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EP254: Difference between revisions

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'''Better Eight Than Never''' (Japanese: '''フスベジム！さいごのバッジ！！''' ''{{tt|Fusube|Blackthorn}} Gym! The Final Badge!!'') is the 254th episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. It was first broadcast in Japan on June 27, 2002 and in the United States on June 21, 2003.  
'''Better Eight Than Never''' (Japanese: '''フスベジム！さいごのバッジ！！''' ''{{tt|Fusube|Blackthorn}} Gym! The Final Badge!!'') is the 254th episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. It was first broadcast in Japan on June 27, 2002, and in the United States on June 21, 2003.  


{{spoilers}}
{{spoilers}}


==Synopsis==
==Blurb==
The episode begins with {{Ash}} and [[Clair]] on separate sides of a huge lake with floating platforms spread around it which is going to be the battlefield for Ash and Clair. It is a three-on-three match. The battle then begins. Ash starts off with {{AP|Snorlax}} which is a big surprise for {{an|Misty}} and {{an|Brock}}. Clair counters with {{p|Kingdra}}.
<!--https://www.pokemon.com/us/animation/seasons/5/episode-44-better-eight-than-never/-->
<i>Having finally seen stability restored to the Blackthorn Gym, Ash and Clair face off in a gym battle. Ash opens with a surprise entry, his Snorlax, and defeats Clair's Kingdra to take victory in the first round. Clair quickly comes back, wearing Snorlax down with her Gyarados. Ash sends in Pikachu, hoping its advantage as an Electric Pokémon will be enough to defeat Clair's Water Pokémon. It isn't until he puts Pikachu's speed to use, however, that he emerges victorious. At two to one, Ash is only one win away from earning his final badge, but this last round—against Clair's Dragonair—promises to be the hardest one yet.</i>


Ash starts off with Snorlax’s {{m|Hyper Beam}} and Clair counters with Kingdra’s {{m|Agility}}. Kingdra attacks Snorlax, but it doesn't work. Clair then uses Kingdra’s {{m|Swift}}, but that just bounces off again. Ash tries to use Snorlax’s {{m|Body Slam}}, but Kingdra dodges with Agility. Kingdra attacks Snorlax again, but again Snorlax is undamaged. Clair notes that these attacks aren't working, so she uses {{m|Hydro Pump}}. Ash tells Snorlax to dodge it but it is unable to dodge it. Clair orders another Hyper Beam which Snorlax avoided by going under water. Ash congratulates it on its quick thinking. Ash orders a {{m|Body Slam}} but as it goes underwater it weighs much less. Kingdra uses this to its advantage and avoids being crushed. She tells Kingdra to use Hydro Pump once Snorlax comes up for air. This worries Misty and Brock, but Ash tells Snorlax to jump out of the water. It goes up into the air and Kingdra uses Hydro Pump. Ash orders Snorlax to lean back and it manages to successfully dodge the attack. Clair then orders Kingdra to use Swift, but Ash tells Snorlax to just take it. Clair orders another Hydro Pump, but it only does a little bit of damage. Kingdra is also starting to look tired. Brock says that Ash’s plan must be to just wear Kingdra out, as Snorlax has a lot of endurance. Clair orders another Hyper Beam, but Snorlax dodges it once again by going underwater. Ash then orders Snorlax to use {{m|Ice Punch}} knocking Kingdra out of the match.
==Plot==
{{Ash}} and [[Clair]] are standing inside the [[Blackthorn Gym]], preparing to start their [[rematch]], which will be a three-on-three {{pkmn|battle}}. Clair chooses her {{p|Kingdra}}, while Ash leads off with {{AP|Snorlax}}, surprising Clair. Ash explains that he visited the [[Pokémon Center]] the day before and changed his Pokémon around. Ash starts the match with Snorlax's {{m|Hyper Beam}}, though Kingdra dodges the attack with {{m|Agility}}. Kingdra tries to hit Snorlax but just bounces off of its bulky body. Clair has Kingdra follow up with {{m|Swift}}, but the attack once again harmlessly bounces off of Snorlax. Ash tries to use Snorlax's {{m|Body Slam}}, but Kingdra dodges it with Agility. Kingdra hits Snorlax again, but Snorlax is unaffected. Clair notes that her attacks aren't working against Snorlax's big body, and has Kingdra use {{m|Hydro Pump}}. Ash tells Snorlax to dodge the attack, but it is unable to and is hit. Clair orders a Hyper Beam, which Snorlax narrowly avoids by diving into the battlefield’s pool. Ash congratulates Snorlax on its quick thinking before ordering a Body Slam. The attack lands, causing both Pokémon to sink underwater. However, Snorlax begins to weigh less, allowing Kingdra to float back to the surface unharmed. Clair tells Kingdra to use Hydro Pump once Snorlax comes up for air. This worries {{an|Misty}} and {{an|Brock}}, but Ash tells Snorlax to jump out of the water. As Snorlax leaps into the air and Kingdra fires a Hydro Pump, Ash orders Snorlax to lean back, and it manages to successfully dodge the attack without sustaining any [[damage]]. Clair orders Kingdra to use Swift, but Ash tells Snorlax to just take it. Clair orders another Hydro Pump, but it only douses Snorlax's face. Kingdra is starting to look tired, and Brock realizes that Ash's plan must be to just wear Kingdra out, as Snorlax has a lot of endurance. Clair orders another Hyper Beam, but Snorlax dodges it once again by going underwater. With Kingdra's stamina starting to run low, Snorlax uses {{m|Ice Punch}}, which knocks Kingdra out of the match. After feeding [[Charla]], {{jo|Liza}} joins Brock and Misty on the sidelines to watch the unfolding match. Misty quickly pulls Brock aside as he begins to flirt, before filling Liza in on the current situation of the match.


