Viridian Gym

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Viridian Gym
トキワジム Tokiwa Gym
Viridian Gym Exterior LGPE.png
Location Viridian City
Gym Leader GiovanniRBYFRLGPE
BlueGSCHGSSPE
Jessie, James, and Meowth (temporary, animated series only)
Agatha (replacement, animated series only)
Badge Earth Badge
Dominant Type Ground
Region Kanto
Viridian Gym Battle Environment LGPE.png
Battlefield
Giovanni's/Blue's Gym Leader area

The Viridian Gym (Japanese: トキワジム Tokiwa Gym) is the official Gym of Viridian City. During the events of Generations I, III, and VII, it is based on Ground-type Pokémon and the Gym Leader is Giovanni, the boss of Team Rocket. After Team Rocket is disbanded at the end of Generations I, III, and VII, Blue takes over as the Leader during Generations II, IV, and VII; under his direction, the Gym no longer concentrates on any particular type. In Generation VII, Blue takes over the Gym immediately after Giovanni leaves it, rematching the player in his place during the post-game. Trainers who earn a win at the Viridian Gym receive the Earth Badge.

In the animated series, Agatha of the Elite Four serves as a temporary Gym Leader here following Giovanni's abdication of the position to focus on leading Team Rocket.

In the games

Core series games

Viridian City
Pokémon Gym

Viridian City
Pokémon Gym
Leader: ...
The rest of the
text is illegible...

Viridian City Pokémon Gym

Viridian City Pokémon Gym
Leader: ...
The rest of the text is illegible...

Viridian Gym appears in all games set in the Kanto region. In Generations I, III, and VII, when the player first reaches the Gym, it is locked due to the absence of the Gym Leader. With this acknowledged, the player journeys off to other Gyms to challenge them. Once the player has collected the other seven Gym Badges, the Viridian Gym reopens. In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the Gym guide declares that earning seven Badges is the prerequisite for entering the Gym, effectively meaning that the Viridian Gym, unlike most other Kanto Gyms in Generation VII, has no additional prerequisites required for entering.

In Generations II, IV, and VII, Blue takes over the Gym. In Generation II, the Gym can be challenged as soon as Blue is spoken to on Cinnabar Island. In Generation IV, however, Blue will stay on Cinnabar Island and will not return to his Gym until the player speaks to him after obtaining the other seven Kanto Gym Badges. In Generation VII, Blue can be challenged to a Gym Leader rematch at the Gym during the post-game in place of Giovanni.

Inside the Gym, the floor uses the same transporting tiles as are used in the Team Rocket Hideout. The player must use these tiles to navigate through the Gym to reach the Gym Leader. In Generation II, the Gym is completely remodeled and the tiles are gone; in Generation IV, the tiles are put back up, now covering almost the entire floor of the Gym.

Appearance

Viridian Gym RBY.png Viridian Gym GSC.png Viridian Gym FRLG.png Viridian Gym HGSS.png Viridian Gym Entrance LGPE.png
Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation VII

Items

Item Location Games
Revive Revive North of the spin tile north of the entrance  R  B  Y 
Revive Revive Near Ace Trainer Yuji northeast of the entrance  P  E 
TM Ground TM27 (Fissure) Reward for defeating Giovanni  R  B  Y 
TM Ground TM26 (Earthquake) Reward for defeating Giovanni  FR  LG 
Macho Brace Macho Brace Where Giovanni stood (hidden)  FR  LG 
TM Psychic TM92 (Trick Room) Reward for defeating Blue  HG  SS 
TM Ground VI TM41 (Earthquake) Reward for defeating Giovanni  P  E 

Trainers

Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow
Trainer Pokémon
Tamer
Tamer
Reward: $1560
Arbok Arbok Lv.39
No item
Tauros Tauros Lv.39
No item
Blackbelt
Blackbelt
Reward: $1075
Machoke Machoke Lv.43
No item
Cooltrainer
Cooltrainer
Reward: $1365
Nidorino Nidorino Lv.39
No item
Nidoking Nidoking Lv.39
No item
Tamer
Tamer
Reward: $1720
Rhyhorn Rhyhorn Lv.43
No item
Blackbelt
Blackbelt
Reward: $1000
Machop Machop Lv.40
No item
Machoke Machoke Lv.40
No item
Cooltrainer
Cooltrainer
Reward: $1365
Sandslash Sandslash Lv.39
No item
Dugtrio Dugtrio Lv.39
No item
Cooltrainer
Cooltrainer
Reward: $1505
Rhyhorn Rhyhorn Lv.43
No item
Blackbelt
Blackbelt
Reward: $950
Machoke Machoke Lv.38
No item
Machop Machop Lv.38
No item
Machoke Machoke Lv.38
No item


Pokémon Red and Blue

Giovanni has one Guard Spec. per Pokémon, using it randomly 25% of the time.



