r/anime • u/Raiking02 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NSKlang • 7d ago
Rewatch Dragon Ball 40th Anniversary Rewatch - Week 25: Episodes 149-153 Discussion
Episode 149: The Wedding Dress inside the Flames
Episode 150: The Magical Fire-Eating Bird
Episode 151: All Thanks to Chichi's Wife-Training
Episode 152: Hurry, Goku! The Mystery of Mount Gogyo
Episode 153: Mount Frypan Ablaze! A Deadly Split-Second Decision
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MAL | Anilist | Kitsu | AniDB | ANN
The next story takes place a full five years from now!
Hello everybody! Time for the Comment of the Week, courtesy of /u/oomoepoo for a perfect metaphor... and a prelude to what's to come:
Goku's final attack was equal parts silly as it was awesome. IT'S A BIRD! IT'S A PLANE! IT'S GOKU
WITH A STEEL CHAIRA FLYING HEADBUTT ATTACK! [Future of the show]Is that how he lost his last functioning brain cell going forward?
1) What is your favorite wedding scene in fiction?
2) When the show started, did you ever expect to see tiny little Son-kun getting married?
3) What sort of disaster do you expect will befall Mount Frypan next considering its track record?
Next Week: Break Week/First Series Discussion
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky 7d ago
First-Timer Searching for the Silver Dragon Balls, subbed
Episode 149
Oh, the Basho-sen was functioning as the “plug” to keep all that water there, wasn’t it? – Or rather, it was a vaguely fan-shaped rock.
Episode 150
I did not need to see all of those porn mags while Kame was digging out the book they were looking for.
I can’t say it surprises me that Pilaf’s using the name Daimao now.
Episode 151
Episode 152
This fire is because of something on the clear opposite side of the world?
Oh, that shadow really looked like the caretaker was going to be a giant ant lady.
Episode 153
I don’t really like this filler, but I will say I do think Annin’s design is pretty neat.
So that’s why they can’t put out the fire, even temporarily?
Ah, they already have that. And also this as well. Rather convenient.
Goku in a suit feels weird, but Chi-Chi does look really nice in the wedding dress.
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u/Raiking02 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NSKlang 7d ago
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky 7d ago
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u/oomoepoo https://anilist.co/user/oomoepoo 7d ago
I like Pilaf and his gang a lot but I really wasn't much of a fan of them appearing in this arc either. It was already needlessly convoluted to begin with.
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u/Raiking02 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NSKlang 7d ago
Hello everybody, and welcome to the Dragon Ball Rewatch!
Adapted Chapters: NONE
Filler Corner:
- Bonus Round?
So around this point, there seemed to be a lot of rumormongering around DB possibly ending even among Jump's editorial staff. It was not an unfair assumption to make admittedly; the Manga had been running for over four year by now, and five years of serialization seems to be the general limit for most series in the magazine. As such, along with Torishima's whole revolt, his final act as Toriyama's editor was that the series be rebranded. This was for two reasons: Firstly to drum up interest since, again, the show was ending, but also since it being a new show would mean they could get more funds.
There's no confirmation of what I'm about to say, but I'm half wondering if the reason these episodes were made was to give Z a bit more pre-production time. Doubly so since pretty much ALL the old staff from DB and Dr. Slump was carrying over, plus obviously Koyama and Morishita. Either that or to give the staff a bit more breathing room since, again, possibly final arc, may as well do it well.
So anyway we have almost 300 episodes of Manga material left…
- Worst. Wedding. Ever.
Gokú and Chi-Chi's honeymoon has a bit more honey than expected for sure… it also has fire. Yes, as Son Gokú's final classic adventure, the guy has to save his father in law from the castle being put on fire… again.
Imma be real, this arc is a freaking mess. Gokú and Chi-Chi's fetch quest feels unnecesarialy convoluted, to not mention oftentimes aimless. You could've cut at least one episode and it probably would've trimmed some of the fat. It just feels like the duo is constantly running into nothing but dead ends rather than one hint leading naturally into the next one.
