Dragon Ball Rewatch, Week 22 - DB episode 96-100

[Robo4900]

Hello, ladies, gentlemen, and everyone between and beyond, and welcome to week 22 of the first Dragon Ball rewatch of the decade.
We're doing five episodes a week, and we'll be watching every single episode of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT. All 508 episodes. Plus the TV specials and the movies.
I encourage you all to watch in Japanese with subtitles, especially if you have never done so before, but watch along in whichever way brings you the most joy.

Not much trivia this week. I think these episodes largely speak for themselves.

Previous thread: Week 21 (DB 91-95)
Next thread: Week 23 (DB 101-105)

Anyway, without further ado...

Episode 96 - Can it be, Goku?! Kuririn’s Great Strategy
Dub title: Tail's Tale / Disappearing Act
Originally aired 13th of January 1988
Episode director: Daisuke Nishio
Animation supervisor: Masayuki Uchiyama

A battle where neither side gives an inch unfolds in the semi-finals! Kuririn has grown far more since last time, but Goku has become even stronger than that!! As Kuririn begins to be gradually pushed back, he takes advantage of an opening and grabs Goku’s weakness, his tail! But this doesn’t affect Goku, who during his training strengthened even his tail!! Goku moves at such high speeds that he can’t be seen and attacks Kuririn, knocking him from the arena and winning the match!!

Anime-only/filler content: Opening crowd chatter, more Gang vs Shen trash talk and an extra bout between Goku and Krillin, Goku's flashback to training his tail, another filler bout.

Episode 97 - The Finals!! Who is the World’s Greatest Martial Artist?!
Dub title: Final Match: Goku vs. Tien / The Final Match! Who Will Be The World's Strongest?
Originally aired 20th of January 1988
Episode director: Minoru Okazaki
Animation supervisor: Minoru Maeda

The morning of the finals at last arrives. There’s a big clamor at the tournament grounds as it overflows with people trying to watch the match! Seeing this, Goku burns with fighting spirit!! Meanwhile, Tenshinhan is moved by Kame-Sen’nin’s words, and heads to the arena as if to stop his uncertainty. And then the final round begins at last! Once the match begins, the two immediately launch into a grand, intense battle!! But Tenshinhan has seen through Goku’s fighting style, and attacks as if pressuring Goku for a response. Goku is in a great pinch!!

Anime-only/filler content: Everything in the first 15 minutes. (Written by Keiji Terui)

Episode 98 - A Secret Ability – The Haikyū-Ken vs Fighting Power
Dub title: Victory's Edge / Battle Power!
Originally aired 27th of January 1988
Episode director: Yoshihiro Ueda
Animation supervisor: Taiichiro Ohara

Tenshinhan uses his secret technique, the Haikyū-Ken, to smash Goku into the floor! But Goku gets up easily, and faces Tenshinhan not with the power he uses for matches, but rather the power he uses for battle! Their techniques smash furiously against each other! Goku’s Zanzōken is effective, and Tenshinhan is downed!! Tenshinhan uses his even more secret technique, the Taiyō-Ken, but Goku counters it with sunglasses and instead Tenshinhan is the one to be knocked down! The two continue their super-intense match, but Goku’s condition suddenly becomes strange!!

Anime-only/filler content: Filler around Goku lying on the ground, Tien meditating during the match after Goku withdraws his Kamehameha, another filler bout, Afterimage reaction filler.

Episode 99 - Tenshinhan’s Anguish!!
Dub title: Tien's Insurrection / Tien's Distress
Originally aired 3rd of February 1988
Episode director: Kazuhisa Takenouchi
Animation supervisor: Yukio Ebisawa

Goku has suddenly become unable to move his body! This is due to Chiaotzu’s psychic powers!! He sealed up Goku’s movement on Tsuru-Sen’nin’s orders. But Tenshinhan realizes Tsuru-Sen’nin’s trick, and puts a stop to it! The heart of a proper martial artist has sprouted in Tenshinhan!! Tsuru-Sen’nin is mad with rage, but he is knocked off into the distance by Kame-Sen’nin’s Kamehameha. And then this time for sure, Goku and Tenshinhan’s earnest match begins!!

