Dragon Ball Rewatch, Week 103 - GT 6-10

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Re: Dragon Ball Rewatch, Week 103 - GT 6-10

Post by Dragon Ball Ireland » Thu Jan 13, 2022 11:01 am

Episode 6 - It’s Going to Hurt?! Goku the Dentist

Another fun side adventure that does a decent job of further establishing the chemistry between Goku, Pan and Trunks with the former two being very carefree, and the latter taking a more serious approach, as well as offering a new obstacle for obtaining the next Dragon Ball.

Tokunaga’s score ranges from eerie in the scene of Goku riding giant insects to playful when bees hatch with Pan in their beehive, and taking a more treacherous approach in scene where Goku witnesses the giant spider about to attack what looks like Pan. Thus far the young composer has hit all the right beats that Kikuchi is known for, albeit with more of a space opera feel to it.

There is a lot of fun to be had throughout the episode, which feel like a respectable effort to mimic Toriyama’s wacky nature. Examples include the space ship crash landing by the rocks, implying a lack of experience with aeronautics on Trunks’ part, our heroes narrowly escaping as the giant crocodiles were about to eat them, and Pan and Trunks shock when Goku suddenly appears outside the ship when none of them anticipated it.

While Giru is found to be useful he also becomes a nuisance to our heroes at times. Although Giru detects the first Dragon Ball, Pan continues to show doubt in his abilities to do so. There was also a moment Goku feels the radar has stopped working, and Pan continues to show her frustration by smacking Giru. The fact Giru simply needs to be recharged implies a naivety on Pan’s part, and makes a good case for her embarking on this journey as it turns out to be great character development for Goku’s granddaughter.

Amusingly Pan seems to have inherited much of her grandfather’s innocence and carefree nature, as is seen with her dressing as an insect, eating from a flower and resting on it like she’s on vacation before a swarm of bees carry her. Similarly it is Goku’s hunger, specifically the smell of grilled fish he picks up on that leads himself, Pan and Trunks to the giant that ends up accidentally eating the Dragon Ball (which subsequently gets stuck in his teeth) and becoming our heroes main adversary for this episode.

The giant seemingly being in pain with the Dragon Ball stuck in his teeth only to be happy afterwards when Goku removes it follows the trope of all adversaries, good, evil and indifferent developing a fondness for our hero. Perhaps ironic considering Goku had to blast the giant’s tooth out to retrieve the Dragon Ball, but all a part of the saiyan raised on Earth’s endearing charm that he never has bad intentions, and always naive to the consequence of his actions.


Episode 7 - Beloved Honey?! Trunks is Betrothed

Following on from the last episode, this is the first part of an extended side quest, which brings Goku, Pan and Trunks to another beautiful planet, albeit one that has its own adversary for our heroes, but no less consequential than the last as there is yet another Dragon Ball to be found.

What this episode does achieve however is more slapstick comedy and a show of Goku, Pan and Trunks’ wits when it comes to dealing with unconventional villains. It was fun to see how Trunks given his serious attitude thus far reacts to a situation where he has to embarrass himself, which is interesting given how important pride is to his father, and how sophisticated his mother is being the richest woman on Earth and a technological genius at that.

Some of the humour in this episode includes yet another show of Goku’s massive appetite, Pan’s frustration with Giru leading to her tying him up in a rope, and of course the decision to dress Trunks as a woman to distract Zunama, who is established as a threat to the village on Gelbo. Additionally Goku doing punching exercises is a charming moment that once again reminds the audience of our heroes undying love and anticipation for his next big fight.

The scenery on Gelbo is quite beautiful, and it looks gorgeous given the quality of GT’s animation, especially for a TV anime series. Watching the scenes of Goku, Pan and Trunks travelling through the lands on this planet offer a more pleasant sequence and a nice contrast to the crash landing on Imegga a few episodes prior.

Tokunaga’s score is also very pleasant for the most part, using a more harmonious track to emphasize the tranquility of Gelbo as Goku, Pan and Trunks approach the planet to being more melancholic as everyone on the planet awaits Zunama’s return to show the uncertainty, as this is an antagonist who could either be a major threat or an easily distracted adversary.

Zunama works well as a subversive gag antagonist, not only because the danger he imposes on the Gelbo villagers is in the simple act of shaking his whiskers, but also with regard to something as simple as a pretty face being such a distraction for him. The creature who only terrifies the villagers as he approaches it turns out is easily swayed by something as simple as having a man like Trunks cross dressing.

Similarly the idea of one of the villagers, in this case Leena possessing an object and not realizing its importance like the Black Star Dragon Ball that’s woven into her ponytail while not an original concept serves a purpose in demonstrating the naivety of the inhabitants of Gelbo.

In conclusion not an innovative episode by any measure, but another little side quest in space that brings Goku, Pan and Trunks closer to collecting all the Dragon Balls and saving the Earth.


Episode 8 - Even Goku Gets Hit!! Full-Force Whisker Power

After a serviceable last episode, despite similarities to Oolong’s episode in the Hunt for the Dragon Balls arc this episode is somewhat of a lackluster conclusion that is not surprising given the Gelbo side quest’s low ambitions.

The focus on Trunks was a welcome change, although this episode is not completely without Goku’s importance. Goku’s role in helping to find Trunks and propelling the Gelbonians as the volcanoe erupts with a Kamehame Ha were significant parts of the episode, even if he isn’t the one that causes the change of heart for Zunama. The fact Goku’s blast accidentally destroys the volcano seems to be an attempt at humorously showing our hero is too powerful for his own good, although it’s arguably not necessary and doesn’t add much to the plot.

