English Dub Review: Dragon Ball Super “First Time Exchanging Blows! Android 7 vs. Goku!”

Android 17: Park Ranger.

Overview (Spoilers Below)

Goku has his eyes n Android 17 as the next member of his elite squad of powerful warriors. With Dendei’s help, Goku is able to find out where he’s staying, which is an island wildlife preserve in the middle of the ocean.

Android 17 is the sole protector of that preserve and is in the midst of fending off an army of well-armed poachers when Goku arrives. The two of them route the poachers with ease, and Goku spends some time getting to know Android 17 better.

The two fly around the island while Android 17 explains his job and his life since he was resurrected by the dragon balls. He’s really changed his ways and has a good life doing what he does. Still, Goku wants to see his abilities and challenges him to a fight. The two go at it for a bit in the skies above the island, but the fight is something of a draw, with both of them restraining their full power.

After the fight, the two sit down at the campfire and Goku tries to convince Android 17 to join the tourney. 17 refuses, and Goku accidentally let’s slip the true stakes of the tournament. Strangely enough, Android 17 still doesn’t want t join, and leaves Goku to his search.

However, out in space, a group of interstellar poachers has their sights set on Android 17’s peaceful island.

Our Take:

The recruiting process continues once again as Goku seeks out not just another ally, but an old enemy. Though, strangely enough, Goku and Android 17 have never actually met before, the young android with the coal-black hair was pretty insistent on killing him back in the day. It’s an interesting choice for this series to try and bring him back for this tournament, but its one I can really get behind. Having Goku seeking an old enemy provides some tension the recruitment process, and this episode does a good job of holding that tension and keeping the audience invested.

Unlike Krillin, Android 17 is one of the few people in the universe who can stand up to Goku. This gives their fight a good deal more impact since its made clear throughout the fight that both of them are holding back and keeping each other at bay. This also gives us plenty to discover when the Tournament of Power finally begins. It never hurts to play your cards close to your chest. Though, it would be nice to get a little more information about what exactly Android 17’s abilities have turned into. He’s strong, for sure, but what can he do that makes him unique from other fighters? Other than, you know, being a sentient machine-person. I would have also appreciated learning more about Android 17’s life and the potential struggles he’s had to have gone through. There’s a lot of tragedy one could explore there, and that would give me more of an attachment to the character. I mean, sure, Android 17 is cool, and its a nice bit of fan service to bring him back, but without a strong character foundation, he’s mostly just a grumpier Android 18.

This episode is pretty straightforward, with a few turns to keep things moving, and a couple really good moments with Android 17 and Goku. This is the beginning of a two-parter where Android 17 and Goku fight the space poachers plaguing Android 17’s island home, so perhaps my needs will be met in the next episode. There’s a lot more coming before we finally see the Tournament of Power begin, and it feels like this arc is beginning to drag somewhat. It’s a problem that the Dragon Ball series has always had, but it still makes week by week viewing feel like a chore. I think this buildup will probably be better on the rewatch, but for now, I’m left feeling unsatisfied.