Dragon Ball Super Part 3 Review

This is the real beginning of Dragon Ball Super. While the first two parts are just re-releases of the very well done movies, Dragon Ball Super Part 3 is where the show becomes new, fresh and exciting. If anything, Dragon Ball Super Part 3 is where you should begin watching the show from, as to why, you’ll just have to read on.

Title: Dragon Ball Super Part 3
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Super Power, Martial Arts, Fantasy, Shounen
Details: 13 episodes
Release Date: March 7, 2018 (Australia)
Languages: English 5.1, Japanese 2.0
Subtitles: English subtitles
Number of Discs: 2 (DVD) | 2 (Bluray)
Runtime: 325.0 mins (23mins per episode)
Distributor: Madman Entertainment (DVD)(Bluray)
Special Features: Anime Expo 2017: Interview with Sean Schemmel & Jason Douglas, Textless Opening & Closing Songs, Trailers
Rating: M: Fantasy themes and animated violence

Sometime after the battle against Golden Frieza, Goku is sparring with Vegeta on Beerus’ planet which is being supervised by Whis. Goku and Vegeta fight on even terms until Vegeta got angry and went Super Saiyan Blue. Goku gets blasted by a ki blast from Vegeta. Goku reminds Vegeta that Super Saiyan Blue was off limits but turns Super Saiyan Blue anyway. While stating their power to each other, Goku bites his tongue saying Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan repeatedly. Goku asks for a new name and a suggestion given from Whis is “Super Saiyan Blue”. Whis punishes Goku and Vegeta for transforming by making them put on heavy space suits. While Goku and Vegeta bicker at each other, Champa and Vados suddenly arrive on Beerus’ planet. Goku notices that they both look like Beerus and Whis and was told by Vados that she is Whis’ sister and Beerus and Champa are twins. Beerus is woken up by Whis with the request of Champa. When they both get back, Goku and Vegeta are told that the Universe 6 has their own Earth and the Earthlings were wiped out by war. Champa challenges Beerus to a five on five Universe 6 and Universe 7 tournament for the Universe 7’s Earth, which makes Goku excited.

Focusing on new main/featured characters only

Champa
Voiced by: Mitsuo Iwata (Japanese) / Jason Liebrecht (English)
Champa is Beerus’ twin brother and the God of Destruction of Universe 6, which is linked with Universe 7 as its “twin universe”. He looks like an overweight version of Beerus and wears a variation of the traditional Egyptian clothing and ornaments Beerus is wearing and his name also derives from an alcoholic drink, Champagne. He is competing with Beerus to see who can find the best food in both their Universes. In Dragon Ball Super, he is first seen accompanied by Vados, the older sister of Whis, while searching for the Super Dragon Balls. Champa holds a tournament challenging Beerus’ universe and has a team consisting of the strongest fighters in his universe.

Cabba
Voiced by: Daisuke Kishio (Japanese) / Clifford Chapin (English)
Cabba is a Saiyan from Universe 6. He is a member of Team Universe 6 and is one of its strongest fighters, and a member of the Sadala Defense Forces. Cabba is fair-skinned and of short stature and has a very slim build. Cabba’s hair is black and spiky, with one bang hanging over his forehead, similar to Gohan’s during the Majin Buu Saga and Tarble’s in anime. His eyes are narrow with large black pupils and his outfit has yellow straps, silver plating, a purple under piece, and a blue suit underneath with brown armbands, a brown belt, and purple shoes with grey soles. This is similar to the original uniforms worn by Saiyans before they were conscripted by Frieza. He appears to be a very young, teenage saiyan, around 17 to 19 years of age, although he could be much older since Saiyans physically age at a much slower rate. 

Monaka
Voiced by: Masami Kikuchi (Japanese) / Daman Mills (English)
Monaka is a deliveryman whom the God of Destruction Beerus uses as motivation for Goku to get stronger. Monaka is a short and slender, red alien from planet Wagashi. He has a wide and chubby head with pointy ears, a small, upturned nose, and large nipples that are referenced as the “Grand Ponta”. Monaka wears a green suit and purple shoes. Monaka was initially described as being a hero of his home world planet, Wagashi. At some point in his past, he was said to have fought against the God of Destruction Beerus. He managed to cause Beerus trouble, which makes him later claim Monaka as the strongest fighter he’s ever faced. However, all of this was just a story that Beerus made up to motivate Goku and Vegeta into getting stronger. It is later revealed that he is a deliveryman who serves as such, and it is because of this, he knows many parts of the universe. 

