Dragonball Super manga Volume 6 (Chapter 30)

 By Mark Rodriguez

The Tournament of Power is about to begin! The Gods of Destruction from the different universes fight it out to give Zeno a demonstration. Then Goku was asked to test his skills against Toppo from Universe 11. Toppo was actually able to defeat Goku in battle, and as Goku thinks he'll be the guy to beat, he's told he's the second strongest of his universe. This fighter named Jiren is even more powerful than their God of Destruction.

 

"Chapter 30: The Man named Jiren" starts as Beerus, Kaioshin and Whis watch the aftermath of the battle. Kaioshin is wonder what Goku and Toppo are talking about since Goku seems shocked. Beerus is still angry that Goku lost in such a manner. Goku asks Toppo about Jiren being stronger than their God of Destruction. Goku says he thought that since Toppo was a candidate for the position, he'd be the strongest. Toppo says this is because Jiren has no interest in becoming a God of Destruction, similar to Goku. Goku is speechless and Toppo says they should excuse themselves since there isn't much time for the tournament to begin.

Goku is excited to meet such powerful guys like Toppo. Toppo says Goku is a strange one and flies off to rejoin his crew. Universe 11's God of Destruction Belmod tells Toppo that he did well, and he thanks him. Beerus says that with Goku the way he is, there's no way they'll win. Whis says Saiyans usually become stronger when faced with a crisis, which explains why he's so happy. Beerus says they'll have to rely on a miracle again.

The Zenos discuss something with the Grand Priest, and he announces that after observing the match, there has been a change to the rules. The Grand Priest asks that everyone chooses ten competitors for the match, excluding any gods of course. To simplify the rules, you'll just have to throw the opponent out of the ring to defeat them. Goku asks about an opponent collapsing in the ring, and the Grand Priest says they can toss them out. The Grand Priest adds that killing is also against the rules. The match will be 100 taks long which Whis translates to 48 minutes. Goku says if every match is 48 minutes long the tournament will go on forever. 

Beerus bops Goku upside the head for questioning the Grand Priest and apologizes on his behalf. The Grand Priest says it's alright and elaborates that this will be one match, as all the fighters will be fighting at once. The team with the most remaining fighters by time out wins, and if there is only one left, they'll win the match for their team.

Quitela, the God of Destruction from Universe 4, notes they'll be using the same Battle Royale rule like when the gods fought each other. Kaioshin says this will require teamwork and Beerus says that Saiyans are horrible at that. The Grand Priest says the prize will be a wish from the Super Dragonballs similar to the tournament between Universes 6 and 7 from before. He asks Champa to give up the three he already has and they'll collect the rest. Beerus is angry to see that his brother has started collecting the Super Dragonballs again.

Eyre, the Kaioshin of Universe 3 has a question. He understands that the strongest fighter will get a prize, but he asks if the winning universe will get something. The Grand Priest says they'll get not a thing. Eyre assumes he means they'll at least have the honor of being the winner. The Grand Priest says the winning universe will have nothing happen to it... however all the losing universes will get erased from existence by Zeno. Naturally, everybody is shocked to hear this.

 

The Grand Priest says that Zeno thinks there are too many universes so this is a good chance to clear out some of them. Whis comments that this is more serious than he thought. Belmod asks if the point is that only one universe will remain. The Grand Priest explains that universes 1, 12, 5 and 8 will remain. Their average mortal level is above 7, which is why they are exempt from the tournament. The representatives of those universes are relieved. Rumsshi, the God of Destruction from Universe 10 asks what will happen to them if their universes get destroyed. The Grand Priest explains all of the gods will be erased alongside their universes except for the corresponding Angels.

Whis understands this as a way to give one of the lower level universes a chance to survive if they win the tournament, when they were all going to get wiped out anyway. Beerus asks if their universe is really that low level. Whis says the average mortal level for planets in their universe is 3.18, which is second to last. 

Beerus blames Kaiohshin for saying a planet must attain a higher level with its own strength. Kaioshin says Beerus is asleep most of the time. The Grand Priest says the tournament will take place in a special ring in the World of Void. He asks that everyone gathers in a specific spot and he will get them when the time comes. Anyone late will be left behind. Goku asks how long they have before the tournament starts and Whis says they have 39 hours.

