#Gohan the absolute love of my life

[dragonballsitcom]

We're lost. Why did you let me chase a waterfall? You know what TLC says.

-Gohan at some point

[tamashi-tai-tamashi]

I like how before dying for the second time, Gokū asks Gohan to tell Chichi that he is sorry he's always been selfish, has always just selfishly done whatever he wanted. To me, it is more powerful than a "Tell your mom I love her" - saying that because some dubs translated this line by something like this, the original french one, for example. "Tell your mom I am sorry for always selfishly doing whatever I wanted" is powerful because it's him realizing his mistakes, it's him wanting his wife to know he cares about her and regrets those mistakes, it's him using his last seconds of life to try to make up to her and to apologize to her, it's him making things about her and not himself. This line is one of my favourite lines.

DBS and the end of Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z absolutely ruined it, but I love this line.

[akiizayoi4869]

If there's one part about Vegeta's arc that I absolutely love, it would be this:

His regression in season 8 was very well done. It wasn't shoehorned in and it made sense. I remember seeing on Reddit years ago people complaining about this specific part of his arc, saying that it made no sense for him to regress the way he did when he was redeemed at this point. But consider this. It makes perfect sense when you factor in one thing: he wasn't redeemed yet. He was still going through his redemption arc by this point.

Vegeta wasn't raised to be a family man. He was raised to be a killing machine. He was raised with the idea in mind that he would one day be the king of the Saiyan race. All of that got taken away from him. His belief that he was the strongest Saiyan alive was taken when Goku became a Super Saiyan and defeated Frieza, and again when Gohan became a Super Saiyan 2 and killed Perfect Cell. And then Goku makes the choice to stay dead instead of coming back to life via the dragon balls. So now, Vegeta's one rival, the person who he swore he would one day surpass and defeat is gone for good. So all Vegeta has left at this point is the family he created with Bulma. Something that he most likely never envisioned for himself. So he decides to live a life on earth with her and their son.

Everything seems to be going fine for Vegeta....until the World Martial Arts Tournament happens. And Goku decides to return on this one day so that he can participate. Suddenly, all of the feelings that Vegeta bottled up over the last 7 years since Goku's death comes rushing to the surface. Finally, after all this time, Vegeta could finally prove that he's better than Goku. They even get matched up to fight each other in the tournament! How lucky is that, right? And then this guy happens:

And just like that, Vegeta's chance to fight Goku is now shattered thanks to this new threat to Earth. Instead of his attention being on him, Goku has his sights set on defeating Buu before he can be revived. For the entire time Vegeta, Goku, Gohan, and the Supreme Kai are in Babidi's lair, Vegeta is angry. He's waited 7 years for the chance to fight Goku again, and now that he finally gets the chance to do so, this happens. We see Vegeta's mood get worse and worse throughout the time they fight Babidi's minions, and it's gets so bad to the point where Babidi is able to get Vegeta under his control. Now, as Vegeta pointed out later on, he actually could of fought off Babidi's mind control. But he chose not to. Why? Because he saw how powerful Babidi's minions were while they were under his control. So Vegeta figured he could use some of that power to do this:

Fight Goku without any interruptions. Which is what he wanted from the start. Even though he knew that fighting would give more energy to Buu and thus revive him, Vegeta didn't care. So long as he got to fight Goku. Keep in mind that this is the same guy who let Semi-Perfect Cell absorb Android 18, despite the fact that he knew it could end up being a bad decision. But Vegeta didn't care because he wanted a good fight.

Now there's one line that Vegeta said to Goku during this fight that always stuck with me from the moment I heard it back when I was a kid. When Goku asks him why did he do all of this, Vegeta responds with "Because I wanted him to reawaken the evil within my heart. I wanted him to return me to the way I was...BEFORE!!! I WAS THE PERFECT WARRIOR! COLD AND RUTHLESS! I LIVED BY MY STRENGTH ALONE! UNINHIBITED BY FOOLISH EMOTION!!! But slowly...over the years... I became one of you. My quest for greatness gradually giving way to this life of mediocrity. I awoke one day to find that I had settled down and formed a family. I had even grown quite fond of them. Would you believe, I almost started thinking that the Earth was a nice place to live. Do you understand now, Kakarrot? That's why I needed Babidi! To set me free! By releasing the evil within my heart! He has freed me of these petty attachments. And I have to say it feels pretty good."

That entire speech he gave to Goku summarized PERFECTLY the internal conflict that Vegeta had going on within him. On the one hand, he wants this. He wants to feel strong again. He wants to defeat Goku and prove that he's better than him once and for all. He wants the life of a warrior back, because for so long that's all he knew. But on the other hand, he knows that the way he's going about it is wrong. Like he just admitted to Goku, there's a small part of him that loves the life he made for himself, and that he loves his family, too. Which is why Goku then says to him "Do you really believe what you're saying?". Now, Vegeta doesn't respond to this, but he doesn't have to. His silence is his answer. After that, the long awaited fight between these two begins. And after a while, Vegeta does come to the realization that he fucked up big time, and that he needs to do something to make up for it. Which is why he does this:

He knocks Goku out while his back is turned. Why? Because he wants to fight Majin Buu alone. Because if it hadn't been for Vegeta's desire to fight Goku, Majin Buu probably wouldn't have gotten the energy he needed to be revived. So Vegeta decides to take full responsibility for everything and take on Buu himself. To me, this is when his redemption arc comes full circle, because of his sacrifice. He knows that he can't beat Majin Buu through normal means, so what does he do? Blow himself up in an explosion that he's certain will destroy Buu along with him.

Vegeta even says in his mind that he's doing this for Bulma, Trunks, and even Goku. Something that I'm pretty sure a lot of us never thought we would ever hear him say. That he's doing something for other people. That he's not doing this for himself. I'm pretty sure that he saw this as his way to atone (hence why this move is called "final atonement" in the video games) but the fact remains that he did it anyway. Sure, we see Vegeta get angry when Perfect Cell killed Future Trunks, but still. That moment can't compare to this one. All in all, Majin Vegeta is the best part of Vegeta's redemption arc and the way how it's written really did an excellent job in wrapping it up.

[dbzsenpai]

Hello! First of all, I love your art, the style is so soft and full of life and your Gohan just makes me feel all the things! That being said, I am especially obsessed with the art you did for dbshipsweek of Gohan with sleeping Videl and Pan. It inspired me to write a drabble for it because I just could not stop thinking about our boy Gohan and everything he had gone through. Would it be okay if I posted my drabble on AO3 and linked to your art post here on Tumblr? (I didn't want to post the drabble without crediting you at all, and checking with you, since it's based on the scene you drew so vividly.)

oh my god… YES YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN!!! 😭💖 i need to read this asap… thank you so much for asking me and you being inspired to write a drabble over my art means the absolute world to me!!! 🥺

i’ll make sure to post about your story too so everyone can read it! 🥹

[galexibrain]

Going nuts over Trunks and Goten saving Vegeta from Buu.

Trunks: "Dad! Dad!" Goten: "Is he dead?" Trunks: "Bullshit, my dad doesn't die!"

And like ... makes sense! To Trunks, Vegeta is absolutely invincible. How could he possibly die? He's been the strongest guy around his entire life. He doesn't know Goku and he only knows Gohan as Goten's cringe older brother who likes to run around in silly superhero costumes.

So of course he can't imagine Vegeta dying.

But Goten? Goten's dad was dead before he was born. All he knows is "dead dad". So ofc it's the first he thinks of. A father? Oh, yeah, probably dead.

God I love these kids. And I love that they do GET to be kids. I love that ultimately, the survival of the world did not hinge on them. It shouldn't, as it shouldn't have on Gohan when he was a kid.

(Which is why I have a slight grudge against Son "I probably could have defeated Buu but I wanted the younger generation to do it" Goku. Like ... sweetie, they're 7. You already placed the weight of the world on your other son's shoulder once, and it almost crushed him. Don't do the same again if you have the chance to prevent it?)

