Yamcha -- untapped potential?

[ahill1]

What do you think? I think he showed to be at first a likeable character and had some good attributes like team work, humbleness and desire to better himself, as well as some good techniques. Him stooping against Ten's trash talk was also cool despite ending beated up. I think that from the 23rd Budokai onwards it went downhill.

 

[Fantastische Hure]

Oh, he tapped a-lot of potential. Believe me.

 

[Yoshi]

His ki technique against Kami was still really cool.

 

[Papasmurf]

Yamcha literally never won a fight on-screen after Tenshinhan defeated him.

Lost to Kami, lost to Saibaman, lost to Gero. Raped by a Cell Jr. and anyone else who wasn't in filler.

 

[ahill1]

He seemed already different to me in the 23rd Budokai. A little more unsmilling and less cheered up and cunning (in the 22nd at least he had Intel on some competitors, knew from observing how much his opponents had evolved and such).

 

[Papasmurf]

All the 23rd competitors were fodder to the main two, even compared to the earlier budokais. Plus the 23rd was the first one where losing would actually cost Goku his life since Tenshinhan gave up on getting revenge for Tao halfway into the fight, Piccolo was going to take over the Earth once he beats Goku and so on. Yamcha couldn't supply much intel since it would destroy the more grandiose nature of the tourney.

 

[ahill1]

Yeah the 23rd Tournament was the most paranormal one. But Yamcha was barely seen as he was before, he seemed more immersed in himself and showed pride and anger when Piccolo called him trash despite even the proud Tenshinhan admitting Piccolo was right. He was just not remarkable there, while Kuririn seemed more in tune with his self from always, like when he picked up on what Goku was doing for having Chi Chi talking to him friendly and that moment after the Ma Junior loss. In the 21st he had cool moments like pointing out Roshi's drunk technique and seemed more enjoyable and "happy" in general. Maybe he matured.

 

[Papasmurf]

Maybe Yamcha thought this would be his ticket out of being eliminated in the 1st round and doing worse in the tournament than Ash fucking Ketchum
So he got offended more when he was stomped or treated like fodder.