“A Challenge From Champa!” features a long-awaited rematch between Universes 7 and 6, but it’s in freaking baseball of all things! Champa and Beerus decide to settle their score and the great equalizer that they naturally arrive at is America’s favorite pastime. Not only that, but this episode puts Yamchafront and center and pivots towards him being the key to victory, which is another bizarre feeling, but more proof of why this bizarre episode is one of the best entries that Dragon Ball Super has ever done.

A situation where Universe 7 and Universe 6 would square off in baseball does seem a little unusual, however Champa’s ulterior motives are perhaps even more peculiar! Champa has merely orchestrated this game of baseball as a cover so that he and Vados can steal the Earth’s food. Clearly the two have formed a taste for the cuisine, much like Beerus and Whis, but this elaborate scheme feels a little severe when Champa reveals what his true goal is here. It does provide another occasion for more bragging rights, which are practically currency between Beerus and Champa, plus nobody should need to have an excuse in order to play some baseball.

Yamcha actually has previous baseball experience in Dragon Ball Z, lest we forget. He turned to the sport after he decided that his martial arts days were behind him and his team, the Titans, are featured in two episodes during the World Tournament Saga. That being said, Yamcha’s baseball uniform even shows up in Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, so clearly fans still enjoy referencing this unusual life path for the character. Dragon Ball Super embraces all of that in the biggest way possible and basically posits Yamcha to be a baseball superhero who finally has a chance to save the day and fulfill his destiny. Or not.

For a long time it seems like this episode could be Yamcha’s redemption story in Dragon Ball Super. Not only does it feature moments where Goku is in awe of Yamcha’s abilities, something that arguably hasn’t happened since the first handful of episodes from the original Dragon Ball, but there are even long vanity sequences where Yamcha applies his Wolf Fang Fist and Spirit Ball attacks to his pitching abilities that almost feel like something from out of a dream sequence.

Goku doesn’t seem to be able to grasp the subtleties of pitching (although in his defense everyone is pretty clueless about the sport) and his uselessness in the position leads to Yamcha’s rise to glory. Yamcha also wastes no time to let this power go to his head and throw his weight around. He intentionally leaves Tien and Chiaotzu behind and acts like they’re inferior and that he knows what’s best here, much like he must imagine Goku and company do when they leave him behind in battle.