My main complaint of the last book was Akira Toriyama’s repetition of having the gang go through the Strongest Under the Heavens tournament again, but I have to say their second time around is much more super-charged and exciting so I’m glad he went back to the well!
Kuririn and Chaozu’s fight ends unexpectedly and hilariously in a math battle, and that’s what I love Dragon Ball for the most - that playful, imaginative way Toriyama uses at just the right moments to keep things light and different.
Then Jackie Chun (the Turtle Master in disguise) takes on Tenshinhan, the three-eyed champion of the Crane Master, Master Roshi’s rival.
The fights from that point on go the way you think they will in terms of the victor but what happens in the fights are very much surprising, especially in how they end.
For example, Goku’s spent the last three years training - which the reader didn’t see - so there’s lots of cool twists in the new tricks he’s now got in his arsenal to keep the fights fresh.
Toriyama’s the master of weaving story into the action so even if it’s full of superhero fighting for the entire book - and it ends before the final fight concludes so there’s still more to come in the next volume! - it’s never boring or rote to read. And because the action is so good, you absolutely fly through this book to see who’ll win the tournament.
I really liked the way Master Roshi showed a more mature, wise side to his character with Ten and how that rivalry with the Crane Master works itself out was awesome. And of course seeing Goku fight is always terrific - I honestly don’t know how this storyline will play out but I’m cheering for him to walk away with his first championship title!
Volume 11 is overflowing with fantastic martial arts action as we see how still further Goku’s powers have advanced. This is a great addition to the series and lots of fun to read.
Dragon Ball, Volume 11: The Eyes of Tenshinhan
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