Clair recalls Kingdra congratulating it for a job well done. She then sends out {{p|Gyarados}}. Snorlax seems to be a little tired after the match with Kingdra. Clair orders Gyarados to use Hydro Pump, while Snorlax uses Hyper Beam. Both attacks cancel each other out. Gyarados then uses {{m|DragonBreath}}, which hit Snorlax, paralyzing it. Clair then orders Gyarados to use Hyper Beam. Snorlax is slammed by the beam and it falls, fainted. Ash then chooses {{AP|Pikachu}}.  
Meanwhile, {{TRT}} is trying to dig a tunnel to reach the [[Dragon Holy Land]] and steal the [[Dragon Fang]]. [[Jessie]] and [[James]] are beginning to question when they will reach their target. {{MTR}} glances at his map and orders his teammates to strike the section above them. However, water begins to pour in and Meowth quickly realizes that they have been digging directly under a lake. The lake water starts flooding into the tunnel, washing Team Rocket away.


Gyarados goes in to {{m|Bite}} Pikachu, but Pikachu uses Agility to get out of the way. Ash tells Pikachu to use {{m|Thunderbolt}} but before it could attack, Gyarados uses DragonBreath, tiring Pikachu. Gyarados then tries to finish it off with a Hydro Pump, which misses Pikachu as it uses Agility to get out of the way. As Gyarados goes in for another Hydro Pump, Pikachu uses Agility to race up the Hydro Pump to get into point-blank-range of Gyarados' face. It then uses a Thunderbolt to knock Gyarados out.
Back at the [[Gym]], Clair sends out {{p|Gyarados}} as her second Pokémon. Clair orders Gyarados to use Hydro Pump, while Snorlax uses Hyper Beam. However, Snorlax is starting to tire out, causing Gyarados's Hydro Pump to overpower its Hyper Beam. Gyarados uses {{m|Dragon Breath}}, and as Snorlax is still in the middle of [[recharge|recharging]], it is unable to counter the attack. As such, the Dragon Breath lands a direct hit on Snorlax, {{status|paralysis|paralyzing}} it and preventing it from moving. After taking a Hyper Beam, Snorlax finally faints. Ash decides to use {{AP|Pikachu}} next in the hopes that its {{t|Electric}} typing will overcome Gyarados. Clair has Gyarados use Hyper Beam, but Pikachu avoids the attack before slamming into Gyarados with {{m|Quick Attack}}. Clair is momentarily surprised by Pikachu's {{stat|speed}} but quickly orders Gyarados to use {{m|Bite}}. Pikachu avoids the attack before retaliating with a {{m|Thunderbolt}}. However, Gyarados uses Dragon Breath to form a barrier that blocks the incoming attack. Gyarados follows up with a Hydro Pump, which Pikachu tries to dodge, but gets grazed by it and is knocked down to the ground. In a surprising maneuver, Gyarados leaps out of the water and starts squeezing Pikachu in a tight wrap. This, however, allows Pikachu to land a close-range Thunderbolt on Gyarados, dealing notable damage on the {{pkmn|category|Atrocious Pokémon}} before it can move away. Gyarados tries to use Bite, but Pikachu dodges the large jaws before finding himself trapped in a corner. Gyarados attempts to finish Pikachu off with a Hydro Pump, but Ash has Pikachu use Agility to race up the torrent to get into point-blank range of Gyarados's face, before delivering another close-range Thunderbolt, knocking Gyarados out.


