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

[Danfun64]

Personally, I'm hoping the rewatch is based on Z. It's the better production (Japanese wise at least), and the original run of the show. Perhaps it takes a while to get through, but it doesn't have the issue of cutting too much one moment and too little the next, or those redrawn scenes. Besides, it'll be fun to talk about the filler, both good (Driving episode, Afterlife Tournament) and bad (Fighting filler, Bulma and the crab)

[KBABZ]

I hope Robo would consider having the re-watch be on Kai, as not only would it be more convenient time wise, we'll have more to talk about. Goku's fight against Freeza on Namek will take 4 weeks to cover due to it being 21 episodes in Z, while only 2 weeks through Kai's 11 episodes. There's honestly not going to be much to discuss during those 4 weeks due to the story just not moving. With Kai, the first week cover's Base Goku's fight, while the second week covers his Ssj fight.

It'll be Z. The point of this rewatch is to go through all of the classic material, from DB-1 to GT-64, plus all of the movies and OVAs. Kai is ultimately a modern product with modern Intros/title cards/outros, modern music (regarding Yamamoto) and modern editing that is faster than Z was even in normal manga material. And with the Japanese VOs, they'll all be tired and not in their prime like they were for Z (we SHOULD be watching the Japanese VO after all, especially for Z). Not to mention all the insert songs are modern, and the redrawn shots all look vastly inferior barring two examples in the Dragon Ball recap in Episode 1.

Plus, if you're watching "Kikuchi Kai" the music isn't NEARLY as varied, because all Toei did was replace the Yamamoto tracks with Kikuchi sound-a-likes that didn't use the HEAD CHA-LA theme, so it's just as repetitive as Yamamoto's score was. There's no deep well of OG-DB, Saiyan Arc, Namek Arc and movie music cues to draw upon.

Kai would be included in a Rewatch if it were, say, going through Dragon Ball, then Kai, then The Final Chapters, then Super and Broly, to be a viewing of the more modern Dragon Ball canon and material. This is all about the classic 80s and 90s stuff that built the legend, warts and all.

[Robo4900]

5 episodes a week I always felt was an appropriate number because that was the original rate DBZ aired in the west, at least in New Zealand: 4pm every weekday after school, right between Pokémon and Shinzo/Digimon.

If I were to pick an accelerated number, I would actually say 7 because then that's one episode a day, meaning a nice routine can be made if you can pick a good timeslot to watch in every day, say over dinner or something.

Indeed.

Sounds reasonable.

If people want to accelerate to 7 episodes a week, I'd be happy to do that.

Ten episodes would be a bit much... At the moment, I watch each week's episodes over the weekend, and I'd like to keep the episode count such that that's still reasonably possible without having to sacrifice doing other things each weekend. 5 is great for that, but I'd be okay switching to 7.
But only if everyone else wants to.

When I watch the Z part of the story I tend to do so through Kai, so would it be OK to have the re-watch starting with Z be more like 40 episodes a week ? Otherwise you're going to be very far behind me story wise. By the time you finish the Namek arc at episode 107, I'll be at the 25th Tenkaichi getting introduced to the Supreme Kai.

lolno.

I hope Robo would consider having the re-watch be on Kai, as not only would it be more convenient time wise, we'll have more to talk about. Goku's fight against Freeza on Namek will take 4 weeks to cover due to it being 21 episodes in Z, while only 2 weeks through Kai's 11 episodes. There's honestly not going to be much to discuss during those 4 weeks due to the story just not moving. With Kai, the first week cover's Base Goku's fight, while the second week covers his Ssj fight.

FWIW, I do plan on putting the equivalent Kai episodes for each week in each thread's OP, so if you want to watch along, but for some reason you simply refuse to watch Z, you can watch the equivalent Kai episodes if you like (you'd have to figure something out with the filler arcs. Maybe swap in Z for those bits? IDK). But, this is primarily a rewatch of the original run. DB + Z + GT. All 508 episodes. In Japanese, with subs. You can watch it however you want (I know DB Ireland is watching the Blue Water dub of DB, for instance), but this is the premise we're working under for the rewatch.

And sure, the Namek arc specifically is pretty slow in Z, but I've never seen the issue with the rest of the run. The added filler is often quite good -- Gohan and the robot, driving, the pre-Cell games adventure, the afterlife tournament, Yamucha playing baseball.
And for Japanese viewing, the cast are all better in Z than they were in Kai (most notably, we have the original castings of Roshi, Ryo Horikawa's voice hasn't been so affected by his smoking as it would in later years, and in general, it's clear the cast are still in their prime, whereas in Kai, they're all old and worn out), and Z has infinitely better music (either you have the good-but-not-great-but-heavily-plagiarised-so-it's-inexcusable Yamamoto score, or you have the kinda shitty placements of a tiny proportion of Kikuchi's compositions), and we won't have to suffer through cropping and a green tint in the Boo arc. And in general, as Danfun points out, no shitty redraws, the inconsistency of the pacing from one episode to the next, etc.