Anyways, Trunks and Goten are the cutest little kids and I LOVE how utterly dumb they are at times. Because they're kids, and they even get to act like kids while fighting Buu. Gotenks is a kid, very obviously so, while Gohan pretty much had stopped acting like a child on Namek, when he was FIVE.

[dragon-ball-meta]

As someone who has a favorable opinion of the Super anime, which arcs are your favorite and least favorite?

My least favorite honestly is probably the Universe 6 Tournament. It just feels so slow-paced, yet short at the same time. The ideas and characters introduced are neat, but the execution left something to be desired. My least favorite in terms of overall writing is also, technically, my favorite only by technicality. The Future Trunks arc. I dislike the way Trunks is kind of Gary Stu'd in it, but at the same time, the Slice of Life stuff that I absolutely ADORE from this series is mostly considered a part of that arc in the anime. And frankly, we need more of that in DB. Show me how these "gods among men" try to live their day-to-day lives. Gimme more of Krillin conquering that PTSD and supportive 18, gimme more of Marron, Trunks, and Goten getting into shenanigans, gimme more of them just having fun and living life... with an ornery purple cat god or two occasionally popping in and out. Hell, I'd LOVE to see the rest of the crew meet Broly. I think he'd get along great with the humans, and Yamcha would definitely help him become more sociable. The kids would probably love him too. And you just KNOW he'd like the animals at 17's preserve. I'd LOVE to see the shenanigans the Satan City PD get up to and Krillin just trying to be the humble supercop yet hide the god-tier power he has and have a normal life with his even tougher wife and their little girl. Would also love to see Goku and Piccolo struggling to humor listening to a very excited and earnest Gohan rambling on about his bugs while trying not to fall asleep and insult the poor lad. Lean back into the comedy roots a bit. The battles are cool, awesome, great, in fact. But gimme more of that too. But yeah, that is 100% something the Super Anime will always have thats an objective good, and I am BEGGING Iyoku to give us more of that.

[elisajdb]

A Glimpse of the Future

A Time Travel story for @gochiweek

AN: For those not reading Life With You, Mrs. Niver is a character I created. She works for Chi-Chi's father and doesn't support Chi-Chi's marriage to Goku.

She had to stop her. She was making the biggest mistake of her life.

If I don’t do this, I’ll never forgive myself.

She watch them together for several days. Princess Chi-Chi and her fiancé, Son Goku. The Princess returned from the Tenkaichi Budokai announcing she will wed Son Goku. Oh, she and many people knew of the Princess’s engagement to the young man but she didn’t take it seriously.

For six years her Princess waited for Son Goku and he never sent a letter; never dropped by for a visit. Nothing. From what she pieced together, he didn’t propose to her. It wasn’t a formal arrangement between King Gyumao and Son Goku’s parents. From what she knew, he didn’t have parents. He was raised by King Gyumao’s sparring buddy, Son Gohan.

He's not someone from a rich background who would make the kingdom grow. He’s not someone with pristine lineage or history with the kingdom like my grandson, Kaifun.

He’s a bum. A strong, idiotic bum.

That was Mrs. Niver’s first impression of Son Goku when Princess Chi-Chi introduced him to her.

How careless our King is to give away our Princess, his only daughter, to this uneducated, freeloading bum.

He talked like a hick who seemed to be lucky in life because he can fight. He was strong winning the Tenkaichi Budokai and declared the Strongest Under the Heavens but what benefit is that to real life? What does that do for the kingdom?

Absolutely nothing. He doesn’t deserve Princess Chi-Chi.  

Mrs. Niver felt it in her old, cracked bones Son Goku will bring nothing but bad karma to Princess Chi-Chi.

 I have to show her the truth.

Mrs. Niver rubbed the pouch attached to her hips that will free Chi-Chi from her blind love for Son Goku. She visited a fortune teller of her princess’ future. The psychic wasn’t specific but what she told Mrs. Niver, wasn’t good.

Five years from now Princess Chi-Chi will suffer a great heartbreak.

Son Goku is a man with a dark past that will haunt Princess Chi-Chi for the rest of her life.

Those cryptic words were enough for Mrs. Niver to do something. “Tell me what I can do to save my Princess.”

The psychic gave Mrs. Niver a bag of powder. “Blow this on the princess. Let her see her future. Only she can change it. However,” she warned, “if she accepts her fate, she won’t remember what she learns.”

“Why not?”

“If one chooses to repeat the course life has set for them, it cannot be altered in the slightest way.”

Chi-Chi was unaware of Mrs. Niver’s plans as she admired herself in her mother's wedding dress in front of the mirror. Tomorrow she will wed Son Goku. Her dreams of being with the man she loves will finally come true. Chi-Chi couldn’t wait.

“Hello, Mrs. Niver,” Chi-Chi smiled at the old woman entering her bedroom. She knew Mrs. Niver wasn’t fond of her choice of a husband. Chi-Chi knew the old woman thought her grandson was a better match and urged her to be with him but Chi-Chi couldn’t go back on her promise to Goku. He wanted to marry her. He chose her. She thought so then when Goku touched her most private area. She knew now it was a misunderstanding but Goku still wanted to marry her and she still wanted to marry him.

Over the days leading to the wedding, Goku showed initiative he wanted to be married. He worked with her father and people from her village on building a home. He went on walks with her. She did most of the talking but Goku listened and asked questions. He was a little standoffish as it became clear to Chi-Chi Goku wasn’t used to anyone taking a personal interest in him that didn’t equal into personal gains for them, but as Chi-Chi showed she cared for Goku for himself, he was slowly coming around.

Mrs. Niver thought Chi-Chi looked beautiful in her mother’s wedding gown. If only she wore it for her grandson and not Son Goku.

“You look beautiful…. like your mother on her wedding day.”

“Thank you. I hope Goku thinks I am beautiful.”

“If you’re worried about that, that boy isn’t the right man for you.”

“Of course Goku is. He’s trying so hard to give marriage a try.”

Mrs. Niver shook her head. The child was so blind. “He shouldn’t be trying at all. He should know what he wants. He should be ready to provide for you. He should---”

“Mrs. Niver,” Chi-Chi put her hands up silencing the old woman. “I know you don’t like Goku but tomorrow he will be my husband. You should begin respecting him as you respect me and my father.”

Hell would freeze before she respects Son Goku. The young bride wouldn’t listen to reason. Mrs. Niver didn’t have a choice. She opened her pouch and scooped out a handful of purple powder. “May your eyes finally be open, Princess.”

Mrs. Niver blew the powder at Chi-Chi.

Chi-Chi coughed as she waved the powder away from her. Some of the grains entered her nose. She coughed. “What is that? What are you…..” Chi-Chi swoon. Suddenly, she felt dizzy. “What did you…?” Oh, she was so sleepy suddenly. What was that Mrs. Niver blew on her? Chi-Chi fell on her bed. Her body felt like a ton of steel. She couldn’t rise and she was so sleepy.

Mrs. Niver appeared over. “I’m doing this because I want to save you from your horrible future.”

“No….” Chi-Chi shook her head trying to fight off the sleep her body was succumbing to. “No…. Goku…..” she called wanting, needing him. “Goku…..” she choked his name before her eyes closed shut.

Chi-Chi’s eyes opened but she didn’t see her pink canopy hanging over her. She saw a white, textured ceiling. It looked familiar but she couldn’t place where she saw this ceiling. Oh! Our bedroom. Looking around, Chi-Chi saw a dresser chest, a vanity table and mirror and an opened closet. This was the bedroom of her future home with Goku.

Why am I here? Chi-Chi sat up confused. Why wasn’t she in her room at her father’s castle?

The sheets rolled down to settle around her waist shocking Chi-Chi as her naked breasts were exposed. She screamed and pulled the sheets over her breasts. She never slept naked!

The bathroom door slammed open as Goku ran out. “What? What is it, Chi-Chi?”

Chi-Chi saw her fiancé and screamed again! Why was he here? He can’t see her naked! They weren’t married yet. They----

Her eyes nearly popped from her skull when she saw Goku was naked, too. “What are you doing?!”

“Me?” Goku pointed at her. “You’re the one screaming.”

Chi-Chi pulled the sheets over her head and screamed. “Why are you naked?!!”

