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EP. REVIEW: Dragon Ball Super

So, Toppo: I've rather liked him since the beginning. I find his design to be distinct and memorable, with his bulky frame and huge arms, his veiny head and big bushy moustache, and his cat-like eyes. And he's got a good personality to match, with his bombast, his principles, and his paternal geniality. He's got the demeanour of a stern yet pleasant grandfather, which I've found to make him endearing in its own right, and quite unique as an oppositional force in the series. It helps that he's been accentuated by some good interactions, such as contrasting him with Goku (whom he clearly finds rather inexplicable), or seeing him in his civvies having a drink while somberly reflecting on the future of his universe.

That also made it work well with the indications that the tournament has been taking a toll on him, possibly more than it has on any other participant. Hell, the likes of Goku actually enjoy being here, and most others who aren't malicious have been primarily focused on just getting through, but it was established before that for Toppo, the stakes and the fact that his universe was brought to a razor's edge was wearing down on him. He really just didn't seem to want to be here, which goes with the grandfatherly personality thing.

So the sight of him assuming this kind of power was certainly impressive, but it was also rather sad to me, lacking the triumph of something like Kefla or Anilaza, because of what it's cost him. To have Freeza mocking him over his destroyed uniform (which has previously been established to be something he holds very dearly) and driven to a point where he declares that justice is worthless now was quite sobering, and the way in which he and Jiren phrased it as him "finally making up his mind" suggests that this is something he's had reservations about that he's finally been pushed to. Hence lacking the sense of triumph; even if he was to come through the tournament, he's already been beaten, because he lost something that mattered to him.

All of that does contribute well to his demeanour with Destruction powers, because he genuinely radiates some menace; he's like the moment of Beerus Destroying Zamasu spread out over an extended fight scene, and it's quite chilling. But it's still sad.

It's an excellent piece of characterisation, though, and I'm glad it was here in the show. I do like Jiren and all, for reasons including that I find his stoicism to make a strong contrast with the insanity that surrounds him, but Toppo was the more interesting before, and the arc that's been given to him is compelling and well realised and unique in its tragedy.

After all, how many times in Dragon Ball, of all things, has a character growing much stronger been framed as a significant loss for them?

I really like the detailed character analysis of Toppo, but I honestly think you've thought about it more than the writers did. As much as I want to find something in this battle royal, I don't think there was much thought put towards character growth.

Gasero wrote:

I really like the detailed character analysis of Toppo, but I honestly think you've thought about it more than the writers did. As much as I want to find something in this battle royal, I don't think there was much thought put towards character growth.

Well that is because I don't have your uncharitably towards Super. But we shall see. Personally I feel this arc is a culmination of all the threads that Dragon Ball has been introducing since Battle of Gods and mostly likely meant to go here.

I don't think this means he's officially Universe 11's new God of Destruction in place of Belmond, but he's been given new powers so he's up for training.

Vegeta dying would have missed the whole point I think. Toppo throws away everything for a survival but Vegeta holds onto the things that have meaning to him because that is actually part of what it means to survive. In the end it was a clash of ideals.

I understand this juxtaposition, but it was still Vegeta against the power of a god, and the outcome doesn't make sense.

Gasero wrote:

I understand this juxtaposition, but it was still Vegeta against the power of a god, and the outcome doesn't make sense.

Vegeta trained with Whis and Beerus. I don’t see with a bit of a push it is so outside the realm of abilities that he could have beat Toppo. Unless you think it is impossible for anyone to have beaten Toppo.