"I am the hope of the omniverse! I am the light bulb in the darkness! I am the bacon in the fridge for all living things that cry out in hunger! I am the alpha and the Amiga! I am the terror that flaps in the night! I am Son Goku, and I am a Super—Saiyan."
—Son Goku with his Badass Boast as a Super Saiyan. The interruption is Freeza trying to blast him, which he No-Sell's.
Part 1 Original Airdate: June 17, 2012
Part 2 Original Airdate: June 20, 2012
Part 3 Original Airdate: June 25, 2012
Enraged over Krillin's death, Goku transforms into the legendary Super Saiyan! He and Freeza fight, while back on Earth, the Dragon Balls are used to wish back everyone who were killed by Freeza's army on Namek, and they in turn use the Namek Dragon Balls to wish everyone except for Goku and Freeza back to Earth. Freeza tries to kill Goku by blowing up the planet, only to get caught in the blast. Back on Earth, the heroes revive their friends with both sets of Balls, only to learn that Goku survived, but isn't ready to go home. Freeza is rebuilt into a cyborg by his father, and Vegeta learns that vaguely-defined wishes can backfire...in the form of Nappa becoming a movie producer.
Three-part episode
Oh... Right. I stopped my tropes for a couple minutes there:
- Actually Pretty Funny:
- Super Kami Guru laughs upon learning that the wish to revive those killed by Freeza and his minions didn't include the Namekian village Vegeta killed since he hates his people.
- During the Creator Commentary, both KaiserNeko and Lanipator finds it funny that Goku points out what a minute is to Freeza.
- Adapted Out:
- The part where Gohan fights Freeza in his final form when the latter thinks he's killed Goku after knocking him into lava is cut out, as is the part where Goku turns the tide against Freeza due to the latter's inexperience with fighting at his 100% form causing him to tire out, making Goku's comment of leaving the battle because he's bored seem odd since Freeza's been kicking his butt up to this point in this version.
- In the original series, it is mentioned that Goku and Krillin could not initially be revived safely from death, as they would immediately be brought back to where Namek once was, meaning that they would just die yet again in space, meaning a wish had to be used to try to move their souls to Earth. Here, this fact is never brought up.
- Adaptation Deviation: At the very end of Part 3 where Porunga is summoned to revive everyone, instead of wishing for Krillin's soul to be moved to Earth, reviving Krillin and then Yamcha, and then waiting another 130 days to revive Chiaotzu, Tien and then teleporting all the Namekians to a New Namek, Dende haggles with Porunga for six wishes to accomplish all of this at once and the order of the wishes changes as a result note . The Creator Commentary states this was due to the creators wanting to wrap up the episode production as soon as possible.
- Related to this, the Namekians in canon merely were relocated to a New Namek. Here, an entirely new Namek is created from the ground-up, much to Porunga's chagrin. This is the wish that replaces moving Krillin's soul to Earth as mentioned in Adapted Out.
- Adaptation-Induced Plot Hole: Guru in canon died the first time, indirectly, by Freeza because of the stress and grief from the villain's army slaughtering his people. Here, Guru dies on his own just to troll Dende and the earthlings so, technically, he shouldn't have been revived like the others. Then again, Rule of Funny was in effect, so that may be intentional.
- Adaptational Context Change:
- Goku letting Freeza power up to 100% is changed to Freeza bribing him with the offer of two stuffed crust pizzas. The canon explanation of "break his spirit by defeating him at his height" is just an excuse he came up with on the spot to placate King Kai.
- Dende still makes the wish to send everyone but Goku and Freeza to Earth despite not being in on King Kai's plan. Instead, he just wanted to screw over Freeza and took the opportunity when he saw it.
- Alternate Catchphrase Inflection: Vegeta used to say "Godammit, Nappa!" in a rage and quickly. In the final use here he is slower and morose, showing that he missed Nappa and in his own way is grateful he is back.
- Anguished Declaration of Love: Dende gives this to Gohan while preparing to leave for the new Planet Namek. When Gohan doesn't immediately react, Dende thinks he came on too strong and wishes Porunga to have him transported to the new Namek immediately.
