Villainous team

Villainous teams (English: 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 remakes, 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, fanatically believing that achieving their goals will bring about the best interests of the peoples of the world. 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 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.

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.

Team Cipher

In the Games

In Pokémon Colosseum this team aims to turn every Pokémon in the world into Shadow Pokémon

Team Snagem

In the Games

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