held item: Flying Gem Gliscor♂/♀ Lv.50 Fire Fang Fire Physical   --       Acrobatics Flying Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Tailwind Flying Status   --       Types: Ground Dark Ability: Intimidate or Moxie Held item: Expert Belt Krookodile♂/♀ Lv.50 Superpower Fighting Physical   --       Fire Fang Fire Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Grass Knot Grass Special   --       Type: Ground Unknown Ability: Sand Stream Held item: Quick Claw Hippowdon♂/♀ Lv.50 Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Ice Fang Ice Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --

Pokémon Stadium

Round 1

Giovani Gym Leader Castle Pokémon Stadium Professor and Professor Giovani Oak Gym Leader Castle Pokémon Stadium Reward: N/A

Type: Normal Unknown Persian Lv.50-100 Toxic Poison   --       Slash Normal   --       Thunderbolt Electric   --       BubbleBeam Water   --       Type: Ground Unknown Dugtrio Lv.50-100 Sand-Attack Normal   --       Slash Normal   --       Dig Ground   --       Rock Slide Rock   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.50-100 Double Kick Fighting   --       Strength Normal   --       Surf Water   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoking Lv.50-100 Horn Drill Normal   --       Thunder Electric   --       Blizzard Ice   --       Toxic Poison   --       Types: Ground Rock Rhydon Lv.50-100 Fury Attack Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Body Slam Normal   --       Fissure Ground   --       Type: Normal Unknown Tauros Lv.50-100 Thunder Electric   --       Fire Blast Fire   --       Blizzard Ice   --       Stomp Normal   --

Round 2

Giovani Gym Leader Castle Pokémon Stadium Professor and Professor Giovani Oak Gym Leader Castle Pokémon Stadium Reward: N/A

Type: Normal Unknown Persian Lv.50-100 Screech Normal   --       Slash Normal   --       Thunderbolt Electric   --       BubbleBeam Water   --       Type: Normal Unknown Tauros Lv.50-100 Thunder Electric   --       Fire Blast Fire   --       Blizzard Ice   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoqueen Lv.50-100 Double Kick Fighting   --       Body Slam Normal   --       Thunderbolt Electric   --       Blizzard Ice   --       Types: Poison Ground Nidoking Lv.50-100 Thrash Normal   --       Thunder Electric   --       Surf Water   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Types: Ghost Poison Gengar Lv.50-100 Hypnosis Psychic   --       Dream Eater Psychic   --       Night Shade Ghost   --       Explosion Normal   --       Types: Fire Flying Moltres Lv.50-100 Fire Spin Fire   --       Toxic Poison   --       Fly Flying   --       Double-Edge Normal   --

Quotes

Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow

Rocket Hideout

• Before battle

"So! I must say, I am impressed you got here!"

• Being defeated

"WHAT! This cannot be!"

• After being defeated

"I see that you raise Pokémon with utmost care. A child like you would never understand what I hope to achieve. I shall step aside this time! I hope we meet again..."

Silph Co.

• Before battle

"Ah, <player>! So we meet again! The President and I are discussing a vital business proposition. Keep your nose out of grown-up matters... Or experience a world of pain!"

• Being defeated

"Arrgh!! I lost again!?"

• After being defeated

"Blast it all! You ruined our plans for Silph! But Team Rocket will never fall! <Player>, never forget that all Pokémon exist for Team Rocket! I must go, but I shall return!"

Viridian Gym

• Before battle

"Fwahahaha! This is my hideout! I planned to resurrect Team Rocket here! But, you have caught me again! So be it! This time, I'm not holding back! Once more, you shall face Giovanni, the greatest trainer!"

• Being defeated

"Ha! That was a truly intense fight! You have won! As proof, here is the Earth Badge!"

• After being defeated

"The Earth Badge makes Pokémon of any level obey! It is evidence of your mastery as a Pokémon trainer! With it, you can enter the Pokémon League! It is my gift for your Pokémon League challenge!"

"TM27 is Fissure! It will take out Pokémon with just one hit! I made it when I ran the Gym here, too long ago..."

"Having lost, I cannot face my underlings! Team Rocket is finished forever! I will dedicate my life to the study of Pokémon! Let us meet again some day! Farewell!"

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

Rocket Hideout

• Before battle

"So! I must say, I am impressed you got here. Team Rocket captures Pokémon from around the world. They're important tools for keeping our criminal enterprise going. I am the leader, Giovanni! For your insolence, you will feel a world of pain!"

