Arc Information
| Original Run: | 21 October 1987 – 17 February 1988 (18 weeks) |
| Corresponding: | Dragon Ball Episodes 084 – 101 (18 episodes) Dragon Ball Chapters 113 – 134 (22 chapters; approx. 1.2 chapters per episode) |
| Filler Content: | 85% Canon / 15% Filler |
| Rating Shares: | Average: 19.4% Maximum: 23.1% (Episode 087) Minimum: 16.3% (Episode 100) |
Arc Synopsis
Three years later at the 22nd Tenka’ichi Budōkai, some unforeseen strong opponents appear. They are Tsuru-Sen’nin’s pupils, Tenshinhan and Chiaotzu. In Match #1 Tenshinhan has an easy victory against Yamcha, breaking his leg in the process. Kuririn vs Chiaotzu followed, with Chiaotzu unleashing a Dodonpa of all things. Realizing he can’t beat Kuririn with force alone, Chiaotzu uses his psychic powers to prevent Kuririn from moving, and attacks him! However, Kuririn learns Chiaotzu’s secret weakness… he’s bad at math!
Having defeated Chiaotzu with his math skills, Kuririn’s next opponent was Goku of all people. This was an unexpected showdown between fellow pupils, but Goku got an overwhelming victory through his dramatic difference in power. He ended up going to the finals to face Tenshinhan, who had beaten Jackie Chun. An even battle of offense and defense unfolded between Goku and Tenshinhan, with neither giving an inch. Then Tenshinhan announced that in order to put an end to the battle, he would fire the Kikōhō, which would shorten his own lifespan.
The ring is annihilated by Tenshinhan’s Kikōhō, so the match became an aerial battle. Goku put up a valiant fight in the sky, but Tenshinhan became the champion as he landed out of bounds just after Goku. However, after the tournament ends, Kuririn is killed by somebody!!
Episode List (084 — 101)
Mezase Budō Tenka’ichi!!
Aim to Be the World’s Greatest Martial Artist!!
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Minoru Okazaki
Kachinokoru zo!! Yosen Sabaibaru
Obsessed with Winning!! Preliminary Survival
Storyboard: Satoru Kusuda · Director: Daisuke Nishio
Kettei!! Hachinin no Yūsha-tachi
It’s Decided!! The Eight Brave Men
Animation: Yukio Ebisawa · Director: Kazuhisa Takenōchi
Taiketsu!! Yamucha Tai Tenshinhan
Showdown!! Yamcha vs Tenshinhan
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Yoshihiro Ueda
Yuke Yamucha! Osoru Beshi Tenshinhan
Go, Yamcha! The Dreadful Tenshinhan
Animation: Mitsuo Shindō · Director: Daisuke Nishio
Kyōfu!! Mangetsu no Urami
Be Afraid!! A Full Moon Grudge
Animation: Minoru Maeda · Director: Minoru Okazaki
Nanana!! Nanto Dodonpa
Nanana!! What, a Dodonpa?
Animation: Tomekichi Takeuchi · Director: Yoshihiro Ueda
Gyakuten!! Kuririn no Pāden ne Dai-Sakusen
A Sudden Turn-Around!! Kuririn’s Great Strategy
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Daisuke Nishio
Omatase! Son Gokū Sanjō!!
Wai~t! Here’s Son Goku!!
Animation: Yukio Ebisawa · Director: Kazuhisa Takenōchi
Jitsuryoku Hakuchū!! Tenshinhan Tai Jakkī
Evenly Matched!! Tenshinhan vs Jackie
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Daisuke Nishio
Gegege!! Shin Tsuru-senryū · Taiyō-Ken
Ge-ge-ge!! The New Tsuru-sen Technique: Taiyō-Ken
Animation: Tomekichi Takeuchi · Director: Yoshihiro Ueda
Faito!! Gokū Tai Kuririn
Fight!! Goku vs Kuririn
Animation: Mitsuo Shindō · Director: Kazuhisa Takenōchi
Masa ka Gokū!? Kuririn no Dai-Sakusen
Can it be, Goku?! Kuririn’s Great Strategy
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Daisuke Nishio
Kesshō!! Hatashite Budō Tenka’ichi wa!?
The Finals!! Who is the World’s Greatest Martial Artist?!
Animation: Minoru Maeda · Director: Minoru Okazaki
Higi · Haikyū-Ken Tai Sentō Pawā
A Secret Ability – The Haikyū-Ken vs Fighting Power
Animation: Tai’ichirō Ohara · Director: Yoshihiro Ueda
Tenshinhan no Kunō!!
Tenshinhan’s Anguish!!
Storyboard: Satoru Kusuda · Director: Kazuhisa Takenōchi
Sei ka Shi ka!? Saigo no Shudan
Life or Death?! A Last Resort
Animation/Storyboard: Katsumi Aoshima · Director: Mitsuo Hashimoto
Budō Taikai Shūryō! Soshite…!!
The Martial Arts Tournament Concludes! And Then…!!
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Daisuke Nishio