Title: DragonBall Z Vol.26

Story and Art by: Akira Toriyama

Chapters 309 – 325

Volume 26 picks up with Buu absorbing Gohan before his fusion with Goku, thus making Buu more powerful.  Goku attempts to fuse with Hercule but Vegeta shows up with the help of Baba, having died trying to kill Buu earlier in a suicide attack (honestly one of his best moments).  Buu attempts to stop the fusion but is unsucessful, resulting in the birth of Vegito, who looks badass.  Despite his attempts Buu gets his ass handed to him.  He even blocks Buu’s attacks with his knees and feet.  He even turned him into a piece of candy and gets his ass beat (I don’t understand how Vegito is still alive after being turned into candy but okay).  When that doesn’t work, Buu finally absorbs him.

It is revealed that Vegito allowed himself to be absorbed to rescue those Buu has absorbed (though where the hell are the kais Buu absorbed). Goku and Vegeta are then separated and the two explore the world of Buu’s body when they find Goten, Trunks, Piccolo, and Gohan who are all cocooned within the villain.  The two manage to free them which de-evolves Buu, alerting him to their presence.  He forms an avatar to fight them and in the ensuing battle Vegeta rips out Fat Buu’s cocoon, which de-evolves Buu further.  Goku and Vegeta managet o escape with their family but realize Buu has transformed back to his original form, Kid Buu.  Losing all reason Buu immediately destroys Earth, though Goku manages to save Vegeta, Dende, Hercule, and the little dog Bee with the help of Kibito Kai.

Destroyed by the Earth’s explosion, Buu restores himself and teleports to the Sacred World of the Kai where the group have escaped to.  Goku then engages in battle with Buu and the fight is pretty badass (though I question Toriyama’s reason for not allowing Vegeta to join the battle too so that both double team him) Goku’s at Super Saiyan 3 displaying a lot of power but Buu’s diverse abilitites keep the fight entertaining.  Vegeta intervenes allowing Goku time to recover and Vegeta goes in swinging.  Despite his best efforts, Buu overpowers him and kicks the living crap out of Vegeta (Toriyama definitely doesn’t like Vegeta).

Hercule does something useful for a change and challenges Buu to a fight (although the jackass thinks this is all a dream) which stops Buu from killing Buu.  Oddly enough, Buu’s good side stops Kid Buu from killing Hercule.  That is until Kid Buu separates Fat Buu from himself ending his influence.  Fat Buu and Kid Buu engage in battle and he fights as valiantly as Vegeta but gets his butt kicked just as hard.  Goku reveals he can’t replenish his energy because he can’t absorb the energy from Earth as it was destroyed and Vegeta comes up with a plan. Contacting the Namekians of New Namek, Vegeta says they should use the new DragonBalls to wish back Earth and wish back everyone killed (since the day of the tournament).  The plan succeeds and Earth is restored along with its citizens (except the really bad guys).

Goku is able to form the Spirit Bomb but requires more energy.  Despite his and Vegeta’s pleas, it takes Hercule stepping up to inspire the people of Earth to give their energy thus completely the Spirit Bomb.  While Goku is powering up, Vegeta again engages Buu to give him time, and again is brutally beaten.  Hercule then steps up again, and saves Vegeta again when the latter is too weak to avoid the Spirit Bomb attack.  Goku launches it but either Buu is so powerful, Goku is so weak, or both, Buu catches the attack and actually forces it back.  Just as Buu launches the attack back at Goku, the magical dragon reminds the Namekians that they have a third wish and they wish Goku’s power is restored.  Goku gives one of the most awesome monologues in the entire series, before obliterating Buu with his final attack (a great sendoff to a great bad guy).

With Kid Buu finally destroyed Vegeta attempts to kill an injured and weakened Fat Buu, but is stopped by both Hercule and Goku.  We have a great moment where all of the Z fighters are reunited and moments like these are worth waiting for.  Ten years later, and the Z fighters reunite for another tournament and we see our favorites (now older) and new characters Bra (Trunks’ sister, Bulma and Vegeta’s daughter), Marron (Krillin and 18’s daughter), and Pan (Gohan and Videl’s daughter).

During the tournament, Goku reveals that the young contestant, Uub, is a reincarnated Buu.  The tournament begins and we watch the adorable little Pan take out the massive Mo Kekko in two hits.  Goku fights Uub and the fight gets pretty intense with Uub showing his power at Goku’s antagonizing.  Volume 26 comes to an end with Goku embarking on a journey with Uub as his mentor. Goku is a dick for just leaving everyone like that, plus I really want to see the fight with Captain Chicken.

The Verdict: In the end, DragonBall Z Vol.26 is a great send off to the DragonBall Z manga series as well as the conclusion of the Buu Saga.  I really enjoyed this volume, the fight was pretty damn intense, there is great developing arc for Vegeta, and for as annoying as Hercule is, he is actually the main reason for them defeating Buu.  DragonBall Z Vol.26 gets 5 out of 5.