MistareFusion's Dragon Ball Dissection! (Updated 2/16/26!)

[Gaffer Tape]

Well, I haven't written any scripts for these yet, so I can't be entirely certain, but my *plan* at least is one video per arc. It's not going to be as in-depth as, say, Herms's "Herms Watches the Show" thread. I'm not going to point out every single deviation but mostly focus on how changes affect the story and pacing from the manga.

[Kid Buu]

Also Gaffer Tape, do you know what characters Marron interacts with?

How many times does Kuririn wear sunglasses?

[RandomGuy96]

Well, I haven't written any scripts for these yet, so I can't be entirely certain, but my *plan* at least is one video per arc. It's not going to be as in-depth as, say, Herms's "Herms Watches the Show" thread. I'm not going to point out every single deviation but mostly focus on how changes affect the story and pacing from the manga.

Ah, alright then. I'm just hoping you'll breeze through as fast as possible, as I'm eager to see your thoughts on the Saiyan arc- a few scenes in particular.

Also, comment on a really old video: I was watching the RRA arc dissections again the other day- part seven, to be exact- and noticed that you said that this section of the story was good about being an ensemble cast story, where everyone could contribute with their own unique abilities rather than just being a bunch of strong guys who are outclassed by the strongest guy.

I'd have to disagree with that. Puar and Upa's gag match was pointless, and didn't contribute to anything. Same thing with Yamcha's fight with the Invisible Man. Unlike at later points in the story, there is no actual reason for anyone other than Goku to be there, as demonstrated when Goku swoops in and easily one-shots the Mummy, who was the strongest fighter up to that point. Every fight prior to Goku stepping in was just a pointless game, with Goku letting the supporting cast think they're helping and then revealing that they're actually completely useless, which for the most part will remain the case up until Krillin regains his usefulness in the Saiyan arc (if you count new characters, Tenshinhan and Yajirobe also get some very brief moments of usefulness in the Daimao arc). I know you actually brought that up in the video itself, but acknowledging this fact makes your comment on this being a good example of an ensemble cast rather weirdly placed.

(Plus, in that arc, Puar > Krillin. Also, Puar > Yamcha).

[Gaffer Tape]

I do agree with you on that. And like you said, I did address that too (and, funnily enough, I remember someone complained about me being too negative when I made the comment that Goku was so strong that he made everyone else's contributions pointless). And I actually did feel the same way when I finished the videos and watched them myself, or maybe even when I was writing it. I guess the point I was trying to make was that it was a good effort to let the other characters get in there, and it did contribute some decent and fun parts to the story, even if its execution ultimately rendered their contributions useless.

That said, while I do agree with you that Pu'erh outclassed Kuririn in that section, I don't think I agree that he outclassed Yamucha. And I admit I'm terrified to address this because I know we've gone 'round the bend before on how much credit Yamucha should get for his Invisible Man fight, so I won't even go into that again. But I will say that Yamucha contributed idea-wise to the plan that Upa and Pu'erh used (in their pre-match huddle), so if it's fair to say that Yamucha got help from outside to win his match, then it would seem that Upa and Pu'erh did too. I'd say that at *least* makes them even. And, really, even if Pu'erh did outshine Yamucha, well, hell, Pu'erh probably deserves a moment in the spotlight even more than he does.

[Kid Buu]

BTW, in case you missed it, does I asked does Kuririn wears sunglasses in the manga? If so, doesn't that kinda side with the idea that he has a nose?

[Gaffer Tape]

Didn't miss it. This is just my first time on the Internet in nearly three days because I've been moving. As for Marron, I only remember Chichi and Yamucha interacting with her. Yamucha to assure her that her daddy is the strongest among earthlings, and Chichi to congratulate her on her mother's impending win. Again, though, that's not based on anything but my memory.

The only time I recall that Kuririn wears sunglasses in the manga is when Goku first demonstrates instantaneous movement. As for the nose... nah, still don't buy it. Perhaps his skull contours enough at that point to hold up the frame. I'm not saying there isn't contradictory evidence that suggests a nose (like the boogers and the diamond-sniffing), but for me at least that doesn't override his lack of a nose being a major plot point and being explicitly said to be lacking on two different occasions a couple of years apart from each other.