• Being defeated

"WHAT! This can't be!"

• After being defeated

"I see that you raise Pokémon with utmost care. A child like you would never understand what I hope to achieve. I shall step aside this time! I hope we met again..."

Silph Co.

• Before battle

"Ah, <player>! So we meet again! The President and I are discussing a vital business proposition. Keep your nose out of grown-up matters... Or experience a world of pain!"

• Being defeated

"Arrgh!! I lost again!?"

• After being defeated

"Blast it all! You ruined our plans for Silph! But Team Rocket will never fall! <Player>, never forget that all Pokémon exist for Team Rocket! I must go, but I shall return!"

Viridian Gym

• Before battle

"Fwahahaha! Welcome to my hideout! It shall be so until I can restore Team Rocket to its former glory. But, you have found me again. So be it. This time, I'm not holding back! Once more, you shall face Giovanni, the greatest Trainer!"

• Being defeated

"Ha! That was a truly intense fight. You have won! As proof, here is the Earth Badge!"

• After being defeated

"The Earth Badge makes Pokémon of any level obey without question. It is evidence of your mastery as a Pokémon Trainer. With it, you can challenge the Pokémon League. Also, take this TM. Consider it a gift for your Pokémon League challenge."

"TM26 contains Earthquake. It is a powerful attack that causes a massive tremor. I made it when I ran the Gym here, far too long ago..."

"Having lost in this fashion, I can't face my followers. I have betrayed their trust. As of today, Team Rocket is finished forever! As for myself, I shall dedicate my life to training again. Let us meet again someday! Farewell!"

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Route 22 (event)

• Talking with Silver

".................. One must acknowledge one's defeat before he can move on... I will go solo...for now... So that one day I will form a stronger organization!"

"Putting together the potential of many is how you produce a huge power... That's what an organization is... That's the strength of an organization! I failed...to make the best use of my subordinates' potential...! But you shall witness one day the revival of me and my Team Rocket!"

".................. One day, you will understand."

Tohjo Falls (event)

• Upon the player's arrival

"... I don't know why you have come here. Anyway, I have to warn you that this is not a place for kids like you."

"You have a certain look... It reminds me of the kid who stood in front of me three years ago... You have the same eyes... I'm on my way to Goldenrod City to answer the call and join my team. Are you going to get in my way?"

• Before battle, after hearing Team Rocket's broadcast

"My old associates need me... We will not repeat the failure of three years ago! Team Rocket will be born again, and I will rule the world!"

• After sending out last Pokémon

"What in the world was that? Don't tell me some inexperienced kid can possibly be that strong!"

• During battle, last Pokémon low on health

"What was that?"

• Being defeated

"What in the world are you?"

• After being defeated

"How this is possible...? The past three years have been a waste...? How can a kid like you manage to destroy my dream once again? The precious dream of Team Rocket has become little more than an illusion..."

• If the player is defeated

"Mark my words. Not being able to measure your own strength shows that you are still but a child."

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

Pokémon World Tournament

• Before battle (all rounds)

"For your insolence, you will feel a world of pain!"

• Being defeated

"What? Me, lose?!"

• If the player is defeated

"Ha! That was a truly intense fight!"

• After being defeated

"Haarg! I lose?! There is nothing I wish to say to you!"

• After winning

"I hope we meet again..."

• In the lobby, after the tournament

"I'll tell you this now... No matter how strong you are, someday you'll lose."

Artwork

Headshot from Red and Blue	Official artwork from Generation I

Sprites

Giovanni's sprite from Red and Blue	Giovanni's sprite from Yellow	Giovanni's sprite from FireRed and LeafGreen	Giovanni's sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver	Giovanni's sprite from Black 2 and White 2	Giovanni's VS sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver
Giovanni's overworld sprite from Generation I		Giovanni's overworld sprite from FireRed and LeafGreen	Giovanni's overworld sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver	Giovanni's overworld sprite from Black 2 and White 2	Giovanni's portrait from Stadium

In the anime

Giovanni in the Best Wishes series

Main article: Giovanni (anime)

Giovanni appears in the anime as the head of Team Rocket.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Giovanni in the fifth chapter

Main article: Giovanni (Adventures)

In Pokémon Adventures, Giovanni serves much 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.

