Dragon Ball is one of the most influential anime franchises in history, shaping multiple generations. Akira Toriyama created a story that is not only a timeless masterpiece but also a pillar of the anime community.
The series may have started as a singular journey, but it grew into something far larger, expanding into different universes and timelines. Dragon Ball evolved with its characters and power scaling, creating a story that remained thrilling from start to finish.
Now, it’s time for the franchise to evolve once again and set the stage for a new era of storytelling. With how far the series and the characters themselves have come, Dragon Ball has the opportunity to build upon its legacy in ways that can make the story greater than ever before.
Son Goku Is One of Anime’s Most Iconic Protagonists
When Goku was first introduced to audiences along with Dragon Ball, he quickly stood out as a curious, energetic boy in a series that blended humor, martial arts, and adventure. Rather than following traditional tropes for the time period, the story focused on exploration and personal growth.
In the 1980s, when Dragon Ball first aired, many action heroes were known to be serious, extremely muscular archetypes like in Fist of the North Star or JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Goku, however, subverted this as a small, cheerful, and determined character who can be naive yet optimistic.
This influenced countless creators to create similar protagonists who became known for their kindness rather than stoicism. Paired with Goku’s growth from the original Dragon Ball to Dragon Ball Super, the series completely reshaped what action anime could look like and proved that a lighthearted hero like Goku could drive epic shōnen stories.
To this day, decades after Dragon Ball first came out, Goku remains one of the most recognizable and influential anime characters in history. However, recent arcs might just be preparing audiences for a change in the franchise where Goku isn’t the one standing as the primary hero.
Other Dragon Ball Characters Are Inching Into the Spotlight
While Goku will forever remain a staple in Dragon Ball, other characters in the franchise have grown and evolved alongside him. Now, the series is filled with compelling warriors whose strength and arcs rival Goku’s, with some likely to argue that these characters surpass Goku in one way or another.
Vegeta is the character who stands out the most as Goku’s long-time rival. Their dynamic in the story is nothing short of legendary, becoming another major inspiration for fans and creators alike. Many believe that Vegeta’s character arc is the best in the series, standing out over Goku’s for its complexity.
Even Dragon Ball Believes Vegeta Beats Goku in the One Way That Actually Counts
Goku may always be Dragon Ball’s greatest hero and seem to be one step ahead of Vegeta, but there is one thing Goku cannot hope to surpass.
However, with his Ultra Ego transformation and new abilities, including the Forced Spirit Fission technique, Vegeta is now in a position to potentially take over the spotlight, even if only for specific arcs. His growth, determination, and popularity among fans make him well-positioned to dominate the spotlight, but he’s far from the only one.
Gohan and Piccolo have already earned their moment as the central heroes in Super Hero. Along with their new forms, Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo, the two are operating on a level higher than ever, placing them in the same ballpark as Goku and Vegeta. Similarly, Broly stands out as a character with immense potential and room for growth.
Goku May Not Be the Central Hero When Dragon Ball Super Returns
The growth and success of Dragon Ball’s secondary characters means that there is less reliance on Goku to swoop in and save the day at the last moment. This was best demonstrated in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, where both Goku and Vegeta played a limited role that was contained solely on Beerus’s world.
This film could potentially be priming audiences for more arcs where Goku isn’t the hero who saves the day in the end. Instead, Gohan and Piccolo proved that they were capable of carrying the narrative, and audiences reacted to the film with overwhelming positivity. The film also marked the first decisive win between Goku and Vegeta, falling in Vegeta’s favor.
New arcs could allow Gohan, Piccolo, Vegeta, or even potentially Broly to secure victories without any last-minute intervention from Goku.
When Dragon Ball Super’s manga does return, it could continue to build on this trend, allowing for other characters to dominate battles all the way to the finish line. New arcs could allow Gohan, Piccolo, Vegeta, or even potentially Broly to secure victories without any last-minute intervention from Goku.
It’s Time for Other Dragon Ball Characters To Take Charge of the Series
Goku will forever remain the franchise’s defining hero, and the series wouldn’t be the same without him in it. This was already proven following the Cell Games when the series briefly experimented with featuring Gohan in the starring role. However, Goku doesn’t need to be fully absent from the series for other characters to have the opportunity to shine.
Now that Dragon Ball is more than 40 years old, the series could benefit from changing its standard formula. Allowing other characters to stand as the central hero would be a fresh change of pace and could push the story even further, creating greater excitement and renewed interest among fans.
Shifting that responsibility to other characters doesn’t even need to diminish Goku’s legacy or his role in the story. In fact, it could expand it and lead to stronger character development that could make him into an even more thrilling hero.
When Dragon Ball Super returns and dives into future arcs, the possibility of centering other characters is not only thrilling but carries immense potential. With how much the series has grown since its origins, it’s time for Goku to take a step back, even if only briefly, to allow other major cast members to take the lead.
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- Latest TV Show
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Super Dragon Ball Heroes
- First Episode Air Date
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April 26, 1989
