>>46966711>Yakuza Emphasis on the "ya", despite what English-language media might say are Japanese mobsters, sometimes known outside Japan as "the Japanese Mafia", and euphemistically known inside Japan as "anti-social organizations" or "violent groups". >Yakuza insist that their organizations originated in Robin Hood-style groups of outlaws and vigilantes during Japan's feudal era, but scholars believe that they are in fact descended from roving bands of Rōnin who harassed and extorted the local peasantry.The Italian mafia tries to/tried to do this little for the people cope too. Go watch some of Michael Franzese's videos for more info on the mafia.
At the end of the day the Yakuza and the Mafia are basically the same thing, but I can't deny the overwhelming Italian influences in his design. I'm just saying that Team Rocket is Yakuza because it helps to know that in the culture that produced Pokemon, such an organization exists and is particularly prevalent. I may need to retract some of what I said though because a lot of Yakuza culture stuff, like their ridiculous tattoos, doesn't seem to be prevalent in Team Rocket hierarchy, but that might be because its still a kids game.
With that being said, Giovanni's speech to Silver about the power of an organization gives me Yakuza vibes more than it does mafioso vibes, but his state of dress is way more Italian, you're right. For what its worth though, pic related has a point, and the Yakuza Uncle from Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift dresses like Giovanni from HGSS too iirc.