Pokémon Yellow

Giovanni has one Guard Spec. per Pokémon, using it randomly 25% of the time.



Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

Blue has two Full Restores.



Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
Trainer Pokémon
Tamer Cole
Tamer Cole
アキラ Akira
Reward: $1560
Arbok Arbok Lv.39
No item
Tauros Tauros Lv.39
No item
Black Belt Kiyo
Black Belt Kiyo
タクマ Takuma
Reward: $1032
Machoke Machoke Lv.43
Bag Black Belt Sprite.png Black Belt
Cooltrainer Samuel
Cooltrainer Samuel
タクヤ Takuya
Reward: $1404
Sandslash Sandslash Lv.37
No item
Sandslash Sandslash Lv.37
No item
Rhyhorn Rhyhorn Lv.38
No item
Nidorino Nidorino Lv.39
No item
Nidoking Nidoking Lv.39
No item
Cooltrainer Yuji
Cooltrainer Yuji
カズシ Kazushi
Reward: $1368
Sandslash Sandslash Lv.38
No item
Graveler Graveler Lv.38
No item
Onix Onix Lv.38
No item
Graveler Graveler Lv.38
No item
Marowak Marowak Lv.38
No item
Black Belt Atsushi
Black Belt Atsushi
テツヒサ Tetsuhisa
Reward: $960
Machop Machop Lv.40
Bag Black Belt Sprite.png Black Belt
Machoke Machoke Lv.40
Bag Black Belt Sprite.png Black Belt
Tamer Jason
Tamer Jason
ヒロ Hiro
Reward: $1720
Rhyhorn Rhyhorn Lv.43
No item
Cooltrainer Warren
Cooltrainer Warren
レイジ Reiji
Reward: $1404
Marowak Marowak Lv.37
No item
Marowak Marowak Lv.37
No item
Rhyhorn Rhyhorn Lv.38
No item
Nidorina Nidorina Lv.39
No item
Nidoqueen Nidoqueen Lv.39
No item
Black Belt Takashi
Black Belt Takashi
シロウ Shirō
Reward: $912
Machoke Machoke Lv.38
Bag Black Belt Sprite.png Black Belt
Machop Machop Lv.38
Bag Black Belt Sprite.png Black Belt
Machoke Machoke Lv.38
Bag Black Belt Sprite.png Black Belt
Trainers with a Vs. Seeker by their names, when alerted for a rematch using the item, may use higher-level Pokémon.


Giovanni has two Hyper Potions and a Full Heal.



Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
Trainer Pokémon
Ace Trainer Arabella
Ace Trainer Arabella
ヤスタカ Yasutaka
Reward: $3120
Stantler Stantler Lv.53
No item
Tauros Tauros Lv.52
No item
Ace Trainer Salma
Ace Trainer Salma
アキエ Akie
Reward: $3180
Slowking Slowking Lv.50
Bag Oran Berry Sprite.png Oran Berry
Lickilicky Lickilicky Lv.53
No item
Ace Trainer Bonita
Ace Trainer Bonita
ヨシノリ Yoshinori
Reward: $3120
Spinda Spinda Lv.50
No item
Sudowoodo Sudowoodo Lv.52
No item
Double Team Elan & Ida
Double Team Elan & Ida
テンとサヨ Ten and Sayo
Reward: $12000
Porygon2 Porygon2 Lv.52
No item
Azumarill Azumarill Lv.50
No item
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.




Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Trainer Pokémon
Ace Trainer Samuel
Ace Trainer Samuel
タクヤ Takuya
Reward: $4,800
Nidoking Nidoking Lv.48
No item
Tamer Cole
Tamer Cole
アキラ Akira
Reward: $2,820
Nidorino Nidorino Lv.47
No item
Rhyhorn Rhyhorn Lv.47
No item
Ace Trainer Kelly
Ace Trainer Kelly
レイカ Reika
Reward: $4,800
Nidoqueen Nidoqueen Lv.48
No item
Ace Trainer Yuji
Ace Trainer Yuji
カズシ Kazushi
Reward: $4,800
Dugtrio Dugtrio Lv.47
No item
Rhyhorn Rhyhorn Lv.48
No item
Tamer Jason
Tamer Jason
ヒロ Hiro
Reward: $2,820
Sandslash Sandslash Lv.47
No item
Black Belt Takashi
Black Belt Takashi
シロウ Shirō
Reward: $1,316
Graveler Graveler Lv.47
No item




Rematch



Side series games

A field based on the Gym appears in Pokémon Stadium's Gym Leader Castle and Stadium 2's Kanto Gym Leader Castle.

Trainers

Pokémon Stadium
Round 1
Trainer Pokémon
Rocket
Rocket
Golbat Golbat Lv.50-100
No item
Raticate Raticate Lv.50-100
No item
Persian Persian Lv.50-100
No item
Moltres Moltres Lv.50-100
No item
Dodrio Dodrio Lv.50-100
No item
Parasect Parasect Lv.50-100
No item
Lab Man
Lab Man
Kabutops Kabutops Lv.50-100
No item
Magneton Magneton Lv.50-100
No item
Fearow Fearow Lv.50-100
No item
Hitmonchan Hitmonchan Lv.50-100
No item
Poliwrath Poliwrath Lv.50-100
No item
Lickitung Lickitung Lv.50-100
No item
Cool♂
Cool♂
Omastar Omastar Lv.50-100
No item
Dodrio Dodrio Lv.50-100
No item
Tentacruel Tentacruel Lv.50-100
No item
Clefable Clefable Lv.50-100
No item
Zapdos Zapdos Lv.50-100
No item
Pinsir Pinsir Lv.50-100
No item




Round 2
Trainer Pokémon
Rocket
Rocket
Golbat Golbat Lv.50-100
No item
Raticate Raticate Lv.50-100
No item
Persian Persian Lv.50-100
No item
Kangaskhan Kangaskhan Lv.50-100
No item
Dodrio Dodrio Lv.50-100
No item
Parasect Parasect Lv.50-100
No item
Lab Man
Lab Man
Kabutops Kabutops Lv.50-100
No item
Magneton Magneton Lv.50-100
No item
Fearow Fearow Lv.50-100
No item
Hitmonchan Hitmonchan Lv.50-100
No item
Poliwrath Poliwrath Lv.50-100
No item
Lickitung Lickitung Lv.50-100
No item
Cool♂
Cool♂
Omastar Omastar Lv.50-100
No item
Dodrio Dodrio Lv.50-100
No item
Tentacruel Tentacruel Lv.50-100
No item
Clefable Clefable Lv.50-100
No item
Zapdos Zapdos Lv.50-100
No item
Pinsir Pinsir Lv.50-100
No item




Pokémon Stadium 2
Round 1



Round 2



In animation

Viridian Gym's battlefield in Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire

Pokémon the Series

The Viridian Gym was originally led by Giovanni, as it was in Generation I. The Gym featured ancient Roman architecture, stately pillars, and an old mural. A predominant brownish color scheme was used to represent the Gym's affiliation with the Ground type. Owing to this, there were also guards resembling ancient Roman soldiers posted outside.

Pokémon the Series: The Beginning

The Viridian Gym debuted in The Battle of the Badge. Before Ash could challenge the Gym, however, Gary appeared, taunting him with his ten Badges and insisting on challenging the Viridian Gym for fun. Gary faced Giovanni, though his confidence quickly eroded after Giovanni brought out Mewtwo, who defeated each of Gary's Pokémon with ease, even when Giovanni allowed him to use more than one Pokémon at a time.

