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The God of Destruction has awakened
Earlier this week, Dragon Ball Super: Beerus premiered its first episode on Hulu and Crunchyroll, and it did not disappoint!
From its energetic opening sequence to its beautifully animated action and familiar comedic moments, this new retelling immediately reminds us why Dragon Ball holds such a special place in the hearts of anime fans. For longtime fans like myself, it feels like revisiting an old friend while experiencing the adventure in a whole new way.
A Hype-Filled Opening
The episode opens with an exciting introduction showcasing our Saiyan hero, Goku, alongside Vegeta, Piccolo, Gohan, and the rest of the Dragon Ball family. We also get some fantastic artwork featuring Beerus, the God of Destruction, his attendant Whis, and the Kais.
As the intro continues, we’re treated to glimpses of familiar faces and future players in the story, including Frieza, the Galactic Patrolman Jaco, Universe 6’s God of Destruction Champa, his attendant Vados, and the Universe 6 fighters.
This opening got me excited about just how far this series will go. It’s a fun showcase of the characters and conflicts that await us, and it gives fans plenty to look forward to as the story unfolds.
For those wondering what this series is all about, Dragon Ball Super: Beerus retells the early arcs of Dragon Ball Super, covering Battle of Gods, Resurrection ‘F’, and the Universe 6 Tournament. The goal is to revisit these major events, battles, and pieces of lore with a new presentation and a more streamlined approach.
The visual style of the animation is a significant upgrade, bringing to mind the gorgeous aesthetic of Dragon Ball Super: Broly. The characters look fantastic, and the overall presentation gives this familiar story a fresh sense of energy. If this first episode is any indication of what’s ahead, we’re in for a treat.
Goku Wants to Train. Chi-Chi Has Other Plans
The episode kicks off with Beerus sleeping peacefully while Goku is stuck doing something far less exciting: farming with Goten.
Goku, being Goku, quickly grows bored with his responsibilities and asks Goten to take over driving the tractor so he can get some training in. Rather than heading straight to King Kai’s planet, Goku begins training within his imagination, facing off against some of his greatest past enemies: Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu.
It’s a fun reminder of just how much Goku loves fighting and pushing himself to become stronger. Even when he’s supposed to be working, his mind is always on his next training session.
Meanwhile, Beerus, the God of Destruction, awakens from his slumber after experiencing a prophetic dream about a powerful warrior. The scenes featuring Beerus and Whis are beautifully animated, creating a mysterious and somewhat menacing atmosphere as we switch between Beerus awakening and Goku’s imaginary battles.
The contrast works wonderfully. On one side, we have Goku casually training while trying to escape his farm work. On the other, we have a mysterious cosmic force awakening with the potential to change everything.
Of course, the tension doesn’t last forever.
Goten, apparently not quite ready for a career behind the wheel, manages to drive the tractor right off a cliff! Thankfully, Goku is there to save the day, using Instant Transmission to prevent both Goten and the tractor from taking a nasty fall.
As viewers, we know Goten is Goku’s son and no ordinary kid, but that doesn’t make the moment any less entertaining. Seeing Goten light up with admiration for his heroic father is a genuinely sweet moment.Goku then complains about wanting to train with King Kai, but Goten reminds him of their financial situation and the fact that Chi-Chi needs money. That’s when Goku remembers something important: he may be one of the strongest warriors in the universe, but he still has to answer to Chi-Chi!
Honestly, it’s one of the funniest running jokes in the franchise. Goku can face down universe-threatening enemies without blinking, but the prospect of disappointing his wife is an entirely different battle.
Beerus Shows Us What a God of Destruction Can Do
While Goku struggles with farming, Beerus and Whis head out in search of food.
During their travels, Beerus visits a planet where its inhabitants prepare an enormous assortment of dishes for him. After sampling the food, Beerus decides it’s decent, but not quite good enough. His solution? Destroy half the planet.
And just like that, we’re reminded that this isn’t another ordinary villain showing up to challenge Goku.
Beerus possesses a terrifying level of power, and his casual attitude toward destruction makes the scene even more unsettling. What might be a life-or-death situation for an entire civilization is little more than a disappointing dining experience for him.
Whis then suggests they seek out dinosaur meat, apparently a delicacy worth pursuing.
