Episode 93 of Dragon Ball, first broadcast in Japan on December 23, 1987 and known in the English dub as Tien Shinhan vs. Jackie Chun, opens the semifinals of the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament with the bout insiders were waiting for: Tien Shinhan against Jackie Chun, in other words Master Roshi in disguise. For the first time the previous champion faces someone who can keep pace with him, and the Japanese title, "evenly matched", says as much.
Summary
The Crane School discusses Goku's win and studies the next obstacle. Little is known about Jackie Chun, and that is exactly why the Crane Hermit considers him dangerous. Tien decides to test him before the match. The old man has wandered off to the market stalls, officially to shop, actually to peer down a saleswoman's top. Chiaotzu uses his powers to turn the cork of a little boy's toy gun into a projectile and sends it at him. Jackie leans forward at that very instant for a better look at the girl and dodges it by sheer luck. The three Crane fighters, however, are convinced he sensed the ambush.
At the hospital, Puar tells Yamcha about Goku's easy win and the upcoming match. Yamcha thinks back to his own defeat and hopes Jackie wins, but he is far from sure. Tien, meanwhile, focuses in the waiting area: Jackie is an obstacle, the real target is Goku.
At the start the two size each other up, then trade blows as equals. Jackie slips past an attack, grabs Tien by the ankle and hurls him out of the ring, but the young fighter reveals that he can fly and floats back onto the stage. A flurry of strikes follows at stunning speed, partly in midair, leaving the crowd open-mouthed.
Then Jackie unleashes the multiple afterimage technique: eight copies of himself circle his opponent and strike from every side. Tien takes a few hits, then uses his three eyes to pick out the real Jackie and kicks him into the wall. The old man gets back up, admits he underestimated him, sheds his jacket and starts fighting for real. After another furious exchange, the two end up on opposite sides of the ring, gasping for breath. Each knows he is facing an extraordinary opponent.
Our take
The episode runs on contrasts. In the first half Jackie Chun is the usual dirty old man, and the toy gun gag works because it flips the point of view: he is thinking about girls, while his rivals take him for a perception genius. In the second half he is the legendary fighter nobody can read.
The heart of the fight is a clash of generations. Tien has talent, technique and a confidence that borders on arrogance; Jackie has the experience of someone who has seen it all. When the old man takes off his jacket, it is an unspoken acknowledgment that this young man deserves his full effort. According to the official synopsis, Roshi starts to feel that a new era is coming, and the next episode shows what he does about it.
Trivia
- The episode adapts chapter 123 of the manga. It drew a 19.7% ratings share in Japan.
- The toy gun test, the visit to Yamcha and Tien's focus in the waiting area are anime-only.
- In the manga Tien sees through the afterimages almost immediately; in the anime Jackie lands several hits before being found out.
- Also in the manga, Jackie doesn't throw Tien completely out of the ring: Tien somersaults and charges straight back in.
- In the original English release the title card spelled the name "Jacky Chun"; the mistake was fixed in the remastered edition.
Did you know? Among the passers-by Jackie eyes in town is a woman who looks a lot like Launch in her first appearance, only with darker hair.
Characters
- Tien Shinhan
- Jackie Chun (Master Roshi)
- Chiaotzu
- The Crane Hermit
- Yamcha
- Goku