Anime-only/filler content: Chiaotzu paralyzing Goku two more times, the Tao flashback, the clouds passing over the arena, Tien letting Goku pummel him.

Episode 100 - Life or Death?! A Last Resort
Dub title: The Spirit Cannon / Tien's Final Tactic!
Originally aired 10th of February 1988
Episode director: Mitsuo Hashimoto
Animation supervisor: Katsumi Aoshima

To test Goku’s ability, Tenshinhan uses his still even more secret technique, the Shiyō-Ken! Two arms appear from his back, and Tenshinhan attacks with all four arms!! But Goku continues his attack without even flinching! In order to decide the match, Tenshinhan resolves to use his ultimate secret technique, the Kikōhō! It’s a frightful technique that has destructive power many levels greater than the Kamehameha! The arena is then completely blown away by the Kikōhō!!

Anime-only/filler content: Roshi's flashback to his fight with Goku in the 21st TB, Goku and Tien putting each other in wrestling locks.

-

Interesting trivia:

• Funimation's dub added a line in episode 96 about a spectator distracting the announcer by saying "Nice hair!" I don't think the Blue Water dub has this, though I was unable to check for certain.
• Funimation added a quip to the telepathic conversation between Roshi and Crane where Roshi says he has "Nice ninja pyjamas". Blue Water's script has no such quip.
• There's a sign in episode 97 that says "WELLCOME". A similar mistake would later be made in chapter 205 of the manga, with a sign saying "WELL COME", which was corrected on the Kanzenban to remove the second L, however the spacing of the lettering wasn't changed, so it says "WEL COME"
• In Funimation's dub, the voices of the groupies were recast after episode 96; Kasey Buckley and Jessica Dismuke were replaced in these roles by Laura Bailey and Stephanie Nadonly. There's no obvious reason for this change, though I would hazard a guess they were busy with other work, and due to Funimation's quick recording schedule, Funi decided to just recast these minor roles.
• In the manga, Bulma, Yamucha, Lunch, and Pu'er were all at the hospital during Goku and Tenshinhan's match, listening to it on the radio together.

Episode summaries, airdates, and titles courtesy of Kanzenshuu's episode guide. Filler breakdowns and Dragon Ball logo provided, and trivia co-written, by KBABZ.

[SuperSaiyaManZ94]

This set of episodes and in particular ep 99 is really where Roshi's words to Tenshinhan cements his change and break away from Crane Hermit's training, and particularly when he maxes his big coup by telling Chiaoutzu to knock it off with interfering in his and Goku's battle and openly defying him. Then concluding with Roshi blasting Crane Hermit out of the tournament grounds, allowing them to start battling in earnes and thus truly marking a turning point within Ten's life for the better.

[MyVisionity]

It seems like the tournament grounds increase in size with each Budoukai. The ring and the audience appear to get larger.

Kuririn: "But how did you disappear and suddenly send me flying?"
Goku: "I'll show you how to do it later!"
lol no you won't Goku.

The beginning of the Goku vs Tenshinhan match looks and feels great. Wonderful animation.

It's interesting to see how the Japanese view the sport of volleyball.

The Four Arms attack is appropriately disturbing. I like that final shot at the end with Tenshinhan looking like a monster and towering over Goku.

I believe that Mandelin could have done a bit better than "Energy Cannon" as a translation for the Kikoho. Kikou is the Japanese name for Qigong/Chi-Kung, the practice of developing one's qi using specific breathing exercises. I suppose it's not a huge deal since it's only translated in the subtitles that one time, but it's certainly noticeable. The dub refers to it as the "Spirit Cannon", which would have maybe been slightly better at least.

Another tournament ends with the "Is Goku really dead?" fakeout.