- Answers to the Name of God: Kami and King Kai both answer to God, because they technically both have a claim to the role (Kami's name literally is Japanese for God and he's the God of Earth, while King Kai is the God of their region of the universe).Kami: Are you sure this will work?
King Kai: Are you questioning God?
Kami: Are you?
King Kai: Not in the mood, Kami! - Ascended Meme: Goku finds an actual muffin button on board in Freeza's ship. A comment made a theory that Goku's space pod came with one and the guys love the theory so much, they canonized the idea that the Freeza Force ships have them because they need to eat while traveling in space.
- Asskicking Leads to Leadership: Mouri declares himself the Grand Elder of Namek—and the keeper of Namek's Dragon Balls—after eating Super Kami Guru.Bulma: Huh. Seems legit.
- Back from the Dead: Thanks to the Earth and Namekian Dragon Balls, Vegeta, the entire Namekian race minus the village Vegeta slaughtered, Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, Krillin, and Nappa.
- Badass Boast: Just like in the original material, Goku gives one following his ascension. Naturally, since this is DBZ Abridged, it's completely ridiculous compared to the original dub's or Kai's. Not to mention it pisses Freeza off even more as Vegeta claimed he has become a Super Saiyan while, here, it actually happens with Goku:Freeza: You... You're different. What happened? What the Hell Are You?
Goku: Can't you tell, Freezer? It's just like Vegeta said.
Freeza: No YOU F**KING DON'T. - Bearer of Bad News: King Kai relays what has happened on Namek, and has Bulma pass this along to Gohan and the revived Namekians.King Kai (telepathically): Okay listen: Gohan's fatherless, and the Namekians are homeless. So... that's a thing. Have fun delivering the message.[...]Bulma: Huh. Well, uh, Gohan, Goku's dead...Gohan: Damn it!Bulma: Namekians, your planet blew up...Namekians: Damn it!
- Big Eater: Twice, this habit of Goku's is used against him. First when Freeza tricks him into letting Freeza power up to his 100% form in exchange for two stuffed crust pizzas and the second when he's more focused on using the muffin button of Freeza's ship than using it to escape the doomed Planet Namek.
- Both Sides Have a Point: Freeza convinces Goku to let him reach 100% power in exchange for two stuff crust pizzas. King Kai knows this is a trick and believes killing Freeza at his most vulnerable is a quicker, better option. Goku, however, is dumb enough to fall for the trick, but brings up a fair point; defeating Freeza at his best is an effective way to "demoramalize" him, so he can't threaten anyone anymore.
- Brick Joke:
- When a bored Goku tells Freeza he's leaving the battlefield, Freeza points out that he still hasn't given Goku the pizzas he promised him before "giving" them to him in the form of a pair of energy disks.
- Goku always mentioned a Muffin Button back on Earth. So, fast forward all the way to after his fight with Freeza, Goku heads to Freeza's ship and manages to hit a button that makes —wait for it— muffins!King Kai: Oh my God...Goku: YAAAAAAY--!(Namek explodes)
- Freeza ends the season (in an epilogue scene) with the same line Vegeta screamed the previous season on.
- When Freeza first saw Guru, he questioned how he could be so fat seeing as Namekians survive almost entirely on water. Turns out that this directly ties into the Great Drought since Guru drank all the water.Guru: How do you think I got so FAT?
- Butt-Monkey: Yamcha gets it worse than ever. First, Bulma dumps him. Then, Tien breaks his good leg to restrain him when he gets angry about her inviting Vegeta to live at Capsule Corporation.
- Call-Back:
- When Freeza asks Goku What the Hell Are You?, Goku replies that it's "just like Vegeta said," annoying Freeza, who thinks he's going to have to hear the "You're not dealing with the average Saiyan warrior" speech a fourth time (he doesn't, though the gist is the same).
- When Vegeta comes Back from the Dead, he notes that at least he has his clothes back.
- Upon noticing the Namekian Dragon, Vegeta flies towards it while repeatedly shouting "MINE!" just like he did to Captain Ginyu-in-Goku in Episode 23.
