Post
by Cipher » Wed Nov 30, 2011 3:25 am
Ah, well. Thoughts, thoughts.
GT in general
As a basis for all this, I love GT. It can be a bit baffling at times, and sure, the writing by committee shows. I even sympathize with Jeff's feeling that a concrete plot/gimmick setting up the series (in the style of some other yearly anime, right?) is a bit off-putting compared to the previous two series. But overall, I find it's really a fun, gorgeous and strangely nostalgic series. For something written by committee, it has a lot of heart. And it's the kind of thing Toriyama would have never done (in the best possible way). Oh, and the soundtrack is fantastic. It's got a strangely pastel, '50s vibe, doesn't it?
That all said, I really have mixed feelings about the first arc (episodes 1 through 22). Most of that sense of heart and nostalgia doesn't really show up until after the Baby arc (when it starts going into endgame mode). On the other hand, Goku, Pan, Trunks and Giru adventuring around is a lot of fun. My feelings really just vary by each mini-arc. I'll keep this response limited to the set-up episodes and Imegga right now.
The first five episodes
The first two episodes are indeed great; bits like the kidnappers' calls to Vegeta and Bulma are priceless. I love being reintroduced to all the frumpy, settled-down characters. Imegga's really a mixed bag. I love episode three; it's a fun little set up. But I feel three episodes may have been too long to spend on the planet; i.e., episodes 4 and 5 could probably have been combined for the better. It's kind of a pacing killer to start off the premise only to strand them sans Dragon Balls for three whole episodes. The fight with Redict isn't much of a climax either. But hey, mad love for that "battle waltz" theme played as the gang takes back their spaceship in episode 4. I think it's only used, what, one other time in the series?
Oh, and two quick complaints regarding things that, while they aren't really wrong, are huge wastes of potential. First, Oob is a huge disappointment, sidelined from the first episode. As much as I enjoy the series, it's obvious they just had no idea what to do with him. Second, and this is a complaint about the "grand tour" in general, the last time the characters went into space, they destroyed an intergalactic mob. Twenty years later, shouldn't there at least be some ... remnants, or something? Did everyone just forget Freeza existed? Seems like a glaringly obvious plot point (at least for an episode or two) that just ... never happened.
Specific responses to podcast content
Huh. I guess Kaboom thinks Goku vs. Redict is enough of a climax. C'est la vie.
I absolutely agree with Jeff about being glad the series is returning to a Dragon Ball hunt. I consider the 28th Tenkaichi Budokai.a fine ending for Goku's character, but the abuse of the Dragon Balls (and the objects themselves) are left glaringly unaddressed. GT thankfully fixes this. You know, especially later.
Mixed feelings from everyone about the new palette and art? I think it's one of the series' best qualities. As for the art, moving away from Toriyama's panels gives way for some much more dynamic poses and settings, much in the vein of the movies (and most of which are waiting in future episodes).
M2 put Mike to sleep, of all arcs? I actually thought that was by far the most exciting mini-arc.
Finally, I'm always surprised to see how incensed people are by the ultimate Dragon Balls and Pilaf's knowledge of them. Sure, it's an out-of-the-blue development, but is it really any more absurd than a Red Ribbon scientist we've never seen developing Androids stronger than Freeza? Or hell, Freeza existing in the first place, when nothing of the sort was hinted at during the Saiyan arc? Is it any different than the levels upon levels of gods being introduced one after the other. I just don't see it being all that more ridiculous than Toriyama's previous ass pulls.
Pilaf's role doesn't bother me either. Why is it strange for him to know about the ultimate Dragon Balls but not strange for him to know about, and be able to locate Piccolo's rice-cooker earlier in the series? Random occult knowledge is nothing new for the little guy (and for all we know, he knew about them because of his dealings with Piccolo Daimao). And any sense of real mysticism regarding God's Palace was lost long ago, with characters coming and going willy-nilly, Dende being brought into the role to create more Dragon Balls, etc. Dende's distracted; Pilaf can get up to the palace. Not a big deal.
(Oh, and the ultimate Dragon Balls haven't been sitting up there for the "last 50 years." My understanding was always that they had only come back into existence when God and Piccolo recombined in the Cell arc.)
Bottom line
Love GT, first half of the series is spotty, first five episodes are really kind of "meh." Looking forward to future podcasts.
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