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by Dragon Ball Ireland » Sun Jul 26, 2020 5:29 pm
Just got around to this week's episodes and have some time to kill tomorrow so hoping to finally get around to reviewing movies 2 and 3 then before we move on to Week 31.
Suffice to say, my thoughts are as follows:
Episode 131 - Each On His Own Path
A rather good filler episode that makes some great use of the different main characters while also giving Goku his due for his continued training on the lookout. An interesting inversion whereby the former is involved in the action and the latter, the central character is the one is involved in a more spiritual or philosophical role. On a similar note Tien and Chaoitzu show more experience in the metaphysical area of martial arts than Kuririn and Yamcha as they are the characters that hear voices chanting in the distance, which are the voices of the people from the village that this episode revolves around.
The use of a soothing Kikuchi track when Tien, Chaoitzu, Yamcha and Kuririn reach the village emphasizes the sense of harmony that these people share, and especially with the mountain they see as a God. Conversely once a flock of crows fly over the village a more ominous track plays to highlight oncoming danger from the mountain that begins to erupt, and our heroes which came to the village will be tasked with stopping the flow of magma and saving the village. In light of this the fact Tien wanted to do the right thing, as Goku would implies a respect he has developed for his once sworn rival. With regards to Goku, his moment of waking up to do exercises on the lookout was a nice touch as it illustrates his desire to always better himself that anyone he fights learns to respect about him. In addition Mr Popo's usage in this episode emphasizes the constant need for Goku to learn and is consistent with the motif of there always being someone stronger or more competitive. Goku's attempt to run in different directions as he undergoes his task to catch Mr Popo with blindfolds on demonstrates the necessity for him to learn to detect spiritual energy rather than his opponent's visual presence. Goku being slammed towards the ground and being caught when he least expects it allow him to endure a sense of hardship that adds dramatic weight to his training at the lookout.
Episode 132 - Hotter Than Magma
Following on from the last episode we have the continued adventures of Tien, Chaoitzu, Yamcha and Kuririn as they have their chance to save a village without Goku. Goku still has some screentime as he continues to unlearn what he has learned about following your enemies movements, although it's mostly in the background, allowing his friends to get some well needed attention.
The confidence initially shown by Tien, Chaoitzu, Yamcha and Kuririn as magma flows down the mountain and burning forests was admirable. Kuririn and Yamcha show more humility and uncertainty as their quest goes on, in Kuririn's case it's likely because of his desire to save Mint, whereas Yamcha has other plans than the rest of the crew. Interestingly the way the village is saved was somewhat surprising with the ever headstrong Tien not being the one who saves the day, but the character who helped the most was Yamcha.
Tien shoots Dodonpas to cause cracks he hopes the magma will fall into, but it only disperses. Likewise Kuririn's Kamehame Ha wasn't as impressive in getting the job done. Conversely Yamcha's Kamehame Ha at the cliffs allows a stream of water to break through and slowly but surely extinguish the magma. This was clever thinking and a great moment for his character. In Goku's case his continued training on the lookout serves as a less is more subplot in the episode. Goku doesn't receive as much time as his friends, but what we see, like Mr Popo disappearing and reappearing close to him emphasizes the importance of sensing spiritual energy when it is more prevalent than the physical.
All in all an enjoyable episode for Goku's friends to have some success and a logical end to Goku's childhood and all that he taught he knew about martial arts, as his greatest fight is yet to come.
Episode 133 - The Reunion Before the Storm
Not much significant developments in this episode, but it serves its purpose in establishing the 23rd Tenka’ichi Budokai and introducing a grown up versions of all the characters.
The most prominent reintroductions came in the form of Goku and Piccolo Jr. The former has an endearing reunion with his friends because of them initially not recognizing him, and Bulma recognizing him as being more attractive. Bulma's reintroduction as a more mature, attractive individual herself adds little other than another Roshi gag, and an new funny scene with Roshi getting a smack for being sleazy. Piccolo Jr's first appearance as an adult is more ominous and a disappointment to the civilians who thought they would be saved.
Goku's ability to sense Tien, Chaoitzu, Yamcha and Kuririn when they are on their way as well as Piccolo Jr before he appears to them at the tournament grounds was nice to see and gives some payoff to his training at Mr Popo's lookout. Piccolo Jr's arrival adds a sense of dramatic weight to the tournament as we see Tien's fear and Kuririn's cluelessness (as he was dead early in the previous arc) that makes the fights yet to come all the more exciting.
Episode 134 - Troubles at the Tenka’ichi Budokai
Similar to the last episode there are the reintroductions of older and wiser characters, and the payoffs for Goku's training, although it offers a few more surprises.
Piccolo Jr's presence is as ominous as ever, the use of an eerie Kikuchi track emphasizes the mystery surrounding him to our heroes as none of them witnessed Daimao birthing him just before his death. Chi-Chi is unsurprisingly unrecognizable to the ever naive Goku, which only frustrates her, but adds much needed tension as Chi-Chi is the one persuing Goku. Piccolo Jr's stare at Goku from across the hall was a nice touch as it helps build up the rivalry between the two, especially because Goku's first preliminary fight was in this episode.
Goku's first fight against King Chappa was a great moment for his development as it shows him to be a more mature fighter who learned from the attendant of a God. King Chappa being oblivious to Goku's lack of a traditional defensive stance demonstrates the mundane nature of experience anyone who only trained below Kami's lookout would have by comparison. Additionally King Chappa shows the same ignorance Goku had about spiritual techniques by looking with his eyes for Goku only to be knocked out by a single chop.
The preliminaries move at an appropriately fast pace as the appeal of this tournament is how far Goku and his friends have come in their training and adventures. Roshi, Lunch, Bulma and Oolong's excitement to hear about Goku's victory only adds to the intrigue regarding his progress and the anticipation for his upcoming fights. Nonetheless Goku is not immune to surprise himself, and the return of a living Tao Pai Pai catches him just as off guard as anyone else, and sets up some mystery for the upcoming episode.
Episode 135 - The Eight Chosen People
Another largely establishing episode for the tournament and the danger of the villains competing. The scene at the beginning with potential spectators, including Goku's friends feeling irritated they can't get through to the tournament grounds only to see some contestants, including Chaoitzu being carried out injured was a dark scene that emphasizes the horror.
Piccolo holds a villainous face looking at Goku and strangles his opponent to win a match, clearly setting him up as the new demon king and a force to be reckoned with. There are some entertaining scenes with Shen's fly being open in front of an audience, and Yajirobe's easy loss, but otherwise this episode is very serious.
The shock on the announcer's face when he sees Kuririn alive, the apprehension over who Ma'Junior could be, and Master Crane's story about how technology kept Tao Pai Pai alive show the different levels of misinformed these characters are about the bizarre and extraordinary things that occur in this world. The tournament announcer not being aware of the Dragon Ball's magical power, and Goku and his friends not knowing the circumstances that allowed Piccolo Jr and the mechanically enhanced Tao Pai Pai show that everyone is still oblivious to something. In both cases the sense of wonder and discovery from earlier in the series is given some real gravitas and peril that makes for a great mature climax.
The stare down between Tien and Tao Pai Pai leaves a lot of anticipation for the upcoming episode and matches in the finals in general.