In the How I Became a Pokémon Card manga

In How I Became a Pokémon Card, a short manga by Kagemaru Himeno, he and Persian were shown to have been together for a long time, as he rescued the Pokémon when he was a child.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Giovanni and his twin brother

Main article: Giovanni (Pocket Monsters)

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

In the Pokémon Zensho manga

Giovanni in Pokémon Zensho

Giovanni appears in Celadon City watching Satoshi from the hidden cameras within the Silph Co. building. He has one of his minions to try to 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 ♀

Debut	Saffron City

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

Nidoqueen's known moves are Poison Sting and Tail Whip.

Rhydon

Debut	Viridian City

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.

At the Pokémon Tower

Machamp

Debut	Celadon City

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.

Nidoking ♂

Giovanni's Nidoking

Debut	Viridian City

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.

Kangaskhan ♀

Giovanni's Kangaskhan

Debut	Viridian City

Kangaskhan only appeared shadowed in Satoshi's imagination.

In the TCG

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

Artwork

Giovanni and the Earth Badge	Giovanni sends out a Nidoking.	Giovanni as the Boss of Team Rocket

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 green 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
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

Trivia

• In the games, Giovanni is the only Gym Leader 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.
• In the English version of Pokémon Stadium, his name is misspelled "Giovani" (with one n). This is because the space for Trainer names only allows seven characters, whilst Giovanni's name has eight.
• Both Giovanni and Juan are the eighth Gym Leader in a region introduced in an odd-numbered generation. Both of their names are a foreign version of the name "John." Also, in Generation III, the manuals show them to be an unknown Gym Leader.
• In the official Red and Blue guide from Nintendo Power, Giovanni was labeled 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 was the first Gym Leader who can be battled more than once, and is still the only one who can be battled before the Gym battle.
  • This also makes him one of three Gym Leaders who does not give a Badge to the player immediately after the first defeat, the other two being Whitney and Clair.
• He is the only Gym Leader to have two titles in the same game as being Gym Leader, the titles being "Boss" and "Gym Leader."
• Giovanni's Nidoking and Rhydon, both being at level 55 during the Gym battle in Yellow, are the highest leveled Pokémon to be owned by a Gym Leader during the initial battle with them, tied with Marlon's Jellicent in Challenge Mode.
• Giovanni is the only criminal boss not to involve a legendary Pokémon in his exploits in the games. This is not the case in the anime or in Pokémon Adventures.
  • Giovanni is also the only criminal boss in the anime to have shown to have Pokémon of his own, not just controlled legendary Pokémon at some point.
• 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).
• Giovanni and Blue are the only two Trainers to have three different battle themes. Both were the leader of Viridian Gym at one point.
• 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.

Names

Language	Name	Origin
Japanese	サカキ Sakaki	Sakaki (榊) is a sacred tree in Shinto which resembles the Earth Badge. Also from 坂/阪 saka, slope.
English, French, German, Italian, Spanish	Giovanni	From Italian Giovanni, equivalent to John, gift from God; gio rhymes with geo, from Greek γῆ gē, earth. May also be a play on his resemblance to a Mafia boss in control of his mob.
Korean	비주기 Bijugi	From 비쭈기나무 Bijjuginamu (Sakaki).
Chinese (Mandarin)	坂木 Bǎnmù*	From the Japanese name 坂木 Sakaki. 坂 (slope) contains the radical 土 tǔ (earth).
	阪木 Bǎnmù*	From the Japanese name 阪木 Sakaki. 阪 also means "slope" or "hillside".
	板木 Bǎnmù*	Similar to his other names. May be taken from 老板 lǎo​bǎn (boss).
Chinese (Cantonese)	沙加 Sāgā	Partial transliteration of Sakaki. Also contains 沙 sā (sand).

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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

Team Rocket Rocket Game Corner • Team Rocket Hideout • Viridian Gym • Team Rocket HQ • Rocket Warehouse Boss Admins Giovanni (Masters • Pocket Monsters) Archer (Masters) Ariana (Masters) Petrel (Masters) Proton (Masters) Other members Jessie (Masters) • James (Masters) • Meowth • Team Rocket Grunts (Rocket Siblings) • Scientists (Gideon) Grey (Golden Boys) • Kaede (How I Became a Pokémon Card) See also: Pokémon the Series • Adventures • Team GO Rocket • Team Rainbow Rocket

