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 Truthfully, this episode focuses on the training Goku does before the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai rather than Tenshinhan and Chaozu’s very first appearance in the anime. However, it makes perfect sense that the two aren’t given a full introduction until a handful of episodes later. Instead, we’re given just a taste of these two mysterious characters, who come onto the scene and make a retreat rather quickly -- but not without leaving intrigue behind them! Episode 82 is here, simply because it is filler and provides a spin to the manga’s introduction of Tenshinhan. This episode has Tenshinhan doing un-Tenshinhan-like things; in a way fleshing out the character even though it’s not in the original story. We’re here to analyze the impact anime filler has on Tenshinhan, after all! Oh, and there’s a cute animal mascot, so that counts for something too. ^^
The episode begins with Goku walking up a mountain road, lamenting about how empty his stomach is, when suddenly he’s nearly run over by a family that seems to be running for its life. When asked why they seem so panicked, they reply that the Inoshikachou has wrecked their house and is probably busy  destroying the rest of village as they speak. Upon hearing about Inoshikachou’s strength, Goku decides to go see for himself whether he might make a good training partner.
Meanwhile at the Kame House, Kame-sennin is looking at some old photographs. (Hey, for once it’s not porn! +is proud of Kame-sennin+) There are some photos of him and Tsuru-sennin as youngsters, holding a baby Inoshikachou (who is so cute, by the way). As Bulma comes to look over his shoulder at the pictures, Kame-sennin tells her about the docile boar-deer-butterfly hybrid creature who grew up to be a hot-tempered adult.
The very same Inoshikachou is still as fiery as he was before his old masters lost track, and control, of him. And as Kame-sennin speaks, he is ransacking an unfortunate village somewhere out in the world, and being trailed by an angry, pitchfork and fire-wielding mob.
Tenshinhan and Chaozu lead the hunting party to the creature and soon corner Inoshikachou, making quick work of the monster. They take his body back to the relieved villagers, who keep their promise to their heroes and reward them with 100,000 Zeni.
Not much later, Goku’s nose leads him to a surprising scene: a very-much-alive Inoshikachou dining with Tenshinhan and Chaozu; and in doing so, Goku uncovers the their dastardly scheme. It turns out that Tenshinhan and Chaozu are con-artists who swindle villagers of their money after pretending to take care of their hybrid-animal problem. Goku fights Tenshinhan, though his hunger pangs get in the way of the fight’s end. Tenshinhan doesn’t finish off his opponent; instead, it seems as though he’s more eager for a quick getaway.
Before the episode is over, Goku and Tenshinhan meet again just as the latter is receiving another reward for killing Inoshikachou. Tenshinhan almost  succeeds when he tries to turn the tables and make it seem that Goku is in cahoots with the terrorizing monster. But Goku, forever fighting for truth and justice, reveals the criminals to the villagers.... after the con-artists get away yet again.
It’s interesting that the two are living in such a dishonest way (and, and... abusing animals! T_T); and yet characterization like this perhaps gives greater meaning to their change of heart later on in the series. Before I saw this episode, I wondered how they came across Inoshikachou; but now, I’m definitely led to believe that Tsuru-sennin gave Inoshikachou to his pupils, and that perhaps he was also partly responsible for Inoshikachou’s foul temper.
What’s more about the little deal Tenshinhan and Chaozu have with Inoshikachou, is that they haven’t been doing it long before Goku catches them. It seems that they were doing it in order to get money for the upcoming Tournament. Where’s is their martial arts teacher in all of this? Surely, this lends support to my theory that Tsuru-sennin wasn’t the most hands-on teacher and that Tenshinhan and Chaozu are used to being on their own.
The next time we see Tenshinhan and Chaozu is at the Tenkaichi Budokai. During the Tournament, we learn much more about them; but for now, we’re left with just a glimpse of these two mysterious characters. It’s a brief introduction, but a good one since the audience receives no resolution to Goku’s meeting with these new “baddies”. We will have to wait until the next arc to find out.
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