Dragon Ball Rewatch, Week 105 - GT 16-20

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ABED
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Re: Dragon Ball Rewatch, Week 105 - GT 16-20 (CURRENT WEEK)

Post by ABED » Fri Jan 21, 2022 11:05 pm

Jack Bz wrote: Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:44 pm
ABED wrote: Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:13 pm Tao Pai Pai's connection to Roshi isn't meant to explain his stength. That wasn't the point of that revelation. It was a twist to up the emotional stakes of the tournament. When Vader tells Luke he is his father, it wasn't about explaining why Luke is strong with the Force, it was meant to kick him when he's down. It was about upping the stakes. It wasn't about exposition.
I know that's not why Toriyama incorporated that revelation about Tao, and didn't mean to imply that explaining strength is a huge priority for him. I guess my overall point would be that Toriyama's world building is usually very good at coincidentally explaining why the antagonist is such a big threat, and this doesn't apply to Rildo at all.
Fair enough. I don't agree as I don't think he even explains by coincidence. It's always something of a buy. And it's simply stated that Rildo is as strong as Buu. He's not a big bad. He's a mid level boss and his power is shown, not merely stated. His threat primarily comes from his being able to manipulate the planet's metal.
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Re: Dragon Ball Rewatch, Week 105 - GT 16-20 (CURRENT WEEK)

Post by PremiumSalt » Sat Jan 22, 2022 11:29 am

Episode 20: Astonishing!! A Tidal Wave of Metal Attacks Goku

Pan learns the definition of insanity.

Positives:
-The development Rild literally being the planet M2 leads to a lot of inventive and memorable moments in the fight this episode. The Rild fight overall continues to be one of GT's best. (and not for nothing, GT does way more interesting stuff with the whole "the villain is the planet" concept than the Moro arc did, and I say that as someone who likes that arc.)

-I'm honestly pleasantly surprised that the reject scientist guy came back, not that he's, like, a terribly interesting character or anything, I just appreciate the continuity, it makes the previous scene feel a little less random and disconnected, which is how I felt about it originally.

Negatives:
-Pan's subplot is starting to feel a bit repetitive. With something like this, there's a delicate balance between repeating it enough times to get the struggle across, but not making it annoying to the viewer, and this crosses into the negative end of that threshold for me, unfortunately.
Dragon Ball Arc Rankings: 1. Piccolo Daimaō 2. Saiyan 3. 22nd Budōkai 4. 23rd Budōkai 5. Hunt For the Dragon Balls 6. Zamasu 7. Moro 8. Tournament of Power 9. 21st Budōkai 10. Broly 11. Battle of Gods 12. Boo 13. U6 Tournament 14. Freeza 15. Red Ribbon Army 16. Artificial Humans/Cell 17.Golden Freeza
Kunzait_83 wrote:No matter what twisted pretzel logic you contort yourself into to try and convince yourself otherwise, Raditz landing on Earth is the middle of the fucking story. Zero context, zero setup. Its in NO way meant to be seen as a "beginning point" for ANYTHING other than the next story arc. It flows precisely and fluidly from where things left off in the aftermath of the 23rd Budokai and mostly hits the ground running from there without really stopping to look back. You're plopping someone into the middle of a book starting at chapter 195 out of 519 for absolutely no good goddamn reason, with very minimal opportunity to look back at much needed context and character/story growth.

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Re: Dragon Ball Rewatch, Week 105 - GT 16-20 (CURRENT WEEK)

Post by MasenkoHA » Sat Jan 22, 2022 3:56 pm

KBABZ wrote: Fri Jan 21, 2022 1:37 pm When'd this turn into the DBZ subreddit???
I don’t venture into r/DBZ. Is it like every other non-Kanz Dragon Ball forum where it’s nothing but “Who will win in a fight in this hypothetical scenario” topics?