Ash challenged the Gym soon after. However, unbeknownst to him, Giovanni had unmentioned business to attend to, and thus he left the Gym in the care of Jessie, James, and Meowth, giving them several Pokémon to use against any possible challengers. At first, Ash had a hard time beating them, as the trio had rigged the Trainer platforms to shock anyone whose Pokémon took damage. Eventually, Ash overcame the borrowed Pokémon's power and defeated all of them, causing Team Rocket to completely ignore the Gym rules and send out their Arbok and Weezing. Despite this, even the two additional Pokémon were quickly taken down. When Togepi started playing with Meowth's remote control, it inadvertently caused the Trainer platforms to explode and send Team Rocket blasting off again. They dropped an Earth Badge in their wake, allowing Ash to get his eighth Badge. Ash, Misty, Brock, Gary, and Gary's cheerleaders then ran out of the Gym, which proceeded to collapse into ruins due to the explosion.

The Gym briefly reappeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back and its remake Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, depicting several instances of Giovanni using Mewtwo to defeat his challengers, including Gary in the aforementioned battle.

Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire

The rebuilt Viridian Gym appeared when Ash returned to Kanto from Hoenn in The Scheme Team, where it was revealed that Agatha of the Elite Four was serving as the temporary Gym Leader until the official new Leader would arrive. Ash challenged her to an exhibition match, but lost. This was also the place where Ash first met Scott, who told him about the Battle Frontier. During its second appearance, the Gym sported a new, lighter color scheme.

Giovanni abdicating his position as Gym Leader is similar to the case in the Generation I games; however, in the animated series, he is still in charge of Team Rocket, while he also disbands the team in the games.

Gallery

Original design Original battlefield Battlefield with Trainer platforms raised Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution
Viridian Gym anime.png Viridian Gym Battlefield.png Viridian Gym battlefield platforms.png Viridian Gym M22.png

Pokémon used in the Gym

Used by Giovanni
Mewtwo
Giovanni's Mewtwo in Mewtwo Strikes Back
Giovanni's Mewtwo in Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution
Main article: Mewtwo (M01)

Giovanni held control of this Mewtwo created by his scientists for some time, until it learned that Giovanni had meant its purpose to be fighting for him, and escaped.

While controlling Mewtwo, Giovanni used its overwhelming Psychic powers to capture new Pokémon for Team Rocket and in his Gym battles, where it defeated all of his challengers effortlessly. When Mewtwo discovered Giovanni's real intentions for it, it broke out of its bonds and escaped.

Golem
Giovanni's Golem
Debut The Battle of the Badge
Voice actors
Japanese
English Eric Stuart

Golem was the first Pokémon that Giovanni used in his Gym battle with Gary, sending it against Gary's Nidoking. The Megaton Pokémon was easily defeated. It was later seen in its cage while Giovanni went to see Mewtwo.

Golem's only known move is Tackle.

Used by Giovanni and the Team Rocket trio
Kingler
Giovanni's Kingler
Debut The Battle of the Badge
Voice actors
Japanese Rikako Aikawa
English Rikako Aikawa

Giovanni used his Kingler in his Gym battle with Gary, sending it to battle against Gary's Nidoking. Gary, however, quickly withdraws his Pokémon and calls out Arcanine. Despite having a type advantage, Kingler proved to be no match for the Legendary Pokémon, and was finally taken out by Arcanine's Fire Blast.

Kingler was also later loaned to Jessie for Ash's Gym battle. She used it to battle against Bulbasaur, but lost, although not before dealing heavy damage to Bulbasaur with its Bubble attack, and by consequence, Ash experienced its pain.

Kingler was seen again in a flashback to Ash's Viridian Gym battle in Bad To The Bone.

The known moves of the Kingler Jessie used are Crabhammer, Harden, and Bubble.

Machamp
Giovanni's Machamp
Debut The Battle of the Badge
Voice actors
Japanese
English Eric Stuart

Giovanni loaned his Machamp to Jessie for her Gym battle against Ash. It battled against Ash's Squirtle, but lost, although not before dealing heavy damage to Squirtle with its Karate Chop attack, and by consequence, Ash experienced its pain.

Machamp's only known move is Karate Chop.

Rhydon
Giovanni's Rhydon
Debut The Battle of the Badge
Voice actors
Japanese Katsuyuki Konishi
English Katsuyuki Konishi

Giovanni loaned his Rhydon to Jessie for Ash's Gym battle. It was defeated by Ash's Pidgeotto's Double-Edge.

Rhydon was seen again in a flashback to Ash's Viridian Gym battle in Bad To The Bone.

None of Rhydon's moves are known.