Goku cocked his head at her confused. “I slept naked and I went into the bathroom to take a dump. I was cleaning my hands when you screamed.”

Chi-Chi lowered the sheets to see Goku coming around the bed to her. She pulled her legs to her chest as he came closer. What was he doing? Why was Goku walking to her naked? Why…..

She saw what hung between his legs.

Is it really that big?

Chi-Chi covered the sheets over her head again. Goku grabbed it and pulled it down to her shoulders. He was sitting on the bed. She couldn’t see him below his chest so this was fine but it was very uncomfortable he was naked.

Chi-Chi stared at Goku nervous. She only saw Goku’s bare chest at the tournament. It was one time but she didn’t remember Goku’s chest being this big. His chest looked swollen and wider; muscles were so ripped and defined.

Wow.  

“How did you do that?”

Goku looked so confused. “Do what, Chi-Chi?”

“Your chest. How are you so big?”

Goku laughed. “I guess I am bigger but training with King Kai and under 100 times gravity would do that.”

King Kai? She thought Goku trained under Kami and his assistant, Mr. Popo. And what did he mean about one hundred times gravity? She imagined Goku trained under a rigorous workout but one hundred times gravity? She didn’t understand what that meant. Gingerly, Chi-Chi reached out to touch his chest. Oh, wow. It was so solid. “You feel so strong.”

Goku touched Chi-Chi’s forehead. “Are you feeling okay?”

No, but could she tell Goku what she thought without sounding like a crazy person? “I’m a little confused.”

“Bad dream?”

Did she dream she wore her mother’s wedding dress? Was she dreaming about her and Goku now? “Maybe. I’m confused.”

“It has been confusing for you.” Goku was frowning now. “Sorry about that but I am trying to make up for everything. You believe me, don’t ya?”

Chi-Chi didn’t know what Goku was talking about but she knew from his eyes and the guilt in his voice, he was sincere. “I believe you.”

“Good.” He smiled at her but it wasn’t innocent. It was wicked. “We got some time. Want me to keep making it up to you?”

“I guess.” What was he talking about?

Goku grinned as he pulled the sheets from Chi-Chi. He touched her knees and pushed her legs apart. Chi-Chi’s eyes grew. What was he doing?! She saw Goku lowering his face between her legs. “No!” Chi-Chi put a hand on Goku’s head and pushed him away. “What are you trying to do?!”

“Make you feel good. You always like it.” Goku settled himself between her legs again. He spread her and locked his arms under her legs so Chi-Chi couldn’t stop him.

Is he gonna put his mouth there?! Do couples do that?  “We’re not married!”

Goku raised his head confused. “Are you still mad at me? You’re acting weird.”

“I’m not mad.” But she was confused. Not long ago, she stood in her wedding dress talking to Mrs. Niver and now she was naked in bed with her naked fiancée who wanted to do things to her they couldn’t do until after the wedding. “We’re not married.”

“What are you talking about? We….” Goku counted on his fingers. “We’ve been married for seven years. I’ve been away for a while but we’re still married.”

“Seven years?” That’s impossible. They’re engaged and getting married tomorrow.

“Are you still mad I was away? I’m trying to make up to you.”

Away? Away from what? Chi-Chi didn’t trust herself to ask. “I----”

“You’re still stressed,” Goku figured out the problem and knew the solution. He gently pushed Chi-Chi to lie down. “Relax and let me take care of that.”

He was moving between her legs again. Chi-Chi shook her head. Chi-Chi didn’t know what Goku was going to do but she knew they couldn’t do this yet. They weren’t married. “Wait, Goku,” Chi-Chi tried to stop him as his tongue swiped between her legs causing a shocking shudder to pass over Chi-Chi.

He’s licking me!!

She gasped and squirmed as Goku’s tongue gorged on her. His tongue buried deep inside her and his nose pressed against her sex as he moaned and savored the taste coming from her most intimate area. It caused the most shocking pleasure to spread through Chi-Chi.

Oh… my….  She was beginning to feel hot but good. She heard a moan. Was that her? Is that what it feels like? Her legs relaxed and her hips moved on their own trying to keep up with Goku’s mouth, tongue and fingers? Is he using….  “Oh!” Chi-Chi pushed herself harder against Goku as she felt herself giving in.

It felt good but wasn’t this wrong? They weren’t married. They couldn’t do this before they married.

Maybe I’m dreaming or maybe me in my wedding dress was the dream and this is real.

Chi-Chi’s head tossed as she panted feeling Goku driving his fingers deeper in her and his teeth scraping the heart of where most of her pleasure was felt. She read about it; heard whispers of her maids talking about it when they didn’t know she was around but never dreamed it could feel this intense. When she felt Goku suck this precious spot and bite it with his teeth, Chi-Chi screamed but not of pain. This was a scream of pure addictive pleasure!

“Again!” Her hips bounced off the bed and her hand fisted Goku’s hair and pushed him firmer against her. She didn’t know what Goku was doing. She just needed to feel it again. There it was! That sweet feeling between her legs. It kept growing the more Goku licked her.

Keep your mouth there.

Goku was happy to oblige, licking more voraciously encouraged by Chi-Chi’s moans. He drove the pleasure between her legs to an intense level of ecstasy she never thought possible. It feels so good. I can’t stop. Chi-Chi succumbed herself to the sensual demands of her body. She gasped, moaned, and panted for the exquisite pleasure Goku was giving her until she reached the end where her body convulsed as a loud, joyous scream tore at her throat as waves of rippling pleasure overwhelmed her hot and sweating body.

Chi-Chi laid in bed as a mindless, vibrating vessel of pleasure with what she suspected was the goofiest smile on her face. Two days ago, she and Goku started kissing. He knew less than she and today he was doing that to her body down there! What kind of dream was this? Whatever it was, Chi-Chi didn’t want to wake from it. She was married to Goku and he just gave her the most amazing feeling in her life.

“All right.” Goku grabbed her legs and spread her wider. “Time for the main event.”

Chi-Chi raised her head to understand what Goku meant. She saw his penis; long, thick and very hard jutting at her.

It’s even bigger.

This might be a dream but she wasn’t ready for that! He was too big!

That can’t fit!

Goku hadn’t noticed Chi-Chi’s panic as he settled between her and brushed his tip at her entrance. Chi-Chi worried he was going to plow in hard when a knock tapped the door.

“Mom? Dad? Are you awake?”

Who the hell was that?!

“Gohan,” Goku muttered under his breath as he pulled himself off Chi-Chi.

Gohan? Isn’t his Grandpa dead?

“I’ll take care of this,” Goku grumbled before going back into the bathroom.

Chi-Chi watched Goku walk away or more correctly eyed his bouncing appendage as he went back into the bathroom. What is he gonna do?

Goku shut the bathroom door as the knock came again from the bedroom door. “Mom? Dad?”

“Uh… coming,” Chi-Chi nervously answered as she got out of bed. It was a child at the door but whose child? She didn’t have children and as far as knew, Goku didn’t have a child. Chi-Chi pulled on a night slip lying on the floor next to a cotton robe.

She went to the door and slowly turned the knob. A little boy stood on the other side. He could be no more than six or seven with long, shaggy hair and eyes similar to hers.

“Good Morning, Mom.”

Mom?!

“Good Morning.” Was he talking to her?

“Is Dad up?”

Dad? Does he mean Goku? “I….. I….” Chi-Chi knelt before the child. She tenderly touched his hair and caressed his face. This child had her eyes. He had long hair but the style, the spikes, were so much like Goku’s hair. “Are….. are you my son?”

“Mom?” the boy looked wary at her. “Are you okay?”

“Are you my son?” Chi-Chi repeated.

“Yes. I’m your son, Gohan. What?” Gohan was suddenly thrust into Chi-Chi’s arms. “Mom, what are you doing?”

“I have a boy!! A wonderful boy!” Chi-Chi picked up her son and swirled him around as she tightly hugged him. “I have a beautiful boy!” she laughed and cried. What a wonderful dream! She married Goku and they have a child. “Oh, look at you!” She pinched his cheek. “You’re so beautiful.”