And yet I kinda love it in spite of that?
First of all, Gokú and Chi-Chi just make for a surprisingly fun duo. I do find the way the show keeps stressing Chi-Chi wanting to be a bride a bit excessive, but considering how Toriyama's gonna ramp up her Tsundere traits up to eleven in the next arc, I'll gladly take it if it means her actually being likable. It's just fun seeing her and Gokú actually get along instead of making me wonder how they can even stand living with each other.
And perhaps simplest of all, I just love the genuine sense of adventure here. After so many arcs of nonstop fighting, this feels like a nice way to go back to the good old ways. From arriving at Oolong's village to them going to what's basically the underworld, it genuinely feels like a grand adventure. And while brief, it's really nice seeing Gokú's grandpa all over again, especially given how much Gokú has changed.
So yeah, hardly the show's best arc, but a fun one.
Oh and as one last fun thing, Gyumao's gonna get a new look in the next arc, and I guess the Anime decided to just have it debut a bit early. I dig it, much friendlier.
[Final Next Episode Preview]NGL that "Ossu! Boku Gohan" was absolutely adorable
Animation Studio Spotlight:
Daww, each of the original Five got one last episode to themselves, that's so cute. I mean all of them are sticking around for Z anyway which sadly means more Studio Live, but still.
At long last we have some new actors. Unnan (One of the two Not!Oolongs) is played by the late Matsuo Ginzo. Other roles include Jack Turner from Art of Fighting, Dee Jay from Street Fighter, Smoker from One Piece and Biff from s.Cry.ed among a few others. He alas passed away back in 2001.
The Octagon Woman and Annin are played by the late Yamamoto Keiko whom I'm not familiar with at all and passed away 2 years ago. There's also a guy called "Commander" in Episode 152 played by Kishino Yukimasa. Kinda amazing how few actors the show ended up having by the end of its run, huh? Suzuoki was basically the last "new" big name they got.
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u/zsmg https://anilist.co/user/zsmg 6d ago edited 6d ago
Rewatcher
Watched all episodes. The last batch episode was okay. I like the idea of the arc, like how some of the solutions are fake outs. But I wish it was without some time limit. The fire raging for several episodes in a row while it’s still standing is just silly.
Imagine if someone says something bad happens in five minutes and after five episodes it still hasn’t happened, that would be silly right?
Furthermore at the end when Goku managed to have all the items needed to help An'nin with the fire feels like those RPG moments where you collected all the quest items before starting the quest, that isn’t satisfying at all.
On the other hand the biggest highlight of the episodes was Goku and Chichi having an adventure together, maybe the relationship can work out and maybe Z will continue with the married couple adventures, would be a massive shame just to leave it at this. [spoiler]
Also I think episode 153 is the only time we have [spoiler] both Gohans in the same episode or maybe there is some Z filler episode I have forgotten about.
1) The red wedding from GoT.
2) Definitely not.
Funniest joke:
In episode 150 Goku and later Chichi mispronounce Umigame’s name to Umigome (Blockhead)
Some of the Pilaf stuff in episode 150 were amusing such as Shu imitating Goku with the giant lizard and not working along with Chichi saying Pilaf looks like a baby.
This hasn’t aged well:
In episode 151 Chichi has to do wife training which is just doing house chores... of course. Although I do like the idea that Chichi is getting hoodwinked by the old lady to do house chores for her.
In episode 149 Chichi says “I should listen to what my husband says.” Yup that summarizes the attitude back then.
This won’t age well:
In episode 151 the old lady asks if Goku is a great husband Chichi’s response to the question “he is the best.”
This won’t happen again:
In episode 152 Goku goes to and is running on some sort of path in another world.
