Videl vs. Spopovich (Also Contains A Couple OTs)

Not really. I think we have to keep context in mind here. Videl is a capable female fighter in a show that has a distinct lack of them, and her getting so savagely beaten is pretty much her last act of any kind of importance in the story. True, she's one of the most capable martial artists on the planet, but that doesn't really grant her that much importance in DBZ.

As for the villains... well, villains have always been judged on different scales than good characters. I mean, hell, Broly is a block of wood in terms of characterization, but people love him because he destroys stuff and beats everyone up. So in the case of Maleficent, she is renowned less for basically picking on a baby, and more for being the star of the movie by driving the whole narrative, utilizing inevitable doom magic, residing in an evil fortress with orcs or something at her beck and call, bringing down lightning from the skies and using the powers of Hell to turn herself into a big f--k off dragon. To put it into perspective: a hero throwing a cosmic hissy fit over not being invited to a party would be pathetic; a villain throwing a fit for the same reason is pure evil (with a hint of almost quirky malevolence) and pure evil=awesome, for a lot of people.

I've rarely seen anyone outright hate Videl; they just show disappointment that she didn't do much in the long run, especially against some nobody character like Spopovich. 18 is also a character that gets completely sidelined not too long after her arrival, but she's renowned for beating the ever-loving hell out of Vegeta while she was still a villain. Hmm... maybe Babidi should have turned Videl into Majin Videl. Wouldn't have done much, but she'd probably have more fans.

I was much too far out all my life
And not waving but drowning

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Videl vs. Spopovich is definitely one of the most brutal fights in DBZ. Some people like to complain about this fight because a girl gets brutally beaten. Yes, Videl is a chic however she's also one of the world's most highly trained and skilled martial artists and therefore also stronger than most regular guys. Before studying martial arts Videl surely would've been aware of the possibility that she might get her butt whooped and been willing to take that risk. If not then why would she train in martial arts?

I have no problem with her getting beaten. In fact I think she had it coming by being so arrogant and writing off Goku and friends as weaklings when they had done nothing but walk by.

My biggest problem with the scene was the total lack of respect for Goku's judgment. He repeatedly warns Gohan and Krillin and tells them that Videl should quit the match.

In that particular episode of DBZ Spopovich clobbers a girl...who happens to be one of the world's most highly skilled and talented martial artists, and some people like to complain.

Sure she is. As long as by "one of the world's most skilled and highly talented martial artists" you have her ranked below all the fighters Goku and his friends encountered in the final rounds of the old tournaments and below Mercenary Tao, his brother the Crane Hermit, all the fighters at Baba's palace and the generals and colonels of the Red Ribbon Army. Videl and her dad are a joke. This doesn't mean she's not strong or skilled. I just don't think very highly of her in comparison to other fighters.

I probably would have liked her more if she humbled herself. Everyone I have ever talked to about her doesn't dislike because she's a girl. They dislike because of her arrogant attitude. She just doesn't have much else going on.

She's just as big of an ass as ChiChi and Bulma but they have other stuff to balance to them out. ChiChi is fiercely protective of her kids and Bulma is smart and good with tech.

Other than insulting Gohan's friends and family and overestimating her own fighting prowess what does Videl have?

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Some people like to complain about this fight because a girl gets brutally beaten.

I like to use a line from Yu Yu Hakusho for that "She's a fighter and she's tryin' to get in our way. I don't care if she's a girl or a baby or somebody's grandmother. I'll still knock her out."

Basically treat all fighters the same, Videl stepped into the ring knowing anything could happen. Viewers should know that too.

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