Who are the Team Rocket supporters in Destined Rivals?

The absence of Jesse and James is real, but who are these other Team Rocket characters?

The Japanese Pokémon Trading Card Game set, The Glory of Team Rocket, released on April 18, 2025, spotlights the notorious Team Rocket organization, featuring its key members: Giovanni, Petrel, Archer, Ariana, and Proton. These characters, originating from the Pokémon video games, are central to the set’s theme, each accompanied by their signature Pokémon in various card illustrations.

Giovanni – The Supreme Leader

Giovanni, the formidable leader of Team Rocket and Viridian City’s Gym Leader, is prominently featured in this set. He appears on multiple cards, including those with Mewtwo, Meowth, and Persian. Notably, the Special Art Rare (SAR) card #129 depicts Giovanni flanked by his four executives—Ariana, Petrel, Archer, and Proton—against a backdrop reflecting Team Rocket’s emblematic colors.

Archer – The Strategic Commander

Archer first appears as an unnamed Team Rocket Admin in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen at the Rocket Warehouse on Chrono Island, where he initially doubts Team Rocket’s disbandment but, upon defeat, acknowledges Giovanni’s fall and pledges to revive the organization. Three years later, Archer emerges as a leader of the reborn Team Rocket in Johto, orchestrating the Goldenrod Radio Tower takeover to locate Giovanni, but ultimately disbands the group after being defeated by the player.

Ariana – The Enigmatic Executive

An unnamed female Team Rocket Admin, likely Ariana, appears in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen at the Rocket Warehouse on Five Island. Three years later, Ariana returns as the sole female Executive in Johto’s reborn Team Rocket, challenging the player first alongside a Grunt against Lance in Team Rocket HQ, and later serving as the final obstacle before Archer at Goldenrod Radio Tower.

Petrel – The Master of Disguise

Debuting In Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver, Petrel is apparently Team Rocket’s master of disguise. He is first seen dressing as Giovanni and then battled in the Team Rocket HQ. In Goldenrod Radio Tower he appears again, using his disguise skills again, this time dressed as Radio Tower Director.

Proton – The Ruthless Enforcer

Proton, known as the “scariest and cruelest” Team Rocket executive, is notoriously quick-tempered, mercilessly cutting off Slowpoke tails without remorse and displaying arrogance by threatening players who interfere with the organization’s schemes. First encountered leading operations at the Slowpoke Well and later appearing during the Goldenrod Radio Tower takeover, he remains notably popular among Team Rocket Grunts.

Team Rocket Grunts – The Loyal Henchmen

In addition to Team Rocket’s high-ranking executives, the organization’s grunts serve as iconic foot soldiers, easily recognizable by their distinct black uniforms featuring a prominent red “R.” As loyal yet often ineffectual henchmen, they frequently appear as adversaries throughout various Pokémon video games, especially in titles such as Pokémon Red and Blue, FireRed and LeafGreen, and HeartGold and SoulSilver, typically challenging trainers in hideouts, caves, and infiltrated towns. In The Glory of Team Rocket set, these grunts underscore Team Rocket’s persistent, widespread influence, capturing the nostalgic appeal and thematic depth of one of Pokémon’s most memorable villainous teams.