Tag: Anime

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.

Solo Leveling + Trauma

Solo Leveling is a story of video game logic and preposterous scenarios but it’s also the story of one person’s overcoming of trauma. (Mild to Heavy spoilers ahead). Here we have a hero who has been given an unbelievable power in a world where unbelievable powers are common-place. Here in this world people have become hunters, or people endowed with super-human abilities to fight incursions of monsters from different dimensions called “Dungeons”. (Familiarity with video games and anime will expedite a lot of exposition). Our protagonist is a substantially below average hunter with the title of “The Weakest Hunter” who upon joining a seemingly typical expedition is granted something more by protecting others at the cost of his own life.

Our lead Sung Jinwoo, starts as a complete weakling, someone who is guided to become strong in the oncoming struggles. However he isn’t picked to become a hero because he’s already physically strong, he’s the hero because he is willing to push past his weakness, he’s the hero due to his emotional strength. Our heroe’s video-game-like abilities and their growth mirrors his own victory in his internal struggles. Time and time again as the weakest he’s faced injury and death but his desire to care for his ailing mother and younger sister pushes him to continue to face annihilation. Again and again he barely makes it just for a bit of money his family desperately needs. Once he’s given newfound powers it’s this willingness to confront Death that allows him to grow. Again and again he’s faced with his mortality but his determination allows him to grow beyond his limits. He’s still haunted by his “death” and it rattles him every time he has to face it again, but he does so regardless.

Jinwoo isn’t the hero because he was chosen, he’s the hero because he’s willing to put himself in mortal danger for those he loves. His family becomes his reason to continue. It’s only in facing those most fearful moments and pushing past them can we overcome our weaknesses, our traumas, as Jinwoo does.It’s ok to enjoy something for being dumb fun, but sometimes there’s a bit more beneath the surface. Both are equally ok but Solo Leveling is an example of where entertainment and statements about the human condition can be found. If you haven’t read the Manhwa or watched the show, go ahead, you might like it.