I actually liked SS 2 Gohan's sadistic side. Not just for drawing things out, but because I felt it was more a combination of his hatred as well as Saiyan aspects all coming together. Plus since there was somewhat that factor in why the first form was so hard to handle initially for Goku, it made sense to me that going a step beyond that would increase those tendencies big time. I don't think it was good for Gohan to give into it at all, but as said, he clearly fixed that when he realized the problem.
Also, admittedly, I found it satisfying to see Cell get treated that way after all the shit he had pulled.
Bleh, this is reminding me how I wish the final arc was written quite differently and stuck with Gohan as the hero. They could even keep factor of Gohan having gotten weaker due to him being complacent and blah blah blah. Ah well!
edited 23rd Dec '14 6:49:23 PM by Prime_of_Perfection
Improving as an author, one video at a time.I've already made no secret of my opinion that the Cell Saga is easily the weakest part of Dragon Ball for a wide variety of reasons, so it should be no surprise to see me criticize something from it. I'll throw my two cents in here and say that I fully agree with Saiga's point that Gohan's characterization in the Cell Games - both his sudden refusal to fight and his sadistic streak as Super Saiyan 2 - comes right the f*ck out of nowhere and is detrimental to his character.
Anger and cruelty are not the same emotion, and Gohan has never demonstrated even the slightest inclinations towards the latter.
My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.![]()
I'm not sure how much he fixed that when he clearly had fun screwing around with Boo as well.
Honestly I think most of the Boo arc wouldn't have needed to be changed at all for Gohan to have been the hero. Just cut the potara completely, keep Goku and Veggie dead, and have Gohan triumph over Gotenks-Boo despite the power disadvantage (also make him screw around less to begin with, so that Boo has to put more work into pulling his plan off) through out smarting him or whatever. I've brainstormed a bunch of ways for Gohan to win after the absorption but the important part is that I think everything works well up until that point.
His weakness due to complacency can serve as a good lesson for him. He doesn't need to be a reckless fight junkie to keep up his training for the world's sake.
edited 23rd Dec '14 7:51:58 PM by Saiga
Keep in mind that the Super Saiyan form is, in its essence, a Superpowered Evil Side. Without the proper training to prepare for it, the lust for pain and sadism can easily overtake its user, and Gohan was reaching a level that nobody had reached before.
edited 23rd Dec '14 10:06:32 PM by TyeDyeWildebeest
No beer?! But if there's no beer, then there's no beef or beans!http://teamfourstar.com/video/dbcember-iconic-moments-dragonball-1/
We all knew number 1'd be Goku transforming into a Super Saiyan in the Namek Saga's Darkest Hour. But there's plenty of honorable mentions that didn't quite make the list, like Final Flash. The one thing I liked most about Final Flash was that it made Cell say "OH SHIT!" because he was full of himself that he thought Vegeta couldn't do shit against him.
I do really like Krillin too, even if I'll make fun of the little guy sometimes. It's because in spite of everything, Krillin is Weak, but Skilled. Can say the same about a lot of them, to an extent.
Which reminds me, since I re-watch these every few years, but I always absolutely loved the cunning and tactics displayed at the World Martial Arts tournaments! It's always been one of my favorite tournament based arcs.
Improving as an author, one video at a time.Kuririn's my favourite human, I really like him outside of his Android arc plotline. Add that to one more Android arc characterisation I'm not fond of, then, alongside Gohan and Vegeta.
Although on my re-read I found he was a lot less impressive in Dragon Ball than I previously thought, to the point of frustration. The fact that Goku and Piccolo both held back against him in the 22nd and 23rd Budokai invalidates his good performance since it's more about how much his opponents held back than anything. It's just a problem with Toriyama trying to avoid anyone truly inconveniencing Goku or the villain before the final battle.
If I were to go into favourite characters, my lost would probably be abnormally long. Not even sure if I could limit it to five... there aren't many characters I truly dislike outside of Freeza and Perfect Cell.
Goku and Vegeta would still be in my top favourites though, despite how I truly hate how much current material focuses on only those two. Well, not just current - basically the tail end of the manga, and anything outside of it does that. I think that the overexposure does both of their characters a lot of disservice, except for a few things that benefit Vegeta (GT's characterization and BoG's handling of him before the fighting started).
edited 24th Dec '14 4:00:33 AM by Saiga
My favorite villain is still Super Buu. Whether in base form or after absorption.
Kid Buu is neat in how primal he is but not quite as good, while Fat Buu works better as an ally than as a villain.
edited 24th Dec '14 10:49:58 AM by Anomalocaris20
You cannot firmly grasp the true form of Squidward's technique!It was probably one of Yamcha's best fights.
Sure he lost, and badly as usually, but he wasn't made into a complete joke the way Jackie Chun and Shen did.
It actually looked like he stood a chance, despite being Yamcha.

Opposite isn't always the same as unrelated, mind. Those reactions both stem from hatred, just approached from different sides. Which I think makes a sort of sense, as this is the first time Gohan pulls one of his stunts while being fully conscious of his anger and power.
I concede your other points, though. Just because it can make sense doesn't make it the right way to run your story. I'm not sure how much my opinion of it line up, but eh.
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