The Grand Priest also adds that using weapons and medicines will be forbidden. This seems to bother Helles, the Goddess of Destruction of Universe 2. With that, the Grand Priest send everyone back to their individual universes, telling them to prepare.

Once back on Beerus' planet, he smacks Goku upside the head again. Goku asks what that was for. Beerus says he warned him to stay away from Zeno and he got them into this mess. Goku says he couldn't help himself and never expected things to turn out this way. Kaioshin says based on what the Grand Priest says, they were planning to wipe out all the universes and they were at least given a fighting chance. Beerus says there could have been another way, and now they're stuck fighting in a tournament. Goku says things will work out if they win. Beerus asks how he can say that considering he was defeated by the fighter from Universe 11. Kaioshin says they don't have time to argue. Whis reminds them that they need to gather the ten fighters for their team.

Beerus tells Whis he's lucky he won't get erased regardless what happens. Kaioshin says he feels bad for all the living beings that will suffer as a result of this. Goku says he might have to ask Zeno to drop the idea of erasing universes. Whis says it's not a good idea, since if he offends Zeno and the Grand Priest, he'll just get erased on the spot. Kaioshin says they'll have to leave things to him, and Goku says they'll just to win it. Beerus says they should go to Bulma's house. With everyone being doomed, he figures they might as well stuff themselves with delicious food before they're wiped out. Whis says this works out because the ten fighters they need should be on Earth anyway.

Meanwhile in Universe 11, Belmod mentions that Beerus got them in a real jam this time. He says their universe should be fine and now he knows that the Super Dragonballs are real. He asks Toppo to gather ten members of the Pride Troopers, especially Jiren. Toppo says they're all in their designated locations and he'll get them immediately.

As Toppo leaves, Marcarita, the Angel of Universe 11, asks Belmod if it's OK to leave things up to the Pride Troopers. Belmod asks why she's concerned. Marcarita says while they're on the side of justice, the Pride Troopers are a motley crew from different ideologies and backgrounds. She wonders if they'll gather quietly. Belmod tosses a ball into the air and makes it explode into confetti. He says they just need one contender to make it so they can win, so as long as Jiren takes part they'll be fine. Khai, the Kaioshin of that universe, asks if Jiren will really join and Belmod seems sure of it.

At Capsule Corp, Goku, Vegeta, Whis and Beerus eat up as Bulma watches. Vegeta says Goku really messed up this time, and Goku says he already for an earful about it. Bulma asks how much of a fighting nut he has to be. Kaioshin reminds the crew they need to gather the ten fighters. Goku says there doesn't seem to a paper test this time around, so Buu can join them. Vegeta points out that Goku nearly failed the paper test he took from the last tournament.

Vegeta says he won't take part since Bulma is very pregnant by now and is due to have the baby soon. Whis offers Bulma a blanket, which confuses her. Whis widens his eyes and makes Bulma's baby... I guess.. teleport out of her.. and he catches her in the blanket. Bulma is amazed, as is Vegeta. Whis says that Vegeta can now take part in the tournament. Goku says he never saw a baby born before and figures this must be how Chichi did it. Kaioshin says that's probably not the usual way that happens.

 

Bulma thanks Whis and Vegeta is happy to see they have a baby girl. Bulma asks if Whis can do that again so she can have more babies. Whis says he'll be glad to do it, assuming the universe isn't erased that is. 

Vegeta confirms the tournament is going to be Battle Royale style. Bulma asks how many planets are there with mortals on them. Kaioshin says considering planets Sadala, Vegeta and Namek are gone, there are 28 left. Bulma asks if none of those planets don't also have strong guys. Kaioshin says he didn't observes the planets in terms of combat strength. Bulma says it's his job to research that and it explains why their universe is at such a low level. Kaioshin tries to talk back and Beerus says he'll never win an argument against her.

On the matter of selecting the ten fighters, Whis suggests they start with the ones from the first tournament, namely Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo and Buu. Goku brings up Monaka and Beerus makes up an excuse about him not feeling well. Vegeta asks if Gohan can fight. Goku isn't sure if he can fight right away since he's always so busy.