Clair then releases her strongest Pokémon: Dragonair. Pikachu then uses Thunderbolt, but Dragonair dives under the water. Clair orders a Hyper Beam, which zooms out of the water and smashes into Pikachu, taking it out. Ash then sends out {{AP|Charizard}} into battle. The roof of the stadium then opens so that the two Pokémon could have a sky high battle.  
Underground, Team Rocket takes a snack break as their latest [[Team Rocket's mechas|mecha]] digs a tunnel for them instead. The mecha soon detects signs of the Dragon Fang and they surface, but instead of the Dragon Holy Land, they discover themselves near the Blackthorn Gym. They spot Charla sleeping nearby, and, after examining her, they realize that the mecha mistook her fangs for the Dragon Fang. Charla suddenly wakes up and, clearly disliking her sleep getting disturbed, proceeds to send Team Rocket blasting off again with a {{m|Flamethrower}} attack. In the process, the trio drops their bag of food, which is taken away by {{an|Wynaut|an unseen Pokémon}}.


Charizard goes in to attack Dragonair. Clair tells it to dive under the water. From under the water, Dragonair spins to create a massive twister, which bursts out of the water and smashes into Charizard. Charizard then uses {{m|Flamethrower}} on the lake drying it entirely. Dragonair is now unable to dodge by diving in the water. Clair then orders Dragonair use {{m|Iron Tail}}. Charizard dodges and grabs Dragonair. Ash then orders a {{m|Seismic Toss}}. Charizard starts to spin around the earth and is about to throw Dragonair when it uses {{m|Dragon Rage}}. Charizard is hit bad and it falls to the ground. But on Ash's encouragement Charizard gets up and flies toward Dragonair. Dragonair then tries to use another Iron Tail. Charizard grabs it again and uses Seismic Toss just as before. Dragonair once again uses Dragon Rage but Charizard uses Fire Spin while in the twister! As Charizard is holding on to Dragonair, it is unable to escape. It then uses a fiery Seismic Toss. Charizard flies from the flames, roaring with victory. Clair orders Dragonair to get up. It tries, but collapses again. Clair then pulls out the Rising Badge and hands it to Ash, who says his usual line and Pikachu jumps for joy.
In the Gym, Ash and Clair's match continues as Clair sends out her final and strongest Pokémon: {{TP|Clair|Dragonair}}. Pikachu repeatedly uses Thunderbolt, but Dragonair keeps dodging them all. Misty, Brock, and Liza wonder what Ash is up to, as Electric [[move]]s {{DL|Type|Type effectiveness|don't work well against}} {{t|Dragon}} Pokémon. However, Ash's intentions suddenly become apparent as Dragonair dives close to the ground as it dodges the attacks, giving Pikachu a chance to use Quick Attack. Dragonair once again evades the attack and knocks Pikachu out with a Hyper Beam. After picking Pikachu up, Ash sends out {{AP|Charizard}} as his final Pokémon. [[Kaburagi]] pulls a lever, opening the Gym roof so that the two Pokémon can use their flying abilities to their fullest. Charizard attacks with Flamethrower, but Dragonair dives underwater to avoid the attack before countering with Hyper Beam. Charizard uses Flamethrower again, but once again, Dragonair dives into the water. Clair has Dragonair use {{m|Dragon Rage}}, engulfing Charizard in a cyclone that smashes him down to the ground. Ash urges Charizard to stand up, and he does so, before launching another Flamethrower attack, which is yet again avoided by Dragonair diving underwater. Dragonair attacks with Hyper Beam, while Ash has Charizard use {{m|Fire Spin}} to block the attack. Misty, Brock, and Liza understand that Dragonair can use the water to its advantage, giving it an edge in the fight. Ash issues yet another command for a Flamethrower, prompting Clair to repeat the now common order for Dragonair to dive underwater. However, Ash changes his attack order into a full-power Fire Spin. Ash's intentions are finally revealed when the Fire Spin evaporates the remaining pool water, leaving Dragonair without a place to hide.


