The episode begins with a preview of the last episode, in which Universe 7 defeated the giant Aniraza and eliminated Universe 3 from the tournament. This meant that only Universes 7 and 11 were left in Tournament of Power.
Episode 122 begins proper with a stare down between Universe 7 and 11’s final competitors: Goku, Vegeta, Android 17, Gohan, Freeza, Jiren, Toppo, and Dyspo. Krilling emphasizes that there are only nine minutes left in the Tournament, and the Grand Priest notes that with all of the eliminations the bleachers look a bit “lonely.”
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Fixing this, he places the remaining spectators on one shared bleacher. Some universes are happier with this change than others, but the sudden shift surely rocks everyone by surprise. Zen-Oh is happy with the change, however. Vados proclaims to Marcaritta of Universe 11 that with Universe 6 gone, she’ll support Universe 7.
The stare down between the two Universes continue as Goku and Jiren pace toward one another. The vibe is tense, and everyone is ready for the final battle to begin. Goku, staring into Jiren’s face, powers up to Super Saiyan Blue and Vegeta thinks this is a dumb stunt. But Goku and Jiren immediately start exchanging blows. Jiren asks why Goku wants to become stronger, and Goku responds with the fact that he just wants to is all.
But Goku reaffirms with Jiren that the two of them seek a strength beyond their means. But just as the Grand Priest says the outcome of Goku vs. Jiren will determine the results of the Tournament, Vegeta charges forward asking Jiren to show his strength.
Meanwhile, Dyspo is running in circles around Freeza and says that Freeza will never hit him. And Gohan and Android 17 are fighting Toppo. The episode cuts back to Vegeta who’s fighting Jiren. Vegeta claims that he wants the power of the Super Dragon Balls, and Jiren bats him away. Goku interferes once more, but Vegeta gets a good look at how Jiren fights.
The three exchange blows until Vegeta eventually dodges Jiren’s punches and lands a strike of his own, much to the surprise of Jiren himself. He’s seen through Jiren’s attacks. Piccolo notes that Vegeta made sure to read Jiren’s movements while he was throwing punches at Goku. Vegeta continues his counterattack and impresses Zen-Oh while at it.
Vegeta impressively keeps Jiren at bay, and Whis realizes that Vegeta may be attempting to reach Ultra Instinct by fighting Jiren. And Beerus remembers that the way he dodges Jiren’s attacks resembled Ultra Instinct dodging. Vegeta impressively lands more blows and says Jiren was stronger and faster when fighting Goku. This angers Jiren and he starts his own counterattacks.
Nailing Vegeta down with a Ki blast, Vegeta is seemingly pushed out of the ring. Vegeta, meanwhile, is trying to grasp the blast in his hands but the energy explodes. The episode then cuts back to Freeza as he asks how long Dyspo planned to run around. Dyspo attempts to make clones of himself and tries to attack Freeza from behind, but Freeza is able to grab Dyspo with his tail.
Saying that having a tail is rather useful, Dyspo counters that it’s useful for him and tosses Freeza by the tail. Then proceeds to drag him through the ground. Meanwhile, Toppo is seemingly struggling against Gohan and Android 17 but Gohan’s Kamehameha Wave is ineffective. Toppo then says it’s his turn.
Meanwhile, Belmond is celebrating Universe 11’s power but Whis believes that the last attack instead ignited Vegeta and Universe 7 won’t let things end badly. Vegeta sees that Jiren is out of breath, as Jiren says Vegeta’s fists are arrogant without any purity.
Vegeta responds to this by saying “Indeed, I am arrogant. But to me, that’s precisely what my pride as a Saiyan is!” Charging a Final Flash, he yells that Kakarot can have his Ultra Instinct but he will find a way to win on his own. Goku is surprised at how much Vegeta’s strength has increased as the spectators look on in amazement.
Challenging him not to dodge, Vegeta launches his Final Flash at Jiren. It’s a direct hit, but unfortunately, Jiren still stands unharmed. In fact, he prepares to blast Vegeta at point blank range. Trapped him in a ball of explosive energy, Vegeta is knocked unconscious.
Jiren stands above a weakened Goku and Vegeta as the Tournament of Power reaches its final eight minutes.
Dragon Ball Super‘s “Universal Survival” arc is part of the recent simulcast agreement that sites like Crunchyroll and Funimation have scored. DragonBall Super airs on Crunchyroll Saturday evenings at 7:15 p.m. CST. Adult Swim airs the English dub during its Toonami block Saturday evenings at 9:30 p.m, and is now available to stream on FunimationNOW and Amazon Video.