“Mom!” Gohan tried to push Chi-Chi away as she rained his face with kisses. “What are you doing? Dad!” Gohan called for Goku as he stepped out of the bathroom naked. He picked up his boxers off the floor and pulled them on. “Dad, what’s wrong with Mom?”

Goku stared at Chi-Chi crying and kissing Gohan’s face. He shrugged. “Guess she’s happy to see you.”

“Goku!” Chi-Chi put down Gohan and ran to him. “We have a son! Oh, he’s a handsome one! I knew we would have cute babies! Do we have more?”

Goku mirrored the same confused look as Gohan. “No. We just have one.”

“We’ll have to work on more later,” Chi-Chi gushed. “Oh, I can’t believe it! We’re married and have a son. It’s a wonderful dream!”

Gohan looked at his father for an answer to his Mom’s strange behavior. Goku answered with a shrug. “So, was there something you need, Gohan?”

“I wonder if we are gonna train today since it’s raining.”

Goku looked out the window. It was raining but it was drying up. “We’ll wait until after the rain stops. You know Mom doesn’t like it when we spar in the rain. We bring dirt into the house. We can relax this morning with a big breakfast.” Goku looked at Chi-Chi. “When will breakfast be ready? I’m hungry.”

“Breakfast.” Chi-Chi put a hand on her chest. That was her job. I get to cook for Goku and our son!  Chi-Chi screamed joyfully confusing her husband and son. “I’ll cook you the yummiest breakfast!”

Chi-Chi grabbed Goku and Gohan’s hands and led them out of the room. Gohan looked at his father worried over his mother’s behavior.

“Dad?”

“Just go with it, son.”

Chi-Chi happily hummed to herself as she walked hand-in-hand with her husband and son down the hall. She married Goku and they have a cute child. Life was perfect.

Until she reached the end of the hall where the kitchen and living room connected. There was another person in their home. He stood by the sofa folding a blanket. No, this wasn’t a person. This was a monster. A green, evil monster!

Piccolo!

This wasn’t a dream. It was a nightmare! Piccolo was in her home!

What did he want? Is he here to kill Goku? Is he here to kill our son?

She wouldn’t allow it!

“Monster!” Chi-Chi screamed at Piccolo.

Piccolo rolled his eyes as he placed the folded blanket neatly on the sofa. “I have a name.”

“Not for long,” Chi-Chi vowed as she shocked everyone when she tackled Piccolo to the floor and punched his face over and over. “What are you doing in my house?! Get out of here! You won’t hurt my son!”

“Son!” Piccolo put his arms up to shield himself from Chi-Chi’s punches. “Stop hitting me! Dammit, Son! Get your woman off me!”

“Chi-Chi!” Goku pulled Chi-Chi off Piccolo. “What are you doing? Piccolo is our friend.”

“Friend?!” Was Goku crazy? “He tried to kill you! He put a hole in your chest at the tournament!”

“He did it again when he killed me but we’re still friends.”

“Killed?” Chi-Chi turned to Piccolo. “He killed you? When did he do that?”

Goku put his hand on Chi-Chi’s forehead again. “Are you all right?”

Chi-Chi pushed his hand away. “Stop that! I’m fine! Tell me when he killed you!”

“Ya ain’t fine if ya askin’ that. He did it because it was the only way to stop my brother and get Gohan back. He kidnapped Gohan, remember? Piccolo and I teamed up to get Gohan back. I died during that.”

Brother? And when was Goku going to drop this news on her?! This was the first she heard of Goku having a brother! “Why didn’t you tell me you have a brother?! Why did he kidnap our son?!”

Piccolo, Goku and Gohan looked at each other confused. Piccolo voiced what the others were thinking. “Is she having one of those nervous breakdowns you humans have?”

Chi-Chi wondered that herself. What was going on with her? Was this a nightmare? How could she think she was preparing for her wedding to Goku and now found herself married to him, with a child and living with the monster who tried to kill Goku she thought days ago but is being told it happened years ago?

The room was suddenly too stuffy. She needed space. “I need some air. Water.” She looked for an exit. Saw the door and ran to it.

Outside, Chi-Chi breathed in the fresh air. This was Mount Paozu. Goku brought her here a few days ago. She turned to see a large dome home. She first laid eyes on it a couple of days ago when Goku, her father and men from her village built it. Not far off, she saw the home Goku lived in with his Grandpa. What truly startled her were the trees. They didn’t have any leaves. Two days ago they did.

How can it be Fall when it’s Spring?

“Chi-Chi,” Goku came outside with Gohan and Piccolo.

“Mom?” Gohan approached Chi-Chi with a glass of water. “I got you water.”

Chi-Chi took the glass. “Thank you…. Gohan.” Chi-Chi drank the entire water and handed the glass back to Gohan. She didn’t feel stuffy or hot anymore but she didn’t feel right. What was going on?

Goku, Gohan and Piccolo looked at her unnerved. “I don’t understand. I’m so lost.”

“What is it you don’t understand?” Goku asked. “We talked about this.”

If they did, Chi-Chi couldn’t remember. “Maybe you should tell me again what we talked about.”

Goku did so, telling Chi-Chi he was born on a planet named Vegeta but sent to Earth as a baby. He didn’t meet his brother until a reunion Goku had with his friends when Gohan was four years old. Gohan was kidnapped by his Uncle. Goku and Piccolo teamed up to save Gohan but Goku died. Instead of returning home, Gohan was taken by Piccolo to train and fight against aliens from Goku’s birth planet. Goku received training in the afterlife but returned to fight after everyone except Krillin and Gohan were killed. By the time, Goku explained Freeza and Super Saiyan, Chi-Chi needed another glass of water.

It was all too much. Goku’s an alien. Her son is half-alien. Goku died or will die and she will lose her husband and son for a year. Goku will leave again and be gone for a year and a half. They won’t have time to celebrate a happy reunion since Goku will have to train again and take their young son with him to fight Artificial Humans tied to a mad scientist Goku battled as a child.

Fighting and violence will consume her family. Her husband and son will be putting their lives on the line while she stays home alone, worrying and crying for her family. The happy peaceful life she envisioned for them won’t happen.

“I’m doing this because I want to save you from your horrible future.”

Mrs. Niver. The truth struck her like a bolt of lightning. It wasn’t a dream or a nightmare. Chi-Chi didn’t know how but somehow she was offered a glimpse of her future. This is what awaits her if she marries Goku.

“I’m doing this because I want to save you from your horrible future.”

A horrible future. Was it? This isn’t what she expected or wanted. It was a grim future but there was a light of hope. Goku and Gohan. She had a beautiful and bright child who was so earnest and kind. Even now as she looked at him, she saw his worry for her. She had Goku. There will be pains and heartbreak but Goku did become the husband she dreamed of. A man who loved and cared for her. All this time his concerns were for her. He wanted to make her happy. He wanted to make up for his absence.

It was a dark future and not what she expected but having Goku and Gohan, Chi-Chi thought it wouldn't be so bad. We'll make it work,

Suddenly Chi-Chi swooned stuck by a sudden dizzy spell. Goku caught her. “Chi-Chi?” he held her against him as he lowered them to the grass.

Slowly, she began to remember. Mrs. Niver. She blew some powder on her and she suddenly felt sleepy. I don't know why but I think I’m going back. “Goku… Gohan.”

Both her husband and son were at her side holding her hands. “Chi-Chi?” Goku looked worried. “What’s the matter?”

Chi-Chi could feel the heavy sleep overcoming her body again. She didn’t have long. “It’s time for me to go. Thank you for marrying me. I will be happy.”

“Chi-Chi?” Goku didn’t like how she sounded. “Don’t go.”

“Mom?” Gohan sounded scared, too. “Are you okay?”

“I’m more than okay, Gohan,” she told her beautiful son. “I’m happy.” She turned her head to Goku. “I know no matter what happens, I will be happy.”

Chi-Chi closed her eyes welcoming the sleep spell to take her again.  