Back at the Dragon Cave, {{TRT}} enters slowly. They approach the Dragon Fang, but see {{jo|Liza}} and [[Charla]]. Charla goes in and sends them blasting off again. Liza then returns to the Gym to find that Ash has won the Rising Badge. Clair then explains that Ash should head to Mt. Silver, where he can prepare for the Johto League. Ash thanks her. He then looks at Charizard, who is by Charla. Ash walks up to it and tells it to be good for Liza. Liza is surprised, but Ash knows that is where Charizard belongs. Liza, Charla, and Charizard then take off. Ash waves goodbye to his old friend. Ash decides to stay in Blackthorn for one more day so Clair can explain about the {{pkmn|League}}.
Charizard attacks with Flamethrower, but Dragonair blocks it with {{m|Safeguard}} before striking Charizard with {{m|Iron Tail}}. Clair orders another Iron Tail attack, but this time, Charizard intercepts it and grabs Dragonair, preparing to use {{m|Seismic Toss}}. As Charizard is building up momentum, Dragonair uses Dragon Rage to disrupt Charizard, causing him to crash hard into the ground. Despite the heavy landing, Charizard is still able to stand up. After an exchange of Hyper Beam and Flamethrower, Dragonair rushes in for another Iron Tail attack, but once again, Charizard grabs Dragonair and goes for another Seismic Toss. Once again, Clair has Dragonair use Dragon Rage, but this time, Charizard adds his Fire Spin to the mix, engulfing both Pokémon in flames and turning Seismic Toss into a "Flaming Seismic Toss". The combo attack slams into the Gym floor with a devastating force. As the flames die down, Dragonair faints and Ash is declared the winner of the match. Clair [[recall]]s Dragonair and congratulates Ash on his victory before handing him the {{badge|Rising}}. Ash, ecstatic of having just won his eighth [[Badge]], performs a victory pose with Pikachu.
 
Later, Liza heads back to [[Charicific Valley]] with Charla and Charizard, and everyone waves her goodbye as she sets off into the sunset.


==Major events==
==Major events==
* [[Ash's Snorlax]] is brought from [[Professor Oak's Laboratory]] to help battle Clair.
[[File:Ash Rising Badge.png|thumb|220px|Ash holding the Rising Badge]]
* {{Ash}}'s {{p|Snorlax}} is revealed to have learned {{m|Ice Punch}}.
* {{Ash}} temporarily returns his {{AP|Snorlax}} to his [[party|team]] to help in his battle with [[Clair]].
* Ash beats [[Clair]] and earns a {{Badge|Rising}}.
* Ash's Snorlax is revealed to have learned {{m|Ice Punch}}.
* Ash beats Clair in a [[rematch]] and earns the {{badge|Rising}}, qualifying him for the [[Johto League]].
* [[Ash's Charizard]] returns to the [[Charicific Valley]].
* [[Ash's Charizard]] returns to the [[Charicific Valley]].
{{animeevents}}
{{animeevents}}
===Debuts===
===Debuts===
====Pokémon debuts====


==Characters==
==Characters==
===Humans===
===Humans===
[[File:PMTV EP254.png|thumb|200px|right|{{tt|Pocket Monster TV|Who's That Pokémon}}]]
* {{Ash}}
* {{Ash}}
* {{an|Misty}}
* {{an|Misty}}
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* [[James]]
* [[James]]
* [[Clair]]
* [[Clair]]
* {{jo|Liza}}
* [[Kaburagi]]
* [[Kaburagi]]
* {{jo|Liza}}


===Pokémon===
===Pokémon===
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* {{p|Charizard}} ({{OP|Ash|Charizard}})
* {{p|Charizard}} ({{OP|Ash|Charizard}})
* {{p|Snorlax}} ({{OP|Ash|Snorlax}})
* {{p|Snorlax}} ({{OP|Ash|Snorlax}})
* {{p|Dragonair}} ({{OP|Clair|Dragonair}})
* {{p|Kingdra}} ([[Clair]]'s)
* {{p|Kingdra}} ([[Clair]]'s)
* {{p|Gyarados}} ([[Clair]]'s)
* {{p|Gyarados}} ([[Clair]]'s)
* {{p|Dragonair}} ({{OP|Clair|Dragonair}})
* {{p|Charizard}} ({{jo|Liza}}'s; [[Charla]])
* {{p|Charizard}} ([[Liza]]'s, [[Charla]])
* {{p|Wynaut}} ({{an|Wynaut|anime}})
* {{p|Wynaut}} ({{DL|Recurring wild Pokémon in the anime|Wynaut|anime}})
* {{p|Dragonite}} ({{DL|Clair|Dragonite|anime}})