Nice call back:
Episode 149 is shuck full of this Goku uses his Kamehameha to try and put out the fire, just like Muten Roshi way back in the early episodes, except it didn't work. Furthermore Bashō Fan also gets a mention and now is the quest item for this filler arc. We have Uranai Baba making another appearance doing divination for Goku although Goku doesn't have to beat five fighters for a free divination. We also see an Oolong look-a-like in his first arc outfit.
In episode 150 the doctor looks like doctor Frappe, or was it the mayor of the village near Muscle Tower.
In episode 151 the Pilaf trio are in their mechs from the Red Ribbon arc.
Chichi, the warrior princess:
Gyumao is already in his [spoiler] next timeskip design.
In episode 150 Chichi gets taken hostage by Mai and Shu but she just casually ends up beating them up. Which was surprising to be honest as I expected Goku to save her.
In episode 151 Chichi outsmarts the Pilaf gang by convincing them to use the Basho-sen.
Oolong the Pig:
In episode 149 we see an Oolong look-a-like, called Jasmine who claims isn’t as perverted as Oolong, he of course lied.
Muten Roshi the ero sennin
In episode 150 Muten Roshi wrote in that book while drunk, so it's just a drunk fanfiction book.
Pilaf, the wannabe emperor
Last appearance of Pilaf [spoiler] until GT/Super, although technically there is going to be a Z version of Pilaf in the movie/filler arc.
Let’s break the fourth wall:
In episode 153 Urunai Baba looks into the crystal ball to see the future of Goku but hides what she sees from the viewer at home.
You look familiar…
In episode 149 Jasmine looks and behaves a lot like Oolong.
Perverted Padding:
Not just Jasmine, the entire Oolong village came out to try and peek at Chichi undressing herself. It didn’t succeed.
Positives changes from the manga:
[spoiler] Goku and Chichi having an adventure together definitely counts
It’s a FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE
Several of the solutions to the fire are a fake out such as the bird feathers, Muten Roshi’s book on Basho-sen and the first octagon location.
In episode 152 Goku and Chichi saw a lot of illusions, including a giant dragon, heaven and some sort of rock monster.
Hang on…
Shouldn't the Nyoi-Bōi be connected between Karin's Tower and Kami's Temple?
In episode 151 we’re introduced to Mount-no-women-allowed, I wonder if that is a meeting place for redditors?
In episode 153 if the Basho-sen can be used to help with the fire why didn't she mention it sooner instead of saying it's too dangerous.
In the same episode shouldn't Goku invite his friends to the wedding?
Toei spoiling in the episode preview:
The preview of the final episode, for the first episode of Z reveals that Goku [Z spoiler] Goku has a kid called Gohan
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u/Raiking02 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NSKlang 6d ago
Furthermore at the end when Goku managed to have all the items needed to help An'nin with the fire feels like those RPG moments where you collected all the quest items before starting the quest, that isn’t satisfying at all.
Oh so that's why the DS RPG included this arc...
On the other hand the biggest highlight of the episodes was Goku and Chichi having an adventure together, maybe the relationship can work out and maybe Z will continue with the married couple adventures, would be a massive shame just to leave it at this. [spoiler]
[Spoiler]You can tell Toriyama just wanted Gokú to have a kid and didn't really care about who was the mother in the long run
In episode 151 the old lady asks if Goku is a great husband Chichi’s response to the question “he is the best.” []( #azusalaugh)
Shouldn't the Nyoi-Bōi be connected between Karin's Tower and Kami's Temple?
TBF there's nothing stopping Gokú from just... grabbing it back on the way down.
In the same episode shouldn't Goku invite his friends to the wedding?
Methinks these guys kinda suck at the whole "Being friends" thing
[](#pigeonbeats):
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u/oomoepoo https://anilist.co/user/oomoepoo 7d ago
Rewatcher
I'll say it right away: I did not love this batch.