Frost
Voiced by: Ryūsei Nakao (Japanese) / Greg Ayres (English)
Frost is a member of the Frieza Race and emperor of Universe 6 (former emperor in the anime), being that universe’s version of Frieza. In the anime, he became a wanted fugitive after revealing himself as a space pirate. In his first form, Frost bears a heavy resemblance to the first form of Frieza, so much so that upon seeing him, Goku and Vegeta believe that he actually is Frieza. His transformations also take on similar appearances respectably to Frieza’s. When entering his Assault Form (possibly his third form), while still taller than his first form, it is still much shorter than Frieza’s third form. Frost has only one set of horns, which retains its shiny black appearance, and the back of his head is noticeably shorter than Frieza’s. In his true form, much like Frieza’s, Frost becomes very sleek and unimposing in appearance, regressing to the same height as his first form.

Hit
Voiced by: Kazuhiro Yamaji (Japanese) / Matthew Mercer (English)
Hit, also known as Hit the Infallible and as the Legendary Assassin, is an assassin from Universe 6 introduced in Dragon Ball Super. Over 1,000 years old, he is the strongest member of his team led by Champa. Hit is known for the ability to manipulate time by using Time-Skip. He is the one that takes Goku to his limit during the tournament, with the two acknowledging the other’s power and promising to keep training and face off again in the future. Hit is stoic and composed, constantly appearing emotionless and indifferent to most events. An expert in his craft, Hit shows great confidence and fortitude in any challenge presented before him. Hit also seems to be confident in his abilities. Showing a very no-nonsense attitude, he is straight to the point and speaks no more than necessary. To which, Hit will carry out his contracts, no matter whom his targets may be, nor can he be bribed or convinced to turn away from the assignment. More to his unwavering commitment and resolve, even when at a disadvantage, Hit refuses to back down from the challenge, choosing to face the opponent head-on.

So much new stuff! Thank god for this! From the introduction of new characters from Champa & Cabba, who will go on to appear in later story arcs, to the one off joke character Monaka, who is only around to trick Goku into fighting harder than he has in the two previous story arcs. These characters are more than welcome additions to the overall Dragon Ball mythology. Talking about additions, the addition of an official rename for Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan (Renamed Super Saiyan Blue, due to the blue hair) was something that I think the fans needed from the get go as SSGSS was a mouthful to say and to be honest, sounded completely stupid. The animation this time around has been improved, even over the TV versions, thanks to some eagle eyed viewers who will not allow animation shortcuts from the 1980s era to be used in 2017. So a lot of the animation is smoother, even if there are still some shortcuts used here and there. As for the audio, both the English and Japanese dubs are voiced to perfection thanks to a group of long time Dragon Ball voice actors and a crop of newcomers who are going to create their own legends thanks to this series.

If there is anything that was annoying about Dragon Ball Super Part 3 it’s the setting. A gathering of two powerful universes and it’s just the Budokai setting in space? Come on man! Can’t they have at least invaded or something, anything to create a bit more drama than who is going to be the standout from Universe 6 who is going to end up being fodder for Goku to grow in power for practically no reason. From a technical standpoint, the animation is still using some shortcuts in detail that do show in stills such as the one below. It’s a shame that such a long standing animation studio with one of the top brands known to anime ever still continues to think that using low end detail animation is going to fly in 2017/2018 with Bluray now becoming the preferred media to watch shows in. Other then that, it’s not too bad.

Overall Dragon Ball Super Part 3 is a very welcome addition to the long standing Dragon Ball Saga. The introduction of new characters here is not overwhelming nor the timing of things just feeling too long or too short. This half of the story arc is fun and exciting and just does what it needs to do and then can be forgotten. Looking back on this arc once again given what is happening currently in Dragon Ball Super (The Tournament of Power Arc) it’s good to see things be as simple as possible compared to what is happening now. Dragon Ball Super Part 3 is where things begi to pick up and where most people should begin watching the series.

©BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION
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