The most recent chapter of Dragon Ball Super was the last before a long hiatus, however, it contained satisfying conclusions to enough plot threads to be a solid ending and final chapter. After defeating the universe’s strongest fighter and attaining even higher levels of power, Goku and the rest of Dragon Ball‘s beloved cast decided to test their might against each other in sparring matches that brought about several happy endings to more than a few character arcs.
Being the world’s most popular anime, Dragon Ball is a franchise that could continue for a very long time. However, its future is currently in question after the unfortunate and tragic passing of its author and creator, Akira Toriyama. His passing has sparked tributes from World Leaders and prolific mangakas alike. The ongoing Dragon Ball Super manga is understandably taking a break, but there was enough closure in chapter #103 to be a fitting end to the series.
The Dragon Ball Super manga recently concluded its adaptation of the Super Hero film and then some. While the movie ended with Gohan unlocking his Beast transformation and Vegeta finally besting Goku in a base-form sparring match, the manga took things a few steps further. In the arc’s final chapters, Gohan, Goku, Broly, and even Pan all received additional scenes that would be a satisfying conclusion to all of their story arcs.
Gohan Shows His Father Goku That He Is Worthy
Dragon Ball Super Written By Akira Toriyama, Illustrated by Toyotaro
After feeling the overwhelming ki that Gohan’s Beast Form exuded, Goku and readers were excited to see it put through its paces. Luckily, the manga expanded on the Super Hero storyline by having the franchise’s iconic hero arrive on Earth to challenge his eldest son to a sparing match on the God of Destruction’s home planet. With Gohan consistently being pushed to the sidelines in many story arcs, fans of the character were more than pleased to finally see him and his father clash with their most powerful transformation.
The ultimate battle between Saiyan father and son paralleled one of Dragon Ball Super‘s best fights: Round One of Goku versus Jiren in the Tournament of Power. Ultra Instinct Goku was untouchable until Beast Gohan finally delivered a blow that was as powerful as it was satisfying on his father’s chest. After the impressive bout, Goku essentially said he could retire as Earth’s protector, “Honestly, I can rest easy knowing the Earth’ll be safe once I’m gone.” Chapter #103 of DBS proved that Gohan is more than capable of taking on the mantle of being Earth’s protector.
Broly And Gohan Quell Their Rage Powers
After Goku was satisfied with Gohan’s progress, he had the genius idea of having DBS‘s version of Broly fight Gohan. Like the non-canon version introduced in the movie Dragon Ball Z Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan, the character has suffered from uncontrollable rage that comes with a level of power that even the God of Destruction Beerus doesn’t want on his planet. Broly and Gohan both struggled to control their unfathomable levels of strength that could only be accessed after reaching emotional extremes. However, chapter #103 sees the culmination of both gaining control of their powers.
The reintroduction to Broly’s character came about in the self-titled film Dragon Ball Super: Broly. Thankfully, the movie retconned many of the monstrous character’s less compelling story elements by re-exploring his origin and adding complexity to the now more-then-one-note character. Now, Broly has been featured as a close ally of Goku and Vegeta, and even training with them on Beerus planet. Instead of losing himself to his rage, Broly has learned to channel his power and use his Super Saiyan transformation without losing himself in his match against Gohan, a fitting conclusion to his character’s arc.
New Dragon Ball Goku Vs. Broly Animation Bring the Manga to Life Like Never Before
A new Dragon Ball Super fan animation features an epic battle between Goku and Broly and a shocking development for the Legendary Saiyan.Goku, Pan and Their Flight Goodbye
Throughout most of Dragon Ball Super‘s arcs, Gohan and Videl’s daughter Pan was featured prominently as a mischievous baby. However, by the time she appeared in the latest Super Hero arc, she had grown to be three years old and had even begun to train with Piccolo. Her inclusion in DBS chapter #103 not only made Goku somehow a worse grandfather than father when he forgot who Pan was, but it quickly provided a moment that both punished Goku and made his granddaughter cooler than ever.
In a peek at the everyday life on Earth in the Dragon Ball Super universe, similar to how the Super Hero arc began, the young Pan needed to be picked up from school. After visiting Piccolo, who recently attained his own Shenron-powered transformation, Goku spaced out on Pan’s existence when Piccolo proclaimed that she needed to be picked up from school. This persuaded Gohan and Piccolo to have Goku join them in retrieving the pint-sized Saiyan-human hybrid, and judging by her reaction, it was the first time in a while that they had seen each other.
Dragon Ball GT’s Heartwarming Ending Proves The Series Was A Mistake
Dragon Ball GT’s heartwarming ending is its redeeming quality by bringing closure to Goku’s story but it also proves why the series was a mistake.
The last time fans saw Pan getting picked up from school was a Red Ribbon Army soldier towering over the three-year-old girl. She quickly dispatched him with a swift attack to the gut. Chapter #103 provides a callback to the moment when the overjoyed Pan sees her father and Piccolo picking her up. At first, she doesn’t recognize Goku. When Gohan tells her who he is, Pan launches a surprise kick toward her grandfather’s face in a bizarre yet charming display of affection. He blocks his battle-hungry offspring’s attack, and the two share a touching look of kinship before flying away together.
Dragon Ball Super Ending Now Would Not Be A Bad Thing
As the often-panned Dragon Ball GT series has proved, the franchise’s cast could go in several directions from the events of DBS #103. Although there are still a few hanging plot threads, like Frieza’s ultimate plan and adventures with other universes, the overarching storyline is in a satisfying place to be left alone. Dragon Ball Super chapter #103 can be a great ending to the sequel series, but it doesn’t have to be the final chapter of Gohan or Pan’s story.