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Re: Dragon Ball Rewatch, Week 105 - GT 16-20 (CURRENT WEEK)

Post by WittyUsername » Sat Jan 22, 2022 10:55 pm

MasenkoHA wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 3:56 pm
KBABZ wrote: Fri Jan 21, 2022 1:37 pm When'd this turn into the DBZ subreddit???
I don’t venture into r/DBZ. Is it like every other non-Kanz Dragon Ball forum where it’s nothing but “Who will win in a fight in this hypothetical scenario” topics?
Glancing at the DBZ subreddit right now, it kind of just seems like a more casual version of the Kanzenshuu forums.

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Re: Dragon Ball Rewatch, Week 105 - GT 16-20 (CURRENT WEEK)

Post by ABED » Sun Jan 23, 2022 8:38 am

If I recall, the recap episode does a halfway decent job of condensing the first 15 or so episodes in order to cut straight to the point.
The biggest truths aren't original. The truth is ketchup. It's Jim Belushi. Its job isn't to blow our minds. It's to be within reach.
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Re: Dragon Ball Rewatch, Week 105 - GT 16-20

Post by Dragon Ball Ireland » Thu Jan 27, 2022 7:35 am

Catchup time, loving these episodes, this is where the fun really begins in GT:

Episode 16 - Machine Planet M2… Gill the Traitor?!

In this episode we get some more good character moments between Pan and Giru, as she gradually continues to develop a liking for the little robot, in addition to some more worldbuilding with the introduction to the machine mutant of M-2.

The scene with Pan and Giru playing a video game, which depicted their ship and a number of ships swarming it with lasers was quite charming. Pan’s frustration about not being able to beat Giru, only to be reminded by Goku that she won’t be able to beat a robot was funny, and it allowed the sibling rivalry-like relationship between Pan and Giru without her treating the robot as poorly as she had previously. As Pan chases Giru to demand another game, disregarding Trunks’ request for Giru to play and let her win it is clear that the young Saiyan clearly wants to prove her worth, even if she’s been warned it won’t work out how she wants it to.

The introduction to the world of M-2 is both melodramatic and mysterious. The planet is introduced as Giru’s home world, and the robots desire being compared to how Goku, Trunks and Pan would feel if they were passing Earth only to not stop by is a great attempt at humanizing Giru and emphasizing his importance as a member of the team, despite being an artificial, rather than a natural form of life. The sombre track that plays as Giru passes M-2 does a great job at making the robot a sympathetic character in moments like this.

There is also a sense of mystery surrounds M-2 as Goku, Trunks, Pan and Giru land, and see the rundown, seemingly deserted city, accompanied by a track by Tokunaga that epitomizes the sense of the uncertain. The swarm of machine mutants that suddenly surround our heroes subverts this unknown essence and makes M-2 feel inhabited, albeit not in the way that our heroes might hope for, as the machine mutants taking Giru and claiming him as one of their own puts Goku, Trunks and Pan in a difficult position as the robot is their friend, but at the same time they don’t want to be disrespecting what appear to be his wishes.

In more ways than one, Goku, Trunks and Pans’ arrival on M-2 turns out to be not what they hoped for. Goku faces disappointment that an apple he finds is solid metal, and not edible, himself, Pan and Trunks don’t find any restaurants to eat, and machine mutants only end up attacking them. Pan’s concern also shows how she had grown fond of Giru, despite the rocky start their relationship got off to.

In sum, a great start to another adventure, after much momentum from Goku, Trunks and Pans’ journey thus far.

Episode 17 - It’s Up to You, Pan! Operation Rescue Goku!!

Following on from the previous episode, which had a decent amount of world building there is much excitement to be had in this episode as it is where all the action starts on M-2.

The ominous music that plays to shots of M-2 and Goku and Trunks staring down the machine mutants taking Giru hostage reminds the audience of the drama established in the last episode, and also sets the tone for much of the conflict that is about to arise. Goku, as always shows plenty of confidence, being ready for a fight, although despite making a few punches he ends up being kicked into a building, leaving him off to a bad start.

