The finals specifically (the elimination rounds usually aren't too exciting anyhow) let's talk about and appreciate the fights they held. They held arguably the best moments of Dragon Ball. However, the King Piccolo Saga was pretty awesome. Tournaments are something I wish Dragon Ball Z had more of, they tried to bring them back a couple times with the filler Other World Tournament (which was good I'd say), the Cell Games (hardly a tournament), and the 27th and 28th tournaments (never really got finished, not with all of the fighters anyways. I might have said the numbers wrong). Dragon Ball Super has brought it back more with Universe 6 vs 7 and now the Tournament of Power. But imo, it's hard to be better than the original.
21st World Martial Arts Tournament
Round 1: Krillin vs Bacterian
Spoiler: click to toggle  Probably has some of the most disgusting scenes in Dragon Ball history. This fight wasn't really a good way to start things off imo (not for this thread either), but it was Krillin's first big fight and classical nonetheless. Personally, I find it hilarious that Krillin is the only opponent that can truly fight against him without holding his nose . . . because he doesn't have one. This was definitely an interesting fight.
Round 2: Jackie Chun vs Yamcha
Spoiler: click to toggle  Disappointing that Yamcha is dispatched so easily, but it throws in a shock to Goku and Krillin (the readers/watchers as well) just how strong this man was. Earlier in the series a guy who was fighting almost even with Goku was now dodging every attack and with one swipe defeated his opponent. It was probably best to match up Yamcha against Jackie Chun in the first round, seeing as how later Yamcha would be a student under him.
Round 3: Ranfan vs Nam
Spoiler: click to toggle  This fight was, uh, an interesting as well. Another fight that there's really not a lot to be said, this fight was probably the first that we got to see someone closing their eyes and feeling out their opponent as Nam did against Ranfan. That's about all I have to say for this fight.
Round 4: Goku vs Giran
Spoiler: click to toggle  This was a fight that showed just how strong Goku is. Well, he didn't even get to throw a punch. But his strength of breaking the marrygoround gum (that's what it's called right?) made Giran instantly withdraw from the match.
Round 5: Krillin vs Jackie Chun
Spoiler: click to toggle  My favorite thing about this fight was that we got to see a little bit (not actually see) just how fast characters in Dragon Ball were. In a matter of seconds Jackie Chun and Krillin were able to fight and talk, I can't help but feel that some of it may have been just comic relief. But regardless they were fighting at immense speeds. However, strength wise Krillin was still no match for Jackie Chun.
Round 6: Nam vs Goku
Spoiler: click to toggle  This fight was probably the second best fight in the whole tournament, imo. Fighting in the sky was awesome and seeing Goku coming up with new techniques on the spot was phenomenal. The best part was when Goku kicked Nam out of the ring, but I gotta say you'd think Nam would have seen that coming. I think this fight probably proved that Nam is the third strongest fighter in the tournament.
Round 7: Jackie Chun vs Goku
Spoiler: click to toggle  This fight was pretty awesome and like Goku's fight against Nam Goku came up with new techniques countering most of Jackie's. Triple Afterimage and Crazy Monkey Attack. This is also the first time we got to see two blasts colliding, the two Kamehamehas. I don't believe that ever happened again until Goku vs Nappa or Yamcha vs Tien (DBZ Filler). The fight was long and even after they exhausted their energy they kept on fighting like true martial artists.
22nd World Martial Arts Tournament
Round 1: Tien Shinhan vs Yamcha
Spoiler: click to toggle  Probably Yamcha's best fight ever and my favorite fight in this tournament. This fight showed just how far along Yamcha had come and made even Tien admit that his opponent was good. Even though it was a loss for Yamcha, he showed phenomenal speed and strength against his opponent and he even managed to succeed in learning the Kamehameha wave. The fight was a definite win on Tien's part as with his full power he was able to defeat Yamcha with a single kick and earlier had even nullified the Kamehameha bouncing it back. After seeing this fight, it leaves the question of how strong Yamcha would be if he had started training with Roshi when Goku did.
Round 2: Jackie Chun vs Man-Wolf
Spoiler: click to toggle  Mmm, this was one of those fights that was rather boring. Compared to all the others in the tournament at least, but good for Toriyama coming up with something to fill up the gap. The highlight of this fight I'd say is using Krillin's head as a full moon to transform the wolf into a human.
Round 3: Chiaotzu vs Krillin
Spoiler: click to toggle  Battle of the midgets, this fight had Krillin as clearly the superior fighter. Chiaotzu's levitation had given him a big edge. This is probably Krillin's most impressive battle. Krillin bolting in the air with his Kamehameha was probably the best part of the fight. Of course his math questions to distract Chiaotzu were pretty awesome as well.