[Matches Malone]

Krillin and Goku's fight was such a joy to watch. It really showed just how strategic Krillin can be, as facing Goku with brute strength wouldn't have worked. I also really like Goku in this arc, you can tell watching it back to back with the previous arcs just how much he's grown, both as a warrior and a person. Toriyama never had to specifically state a character had grown, instead showing it in their actions and words. The final here is amazing, you can tell Toriyama was at the top of his game while writing it, as it improved on everything from the equally great final from the previous Tenkaichi. What's even more amazing is knowing that there isn't one, not two, but three better finals on the way in the battles against Piccolo Jr, Vegeta, & Freeza. When you watch DB and Z (or Kai) back to back, you can understand why DB lasted this long, and why its influenced so many other series. Toriyama was a master at keeping everything focused, making everything connected, and overall raising the stakes from arc to arc in a meaningful way.

[ArmenianPepsi]

What a coincidence I just got finished with my 1st viewing of the 22nd Tournament Saga today. I'm on episode 108 right now. I am quite the new DB fan.

I like the 22nd much more than the 21st Saga. To me the pacing of the story feels just right.

1. Preliminaries are quickly taken care of so we can get to the main event.

2. The rivalry between Crane and Turtle schools feels very genuine, with the petty bickering between Roshi and Shen being the cherry on top.

3. I liked the placement of the comedic relief with characters like Lunch and Oolong. Usually it was put in the right places, so they didnt spoil serious moments, and didn't feel forced.

4. All the new techniques/moves Tien and Chiaotzu used really shook up the fights and actually caught me by surprise at times. Really had to make Goku and Krillin think outside the box to counteract them. Kept things interesting.

5. That twist at the very end setting up the next saga. Legit didnt see it coming. I'm excited to watch more.

All in all I am very much enjoying DB, and this was just another satisfying milestone.

[Matches Malone]

What a coincidence I just got finished with my 1st viewing of the 22nd Tournament Saga today. I am quite the new DB fan.

That twist at the very end setting up the next saga. Legit didn't see it coming. I'm excited to watch more.

All in all I am very much enjoying DB, and this was just another satisfying milestone.

You're so lucky to be able to experience DB for the first time.

There's plenty more where that came from. I do have a question, is this the first time you're seeing the original DB or the franchise as a whole ?

It's always fun to hear reactions from fans new to the story, so I'm looking forward to your thoughts as you move on. Despite the arcs you've seen so far being good, they pale in comparison to the next 3 arcs, so you're in for an amazing ride.

[ArmenianPepsi]

What a coincidence I just got finished with my 1st viewing of the 22nd Tournament Saga today. I am quite the new DB fan.

That twist at the very end setting up the next saga. Legit didn't see it coming. I'm excited to watch more.

All in all I am very much enjoying DB, and this was just another satisfying milestone.

You're so lucky to be able to experience DB for the first time.

There's plenty more where that came from. I do have a question, is this the first time you're seeing the original DB or the franchise as a whole ?

It's always fun to hear reactions from fans new to the story, so I'm looking forward to your thoughts as you move on. Despite the arcs you've seen so far being good, they pale in comparison to the next 3 arcs, so you're in for an amazing ride.

It's really my first time diving into the DB franchise.

Before March this year the most direct engagement with DB I had was Kai when I was 10-11. Followed the show until sometime in the Frieza Saga then dipped out, going back to Transformers because that was my jam. But again I was a little kid, so really I didnt pay attention to the nuances of the story or characters, just the dopamine rush of the fight scenes.

But after nearly 10 years without really watching any DB media I just decided to go head first since COVID basically had me under house arrest with all the free time in the world, so really I had nothing to lose going in. Don't regret a single minute. In short this is like discovering something I never knew I really wanted. Here's my progress.

1. DB - 108/154 (Watching subbed)
2. DBZ - 291/291 (Mix of sub and dub)
3. GT - 0/64 - May watch after DB (Probably will watch subbed)
4. Super / Movies - Will watch after GT if my thirst for DB is still somehow unquenched

[Matches Malone]

After nearly 10 years without really watching any DB media I just decided to go head first since COVID basically had me under house arrest with all the free time in the world.

In short this is like discovering something I never knew I really wanted. Here's my progress.

1. DB - 108/154 (Watching subbed)
2. DBZ - 291/291 (Mix of sub and dub)
3. GT - 0/64 - May watch after DB (Probably will watch subbed)
4. Super / Movies - Will watch after GT if my thirst for DB is still somehow unquenched

Try not to look up any spoilers, as there are great surprises you don't want ruined.

