In the Pokémon TV series, Ash uses Charizard to defeat Gary in their Johto League battle.
Ash and Gary face each other in a six-on-six match at the Silver Conference. The battle is an important turning point because Gary has been Ash’s rival since the beginning of the series. Ash’s Charizard defeats Gary’s Blastoise, giving Ash a decisive victory over his longtime competitor.
The match takes place in the episode “The Ties That Bind,” during the Johto League tournament. Charizard’s victory is especially notable because Blastoise has a type advantage over Charizard, yet Ash and Charizard overcome the disadvantage through strategy and experience.
This is not Ash’s first battle with Gary, but it is their first official Pokémon League match. Ash later loses to Harrison, while Gary ends his own tournament run after the defeat.