By Erika Suarez

Episode 127 delivers us with vivid and thunderous attacks from both sides of the remaining teams. Jiren elevates his power while his dark past unfolds and Android 17 takes the shots in this battle that led up to a disappointing sacrifice with an opportunity for a stirring ending.

We are a step closer to witnessing Jiren's complete form and capabilities in this battle while being the last warrior of Universe 11. His confidence is close to cocky, but the reasoning is explained when his past is revealed. Belmod does the honor of narrating Jiren's past, and we get to see toddler Jiren with his bug eyes and puny form, defenseless while watching his parents killed in front of him. His hunger for strength and justice grew as he got older and none of his comrades stood beside him to confront the evil-doer that killed his parents. The Warrior's past was cliche and we might have heard numerous times. We would expect more from the strongest warrior in the universe to have a moving and impactful story.  Unfortunately, this recurrent story is unappealing and dreary. 

Android 17 has become the right hand for Universe 7 and imprinted many battles in the Tournament of Power. He has honored his sibling's sacrifice, and sadly, he followed along with her footsteps with his own sacrifice that permanently eliminated him. The android dies in his own explosion to save Goku and Vegeta and to give them time to recover. It was clear that he was incapable of defeating Jiren alone, so he put all of his ideas into action to give Jiren the slightest amount of damage. It was the least he could do for the team and made no hesitation in putting the Saiyans lives in front of his. Android 17 was well-respected in this series that put his past as an intimidating villain behind him and developed into a tear-jerking guy with a passionate love for humanity and animals. Giving up on his wish (taking his wife and kids on a cruise) and the Dragon Balls must be the most human thing he has done and makes up for his poor exit in this episode.

Frieza does not know when to give up, but that's very un- Frieza thing to do. He makes a grand and unexpected entrance as he drop-kicks Jiren with a hellish screech that was unforgettably hilarious. He also attempts to kill Jiren in his golden form and avoids all rules of the tournament, but his desperate attack fails and falls once more. The strain in Frieza's eyes shows he is in full-blown villain mode and I am eager to find out what his next scheme is. A bothersome aspect of this scene is there are no reactions or comments towards his behavior which makes us, the viewers, feel like we have only witnessed it.

Episode 127 delivered striking action and an astonishing combination of vivid multicolored power beams and blasts. The anticipated backstory on Jiren revealed itself disappointing and weak that left a lot of room for potential in reviving the character. Meanwhile, the stakes grew high for Universe 7's remaining warriors, which led to Android 17's sacrificial goodbye that was weary, but his admitted fond of humanity was touching as he drops his "too good for everybody" act to save his allies.

Score: 4/5

Dragon Ball Super E.127- "The Approaching Wall! The Final Barrier of Hope!!
Writer: Akira Toriyama
Studio: Toei Animation