Used by Jessie and James
Arbok
Jessie's Arbok
Debut Pokémon Emergency!
Voice actors
Japanese Kōichi Sakaguchi
English Kōichi Sakaguchi
Main article: Jessie's Arbok

Arbok was used when Jessie and James were the temporary Gym Leaders.

Weezing
James's Weezing
Debut Pokémon Emergency!
Voice actors
Japanese Unshō Ishizuka
English Eric Stuart
Main article: James's Weezing

Weezing was used when Jessie and James were the temporary Gym Leaders.

Used by Agatha
Gengar
Agatha's Gengar
Debut The Scheme Team
Voice actors
Japanese Katsuyuki Konishi
English Ed Paul
Main article: Agatha's Gengar

Gengar is Agatha's main Pokémon which she used in battle against Ash's Pikachu.

Pokémon Origins

The Viridian Gym in Pokémon Origins
The Viridian Gym battlefield in Pokémon Origins

The Viridian Gym was featured in File 3: Giovanni. Once Red arrived in Viridian City in order to challenge the Gym, he encountered Blue, who was revealed to have defeated the newly returned Gym Leader just the day before.

Once Red entered the Gym, he right away noticed the different atmosphere it had compared to the other Gyms he had previously visited. The reason for this was revealed soon enough, as Red then found out that the Gym Leader was none other than the Team Rocket Boss, Giovanni. Red refused to believe that a man who treated Pokémon as tools for business, like Giovanni, could be the strongest Gym Leader of all. Giovanni, however, ignored this, simply stating that he didn't need his acceptance to make it true. As he asked whether Red wanted to battle him or not, Red replied that he was challenging him, but not as a Gym Leader, but as the enemy of all Pokémon. Seeing Red's arrogant attitude, Giovanni put away his usual Gym Leader team and took out two Ultra Balls, containing his strongest Pokémon. The first one was Rhyhorn, which, surprisingly, was able to defeat four of Red's Pokémon, despite two of them (Victreebel and Kabutops) having a tremendous type advantage over it.

Eventually, Red's Hitmonlee was able to tie with the Spikes Pokémon, leaving both Trainers with one Pokémon remaining. Knowing that Red was going to use his Charizard, Giovanni revealed his other Pokémon being Rhydon, and said that Red made a mistake by saving Charizard as his last Pokémon. Red, however, told that he had intended it to be so right from the start, wanting to give the whole match a meaning by winning it with his Charizard. At first, Giovanni intended to crush Red's pride along with his Charizard, but when he sent out his first partner Pokémon, Giovanni realized that the pose that he had taken and the way he threw his Poké Ball reminded him of his childhood, when he had also battled just for fun and excitement. After a climactic clash between Charizard and Rhydon, which ended with Charizard defeating the Drill Pokémon with Seismic Toss, Giovanni was ready to give the Earth Badge as a sign of his defeat, but Red refused to take a Badge from the Boss of Team Rocket. With his childhood passion for battling revitalized, Giovanni told his minions that Team Rocket was now disbanded, before turning back to Red and presenting the Earth Badge to him as the Viridian Gym Leader instead of as the Boss of Team Rocket.

Once Red left the Gym and headed for the Pokémon League, Giovanni decided that it was time for him to find a new path for himself and his Pokémon, indicating that, much like in the games, he was going to leave the Gym and train on his own.

Pokémon used in the Gym

Rhyhorn
Giovanni's Rhyhorn

Rhyhorn was the first Pokémon Giovanni used in his Gym battle against Red. It was able to defeat Red's Victreebel, Kabutops, Snorlax, and Jolteon, despite the former two having the type advantage. It finally drew with Red's Hitmonlee.

Rhyhorn's moves are Horn Attack, Take Down, Thunderbolt, and Horn Drill.

Rhydon
Giovanni's Rhydon

Rhydon was the second Pokémon Giovanni used in his Gym battle against Red. It went up against Red's Charizard and lost after a tough fight, taken down by Charizard's Seismic Toss.

Rhydon's known moves are Mega Punch, Fury Attack, and Horn Drill.

Pokémon Generations

The Viridian Gym in Pokémon Generations
The Viridian Gym battlefield in Pokémon Generations

The Viridian Gym made an appearance in The Chase. While searching for Giovanni, the International Police managed to track his location down to the Viridian Gym. A squadron of International Police SWAT officers led by Looker subsequently raided the Gym in order to catch Giovanni, but came to find out that the Gym was empty, although signs of a recent battle were visible on the battlefield.