[RandomGuy96]

That said, while I do agree with you that Pu'erh outclassed Kuririn in that section, I don't think I agree that he outclassed Yamucha. And I admit I'm terrified to address this because I know we've gone 'round the bend before on how much credit Yamucha should get for his Invisible Man fight, so I won't even go into that again. But I will say that Yamucha contributed idea-wise to the plan that Upa and Pu'erh used (in their pre-match huddle), so if it's fair to say that Yamucha got help from outside to win his match, then it would seem that Upa and Pu'erh did too. I'd say that at *least* makes them even. And, really, even if Pu'erh did outshine Yamucha, well, hell, Pu'erh probably deserves a moment in the spotlight even more than he does.

It was more of a half-joking comment observing that despite ostensibly winning because of his abilities Puar appeared to be outright stronger than Krillin (and by extension Yamcha), because the vampire couldn't bite through Puar while he could bite through Krillin. I guess I was unintentionally also referencing when Herms observed the anime-only sequence of Yamcha attacking Oozaru Goku's tail and failing miserably, and extrapolated "Puar > stone sword. Also, Puar > Yamcha".

Though I'd probably still give Puar more credit than Yamcha here anyway, because Puar only needed help from one or two people to win, while Yamcha needed help from three. Plus, even though Invisible Man was stronger than the vampire, the latter appeared to be more dangerous.

The only time I recall that Kuririn wears sunglasses in the manga is when Goku first demonstrates instantaneous movement. As for the nose... nah, still don't buy it. Perhaps his skull contours enough at that point to hold up the frame. I'm not saying there isn't contradictory evidence that suggests a nose (like the boogers and the diamond-sniffing), but for me at least that doesn't override his lack of a nose being a major plot point and being explicitly said to be lacking on two different occasions a couple of years apart from each other.

It's not really a "major plot point" so much as a minor gag.

[Kid Buu]

Well if you're gonna play it like that wouldn't the former fight be 3:1 (Pu'erh/Upa/Yamcha contributions against Dracula) while the latter fight is 4:2 (Yamcha/Kuririn/Bulma/Roshi contributions against Invisible Man/Baba)?

[RandomGuy96]

Well if you're gonna play it like that wouldn't the former fight be 3:1 (Pu'erh/Upa/Yamcha contributions against Dracula) while the latter fight is 4:2 (Yamcha/Kuririn/Bulma/Roshi contributions against Invisible Man/Baba)?

I suppose so, but I would think defeating the vampire guy was still more impressive than defeating the Invisible Man, making up for the slight number difference. The Invisible Man was easily defeated by Yamcha when his trick was rendered obsolete, and even with it, couldn't really damage Yamcha much, while the vampire was able to use his abilities to instantly take down Krillin.

[Kid Buu]

Well anyway, I will say that I really liked how Dracula and Invisible Man were beaten in creative ways, and hated how Toriyama washed that all away once it is revealed that Goku could have just one-shot them both. Honestly, I know he is the main character, but Goku got too much glory in that arc. The Mummy should have just lost to Yamcha when he tripped him, not much would have changed without making the non-Goku characters look pathetic. I also thought about making Devilman just an average fighter who was only strong due to his ability to attack evil hearts, and thus he jobs to Pu'erh/Upa too. Goku can just beat Gohan and Pilaf.

[Gaffer Tape]

*Puar > Yamucha talk*

I know it wasn't incredibly serious. Just thought it'd be fun to address momentarily.

It's not really a "major plot point" so much as a minor gag.

Obviously you're free to disagree, and I agree in the sense that it's not a terribly important fight in and of itself, but since the main narrative thrust of the tournament arcs (and this one in particular) is the fighting in the seven final matches of the tournament, and Kuririn's lack of a nose is the only reason he won that fight (and, by extension, got to fight and lose to Jackie Chun at all, which is of the utmost importance to the whole theme of the arc), I would definitely place that in the category of "major plot point" for the 21st Budoukai.

[Kid Buu]

Also, one more question, since you prioritizing the anime to catch-up, at what point are you gonna review Emperor Chaozu?

[Gaffer Tape]

The third movie premiered during the manga's run of the 23rd Budoukai, so it will be covered during that arc.

[Kid Buu]

I thought it premiered during the Piccolo Daimao arc? Then again, you mentioned in one of the videos that the dates could be wrong, so I'll take your word for it.