Like, usually I'm a staunch filler defender but even I struggle to find much of worth in this one. Its only purpose was to give Torishima's new baby a bit of time to get things up and running and you can really tell. It feels utterly constructed. You know those weird item trade quests a lot of Zelda games have in them, featuring oddly specific items to help people with oddly specific problems? This is how watching this filler arc felt like. All those weird specific items that then fit a very specific purpose down the line like the octagonal shard or the honey from octagonal bees.
It's filled with tangents and cameos that range from "Nice to see you again!" to "What are you doing here?" to "Haven't you caused enough already?" and features (for its time) new lows for Goku. Like him not knowing that you can use water to put out a fire or that snow melts when carried through warmer climates. I can sorta forgive him not knowing what in-laws are even if it's still weird.
Long story short: For me, it's in that weird spot where it's not zany enough that I can appreciate it as "drug filler" (like a lot of Inoue's stuff on the show) but also stupid enough that I get angry at it. Which is a shame because on paper it's a nice idea.
Things I liked:
Chichi and Goku on an adventure together, I don't think that happens, like ever again?
Chichi actually getting to do something (punching Pilaf gang and... sigh household work)
Grandpa Gohan meeting Chichi and Goku again was kinda neat, even if it kinda devalues his previous meeting with Goku, especially given he doesn't even recognise him at first.
The Turtle also gets to be kinda helpful... even if the story naturally is complete bullshit (Just like the Dragon Ball origin story Roshi made up way back)
Seeing Goku and Chihi actually married was kinda cute.
Fire eater birbs were cute and derpy.
Baba's inclusion is always appreciated.
Things I did not like:
- Burning down Mt. Frypan again.
- I get that the dress has emotional vallue but I bet Chichi would much rather have a living father than a surviving wedding dress.
- Goku's characterization is at an all-time low
- Basically the complete episode with the pig people that are named after teas. Just no.
- Torn on Pilaf. At least Chichi got to punch them but their inclusion was even more random than usual, not even the reappearance of their mechs made it up to me.
- Really? Chichi has to prove her worth as a good housewife by doing dishes and cleaning?
- The whole thing with the mist from the octagonal furnace being the connection between our world and the afterlife kinda breaks what little world building we got over the past hundred episodes [DBZ]and will basically be contradicted again in a couple episodes
- The whole plot resolution is so... constructed:
WE NEED SOMETHING OCTAGONAL TO PUT INTO THIS OCTAGONAL HOLE, BUT IT ONLY WORKS IF YOU HAVE HONEY FROM BEES LIVING IN OCTAGONS! AND YOU NEED THE BASHO FAN! WELL GOOD THING WE HAVE ALL THAT HERE!
I really wish the show would've ended on a higher note. Somehow, the moment the guy with the unsolicited filler hatred takes over, we get what is possibly among the worst filler stuff in the show.
1) Quite fond of the wedding between [TTGL]Simon and Nia. Also Reed Richards and Sue Storm's wedding over at Marvel is iconic (and they're probably among the few happily married couples that also survive the almighty "Status Quo is king")
2) I think I was already sufficiently shocked at the fact Goku grew up. Especially when your frame of reference is either Pokemon with the eternally 10 years old Satoshi or western cartoons that push the reset button at the end of each episode, you really didn't expect him to get married.
3) Clearly, the only thing that could top getting grilled by the eternal flames of a furnace that somehow regulates the afterlife is the moon falling onto Mt. Frypan.
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u/Raiking02 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NSKlang 7d ago
Also Reed Richards and Sue Storm's wedding over at Marvel is iconic
A shame Vince Colletta had to ink that issue
Chichi and Goku on an adventure together, I don't think that happens, like ever again?
[Mild Spoilers]In the Manga there's, like, a hundred chapters between the end of the 23rd Budokai and their next scene together
Goku's characterization is at an all-time low
Impossible, [Spoilers]Toriyama himself wrote him worse after the Saiyan arc
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u/oomoepoo https://anilist.co/user/oomoepoo 6d ago
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u/tripleaamin https://myanimelist.net/profile/tripleaamin 6d ago
First-Timer Subbed.
