Dragon Ball Super Episode 1: A Peacetime Reward: Who Gets the 100,000,000 Zeni?!

After the success of the two recent Dragon Ball Z films (2013’s Battle of Gods and 2015’s Resurrection F), a new series – Dragon Ball Super – was commissioned to continue the adventures of Goku and friends.

Episode Summary

Taking place several months after the end of the Buu Saga (episode 288 of Dragon Ball Z), the world is still at peace, and Gohan and Videl are now married. The bulk of this episode is about Trunks and Goten looking for the perfect wedding gift. They hear about a hot spring with water that supposedly has beautifying properties and head over to fill a jar, fighting a giant snake in the process. It turns out to just be regular water, but Videl is appreciative all the same.

Press Conference

Mr. Satan speaks with a group of reporters in his home about being awarded the 100 million Zeni World Peace Prize, boasting about his strength and that the Earth is safe under his protection. A hungry Buu crankily wanders in and Satan introduces him as his number one disciple.

God of Destruction

Elsewhere in the universe, a planet of boar people serve a feast to a cat-like being named Beerus, the God of Destruction. He’s extremely powerful, but short-tempered and impatient, destroying planets on a whim. Beerus is only partially satisfied with his meal, so only destroys half the planet, then leaves with his attendant, Whis.

Mr. Satan Gives the Money

Goku works as a farmer in order to make money for his demanding wife, Chi Chi. Satan drives by and gives Goku a briefcase containing the 100 million Zeni he won, saying Goku deserves it more. Now that money is no longer a concern, Goku is free to do what he loves: train.

Thoughts

This episode serves the purpose of reintroducing us to the world of Dragon Ball and its cast, giving an update on what some of them have been up to since we last saw them. It’s a quiet, slice of life episode, reminiscent of the first episode of DBZ actually. But it’s also very uneventful and definitely won’t hold up on rewatches. And it’s not friendly for new viewers of the Dragon Ball franchise, who should instead start with the original Dragon Ball, or Dragon Ball Z at least.

The art style has changed a bit since the previous Dragon Ball series, granted it’s been about 20 years. The art and animation is all digital and lines are sharp, crisp, and clean. Character designs have also been touched up a bit, as the cast now looks younger and slimmer; it’s a bit strange, since some of the characters are in their 50s and 60s now, but ahh it’s fine. Martial arts keeps ’em youthful!

I still think it’s surreal (and of course really cool) there’s a new Dragon Ball series in production right now. X-Files and Twin Peaks aren’t the only revivals in town.

The first 14 episodes of DBS are an adaptation of the Battle of Gods film, but the pace is way slower and with tv quality animation. Since there are only subtle changes between the film and the episodes, you might consider saving time by watching the film instead.

Watch Dragon Ball Super on Crunchy Roll.