How relevant is Tao Pai Pai in the 22nd Budokai?

[SSJ2]

Is he relevant at all? Why is such importance placed on the fact that Goku defeated him 3 years prior? Was Tao simply overhyped by Tenshinhan and Tsuru?

 

[Fantastische Hure]

I think out-of-universe it might that AT thought he’d make him relevant again, despite what was previously shown. In-universe I’d assume it’s just over-estimation on the part of his camp. Tenshinhan revered him and he taught him. Tsuru-sen’nin might not have seen him in a long time or see him fight, besides he most likely started paying more attention to Goku’s fights after he heard of Tao’s defeat. Kame-sen’nin though might have never met him in the first place and only heard of him.

All that aside Tao was also dishonourable and sneakily tried to bomb after feigning to have changed his ways.

 

[SSJ2]

I also noticed something. Tenshinhan/Chaozu never saw Goku fight in the preliminaries, so it makes sense that they were shocked that he could defeat Tao. It wasn't until he beat Panputto that they realized he probably did. So I don't think Tao is relevant whatsoever in the 22nd.

 

[Hector]

Either King Chappa was not as strong as we think or Taopaipai was feared due to rumors.

 

[SSJ2]

Chappa definitely is as strong as we think. Roshi used him as a measuring stick for how much stronger Goku became after 3 years. Chappa's defeat was enough to make Roshi question his own position.

 

[SIAD]

Tenshinhan in the Anime fought Goku (Hungry) in the Inoshikacho chapter. At that point he should have far surpassed his Uranai Baba Tournament Counterpart. Being hungry shouldn't weaken him that much. However, in that mini-fight, a Tree fell on Goku and he was only able to dodge a few hits from a Tenshinhan (Heavily Suppressed). Surely Tenshinhan thought that Goku had very good reflexes only, since the latter did not try to hit Tenshinhan.

 

[Fantastische Hure]

Chappa definitely is as strong as we think. Roshi used him as a measuring stick for how much stronger Goku became after 3 years. Chappa's defeat was enough to make Roshi question his own position.

Not only that but Chapa-o got that next chapter hype, like will Goku be able to defeat him?

 

[SSJ2]

I agree. Solodolo on Neoseeker raised an interesting point though. Why does Tsuru wait until after Goku vs Krillin to definitively state that Goku could have beaten Tao? The scaling of the Budokai clearly shows that Tao is surpassed by anyone even semi relevant, so is Tsuru merely in denial or delusional about how strong his brother was?

 

[Fantastische Hure]

Like I said I think he just paid closer attention after, besides as I also said before Tao was sneaky if Goku hadn't countered the bomb then...

 

[SSJ2]

But he was watching Ten v Yamcha and Krillin v Chaozu. You'd have to argue he had extreme confusion or something if he wasn't able to tell that they were above Tao.

 

[Fantastische Hure]

True. It was most likely just denial and over-estimation of Tao then.

 

[SSJ2]

Which begs the question of why? I don't like using the argument of arrogance to discredit what a character says, but it seems like there's no other choice here.

 

[Fantastische Hure]

Who knows when he last saw Tao-Pai-Pai. Yamcha put-up a great fight against Tenshinhan and was complimented. Tsuru-sen'nin also later said Tenshinhan is far greater or something. He wasn't at full-power when fighting Yamcha, but still.

 

[GSM123]

But he was watching Ten v Yamcha and Krillin v Chaozu. You'd have to argue he had extreme confusion or something if he wasn't able to tell that they were above Tao.

Goku was the one he was worried about. He was the one who was said to beat Tao. The others are below his radar because they have no reputation so he doesn’t talk shit about them.

I’d also think there’s the skill factor. Not sure how it works, but they only do the “yeah maybe he beat Tao” after commenting on his speed and technique both times.