Sootopolis City/Anime

In the, the volcano Sootopolis City is built upon opens up at one side, giving access to. After leaving Izabe Island, and  arrived in Sootopolis City in The Great Eight Fate!. Ash was planning to challenge the local Gym Leader to a in order to obtain his eighth Gym Badge, which would qualify him to compete in the Hoenn League.

Upon arriving,, Max, and saw fireworks and realized an event was being held in the city, so they ran to join the attendees. It was soon revealed that the Mayor of Sootopolis City was inaugurating a water-themed theater and that Juan, the Leader of the Sootopolis Gym, would put on a show with his  as part of the festivities. May was amazed at how beautifully Juan's Pokémon took the stage and Brock commented on how they had been well-raised. Throughout Juan's presentation, May was even more impressed and said Juan could be a great Pokémon Coordinator.

was also impressed by Juan and they decided to steal his Pokémon, but Juan managed to send them blasting off with minimum effort. After that, Ash approached Juan saying he would like to have a battle with him, and once Juan agreed, the group was taken to the Gym on a boat. While on their way to the Sootopolis Gym, the group discovered that Juan is a former winner of the Grand Festival, having received the Ribbon Cup and the title of Top Coordinator years ago. They also learned why he specializes in Water-type Pokémon.

When they got to the Gym, they were greeted by, Juan's butler and assistant, who explained to Ash the rules of the Sootopolis Gym. The Gym battle is divided into four rounds; the first is a Double Battle held in a large swimming pool with floating platforms and the other three are Single Battles conducted in a battlefield resembling a lake surrounded by land. Ash won the battle in Eight Ain't Enough!, earning the, his eighth Hoenn Badge overall, which allowed him to compete in the Ever Grande Conference. After that the group left for Pacifidlog Town, site of an upcoming Pokémon Contest which May wanted to enter in order to obtain her fifth Ribbon.