During a follow-up investigation, the International Police was surprised to discover that Giovanni was the Viridian Gym Leader, and that he had vanished after losing to two Trainers.

Pokémon Evolutions

The Viridian Gym in Pokémon Evolutions

The Viridian Gym made a brief appearance in The Discovery, where Blue was shown as its Leader, preparing to take on a challenger.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Viridian Gym battlefield in Pokémon Adventures
Viridian Gym in Pokémon Adventures
Viridian Gym in the Red, Green & Blue arc

Red, Green & Blue arc

The Viridian Gym first appeared in Bulbasaur, Come Home!, where Red and Professor Oak entered it while following a Bulbasaur escaped from Professor Oak's Laboratory. At the Gym, they were attacked by a wild Machoke, but Red managed to defeat it with Bulbasaur's Solar Beam. Afterwards, Professor Oak let Red keep Bulbasaur.

The Viridian Gym made a brief appearance in Make Way For Magmar!, where citizens of Viridian City were asking questions about the missing Gym Leader.

Red revisited the Gym from Drat That Dratini! to Long Live the Nidoqueen?! after hearing rumors about the missing "invincible" Gym Leader. At the Gym, he met Giovanni, learning that not only was he the Viridian City Gym Leader, but also the leader of Team Rocket. Giovanni then challenged Red to a battle, making a bet with him that should Red lose, he'd come to serve him as his right-hand man. During the battle, Giovanni's Nidoking's Earthquake caused the Gym to collapse into ruins. Eventually Red emerged victorious with his Pika defeating Giovanni's Nidoqueen and knocking the Gym Leader himself unconscious as well.

Gold, Silver & Crystal arc

In Forretress of Solitude, Red participated in Pokémon Association's Gym Leader test for the new Viridian Gym Leader at the reconstructed Viridian Gym. Although he passed the test with flying colors, Red had to turn down the offer, as he had not yet completely recovered from the frostbites he had received after being frozen by Lorelei in the Yellow arc. As such, Blue was appointed as the new Gym Leader instead, after he impressed the Pokémon Association by stopping and capturing a group of rampaging wild Pokémon.

FireRed & LeafGreen arc

In Secrets from Sneasel, Yellow went to the Viridian Gym, looking for Blue, but only found his hologram, set there in case for a challenger coming while he was not present. An automated system then brought out Blue's Pokémon, which, even without their Trainer giving them commands, easily defeated Yellow's Chuchu in a battle. Soon Silver arrived at the site as well, looking for his roots.

Pokémon used in the Gym

Used by Giovanni
Cloyster
Giovanni's Cloyster

Giovanni's Cloyster was called out to take care of two Magmar that were causing trouble after Red did not finish them off. He froze them solid before brutally shattering them to take out. Later, he was seen again during the Gym battle against Red and used the same freezing strategy on Poli to defeat him when Red lost his cool and attacked the Rocket Boss vigorously.

None of Cloyster's moves are known and his Ability is Shell Armor.

Nidoqueen
Giovanni's Nidoqueen

Nidoqueen first appeared in the Viridian Gym battle against Red. She was able to heavily damage Red's Snor by countering his attack and hurling him straight for the wall with little effort. However, at the climax of the battle, she was KO'd by Pika's Thunderbolt* and lost the battle.

Nidoqueen's known moves are Counter, Poison Sting, and Scratch, and her Ability is Poison Point.

Golem
Giovanni's Golem

Giovanni switched out Nidoqueen for his Golem. Golem was a very fast Pokémon as he was able to easily outmatch Red. He was crumbled by Snor's Headbutt before knocking himself out with Explosion.

Golem's known moves are Tackle, Rock Throw, and Explosion, and his Ability is Sturdy.

Beedrill
Giovanni's Beedrill
Main article: Giovanni's Beedrill

Beedrill is one of Giovanni's main Pokémon. He caught him when he was a Weedle at Viridian Forest while he was a young Pokémon Trainer. Since then, Giovanni has used Beedrill as a reliable partner in many situations as a boss of Team Rocket. He notes that while he prefers to use Pokémon of his specialty type, his origins have given him a profound significance in his heart.