When Chi-Chi opened her eyes, she saw the pink canopy of her bed above her. Her mind was foggy as she quietly sat up. What happened? Did she take a nap? She noticed she wore her mother’s dress. “Oh, no. I can’t get this wrinkled.” She stood and began unzipping her dress.

That’s when she saw Mrs. Niver. The old woman stared at her. When did she come in?

Suddenly, Chi-Chi remembered Mrs. Niver blowing something on her. Chi-Chi checked her dress for stains of the powder. Nothing. Her dress was fine but to be safe she thought it should be cleaned again.

“Why did you throw powder on me, Mrs. Niver? I’m wearing my mother’s dress. I can’t have this ruined before my wedding.”

“Princess?”

Chi-Chi stepped out of her wedding dress. “What is it, Mrs. Niver?”

The old woman stared for a long time. “Didn’t you see? Don’t you know what will happen?”

“What will happen?” Chi-Chi carefully placed her wedding dress over the mannequin. “I better ask Charlotte and Dani to clean this again before the wedding.”

“Are you still going through it?” Mrs. Niver asked. “Are you still going to marry Son Goku?”

“Of course I am. Why are you asking a silly question?”

Mrs. Niver shook her head. She saw the future and still wants to marry that bum. “You foolish child.” Mrs. Niver turned away. She couldn’t believe her attempt to save her Princess failed. “You foolish, foolish child.”

Chi-Chi looked on confused at Mrs. Niver as she left the room. She got dressed and left the room to follow her when she saw Goku walking to her. “Goku.” Chi-Chi greeted her fiancé with a hug and a kiss on his cheek. “Where have you been?”

“I had a fitting for my suit.” He frowned, “I can’t fight in it. Do I have to wear that for our wedding, Chi-Chi?”

“Yes, Goku, and why do you care to fight in it? We’re getting married. We’re not going to battle.”

“Mr. Lupp said sometimes it’s the same thing.”

“He’s just joking.”

“Oh.” Goku sounded relieved about that. “I know this is important to you.”

“It’s important for both of us.”

“Yeah,” Goku rubbed the back of his neck. “Aki told me that. I am trying to make sure I get this right. You believe me, don’t ya?”

“Sorry about that but I am trying to make up for everything. You believe me, don’t ya?”

“Believe?”

His tongue swiped between her legs causing a shocking shudder to pass over Chi-Chi.

She gasped and squirmed as Goku’s tongue gorged on her. His tongue buried deep inside her and his nose pressed against her sex as he moaned and savored the taste coming from her most intimate area. It caused the most shocking pleasure to spread through Chi-Chi.

“Chi-Chi?” Goku waved a hand over her face. “Are you all right? Your face turned red all of a sudden.

Chi-Chi touched her cheeks. She felt warm. How could she have such lustful thoughts for her fiance before they marry?

“Sorry. Guess I’m excited for our wedding.”

“I can’t wait to eat our wedding meal.” Goku patted his stomach. “I’m told there will be a big feast for us.”

“Yes, and when we marry, I’ll cook for you all the time. We’ll have wonderful meals together. You, me, Piccolo….” Piccolo? Why did she think of that monster?

“Piccolo? He ain’t living with us.” At least Goku didn’t think so. “Is he?”

“Oh, no! Never! I don’t know why I thought that.”

Goku didn’t understand it either so he laughed it off. “It’d be weird having him live us when he wants to kill me.”

Chi-Chi didn’t understand her mind. Why did she think of Goku doing something very intimate with her and why did she think of Piccolo living with her and Goku? Ugh! What a nightmare!

“I think the wedding is making me think crazy things. Maybe I need something to eat.”

Mom? I got you water.

He flashed in her mind like a snapped photo. Was it a boy? It sounded like a boy. For a brief second, she thought she saw his face but closing her eyes to recall the image, Chi-Chi saw a white blur. Chi-Chi shook her head to clear her fuzzy thoughts. What was she thinking about? Did she see something?

Oh, dear. This wedding is making me delusional. 

“Chi-Chi?” Goku called her again. “We can eat if ya want. I’m hungry, too. What?” he noticed Chi-Chi smiling at him.

“Nothing.” Chi-Chi smiled at Goku. She couldn't remember what she thought about a few seconds ago. She just felt happy. This man she will marry. Strong. Brave. Innocent. Completely lovable. “I’m so happy I will marry you.” She raised herself on her toes and gently kissed his lips. “I can’t wait to be Mrs. Son Goku and have a family with you.”

Goku smiled in return. “I don’t fully understand marriage but I like ya wanna live with me on Mount Paozu. I like ya wanna be around me for me. I can’t wait either but I also wanna eat.”

Chi-Chi laughed and kissed Goku again. “Then let’s see what the cooks have for us.” Hand in hand, Chi-Chi and Goku left for the kitchen, looking forward to their wedding and their bright, adventurous future.

[mannatea]

Random thoughts about DBZ because I’m rewatching starting at the Great Saiyaman Arc.

Gohan is just so wholesome and good. Even after all these years I still stan with my whole heart. When he finds out that Mr. Satan has been taking credit for (more or less) his and his friends’ work during the Cell Games, and all he does is just have a giggle about it? I love him your honor.

These episodes start off so goofy after the more serious tone of the Cell Games arc, but even though they’re not very serious there’s enough realism in there for the silliness to feel grounded I guess? Like yeah, “Gohan goes to high school” sounds so dull off the cuff, but there’s something seriously charming about him trying to “fit in” and “be normal”—and to a degree it’s a relatable issue, too. He really is just trying to make friends and keep them (after a lifetime so far of not really having friends his own age)(I think Dende sort of counts for this but they don’t see each other as often as, say, a school friend group does).

Videl doesn’t half-ass anything and frankly that’s one of the reasons I will always love her.

Seriously, I love her so much. I wish they’d had more time to develop her character and go into a bit more about why she acts the way she does, but a lot of that can just be inferred. It’s not really surprising that she’s out there like a bloodhound sniffing out bullshit from Day 1 considering her father’s fame and what that has probably meant for her for the last 7ish years.

Also she’s a Fashion Icon actually. Spandex shorts and a t-shirt? Same, girl.

She does attach herself to Gohan awfully quickly, which ties back into wishing we got more character development, buttttt it seems pretty clear early on that part of the reason she wants to know who he is is because he’s “just like her for real”: she definitely seems to understand she’s found someone worth her time.

I think there’s probably something to be said here about her father’s bullshit too, and filling her head with ideas about how she can only date someone as strong as he is (when she believes nobody like that exists, especially not someone her age) but really I feel like that connection forms so quickly because Gohan is not a simp or a fan of hers; he just has a similar idea of justice, and she really vibes with that. It feels like a genuine connection to another person, which she probably hasn't experienced often.

Anyway I just love how earnest and hard-working she is.

And I’m sorry because the shipping goggles are permanently affixed to my dumb face at this point in my life with these characters, but it’s still pretty cute (and funny tbh) that Videl and Gohan have this constant back and forth of her doing something and him being genuinely impressed by her, even though her accomplishments are like, absolutely nothing compared to what he and his friends can do. It just kind of sets up Gohan as a “look at my awesome wife” kind of guy, which he definitely is. LOL.

I also really like how he manages to recognize that she has limitations (as she is just a human being) without ever really coming across like he’s disrespecting her as a person. Above all, Gohan does try to be respectful. Or when he’s worried about potentially coming up against her father in the tournament because he’s concerned beating her father in a match might hurt her feelings? He’s such a good kid.

He’s also dumb as shit re: the hair comment, but there’s something about that stupid 5 second scene that I love too… Like Gohan was just spitting facts about short hair being harder to use against her in a fight, but she totally misunderstood his meaning and then gets mad about it. LOL. It feels very…teenagery to me (as it should). But when she comes back with short hair anyway, it’s nice because even though she was upset for having misunderstood him, she obviously recognizes the truth in his words. It was good advice—so she takes it.

I also feel kind of bad for Gohan for all the teasing he gets at the start of the tournament for his “friend” being a “girl” like pleaaase give him a break. The poor kid barely has friends. Let’s not pigeonhole him into a romantic relationship too.

