An alternate title that would be just as appropriate for this week’s Dragon Ball Super episode would be, “The Assassination of Super Saiyan Blue Goku by the Coward Sorbet.” This long-standing grudge match culminates in an absolutely bonkers ending that is surely going to drive some viewers crazy, but hey, that’s part of the game when you’re a Dragon Ball fan. It’s worth pointing out that there’s once more some regrettable animation in this episode, but there’s at least some strong fight choreography to fall back on. If you ever wanted to know how to use a prehensile tail effectively in a fight, this is the piece of television to watch. The animation issue might not be that glaring on a week-to-week basis, but it does stand out more when you’re binging the program. This is almost certainly something that people are going to do as it allows them to just finish these lengthy multi-episode battles rather than having to draw them out. Viewers might also be a little frustrated to see Goku trading quips with Frieza rather than eliminating the guy when he has the chance. As much as this material may grate, it’ actually turns out to be part of a “plan” of Goku’s to stall time. Frieza might not be aware of the fact that he’s gradually losing strength, but Goku and Vegeta certainly are. On that note, Whis also more or less states that if Goku and Vegeta simply fought together then Frieza would easily fall and the planet would be safe. However, the mere task of these two cooperating is so impossible that lives would rather be endangered than these sharing the spotlight. It’s absolutely absurd, but it’s also the crux of Goku and Vegeta’s relationship. Don’t expect this fight to end with these two pulling off some Final Kamehameha and then patting each other on the back. That being said, they do team-up in the verbal bullying department. In what might be the episode’s most enjoyable sequence, the two Saiyans argue over which of them is going to beat Frieza, as if the guy isn’t even there, let alone a threat. After Frieza has been properly emasculated and the fighting seems to be coming to a close, that insane ending that was alluded to earlier finally rears its vicious head. It’s a conclusion that sees Goku and Frieza being eternally true to their characters, only in Goku’s case, his characteristic kindness nearly results in his death. Once Goku has Frieza on the ropes, he inexplicably gives him another chance and allows him to flee the planet. As Goku’s life hangs in the balance, fortunately Vegeta is still around to handle this mess. If one thing’s for sure, it’s that he’s definitely not letting anyone crawl away from a fight. Get ready. Now that Vegeta has finally stepped into the ring, the real Battle of Gods can begin. Read and download the full Den of Geek SDCC Special Edition magazine here!