Vegeta says there aren't many Saiyans so they should train him. Goku says Gohan doesn't like fighting and brings up Goten and Trunks. Vegeta wants them to leave the kids out of it. Goku suggests Muten Roshi, TenShinHan and Krillin, If they bring Krillin, his wife, Android 18 is much stronger. Vegeta asks if that's allowed since she's an android. Bulma says she's still human, just enhanced. Beerus says he'll pretend he didn't hear that.

Vegeta brings up Android 17. Bulma asks if he's a bad guy. Goku says he's not sure he is anymore. Vegeta if he knows where he find him, and Goku isn't sure since he doesn't have ki. In this case he can ask Android 18. Vegeta reminds him to get some senzu beans. Whis says that senzuz restore stamina and that would get them disqualified. Kaioshin says things should be fine since Buu can use his powers to heal them. Goku says he will visit Krillin first and teleports away.

 

Meanwhile, on planet Bas in Universe 11, a giant crab-like monster and a bunch of smaller ones are facing off against the Pride Troopers. Both sides fly into each other to fight, while some of the Troopers help the innocent people evacuate. One of the villagers trips and falls and one of the crab monsters is about to attack her.

 

One of the Troopers leaps in and kicks the monster into a building with intense speed. The villager thanks him. The crab monster is angry the Trooper hurt one of his babies. Something suddenly zaps one of the monster's pincers off. Toppo has arrived to help his fellow Trooper, Dypso. Dypso says it's a fine time for the leader to show up. Toppo asks about Jiren and Dypso says he's currently on the planet Towale dealing with the Oslet Aliens that escaped from Galaxy Prison. Toppo is annoyed that Jiren is on such a remote planet.

The crab monster inhales and then blows out a huge wave of foam, strong enough to send some of the Pride Troopers flying. The heroes are trapped in the foam and Dypso prepares to fire an energy blast. Toppo tells him to stop since he might miss and hit a civilian instead. Just then, another fighter arrives. The figure smashes itself against the top of the monster's head, driving him into the ground and forming a crater. The monster is smacked into the air. The fighter aims a wrist mounted gun at him and it's energy rings shrink the crab monster down to a capsule. The fighter is revealed to be Jiren.

 

Dypso is surprised he got there so fast and Toppo says he thought he was on planet Towale. Jiren says he dealt with the Oslet Aliens and flew over. Dypso is surprised he flew over without using a spaceship and Jiren says it's faster that way. Toppo requests a meeting but Jiren says they have to free the people in the city first.

Elsewhere, Belmod says that Jiren devoted everything to justice and doesn't even kill bad guys. He knows there's something he wants and they'll use the Super Dragonballs to convince him to join them. Khai says they convince Jiren by offering the prize and allowing him to obtain that wish. Belmod says to not put it as he's a lowlife, he's pretty much offering Jiren a chance to get what he wants. He says he can't rely on Toppo and tells Khai to take him to see him.

Back to planet Bas, the Pride Troopers have set all the villagers free from the foam. Jiren refuses to enter the tournament, given his first priority is to protect the universe. Toppo says if they lose, there won't be a universe to protect. Jiren says he save their universe at the expense of others getting erased. Toppo says he'll lose everything he worked for and if this is the kind of justice he wants.

Just then, Belmod arrives with Khai and Marcarita. He tells Jiren that if they win, his wish will come true. The other Pride Troopers say if Lord Belmod is here, this must really be a big deal. Toppo tells Jiren that the God of Destruction himself is asking him to participate. Jiren says if universe 11 is in any trouble while he's gone, he'll come right back. Toppo accepts his condition. Belmod smiles triumphantly. 

 

The bonus panel has Belmod asking Marcarita nervously what they would have done is Jiren refused to fight.

My Thoughts-

I am still surprised how long these chapters are and how so many things happen in them. This is pretty much a full TV episode when older mangas like the original Dragonball and Death Note would have two chapters form an episode.

