: Ash, Misty, and Brock return to Viridian City after a full year of traveling. Ash is eager to win the Earth Badge, the final requirement for his entrance into the Pokémon League.
: After Team Rocket refuses to hand over the badge, Togepi accidentally triggers an explosion that sends them flying. Jessie drops the Earth Badge as they blast off, and Ash recovers it just before the gym building collapses. Key Trivia 63 : The Battle of the Badge
: Before Ash can challenge the gym, his rival Gary Oak enters and faces the Gym Leader, Giovanni. Despite Gary's skill, Giovanni unveils a powerful, never-before-seen armored Pokémon—Mewtwo—who effortlessly defeats Gary's Arcanine and Nidoking. : Ash, Misty, and Brock return to Viridian
: An emergency forces Giovanni to leave the gym, and he leaves Jessie, James, and Meowth in charge as substitute Gym Leaders. They use Giovanni's Pokémon—including Rhydon, Kingler, and Machamp—to battle Ash. Jessie drops the Earth Badge as they blast
: This is the first time Giovanni's face is shown fully without being hidden in shadows. Pokemon Episode 63 Analysis: The Battle for the Badge
: The episode title is a play on the real-world "Battle of the Bulge" from World War II.