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
* The English title of this episode is taken from the saying ''"Better late than never"''.
* The English [[dub]] title of this episode is taken from the saying "Better late than never".
* This is the only time so far that Ash has ever brought a Pokémon back from {{an|Professor Oak}}'s for a Gym battle.
* This is the only time that {{Ash}} has ever brought a Pokémon back from [[Professor Oak's Laboratory]] for a [[Gym]] {{pkmn|battle}}.
* This is Ash's only [[Johto]] Gym battle where he doesn't use any Pokémon he {{pkmn2|caught}} in Johto.
* Parts of this episode were reanimated and used for flashback material for ''[[BW116|The Fires of a Red-Hot Reunion]]''.
* The original [[Aim to Be a Pokémon Master]] version plays during the battle between {{TP|Clair|Dragonair}} and {{AP|Charizard}} in the original Japanese version.


===Errors===
===Errors===
[[File:EP254 error.png|thumb|right|200px|Dragonair's missing horn]]
[[File:EP254 error.png|thumb|200px|Dragonair's missing horn]]
* In the end, when Clair says good-bye to Liza, she mispronounces her name as ''"Laiza"''.
* In the end, when [[Clair]] says good-bye to {{jo|Liza}}, she mispronounces her name as "Laiza".
* Brock states that Gyarados is a dual {{2t|Water|Flying}} type, and Misty replies that Pikachu should "still" have an advantage over Gyarados because of its {{t|Electric}}ity; this implies that Electric attacks are powerful against Water Pokémon but weak against Flying Pokémon. In reality, Electric attacks are strong against both, giving Pikachu a double advantage.
* {{an|Brock}} states that {{p|Gyarados}} is a dual {{2t|Water|Flying}} type, and {{an|Misty}} replies that Pikachu should "still" have an advantage over Gyarados because of his {{t|Electric}}ity; this implies that Electric-type attacks are super effective against Water-type Pokémon but weak against Flying-type Pokémon. In reality, Electric attacks are strong against both, giving Pikachu a double advantage.
* After Brock says that Ash must have "something up his sleeve" (during Snorlax's trouble battling Kingdra), Misty adds, "I hope so, before Snorlax's sake." She should have said "I hope so, ''for'' Snorlax's sake."
* Dragonair's horn is missing when it [[Fainting|faints]].
* Dragonair's horn is missing when it faints from battle.
* After {{AP|Snorlax}} uses {{m|Ice Punch}}, Brock states how {{t|Dragon}} Pokémon have trouble against Ice-type attacks. While this is true, Kingdra is part Water type and only takes normal [[damage]] from Ice moves.
* After Snorlax uses Ice Punch, Brock states how Dragon Pokémon have trouble against Ice-type attacks, but because Kingdra is part Water-type it would affect it normally. The reverse happened in a previous episode when Pikachu used its Electric-type attacks against Kingdra.
* In one scene, {{TP|Misty|Togepi}}'s right arm is colored the same as its body.
* In one scene, Togepi's right arm is colored the same as its body.
* When Snorlax jumps out of the water, its feet are the same color as its body.
* When Ash sends out Charizard, the original generic animation of him throwing a {{i|Poké Ball}} is shown, a throwback to the [[S01|first season]]. Because of this, [[Ash's hat]] is on backwards during this shot when it shouldn't be.
* When Ash tells Charizard to use {{m|Fire Spin}} while using {{m|Seismic Toss}}, Charizard rotates its head a full 360 degrees.


