Ash's Charizard returns to the Charicific Valley.
This is the only time in the series that Ash has ever brought a Pokémon back from Professor Oak's Laboratory for a Gym battle.
The English title of this episode is taken from the saying "Better late than never."
Ash temporarily returns his Snorlax to his team to help in his battle with Clair. Snorlax is also revealed to have learned Ice Punch.
Ash beats Clair in a rematch and earns the Rising Badge, thereby qualifying for the Johto League.