Hey, this also got put up quickly! I doubt the next part will be that quick, though. But enough about next time's review, this is about today's review!
Standard disclaimer time: I watched the Japanese version, I use my own terminologies, and my views and opinions are not everyone's and there is no right or wrong opinions. We good? ...too bad.
STORY
Goku heads over to train at Roshi's, but first he has to find a hot lady for Roshi. ...Goku is not very good at finding hot ladies... But then Krillin makes his debut! YAY! Well, Krillin also wants Roshi to train him, so they both head off to find a hot lady. Eventually they find and bring back a pretty woman named Lunch, who Roshi happily accepts, making Goku and Krillin his students. But it turns out that Lunch has a bit of a split personality, so Roshi can't be too perverted to her. Well, the training begins, and Goku and Krillin are delivering milk, plowing fields, doing construction work, and swimming with sharks just to name a few of the things. After around 8 months, however, their training comes to an end and they're allowed to participate in the Tenkaichi Budokai, a world martial arts tournament. Roshi also enters, albeit under the disguise of Jackie Chun. Roshi wants to make sure that Goku and Krillin don't win because he knows that doing so would go to their heads and cause them to stop training, and a martial artist should always be aware of their always being a stronger opponent out there. Well, the tournament takes place, many fun and interesting fights happen, and eventually it's down to Roshi and Goku. Goku puts up an incredibly strong fight, even growing back his tail and becoming a giant ape again at one point until Roshi destroys the moon, but in the end Roshi wins. He tells Goku and Krillin that they need to always be vigilant in their training, and then takes them out to eat... spending almost all of his winnings on Goku's meal.
POSITIVES
While the humor is still very much here, the focus shifts more toward fighting in this arc. I'm not saying that's always a good move in a series, but it's an important event for the this franchise. We get to see the foundation of Goku's training in this arc, and it's really the cornerstone of the entire franchise. Almost every arc after this in some way incorporates the lessons that Goku learns from Roshi here, and even the ones that don't is connected to ones that do. Krillin is my favorite Dragon Ball character, and his transformation in this arc is astounding. When we first meet him he's rude to Goku, says he only wants to train to impress girls, and is willing to cheat and lie to pass the training. However, it's soon revealed that this is all a front by Krillin put on because of the bullying he received at Orin Temple. He tries to act like them to Goku... but Goku is such a good and kind soul that's still incredibly strong, that Krillin soon realizes that he doesn't have to do any of that to get strong, and instead decides to just be his true self. He even gets his chance at a little revenge when he fights one of his bullies in a preliminary match, and wipes the floor with him. Krillin started the arc as Goku's rival, but ends it by being Goku's best friend. Roshi is another character that gets fleshed out in this arc. While he's still a giant pervert, we get to see why he's such a revered martial arts master and how much he does care for his students. Lastly, the animation and music are as good as ever, and that final fight in particular really nailed both.
NEGATIVES
Honestly, Lunch is a waste here. She's used for just a couple running jokes and as an explanation as to who makes the food. Lunch gets more development later, but here she's just a waste. Besides that not a lot. Some jokes aren't that great, but it's all subjective. Again, just not a lot negative I can say here.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While the first saga set up the original main characters, introduced the Dragon Balls, and established the comedic tone, this arc is almost the real beginning. As I've said, so much that is introduced here becomes series standards, and Goku's training will define him for the rest of the franchise. Apart from all that, it's just a great tournament arc that doesn't wimp out and let the hero win, which I found refreshing when I first watched it. A lot of fun all around with this one.
Next time we cover 50 episodes as we begin the long trek through the Red Ribbon Army. ...I'm sure these guys will NEVER be important again...
I am The R2 Dude, and this is The R2 View!
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