The concept of these machine mutants having studied Goku’s fighting technique, which was relayed to them by Giru is a neat concept, as it means that Goku would need to outsmart them rather than overpower them, and the execution is decent. In Goku’s fight with the M-2 Commandos, and later the Mega Cannon Sigma he gets smacked around, backed into corners and realizes that these mutants are a force to be reckoned with.

Trunks search for the Dragon Balls, and attempts to protect Pan were nice, even though he ends up waking her accidentally. The rightful heir to Capsule Corp has been a very likeable character thus far, having given leadership to the crew, and instances like that acting as a sort-of big brother figure for Pan. It also felt appropriate this scene was added to emphasize what’s at stake if Goku doesn’t win his fights.

While Goku appears to have found himself in a bit of a dilemma, being blasted by lasers, having missiles fired at him, being blasted by fire and grabbed from arms coming out of the ground he quickly manages to turn the fight around. Realizing he can brock Sigma’s drill with his hands and watching Sigma’s combat style Goku manages to outmanoeuvre him by using techniques that Giru wouldn’t be familiar with. In this instance Goku once again shows that while he may not be very academically or even street smart he is very intelligent when it comes to the art of battle.

Meanwhile, another adversary Rild having watched Goku’s battle from afar and being ready to take him on another great fight between himself and the Saiyan raised on Earth is about to begin as both characters appear to be heading towards one another.

Episode 18 - This Wasn’t in the Data!! Goku Goes Super All-Out

After one episode on M-2 with some good world building and a second episode with good action, this episode has a mix of both to offer.

Some of the world building is evident from Pan’s efforts to blend in with the machine mutants, as she gets to see how they live, the leadership they live under in the form of Rild, which is similar to Lood, although without being a cult, as he is more of a political figure, being the one tasked with giving Giru his medal.

Pan’s efforts to blend in with the world of machine mutants is amusing and a decent means of creating drama in this episode. The moment when Pan realizes the machine mutants can disappear into the wall and she can’t foils her plan to follow them everywhere they go, and consequentially gets thrown into the recycling room, adding an extra layer to her challenges, and the uncertainty surrounding the machine mutants and what they are capable of.

Pan also manages to find herself in the middle of some action throughout the episode. After some frustrations with the machine mutants who were stepping on her Pan ends up beating one of them up and has to fight back when a missile is launched and fired at her. The revelation that Pan’s techniques are being stored as data is not taken well by the young Saiyan, as she has more insecurities being a lot younger than Goku.

The loss of Giru is greatly emphasized throughout the episode. Not only is there a sombre track from Tokunaga to go along with Pan’s feelings of betrayal, but Goku ends up having to explain how Giru was a friend, liked by Trunks and gradually Pan too. Rild looking upon the Dragon Balls Giru gathered also serves as a reminder of what is at stake should his betrayal be true and realized.

As a bridging episode between Goku’s first major fight with the M2 Commandos and another fight yet to come with Rild this episode was very enjoyable and has plenty of tension to keep the excitement going for more to come.

Episode 19 - Headed for Battle!! The Mightiest Mutant, Rild

At this point the action in GT begins to hit its stride, not only does Atsushi Maekawa offer a compelling villain in Rild that becomes a genuine threat to Goku and his friends, but we are informed about a broader plan consistent with previously established themes.

Rild is a unique villain that Dragon Ball has not seen yet, while his introduction, which is presented with him emerging from a gust of wind and gust is nothing to write home about his plan builds on the previously established theme of the machine mutants as a master race. Rild’s plan to create a mutant army on M-2 to replace organic life is far more interesting than him just being another villain to rule the universe would have been.

Trunks and Pans’ relevance to the crew is brought to the forefront with the former sensing great power and the latter showing her concern for Goku’s safety. Pan also shows determination to find the Dragon Balls attacking Rild, knocking him down, which even impresses Goku and Trunks she will hurt him more. While it’s great to see Pan become a stronger character, not necessarily in terms of brute strength but mentally as well is nice, although when Rild stands up, staring Pan down and terrifying her it becomes evident she still has a bit of growing to do. Trunks once again shows himself to fit the elderly brother or uncle type role for Pan as he tries to get in the way when Rild tries to blast Pan only to be turned into a slab and disappearing.