- Goku gives Freeza a series of kidney punches while calling them out just like Freeza did to Vegeta in Episode 27.
- The Running Gag of everything on Namek looking the same is brought up again as Goku is flying to Freeza's ship after defeating him, noting that "everything still looks the same, but on fire" now. Vegeta threatened Gohan to bring Namek to this exact condition.
- When Yamcha's call via King Kai to Bulma degenerates after Bulma dumps him, King Kai has Tien break one of Yamcha's legs to get him off the call. This is a reference to the Tenshinhan arc in Dragon Ball where Tien broke one of Yamcha's legs.note This time, Tien broke the other one.
- When Dende uses the Namekian Dragon Balls to resurrect Krillin, he's still giving the high-pitched scream he was giving when Freeza killed him.
- The Ghostbusters theme is once again used in reference to Nappa.
- The Revised Ending has Dr. Briefs start to refer to the Namekians as Yoshis before getting cut off by an indignant Bulma.
- Calling Out for Not Calling: This comes up when Yamcha calls Bulma (via King Kai's telepathy) to report on the fates of Namek and Goku, only for her to dump him.Bulma: You haven't called me in months.
Yamcha: I HAVE BEEN DEAD!
Bulma: Oh, well that's not stopping you now, is it? - Complaining About Rescues They Don't Like: Gohan uses his intellect to shut Bulma up when he finds her.Bulma: Oh, well how nice of you to finally come and get me... only you left me stranded all on my own to fend for myself. Planet's going to Hell, I almost die, and I'M FREAKING THE F*CK OUT!
Gohan: Bulma, how high would you have to fall from to hit terminal velocity?
Bulma: (Death Glare)
Gohan: I thought so. - Death Is Cheap: Despite the possibility of Goku dying after failing to leave Namek's explosion, Tien reminds everyone that they now have two sets of Dragon Balls, so they have different means of reviving someone; Chiaotzu can't be revived by Shenron again, but he can be revived many times by Porunga.Yamcha: You make it sound like death has no consequence.
Tien: It really doesn't. We're literally waiting to go back. Hell, this is Chiaotzu's second time.
Chiaotzu: One more and I got a free sundae! - Dies Differently in Adaptation: Guru's death is not so dignified like it is in canon. Upon admitting to be the one responsible for almost driving the Namekians to extinction, he gets cannibalized by the Namekians instead of dying of natural causes like in official canon.
- Distracted by the Sexy: At one point, Freeza is trying to find where Goku is, only to turn and find Goku's abs right in his face.Freeza: Oh my god, you could grind meat on those - gah!
- Dumbass Has a Point: When Goku tells Freeza he's boring him, Freeza thinks he's saying it out of fear because he claims Namek has a minute to explode. Goku dryly asks him if he knows what a minute is, since they had been fighting for several minutes in-universe.
- Earth-Shattering Kaboom: Freeza does this to Namek with his Death Ball technique, albiet delayed because he held back.
- Exact Words: Popo has Shenron wish back everyone "killed by Freeza and his men". Because Vegeta was working for Freeza when he killed Nappa, despite having his own agenda, this means Nappa is brought back as well. The Namekians he personally killed, after he rebelled, were not so lucky. Nappa killed Yamcha (via Saibaman), technically killed Chiaotzu and Tien (though he actually survived their Heroic Sacrifice attacks), and directly killed Piccolo back in the first season, but were already revived. As for some of the Earthlings...Vegeta: What about all the ones you killed?
Nappa: Well, technically, I worked for you. - Foreshadowing:
- Following Goku's ascension, King Kai says that Goku "has become the one and only Super Saiyan!" The Narrator hesitates before agreeing.
- After Nappa is brought Back from the Dead by Earth's Dragon Balls, he becomes a Hollywood producer, picking up a new client: Mark Satan, whom Nappa has decided to rename "Hercule."
- Freeze-Frame Bonus: When Goku is talking with King Kai about letting Freeza power up more, in Goku's eyes are pieces of stuffed-crust pizza with the warm stuffed cheese coming out of it.
