Month: August 2026

Redemption through Sacrifice: Dragon Ball Z

(Spoilers)

I was a young boy when my older brother and I used to catch Dragonball Z on Toonami. Nostalgia, then, obviously plays a large part in my enjoyment of the series but despite its lack of sophisticated storylines it is eminently enjoyable. I must say between Akira Toriyama and Kentaro Miura’s passing in the past few years, two of the greatest mangaka have left us. I know they have proteges and I really hope we can enjoy their works for years to come. What I want to explore, though, is one of Dragonball Z’s greatest narrative moments.

Characterisation has always taken a greater place than proper narrative in Dragonball. Each arc of the plot, starting with DBZ, revolves around a major villain and their inevitable defeat in battle. I mean Goku losing his friends and fighting to the death against Frieza on a dying planet is an amazing sequence but it’s how the characters are built over time and not in a moment that makes the show so good. Piccolo being a better father figure than Goku, Gohan being incredibly strong while simultaneously not liking to fight, and Vegeta being the living embodiment of pride who wavers between heroism and villainy moment-to-moment.

Vegeta began as a villain but joined the heroes to defeat an even greater villain. Wanting to keep up with Goku and becoming a family man kept him straight. During the Buu saga Vegeta is given a promise of more power, something he always vied for so he could finally defeat Goku. He embraces his worst feelings and decides to become a proper villain again all so that he can be the strongest and show it. For the first time since the beginning of Z he can keep up with Goku. To get him to take the fight seriously Vegeta mercilessly kills a number of civilians. After this Goku leads Vegeta away from casualties to continue their fight in earnest. Having these two battle was a part of a plan to release a new monstrous evil, named Buu.

Sensing Buu’s awakening, Vegeta and Goku cease their conflict to investigate. In a surprise attack Goku is knocked unconscious by Vegeta. Going alone, Vegeta then engages Buu but is ultimately defeated. Realizing he has failed, he embraces his son one last time before having everyone flee the vicinity. In a final stand he acknowledges his family and the rivalry/friendship he shares with Goku. In a massive glowing burst of energy he destroys himself along with everything nearby in order to slay Buu. To protect those closest to him he sacrificed himself not necessarily atoning for his evils, but still accomplishing one last act of heroism.

A World Made of Cardboard

As far as superheroes go, Superman is one of my least favorite. He’s too overpowered and while we both grew up in the American midwest I find him to be bland as a character. Batman calls him “Boy scout” because he’s just too nice, it’s why said Bat could defeat him. Superman’s heroism comes from his heart of gold while he seeks to uphold moral justice.

However its in one of my favorite TV shows I grew to appreciate Superman. Justice League and it’s sequel series Justice League Unlimited are children’s shows but along with Batman: The Animated Series, they were written to be enjoyable for adults and children. With complex storylines, proper character development, and the introduction of my favorite Green Lantern: John Stewart.

The show found ways to make every character interesting, with them sometimes getting a whole episode dedicated to them. The Question and Huntress going on conspiracy hunts, Batman and Zatanna saving Wonder Woman, and today’s focus: Darkseid.

While Batman defeating Darkseid with pure cunning across several media is great stuff it’s Superman who has one of my favorite moments. During Darkseid’s invasion of Earth there is a prolonged battle and Superman gives the greatest monologue.

“I feel like I live in a world made of cardboard, always taking constant care not to break something, to break someone. Never allowing myself to lose control even for a moment, or someone could die.”

The significance of this is that for the first time Superman doesn’t have to hold back. Darkseid can withstand Superman letting go of his restraints and unleashing his full power. Superman recognizes this and is prepared to throw a punch as hard as he can.

There’s a reddit post that I found to provide context here. Which also references the Death of Superman story, which was the first comic I ever read. However despite some narrative issues, to me this quote defines what I like about Superman. He is essentially a god amongst humans but is constantly holding back because he’s there to protect them and not destroy. I’d say it’s comparable to Batman never killing and always jailing his villains hoping they’ll reform one day. Though while the Bat wants reformation out of sympathy, Superman wants to protect because he is a good and kind Kryptonian at heart.

If you find Superman to be a bit plain, remember he’s been around since 1938 and has been depicted in many different ways. There may be one such incarnation that makes you appreciate his character more. He’s a paragon of justice with power to do nearly anything but he only uses it for selfless purposes, providing a safer world to those he wants to defend.

My Top Five Movies

  • The Last Samurai

In my mind this is one of the most beautiful movies I’ve seen, with landscape shots that are just stunning, with a story as equally pleasing. This is the story of a broken man who finds new purpose and regains his honor through understanding a culture different from his own. Aside from serving in the military there’s a lot I find in common with the lead character, played by Tom Cruise. Shame, guilt, and more plague a man who followed his orders only to be left with deep scars.

  • Starship Troopers

While originally a book written by Robert A. Heinlein, the movie is somewhat different from the source material. Heinlein wrote it as a depiction of a future society where military service was necessary for proper citizenship, owing to Heinlein’s time serving in the Navy. On the other hand Paul Verhoeven who directed the film turned it into a satire of such a highly-militarized society while still keeping a positive view of the individual members of the military. You connect with the characters but see the farce of such an odd fascistic society.

  • The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring

Another aesthetically pleasing film which was filmed entirely in New Zealand, while The Last Samurai was filmed in Japan, New Zealand, and California. It’s the story of a young man (hobbit) who dreams of adventures and not the slow agrarian life he grew up surrounded by. A fate then forces him out of his comfortable home and onto the road into a bigger world. Carrying a burden that only he can seemingly shoulder. A journey that begins small and simple with companions he’s known most of his life evolves into a quest to save the world alongside eight others, the Fellowship.

  • Tombstone

While i’m not a western-film aficionado, this is definitely my favorite of the genre. Based on the very real Wyatt Earp, it follows his brothers, a good friend, and Wyatt himself as they journey into the burgeoning American West. Due to circumstance Wyatt and his group become enforcers of justice in the titular town of Tombstone. A well-paced flow of setup, action, and vengeance.

  • Kung Fu Hustle

I love martial arts movies. Growing up I watched Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Bruce Lee, but it wasn’t long before I started branching out. From recent films with Iko Uwais all the way back to the Shaw brothers’ productions. To me this film seems like a love letter from Stephen Chow, the director and lead actor, to the genre as a whole with some Looney Tunes-esque silliness thrown in. Equal parts comedy and action it’s never boring.