Villainous team leaders Core series Giovanni • Maxie • Archie • Cyrus • N • Ghetsis • Colress • Lysandre • Guzma • Piers • Cassiopeia Side series Gonzap • Evice • Greevil Ranger series Gordor • Blake Hall • Kincaid • Societea Masters EX Giovanni • Guzma • Cyrus • N • Lysandre • Piers • Ghetsis • Maxie • Archie • Colress • Paulo • Penny Other games Biruritchi • Baron Phobos • Munna • Dark Rust • Don Roger • Giovanni Animated series Giovanni • Madame Boss • Maxie • Archie • Cyrus • Ghetsis • Lysandre • Guzma • Piers • Gibeon Adventures Giovanni • Masked Man • Maxie • Archie • Cyrus • N • Ghetsis • Colress • Lysandre • Guzma • Piers Other manga Fraud • Meja

Trainer classes in the Pokémon core series Kanto Ace Trainer* • Beauty • Biker • Bird Keeper • Black Belt* • Bug Catcher • Burglar • Camper* • ChampionGSCFRLGHGSSPE Channeler • Elite FourGSCFRLGHGSSPE • Engineer • Fisherman • Gamer* • Gentleman • Gym Leader*GSCFRLGHGSSPE Hiker • Juggler • Lass • Picnicker* • Poké Maniac* • Pokémon Trainer*GSCPE • Psychic • RivalFRLG • Rocker • Roughneck* Sailor • Scientist • Super Nerd • Swimmer • Tamer • Team Rocket Boss*FRLGHGSSPE • Team Rocket Grunt* • Youngster BoarderHGSS • Double TeamHGSS • FirebreatherGSCHGSS • GuitaristGSCHGSS • MediumGSCHGSS PokéfanGSCHGSS • School Kid*GSCHGSS • SkierHGSS • TeacherGSCHGSS • TwinsGSCFRLGHGSS Cool CoupleFRLG • Crush KinFRLG • Sis and BroFRLG • Young CoupleFRLGHGSS Coach TrainerPE • Karate MasterPE • Punk GuyPE • Team RocketPE • Team Rocket AdminPE Master TrainersPE Unused Trainer class: ChiefRGBY See also: Sevii Islands Aroma Lady • Biker • Bird Keeper • Black Belt • Bug Catcher • Camper • Cool Couple • Cooltrainer • Crush Girl Crush Kin • Cue Ball • Fisherman • Gentleman • Hiker • Juggler • Lady • Lass • Painter • Picnicker • PokéManiac PKMN Breeder • PKMN Ranger • Psychic • Ruin Maniac • Scientist • Sis and Bro • Swimmer • Tamer Team Rocket Admin • Team Rocket Grunt • Twins • Tuber • Young Couple • Youngster Trainer Tower only: Beauty • Burglar • Engineer • Rocker • Sailor • Super Nerd Johto Ace Trainer* • Beauty • Biker • Bird Keeper • Black Belt* • Boarder • Bug Catcher • Burglar • Camper Champion • Executive* • Firebreather • Fisherman* • Gentleman • Guitarist • Hiker • Juggler • Kimono Girl • Lass Leader • Medium • Picnicker • Pokéfan • Poké Maniac* • PKMN Trainer • Policeman* • Psychic • RivalHGSS • Sage Sailor • School Kid* • Scientist • Skier • Super Nerd • Swimmer • Teacher • Team Rocket Grunt* • Twins • Youngster Mystery Man*CHGSS • Double TeamHGSS • ElderHGSS • PasserbyHGSS • Young CoupleHGSS Battle Frontier only:HGSS Aroma Lady • Artist • Battle Girl • Cameraman • Clown • Collector • Cowgirl • Cyclist • Dragon Tamer • Idol Jogger • Lady • Ninja Boy • Parasol Lady • PI • Poké Kid • PKMN Breeder • PKMN Ranger • Rancher • Reporter Rich Boy • Roughneck • Ruin Maniac • Socialite • Tuber • Veteran • Waiter • Waitress • Worker Arcade Star • Castle Valet • Factory Head • Hall Matron • Tower Tycoon Hoenn Ace Trainer* • Aqua AdminSEAS • Aqua LeaderSEAS • Aroma Lady • Battle Girl • Beauty • Bird Keeper • Black Belt Bug Catcher • Bug Maniac • Camper • Champion • Collector • Dragon Tamer • Elite Four • Expert • Fisherman Gentleman • Guitarist • Hex Maniac • Hiker • Interviewers* • Kindler • Lady • Lass • Leader • Magma AdminREOR Magma LeaderREOR • Ninja Boy • Old Couple • Parasol Lady • Picnicker • Poké Fan* • Poké Maniac* • Pokémon Breeder* Pokémon Ranger* • Pokémon Trainer* • Psychic • Rich Boy • Ruin Maniac • Sailor • Schoolkid* • Sis & Bro* • Swimmer Team Aqua GruntSEAS • Team Magma GruntREOR • Teammates* • Triathlete • Tuber • Twins • Winstrate • Young Couple • Youngster Ace DuoORAS • Brains & BrawnORAS • BackpackerORAS • DelinquentORAS • Fairy Tale GirlORAS • Fare PrinceORAS Free DiverORAS • LeadersORAS • LorekeeperORAS • Mysterious SistersORAS • ProprietorORAS • Rotation GirlORAS Scuba DiverORAS • Secret Base ExpertORAS • Secret Base TrainerORAS • SootopolitanORAS • Street ThugORAS Battle Frontier only:E Arena Tycoon • Dome Ace • Factory Head • Palace Maven • Pike Queen • Pyramid King • Salon Maiden Battle Institute and Battle Maison only:ORAS Artist • Battle Chatelaine • Butler • Chef • Furisode Girl • Garçon • Gardener • Madame • Maid • Monsieur • Owner • Preschooler Punk Girl • Punk Guy • Rising Star • Roller Skater • Schoolboy • Schoolgirl • Scientist • Tourist • Veteran • Waitress • Worker Sinnoh Ace Trainer • Aroma Lady • Artist • Battle Girl • Beauty • Bird Keeper • Black Belt • Bug Catcher • Cameraman • Camper • Champion Clown • Collector • Commander • Cowgirl • Cyclist • Double Team • Dragon Tamer • Elite Four • Fisher* • Gentleman • Guitarist Gym Leader* • Hiker • Idol • Interviewers • Jogger • Lady • Lass • Madame* • Ninja Boy • Parasol Lady • Picnicker • PI • Poké Fan* Poké Kid • Pokémon Breeder* • Pokémon Ranger* • Pokémon Trainer* • Police Officer* • Psychic • Rancher • Ranchers* Reporter • Rich Boy • Roughneck • Ruin Maniac • Sailor • School Kid • Scientist • Skier • Swimmer • Team Galactic Boss* Team Galactic Grunt* • Tower Tycoon • Tuber • Twins • Veteran • Waiter • Waitress • Worker • Young Couple • Youngster Arcade StarPt • Castle ValetPt • Factory HeadPt • Hall MatronPt • MaidPt • GAME FREAK'sBDSP Unova Ace Trainer • Artist • Backers • Backpacker • Baker • Battle Girl • Biker • Black Belt • Champion • Clerk Cyclist • Dancer • Depot Agent • Doctor • Elite Four • Fisherman • GAME FREAK • Gentleman • Gym Leader* Harlequin • Hiker • Hooligans • Hoopster • Infielder • Janitor • Lady • Lass • Linebacker • Maid • Motorcyclist • Musician Nurse • Nursery Aide • Parasol Lady • Pilot • Pokéfan • PKMN Breeder • PKMN Ranger • Pokémon Trainer* • Policeman Preschooler • Psychic • Rich Boy • Roughneck • School Kid • Scientist • Smasher • Socialite • Striker • Subway Boss Swimmer • Team Plasma • Team Plasma Grunt • The RichesBW • Twins • Veteran • Waiter • Waitress • Worker • Youngster BeautyB2W2 • Boss TrainerB2W2 • GuitaristB2W2 Pokéstar Studios only:B2W2 A-list Actor • Actor • Actress • Big Star • Celebrity • Chic Actress • Child Star • Comedian Fine Actor • Movie Star • New Actress • Star Actor • Suit Actor • Unique Star • Veteran Star Pokémon World Tournament only:B2W2 Junior Representative • Master Representative • Senior Representative World Champion • World Finalist • World Runner-up Blueberry Academy only:SV BB League Champion • BB League Elite Four • Blueberry Academy Director Director • Instructor • League Club • Student • Top Champion Kalos Ace Duo • Ace Trainer • Artist • Artist Family • Backpacker • Battle Girl • Beauty • Black Belt • Brains & Brawn Butler • Champion • Chef • Driver • Elite Four • Fairy Tale Girl • Fisherman • Furisode Girl • Garçon • Gardener Hex Maniac • Hiker • Honeymooners • Lass • Leader • Lumiose Gang Member • Mysterious Sisters • Owner Poké Fan • Poké Fan Family • Pokémon Breeder • Pokémon Professor • Pokémon Ranger • Pokémon Trainer Preschooler • Psychic • Punk Couple • Punk Girl • Punk Guy • Rangers • Rising Star • Roller Skater Schoolboy • Schoolgirl • Scientist • Sky Trainer • Successor • Suspicious Child • Suspicious Lady Suspicious Woman • Swimmer • Team Flare • Team Flare Admin • Team Flare Boss • Team Flare Grunt Tourist • Twins • Veteran • Waitress • Worker • Youngster Battle Chateau ranks: By male: Baron • Viscount • Earl • Marquis • Duke • Grand Duke By female: Baroness • Viscountess • Countess • Marchioness • Duchess • Grand Duchess Battle Institute and Battle Maison only: Battle Chatelaine • Lady • Madame • Maid • Monsieur • Rich Boy Unused Trainer classes: Ace Surfer • Swimmers Alola Ace Duo • Ace Trainer • Aether Branch Chief • Aether Foundation • Aether Foundation Employee Aether President • Athletic Siblings • Backpacker • Beauty • Bellhop • Black Belt • Captain • Collector • Cook • Dancer Eevee User • Elite Four • Espeon User • Firefighter • Fisherman • Flareon User • GAME FREAK • Gentleman • Glaceon User Golf Buddies • Golfer • Hiker • Honeymooners • Island Kahuna • Janitor • Jolteon User • Karate Family • Lass • Leafeon User Madame • Office Worker • Pokémon Breeder • Pokémon Professor • Pokémon Trainer • Police Officer • Preschooler Principal • Punk Girl • Punk Guy • Punk Pair • Rising Star • Rising Star Duo • Scientist • Sightseer • Swimmer • Swimmers Swimmer Girls • Sylveon User • Teacher • Team Skull • Team Skull Admin • Team Skull Boss • Team Skull Grunt Trial Guide • Twins • Umbreon User • Vaporeon User • Veteran • Veteran Duo • Worker • Youngster • Youth Athlete ActorUSUM • Capoeira CoupleUSUM • Dancing FamilyUSUM • Kantonian GymUSUM • Master & ApprenticeUSUM ReporterUSUM • Sparring PartnersUSUM • SurferUSUM • Team AquaUSUM • Team FlareUSUM • Team GalacticUSUM Team MagmaUSUM • Team PlasmaUSUM • Team Rainbow RocketUSUM • Team Rainbow Rocket GruntUSUM Tourist CoupleUSUM • Ultra Forest KartenvoyUS • Ultra Recon SquadUSUM Battle Tree, Battle Royal Dome, and Battle Agency only: Battle Legend • Pokémon Center Lady • Pro Wrestler Galar Artist • Backpacker • Beauty • Black Belt • Cabbie • Café Master • Cameraman • Champion • Colleagues • Cook • Dancer • Daring Couple Doctor • Fisher • GAME FREAK's • Gym Challenger • Gym Leader • Gym Trainer • Gentleman • Hiker • Interviewers • Lass • League Staff Macro Cosmos's • Madame • Medical Team • Model • Music Crew • Musician • Office Worker • Poké Kid • Pokémon Breeder Pokémon Trainer • Police Officer • Postman • Rail Staff • Reporter • Schoolboy • Schoolgirl • Swimmer • Team Yell Grunt • Worker • Youngster Expansion Pass only: Dojo Master • Dojo Matron • Master Dojo Student Hisui Clan Leader • Ginkgo Guild Member • Pokémon Wielder • The Bandit The Galaxy Team's • The Survey Corps' • The Security Corps' • Warden Paldea Artist • Backpacker • Black Belt • Cabbie • Champion • Cook • Courier • Director • Dragon Tamer • Elite Four • Gym Leader Gym Trainer • Hiker • Instructor • Janitor • Model • Musician • Office Worker • Poké Maniac • Pokémon Trainer Scientist • Student • Team Star • Team Star Grunt • Top Champion • Waiter • Waitress • Worker • Youngster The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero only: Glitterati Kitakami Backpacker • Black Belt • Courier • Delinquent • Dragon Tamer • Festival Boy • Festival Girl • Glitterati Hiker • Kitakami Ogre Clan • Office Worker • Photographer • Poké Maniac • Pokémon Trainer • Ruffian Mochi Mayhem only: Grandma • Grandpa

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.