Dragon Ball is also the sort of series where it wouldn’t be surprising if half of the episode revolved around Goku’s revival, so it’s a relief to see the installment not waste the audience’s time. Additionally, the plus side of Goku’s quick resurrection is that it allows the majority of the episode to boil down to a fantastic fight between Goku and Hit. Hey, if the two couldn’t face off together in baseball, then at least they finally have this chance to determine who’s the best in combat.

While it’s appreciated to see the episode cut away from the death fake-out right away, it’s always risky when an entire episode is devoted to a big fight. If the showdown doesn’t deliver then it can turn out to be a huge misfire and the fans will rebel. Granted, this is filler, so any time there’s a thrilling fight as the focus, people should be happy and relieved that the show didn’t decide to re-visit Fake Namek or something worse. Additionally, Goku and Hit’s fight is a satisfying re-match between the two titans. It’s a particularly well-choreographed battle and while Goku doesn’t necessarily show off any new abilities here, it’s an instance where his brain and fighter’s intuition are indispensible.

In fact, this episode is actually one of most articulate examples of Goku at his smartest. His entire revival isn’t based around some unfair trick, but rather his brilliant idea to fire off an energy attack into the air pre-death that would later revive him (this tactic is even seen at the end of the prior installment, but it looks like Goku misses). Some of even the best strategists out there couldn’t think up such a brilliant plan of attack as this. It’s nice to see Dragon Ball Super pivot back to that version of Goku, even if it is just for an episode.

Goku does well by relying on established powers, but Hit is full of all sorts of surprises and it makes the fight feel continually fresh and unpredictable. In that sense, the audience is in the same position that Goku is and Hit’s multiple attack and invisible strike come as complete shocks. On that note, Hit’s impressive new assassination technique basically makes him once again untouchable and even involves an invisibleenergy blast. How do you possibly defend against that?

The whole debacle also just looks beautiful and the end stretch of the fight is particularly stunning (that sunset at the climax is perfection). It’s been a while since Dragon Ball Super has delivered a particularly substandard episode when it comes to animation, but this entry is a perfect example of how low quality animation would really hold back this episode and dampen its full effect.