The twenty-fifth episode of Dragon Ball Super, broadcast in Japan on December 27, 2015, is Frieza's answer. Facing the blue-haired Super Saiyan, the tyrant unveils the result of his four months of training: a golden form he himself christens Golden Frieza. And two special spectators arrive on the battlefield, drawn by something else entirely.
Summary
Goku challenges Frieza to show the fruits of his training. The tyrant compliments him on his growth but does not seem the least bit intimidated, and Goku's friends realize he must still be hiding power equal to Goku's. Jaco snaps a photo: he has never seen a blue-haired Saiyan. He tells Bulma he is gathering material for his Galactic Patrol report, which in case of maximum danger could wipe out the planet with missiles.
Frieza transforms into a new, all-golden form, and his power leaves everyone speechless. He explains that he chose gold because it makes it obvious he has powered up, though he worries it is a bit basic, and names it Golden Frieza, admitting the name is cheesy. Goku concedes he did not expect such strength. Frieza bids him farewell in advance, in case he kills him with a single blow; Goku hates that attitude, but admits the danger excites him.
As the duel resumes, Bulma gets a message from Whis: he and Beerus are on their way for the strawberry sundae and will arrive in 4 minutes and 13 seconds. In space, Whis stops abruptly, making Beerus bite his tongue: in front of them are Champa, the God of Destruction of Universe 6, and his attendant Vados. Beerus suspects his brother has come to steal Universe 7's good food; Champa denies it, claims the food here is terrible and that he is just out for a stroll. The two pairs part warily. Left alone, Champa and Vados talk about mysterious items they are collecting: they have found five, two are left, and Beerus must not find out.
On Earth, Golden Frieza has Goku in serious trouble, and Bulma scolds Vegeta for not stepping in. Beerus and Whis arrive and dive into the sundae. The god watches the duel and notes how much Frieza has grown. The tyrant, in the middle of a triumphant speech, freezes the moment he sees him: terrified, he asks why he is there. Beerus says he has only come for dessert and will not interfere, since a God of Destruction takes no one's side. Bulma asks him to stop Frieza before he kills everyone, but he promises to save only her, since she gave him the sundae. Jaco wants a photo with the god, and Bulma thinks he seems more like a fan than an elite patrolman. Reassured, Frieza resumes his revenge.
Our take
Golden Frieza is one of the best ideas of the Super era, and the episode presents it with just the right irony: the tyrant himself finds the name cheesy, but the power is beyond question. His terror at the sight of Beerus, he who once made the universe tremble, puts everything back in proportion in a single shot.
The meeting in space between Beerus and Champa is a TV addition that plants the next saga: anyone who knows what comes next already knows what they are after.
Trivia
- Written by Toshio Yoshitaka and directed by Masanori Satō, with Masahiro Shimanuki, Yoshito Narimatsu and Makoto Tanoue as animation directors. It drew a 5.7% rating in Japan.
- It is the TV debut of Golden Frieza, born in the film Resurrection 'F'.
- The five items out of seven that Champa has collected foreshadow the Universe 6 Saga.