That's the same feeling I had watching DB back in the day, as all I cared about was superhero shows, but it was definitely something I didn't know I wanted until I saw it.

I'd personally recommend watching Kai over Z, as it's shorter and closer to the manga. Its pacing is very similar to the show you're currently watching.

This is how you should continue after DB:

Kai episodes 1-42
DBZ TV Special 1: Bardock, the Father of Goku. (or after Z's 86th episode)
Kai episodes 43-86
DBZ TV Special 2: The History of Trunks. (or after Z's 175th episode)
Kai episodes 87-100, 102-164
DBZ movie 14: Battle of Gods. (or after Z's 287th episode)
Kai episodes 166-167

Everything else is optional, be it GT, Super, or the other movies.

[ArmenianPepsi]

After nearly 10 years without really watching any DB media I just decided to go head first since COVID basically had me under house arrest with all the free time in the world.

In short this is like discovering something I never knew I really wanted. Here's my progress.

1. DB - 108/154 (Watching subbed)
2. DBZ - 291/291 (Mix of sub and dub)
3. GT - 0/64 - May watch after DB (Probably will watch subbed)
4. Super / Movies - Will watch after GT if my thirst for DB is still somehow unquenched

Try not to look up any spoilers, as there are great surprises you don't want ruined.

That's the same feeling I had watching DB back in the day, as all I cared about was superhero shows, but it was definitely something I didn't know I wanted until I saw it.

I'd personally recommend watching Kai over Z, as it's shorter and closer to the manga. Its pacing is very similar to the show you're currently watching.

This is how you should continue after DB:

Kai episodes 1-42
DBZ TV Special 1: Bardock, the Father of Goku. (or after Z's 86th episode)
Kai episodes 43-86
DBZ TV Special 2: The History of Trunks. (or after Z's 175th episode)
Kai episodes 87-100, 102-164
DBZ movie 14: Battle of Gods. (or after Z's 287th episode)
Kai episodes 166-167

Everything else is optional, be it GT, Super, or the other movies.

For spoilers I should be fine. I'm making sure that I dont cheat and peek ahead to further episodes or read any summaries. I'm going into each episode blind for the most part.

But as for watching Kai, I will consider it. When I first chose to deep dive into DB I acutally debated myself with watching Kai over Z, but looking around the internet and seeing how divided the views on Kai were, with people either calling it "Shit watered-down DBZ" or praising like you do. Kinda got worried about having Kai possibly ruining my first impressions, so I just chose to be totally safe and watched Z.

[Matches Malone]

Kinda got worried about having Kai possibly ruining my first impressions, so I just chose to be totally safe and watched Z.

If anything Z will ruin your impressions, as it's slow as hell. I've been a life long fan for over 15 years now, and I can assure you 100% that Kai will not in any way, shape, or form ruin you experience. People who hate Kai are blinded by nostalgia for Z, nothing more. Z's first 2 arcs are double the length of Kai's (107 compared to 54) and that extra material is just pointless filler that added nothing to the story, it just slowed it down so the anime wouldn't catch up to the manga back in the day.

[ArmenianPepsi]

Kinda got worried about having Kai possibly ruining my first impressions, so I just chose to be totally safe and watched Z.

If anything Z will ruin your impressions, as it's slow as hell. I've been a life long fan for over 15 years now, and I can assure you 100% that Kai will not in any way, shape, or form ruin you experience. People who hate Kai are blinded by nostalgia for Z, nothing more. Z's first 2 arcs are double the length of Kai's (107 compared to 54) and that extra material is just pointless filler that added nothing to the story, it just slowed it down so the anime wouldn't catch up to the manga back in the day.

I can agree with you for the most part. To me the Z only started to feel slow and dragged out around the episode 240-250 mark. By then I was kinda checked out, and my interest in the story was at a bare minimum, only watched through to the very end out of completionism.

My enthusiasm only shot up again when I got to the very last 4 episodes just because I got that "Jesus I can't believe actually made it, this is awesome" feeling. Can't really describe it well.

[Matches Malone]

My enthusiasm only shot up again when I got to the very last 4 episodes just because I got that "Jesus I can't believe actually made it, this is awesome" feeling.

