Unless you're passionately in love with metaphysics...
In which case you might say it's about as exciting as a lecture on something other than metaphysics.
Most of it is information we've seen organized in a number of similar ways all too many times. Goku's power levels, whom he fought and when, his age throughout the series, etc. No doubt the backbone of this book is Goku. Which makes it more or less like the other previously released guides.
They changed it up this time by stating which fights happen when NOT during tanks but during the kanzenbans AND the animation. There's an interesting and easy to understand chart on a single page that lists all of Goku's canon 'fights' AND with what move the match was won. I thought adding that last detail was neat.
Regarding Tenshinhan, the debate will continue to rage. He's listed HERE as an Earthling. So have at it Daiz VS PURE manga fans.
The tail end HOWEVER, IS interesting in that it includes an interview with Toriyama.
Always fun.
I'll summarize here because tonight is LOST night and I'm sure another fan will do it word for word soon enough.
Q. How'd you create Goku?
A. Toriyama says he was watching a lot of Bruce Lee & Jackie Chan KF films at the time. He was also watching Saiyuuki (he does not indicate which of its many versions Chinese OR Japanese) and thought it would be cool to combine them into one. He says the goal of Saiyuuki was to reach Tenjiku (India) which was a kinda hard concept to work with so he decided to change the ultimate goal into the DBalls. zHe notes the vast difference in where the story ended up.
Fuck me up the ass and call me a bitch. He's going to explain the blonde hair.
Q. Why does Goku get blonde hair when he turns SS?
A. Toriyama says it's really kinda simple. He only uses one assistant (very rare for a mangaka) Mr. Matsuyama. When Goku became stronger Toriyama was looking for a way to express his strength and when they talked it over, they decided that by making his hair blonde, they'd kill two birds with one stone.
1. Matsuyama could save time by not having to fill in Goku's black hair which took long to dry.
2. He would look phsyically very different.
TORIYAMA ADDS!!!!!!! It became well known that SSJ was 50x stronger than the normal Goku but this became a mountain out of a molehill. As the author, he really intended him to just be 10x stronger than he previously was.
WOW.....
3. How did you think of training for characters?
A. He didn't really think of anything too hard. He got a lot of inspiration from things like the training scenes of Drunken Master. He thinks that Roshi's training for proper greetings and study were the most difficult. He notes that he's afraid of heights and that he'd hate to have to go through the Karin Tower training.
4. How did you think up the Kame Hame Ha?
A. First he says that he actually tried a number of poses when he was alone and chose which was the coolest. As for the name, as good DB fans know, he relates the tale of how his wife came up with it jokingly. He says he's frequently asked whether or not he got inspiration from any pro wrestling (K1-ish) stuff. He says while he really likes KF flicks, he really doesn't have any interest in wrestling and such.
His 5 Fav Battles
1. Goku VS Piccolo Daimaou
Reason: He says, honestly, he's forgotten most of the story but this was the first time he took down a truly terrifying enemy. That's why he loves it best. It also helped him determine the flow of the story beyond that point.
2. Chibi Trunks VS Satan
Reason: He wonders if it's okay to say 'Just because I like Mr. Satan a ton and he's in it'. That and it has a nice conclusion.
3. Goku VS Recoom (whatever they call him these days)
Reason: More than it being a duel between two people, Toriyama loves that the feeling that the Goku we all waited so long for finally arrived! He thinks he might get some heat for saying so, but it was for that very scene that he made the Freeza arc to that point, so very long.
4. TIE
Krillin VS Bacterian
&
Gotenks VS Evil Buu
Reason: We've heard this many times before but he likes these silly battles more than serious ones. He thinks silly stories are the best.
5. Goku VS Freeza
Reason: If for nothing less the appearance of the SS form and fulfilling his promise to his assistant. He was really pleased with the result.
Q. What's the trick to winning battles [in the DB world]?
A. Toriyama says it all comes down to 'ki', the size of it and the ability to control it. He says it includes several forms: genki, yuuki & shouki (energy, bravery & true character). You can only train your muscles to a certain point, it's 'ki' that carries you beyond that and what helped Goku come closer to being the strongest warrior in the universe.
Q. Who would you like to be friends with [of your characters]? What would you do with them?
A. He says they all have really strong characters and some of them are downright dangerous so he isn't really interested in making friends with any in reality BUT if he had to choose it would be this five:
1. Bulma- Says it's selfish but if he became friends with her she'd probably give him an Air Car and other cool inventions.
2. Gohan- He's not obnoxious, carries himself properly and does his best.
3. Dende- Same reason as Gohan.
4. Roshi- They share perverted interests.
5. Krillin- Because he's probably the character with the most common sense and he'd be easy to get along with.
There you have it.
Oh there's also a section which rates Goku's attributes throughout the series with stars. Didn't see anywhere that said Toriyama had input. Doubt it.
Well 6 bucks for the answer to the mystery of the blonde hair.
Yeah...it was worth it
Sorry for the shitty job. Now to see if Smokezilla shows up this week.