Honestly Videl needs time to build up a good friendship too. She kind of sucks at making and keeping friends and doesn’t need the pressure of romance on her plate (even though she’s obviously sorta interested HAHAHA).

I mean I like that they do get together in the end (obviously, I was the biggest G/V shipper in the old days lol) but that their friendship felt highlighted first and foremost was always meaningful to me personally lol.

Also to backtrack, it’s still hilarious that ChiChi was suspicious of Videl until she found out she was rich. ICONIQUE.

 Goten is the cutest little kid ARGHHHH. I love him so much.

One thing about watching the series in Japanese is that I miss out on the dub’s terrible rapping attempts by Gohan and frankly that is PEAK COMEDY.

Videl sounds 10x cuter in the original, too, now that I think about it. And Hercule sounds much more serious (despite his comedic relief character) which is a great contrast actually.

Announcer man is a fave too btw. I love him.

Backtracking again but Vegeta at the beginning of this arc was actually not as much of an asshole as I remember him being in the dub. But also why is his voice so smooth?? LOL.

Currently on the Trunks vs. Goten fight episode where Videl is like “WTF” about everything. I kinda feel bad for her, but I like that while her not knowing what’s going on is part of the comedy aspect of the episodes, she’s never treated like she’s stupid for it. For all of DBZ’s faults I will say some characters were done surprisingly well.

[bluehairlaunch]

7 Underrated Dragon Ball Characters

Honorable mention, Launch. She's one of my favorite Dragon Ball characters, but Toriyama never evolves Launch beyond her gag, and then he forgets all about her. Unlike most USians, I started with OG Dragon Ball, and enjoyed the found family dynamic that Goku developed after Grandpa Gohan (who ironically is his father figure) died. Roshi is like his grandpa, Bulma his big sister, Krillin his best bro, and Launch his mother. She cooks, cares for the boys, and handmakes them their cute little World Tournament suits. It seemed like she was going to be a major supporting character, but instead she circles the drain doing one of three things until she's just finally gone 1) getting molested by Roshi 2) shooting people impervious to bullets 3) crushing on Tien

Launch deserved better

Android 16

The only reason he's not higher on this list is because he's not as underrated as the others. Plenty of people like 16 ofc, he's a good character, but in universe he gets nothing but disrespect. Y'know the guy who saved the world by helping Gohan go beyond Super Saiyan? He's on the same tier as Farmer w/shotgun in terms of getting wished back to life. Yamcha would rather give his girlfriend a nice necklace

Super goes a step further in erasing his existence by giving his character traits to Park Ranger 17. And I'd say this was a nice homage to 16 if Super wasn't Super

World Tournament Announcer

The Nameless Announcer. One of the few normies to know about Dragon Team, he's an in-universe Dragon Ball stan. He's also the first character in this entire franchise to go from mustache-less to mustache

Yajirobe

Yajirobe's honestly so cool. He 1 shot Cymbal, then COOKED AND ATE HIM, which is probably the darkest thing to happen in Dragon Ball and actually makes Buu a Yajirobe clone. He was also the equivalent to Tien and Goku on release, being as strong as they were during the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament.

Except, unlike Tien and Goku, he's a total slacker and was probably this strong naturally, or at least very close. For context, 21st World Tournament Goku was equivalent to Roshi, who could blow up the moon with ease

Oh and he was instrumental in defeating Geets, that's cute of him too

Dr. Gero

One of my fav villains, this fucker here, he fucks. He created best girl (18) best twink (17, sorry not sorry Future Trunks), two very good boys (8er and 16), the most perfect it/its, 19, who had one of Dragon Ball's best beatdowns, and was plenty compelling and terrifying on his own. How is this absolute fucker not in every Top 10 or at least every Top 20 villain countdowns?

Kami

Surely God will be important?

Yamcha

The world's first meme. He gets twisted as useless by people who think Dragon Ball was ever about anyone but Goku doing anything and dunked on for almost everything he does. Yamcha isn't the kinda guy getting mad about this hate tho, he's actually laughing. He's an easygoing himbo that just wants to chill and exposit, but will absolutely throw down whenever needed.

The most pathetic he EVER got was when he made his hair look like Vegeta's, and you really can't blame a bro for trying

Chi-Chi

The hate this woman gets... it's definitely less than it used to be, but for someone Goku and Gohan very clearly loves, the fanbase despises her. And why? For not wanting her FOUR YEAR OLD to fight planet busting monsters? Yes, I know, the world needs that four year old to fight monsters, but if that were your kid, would you be ok with that? Would you say bye son I love you and remember to hold your intestines in if the alien demon from another world blasts open your stomach?

[st-dorothy-minority]

You know, I would really like reading something on how your Cell fought (is fighting) his trauma! His inner thoughts or how hard was for him in the beginning when the experience was still fresh and how it translated into his new life! Maybe some episodes of PTSD and his attempts at covering it. Let's just say I'd love to read more about his vulnerable side!

Eeeee!!! Thank you for this!!! 🙏🥰

I'm assuming this is based off my headcanon for what happened to him in Hell? Let's talk trauma responses! A favorite topic of mine 😄

To me, Cell would most likely react with either fight or flight out of the 4 responses (fight, flight, freeze, and fawn). Fight is obvious because he's a fighter and filled with so much fighter DNA. He will literally punch and destroy away his problems and triggers. Physical threat? He's absolutely responding with fight energy.

When it comes to psychological and emotional trauma (brought on by a certain type of physical trauma, as is what happened to him in Hell with being repeatedly assaulted), I see him having a flight response - and a unique way of flight because he's not always physically fleeing! And what I mean by that is flight in the sense of he runs from it mentally. He buries it. He blocks it out. Does whatever he can *not* to remember. His brain is figuratively fleeing the threat, which is all of the emotional trauma (shame, weakness, helplessness, etc). However, if something does happen to trigger the memory/sensation, he gets both fight and flight. He physically runs away from the place he's at and whoever he's with and goes into fight energy by blowing up shit (in my headcanon, it's planets and stars). His body has to purge that energy by going and physically doing something while at the same time, his mind is in a flight response by feverishly burying the memory into oblivion.

This makes it hard to write some scenarios to showcase him in these responses because he's a master at hiding emotions and what happened from everyone, and whenever they do show, he just flies off to destroy things and comes back all "normal." He does "so well" (and I put that in quotations because it's not healthy to ignore emotions! 😄) at pushing all the yuck aside that I don't see him dwelling on it much or at all. Only if something inadvertently triggers it does he then think about it. And even then, it's not for long because he's doing whatever he can to get rid of it and bury again.

I hope all that made sense! I got a bit carried away 😅 I just loooove thinking about this stuff. As he and Gohan become closer, I could see him opening up just a bit and letting himself show some emotion, but never for long. I would love, love to hear your thoughts and any possible specific scenes/content ideas you have! Perhaps there is a way to showcase his vulnerable, PTSD-suffering side that I just can't think of at the moment lol 💜💚

[birdantlers]

Yo I see u love Piccolo, I am very new to Dragon Ball (currently watching dbz kai for the first time) but absolutely ADORE Piccolo as well... I see u have a parental/familial-focused Piccolo fic and I want to read it but also I am very wary of spoilers... For All Birds Singing at Night, how much of canon would u say should be watched beforehand to not have things spoiled? It's fine if the answer is "finish all canon", but I figured I'd ask in case I can read a lil fic before watching everything!

Hmmm well it takes place in Dragon Ball Super's timeline, but I don't know specifically when?? I think I said I placed it a year before Superhero but Superhero is like 15 years past cell saga or something haha. It's not toooo heavy on canon stuff? I think? Dende being the pov character of chapter one is a big thing, as is where Gohan's at later in life, but it doesnt feature canon events or anything.

I do have this fic that takes place in Saiyan Saga tho. I've had a part two in the works but it got derailed along with everything else while my autism gears are switched at the moment. I still want to finish both fics very much tho

[dynamite-derek]

RIP Akira Toriyama

It was the summer of 1996. A younger version of myself waltzed into a rip-off blockbuster, one of those family owned joints that often gets conflated with Hollywood Video, and was struck by the cover artwork of one game in particular. Chrono Trigger. It drew me in like a siren's song. It just looked so cool. I had experience with Earthbound, Super Mario RPG and Final Fantasy III at this point so I wasn't unfamiliar with the Japanese role playing game genre, but that isn't what brought me to the dance. It was the art.

