Giovanni (Japanese:サカキSakaki) is the head ofTeam GO Rocket inPokémon GO, based on thecharacter of the same name in thecore series.

Giovanni サカキSakaki
Promotional artwork fromPokémon GO
Age	Unknown
Gender	Male
Eye color	Black
Hair color	Black
Hometown	Viridian City
Region	Kanto
Trainer class	The Boss
Generation	VII,VIII,IX
Counterpart(s)	Giovanni
Games	GO
Member of	Team GO Rocket
Rank	Boss
Specializes in	Ground types

Giovanni can only be found if theplayer currently has aSuper Rocket Radar equipped. When activated, the Super Rocket Radar will reveal all the nearbyPokéStops where Giovanni's headquarters can potentially be located. However, there is a high chance that the PokéStop uncovered will be occupied by aDecoy Grunt disguised as Giovanni instead. Additionally, equipping the Super Rocket Radar guarantees that the real Giovanni will appear in the next Team GO Rocket balloon. If the real Giovanni is located, he will challenge the player to battle. Defeating the real Giovanni consumes the Super Rocket Radar.

From May 27 to May 28, 2023, Giovanni began appearing atGyms, taking them over in five-starShadow Raids using ShadowMewtwo. Defeating him allowed players to capture Shadow Mewtwo in the bonus challenge, with a possibility of it beingShiny.

Trainer Battles

Giovanni uses a team of threeShadow Pokémon in aTrainer Battle, each independently and randomly selected from separate pools. During battle, Giovanni will always use a Protect Shield whenever possible. Upon being defeated, Giovanni will abandon one of the Shadow Pokémon used in battle. Shadow Pokémon left by Giovanni that are not from raids are guaranteed capture on the firstPremier Ball that hits. Since July 2020, Shadow Pokémon from Giovanni are guaranteed at least 6IVs (out of the maximum 15) across allstats.

Initially, the ShadowLegendary Pokémon Giovanni uses changed on the first of each month.^[1] However, starting April 2020, the rotation schedule was disrupted due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.

The following lists Giovanni's possible Pokémon since September 16, 2025.Green-colored cells denote the Pokémon that will be encountered during the bonus challenge.

For a historic list of Giovanni's past Pokémon teams, seeGiovanni (GO)/Pokémon change history.

Giovanni The Boss
#1	#2	#3

Shadow Raids

Giovanni has appeared in five-starShadow Raids during specific in-game events.

Pokémon	Boss CP	Catch CP	Availability
Mewtwo	54148	2220 - 2387 2776 - 2984	May 27 - 28, 2023 March 30 - 31, 2024
Lugia	45925	1959 - 2115 2450 - 2645	October 27 - 28, 2023 August 10 - 11, 2024 November 10, 2025
Ho-Oh	50064	2050 - 2207 2563 - 2759	January 27 - 28, 2024 January 19, 2025 November 10, 2025
Regirock	42768	1640 - 1784 2050 - 2230	February 3, 2025 - March 2, 2025
Regigigas	55480	2315 - 2483 2894 - 3104	May 17, 2025
Kyogre	54411	2188 - 2351 2736 - 2939	August 16 - 17, 2025
Groudon	54411	2188 - 2351 2736 - 2939	September 20 - 21, 2025
Cresselia	33794	1494 - 1633 1867 - 2041	November 6 - 9, 2025 November 15, 2025
Darkrai	53623	1979 - 2136 2473 - 2671	November 6 - 9, 2025 November 16, 2025

Upon defeating Giovanni, the player will be rewarded the following prize bundles:

Item		Quantity
	Stardust	×5,000
Three of:
	Max Potion	×4
	Max Revive	×4

Prior to July 2020, defeating Giovanni also rewarded the following:

Item		Quantity
	Unova Stone*	×1
	Rare Candy*	×5
	Fast TM*	×1
	Charged TM*	×1

Main article:Giovanni/Quotes → Pokémon GO

Icon from Pokémon GO

Photobombs

Photobomb image from Pokémon GO

• Giovanni debuted inPokémon GO as aGO Snapshot photobomb atPokémon GO Fest in Yokohama.
• The teaser trailer for the debut ofTeam GO Rocket in GO contains the line "Earth is where I shall unleash my evil schemes next!" This is a reference toGiovanni's final line inUltra Sun and Ultra Moon, in which he ponders "Now...what new world shall I unleash my evil schemes upon...?" before warping away fromAether Paradise.
• Up until March 2023, every non-Legendary Shadow Pokémon used by Giovanni in Pokémon GO was based on a Pokémon he owned in eithera core series game orPokémon the Series.
  • Steelix is a species here that Giovanni does not have in either media. Instead, Giovanni uses its pre-Evolution,Onix, in GenerationsI andIII.
  • Kingdra was included in Giovanni's set on March 25, 2023. None of its evolutionary relatives were used by Giovanni in other media.