[Gaffer Tape]

The 3rd movie premiered on July 9, 1988, which was right after Goku and Ma Junior began their fight. The anime was still airing the Daimao arc at that point, which might be what you're thinking of.

But actually, it was the timing of the premiere of this movie was one of the reasons I decided to cover the movies during the manga in the first place because I thought it was so interesting that a new movie featuring a 12-year-old Goku came out while the newest DB material at the time was so far removed.

[Kid Buu]

So when the humans met at Korins tower for the 23rd Budokai, they went their own ways right? Does that include Ten and Chaozu going their own ways?

[RandomGuy96]

Another comment on an older video I watched again:

In part 1 of your Piccolo Daimao arc review, when giving an overview of Piccolo, you said two things:

1. Piccolo is smart and can be expected to keep his common sense even when everyone is written as an idiot.
2. Piccolo and his father are the same person (well, you didn't outright say it, but you did indirectly).

I disagree on both points. One, Piccolo is often written as being just as dumb if not dumber than the rest of the cast (they had to put him next to an eight year old in the Buu arc for him to actually come off as smart in comparison). Two, Daimao and Junior aren't really the same character. They have different personalities, different roles, different motivations, and they don't even look alike. Them sharing a soul doesn't change that. Saying that they're the same character is like saying Super Buu is the same character as Fat Buu, or Kami is the same character as Daimao.

[Kid Buu]

Hmm, so I was thinking on how to do Daimao arc properly without recycling too much.

-Tambourine kills Kuririn, and Goku chases after him only to lose.
-Tenshinhan and Master Roshi go to search for the Dragon Balls, while Yamcha and Chaozu are left behind.
-Worried about Goku, Chaozu goes to look for him since Yamcha can't fight, and on his way he encounters/defeats Cymbal.
-Hearing that Cymbal has died, Tambourine is sent to follow the trail of Cymbal's killer.
-Chaozu finally finds Goku, while Tambourine finds Chaozu, but Goku avenges Kuririn's death.
-Daimao arrives to get the Dragon Balls and Master Roshi sucker punches Tenshinhan.
-Master Roshi loses against Daimao and dies, Daimao gets his wish and kills Shenlong.
-Daimao takes over the World, but says he wont kill anyone yet if the killer of Cymbal and Tambourine came to fight him.
-Daimao also reveals that he has killed Shenlong, and no one can come back.
-Tenshinhan is first to challenge Daimao, and appears to be losing.
-Ultimately Goku and Chaozu join the battle and the three of them defeat Daimao together, like the Saiyan Arc.
-The climax to the Daimao battle remains the same, including the Ma Junior birth.
-Tenshinhan and Chaozu leave, but Goku decides to visit Korin to see if there was a way to bring back Kuririn and Master Roshi back.
-Once there, Korin tells Goku to go even futhur above.
-Goku goes to the Lookout and meets Mr. Popo and "Piccolo"
-Kami explains that he hadn't fight in so many years that he couldn't fight anymore, but Shenlong's wish also restored his youth, making him strong enough to one-shot Goku.
-Kami's reason for not interfering when he got his youth back was that he didn't fight because he knew Daimao was going to lose his challenge.
-However, Kami reveals that a new Piccolo is born, and has a feeling that Goku wont win.
-Thus, a foreshadow that Kami might be fighting next time placed.

Thoughts?

[TheGmGoken]

Piccolo Daimao arc is fine as it is. No offenses to Kid Buu but that sounds horrible. The idea of Ten and Chazou helping Goku from battle besides saving Goku (due to a cheap shot) is just a headache. They have no right to be the one to kill Piccolo. No right. I can MAYBE excuse Ten as he was suppose to be the future (thank god it didn't happen). But with this purpose idea. Ten has NO connection to the villain. Goku does. Why would Chazou care for Goku? The idea is a 4/10. The original is a 9/10.

Unless you only want Gaffer's opinion.

BTW Gaffer my Data is being shitty. Did you upload something new?

[Doctor.]

Personally, I don't think that Chaozu ever being relevant is a good decision. He had his one moment in the Saiyan arc and it's fine by me. His personality is bland and his abilities are rather uninteresting and boring, compared to the other character's fighting styles. I'd hate it if he got the amount of relevance Kid Buu's version of the Piccolo Daimao arc gave him.