Dragon Ball Z KAI: The Final Chapters Part 3 (Box Set Review)
By: RogueSymbiote
Dragon Ball Z Kai comes to an end with The Final Chapters Part 3. The box set chronicles the ultimate battle against Majin Buu in episodes 145-167. Gotenks and Piccolo attempt to contain the monstrous being, but even the hyperbolic time chamber proves no match for evil incarnate.
Story Arc
The battle inside the hyperbolic time chamber rages on between Gotenks and Super Buu. After watching Gotenks attempt various unconventional fighting techniques, Piccolo destroys the exit to the time chamber. Buu goes into a rage and screams open a portal back to Earth. Gotenks ascends to Super Saiyan 3 and successfully creates a portal as well. By the time Gotenks and Piccolo return to the lookout, Buu has seemingly devoured the rest of their friends and family.In his new form, Gotenks appears to have the upper hand against Buu. However, just as the tide shifts in our heroes' favor, the fusion ends. Gohan finishes his training with Elder Kai and returns to Earth to face Buu. With his newly obtained strength, Gohan demolishes Buu in combat. As a last resort, Buu taunts Goten and Trunks into fusing once again and absorbs them and Piccolo. With Gotenk's strength and Piccolo's intelligence, Buu reclaims his title as the ultimate being. Witnessing the devastating onslaught of Buu on Gohan, Elder Kai educates Goku on the power of the Potara earrings. These earrings allow two beings to merge completely and obtain power far greater than using a basic fusion technique. However, the wearers will be unable to separate afterwards. Elder Kai gives his life to Goku so he can return to Earth.
Goku attempts to merge with Gohan using the Potara earrings, but Buu absorbs Gohan before they get the chance. Vegeta is brought to Earth by Baba at the request of King Yemma. Vegeta reluctantly agrees to merge with Goku creating the ultimate warrior known as Vegito. Vegito transforms into a super saiyan and overwhelms Buu. In an attempt to save their friends before destroying Buu, Vegito allows himself to be absorbed. Once inside Buu, Goku and Vegeta separate back into their own bodies and find their comrades. After cutting their allies out of Buu's body, Buu devolves back into his previous form. Vegeta removes fat Buu from Super Buu's body resulting in another new form. Goku and Vegeta escape from Buu's body as he transforms into Kid Buu. This is Buu's original and most destructive form.Kid Buu destroys the Earth and their battle continues on the sacred world of the Kais. Super Saiyan 3 Goku faces off against evil incarnate, but is outclassed. Vegeta faces off against Buu in order to allow Goku enough time to power up, but Goku is drained. Fat Buu regains consciousness and squares off against his evil half. Vegeta tells Dende to go to Namek with Supreme Kai to use the dragon balls. They wish back Earth and it's people. Vegeta speaks to the people of Earth and the universe to give up their spiritual energy to Goku so he can for a spirit bomb. With Hercule's help, the people of Earth share their energy and the spirit bomb is used to destroy the evil Buu.Ten years after the battle with Buu, our heroes decide to enter the world martial arts tournament. Goku has been waiting all this time to face the reincarnation of Buu. Uub is a scrawny, but powerful kid from the south islands. Goku tests Uub's abilities and then offers to train the young warrior to be the next defender of the world. The series ends with Goku and Uub leaving the tournament in order to begin their training.
Box Set Review
The front box art is simplistic and highlights the battle between Goku and Kid Buu, The art on the back is more engaging and illustrates key moments from the final arc. The iconic music matches the scenes perfectly and helps cultivate emotional gravitas. The box set is available in both Blu-ray or DVD. The extras are limited to only trailers for other anime.The rewriting of certain lines in this final arc proved to be an improvement over the previous dialogue. The one liners are funny and well times. The series is unafraid to throw in some colorful language in order to show the true emotional state of characters like Goku and Buu. The action is phenomenal as always. This particular box set includes major character moments. From Gohan having his suppressed power released by Elder Kai to Vegeta acknowledging Goku's superiority, so many characters come full circle in their own personal ways.Besides Buu's repetitive taunting that gets old real quick, the only issue worth mentioning has to do with continuity. It is mentioned within these episodes that evil beings who die lose their bodies, have their minds erased and are reborn. This proves untrue however as we see Frieza, Cell and other villains watching the battle against Buu from Hell. I'm sure they did this just so the viewers could reminisce about past battles, but is doesn't quite fit the theology of the Dragon Ball Universe.Dragon Ball Z Kai has been a fantastic remastering of the original content. The series as a whole is more streamlined and focused. The strengths are highlighted and the dialogue has improved. Luckily, we can now say that the story doesn't end here as Dragon Ball Super is well underway. Here's to many more years with these amazing characters.[yasr_multiset setid=9]
