Art by 御塩 (pixiv 4992770)
Waltz of the Damned
Giacomo Piña / DJ VICE
Leader of Team Star's Segin Squad
Former Student Council President of Naranja/Uva Academy
Art by わーまめね (pixiv user 34200025)
Law of the Land
Giacomo Piña comes from relative wealth, as his father has lucrative family business dealings. Unlike many students in Naranja/Uva Academy, he was actually born and raised in the Paldea Region. Growing up under strict exepectations and having little time to himself outside pre-planned trainings and family activities, Giacomo had difficulty making friends, and learned to find comfort in fierce rulership. Once he entered the academy, his excellence in classes quickly allowed him to join the Student Council, and eventually lead it.This lead to further social isolation, as the rules he passed caused more and more resentment among his peers, and eventually intense bullying. A group of ostracized students banded together and formed Team Star, with Giacomo leading one of their branches: the Segin Squad. The fallout of their stand against the student body left Team Star isolated, but firmly knit together.
Art by 志良鳥 良哉 (pixiv user 15214111)
Next up On Deck
--Trivia and Headcanons about Giacomo--• Piña is Giacomo's Japanese name, used as a surname
• The family tree is fucked. It somehow manages to get worse with each revision.
• Much like Guzma's father and Giovanni (Italian mobster people), Giacomo's father is a major perfectionist, which lead to his son becoming the student council president after enrolling in Naranja/Uva Academy, and passing draconian rules for the student body.
• His partner in the Academy was a Deino, who evolved to a Zweilous by the time of Operation Star. When Giacomo and the other members of Team Star stopped attending the Academy however, Zweilous stopped obeying his orders and has been benched ever since.
• As Grimsley's ancestor Estella is a vampire, the powers have passed down the bloodline with some dilution. Like Marnie and Piers, Giacomo possesses some vampiric traits like fangs, night vision, a hypnotic gaze, and minor black magic. He's also afflicted by several vampiric compulsions, such as Arithmomania.
• Giacomo was the head of the Academy's chorus, assissting the professor in conducting. He also learned to play the Piano, Violin, Cello, Trumpet, and Oboe. He plays Piano with Ortega regularly, though mainly sticks to the mixing table in public.
• He got his start as DJ Vice making remixes of Piers' music, unaware of their familial relationship. Piers hired him to do professional mixing and composition, and they eventually pieced together that their mothers are sisters. Giacomo hasn't visited Galar to see the Spikemuth siblings, but he talks with them on the phone now and then. He also makes some popular Team Yell fancams on an alternate account, to hype his family up.
• Giacomo technically has enough credits to graduate from his heavy course load, but hasn't officially gotten his diploma.
• He was 17 during Operation Star, and is 18 during the events of Scarlet and Violet.
Art by 志良鳥 良哉 (pixiv user 15214111)
The Squad
The Pokémon that Giacomo calls his partners.
Kingambit, the Big Blade Pokémon
Captured in the Inlet Grotto as a Pawniard, and used during Operation Starfall. Through intense training after the Segin Squad's defeat, evolved into Bisharp, then further into Kingambit.Kingambit's favored moves are Kowtow Cleave, Iron Head, Taunt, and Swords Dance. He has a Jolly nature, and the ability Supreme Overlord.
Krookodile, the Intimidation Pokémon
Captured as a Sandile in the Asado Desert.Krookodile's favored moves are Earthquake, Crunch, Dragon Claw, and Fire Fang. She has a Lonely nature, and the ability Intimidate.
Mabostiff, the Boss Pokémon
Captured as a Maschiff in the South Province.Mabosstiff's favored moves are Crunch, Play Rough, Payback, and Ice Fang. He has an Adamant nature, and the ability Intimidate.
Honchkrow, the Big Boss Pokémon
Captured as a Murkrow in the South Province.Honchkrow's favored moves are Dark Pulse, Air Slash, Psychic, and Tailwind. He has a Mild nature, and the ability Moxie.
Cacturne, the Scarecrow Pokémon
Captured in the Asado Desert as a Cacnea.Cacturne's favored moves are Needle Arm, Foul Play, Spiky Shield, and Thunder Punch. She holds a Loaded Dice, has a Careful nature, and the ability Sand Water Absorb.
Zweilous, the Hostile Pokémon
Captured as a Deino in Alfornada Cavern. She was Giacomo's partner during his time at the Academy. Evolved into Zweilous shortly before Operation Star, and later stopped obeying his orders.Zweilous's favored moves are Crunch, Dragon Claw, Fire Fang, and Head Smash. She has an Adamant nature, and the ability Hustle.
"The Segin Starmobile"
Revavroom, the Multi-Cyl Pokémon
Captured by Ortega, as with the other Starmobile Revavrooms. When docked into the mobile, becomes a Dark Type using the Tera Orb inside and gains the ability Intimidate.Revavroom's favored moves are Wicked Torque, Metal Sound, Snarl, and Swift. It has a Serious nature, and the ability Intimidate.
Lokix, the Grasshopper Pokémon
Captured in the Asado Desert.Lokix's favored moves are Lunge, Throat Chop, Axe Kick, and U-Turn. He has a Naughty nature, and the ability Tinted Lens.