===Dub edits===
===Dub edits===
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==In other languages==
==In other languages==
{{Epilang|color=DDDDDD|bordercolor=FFCB49
{{Epilang|color=DDDDDD|bordercolor=FFCB49
|bg={{tt|По-добре осем, отколкото никога|Better eight than never}}
|zh_cmn={{tt|煙墨道館最後的徽章|Blackthorn Gym, The Final Badge}}
|zh_cmn={{tt|煙墨道館最後的徽章|Blackthorn Gym, The Final Badge}}
|de={{tt|Orden Nummer 8!|Badge number 8!}}
|de={{tt|Orden Nummer 8!|Badge number 8!}}
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|es_la={{tt|¡Octava y última!|Eighth and last!}}
|es_la={{tt|¡Octava y última!|Eighth and last!}}
|es_eu={{tt|Más vale ocho que nunca|Better eight than ever}}
|es_eu={{tt|Más vale ocho que nunca|Better eight than ever}}
|pl={{tt|Lepiej osiem niż nic|Better eight that nothing}}
|pl={{tt|Lepiej osiem niż nic|Better eight than nothing}}
|hi=मेरा आठवा और आखरी बॅड्ज! {{tt|''Mera Atwa aur Aakhri Badge!''|My Eighth and Final Badge}} {{tt|*|Hungama dub}}
}}
}}


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prevtitle=Great Bowls of Fire! |
prevtitle=Great Bowls of Fire! |
nextcode=EP255 |
nextcode=EP255 |
nexttitle=Why? Why Not! |
nexttitle=Why? Wynaut! |
series=Original series |
series=Original series |
episodelist=List of original series episodes |
episodelist=List of original series episodes |
colorscheme=Johto }}
colorscheme=Johto }}
{{Project Anime notice}}
{{Project Anime notice}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:0254}}
[[Category:Original series episodes|254]]
[[Category:Original series episodes|254]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Shōji Yonemura|254]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Shōji Yonemura]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Yoshitaka Fujimoto|254]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Yoshitaka Fujimoto]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Shigeru Ōmachi|254]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Shigeru Ōmachi]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Yūsaku Takeda|254]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Yūsaku Takeda]]
[[Category:Episodes in which Ash gets a badge|254]]
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Ash]]
[[Category:Episodes with gym battles|254]]
[[Category:Episodes in which Ash gets a Badge]]
 
[[Category:Episodes with Gym battles]]
 
[[pt:EP254]]


[[de:Orden Nummer 8! (Episode)]]
[[de:Orden Nummer 8!]]
[[fr:Épisode 254]]
[[es:EP256]]
[[fr:EP254]]
[[it:EP254]]
[[ja:無印編第254話]]
[[ja:無印編第254話]]
[[pl:EP254]]
[[zh:宝可梦 第255集]]

Latest revision as of 12:09, 3 April 2024

← EP253 : Great Bowls of Fire!
Original series
EP255 : Why? Wynaut! →
Better Eight Than Never
EP254.png
  EP254  
フスベジム！さいごのバッジ！！
Fusube Gym! The Final Badge!!
First broadcast
Japan June 27, 2002
United States June 21, 2003
English themes
Opening Believe in Me
Ending
Japanese themes
Opening Ready Go!
Ending ポケッターリ・モンスターリ
Credits
Animation Team Ota
Screenplay 米村正二 Shōji Yonemura
Storyboard 藤本義孝 Yoshitaka Fujimoto
Assistant director 大町繁 Shigeru Ōmachi
Animation director たけだゆうさく Yūsaku Takeda
No additional credits are available at this time.

Better Eight Than Never (Japanese: フスベジム！さいごのバッジ！！ Fusube Gym! The Final Badge!!) is the 254th episode of the Pokémon anime. It was first broadcast in Japan on June 27, 2002, and in the United States on June 21, 2003.

201
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201

Blurb

Having finally seen stability restored to the Blackthorn Gym, Ash and Clair face off in a gym battle. Ash opens with a surprise entry, his Snorlax, and defeats Clair's Kingdra to take victory in the first round. Clair quickly comes back, wearing Snorlax down with her Gyarados. Ash sends in Pikachu, hoping its advantage as an Electric Pokémon will be enough to defeat Clair's Water Pokémon. It isn't until he puts Pikachu's speed to use, however, that he emerges victorious. At two to one, Ash is only one win away from earning his final badge, but this last round—against Clair's Dragonair—promises to be the hardest one yet.