This is the last kind of feeling you want to have while watching any show, much less a long one like DB. You'll be burned out by the 100th episode, knowing there's nearly 200 more will just kill your re-watch. Kai is only 165, which is not only far less than 291, it goes by extremely fast. If you like the current pace you're on, Kai will feel like a very natural continuation of it.

[ArmenianPepsi]

My enthusiasm only shot up again when I got to the very last 4 episodes just because I got that "Jesus I can't believe actually made it, this is awesome" feeling.

This is the last kind of feeling you want to have while watching any show, much less a long one like DB. You'll be burned out by the 100th episode, knowing there's nearly 200 more will just kill your re-watch. Kai is only 165, which is not only far less than 291, it goes by extremely fast. If you like the current pace you're on, Kai will feel like a very natural continuation of it.

Agreed. i'll take your suggestion to heart and give Kai a fair shot next time I want to watch Z. And I'm so sorry Robo for derailing the thread so far.

[Matches Malone]

I'm so sorry Robo for derailing the thread so far.

I'm sorry too, I didn't think the discussion would last this long.

[ArmenianPepsi]

I'm so sorry Robo for derailing the thread so far.

I'm sorry too, I didn't think the discussion would last this long.

Maybe a more appropriate thread will pop up sometime where I can ask you my questions totally unrelated to episodes 96-100 of DB

[KBABZ]

I also really like Goku in this arc, you can tell watching it back to back with the previous arcs just how much he's grown, both as a warrior and a person. Toriyama never had to specifically state a character had grown, instead showing it in their actions and words.

I love this as well. Comparing the 21st to the 22nd shows that Goku, whilst still finding a good fight the ultimate thrill, now studies his opponents with much more respect than he did before. He's starting to think about what will happen 2-3 bouts from now and how he can overcome his opponent, which is what I call his battle tactics being on display as he thinks about what his opponent can do as well. We don't really get that from a lot of the other characters.

But as for watching Kai, I will consider it. When I first chose to deep dive into DB I acutally debated myself with watching Kai over Z, but looking around the internet and seeing how divided the views on Kai were, with people either calling it "Shit watered-down DBZ" or praising like you do. Kinda got worried about having Kai possibly ruining my first impressions, so I just chose to be totally safe and watched Z.

I was in a similar place as you (just add an extra ten years to my age, haha), and take it from me: Kai is EASILY the way to go. Z is a slog nowadays and the old dub doesn't hold up in any way. All the VOs are much better in their roles than before, and aside from a few inconsistencies like with Oolong and Piccolo, the voice cast is a perfect transition from Dragon Ball. Even Rial does a stellar job at sounding like an older Vollmer performance as Bulma.

Because of the lack of filler the story moves along at a much brisker pace, which brings in an appropriate amount of tension and suspense, and that hugely benefits the Namek arc. It's transformed into a dramatic game of chess across the planet that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time even though I already knew how it went!

If you do watch Z (which, to be fair, is what this rewatch will do), you have to do it with the Japanese VO. There is simply NO place for Funimation's old dubs in 2020 because they're totally irrelevant in the face of the Japanese VO and the Kai dub.

[Matches Malone]

I love this as well. Comparing the 21st to the 22nd shows that Goku, whilst still finding a good fight the ultimate thrill, now studies his opponents with much more respect than he did before. He's starting to think about what will happen 2-3 bouts from now and how he can overcome his opponent, which is what I call his battle tactics being on display as he thinks about what his opponent can do as well. We don't really get that from a lot of the other characters.

Another thing I loved is his commentary on certain fights, explaining to Krillin why and how someone would win or lose. I don't want to turn this into a Super vs Original topic, but how on earth can anyone say Goku being god awfully written in Super is no different from how he was written in the original ? Here and in the King Piccolo arc he's smart, mature, calculated, resourceful, etc., and he's not even grown up yet. This arc demonstrates exactly why Goku is such an iconic figure, and why he's loved by millions around the world.