Pan, while still showing some irritation towards Giru demonstrates compassion she has developed for Trunks in return when his statue disappears in front of her, though as she was taking her frustration over losing him out on the robot. This may have been an attempt to contrast with the previously mentioned treatment of artificial beings as a master race, as it implies Pan by contrast sees organic life characters as being more worthy of compassion, although this is a bit of a stretch and likely not what was intended as its unlikely that a character with Pan’s level of maturity was written to think that deep. At the end of the day Pan is still a young girl with much growth to gain, particularly when it comes to having the courage of her convictions while acting confident, as her fears still show when the ground around her begins to morph, until she finds herself outside realizing that her fears were nothing major.

The action gets really good when Rild and Goku’s fight takes place. Goku’s tactics are quite typical, kicking Rild in the chest, smacking him against a wall, launching ki blasts from above and firing blasts at Rild’s stomach as he grabs Goku. Rild’s techniques are more unique, launching a rocket fist (which Goku deflects, but I digress), turning the ground and trees around Goku to solid metal was a neat gimmick, and consistent with these villain’s aforementioned drive to turn everything artificial and eliminate natural life by means other than merely killing them.

Towards the end of this episode we see a return to typical Z battle tropes, with transformations. Not only does Goku transform into a Super Saiyan and blast away all the machine mutants that Rild intended on using to hold him hostage, but Rild’s transformation into Mega Rild causes similar shockwaves, and the drill arm he gains only makes Goku more excited.

With another major battle set to carry on GT comes to a point where it gets a good balance between the adventure aspect of early Dragon Ball, and the flashy action of Z, and this arc is not over yet.

Episode 20 - Astonishing!! A Tidal Wave of Metal Attacks Goku

Through a combination of some good character development, more action with its share of unpredictability, and great tracks from Tokunaga, Daisuke Yajima and team continue to develop GT as a promising, if flawed series that is nonetheless a worthy addition to the Dragon Ball series.

As the fight between Goku and Rild continues, there are some more neat moments such as when Rild’s drill goes across the land, blasting Goku upwards, Rild’s hardening ability, which protects him from Goku’s Kamehame Has, as well as him being able to become one with M-2 and closing in on the Saiyan warrior.

Pan has a great adventure of her own, which offers some great moments for her. As Pan beats up the machine mutants and continues to search for Giru we see more progression of her relationship with the little robot, and a much needed improvement over seemingly nothing in that regard last episode. Although Pan chasing Giru down and preparing to launch a Kamehame Ha at him does show that their relationship is not perfect yet, and there is still some development to be had.

The scenes with Pan kicking around the machine mutants whom she finds herself in a room full of was quite entertaining, as was her asking one for information and punching it upwards towards the ceiling when the mutant refused her request. Luckily Pan soon begins to realize that not all the machine mutants are against her (which bodes well for Giru’s return) as when she is squeezed into a tight room with several other mutants, one of the mutants outside that room deactivates the removal system, which saved her from being closed in on.

Worth mentioning some notable pieces of music throughout the episode. Not only does Tokunaga capture the unpredictability of Goku and Rild’s fight, but the grandiose sounding track used when Goku searches for Rild as he continuously submerges into the grounds of M-2 is a nice throwback to the sounds of 80s Saturday morning cartoons. The dramatic sound played when Goku and Rild stare down was also great for adding tension to a battle, which could go any way at any moment.

By the end it is implied that, despite Rild superseding Lood there is yet a greater threat ahead. Dr Mu being eager to analyse Trunks, Goku and Pan’s saiyan power sets up Rild laughing as he talks about introducing our heroes to this villain with an even bigger plan our heroes have not seen the fruits of.
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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