Naturally the incident with Trunks dressed as Leena being taken away by Zunama reaches its climax, and with some less than pleasant reactions from Zunama. Trunks shows his discomfort smacking Zunama’s whiskers, likewise Zunama notices something is wrong with who he thinks is Leena. The transphobic undertones with Zunama being frustrated by Trunks losing the wig revealing he is not Leena, but this episode was made in a different time so not something Atsushi Maekawa and Aya Matsui can be held accountable for.

Once more Zunama is a very subversive character, surprising Trunks with how easily he initially forgives him for not being who he said he was as well as how easy it was to treat their situation like a date, and unintentionally revealing to Pan that he can’t actually cause Earthquakes but only predict them. Situations like this show that Zunama is dangerous but also highly fragile and capable of change with a little bit of smart thinking from our heroes.

Overall, while Zunama is not an incredibly dangerous character due to his slapstick nature it is made clear that he should still not be messed with. For example in one scene one of Zunama’s whiskers is snipped off as he sleeps, but he manages to awake and blow the Gelbonian who snipped it away before he had a chance to cut the second. Nonetheless the aforementioned circumstance where his weakness is exposed brings to light Zunama’s potential for redemption. As such Zunama’s status as a gag antagonist and no major threat is solidified, especially as he cries when our heroes discover how vulnerable he actually is, and ultimately his redemption as he joins the village makes for a satisfying enough conclusion.

The Tokunaga score continues to be the high point of these episodes, although not with as much of note as previous episodes. The ominous track worked to emphasize the sense of danger when the volcano began to erupt and the more peaceful and triumphant track used


Episode 9 - Oh, Crap!! Goku Plunges into a Trap Planet?!

Much like the previous two episodes another extended side quest begins for Goku, Trunks and Pan as they come closer to gathering all seven Black Star Dragon Balls. This episode specifically feels very much like a space opera and a grand adventure into the unknown.

Tokunaga’s pieces in this episode emphasize the sense of an ominous galactic adventure. The track that plays as Goku, Trunks and Pan enter into a dark tunnel is appropriately eerie, and escalates to a more haunting sound as they continue to search for the Dragon Ball.

Sequences like Goku, Trunks and Pan’s ship entering an asteroid field accompanied by a damning track from Tokunaga and the Muma attacking them as our heroes find themselves trapped in a tunnel creates an ominous vibe, and sense of danger. Additionally the ship spinning as our heroes are attacked shows the volatility of it all.

The idea of Lord Lood having a cult following was interesting, and a great choice when it comes to world building and showcasing the culture of these alien civilizations. Lord Lood is also shown to exercise great dominance over those who worship him as he is disappointed with them not finding the Dragon Ball.

There is some lightheartedness in the episode however. The Para Para Brothers are entertaining, their flamboyant personality and trickery is an amusing choice and something different for a Dragon Ball antagonist. It was also refreshing to have adversaries that Goku wouldn’t have to blast with a Kamehame Ha like he did with the Muma. The pose Giru made as he lands on his feet coming out of the space ship was also a charming moment.

Overall an interesting episode, and one that leaves with enough to be excited for as this side quest in space continues.


Episode 10 - Dance Attack?! Bon-Papa!!

In light of everything established last time there is plenty of good action and some unconventional conflict too in this episode as Goku, Trunks and Pan continue their journey throughout the cosmos.

The first half of the episode is quite action packed and entertaining, as Goku steps out of the ship to blast the Muma with a Kamehame Ha before Trunks and Pan enter the fray and the three of them become involved in a fight that ends up being more about wits than strength. The Muma initially beating our heroes up before Goku realizing their weakness is in their tail was a nice twist, and a welcome unconventional way of concluding a fight.

The juxtaposition between the action and Lord Lood’s loyal followers who are showing their worship was neat and adds that much more tension. The followers being zapped and turned into dolls makes it known that Lood is a force to be reckoned with, and likely a much greater threat than the Muma. The fact the Para Para Brothers are shown to be fearful of also being turned into dolls, especially Bon Para who fears it may happen simply because of them not finding the Dragon Ball adds to this. Tokunaga’s mysterious sounding track also adds to this sense of the ominous and uncertain that is appropriate for a being that seems to be an evil god of some sort, while leaving plenty to the imagination.

By contrast the silliness of the Para Para Brothers, at least at surface level adds some humour to this episode, especially given they seem to be the least threatening foe Goku, Trunks and Pan have encountered on this journey so far. The drastic piano track that plays as our heroes stare down the Para Para Brothers adds to the fact the flamboyant trio are about to subvert expectations. The fact Goku, Trunks and Pan were initially intimidated by the Para Para Brothers dance routine, but then start to go along with the groove was entertaining and fun to watch. Of course, like with the Muma the Para Para Brothers are very soon outsmarted, as the dance wares off and Goku, Trunks and Pan manage to beat them with one blow.

Funnily enough this episode seems to have a running gag of antagonists being tied up after being defeated. First it was the Muma who are tied in knots and second its the Para Para Brothers. Other honourable mentions when it comes to humour is Goku eating while Trunks and Pan searched hard within the ship for the Dragon Ball.

The episode ends leaving the impression that our heroes troubles have only began, as Pan becomes the first of their team to be taken away in the space ship, and still the mystery surrounding Lord Lood lingers, meaning there is much to be explored yet.
Do you have any info about international non-English broadcasts about the Dragon Ball anime or manga translations/editions? Please message me. Researching for a future book with Dragon Ball scholar Derek Padula :thumbup:

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