Does anyone else prefer the way that Kai handled Gohan’s SSJ2 transformation?

[WittyUsername]

I posted this over on the unpopular opinions thread, but given the renewed popularity of Gohan going SSJ2 for the first time (thanks in no small part to a certain parody series), I figured I might as well make a separate thread in the subject.

Now obviously, Gohan going SSJ2 was a very big moment for the series, and there’s no doubt that a big reason why the scene resonated with so many people was because of the use of the song Spirit vs. Spirit in the Japanese version. For me personally, though, while it’s a nice song, I kind of prefer the (Kikuchi) music that was used in Kai for the scene (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9to4tbQ11LU). For as much flack as the use of the Kikuchi soundtrack in Kai receives, I actually think that it works for this particular scene. The music sounds a lot more ominous than what was used in the original version, which I think fits the moment pretty well.

What does everyone else think?

[JohnnyCashKami]

The Kikuchi BGM used on the Gohan SSJ2 scene was used a lot of times and that ruined the special moment, that's the one time they should have played a unique song. Or at least one that wasn't overused.

I love the Z music but TOEI really fucked it up on Kai.

[Danfun64]

Say what you want about Team Faulconer, but one advantage their score had over the Kikuchi Z and Yamamoto Kai scores (and Kikuchi Kai of course) was that AFAIK it composed a theme specifically for Goku's first SSJ transformation.

[OhHiRenan]

I like Yamamoto’s score for the scene quite a lot, but it doesn’t top the original anime’s music. Kikuchi Kai’s music for the transformation just didn’t land at all.

[JohnnyCashKami]

I like Yamamoto’s score for the scene quite a lot, but it doesn’t top the original anime’s music. Kikuchi Kai’s music for the transformation just didn’t land at all.

The only Kai episodes that had a somewhat decent Z BGM placement were the final few Kai episodes, the rest was pretty much random without any care or thought to it. Shame on TOEI for rushing it so badly.

[MozillaVulpix]

I really like the unique Yamamoto track that played in the original broadcast. It managed to hit that sweet spot between inspiring and terrifying. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv9eDNZJEZU

Sadly, we'll never see it again.

[IAmTheMilkMan]

Say what you want about Team Faulconer, but one advantage their score had over the Kikuchi Z and Yamamoto Kai scores (and Kikuchi Kai of course) was that AFAIK it composed a theme specifically for Goku's first SSJ transformation.

The Kikuchi Z and Yamamoto Kai scores also had themes composed specifically for that scene that were never played at any other point in the series, before or after. Here is Kikuchi Z's, and here is Yamamoto Kai's.

[Danfun64]

Say what you want about Team Faulconer, but one advantage their score had over the Kikuchi Z and Yamamoto Kai scores (and Kikuchi Kai of course) was that AFAIK it composed a theme specifically for Goku's first SSJ transformation.

The Kikuchi Z and Yamamoto Kai scores also had themes composed specifically for that scene.

They had unique tracks for the Gohan SSJ2 transformation, yes. However, the tunes used for Goku's SSJ transformation were used several times in the series before, with the Kikuchi track being from the first movie. Inversely, I don't think Gohan's SSJ2 track in Faulconer was unique, but since I've never seen the DBZ dub in its entirety, I'm not sure about that.

[Big Boss]

Say what you want about Team Faulconer, but one advantage their score had over the Kikuchi Z and Yamamoto Kai scores (and Kikuchi Kai of course) was that AFAIK it composed a theme specifically for Goku's first SSJ transformation.

The Kikuchi Z and Yamamoto Kai scores also had themes composed specifically for that scene that were never played at any other point in the series, before or after. Here is Kikuchi Z's, and here is Yamamoto Kai's.

I think you mean Yamamoto's Z and Yamamoto's Kai, considering he did Unmei no Hi.

Say what you want about Team Faulconer, but one advantage their score had over the Kikuchi Z and Yamamoto Kai scores (and Kikuchi Kai of course) was that AFAIK it composed a theme specifically for Goku's first SSJ transformation.

The Kikuchi Z and Yamamoto Kai scores also had themes composed specifically for that scene.

They had unique tracks for the Gohan SSJ2 transformation, yes. However, the tunes used for Goku's SSJ transformation were used several times in the series before, with the Kikuchi track being from the first movie. Inversely, I don't think Gohan's SSJ2 track in Faulconer was unique, but since I've never seen the DBZ dub in its entirety, I'm not sure about that.

It was used a few times in the Buu arc when Gohan was training with the Z Sword and the "Fight you? No I wanna kill you" scene, though it was composed specifically for SSj2 Gohan.

[Fionordequester]

They had unique tracks for the Gohan SSJ2 transformation, yes. However, the tunes used for Goku's SSJ transformation were used several times in the series before, with the Kikuchi track being from the first movie. Inversely, I don't think Gohan's SSJ2 track in Faulconer was unique, but since I've never seen the DBZ dub in its entirety, I'm not sure about that.

It wasn't unique; the music they used was the Techno part of the "Hyperbolic Time Chamber" theme. That said, it did work somewhat to it's advantage, I feel. Spirit vs. Spirit may be inspiring, but it doesn't exactly match up with the bloodthirsty sadist Gohan turns into once he transforms...

[IAmTheMilkMan]

Say what you want about Team Faulconer, but one advantage their score had over the Kikuchi Z and Yamamoto Kai scores (and Kikuchi Kai of course) was that AFAIK it composed a theme specifically for Goku's first SSJ transformation.

The Kikuchi Z and Yamamoto Kai scores also had themes composed specifically for that scene.

They had unique tracks for the Gohan SSJ2 transformation, yes. However, the tunes used for Goku's SSJ transformation were used several times in the series before, with the Kikuchi track being from the first movie. Inversely, I don't think Gohan's SSJ2 track in Faulconer was unique, but since I've never seen the DBZ dub in its entirety, I'm not sure about that.

Ohhh, my mistake. I misread what you said and thought you were referring to Gohan's SSJ2 transformation, not Goku's SSJ. My apologies.