Upon arriving at their next destination, Beerus encounters a powerful native capable of transforming into a stronger form. Beerus initially shows some restraint, explaining that he simply wants the dinosaur for a meal. Unfortunately, the warrior refuses to cooperate and chooses to challenge the God of Destruction instead.
The outcome is exactly what you’d expect. Beerus defeats him with ease and ultimately destroys the planet because of the warrior’s aggression.
These scenes do an excellent job establishing the difference between Beerus and the enemies Goku has faced before. Beerus isn’t necessarily driven by the same motivations as Frieza or Cell. He’s unpredictable, powerful, and operating on a completely different level.
As viewers, we can already feel the anticipation building. Sooner or later, this mysterious God of Destruction is going to cross paths with our favorite Saiyan.
And when that happens, things are going to get interesting.
Mr. Satan
Back on Earth, Goku receives an unexpected visit from Mr. Satan, who offers him one million zeni.
Mr. Satan explains that he received the money as part of a World Peace Prize and feels guilty keeping it. After all, Goku was the one who ultimately defeated Majin Buu, and Mr. Satan recognizes that his own public image doesn’t tell the whole story. He also remembers helping secure Gohan’s future following the Cell Games, which makes his decision to share his wealth with Goku feel even more meaningful.
Goku initially refuses the offer, insisting that he fought with everything he had and doesn’t feel entitled to the money.
But Goten sees an opportunity.
He points out that Goku could give the money to Chi-Chi, which might finally convince her to let him go train with King Kai.
And wouldn’t you know it? Goten’s plan works!
Goku accepts the money, brings it home to Chi-Chi, and gets permission to leave for training. Kudos to Goten for figuring out the solution his father couldn’t!
You might think Goku would reward his son by taking him along for some training, but nope. Goku heads off on his own, leaving Goten behind.
This entire sequence is a great example of what makes Dragon Ball so enjoyable beyond its battles. The characters have grown and their circumstances have changed, but their personalities remain recognizable. Goku is still the simple, good-hearted fighter who wants nothing more than to train, while Mr. Satan continues to develop into a surprisingly endearing supporting character.
There’s something satisfying about seeing Mr. Satan’s character evolve. Beneath all the boasting and theatrics, he has a conscience, and his relationship with the Z Fighters has helped him become a more thoughtful person.
Once Goku arrives at King Kai’s planet, he wastes little time making himself at home and asking to train under its intense gravity. King Kai’s peaceful existence is once again interrupted by Goku’s enthusiasm, giving us another familiar dose of comedy.
Some things never change!
The Warrior Beerus Has Been Searching For
As the episode draws to a close, we return to Beerus and Whis. Beerus watches as the planet he destroyed disintegrates in space. With his usual casual demeanor, he finally identifies the warrior from his prophetic dream.
Super Saiyan God
Beerus believes this mysterious warrior may finally provide the excitement he’s been craving, setting the stage for the encounter we’ve been waiting for.
What a way to end the episode!
The final reveal leaves us anticipating Episode 2, where Goku and Beerus should finally begin moving toward their inevitable meeting. We know Goku loves a good fight, but does he have any idea what he’s about to get himself into?
Final Verdict: Dragon Ball is Back!
Dragon Ball Super: Beerus gets off to a fantastic start. The animation is stellar, the pacing keeps things moving, and the balance between comedy, character moments, and the looming threat of Beerus makes for an entertaining first episode.
For me, the biggest strength is how this series takes a familiar story and makes it feel exciting again. The improved visuals give these characters a fresh look, while the humor and personality that made Dragon Ball special in the first place remain firmly intact.
And there’s something particularly exciting about the future this series promises. With Beerus, Whis, Champa, Vados, and the Universe 6 fighters all represented in the opening, we’re reminded that the world of Dragon Ball is much bigger than the battles we’ve seen so far.
For many of us millennials, Dragon Ball was our first love in anime. It opened the door to a world of unforgettable characters, incredible battles, and stories that have stayed with us for decades. Getting to experience this franchise again with such a beautiful visual presentation feels like a celebration of that history.
If Episode 1 is any indication, we’re in for an exciting ride over the next few years.
I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Have you watched the premiere of Dragon Ball Super: Beerus yet? Let us know what you thought, and join the conversation with Nerd Initiative!
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Dragon Ball Super: Beerus airs on Sunday nights on Hulu and Crunchyroll following its initial broadcast on Fuji TV in Japan.
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