Plot

Ash and Clair are standing inside the Blackthorn Gym, preparing to start their rematch, which will be a three-on-three battle. Clair chooses her Kingdra, while Ash leads off with Snorlax, surprising Clair. Ash explains that he visited the Pokémon Center the day before and changed his Pokémon around. Ash starts the match with Snorlax's Hyper Beam, though Kingdra dodges the attack with Agility. Kingdra tries to hit Snorlax but just bounces off of its bulky body. Clair has Kingdra follow up with Swift, but the attack once again harmlessly bounces off of Snorlax. Ash tries to use Snorlax's Body Slam, but Kingdra dodges it with Agility. Kingdra hits Snorlax again, but Snorlax is unaffected. Clair notes that her attacks aren't working against Snorlax's big body, and has Kingdra use Hydro Pump. Ash tells Snorlax to dodge the attack, but it is unable to and is hit. Clair orders a Hyper Beam, which Snorlax narrowly avoids by diving into the battlefield’s pool. Ash congratulates Snorlax on its quick thinking before ordering a Body Slam. The attack lands, causing both Pokémon to sink underwater. However, Snorlax begins to weigh less, allowing Kingdra to float back to the surface unharmed. Clair tells Kingdra to use Hydro Pump once Snorlax comes up for air. This worries Misty and Brock, but Ash tells Snorlax to jump out of the water. As Snorlax leaps into the air and Kingdra fires a Hydro Pump, Ash orders Snorlax to lean back, and it manages to successfully dodge the attack without sustaining any damage. Clair orders Kingdra to use Swift, but Ash tells Snorlax to just take it. Clair orders another Hydro Pump, but it only douses Snorlax's face. Kingdra is starting to look tired, and Brock realizes that Ash's plan must be to just wear Kingdra out, as Snorlax has a lot of endurance. Clair orders another Hyper Beam, but Snorlax dodges it once again by going underwater. With Kingdra's stamina starting to run low, Snorlax uses Ice Punch, which knocks Kingdra out of the match. After feeding Charla, Liza joins Brock and Misty on the sidelines to watch the unfolding match. Misty quickly pulls Brock aside as he begins to flirt, before filling Liza in on the current situation of the match.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket is trying to dig a tunnel to reach the Dragon Holy Land and steal the Dragon Fang. Jessie and James are beginning to question when they will reach their target. Meowth glances at his map and orders his teammates to strike the section above them. However, water begins to pour in and Meowth quickly realizes that they have been digging directly under a lake. The lake water starts flooding into the tunnel, washing Team Rocket away.

Back at the Gym, Clair sends out Gyarados as her second Pokémon. Clair orders Gyarados to use Hydro Pump, while Snorlax uses Hyper Beam. However, Snorlax is starting to tire out, causing Gyarados's Hydro Pump to overpower its Hyper Beam. Gyarados uses Dragon Breath, and as Snorlax is still in the middle of recharging, it is unable to counter the attack. As such, the Dragon Breath lands a direct hit on Snorlax, paralyzing it and preventing it from moving. After taking a Hyper Beam, Snorlax finally faints. Ash decides to use Pikachu next in the hopes that its Electric typing will overcome Gyarados. Clair has Gyarados use Hyper Beam, but Pikachu avoids the attack before slamming into Gyarados with Quick Attack. Clair is momentarily surprised by Pikachu's speed but quickly orders Gyarados to use Bite. Pikachu avoids the attack before retaliating with a Thunderbolt. However, Gyarados uses Dragon Breath to form a barrier that blocks the incoming attack. Gyarados follows up with a Hydro Pump, which Pikachu tries to dodge, but gets grazed by it and is knocked down to the ground. In a surprising maneuver, Gyarados leaps out of the water and starts squeezing Pikachu in a tight wrap. This, however, allows Pikachu to land a close-range Thunderbolt on Gyarados, dealing notable damage on the Atrocious Pokémon before it can move away. Gyarados tries to use Bite, but Pikachu dodges the large jaws before finding himself trapped in a corner. Gyarados attempts to finish Pikachu off with a Hydro Pump, but Ash has Pikachu use Agility to race up the torrent to get into point-blank range of Gyarados's face, before delivering another close-range Thunderbolt, knocking Gyarados out.

Underground, Team Rocket takes a snack break as their latest mecha digs a tunnel for them instead. The mecha soon detects signs of the Dragon Fang and they surface, but instead of the Dragon Holy Land, they discover themselves near the Blackthorn Gym. They spot Charla sleeping nearby, and, after examining her, they realize that the mecha mistook her fangs for the Dragon Fang. Charla suddenly wakes up and, clearly disliking her sleep getting disturbed, proceeds to send Team Rocket blasting off again with a Flamethrower attack. In the process, the trio drops their bag of food, which is taken away by an unseen Pokémon.