Beedrill debuted during Giovanni's battle with Red, where he ended up being knocked out by Aero's Hyper Beam. He later appeared when Giovanni came to help Yellow in the battle against Lance at the Cerise Island, where Giovanni used him to burst the giant bubble which Lance had been using to protect himself and his Pokémon.

Nidoking
Giovanni's Nidoking

Nidoking was one of the Pokémon used in the Viridian Gym battle but did not officially participate. Later, he was used to destroy the Gym with an Earthquake. Many years afterwards, Giovanni observed a site where Deoxys rampaged and left a gang of bikers in ruins. When one of them begged Giovanni to save his life, he promptly swatted him away, and then used Nidoking's Rock Tomb to incapacitate him and his Magmar.

Nidoking's known moves are Earthquake, Fire Punch, and Rock Tomb, and his Ability is Poison Point.

Rhyhorn
Giovanni's Rhyhorn

Rhyhorn was one of the Pokémon used in the Gym battle against Red. He was very powerful as he was able to knock out Red's Aero in a single hit. During the Yellow arc, Giovanni used him to battle Lance in Cerise Island but got knocked out by Dragonair's Hyper Beam.

Rhyhorn's known moves are Tail Whip, Horn Attack, and Stomp, and his Ability is Rock Head.

Rhydon
Giovanni's Rhydon

Rhydon was seen in the Gym battle with Giovanni's other Pokémon. However, as he was only seen trying to trap Red into a fissure, little is known about him.

Rhydon's only known move is Fissure, and his Ability is Lightning Rod.

Dugtrio
Giovanni's Dugtrio

Giovanni's Dugtrio was only used to stop Red's Saur and Gyara from coming out of their Poké Balls by destroying their opening mechanisms.

Dugtrio's only known move is Dig and his Ability is Sand Veil.

Used by Blue
Pidgeot
Blue's Pidgeot

Pidgeot is one of Blue's original main team members. He was used to send letters to Professor Oak when they cut off communication after Blue's battle with Agatha. He was later replaced by Rhydon. He has a Hardy nature. As of The Last Battle XIV, Pidgeot is at level 76.

Pidgeot's known moves are Wing Attack and Feather Dance, and his Ability is Keen Eye.

Ninetales
Blue's Ninetales

Blue and Red caught this Ninetales together, but Blue succeeded in claiming him. He has also used Ninetales later against Red in the Pokémon League and against Agatha's Gengar at Cerise Island. He has a Modest nature. As of The Last Battle XIV, Ninetales is at level 68.

Ninetales's known moves are Flamethrower, Fire Blast, and Fire Spin, and his Ability is Flash Fire.

Exeggutor, Alakazam, and Arcanine
Blue's Exeggutor, Alakazam, and Arcanine

Blue caught these Pokémon when they were rampaging due to the radio in Rock, Paper...Scizor. As of The Last Battle XIV, Exeggutor is at level 67 and has a Relaxed nature, Arcanine is at level 71 and his Characteristic is "a little quick tempered", and Alakazam is at level 64 and has a Lax nature.

Alakazam's only known move is Role Play and his Ability is Inner Focus.
None of Exeggutor's moves are known, and his Ability is Chlorophyll.
None of Arcanine's moves are known and his Ability is Intimidate.

Viridian Gym in Pokémon Pocket Monsters
Viridian Gym in Pokémon Zensho

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

The Viridian Gym appeared in Get The Last Badge!!, where Red battled Giovanni for his final Kanto Gym Badge, eventually emerging victorious.

Pokémon Zensho

The Viridian Gym appeared in PZ09, where Satoshi entered the Gym and was surprised to find out that Giovanni was the Gym Leader. First Satoshi used his Lapras against Giovanni's Rhydon, but its Hydro Pump wasn't enough, so Satoshi switched out for his Charizard, who was able to beat Rhydon, ending the battle. Giovanni then revealed that he had once been trapped in a landslide and his Nidoking had seemingly abandoned him, making him a bitter person. Mr. Fuji, however, appeared and brought Giovanni his Nidoking's horn as a proof that his Pokémon had left to seek help, but died of his own injuries. Giovanni proceeded to reward Satoshi with an Earth Badge and promised to stay out of his way from now on.

Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

The Viridian Gym appeared in The True Road to Becoming the Strongest!!, where was seen defeating Blue with his Feraligatr and earning his last Kanto Badge. Afterwards, Blue told Jō about a strong Trainer who had traveled through Kanto three years earlier.

In the TCG

The following is a list of cards mentioning or featuring Viridian City Gym in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Pokémon in Viridian Gym
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 #
Diglett Fighting Unbroken Bonds Common 85/214 Double Blaze C 043/095
Rhydon Fighting Unbroken Bonds Uncommon 94/214 Double Blaze C 049/095
Other related cards
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Viridian City Gym T [St] Gym Challenge Uncommon 123/132 Challenge from the Darkness Rare  
Blue's Tactics Su Unified Minds Uncommon 188/236 Miracle Twin U 087/094
 


Trivia

The Viridian Gym in a Pokémon GO loading screen
  • Although the Gym guide in Generations I and III seems to be unaware of the Gym Leader's identity until the player defeats Giovanni, in Generation I, the statues near the Gym's entrance still list Giovanni as the Leader of the Gym. This oversight was removed in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, where the Gym Leader's name is only visible on the statues once Giovanni has been defeated.
  • The Viridian Gym is the only official Gym with non-hidden items that can be picked up from the floor.
    • Under Blue's leadership, it is also the only official Gym to not focus on any particular type.
  • In the animated series, Agatha's temporary position as Leader of the Viridian Gym, replacing Giovanni, may be a reference to the games, in which Giovanni quit Team Rocket and his status as Gym Leader after being defeated by Red.
  • In Generation II, the design of the walls is possibly a reference to Nintendo's discontinued N&B Blocks, which are also featured in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins.
  • In Generation II, it is possible to challenge Blue before beating any other Kanto Gym Leader by talking to him on Cinnabar Island. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Blue can only be challenged when the player has seven Badges from Kanto.
  • The two leaders of the Viridian Gym are coincidentally also the two Trainers that the player must defeat multiple times in Red and Blue.
  • In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the exterior coloring of each Gym is based on the colors most associated with the type that the Gym specializes in. Viridian Gym, however, is both green and blue, possibly referring to its Gym Leader's name.
  • Blue's level 60 Pidgeot in HeartGold and SoulSilver is the highest-level Pokémon fought at any Gym outside of rematches.
  • In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the player can find a bottle message at Ula'ula Beach, which they can deliver to Rising Star Kainoa at Malie City's Outer Cape. He will tell the player that the message is from a friend of his named Arabella, who works as a Gym Trainer in Kanto. This is a reference to Ace Trainer Arabella, who can be battled at the Viridian Gym in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
  • The Viridian Gym was the first Gym to change its Leader mid-game.
  • In the Round 2 battle of Pokémon Stadium 2, each of Blue's Pokémon is the signature Pokémon of a Trainer battled at the end of a stage at the Johto Gym Leader Castle: Scyther is the signature Pokémon of Bugsy, Miltank is the signature Pokémon of Whitney, Gengar is the signature Pokémon of Morty, Houndoom is the signature Pokémon of Archer, Piloswine is the signature Pokémon of Pryce, and Kingdra is the signature Pokémon of Clair.
  • The Viridian Gym, as it appears in the animated series, made a cameo in a Pokémon GO loading screen from October 2 to December 16, 2019, which featured Giovanni observing the player battling the Team GO Rocket Leaders and their Shadow Pokémon.
  • In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, next to Giovanni, there is a bowl containing four Oran Berries, despite them not being obtainable in these games.
  • Conceptual art for Pokémon Red and Green suggests that the Viridian Gym was going to be the first Gym to be fought, and that a different character would have acted as its Gym Leader.[1]

References

Related articles

Gym Leaders of the Kanto region
Pewter Gym Boulder Badge
Brock OD.png
Brock
Cerulean Gym Cascade Badge
Misty OD.png
Misty
Vermilion Gym Thunder Badge
Lt Surge OD.png
Lt. Surge
Celadon Gym Rainbow Badge
Erika OD.png
Erika
Fuchsia Gym Soul Badge
Koga OD.png Janine OD.png
Koga Janine
Saffron Gym Marsh Badge
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Sabrina
Cinnabar Gym Volcano Badge
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Blaine
Viridian Gym Earth Badge
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Giovanni Blue


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