Already at the first special. Oof!
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Funimation (North America)
AnimeLab (Australia and New Zealand)
This week we're covering:
[spoiler]迫る超決戦！ギニュー特戦隊ただ今参上！！
Semaru Chō-Kessen! Ginyū Tokusentai Tadaima Sanjō!!
The Great Battle Approaches! The Ginyu Special-Squad Takes the Stage!!
Goku’s training is finished! Having acquired strength that surpasses the limits of the Saiyan, Goku rests in preparation for the decisive battle. Kuririn and Gohan finally arrive at the Eldest’s house, but are overtaken by Vegeta right in front of it! Gohan receives a power-up from the Eldest, but he’s still no match for Vegeta… At that moment, five large ki draw near. In order to fight the Ginyu Special-Squad, Vegeta temporarily joins forces with Gohan and the others.
悟空が大接近！フリーザ包囲網をぶち破れ
Gokū ga Daisekkin! Furīza Hōimō o Buchiyabure
Goku on Final Approach! Smash through Freeza’s Dragnet
The only way to defeat the Ginyu Special-Squad is to use the Dragon Balls to make Vegeta immortal! Gohan and Kuririn cooperate with Vegeta and assemble the Dragon Balls. But as Kuririn hesitates for a moment, the Ginyu Special-Squad appears, and steals the Dragon Balls in the blink of an eye. Ginyu delivers the Dragon Balls to Freeza, and the remaining four end up fighting Vegeta and the others. The results of their Janken is that Gurd will fight with Gohan and Kuririn, while Recoom will fight Vegeta!
超魔術かトリックか！？Ｍｒ．グルドが怒ったぞ！
Chō-Majutsu ka Torikku ka!? Misutā Gurudo ga Okotta!
Is This Some Super-Magic or Just a Trick?! Mr. Gurd is Angry!
The battle between Gohan, Kuririn, and Gurd begins. Though Gurd’s battle power isn’t much, he has the psychic power to stop time! However, Gohan and Kuririn’s speed far surpass his imagination. Cornered, Gurd uses a paralyzing technique to seal up the pair’s movement. Gurd tries to skewer them, but at that moment, Vegeta severs Gurd’s head with a single blow!
たったひとりの最終決戦 〜フリーザに挑んだZ戦士 孫悟空 (カカロット) の父〜
Tatta Hitori no Saishū Kessen ~Furīza ni Idonda Zetto-senshi Kakarotto no Chichi~
A Final, Solitary Battle: The Father of Z-Warrior Kakarrot, Who Challenged Freeza
On Planet Vegeta, a Saiyan named Kakarrot is born. Meanwhile, Kakarrot’s father Bardock is busy conquering Planet Kanassa together with his team of fellow Saiyans. Though they succeed in wiping out almost all of the planet’s inhabitants, Bardock is attacked by a single survivor, Tohro. To avenge his race, Tohro curses Bardock with the ability to see the future, so that he may be plagued by visions of the Saiyans’ own forthcoming annihilation. While Bardock stays on Planet Vegeta to recover from this attack, his team goes on to Planet Meat, their next target. Bardock finally makes a full recovery, and goes to see his newborn son. Disgusted by his son’s low battle power, Bardock judges him to be nothing more than scum. And with that, he heads off to Planet Meat to join his comrades.
When Bardock arrives on Meat, however, he discovers that Freeza has turned on the Saiyans, and that his team has been wiped out by Dodoria. To avenge his comrades, Bardock kills Dodoria’s men, but is easily beaten by Dodoria himself. Left for dead, Bardock recovers and heads to Planet Vegeta to warn the other Saiyans of Freeza’s betrayal. Just as Bardock nears the planet, Kakarrot is dispatched to a distant world called “Earth”, and the pair’s spaceships’ briefly cross paths. Arriving on Planet Vegeta, Bardock is laughed at and disbelieved by everyone he meets, and he soon realizes that he has no choice but to confront Freeza all by himself. Freeza’s spaceship approaches Planet Vegeta, and Bardock flies out to meet it, defeating many of Freeza’s men along the way. Freeza emerges from his ship, and fires a gigantic energy ball at Planet Vegeta, which Bardock is powerless to repel. Planet Vegeta is completely destroyed by this attack, along with Bardock and Freeza’s petty henchmen, while Freeza himself laughs with delight.
Meanwhile, Kakarrot’s spaceship has landed on Earth. Baby Kakarrot is soon found by an old man named Son Gohan, who adopts him and gives him the name “Son Goku”. And so, the story of Dragon Ball begins…
ブルマが危ない！！四星球はフリーザの手に
Mōi Rikuumu! Warukute Tsuyokute Tondemonai Yatsu
The Savage Recoom! The Bad, Strong, and Outrageous Guy
Going all out at full power, Vegeta preemptively attacks Recoom! Recoom takes hardly any damage from even an attack of 20,000… Instead, Vegeta is worn ragged by Recoom’s attacks. As Recoom tries to finish Vegeta off with his special attack, the Eraser Gun, Gohan and Kuririn attack him and save Vegeta. But Recoom’s single blow KO’s Kuririn. Gohan faces Recoom on his own, but…
死ぬな悟飯！悟空・ついに決戦場に到着だ
Shinu na Gohan! Gokū · Tsui ni Kessenjō ni Tōchaku da
Don’t Die, Gohan! Goku Finally Touches Down on the Battlefield
Freeza has assembled the Dragon Balls, but he doesn’t know the method of getting his wish granted. In order to learn this method, Freeza heads for the Eldest’s house. Gohan battles Recoom, but Recoom easily blocks his attacks! Even his full power Masenkō merely scorches Recoom’s hand. He attacks Gohan as if enjoying himself. His kick blows Gohan away. His neck is broken, and he’s already at death’s door… At that moment, Goku finally arrives on Planet Namek!![/spoiler]
Suggested Format & Weekly Questions
Language: For the sake of context, let us know which language you're watching the series in (and what score, if required).
General Thoughts: Your thoughts on the episode, possibly linked to the suggested questions if need be. Cover the plot, the tone, the character interactions, and characterisation.
Entertainment Factor: How was the pacing? Did the episode keep you entertained throughout, or what could have been done better?
Animation: Did you like the action sequences, or the way characters emoted? Did things move in a satisfying way, or was it mostly style over substance?
Questions: Not necessary, but if you're curious about opinions on a specific point that hasn't been touched on, go ahead and ask! It's a nice way to spur the topic onward.
- How well does the Bardock special mesh with the content from the manga, and in particular, how do you feel about the time in which it was broadcast? Does its placement here make sense?
- This arc has introduced the idea of near-death power-ups, alongside the Grand Elder's ability to unlock latent power. How do you feel about these concepts and their impact down the line?
I'll pick one member to represent them, then. Butta's my personal favorite, but I won't let bias stand in my way - Recoom is clearly the one who stole the show this week. Honorable mention to Gohan for putting up the best fight he could against the dude.
