Hey DB fans! This is my first recap/review for DBS. Glad you can join me :)
Today we will be discussing the latest, Episode 122, "For One's Own Pride! Vegeta's Challenge to be the Strongest!!".
-POST LAYOUT: [These will contain my thoughts and opinions]-
First off, shout out to the amazing Yuya Takahashi for animating this beautiful episode. It really adds to the greatness of this anime and makes it that much more intriguing and enjoyable to watch.
The episode begins with an epic stare down, with macro shots of various parts of different characters ruffling in the wind. [A nice way to start the episode] The Grand Priest thinks the bleachers look a bit lonely with the majority of the universes gone, so he shrinks the audience platform. Vados of U6 says she supports U7.
Goku gives Jiren a hard stare down and powers up into blue with sparks around him [a blue we have never seen before. Perhaps trying to go into Ultra Instinct he actually pushed a little beyond his normal blue levels]. The fights explodes with Goku vs Jiren and Goku is battling and blocking punches while smiling and conversing with Jiren [quite the zenkai boost].
Jiren asks Goku why he desires to become stronger. Goku replies that he does not know, he simply just wants to. Jiren responds and says he seeks something beyond strength. [We have never seen Jiren talk so much. I think Jiren respects Goku as a fighter and is interested in his character and to continue his fight with Goku]
Vegeta charges at Jiren and gets punched away. [He has no interest in fighting Vegeta]
Vegeta observes the fight between Goku vs Jiren when he gets knocked back and studies Jiren's punching patterns. Vegeta makes his move, dodges the punches thrown by Jiren, and connects with Jiren's stomach with the signature Vegeta grin [Jiren received no damage. But he was shocked that Vegeta was able to read his movements. He did not think that Vegeta was a worthy opponent]. The audience is shocked. Piccolo states that Vegeta was reading Jiren's punches and that's why he was able to dodge and land a punch.
Vegeta states that Jiren isn't fighting with him seriously. Vegeta is putting up an impressive attack but Jiren deals more blows to Vegeta.
Jiren shoots a Ki blast and makes Vegeta travel upside down. Vegeta manages to break up the blast but not without damage, putting him back into base form.
It cuts to Frieza vs Dyspo. Dyspo is circling Frieza extremely fast, creating after images. Frieza is not impressed and catches Dyspo with his tail, but Dyspo smiles and runs with Frieza flying in the background [I found this part incredibly humorous] and smashes Frieza's face into a giant rock and runs forward, gliding Frieza's face through the rock. [OUCH! Looks incredibly painful]
Meanwhile, Gohan and Android 17 battle Toppo. Gohan launches a powerful kamehameha wave directly at Toppo but it does absolutely nothing. [Toppo was a contender to be the next God of Destruction and his power is overlooked when it shouldn't.]
The fight goes back to Vegeta standing up and powering to blue. Jiren states that Vegeta is too arrogant and Vegeta replies that it is his arrogance is his strength, his saiyan pride. He says that he'll be stronger in his own way and not go after Ultra Instinct. Vegeta taunts Jiren and tells him to stand still and to not dodge. He creates an enormous Final Flash and blows up the stage.
Vegeta laughs thinking he dealt damage. Jiren appears to be knocked on his back through the smoke created, but it was just a ploy. Jiren rushes up to Vegeta and impales him with a circular blast that traps Vegeta.
[This reminds me of the Hakai blast that both Frieza and Goku received].
Vegeta falls to the ground, seriously injured. His eyes glaze over as he nears death.
[many state that Vegeta will awaken UI cause of the color of his eyes, but it is just an anime troupe that eyes glaze over when characters are defeated, 
OVERALL: I loved this episode and it was extremely well-paced and animated. Vegeta had his moment to shine and we delved deeper into Jiren's character.
THANK YOU FOR READING! HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT WEEK! :)
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