No. This rewatch is the original DB+Z+GT run. This was always my intent, and this is always clear from the beginning.
If things are moving too slow for you, I'm willing to up the number of episodes per week, but I'm not changing an entire series out for another, different series.

KBABZ just posted his post before I was able to post mine, and I'd just like to say -- I second everything he just said.

[Matches Malone]

I do plan on putting the equivalent Kai episodes for each week in each thread's OP, so if you want to watch along, but for some reason you simply refuse to watch Z, you can watch the equivalent Kai episodes if you like.

That'll work just fine, thanks. Do you plan on doing weekly re-watch topics for Super once you're done with GT ?

[Robo4900]

I love the Zanzouken/Afterimage technique. It's a shame we don't really see it after this, it's a fun one, and it's used to great effect in this fight.

I swear, Tenshinhan's turn to light here is the single greatest character moment in all of Dragon Ball.

I've betrayed my master... This match is all I have left.
But now I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders... Cranes, turtles, revenge... None of it matters! Now I can devote myself entirely to defeating you!

Super ain't got shit on this.
... Actually, Z ain't got shit on this either.
Like... Toriyama would pull this again with Piccolo, over a longer timespan, then once again, with Vegeta, over an even longer timespan... And those were well done, yeah, but Ten's version of a heel-face-turn is the best of the three, I think. It's told efficiently, effectively, and just told really fucking well. 10/10.

And with this week's episodes finished, Tenshinhan has destroyed the ring, and desperately warned Goku to avoid the attack... I love this gambit. He's found his honour, and he's going to fight clean... But still employ clever tricks. So, he's warned Goku to avoid his own death, but if all goes well, Ten will still win. It's clever. I love it.

I do plan on putting the equivalent Kai episodes for each week in each thread's OP, so if you want to watch along, but for some reason you simply refuse to watch Z, you can watch the equivalent Kai episodes if you like.

That'll work just fine, thanks. Do you plan on doing weekly re-watch topics for Super once you're done with GT ?

No, this is just going to be the original run. Besides, Super ignores GT.

But, if you want to do one for Super after we're done with GT, go ahead.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Episode 96 - Can it be, Goku?! Kuririn’s Great Strategy

A fun episode seeing two good friends continue to fight it out. There isn't much in the way of tension in this episode as it is full of payoff for where both Goku and Kuririn have come, particularly the former. Throughout the episode we see Goku make some unique technique from Goku and it adds a sense of reward to his solo training thus far even to the surprise of his friends. Goku's run towards Kuririn, jumping and knocking him down for the count for above was a good amalgamation of combat techniques, which even surprises Tien and builds some suspense for their potential matchup. In addition we see a range of different approaches in their martial arts. During one sequence there is a barrage of punches, tumbles and spins. In the entirety of the fight we see great resilience in both Goku and Kuririn, which shows neither of them willing to give up and wanting to best the other.

Goku's confidence shows when he warns Kuririn not to launch a Kamehame Ha, only to end up blocking it. Kuririn shows some level of confidence himself grabbing Goku's tail and pulling it, thinking he knows his friend and his weakness too much. For a moment it seems Kuririn had him figured out, looking hypnotized and falling down, but Goku manages to get up and swing Kuririn off him with his tail. It is at this point that we see a nice little montage of Goku's training and how he overcame the weakness in his tail. Kuririn's initiative to trick Goku by attacking him after a moment of silence caused by the awe of Goku's tail not phasing him shows that he has been somewhat prepared for the unexpected, as he should expect no less from Goku. Nonetheless it is Goku who has more surprises at his disposal. When Goku starts to run around the arena and no one can see him we see this is one trick Kuririn hasn't prepared for, although Tien manages to see him, which manages to build him up as the new tough competitor. Goku's act of appearing to Kuririn instantly and making silly faces was charming and entertaining way to end the fight.

The ending was very endearing. The Kikuchi score playing when Bulma and Lunch were congratulating Kuririn for his fight despite losing was appropriately harmonious to end an episode with a friendly but intense fight. Furthermore the ending shot with the night sky and a shining star emphasized there is more to be excited for in the final match.

Episode 97 - The Finals!! Who is the World’s Greatest Martial Artist?!

