Also, I think people put way too much weight on the final battle with Gary. Seriously? This rivalry was all balderdash. The only time we really saw what Gary was capable of was at the end of Orange. Despite all his boasting and 10 badges and all, he flipping didn't even get as far as Ash did in Kanto. It was all nothing but hype. I will not deny that you want to see the two clash. That is how all of these things are expected to end. I think that is the point that people really like about this. It was an end. It was the first time anything had ever been resolved in the anime. That point couldn't be made more evident in that the rivalry ended with that, and it stayed that way. Many could've left the show, satisfied just with that. If that is all you wanted, then I can perhaps understand. I will also not deny that defeating his first rival is quite an accomplishment. This rivalry, though, was small potatoes compared to what is possible, and what would come later. The only other matter that it's placed so high is that it's the only one people remember. The fandom was already dying by the end of Johto. For many, it was literally the last thing they saw before quitting this thing altogether. (if they made it that far, Johto was so irritating that a lot didn't make it) My experience has taught me that nothing is quite as you remember it, though. You were younger, a different person. Your views have changed, or at least I hope they have. I do not believe that it would be as incredible if you saw it again. However, given the perspective, I will make it the best battle that all of the original series had to offer simply because of the significance it possesses. Truly, though, it is little better than any other major battle in this series, and is hardly the grudge match you would expect. For those that have seen the anime past that, though, we have seen far more interesting battles than that one.
