Taboo! The Barrier Breakdown & The Gendarmerie’s Arrival
Panzy’s Warning & the Disabled Warp
The episode opens with Panzy contacting Peral to tell her father that the group has secured the Second Demon World’s Dragon Ball and is heading toward the First Demon World. She also learns that King Kadan has apparently left to capture a Demon Realm plane himself. Meanwhile, the heroes reach the site of the Sir Warp only to find that it has been deactivated. Gomah had ordered it shut down to block their path forward.
Neva Unleashes the Barrier Spell
With the Warp sealed, the group appears trapped — until Neva steps forward. He utters a spell and lifts the mystical barrier that had blocked passage between the realms. Piccolo is surprised, and Neva confirms he originally created the barrier to protect the Second Demon Realm from intrusions by beings from the First or Third Demon Worlds.
Electric Shield & Goku’s Fall
As the barrier fades, Goku steps out to test the passage, inadvertently touching a shield’s energy field. He’s struck by a sudden electric discharge and collapses unconscious. His fall forces the team into a moment of crisis.
Gomah’s Gendarmerie & Defensive Maneuvers
Back in Gomah’s domain, the Supreme Demon King convenes a powerful security force: the Gendarmerie Force. He and Degesu instruct them to defend the palace and prepare for the Z-Fighters’ arrival. Meanwhile, Gomah and Degesu express concern that Goku’s group might make it past the defenses after all.
Into the First Demon Realm — Under Fire
With the barrier removed and the path reopened, the heroes push onward. Their damaged ship cannot sustain full travel, but it can get them close enough. Vegeta carries Bulma, and others fly the rest of the journey. However, as they approach the First Demon World, they come under heavy enemy fire — the episode ends in a tense midair clash.
My Analysis
Revealing Neva’s True Role
This episode gives Neva a major spotlight. Not only does he remove the barrier blocking the path, but he also reveals that he originally created it. That twist reframes him as a guardian — not just a guide — immensely strengthening his role in the narrative.
Tension Without Overwrought Action
The writers lean more on suspense than large clashes here. Goku’s shock and fall, the barrier’s removal, the Gendarmerie’s looming threat — these elements build weight without requiring nonstop fights. It’s a tactical breather that repositions the board for what’s to come.
Setup for the Final Arc
With the path open and defenses active, the story is clearly gearing toward a final showdown in the First Demon Realm. The Gendarmerie’s reveal, the attack as they enter, and the symbolism of Neva’s spell all hint at high-stakes conflict ahead.
Conclusion
Episode 14, “Taboo / タブー,” moves the plot decisively forward. The deactivation of Warp, the revelation of barrier magic, and the introduction of the Gendarmerie Force reshape the conflict’s direction. Though the heroes now reach the First Demon World, they arrive under duress — and with powerful new enemies waiting. The next episodes promise to escalate quickly.
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