This episode has a steady, but gradual build up for the final match. In the preparations for the final match we see Yamcha's excitement for the match getting out of hospital, everyone's awe at Goku's incredible skills, some entertaining Roshi gags watching women on the TV that doesn't go overboard and some shape shifting comedy beats for Puar and Oolong.

Tien's meditation shows his dedication to his craft, and emphasizes that this man is a force to be reckoned with. The Kikuchi track that plays as Goku prepares to step out highlights the heated tension growing between Goku and Tien and their victory-oriented mindsets even before the match begins.

As the fight begins we see some unique use of Goku's tail and an upside down jump kick heading for Tien, which was neat, in addition he shows great resilience by jumping out from beneath the arena grounds after being blased by a Dodonpa. Tien shows that he has learned from the previous match and won't fall for some of the same tricks.

Tien's brutality in slamming Goku against the wall with multiple strikes, knocking him down for the count and grabbing him was an incredibly vicious display and shows this is a man who is not willing to show any mercy. The episode ends with Goku on the verge of defeat and a bleak note.

Episode 98 - A Secret Ability – The Haikyu-Ken vs Fighting Power

As the intense final battle between Goku and Tien continues we see some more surprise tactics from Goku and more fierce brutality from Tien. Tien using Goku as a volleyball and knocking him to the ground was a wacky but merciless display of aggression towards him. The Kikuchi track played as Goku is down for the count is slightly sombre, although Goku's swift jump upwards once again shows his resilience and perseverance. It is at this point we see some great combat from Goku as he starts to kick Tien around, although saving his Kamehame Ha shows some mercy, likely because he wants to savour such an exciting fight.

We see some more fast paced action as the fight heats up and both Goku and Tien launch a barrage of punches, and chops at one another with great velocity, and is an exciting sequence. Tien thinks he can't fall for the After Image, but Goku shows he has the upper hand at this point, managing to seemingly knock him down for the count this time. Tien shows excruciating pain when Goku smacks him in the stomach, although this is likely an act as he comes off much stronger after this strike. Goku zipping off to grab Muten Roshi's sunglasses while Tien launches a Taio-Ken was a nice surprise, and a funny moment to juxtapose the seriousness throughout this fight, although once they are smashed it is a sad moment for Roshi.

The episode ends with much to be desired, although in a good way as this is a fight, which feels like either warrior could pull anything at any moment.

Episode 99 - Tenshinhan’s Anguish!!

Following on from the last episode and Tien's surprise punch it is clear that Goku may still have his work cut out for him. Although with Goku and Muten Roshi both having their suspicions, an air of mystery envelops the fight as some of Tien's lucky shots at Goku start to appear a bit too coincidental. Goku while full of surprises comes across more grounded in his approach, relying on things like the Kamehame Ha as he is tumbling towards the ground is not an unusual act of defence.

Unsurprisingly everyone starts to catch on to Chiaotzu immobilizing Goku from the audience, and the Hermit Crane is well prepared for a sneak attack on Chiaotzu. It is at this point after a barrage of punches from Tien that it seems all is lost for Goku.

While Goku's disdain for Tien shows his honour for the sport of good honest martial arts Tien's disapproval of these tactics is a testament to similar feelings on the matter, and it was a good twist for a foe that was built up to be a very unlikeable character. Tien's desire to win on his own terms is very admirable despite his brutality thus far. Roshi blasting the Hermit Crane with a Kamehame Ha was a good moment for him and a great way to break up the brief obstruction.

Goku's stamina shows as he manages to launch a barrage of strikes, even knocking Tien down after the beating he previously got. Tien not only has the strength to get back up but he also unleashes the Four Witches Technique to grow extra arms out of his backside, leaving Goku intimidated again and the episode ends showing that this fight is far from over.

Episode 100 - Life or Death?! A Last Resort

Arguably one of the wackier tournament episodes. From the onset there is an air of shock within the arena, not only from Tien's Shiyō-Ken technique, but later when Goku tries this technique himself to grow eight arms.

The fighting remains as intense as ever with Tien's double trouble barrage of punches on Goku, nearly knocking him out of the arena again, squeezing him with both sets of arms while headbutting him and Goku's submission hold leaving Tien red with anguish.

Additionally, while Goku still manages to come back from being swung backwards and into a crumbling wall the buildup for Tien's Kikōhō and the harrowing Kikuchi track that plays alongside it highlights the end being near for this long anticipated fight. This assault on the ring leaves everyone terrified and the episode with one of the series most damning cliffhangers yet with the ring destroyed and no sign of Goku at all.

In short, a very faced past episode which goes for a more is less approach to the fighting techniques used.