[KBABZ]

Another thing I loved is his commentary on certain fights, explaining to Krillin why and how someone would win or lose. I don't want to turn this into a Super vs Original topic, but how on earth can anyone say Goku being god awfully written in Super is no different from how he was written in the original ? Here and in the King Piccolo arc he's smart, mature, calculated, resourceful, etc., and he's not even grown up yet. This arc demonstrates exactly why Goku is such an iconic figure, and why he's loved by millions around the world.

Yeah, there's a clear gulf between Goku and Krillin, where Krillin is in the mindset of "That guy's dumb, of course we'll win!", whereas Goku has a much more realistic view of his opponents and knows who he should take seriously and study.

[Robo4900]

Agreed. i'll take your suggestion to heart and give Kai a fair shot next time I want to watch Z. And I'm so sorry Robo for derailing the thread so far.

No need to apologise. The subject of this thread is "Thoughts we're having on this rewatch", that's about as broad as it gets. Derail away!

But as for watching Kai, I will consider it. When I first chose to deep dive into DB I acutally debated myself with watching Kai over Z, but looking around the internet and seeing how divided the views on Kai were, with people either calling it "Shit watered-down DBZ" or praising like you do. Kinda got worried about having Kai possibly ruining my first impressions, so I just chose to be totally safe and watched Z.

Ultimately, the way to look at it is this:

Z is the better Japanese show.
Kai is the more accessible modern viewing experience.

Z could often get bogged down by filler, but the music was masterful, the Japanese cast were at their peak, a lot of the filler storylines were very good, and it's the direct follow-on from DB (literally, DBZ episode 1 aired the week after DB episode 153. DB 153 even ended with a standard next-episode preview of Z episode 1. A similar thing would end up happening with Z into GT). Another big factor is that if you're going to watch GT, you have to watch Z. Kai removes some anime-only material that GT follows up on in major ways, so you'd be lost if you watched Kai. But the English dub of Z is pretty bad.

Kai has music issues (Yamamoto's original score is okay, but every melody in it is blatantly plagiarised from other music, and the replacement score Toei put on Kai was very poorly done), the Boo arc has pacing issues, the video presentation overall is rather iffy (the first run is very blurry, the second run is cropped to widescreen and has a persistent green tint), some of the cutting isn't very good (they left in some filler that bogs things down, they cut out some of the most charming, worthwhile filler, and they left in LOADS of unnecessary stuff in the Boo arc, with many episodes of the Boo arc literally being 1:1 episodes of Z), and the Japanese cast are a mixture of old, sick, and dead. The plus side of Kai is that the DVD/BD releases are solid, the dub is good, and a lot of the padding was cut out.
And, while what is shown is probably fairly common knowledge, Kai episode 1 kinda pulls back the curtain on some reveals that, in the original run, and the original manga, weren't supposed to happen quite yet; not until either the end of the episode, or some point in episode 2... Which arguably ends up kinda ruining some of the drama and suspense of those early episodes, since you've already had that stuff revealed in the opening montage, so these characters are expositing about these big reveals you already know... It's weird.

So, I say, since you're watching DB, and you plan to watch GT, and you're watching subbed, there is no question, you should watch Z.
Though, if the pacing of the Namek arc wears you down, you may want to try swapping to Kai just until the end of that arc. The Namek arc suffered from pacing issues way worse than any other part of the run. But aside from that, I would recommend Z over Kai for most of the run, if you're watching Japanese, and you're watching it with DB and GT in their proper places.

A lot of people swear by Kai, a lot of people swear by Z... The way I see it, both have merit, both have flaws, it's best to pick one based solely on the context you're watching it in. If you're planning on catching up for watching Super, it makes sense to just watch DB+Kai+Super. But if you're watching the original run in Japanese, the best way is DB+Z+GT, no question. Z was designed to follow on from DB, GT was designed to follow on from Z... They're a continuous run of ten years of Japanese TV with a consistent cast and crew, which evolves slowly over its ten-year run. To me, this is the definitive experience of Dragon Ball (which is why we're following that route for this rewatch. Though somewhat unusually for my own rewatching, I'm throwing in all the movies too. 'Cause why the hell not, right? ).

Also, remember to watch the TV specials!
Z TV special 1 comes between episodes 63 and 64, TV special 2 comes between 175 and 176; the GT special comes between episodes 41 and 42.

