Giovanni. This Pokémon villain has been around since the beginning, appearing in the very first Pokémon games as the leader of the evil Team Rocket. He is the only character to be both a gym leader and a villain team leader, and he’s a dangerous enemy as both. He has appeared in fifteen different Pokémon games, and now he seems to be coming to Pokémon Go.

Previous Sightings

This month’s Pokémon Go fest in Yokohama was full of festivities and news of things to come. A new special research was announced, shiny Poliwags were released, and unique field research tasks were made available. But something villainous was lurking in Yokohama as well. Giovanni appeared in photos of people’s Pokémon uninvited!

Via: Pokemon Go Hub

This seems to be a hint of things to come, especially since Team Rocket grunts appeared at the last two Pokémon Go fests before the Team Go Rocket invasion of Pokémon Go. With Team Rocket on the scene, it is likely that their boss won’t be far behind. He even appeared in silhouette (very briefly) in the Team Rocket announcement trailer. In addition, the quote at the end of the trailer “Earth is where I shall unleash my evil schemes next!” seems to be an answer to Giovanni’s question in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon: “Now… what new world will I unleash my evil schemes upon…?” It looks like the new world he found is ours.

What Kind Of Trouble Is He Up To?

The question is, what role will Giovanni play in Pokémon Go? He could join the front lines with his grunts, taking over Pokéstops and stealing the (already free) items. He would be tougher than the average grunt of course, and would have stronger Pokémon. He might even have unique shadow Pokémon that trainers can catch. Perhaps some ground types from his Viridian Gym days.

Via: Pokemon Go

Of course, Giovanni is the boss of Team Rocket. He has no business mingling with his goons down in the streets. What does he need with an individual Pokéstop when he has minions that can steal free items for him (again, not your smartest evil plan, Giovanni). He should be somewhere that fits his stature.

And what better place for a gym leader than a gym? He certainly is no stranger to them, having been the last gym leader to beat before facing the Kanto Elite Four. Maybe Giovanni will be the first gym leader in Pokémon Go gyms.

Giovanni Getting A Gym?

There are a couple of ways this could be implemented. Giovanni could be similar to the raid bosses that already appear in gyms. Trainers in the area would get a notification that Giovanni is appearing in a gym nearby, and they can join to defeat his team of Pokémon together. Or maybe he’s more of a challenge. Trainers usually aren’t allowed to team up against gym leaders; maybe Pokémon Go players will have to defeat him alone, a challenge that would surely require their strongest Pokémon.

Of course, appearing for 45 minutes and then politely leaving isn’t exactly the hostile Team Rocket takeover we’ve been expecting. If Giovanni appears in a gym, it might be up to trainers to unseat him. Unlike raid boss Pokémon, he might not leave the gym intact. Team Rocket has been changing Pokéstops to their signature black and red when they take over; maybe Giovanni will turn the gym Team Rocket colors, kicking out whatever team was defending it. Sorry, Team Valor, this gym belongs to Team Rocket now!

It's unclear how long trainers will have to wait for Giovanni to appear. If his appearance following his Pokémon Go fest photobombs is anything like the Team Rocket grunts', we might be waiting another month or two before he invades the game itself.

However Giovanni appears, he is sure to be a formidable foe, whether in the gym or out of it. Hopefully, he will be introduced in a way that is fitting for Pokémon’s longest-running villain.

NEXT: Eleven More Shadow Pokémon Announced For Pokémon Go