Episode 92 of Dragon Ball Super, first broadcast in Japan on May 28, 2017 and titled A State of Emergency! Failure to Reach Ten Members!! in Funimation's dub, throws Team Universe 7 into crisis three hours before the tournament. Majin Buu will not wake up, and Goku's lie about the prize comes out along with the truth about the universe's erasure. In Universe 6, meanwhile, the series' first female Super Saiyan is born: Caulifla. And at the end Goku comes up with the most unthinkable name of all: Frieza.
Summary
At Mr. Satan's house, Goku finds there is no way to wake Buu: when he falls into a deep sleep, he stays out for two months. Mr. Satan volunteers to take his place, but changes his mind the moment he realizes how strong the opponents will be. In Universe 11, Top and Kahseral arrange for Pride Trooper recruits to defend the universe in their absence; in Universe 3, God of Destruction Mosco and Supreme Kai Eyre visit the scientist Nigrissi, who shows off his modified warrior, Narirama.
Krillin, Android 18 and Marron arrive at Capsule Corporation. Told about Buu, Krillin suggests competing with nine, but Supreme Kai reminds him that Zeno asked for ten. Beerus demands that Gohan, as leader, fix the problem. When Krillin mentions the ten million zeni, however, it turns out the prize was Goku's invention, and with it comes the truth: the losers will be erased. Meanwhile Vegeta leaves the Hyperbolic Time Chamber by smashing through the door.
In Universe 6, Cabba teaches Caulifla Super Saiyan. He tries to make her angry with insults that are far too polite, to no effect, then explains that he now transforms by focusing energy on a spot in his back. Caulifla gets it at once, learns to power down too, and agrees to compete as long as she can bring Kale, a shy Saiyan who follows her everywhere and will have to learn as well.
Goku returns without Buu to find the group in turmoil. Krillin is not upset about the money but about the secret: after all they have been through, Goku should have told him. Android 18 and Tien want to pull out, but Beerus threatens to destroy Krillin if he refuses, and Bulma promises to pay the prize herself, as long as they win. That leaves the tenth spot. Beerus scolds the Earthlings for wiping out Frieza's army, which might have supplied candidates, and a light goes on for Goku: why not Frieza himself? Three hours remain.
Our take
The best part is the confrontation between Goku and Krillin. For once the hero's carefree attitude carries an emotional cost, and the series shows it without melodrama: Krillin is not shouting about money, he is hurt that his best friend did not trust him. It is a short but honest scene, and it gives weight to Goku's choices in the tournament.
Caulifla's Super Saiyan, on the other hand, is a landmark for the saga: the first female Saiyan to transform in the main series, and the discovery that the transformation can be learned like a technique, by focusing on a spot in the back. It is an idea that deflates the myth of rage, in keeping with Super's more playful spirit. The Frieza ending, finally, is a perfect cliffhanger.
Trivia
- Written by Atsuhiro Tomioka and directed by Takao Iwai, with Noel Añonuevo, Joey Calangian and Osamu Ishikawa as animation directors. It drew a 4.9% TV rating in Japan.
- It marks the debut of female Super Saiyans in the main series.
- In the manga, Goku does not visit Mr. Satan's house, and Krillin is talked round by Goku himself, with no threats from Beerus.
- The Universe 3 and Universe 11 scenes are anime additions.
Did you know? In Funimation's dub, Beerus calls Krillin "Curly", a nod to one of the Three Stooges.