Dragon Ball Rewatch, Week 33 - DB episode 146-150

[KBABZ]

"filler" is a useful shorthand for "Anime-only material", which applies to GT too, so it works. I wouldn't use the terminology like that, but he's not wrong for using it.

I might agree if GT was an extension of Z, as in Z 292-355, but it isn't, it's its own separate show from the manga's 2 adaptions.

I actually disagree on this. Much like DB to Z, GT has the same people working on it and, most importantly, did NOT skip a beat once Z ended. Just like how Z-001 aired the week after DB ended, GT-01 aired the week after Z ended. As far as the anime is concerned, GT is just as valid as the rest of it (it being meh to many just makes it easy to amputate it out of what they view as The Anime). For almost a decade there was an episode of Dragon Ball each week and GT was a part of that run.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Episode 146 - Son Goku’s Trap

An episode beginning with tension caused by the fear within most characters, but with Goku's everlasting optimism acting as a shining light throughout what is undoubtedly the most vicious fight thus far in the series.

The opening shot of Piccolo Jr looking down on Goku and the partly destroyed arena sets up the episode to be one of constant looming danger. Goku's friends worry about him at various points in the episode, which once again demonstrate the loyalty they have developed for him, while Goku's confidence allows the viewer to reap the rewards of his training at the lookout.

Goku's decision to allow the now giant Piccolo Jr to eat him so that he can attack him from within until he has to spit him out was a fun twist that once again demonstrates Goku has learned not to be intimidated by his opponent's physical presence, and in this case size as that has its downsides too. Goku stealing the Denshi jar, and shocking Piccolo Jr was also a great scene for highlighting Goku's intelligence in the art of combat, especially when Kami is released as it allowed him to reverse Piccolo Jr's malicious act of eating the Denshi jar.

The rest of the episode contains more grounded combat once Piccolo Jr shrinks, with a few unique tactics here and there such as Goku's foot Kamehame Ha, Goku looking Piccolo Jr in the eye, and ducking to allow a blast that followed him to hit Piccolo Jr instead and the usual Piccolo Jr making sly zaps at Goku when he isn't expecting it. Goku's desire to win an honest fight despite Kami's efforts to defend him from Piccolo Jr are also quite admirable, and arguably necessary as this is Goku's chance to finally be number one in a competition.
Unsurprisingly Piccolo Jr shows that like Goku he is full of surprises after emerging from the smoke with an arm bleeding only to tear it off, horrifying the audience and regenerating a brand new arm without any scratches intact.

As Piccolo Jr makes an aura Goku and the rest of the audience are reminded of the ongoing danger, and the episode ends with much anticipation for the continuation of this monumental final match.

Episode 147 - It’s All Over!!

A thrilling new installment to the titanic battle between Goku and Piccolo Jr as tensions continue to escalate and the looming sense of danger gradually reaches its climax.

Goku's friends remain terrified emphasizing this need for them to stay safe as unlike Goku, Piccolo Jr has no regard for rules as the shockwaves he omits tear the arena to shreds. Tien once more shows the loyalty he has developed as he uses his Tri-Beam to create a hole for Goku's friends to take shelter in once the spectator stands are completely demolished and all that is left outside the arena is a barren wasteland.

Amusingly Goku still seems to be having the time of his life, positioning himself as if he was running a race only to launch into a barrage of punches on Piccolo Jr and knocking him out, which was a nice follow up from Kuririn's delight at him having survived. While Goku has some more unique positions for further attacks on Piccolo Jr, ultimately expectations for his comeback (amplified by Piccolo Jr being nearly down for the count at one point) are subverted by a gruesome ki blast from the demon king to Goku's chest. This blast leaves Goku in excruciating pain, and Piccolo Jr continues to show his malicious side by briefly laughing, stomping on him and blasting Goku's friends that try come to his aid.

Goku's determination not to give up remains admirable in dire times like this, mostly because of how far he's come and his drive for all the training and battles he's had in the series thus far to be worth it. As the episode ends with Goku standing up to Piccolo Jr the hype for the conclusion of this match is no less than it was from the beginning, arguably moreso.

Episode 148 - Hooray! The World’s Strongest Man

As the epic climactic battle between Goku and Piccolo Jr nears its conclusion this episode offers a sense of finality and resolution to the various trials and tribulations Goku has experienced thus far.

Goku's agnozing pain makes his victory and overcoming this incredible adversity all the more rewarding. Goku's blurred vision as he looks upon Piccolo Jr while experiencing this pain was a great artistic choice as it highlights the toll losing all this blood has taken on his body and allows the viewer to connect with him and his perspective.

