Den of Geek takes a look back at Dragon Ball’s second adventure, the Tournament Saga!
Its safe to say that Goku and his friends are definitely living through a renaissance at the moment.
Remember, these posts are not meant to be straight recaps of each saga.
Instead, well be dissecting the stories for a larger discussion on what makes the series so great.
I could almost see Mr. Miyagi behind those sunglasses and thick white beard.
Why would a master not want to see his students on top?
Isnt that the greatest victory?
These two boys will one day grow up to be Earths greatest heroes and its all due to Roshi.
Half-part naive darling and half-part man-hating psychopath, Launch switches personalities every time she sneezes.
By the way, Launch always seems to have machine guns hanging around the house for some reason.
Whatever, its anime.
This show isnt exactly kind to women.
You might even find some of the portrayals a bit offensive at times.
Although Bulmaisawesome once you get past her one-dimensional obsession with boys and romance.
I told you this stuff is a bit offensive.
But this is the female character Toriyama decides to go with during the Tournament Saga.
Bulmas few scenes involve her pretty much just cheering on the boys, especially her boyfriend Yamcha.
I hated to see her sidelined, but Launch is at least hilarious.
Everybody Hates Krillin
This saga is perhaps most famous for introducing Krillin into theDragon Ballmythos.
Hes Gokus best friend and a little dude who dies way too many times throughout the series history.
But theres no hating on Krillin, even when he first arrives to Kame House as Gokus rival.
Its really entertaining to watch Krillin and Goku approach the task differently.
the easier you are tempted to do the wrong thing.
Goku, as well often see, is immovable when it comes doing whats right.
Goku is the hero and Krillin his sidekick.
One thing that took me by surprise is Krillins origin story, which is slowly revealed during the tournament.
Its just really good writing on Toriyamas part.
Goku vs.
The real takeaway from these episodes is Toriyamas masterful pacing.
Late into the saga, Toriyama makes the audience feel conflicted about the fight between Nam and Goku.
Why are we still rooting for Goku here?
But the show is as much about destiny as it is making ones own path.
Goku is destined for great things, so of course has to reach the finals.
Hes reminiscent of the baddies in old wrestling movies, only a lot smellier.
Bacterian isnt very significant to the story, although well see him again.
Same goes for Giran and Ranfan, both of which are just as entertaining to watch as Bacterian.
The fight is so close that its almost impossible to see how Roshi can teach Goku anything else.
If for no other reason, its fun to watchDragon Balldo its own version of King Kong.
All in all, the Tournament Saga is a nice detour from the plot-driven Emperor Pilaf Saga.
It feels like more of a summer vacation for the characters than anything else.
Toriyama does an excellent job of allowing the characters room to breathe and develop while keeping the gags coming.
John Saavedra is an assistant editor at Den of Geek US.
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