Episode 78 of Dragon Ball Super, first broadcast in Japan on February 12, 2017 and titled Even the Universes' Gods are Appalled?! The Lose-and-Perish "Tournament of Power" in Funimation's dub, sets the rule that will make the Tournament of Power unlike any tournament before it: defeated universes will be erased. And Goku, who asked for the tournament in the first place, has to make amends in his own way.
Summary
The Grand Minister explains the details. The fighting will take place in the Null Realm, a world without time or space where no one will need to hold back. The winning warrior may make a wish on the Super Dragon Balls, already gathered, and the winning universe will receive nothing at all. Pressed by the gods, and only because Goku is Zeno's friend, the Grand Minister reveals the rest: the losing universes will be destroyed by Zeno.
There is also a special request. Future Zeno missed the Universe 6 versus 7 tournament, so in one hour, at the palace, three Universe 7 warriors will face three from Universe 9 in an exhibition: an appetizer to build anticipation. Once the Grand Minister leaves, Beerus tears into Goku for the danger he has put everyone in. Goku suggests simply asking Zeno not to destroy anyone, but Whis explains the decision has been made, and pushing could be dangerous. Being Zeno's friend will not save him: if he loses, he vanishes along with his whole universe.
Goku returns to Earth to find two teammates. Vegeta will not leave Bulma's side and suggests Goten and Trunks, but Goku thinks of Gohan. His son is reluctant until he learns what is at stake; the two agree to keep it secret to avoid a panic. Videl encourages him, and when Pan comes home from playing with Mr. Satan and Majin Buu, Gohan realizes he has something to protect. Goku then recruits Majin Buu, who only listens to Mr. Satan: so the world champion ends up, terrified, in the palace of the gods.
There they meet the Universe 9 delegation: a tiny God of Destruction, an elderly Supreme Kai with a nasty grin, an angel and three wolf-like warriors. The stands hold the Supreme Kais, Gods of Destruction and angels of all twelve universes. Goku thanks the two Zenos in front of everyone for holding the tournament. The rules are simple: three one-on-one bouts, no time limit, victory by surrender or knockout; but if Zeno gets bored, he may erase the fighters on the spot. First up is Basil, against a Majin Buu who has fallen asleep and only wakes when Satan promises him chocolate. Basil kicks him all over the arena, Buu hits the ground, and smiles.
Our take
The episode works like an old-school tournament prologue: rules, rivals and spectators are introduced, except that the stakes are existence itself. The moment the gods grasp the erasure rule is the strongest beat, and the Japanese title captures it with irony: even the gods are left speechless.
Gohan returning to fight for Pan is a good start for his arc in this saga, and Majin Buu with Mr. Satan in tow adds the necessary comic note. Goku, meanwhile, shows his most irritating side once more: he has put everyone at risk, and he is delighted.
Trivia
- Written by Atsuhiro Tomioka and directed by Takahiro Imamura; it drew a 5.6% rating.
- According to the Dragon Ball Wiki, Jiren appeared in an early version of the episode and in its trailer, before being replaced by Top in the broadcast.
- Gohan and Majin Buu had both come close to joining the tournament against Universe 6: the first was stuck with a work commitment, the second failed the written exam.
- Mr. Satan recognizes the Sacred World of the Kai: he had been there during the battle against Majin Buu.
Did you know? The Japanese title uses the slang expression "don hiki," roughly "totally put off," to describe the gods' reaction: an unusually casual phrase for a deity-filled announcement.