Chrono Trigger would go on to become a major part of my personality as a youth. There was about a week straight where I would go around talking to nobody in particular using old English, like my favorite character Frog did. Thank you Ted Woolsey for that. CT would go on to form the basis for a lot of my video game opinions.

I remember getting Chrono Trigger for Christmas randomly in 1997. It had yet to become the holy grail of eBay, it was just a random gift from my uncle who knew how to use the Internet. I spent so long just glancing at the instruction manual and thinking the characters looked so cool. It's one thing to see a little pixel version of Lucca convince Crono that hopping into a teleporter is a good idea, it's another thing to see a fully illustrated version of the same character.

Don't even get me started on how I felt watching those anime cutscenes that came with the PS1 version for the first time. I consider Earthbound to be my favorite game ever, but Chrono Trigger is really what started my JRPG fix. Would I have gotten as deep into JRPGs as I did without Chrono Trigger? Would I be writing this right now? One of the first things I talked to my wife about was the Final Fantasy franchise, specifically my cat named Quistis. Would I have even grabbed that appreciation for Final Fantasy VIII without having been exposed to Chrono Trigger?

Fast forward to 1999. I had just moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado as a sixth grader. I had no friends. I didn't know anybody. It felt like the world had aged up around me. Everybody was using swears and talking about mature topics and I felt so out of the loop. In our temporary hotel housing I vividly remember turning the channel to Cartoon Network and stopping because the art style interested me. It looked kind of like that game I played back in 1996. Dragon Ball Z.

I can see it now. Vegeta was fighting against Recoome while Gohan and Krillin looked on exhausted. Things were looking bleak but some guy named Goku was on the horizon. I had no idea who any of these characters were but I knew they reminded me of something I loved with all my heart. From that point, Dragon Ball would go on to be something I absolutely cherished. Just like Chrono Trigger, it would help define my taste for years to come.

I remember being in high school wearing ridiculous looking Dragon Ball shirts because I thought the sleeves were really cool, I remember going to Toys R Us and seeing a damn near immobile Vegeta action figure that lacked his Saiyan-saga armor and I was so excited to bring it home. I remember hopping on limewire and downloading fansubs of Dragonball Z movies where the subtitles had characters swearing up a storm just because they could. How would I know any better? I didn't speak Japanese! I even downloaded all of Dragon Ball GT because I wanted to see where this wacky thing would go.

That specific anime would define a wide portion of my Internet life. I would post on the Funimation forums talking about whatever episode of the dub was most recent. It was there that I made a lot of my first Internet friends, including girlfriends. It was that forum that led me to create my own little Internet forum called Lindblum, a place that I still remember fondly to this day. I didn't have a lot of friends. I was an Airforce brat who moved around all the time, so it was hard for me to chat with people who knew each other for their entire lives. Lindblum was where I socialized and grew up as a person. Where I learned how to socialize and talk to people from all walks of life.

Writing on forums is what got me into writing in general. I was a lazy kid in school. I didn't care about anything except for video games. Writing was the exception to that, it was the only thing I considered myself actually decent at. I didn't understand math but I understood how to communicate what I felt to others. I work in journalism to this very day because of that fascination with writing. I have this dinky little blog I maintain because of that. Thanks to Internet forums. Thanks to Dragon Ball Z. Thanks to Chrono Trigger. Thanks to Akira Toriyama.

Toriyama, indirectly, helped shape me as an individual. A guy thousands of miles away from me who I had never met before, who didn't know my name, who didn't know I existed, had a hand in helping to shape the person I am today. The world can be a beautiful place sometimes.

RIP Akira Toriyama. Thanks for everything.

[ganbaruwayo]

リメンシア・Rementia

Sekikomi Gohan ft. Hatsune Miku Translation by Platonic水を食べる / Free to use with credit and a link back to this post.

~

虚な眼差しに祈る　焼き切れた回路に I say a prayer to that vacant stare, on a burnt-off circuit 一度だけ　一度だけで良い Just once, just one time is enough

駆け抜けた世界で独り　無くした落とし物 Alone in a world that’s run its course, I’ve dropped and lost something 探しても　探しても Even though I look, I look for it, まだ　見つからないでしょう？ It still hasn’t been found, hasn’t it?

名前も存在も　いつか消えてなくなる My name, my existence, one day they’ll disappear, they’ll no longer be Only Lonely Only Lonely 大事な約束事さえ　泣いて儚く溶けていく Even that big important promise, while crying, I’m fleetingly melting away そこに涙は残らない Though, I’ve no tears remaining

空回る世界に1つの愛を Even though I was called crazy, for forgetting 忘れたって狂ってたって A single love in an empty, revolving world 聴こえてる？僕の声 Can you hear it? My voice 奇跡縋って2つの愛を It’s okay to wish for two loves, clinging onto it 刹那だって願っていいじゃない Like a miracle, even if it only lasts half a second 覚えてる？僕の想い Can you remember it? My thoughts 束ねては　結びつく All bundled and tangled up, 記憶　リメンシア The memory of Rementia* 君と歩いていた　この道を I was walking together with you, on this street.

崩れ去る身体に祈る　燃え尽きた感情 I say a prayer to that crumbling body, on these burnt-out emotions 一度だけ　一度だけで良い Just once, just one time is enough

加速する世界で独り　追いかける幻想 Alone in an accelerating world, chasing after a fantasy 連れていってよ　連れていってよ Take me, please, take me along with you, まだ　消えない内に While I still haven’t disappeared

ズレた時を生きて　そして置いてかれていく I live in displaced time, and thus I am left behind Only Lonely Only Lonely 悪夢のようなこの始末に　光無きこの命は This outcome is like a bad dream, lightless is this life 抗い拒み続けていた　歌って I sing, continuing to fight against and refuse it

振り返る世界に確かな意味を In a reminiscing world, standing in the future 未来に立って　君を待って With absolute certainty is the priority, I’m waiting for you** 届いてる？僕の声 Is it reaching you? My voice 強く願った　動き出してよ Strongly prayed after, it starts to move, 思い出して　掴んだこの手 Memories begin to flow, this hand that I clutched, 感じてる？僕の想い Can you feel them? My thoughts 束ねては　結びつく All bundled and tangled up, 記憶　リメンシア The memory of Rementia

2人誓ったその夢を That dream that the two of us pledged

息が詰まって　溢れ落ちていく I’m having trouble breathing; it’s overflowing, falling down, 虚空満ちて　滴る願い Emptiness fills the sky, desires trickling down 愛している I love you, ねえ　そうでしょう？ Yeah? Isn’t that right? 醒めて還った　僕の世界に I woke up and came back, in my world 溢れ咲いてた　月下の花 Flowers, in the moonlight, overflowing and blossoming 今だけは　今だから Just at least for now, because it’s ‘now.’

カケた世界に1つの愛を Even though I was called crazy, for forgetting 忘れたって狂ってたって A single love in a world of a faded photo 聴こえてる？僕の声 Can you hear it? My voice 記憶辿って2つの愛を It’s okay to wish for two loves, tracing the path 刹那だって願っていいじゃない of my memory, even if it only lasts half a second 覚えてる？僕の想い Can you remember it? My thoughts 束ねては　結びつく All bundled and tangled up, 未練　リメンシア The lingering attachment of Rementia 紡ぎ繋いでいたこの道が宝物 Spinning and tying it together, this street is my treasure

*Rementia: Re(peat) + Dementia. The majority of the Japanese audience of this song points this out and agrees, and those comments are liked by the producer, so given the major theme surrounding memory I’m 100% sure that’s the intended message. **確かな意味を未来に立って is the phrase of note here -- meaning “Standing in the future with absolute certainty”, however, the verb part of it is sung as 先に立って which means “to take precedence.”