Round 4: Goku vs Pamput
Spoiler: click to toggle  Like father, like son (if you know what I'm referencing). This was probably the fastest fight we got to see in any tournament. Even though it was so short, it was great to see how far Goku had come even though he was heavily suppressed.
Round 5: Tien Shinhan vs Jackie Chun
Spoiler: click to toggle  Definitely a heavy awesome fight. Yamcha made Tien fight hard, but Jackie made him fight even harder. The fight was short, but what we got was awesome. The assaults, the choking, the grappling, all of it was awesome and it was a true martial artist fight. One thing I like about Tien, is that he conserves his skydancing technique.
Round 6: Krillin vs Goku
Spoiler: click to toggle  If any fight made me hate Krillin, it was definitely this one. He acted like a complete tool throughout most of it. Thinking of the anime specifically, Krillin was super annoying especially with his little laughter against Goku. It was kind of cruel of Goku to let Krillin think he was winning, but he definitely deserved that. Then when Goku actually tried with his insane speed he easily sent Krillin out of the ring. That was by far the best part of the fight.
Round 7: Tien Shinhan vs Goku
Spoiler: click to toggle  This fight was much better than Jackie Chun vs Goku. Goku's rollout attacks were awesome, I have them even but throughout most of the fight Goku did show superiority. That's mostly due to Goku being a more skilled and tactical fighter though perhaps. The Four-Witches technique was definitely one of the weirdest but coolest things ever. Goku's eight armed technique was just disturbing, even if it was an illusion lol. It's still just crazy how fast these characters are.
23rd World Martial Arts Tournament
Round 1: Mercenary Tao vs Tien Shinhan
Spoiler: click to toggle  This fight was insane. Tien was completely boss and handled everything Tao threw out at him and was able to finish Tao with a single punch. Dodging Tao's hits, catching his knife and breaking it, taking the Super Dodon Ray head on. Tien was awesome in that fight.
Round 2: Goku vs Chi Chi
Spoiler: click to toggle  Toriyama's way of forming marriage. This fight didn't have anything too impressive in it, it was mostly for the purpose of getting Goku to find out who Miss Anonymous was. Goku's shockwave that knocked Chi Chi out of the ring, almost knocking her out, was impressive though.
Round 3: Piccolo vs Krillin
Spoiler: click to toggle  Even though Krillin was completely dominated he showed some pretty crazy strategies and cool techniques. Krillin's character had changed as well and into a very good way, he became a very likable character. His stamina in this fight as well was awesome. Piccolo showed how superior he was, although he was surprised it wasn't as easy as he had thought it'd be.
Round 4: Yamcha vs Hero
Spoiler: click to toggle  Wow, the beginning of this fight was super embarrassing. Yamcha trained for three years only to get beat like a joke. While the fight was insanely embarrassing after Hero revealed he was a real fighter and took things seriously (not embarrassing Yamcha) the fight became better. Hero completely dominated Yamcha, but it felt as though he was training Yamcha and it works out for when Yamcha later is trained by him. Spirit Ball though, that was one of Yamcha's best moments and shocked everyone especially the second everyone thought Yamcha one. Even though Yamcha was defeated with one blow after that, I do think this was a great fight for Yamcha even though it was embarrassing at times.
Round 5: Tien Shinhan vs Goku
Spoiler: click to toggle  This rematch fight was crazy awesome. Goku was stronger, but Tien was faster. It seemed hopeless for Goku, until he took off his weights revealing his true power. Complete turnaround and Goku seeing through Tien's quad technique was awesome. The best part was Goku assault on the four individual Tien's. Solar Flare was awesome as well as a surprise.
Round 6: Piccolo vs Hero
Spoiler: click to toggle  This fight showed the humans just how inferior they were, even Tien had admitted so. Other than the blows they exchanged there is nothing else I'd really say about this fight. Other than the fact that Piccolo was able to counter the Evil Containment Wave, it was a very logical approach. If you know about a technique that can defeat you, then you would find a way to counter it. A lot of series screw that kind of thing up.
Round 7: Goku vs Piccolo
Spoiler: click to toggle  Best tournament fight ever imo. Crazy awesome exchanges of attacks. This battle was absolutely flawless. My favorite part of the fight was Goku's Meteor Combination, absolutely awesome. Piccolo blasting Goku in the chest at the count of 9 was surprising to me the first time I saw it. I literally did not see it coming and the fight went on. I love that Goku did not reveal once that he knew how to fly until the end of the tournament, that was the perfect strategy. Also, foot Kamehameha, best. |
4:57 PM Jul 13