This article is about an episode of the Pokémon animated series that has not been dubbed into English. As such, its coverage may contain romanized Japanese names, rather than dub names.
Rocking the Virbank Gym! (Part 1) (Japanese: 激闘タチワキジム！VSホミカ(前編）Fierce Fighting at Tachiwaki Gym! VS Homika!! (Part 1)) is the 83rd episode of the Best Wishes series, and the 740th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on June 14, 2012.
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
In order to get his eighth Badge required for entering the Unova League, Ash finally passes through the gates of the Virbank Gym. The Gym Leader is Homika, the vocalist in the super punk band "The Koffing", and the Gym doubles as both a live venue and a battlefield. The screams of an audience that love both battles and live concerts fills the air, and Ash livens up the hall with a Thunderbolt from Pikachu.
Brimming with confidence, Homika makes the outrageous suggestion that Ash will battle with six Pokémon, while she will only use three. Homika goes with the 'Poison Gas Pokémon' Koffing, saying she got it in Kanto. Ash sends out Unfezant to counter Koffing's speed, but it ends up poisoned from a Sludge Bomb. Following that, Homika continues her merciless Poison-type attacks. Ash is about to give up, but then...
This method is similar to the way Gym Battles work in the games, where the player is allowed to use any of their six possible Pokémon, while the number of Gym Leader's Pokémon is more limited.
