The Ties That Bind! (271)

[Firekit]

I agree it was a good episode.

[Hibachi]

I was honestly surprised that Ash and Gary are going to have to battle. Although, I know that it will be an amazing match. Gary's pokemon are very powerful and I am pretty sure all of them are fully evolved. I thought that Ash made a pretty good choice using Tauros, but Gary's Nidoqueen was much too powerful. Then again, I was extremely surprised to see Heracross defeat Magmar, even though it looked as if it was on the verge of defeat. Now Gary made a risky move by sending out Blastoise this early. Obviously it is his strongest pokemon. I only hope Heracross has enough strength left to beat it.

I thought that the flashback to when Ash and Gary were fighting over the pokeball the caught with their fishing poles was funny. It just comes to show that they have always competed against each other about everything. It didn't surprise me that Harrison won his match. I also liked Professor Oak's references to how Ash's Tauros and Heracross are strong because of spending time at the lab.

[BogleDominic Crazy Anime]

I've heard an error that the referee called machamp machoke! :P
Herracross is great!

[Ash-kid]

Poor Taurus, it lost so quickly.

Heracross was amazing!

8/10

[KGB13]

This is one of my favorite episodes, mainly because I finally got to see Ash and Gary battle and I finally got to see Gary's starter, Blastoise. This battle was really great and Gary has some awesome pokemon. I also like the fact that they provided some back story to Ash and Gary's relationship, it helped me to understand their rivalry a little more. Overall this episode was a 10/10.

[popcorn dragon]

^

Yes, the flashback was great, but they were fighting over a friggin broken pokeball IIRC.

[Ciccone]

This one was great episode I tell you what. We had Ash preparing for his League battle with Gary by actually research using books and the computer, with a little of Brocks help. I loved that flashback to the time where Ash and Gary fought over that old Pokeball they found while fishing in Pallet Town since it was cute and funny all at once. As for the battle between Ash and Gary; it was impressive for just the start. Gary's Nidoqueen was no surprise since we knew he had a Nidoking; it's counterpart was an obvious choice. Sadly, Ash's Tauros couldn't handle it. Magmar versus Heracross was sort of odd as the Bug-type won. The best part; Gary revealing his Starter Pokemon (Squitle, now a Blastoise) at the end of the episode! I liked this. 8/10.

[G50]

This espisode was great! Magmar vs Heracross was the best battle of this episode. It was cool to see Heracross win with a powerful Megahorn attack. The fishing flashback scene was very cool. I'm surprised they actually kept the half-Pokeball from it. It was cool to see Snorlax defeat Nidoqueen with an Ice Punch attack. I didn't like that Tauros was defeated by 1 Nidoqueen Hyper Beam attack.

96/100

[AquaMilotic]

Great episode. Flashbacks and a cool battle start, seeing Heracross beating Magmar was so exciting when I saw this battle for the first time (even though I was cheering for Gary). One of the best Pokemon anime battles ever started in this episode!

[7threst]

Probably Ash's most important battle ever. His first and longest rival he ever got and facing him was probably one of the most severe challenges Ash ever had to face. I loved the background between Ash and Gary and that gave the rivalry itself a nice prequel. I'm also happy with Team Rocket being so absent with Ash's part and doing their own thing with the scamming badges stuff. It was nice to see Ash, Misty and Brock discussing strategies for the upcoming battles and poor Ash with his computer skills xD. Charizard back=FTW

Then the epic battle started between Ash and Gary. Nidoqueen versus Tauros was interesting. But Nidoqueen really dominated with that Hyper Beam. Changing Nidoqueen for Magmar in order to have a type-advantage on Heracross was smart of Gary. What I don't understand is how a bug-type Pokémon can come victorious after it got hit by the most powerful fire attack "Fire Blast" according to what the anime occasionally said. Oh well, writers.

[Demon Kitsune Yoko Kurama]

Whoa. Nidoqueen is really tough. I liked how the anime showed off Gary's. But, Heracross was awesome in here. Ash vs Gary was sure going to be great. I did like that flashback that was shown when Ash and Gary were running really fast to make one or the either let go of the Poke Ball.

[Angel~]

Excellent episode, the flashback where Ash & Gary were fishing must be the same one where Misty was also fishing (EP 1) because that lake is known for catching Water types. Nice to know that Misty wants to know more about new Water Pokemon (Hoenn) The start of the Ash VS Gary battle was really good. Nidoqueen was very strong, but nice to see Heracross defeat an advantage where it is normally weak against. Lastly, cool seeing Politoed cheering for Ash.