[sonohban]

gohan is such a good character. I could rant for 30 paragraphs about this but tldr I love how he's a kind soul who, despite being gifted with some of the most potent power in the entire multiverse, chooses not to use it unless he absolutely has no other choice

a very real and palpable hero character :'T cell games is still fresh in my mind as some of gohan's best characterization because admittedly i didn't understand his hesitancy to fight for a while and then the realization hit me like a brick. i had been so used to all the adult characters' innate instinct to fight because they want to protect everything they love and defeat evil (also this is a shonen anime that's what you do blarghhgh!), so i was confused as to why gohan refused to fight despite very deeply sharing these motivations. but then i realized i made a jump in logic that all the other characters had made except android 16, which is that gohan got pulled into everything way too quickly and didn't have time or the environment to learn that sometimes you have no choice but to fight. everyone is so used to having to do this over and over that they don't think to articulate to gohan why they're doing it. and this hits twice as hard when you see how terribly conflicted that makes him! he can't stand justice not being served, has the power to do so, but also thinks fighting makes you as bad as the other person. this kid is a literal bomb waiting to happen which is demonstrated by his random spikes of power via bottled up rage throughout the series. i haven't watched mp100 but i get why so many people are fans of both series haha

but yes it's nice to see how he's accepted responsibility to fight more after cell games, he still wants to stay out of conflict and lead a more subtly ambitious life, but will rise to the occasion when necessary. a bit healthier about it now. and he likes bugs too (i could go on about how this fits him perfectly as a character)! go gohan wooo

[jacquelinemerritt]

Dragon Ball Z: Abridged Episode 42 Review

Originally posted April 1st, 2016

A reflection on my love for this series.

“Fear and Loathing in Ginger Town” is the episode that inspired me to review Dragonball Z: Abridged.

So naturally I think it’s pretty good.

But before I get into why I think it’s the best episode of theirs I’ve reviewed to date, I want to talk about how it inspired me to think critically about this series. Before I saw this episode, I was an invested, but ultimately passive, viewer of the show. I liked the show for two reasons: it was genuinely funny, and it helped me get through an incredibly dark time in my life. I got introduced to Dragonball Z: Abridged by a friend1 when I was coming out of the destruction of my closest friendship (which was entirely my fault), and he showed me The Christmas Tree of Might and sold me on the series.

I was hooked from the get-go (to the point where I didn’t even really notice season 1’s flaws), and DBZA served as one of the few sources of relief I had from the pain I was experiencing. I could watch episodes of the show and get a much needed laugh, all in a show that wasn’t afraid to be funny in the face of death, destruction, and melodrama. To say that the show saved me would be a bit of an overstatement, but it helped me to survive, to cope long enough to work my way into a better place.2

That is the reason that I love this show, but what inspired me to review it was the depth of Piccolo’s confrontation with Kami. It was at this point that the show first impacted me emotionally, as these two Namekians clash and Kami is forced to come to terms with his own mortality. He sees a world on the brink as an old man and questions his place above it, his place as an ineffectual guardian whose only remaining purpose is to surrender his body to his “son” so that he might have a chance at saving the world. When Kami grips his staff and says “I’m done anyway,” he is coming to a dark and somber recognition that the world he’s sworn to protect is better off without him, and that sacrificing his own agency is the only way he can do any good for anyone anymore.

That depth showed me that there was something more to Team Four Star’s storytelling; that this show was not just a series of clever jokes, but an exploration of the themes of heroism and power in its own right. From there, I began thinking about the way this show inverted tropes and did its best to inject good representation of women and members of the queer community, even if it stumbled occasionally (see: Dodoria).

I also began to think about how the show investigated the questions left open by the original, and how it made much more explicit the subtext and relationships between the characters (such as Gohan’s horrible relationship with his father). The depth in their conversation inspired the lines of questioning that have led to every single review in this series,3 and I probably would have never taken up this line of criticism if they hadn’t done such a damn good job with it.

The rest of the episode is naturally excellent as well. Unlike the last two episodes, where everything was essentially character-driven shuffling of characters, this episode actually sees our characters more directly advancing the story. Gohan and Trunks embark on an investigation of an abandoned time machine, and Gohan gets to be an adorably effective detective, solving mysteries and searching for clues.

Krillin spends most of his time at Kame House expounding on his love for Android 18, proving himself to be equally adorable and refreshingly respectful (especially when contrasted with the delightful douchebaggery of Master Roshi). And then there’s the very end of the episode, and its introduction of Cell, who enters singing “Mr. Sandman” and calling Piccolo his friend. His introduction is beautifully sinister, and Takahata101 makes it absolutely clear that this guy is not only the creepiest motherfucker alive, but the most fearsome villain we’ve seen yet in the series.

Rating: 5/5

If you enjoyed this review, consider supporting me on Patreon.

Stray Observations

1It’s probably worth noting that the friend who introduced me to DBZA was actually affected by the fallout, and would’ve been within their rights to not spend time with me. They were far more gracious than I deserved, and to this day I’m still really thankful for that.

2The show also helped me through a number of different hard times after that, and it was, for a while, the show I’d binge as a pick-me-up whenever I was feeling particularly down.

3Originally, the idea was to attempt to coalesce all of these ideas about the changes made by Team Four Star into an academic paper that’d critically explore the value of their revisions. But you can’t say “hella” in an academic paper, and reviewing these individually has honestly been much more rewarding in the long run.

“You blonde bimbo, you get back here this instant!” *Car backs up* “Oh no, n-no, n-n-n-no!”

Trunks: “Well, I suppose you take a lot after your father.” Gohan: “In what regard?” Trunks: “You’re the strongest, bravest warrior on the planet.” Gohan: “Okay good.”

Gohan: “Ooh, a mystery! I never get to solve mysteries, like Sherlock Homes or Batman! Usually we’re just fighting people. Like Bruce Lee. Or Batman!”

Gohan: “Whatever shot the canopy, came from the inside!” Trunks: “So what does that tell us?” Gohan: “That the blast came from the inside…”

Bulma: “As the daughter of the world’s leading class scientist with doctorates in both bioengineering and evolutionary biology, I can only deduce that this is a mutant coconut!”

Trunks: “Well at least one of use is having fun with this.” *Bulma makes Pac-Man noises with the egg* Trunks: “Two of us.”

Roshi: “So there’s a hot one now?” Krillin: “Oh yeah, like you wouldn’t believe. Her eyes are this beautiful piercing blue, her confidence is stunning, and she does this adorable little thing with her hair where she brushes it out of the way-“ Roshi: “Fantastic! How’s the rack? What are we talking here, apples, oranges, melons?” Krillin: “Is that really important?” Roshi: “Yes!”

Gohan: “I think I found a clue! Either that or a record setting cicada. I’m okay with both actually.”

Trunks: “Long shot, but you wouldn’t happen to carry hand sanitizer on you, would you?” Gohan: “Do, do you not?”

I swear, that reporter sounds just like Futurama’s Richard Nixon.

“I can’t say for certain how they disappeared, however, recreational marijuana use was recently legalized in the region, so I believe we can all come to the same conclusion.”

Krillin: “Oh hey, Gohan, do you like mysteries?” Gohan: “Do I!?”

Piccolo: “Goku doesn’t even look after his own kid! I look after his kid more than he does!”

Kami: “I’m sure you’re familiar with the technique. Now, lower.” Piccolo: “Yeah, not falling for that.” Kami: “I didn’t think so.”

Korin: “Well I know someone who’s not getting invited to Sunday Brunch. Oh, who am I kidding, we like him.”

“Now the libs are surely gonna shout ‘racism’ over this one, but this is just what happens when you elect a dog as king!”

[k-i-ssmyash]

The companion piece for the Gohan image. They were next to each other in my sketchbook so it felt wrong not to make Piccolos, too. I absolutely adored the moment where piccolo gave his life. The fact that he found a person that made him feel like he could be more than what Demon King Piccolo wanted him to be— that made him WANT to be good gaaaah. Piccolos journey was lovely to watch.

Side bar— green aliens?? Are they hot are what. Like bless Kami for getting his scraggly green ass to earth to bless us with my boy piccolo.