- Half the Man He Used to Be: Freeza cuts himself in half by one of his energy discs during his fight with Goku.
- Hilarious Outtakes: A separate video shows an alternate ending where the supposed "Muffin Button" on Freeza's ship produces a cookie instead of a muffin. This leads to the way it happened in the anime: Goku gives a Big "NO!", then Namek explodes.
- Ignored Epiphany: After Goku gives his energy to Freeza after he's been cut in half, Freeza, stunned, contemplates that this could be his second and final chance to change his evil ways before giving a big "NAH!" and firing his given energy back at Goku. Of course, given the source material, this ends up literally blowing up in his face.
- Jaw Drop: The reactions of Gohan, Piccolo, and Vegeta to the killing and eating of Super Kami Guru. We even see this actually happen with Vegeta. Bulma is even more obviously frightened.
- Jerkass Has a Point: It may have been a low-blow for Bulma to dump Yamcha while he is still dead, using the excuse that he never called her in months. However, he has managed to contact her via King Kai, meaning that he would have at least let her know of his status while she was on Namek.
- Lame Pun Reaction: Goku cracks a few lame one-liners at Freeza cutting himself in half, until Freeza cries, "Please, stop!"
- Lampshade Hanging:
- Goku is surprised at Freeza's claim that he can breathe in space. Even Goku understands how "Space is a 'Va-cum'".
- He later brings up how "five minutes" according to Freeza is much longer than it should be:Freeza: Wha— Oh, I get it. You're scared, aren't you? Afraid knowing this planet has one minute left before it explodes!
Goku: Question.
Freeza: Huh?
Goku: Do you have a watch?
Freeza: No, why?
Goku: Do you know what a minute is?
Freeza: What? Of course I do!
Goku: I don't think you do...
Freeza: Bu—I—uh—
- Loophole Abuse: Since the Dragon Balls require a full year to recharge after using three wishes, Dende convinces Porunga to grant six wishes since they're trying to revive all of the Z-Fighters and create a new Namek. When Goku refuses to return, Dende uses the final wish to warp his people to the world.
- Non Sequitur, *Thud*: After Freeza is cut in half by his own energy disc, he can be heard muttering "Daddy, I don't want to be on Namek anymore," as he collapses to the ground.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: The first few moments of becoming a Super Saiyan, Goku tells Gohan to take Piccolo back to his ship. Gohan is shocked to hear actual logic, from his own Idiot Hero father, that their trip is pointless if the resurrected Piccolo dies again, as he and Kami need to live so they can use Earth's Dragon Balls.Goku: If Piccolo dies, then all of this was pointless! Take him, get to the ship, and get out of here!
Gohan: This is surprisingly well thought-out for you.
Goku: Gohan, where should you be right now?
Gohan: The ship?
Goku: THE SHIP! - Oh, Crap!: Guru when he realizes he's not dead (yet) after giving a deathbed confession about stealing Planet Namek's water supply and framing the albino Namekians for it.
- Post-Credits Scene: The version of the episode found on Team Four Star's official website has one where King Cold gives Freeza his mechanical replacements in a Shout-Out to Revenge of the Sith.
- Power Echoes: Subtle but a bonus one: After Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan, his voice will bounce and echo throughout the whole scene. This can be heard for headphone users.
- Rapid-Fire "No!":
- Freeza gives one when the Namekian Dragon disappears along with everyone else except him and Goku, depriving him of his wish for immortality.
- King Kai does this Goku gives his energy to Freeza after the latter's been cut in half by his own attack.
- Freeza gives another one later as Goku's last blast closes in.
- Rage Breaking Point: Freeza attempts to keep composed despite now seeing Goku as the fabled Super Saiyan, but soon loses his cool as Goku remains silent. He eventually resorts to blowing up Planet Namek:Freeza: I have to admit this is new, monkey. This is definitely new. But a monkey is still a monkey, and I've killed plenty in my day. Millions... Literally millions.
Goku: (silent)
Freeza: What's the matter? Ran out of quips? Cat got your tongue? No more words to fail!?
Goku: (still silent)
Freeza: You think now that you're this so-called "Super Saiyan" that you're better than me? Lord Freeza!?