As before, there were several differences between the anime and manga version of the story. In the anime it at first seems that it was Goku's fault that Zeno remembered the tournament and added the fact he was going to wipe out all losing universes. Later on it was established that Zeno was going to wipe out the extra universes anyway and this tournament gave one of them a fighting chance. The manga explained this from the getgo so we didn't get that brief moment where this was all Goku's fault. Without Goku, the Zenos would wiped out the universes without any warning.

It's downright disturbing how all of existence for an entire universe can just cease to be because in another reality childlike beings with insane power decided 'eh, there's too many universes, let's wipe some out'. I'm surprised no one ever attempted to smother them in their sleep for the good of all reality. Don't get too smug Grand Priest. All it takes is one bad day and the Grand Priest can get wiped out too. And to make it worse, now there's two of them for him to constantly keep entertained.

Another difference was when Whis helped Bulma give birth to her second child via magic. In the manga we only had Vegeta, Whis, Kaioshin and Goku around. In the anime there was an extra subplot where Goku told Gohan and Mr. Satan about the universe risking erasure and made them keep it a secret from the others. When we get to this scene, Pilaf, Mai, Shou, Mr. Satan and Gohan were also present when Bulma gave magic-birth to her second child.

 

The manga did bring up good points, like how Earth seemed to be the only planet with the strongest fighters on it. Even though it's a big universe, Dragonball has pretty much established that Saiyans were the most powerful. Any other threats from other planets or worlds like the Gi Nyu Force, Freeza, Majin Buu and Dabura were all killed off. It's a bit odd to discover that after all these years starting from the original Dragonball and up, we go along with Goku's journey of getting stronger... only to find out that the entire universe including him is still the weakest in the grand scheme of things. Hell, even Universe 11 with Jiren is still on the chopping block when it comes to erasing weak universes. It's never quite stated, but for all of Jiren's build up, there should be fighters from universes 1, 12, 5 and 8 that are even more powerful than him. Possibly more powerful than Jiren and Goku combined.

I did find it random for Vegeta to mention Android 17 out of nowhere. I know fans with very good memories would know the heroes wished for everyone killed by Cell to come back at the end of the Cell Saga, including Android 17. However he's never seen again after that, so it's a wonder they remember him. Sure, he has a cameo at the end of the Buu Saga, but none of the crew saw him there. Hell, Vegeta wasn't even there when they wished everyone back and Krillin wished the bombs out of 17 and 18. It's such a weird thing to bring up in conversation after the fact. "Oh hey, we wished back Trunks after Cell killed him, oh and Krillin wished the bombs out of the Androids for.. reasons."

I would have liked a few extra lines like 'I thought he was absorbed by Cell' and 'yes but we wished back everyone killed by Cell, including him and he just laid low all these years'. I kinda feel it would be nice for these facts to be flat out stated rather than left to the imagination to connect the dots. It would have made more sense to have Goku visit Krillin and have 18 bring up her brother. Hell, I'm surprised Goku didn't even ask 'who's Android 17?' when Vegeta brought him up since he never met him in the Cell Saga. That would have been the perfect way to give a bit of backstory. Like, how are these guys even assuming he's 'not a bad guy anymore'.

Jiren gets a bit more personality here from the start. He's seriously devoted to justice and I like how he refused to fight to save his universe in exchange for other universes getting wiped out in their place. There's also the extra mystery of what kind of wish Belmod is offering him. Something he wants enough to go against his principals and join the tournament. 

Anime Jiren is pretty much a blank slate and his backstory gets revealed in the 11th hour where it was already too late for fans to care. He was literally just... big strong guy to defeat. The only thing I disagree with fans about is in regards to everyone calling Jiren a lame villain when he really isn't one. He's just an obstacle, the strongest guy in the tournament that needs to be taken out to win. Plus he's a damn superhero, how is he a villain? That would be like calling Jackie Chun a villain since he was the last opponent for Goku to face in the 23rd Tournament. Or calling Son Gohan a villain because he was the last opponent from Uranai Baba's tournament.

There's also the odd shrink ray Jiren had built into his uniform, which I assume are some of the extra gadgets the Pride Troopers use. We see that Jiren also used this rather than just blowing the monster up, which goes with what Belmod said about him. 

We'll see how this goes down as it's time for Goku, as well as the other universes, to start gather their roster. Hopefully I'll get back to this one before another year goes by.