In the Gym, Ash and Clair's match continues as Clair sends out her final and strongest Pokémon: Dragonair. Pikachu repeatedly uses Thunderbolt, but Dragonair keeps dodging them all. Misty, Brock, and Liza wonder what Ash is up to, as Electric moves don't work well against Dragon Pokémon. However, Ash's intentions suddenly become apparent as Dragonair dives close to the ground as it dodges the attacks, giving Pikachu a chance to use Quick Attack. Dragonair once again evades the attack and knocks Pikachu out with a Hyper Beam. After picking Pikachu up, Ash sends out Charizard as his final Pokémon. Kaburagi pulls a lever, opening the Gym roof so that the two Pokémon can use their flying abilities to their fullest. Charizard attacks with Flamethrower, but Dragonair dives underwater to avoid the attack before countering with Hyper Beam. Charizard uses Flamethrower again, but once again, Dragonair dives into the water. Clair has Dragonair use Dragon Rage, engulfing Charizard in a cyclone that smashes him down to the ground. Ash urges Charizard to stand up, and he does so, before launching another Flamethrower attack, which is yet again avoided by Dragonair diving underwater. Dragonair attacks with Hyper Beam, while Ash has Charizard use Fire Spin to block the attack. Misty, Brock, and Liza understand that Dragonair can use the water to its advantage, giving it an edge in the fight. Ash issues yet another command for a Flamethrower, prompting Clair to repeat the now common order for Dragonair to dive underwater. However, Ash changes his attack order into a full-power Fire Spin. Ash's intentions are finally revealed when the Fire Spin evaporates the remaining pool water, leaving Dragonair without a place to hide.

Charizard attacks with Flamethrower, but Dragonair blocks it with Safeguard before striking Charizard with Iron Tail. Clair orders another Iron Tail attack, but this time, Charizard intercepts it and grabs Dragonair, preparing to use Seismic Toss. As Charizard is building up momentum, Dragonair uses Dragon Rage to disrupt Charizard, causing him to crash hard into the ground. Despite the heavy landing, Charizard is still able to stand up. After an exchange of Hyper Beam and Flamethrower, Dragonair rushes in for another Iron Tail attack, but once again, Charizard grabs Dragonair and goes for another Seismic Toss. Once again, Clair has Dragonair use Dragon Rage, but this time, Charizard adds his Fire Spin to the mix, engulfing both Pokémon in flames and turning Seismic Toss into a "Flaming Seismic Toss". The combo attack slams into the Gym floor with a devastating force. As the flames die down, Dragonair faints and Ash is declared the winner of the match. Clair recalls Dragonair and congratulates Ash on his victory before handing him the Rising Badge. Ash, ecstatic of having just won his eighth Badge, performs a victory pose with Pikachu.

Later, Liza heads back to Charicific Valley with Charla and Charizard, and everyone waves her goodbye as she sets off into the sunset.

Major events

Ash holding the Rising Badge
For a list of all major events in the anime, please see the history page.

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

Characters

Humans

Pocket Monster TV

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Muk (US and international), Charizard (Japan)

Trivia

Errors

Dragonair's missing horn
  • In the end, when Clair says good-bye to Liza, she mispronounces her name as "Laiza".
  • Brock states that Gyarados is a dual Water/Flying type, and Misty replies that Pikachu should "still" have an advantage over Gyarados because of his Electricity; this implies that Electric-type attacks are super effective against Water-type Pokémon but weak against Flying-type Pokémon. In reality, Electric attacks are strong against both, giving Pikachu a double advantage.
  • Dragonair's horn is missing when it faints.
  • After Snorlax uses Ice Punch, Brock states how Dragon Pokémon have trouble against Ice-type attacks. While this is true, Kingdra is part Water type and only takes normal damage from Ice moves.
  • In one scene, Togepi's right arm is colored the same as its body.
  • When Snorlax jumps out of the water, its feet are the same color as its body.
  • When Ash sends out Charizard, the original generic animation of him throwing a Poké Ball is shown, a throwback to the first season. Because of this, Ash's hat is on backwards during this shot when it shouldn't be.
  • When Ash tells Charizard to use Fire Spin while using Seismic Toss, Charizard rotates its head a full 360 degrees.

Dub edits

In other languages



← EP253 : Great Bowls of Fire!
Original series
EP255 : Why? Wynaut! →
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