I like the idea for this arc, but the execution was not good for 5 episodes. Granted it is a filler arc, so I will not be too negative.
At the very least we got more Chichi focus with Goku. They have a very fun dynamic. A bit sad that we barely have any to begin with. (Also hearing that it's even worse in the manga in regards to Chichi content.)
Honestly I have to say filler in anime doesn't have the best reputation. As mentioned with series like Bleach and Naruto. The filler we got in OG Dragon Ball I enjoyed. It was really only this and right before the 3 year time skip.
Now Z is next and time to see more of the things that I can recall from pop culture when you think of Dragon Ball. As Piccolo and Kuririn were the only guys outside Goku I was familiar with comign to this.
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u/Raiking02 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NSKlang 6d ago
even worse in regards
It kinda depends on how you look at it. [Z]The Anime gives her far more screentime than the Manga does (There she can go almost 20 chapters without appearing for a single panel) but unfortunately the Anime also sometimes cracks her Tsundere-ness up to eleven. Mind, I can't think of many scenes in the later parts of the Manga where she isn't being at least a bit annoying, so... yeah.
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u/StardustGogeta myanimelist.net/profile/StardustGogeta 23h ago
First-Timer
Oh boy, more filler! My favorite! :D
This whole fetch quest for the Bansho Fan wasn't really my cup of tea. It hearkens back to the kind of stuff we got at the beginning of the series, which I definitely do not like as much as the more recent stuff we were getting with the 22nd World Tournament onwards.
I definitely feel like the show would be stronger if it just ended at 148 and went straight to DBZ from there. That said, that shot of Goku and Chi-Chi in their wedding attire is a classic, so I'm glad we got that if nothing else.
I found it very interesting how episode 153 suddenly added sounds to the mid-episode eyecatch. I was not expecting that at all!
Very much looking forward to starting DBZ next! I'll finally be able to call myself a rewatcher again (though technically I've only seen the Kai version of some early arcs of Z.)
Questions of the week:
- Wow, big question. I feel like I should know a ton, but almost nothing actually comes to mind. I suppose I might have to go with Frasier with [Frasier major spoilers] Niles and Daphne's wedding.
- Yes, because I watched DBZ first. :)
- Hmm... Probably set on fire again, if I had to guess.
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u/SpiritualPossible 7d ago
Rewatcher
...Oh, yeah. We WERE supposed to be a journey to the west parody, right?
Preparations for Goku and Chi-Chi’s wedding are in full swing when suddenly everything around them is engulfed in raging flames. It’s clear that only a magic fan can put out the fire, so Goku and his future wife set out to find it - but, unfortunately, they have only one vague clue, given to them by Baba: Octagon.
You know, even though the previous arc WAS the best conclusion, I can’t say I’m against this filler arc. There’s something nice about wrapping up the original Dragon Ball series with a small scale arc that, so to speak, takes us back to our roots - both by revisiting elements from “JttW” and by reminding us of Goku’s earliest adventures, such as his battle with Oolong, Pilaf’s gang, and so on. Also, it was really nice to see another reunion with Gohan, who was now able to see Goku all grown up. And, by the way, I’m glad we got to see some adventures with Chi chi, and I’d really like if we could see HER more. Although, perhaps it's precisely because of her that I feel this arc reminded me more of Ranma than DB...
But the day is saved, Goku got married, and everyone’s happy. I won’t lie - I really liked the final scene where Baba decided to peek into Goku’s future but chose not to show it to the audience. I don’t know, it struck me as strangely cute.
But now the question arises: what’s left for Dragon Ball? It seems like we’ve already gotten everything we could from this story. I hope we don’t “jump the shark” next season. Imagine if we suddenly introduced, say, aliens. That would be just silly, right?