Lord Beerus wrote:Damn good episode. Visually stunning, good character moments and great battles throughout.
I found it hilarious how the exempted Universe's Kaioshin and Hakaishin, as well as the remaining fighter in the tournament and the Kaioshin and Kaioshin from Universe 7 and 11 acted so awkwardly when then made to sit with close proximity of one another.
I'm so happy Vados is making herself at home with Universe 7.
I liked how Anat (Kaioshin of Universe 1), made mention of how the two remaining universe didn't make it this far just because of how strong they were, but also to into consideration other factors needed to do to survive this long. That point would have been a very good one to make... if not for the fact that Universe 7 were stronger than 80% of the other fighters in the tournament and have eliminated every other universe so far using strength and some teamwork.
Freeza underestimating Dyspo and getting clobbered by him was just wonderful. It's nice to see Freeza taken down a peg. He needs a challenge. But what made their ecouncter so much fun was this exchange:
Dyspo - Sorry, but I'm the fastest in all the universe.
Freeza - So, you're specialty is running away.
Dyspo - I see you're looking to die again.
Okay, now I'm certain you can only be a Pride Trooper if you're good at throwing shades.
Getting a insight into what Jiren is looking for in this tournament was quite good. He looking for something beyond strength certain give the idea that Jiren is self aware of how ludicrously powerful he is and searching for a meaning, or perhaps a purpose, beyond who has the biggest stick to through. Plus, his mention of how there was no purity in the self righteous way that Vegeta's fight, drives home that Jiren does have some heroic standards to him. Or at least places himself on much higher moral ground. I mentioned in another thread that the anime may be going for the slow burn narrative technique when it comes to Jiren development and characterisation, and it looks like that may be case.
The best thing about this episode was Vegeta's speech before hit Jiren with the Final Flash. I loved everything about it. Vegeta is very much self aware that he is indeed arrogant, but from his perspective, that's precisely what the pride of a Saiyan is. And he's not going to throw away who he is. A prideful Saiyan. Even with all the development he's gone through, who he is at his core will never go away or change. Vegeta even remakes that he'll find his own of defeating Jiren and that he doesn't need Ultra Instinct to do it. Which just further highlights Vegeta's extremely dogged, brazen and resilient attitude and also shows great character growth as he feel he doesn't need to have everything that Goku. It's one of those character drive moments in self awareness that you don't much from characters in Dragon Ball, so it was nice to see it. It also served as good lampshade hanging for why Vegeta has been acting the way he has been in this arc.
Great artwork as a whole in episode, too.
I think when Jiren said beyond strength, he meant he wants to obtain something that strength alone cannot.