Dragon Ball Super Tome 23

Okay, confession time: I may have slightly panicked when I realized Dragon Ball Super tome 23 was finally here. Like, full-on "did I order it? Where is it? MUST. HAVE. DRAGON. BALL." panic. My neighbor probably thinks I’m preparing for the apocalypse with all the manga I hoard, but hey, priorities, right? And speaking of priorities, let's dive into what makes this particular volume so freakin' exciting. (Because, let’s be honest, every Dragon Ball volume is a small victory for our inner child).

So, what's the deal with volume 23? Well, buckle up, because it’s basically the crescendo of the Granolah the Survivor saga. Remember Granolah? The Cerealian who, thanks to some seriously shady dealings, became the strongest warrior in the universe? The one with the super-laser eye? Yeah, him.

This volume is all about the final showdown between Granolah, Goku, and Vegeta. We're talking massive explosions, power-ups that make your head spin (Ultra Ego, anyone?), and enough Saiyan pride to power a small country. You know, the usual Dragon Ball shenanigans.

Spoiler alert! (Kind of. It's Dragon Ball, so you know there's going to be some intense fighting.) But seriously, if you haven’t read it yet, maybe skip this paragraph and go treat yourself! We see Goku and Vegeta really pushed to their absolute limits. Like, "laying on the ground, panting, barely able to move" limits. And Granolah? He's not exactly having a picnic either.

What’s particularly interesting about this volume is the emotional weight. It's not just about who can punch the hardest. We start to see Granolah grapple with the consequences of his actions and the truth behind his past. Toyotaro, the artist, really nails the emotional expressions. You can practically feel Granolah's anguish and determination jumping off the page.

Vegeta, bless his spiky-haired soul, continues to be the king of character development. He's still arrogant and competitive, but he’s also showing a genuine desire to improve and protect those he cares about. (Mostly Bulma, let's be real.) Ultra Ego is still, in my opinion, one of the coolest transformations in recent Dragon Ball history. That purple aura? Chef's kiss.

Goku, being Goku, is mostly focused on becoming stronger. He’s always gotta push those limits, doesn’t he? I mean, that's why we love him, but sometimes I wish he'd take a break and eat a senzu bean or something. (Seriously, someone get that man some protein.)

Now, some might argue that the Granolah saga has its flaws. (And yeah, I can see some of the criticisms about power scaling and reused tropes). But for me, it's been a fun ride. The art is consistently fantastic, the action is over-the-top, and the characters are still engaging. And let’s be honest, who doesn't love seeing Saiyans scream and power up?

So, is Dragon Ball Super tome 23 worth reading? Absolutely. It’s a satisfying conclusion (of sorts) to a major arc, filled with the epic battles and emotional moments that make Dragon Ball so iconic. Plus, you get to see Vegeta in Ultra Ego mode. Need I say more? Go grab a copy and prepare to have your Saiyan-loving heart soar. And maybe warn your neighbors about the impending manga-induced excitement.