From DB to Z

Tom Servo · Post by **Tom Servo** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 7:01 pm

When you look at the huge contrast between the storyline, fighting, and dramatic elements in DragonBall (especially the earlier episodes) and Dragonball Z you see how interesting the evolution of DB really is. I think it's really ironic that something which was originally intended to be a gag-manga spoof of old kung fu style fighting eventually became an intensly dramatic series with unbelievable, highly stylized fighting. To me the difference between DB and Z is one of the greatest aspects of being a DB fan. Anyway, what I was wondering is where exactly in DB are the roots of DBZ. You could say from the very beginning of DB and that would of course be true. In my opinion the biggest shift in the series and the biggest move towards DBZ was the 22nd Budokai. The introduction of Tenshinhan was very important because he was unlike any other character previously seen in DB. There was basically nothing comedic about him and the tension (no pun intended) between Goku and him was something new. Not to mention, the fights were longer and not as humorous as the 21st Budokai (except of course the fight between Jackie Chun and Wolfman and the fight between Chaozu and Kuririn). I probably shouldn't be thinking this much about DB, but I got nothing better to do with my time. Anyway, I'd be interested to hear everybody else's two cents about this.

Detective X · Post by **Detective X** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 8:10 pm

I would say that the roots of Dragonball Z lie within the Piccolo saga. When Piccolo arrived, we were treated to the first truly evil and murderous villain of Dragonball. Everyone else Goku could be humorous with in one way or another.

PsyLiam · Post by **PsyLiam** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 9:54 pm

Although I do agree with that, I also think that Tao Pai Pai's first fight with Goku should be adressed. I've been going through DB from the beginning, finding it all amusing and entertaining in one way or another. Even dramatic moments like the first Goku/Jackie Chun fight ended with the winner having to declare their victory while grinning like an idiot.

And later on, when Tao is introduced, he's not that different. Sure, he's hard as fuck, but no matter how hardcore killing someone with your tongue is, it's also amusing (in a weird way). But when he meets Goku, he kills Upa's dad (whose name escapes me) and then beats down on little Goku, almost killing him as well. It's a very dramatic point in the series, possibly the first one it actually has.

It does have a different feel to lots of DBZ "dramatic" moments though, which tended to be characters looking at each other shortly before someone sacrifices themselves. What we get here is Upa burying his dad, while this incredibly sad music plays. The closest I can think of to it is when Gohan is seen shortly after he has buried all the Nameks killed by Freeza's forces, but that isn't quite as moving (mainly because we didn't know the Namek's as well as we knew Goku and Big Indian Dude).

Super Sonic · Post by **Super Sonic** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 12:51 am

I agree with you also because that scene of Gohan burying the villagers wasn't in the manga. And Upa's dad is named Bora.

Tom Servo · Post by **Tom Servo** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 11:54 am

Another thing I'd like to point out about the Tao Pai Pai fight is its really the first multi episode fight in DB other than Goku vs. Jackie Chun. But the reason I think that the 22nd Budokai is an even bigger shift in the series is because the Tao Pai Pai fight and the murder of Upa's father was more of an isolated part in the series rather than something that changed the entire direction of DB. The first "DBZ" sort of fight was Tenshinhan vs. Goku. It was the longest fight seen so far in the series (I think three or four episodes) and the most intense. Before Tao Pai Pai and Tenshinhan most of Goku's fights were short and had many opportunities for humor. An even bigger change in the series is Kuririn dieing. Sure we'd already seen Bora die, but we barely knew him. Kuririn dieing was much more dramatic because this was a character everyone knew and loved.

SDHero · Post by **SDHero** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 1:29 pm

Absolutely the death of Kuririn. It just states in a very powerful way that things are not safe for our heroes anymore. Futhermore, the whole "Piccolo Daimo" arc leads to how Goku pretty much spends the rest of the series training to defeat an opponent of some sort or engaged in battle with them.