Description
Ghetsis Harmonia Gropius is the true mastermind behind Team Plasma and its Seven Sages. He discovered N living with Pokémon in a forest and adopted him, along with two foster daughters, Concordia and Anthea. Ghetsis manipulated N throughout his life, grooming him to become Team Plasma's figurehead "king" and exploiting N's ability to communicate with Pokémon. His ultimate goal was to orchestrate a campaign for Pokémon liberation, convincing the public to release their Pokémon while ensuring he remained Unova's sole Pokémon wielder, enabling him to seize control unopposed. This plan relied on reenacting Unova's ancient legend: N would awaken and bond with the legendary dragon Reshiram or Zekrom, defeat Champion Alder, and use his authority to declare all Pokémon must be freed.
Ghetsis first appeared publicly in Accumula Town, delivering persuasive speeches advocating Pokémon liberation, presenting himself as a philosopher and loyal servant to N's ideals. Privately, he dismissed N's genuine belief as naive. He incrementally revealed his manipulative nature, confronting the player on Tubeline Bridge and hinting at his desire for exclusive control. He openly gloated when N initially succeeded in awakening a legendary dragon. However, after N's defeat by the player, Ghetsis discarded all pretense. He renounced N as a "warped freak without a human heart," revealed his intent to rule Unova, and battled the player. Following his loss, he was apprehended but escaped custody with aid from the Shadow Triad.
Two years later, Ghetsis resurfaced as leader of Neo Team Plasma, abandoning liberation rhetoric for outright conquest. He recruited scientist Colress and sought Kyurem's power to freeze Unova into submission. At the Giant Chasm, he attempted to kill the player with Kyurem's Glaciate, thwarted by N's intervention. Ghetsis then used DNA Splicers to fuse Kyurem with N's Reshiram or Zekrom, creating Black Kyurem or White Kyurem. After this fused Pokémon was defeated, he battled the player again in a rage. His second decisive loss triggered a complete mental breakdown; he violently silenced N and collapsed into incoherent screaming. The Shadow Triad removed him, stating he had "lost control" and was no longer capable of criminal activity.
In an alternate dimension depicted in *Pokémon Ultra Sun* and *Ultra Moon*, a version of Ghetsis conquered Unova and claimed Reshiram or Zekrom for himself. Brought to another world with Team Rainbow Rocket, he sought dominion across all dimensions. He attempted to manipulate Giovanni and took Lillie hostage, threatening her life unless the player surrendered. This version was defeated and forcibly returned to his original dimension by Colress. In *Pokémon Masters*, Ghetsis appeared on Pasio claiming remorse and seeking N's aid, but N rejected his overtures and asked him to leave.
Ghetsis exhibits traits of narcissism, megalomania, and Machiavellian manipulation. He maintains a charismatic public persona as a thoughtful orator but displays extreme cruelty, rage, and vindictiveness privately or when thwarted. He views people and Pokémon as tools, exemplified by his Hydreigon—which knew the move Frustration at maximum power due to minimal friendship—and his cane emitting signals to disrupt Poké Ball functionality. His physical appearance includes long pale green hair, red eyes, and a distinctive red eyepiece over his right eye. Initially, he wore elaborate white and gold robes with a collar resembling castle battlements; later, he adopted darker attire with an eye motif and used a sword-like cane. His right arm is typically concealed, and concept art suggests scarring around his hidden right eye.
Ghetsis is the only core series villainous team leader to use a pseudo-legendary Pokémon (Hydreigon), battle the player with a full team of six Pokémon, and serve as the final trainer of the main story excluding the Champion. He is also the only antagonist to attempt direct physical harm to the player outside of a Pokémon battle. After his defeat in *Black 2* and *White 2*, he suffered permanent mental incapacitation, ending his threat.
Ghetsis first appeared publicly in Accumula Town, delivering persuasive speeches advocating Pokémon liberation, presenting himself as a philosopher and loyal servant to N's ideals. Privately, he dismissed N's genuine belief as naive. He incrementally revealed his manipulative nature, confronting the player on Tubeline Bridge and hinting at his desire for exclusive control. He openly gloated when N initially succeeded in awakening a legendary dragon. However, after N's defeat by the player, Ghetsis discarded all pretense. He renounced N as a "warped freak without a human heart," revealed his intent to rule Unova, and battled the player. Following his loss, he was apprehended but escaped custody with aid from the Shadow Triad.
Two years later, Ghetsis resurfaced as leader of Neo Team Plasma, abandoning liberation rhetoric for outright conquest. He recruited scientist Colress and sought Kyurem's power to freeze Unova into submission. At the Giant Chasm, he attempted to kill the player with Kyurem's Glaciate, thwarted by N's intervention. Ghetsis then used DNA Splicers to fuse Kyurem with N's Reshiram or Zekrom, creating Black Kyurem or White Kyurem. After this fused Pokémon was defeated, he battled the player again in a rage. His second decisive loss triggered a complete mental breakdown; he violently silenced N and collapsed into incoherent screaming. The Shadow Triad removed him, stating he had "lost control" and was no longer capable of criminal activity.
In an alternate dimension depicted in *Pokémon Ultra Sun* and *Ultra Moon*, a version of Ghetsis conquered Unova and claimed Reshiram or Zekrom for himself. Brought to another world with Team Rainbow Rocket, he sought dominion across all dimensions. He attempted to manipulate Giovanni and took Lillie hostage, threatening her life unless the player surrendered. This version was defeated and forcibly returned to his original dimension by Colress. In *Pokémon Masters*, Ghetsis appeared on Pasio claiming remorse and seeking N's aid, but N rejected his overtures and asked him to leave.
Ghetsis exhibits traits of narcissism, megalomania, and Machiavellian manipulation. He maintains a charismatic public persona as a thoughtful orator but displays extreme cruelty, rage, and vindictiveness privately or when thwarted. He views people and Pokémon as tools, exemplified by his Hydreigon—which knew the move Frustration at maximum power due to minimal friendship—and his cane emitting signals to disrupt Poké Ball functionality. His physical appearance includes long pale green hair, red eyes, and a distinctive red eyepiece over his right eye. Initially, he wore elaborate white and gold robes with a collar resembling castle battlements; later, he adopted darker attire with an eye motif and used a sword-like cane. His right arm is typically concealed, and concept art suggests scarring around his hidden right eye.
Ghetsis is the only core series villainous team leader to use a pseudo-legendary Pokémon (Hydreigon), battle the player with a full team of six Pokémon, and serve as the final trainer of the main story excluding the Champion. He is also the only antagonist to attempt direct physical harm to the player outside of a Pokémon battle. After his defeat in *Black 2* and *White 2*, he suffered permanent mental incapacitation, ending his threat.