Goku: (ever so silent)
Freeza: WELL YOU'RE NOT! I own you! I own your planet! I own this planet! In fact...
(Forms an energy ball)
Freeza: F**K THIS PLANET!!!
(fires an energy ball at Namek)
Goku: Wait, I zoned out there for a second. What? - Revised Ending: The Team Four Star site has one where, after the Namekians leave, Dr. Briefs vocalizes his pleasure at getting rid of them, specifically starting to refer to them as Yoshis before an indignant Bulma stops him.
- Running Gag: King Kai strongly reacting to whatever's going on back on Namek in hopes that Yamcha, Tien, or Chiaotzu ask him what's going on. Tien tells Yamcha to not entertain Kai so he can simply tell them what happened.
- Running Gagged: The "Freaky Alien Genotype" jab is used one last time by Dr. Briefs, except it's less about Dende's alien biology and more a delayed reaction about the young Namekian's feelings toward Gohan.
- Shout-Out:
- Goku tells Freeza he's going to break him—like a Kit Kat bar.
- At one point during his Badass Boast, Goku refers to himself as "the terror that flaps in the night."
- After Vegeta is brought Back from the Dead his first words as he bursts out of his grave are "When there's no more room in Hell, Vegeta shall walk the-"
- Vegeta once again flies towards a target of his while repeatedly shouting "MINE!"
- Guru's last words as he's getting devoured by his subjects for stealing their water and framing the albino Namekians for it are "Choke on them! Oh god, why?!"
- The music as Goku is flying to Freeza's spaceship to use the muffin button as Namek blows up is the "Destruction of Alderaan" soundtrack from A New Hope.
- When the Namekians summon Porunga on Earth, the civilian population initially mistake him for Gojira.
- Nappa's ringtone when he calls Vegeta near the end of the episode is the Ghostbusters theme.
- The Revised Ending after the Namekians are wished to their new home world has Dr. Briefs say that "At least (they) got rid of all those damn Yos-", before being cut off by Bulma.
- Freeza becoming a cyborg in the Post-Credits Scene is done like Vader.Freeza: What happened...to Namek? What happened...to the Dragon Balls?
King Cold: It would seem, my little princess, that in your anger, you destroyed them both!
Freeza: Nooooooo! - Bulma says she'll house all the Namekians until they get a planet of their own. When asked how, she says that her father is "A billionaire, genius, playboy, philanthropist!" and his plane comes in to "Back in Black".
- Shown Their Work: With his first mention, Mr. Satan is referred to by Nappa as Mark Satan. According to recent material from Akira Toriyama, Mark is actually Mr. Satan's first name.Nappa: Need to work on the first name. Thinking "Hercule"...
- Spared by the Adaptation: Nappa is brought back to life by the Dragon Balls, whereas he was left dead in canon. With the wish to revive victims killed by "Freeza and his men", as he was killed by Vegeta back when they both were working for Freeza, this was enforced.
- Transformation Is a Free Action: Exploited by Freeza. He convinces Goku to let him reach his 100% Final Form and would give him two pizzas after. With stuffed crusts.
- Touché: When Goku lures Freeza's own energy discs back toward him, Freeza initially taunts him for thinking that "pathetic million year old trick" would work on him, only for Goku to create a smokescreen by shooting a ki blast. Freeza internally growls "Clever dick!" to himself in response as he is forced to dodge.
- Unspoken Plan Guarantee: King Kai keeps his plan to revive everyone killed by Freeza and his men with Shenron, but keeps it to himself, Mr. Popo and Kami. He would then find a way to wish everyone but Freeza to Earth, but a revived Dende uses Porunga to accomplish this, to Kai's surprise. Though it worked out, Dende confesses that he only did this to screw over Freeza, though Goku is left out and justifiably clueless of what happened.
- Voice of the Legion: When Chi-Chi arrives where all the revived people on Namek were transported on Earth, she has this tone of voice when she looks for Gohan.Chi-Chi: WHERE'S MY BABY?!
Vegeta: GOD... (voice softens) damnit... Nappa.
