Episode 148 of Dragon Ball Z, first broadcast in Japan on July 15, 1992 and titled The Monster is Coming in Funimation's dub, finally puts the new Piccolo, born from his fusion with Kami, to the test. His opponent is Android 17, who beat him with ease back in the Androids arc. This time the fight is even, but the power it unleashes draws the attention of exactly the wrong party.
Summary
On the island chosen for the duel, Piccolo sheds his weighted turban and cape and powers up. Android 16 warns the others that he senses two powers inside this warrior. As Android 17 turns in surprise, Piccolo lands the first blow. On Kami's Lookout, Gohan realizes his mentor is about to fight and wants to rush to his side, but Goku holds him back: he is not strong enough and would only get in the way. Mr. Popo reassures him that Piccolo and Kami's combined strength will not fall easily.
The duel starts out even, then Piccolo takes control and knocks the Android down, only for him to spring right back up. The fight carries on underwater, while Krillin, Tien, Yamcha and Master Roshi try to work out who is winning from Kame House. Android 18 watches, bored; Android 16 is busy with the birds.
At Capsule Corporation, Bulma pores over 17's blueprints to build an emergency remote that can shut the Androids down. Dr. Brief rocks baby Trunks to sleep, but his frustrated daughter ends up waking him.
Back in the fight, Piccolo fires a barrage of energy shots at 17 that seems almost pointless. He repeats it with what looks like terrible aim, until the Android realizes the shots have surrounded him and are closing in all at once: the Hellzone Grenade. 17 survives intact behind his energy barrier and suggests they move to a bigger island. Far away, still harvesting lives in another city, Cell senses Piccolo at full power, deduces that the Androids must be there too and takes off at top speed.
Our take
The point of the episode is simple: this is no longer the Piccolo who was humiliated by 17. It is the first real test of what the fusion with Kami created, and Toriyama handles it smartly. The power is there, but 17 does not back down and, crucially, does not tire. That will become the real problem.
The anime adds a good deal of material, some of it useful. The first barrage, absent from the manga, sets up the trick of the second one nicely, and the Capsule Corporation scenes give a concrete basis to the remote that will matter later. Yamcha, who simply vanishes in the manga, stays around here to commentate with the others.
The closing scene with Cell is the real twist. The Androids give off no energy and stay invisible to the monster's senses, but Piccolo, fighting all out, becomes a beacon. The better he does, the closer he brings disaster.
Trivia
- It adapts chapter 367 and the first page of chapter 368. Written by Katsuyuki Sumisawa and directed by Yoshihiro Ueda, it drew a 21.5% share.
- The Japanese title promises "fierce light bullets that split the heavens"; the Italian title, "The Super Namekian Warrior," borrows the way 16 describes Piccolo in that dub.
- In the manga, Gohan tries to go to Piccolo after the fight has started; in the anime it happens before.
- Before the fight, 17 rolls up his sleeves, but they drop back down almost immediately.
- In Italy it premiered on Italia 1 on September 20, 2000.
Did you know? Mr. Popo's reassuring line changes completely in the English dub: instead of talking about Piccolo and Kami's combined strength, he insists that the Time Chamber will make Gohan stronger than ever.