And you should probably watch the first Z movie at some point after you start Z, but before you reach roughly episode 95. Personally, I'd put it right after Z episode 35. (Though for this rewatch we're putting it after Z episode 7, for various reasons relating to placement of the other movies)

Having said all this, if your plan is to skip from end of DB to GT, since you saw Z not hugely long ago, well... If you were considering dropping Kai in between DB and GT, Kai is a solid alternate way to rewatch the show if you've only seen Z before. Makes for an interesting change, and it's a pretty quick way through.

Another thing I loved is his commentary on certain fights, explaining to Krillin why and how someone would win or lose. I don't want to turn this into a Super vs Original topic, but how on earth can anyone say Goku being god awfully written in Super is no different from how he was written in the original ? Here and in the King Piccolo arc he's smart, mature, calculated, resourceful, etc., and he's not even grown up yet. This arc demonstrates exactly why Goku is such an iconic figure, and why he's loved by millions around the world.

Yeah, there's a clear gulf between Goku and Krillin, where Krillin is in the mindset of "That guy's dumb, of course we'll win!", whereas Goku has a much more realistic view of his opponents and knows who he should take seriously and study.

The key is, when it comes to fighting, Goku is a genius. Because, when he wants to put his mind to it, Goku is actually quite a clever guy.

Super tends to paint him as an immature idiot most of the time, is a lot of peoples' problem.

[KBABZ]

Another big factor is that if you're going to watch GT, you have to watch Z. Kai removes some anime-only material that GT follows up on in major ways, so you'd be lost if you watched Kai. But the English dub of Z is pretty bad.

I've never heard of this! Nor did I pick up any from watching about half of the show. What no longer works??

And, while what is shown is probably fairly common knowledge, Kai episode 1 kinda pulls back the curtain on some reveals that, in the original run, and the original manga, weren't supposed to happen quite yet; not until either the end of the episode, or some point in episode 2... Which arguably ends up kinda ruining some of the drama and suspense of those early episodes, since you've already had that stuff revealed in the opening montage, so these characters are expositing about these big reveals you already know... It's weird.

I'd actually argue MORE than that. Details in the spoiler tag, haha.

Spoiler:

1. That Goku is an alien. This is revealed in the first five seconds of the Bardock opener, but would not be revealed until Episode 2 of Kai. Z never had the Bardock special stuff in it (that wouldn't be until part-way into the Namek arc) and so this wasn't revealed until that point.
2. This is the longer-term one, that Planet Vegeta was destroyed by Frieza. This makes Raditz look like an idiot in Episode 2, and it spoils the reveal in Episode 22 of Kai where Dodoria reveals that it was Frieza who destroyed it. It added to the poignancy of Vegeta telling Goku on his deathbed, showing that deep down he DID care about it despite telling Dodoria he couldn't care less.
3. Goku having a son. Episode 1 of Kai does not remove the filler at Goku's house and in the forest. In the manga the intended reveal is at Kame House with Bulma, Roshi and Krillin near the end of this same episode. Notably, when Goku is flying there you don't even see Gohan in Goku's lap, making it look like he's talking to Kinto'un until he steps off the cloud and everyone asks who the kid is. This is oft-forgotten because the filler is so ingrained in our minds as the start of this arc, so the original context from October 4th, 1988 when the manga first hit Shonen Jump is completely lost.

Also, remember to watch the TV specials!

JUST NOT THE DUB, they're awful and have no Kai equivalent!

The key is, when it comes to fighting, Goku is a genius. Because, when he wants to put his mind to it, Goku is actually quite a clever guy.

Super tends to paint him as an immature idiot most of the time, is a lot of peoples' problem.

Yeah. In a way it's broadly similar to what happened with Goku in GT, where they wanted to capture a bit more of the old-school nature of Goku and make his true mentality a bit more obvious. The difference of course is that in GT, the effect is much less and it's obfuscated with Goku being a kid (he's much less goofy in SS4, I've noticed). Super meanwhile flanderizes it and doesn't have Goku being a kid to fall back on, making it all the more obvious.