As Piccolo Jr continues to torture Goku, Kami expresses the concern he has developed for his pupil by asking for Tien to kill him so that Piccolo Jr would also die. Kami not telling Goku's friends that Shenron and the Dragon Balls would disappear with him was a great narrative decision as it adds to the sense of failure he felt as guardian of the Earth to have been responsible for the worst threat that the planet has ever faced. The notion that a God can be flawed is also a daring but realistic choice that humanizes Kami, and Roshi telling him about how great the Dragon Balls truly are gave a lot of promise going forward for further development between himself and Piccolo Jr, as a redemption for the latter would by extension work as a redemption for the former. Goku's decision to allow Piccolo Jr to recover like himself also opened the door for a potential redemption arc as it promises a continuing rivalry between the two in addition to characters like Yamcha and Tien setting a prescedent for arch enemies becoming friends.

Ironically it is Piccolo Jr's excessive pride and desire to harm Goku that allows Goku to turn the tables and win the match by knockout. As Piccolo Jr blasts Goku from above and the shockwaves erupted, blowing away characters such as Kuririn, Oolong and Puar, and leaving Bulma and Lunch to go undercover. Once everyone thinks Goku is gone it is Kuririn who witnesses this stunning victory as Goku comes falling towards Piccolo Jr and knocking him out of the ring.

Kami's wish for Goku to be the new guardian of the Earth was also satisfying, although Goku's rejection was a reasoned decision narratively and it also adds a sense of humility to his character. Moreover, while Goku is not a natural romantic the scene with him and Chi-Chi riding off on Kinto Un was a sweet ending and a different journey for our hero that has not been attempted yet. In light of this while Goku's victory at this tournament would have worked as a finale to the series it is also a logical decision to carry the story forward in new and exciting directions yet to come.

Episode 149 - The Wedding Dress In Flames

As an introduction to the wedding dress filler arc, the chapter where Goku is brought to his new father-in-law's home and his happily-ever after with Chi-Chi is briefly interrupted by a new obstacle this episode does its job. It threads some old ground like showing Goku's endless appetite, and other characters having perverted tendencies.

There were some sweet scenes like the opening shot of Goku and Chi-Chi flying through the lands on the Kinto Un, Chi-Chi lovingly holding the wedding dress the Ox King kept for her and Chi-Chi expressing concern for Goku as he tries to put out the flames once magma engulfs Gyumao’s castle. Some scenes are quite funny like the flames briefly hitting Goku's butt while flying in on the Kinto Un, thinking the first pig he met at Octagon Village was Oolong, and Goku being responsible for the hot spring drying up.

Goku being able to depend on Baba to be familiar with the Basho fan was great as it shows she is now a friend that he can rely on. The moments where Oolong's species were spying on Chi-Chi, waiting for her to bathe in the hot spring felt like an overdone joke at this point, but everything else in the episode worked.

The scene with Goku and Chi-Chi heading off again to close it all off was a nice addition to lead off into the next episode.

Episode 150 - The Phantom Fire-Eating Bird

Another nice side quest for Goku and Chi-Chi as their adventure to put out the flames surrounding Gyumao’s castle continues.

In this episode there is a nice running gag of old characters like Turtle, Shu and Mai initially not recognizing adult Goku. In Turtle's case it was a sweet moment when he realized Goku was standing before him and a reminder of their friendship. Chi-Chi's decision to knock Shu and Mai out to defend Goku's honour when they are freaked out to realize it was him was quite endearing showing her loyalty to him.

Indeed the character moments for Goku and Chi-Chi are littered throughout the episode. When Goku and Chi-Chi are riding on the Kinto Un from Kame House the latter rests her head on the former's back as a beautiful shot of dolphins jumping over and splashing her face plays. While these two characters are in the cave Goku also comes to Chi-Chi's aid after she gets licked by a creature Goku is able to calm down. Chi-Chi also takes comfort patting Goku's back as they walk across a narrow cliff, and when magma erupts around them.

Pilaf (who appeared later), Mai and Shu don't offer much in this episode other than minor comic relief, although were rather unnecessary. The moment the Fire-Eating-Bird emerges is a nice moment with accompanying jolly Kikuchi music as it flies away with the chick, although unfortunate that the important feather disappears. The revelation that the information in the book from Roshi's house was gibberish was also a little disappointing, as there was an opportunity for a payoff.

Overall this episode wasn't as enjoyable as its predecessor, but with Goku and Chi-Chi heading north there is still excitement for what is to come next.