Disappointing Dragon Ball Plot Twists That Missed the Mark

10 Most Disappointing Dragon Ball Plot Twists of All Time

The renowned Akira Toriyama’s unique approach to storytelling has led to both legendary and perplexing moments in the Dragon Ball franchise. Here, we delve into the twists that left fans feeling bewildered and disappointed, offering critiques on each.

10. The Red Ribbon Army Arc's Limited Cast

Arguably, one of the most missed opportunities comes from the Red Ribbon Army Saga, which focuses exclusively on Goku. While the buildup of characters like Krillin and Bulma in the early arcs hinted at a diverse plot, the anime sidelines them, leaving Goku to handle the Red Ribbon Army solo. Although humorous, the lack of involvement from the Dragon Team misses a chance to enrich the storyline beyond just Goku's journey.

9. Androids 17 and 18's Diminished Role

The Cell Saga, although iconic, stumbled with the abrupt shift in its narrative focus. After setting up Androids 17 and 18 as promising characters, their quick absorption by Cell left fans wanting more development and engagement from these intriguing personas. Their potential dissolved as Perfect Cell, a less distinct antagonist, took center stage.

8. Majin Buu's Sleepy Detour

Majin Buu was anticipated to shine in the Tournament of Power, especially after an impressive exhibition match against Basil. Instead, he falls asleep, prompting a last-minute replacement by Frieza, leaving fans let down. This plot twist highlighted the show's tendency to pivot too abruptly, though in hindsight, Frieza did offer fresh dynamics to the arc.

7. The Forgotten Space Adventure in Dragon Ball GT

Dragon Ball GT set out with an exciting premise of space adventures featuring Goku, Pan, and Trunks. However, this promising storyline was short-lived with the introduction of Baby, steering the series back to typical Dragon Ball-style conflicts. This shift eliminated the potential for GT to explore novel narratives and creativity.

6. Goku's Goodbye in Dragon Ball Z

The ending of Dragon Ball Z remains controversial. The time skip before the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament was expected to rejuvenate the series with aged-up characters like Goten and Trunks. Instead, it concluded with Goku leaving to train Uub, an anticlimactic finish that left many storylines unresolved, unlike the appreciated closure in Dragon Ball GT.

5. Yamcha's Uncharacteristic Betrayal

The revelation of Yamcha cheating on Bulma felt out of character and served only to facilitate Bulma's relationship with Vegeta. Fans who were invested in Yamcha and Bulma's relationship in Dragon Ball saw this as an unnecessary character assassination, reducing a pivotal character to a mere plot device.

4. Tien Shinhan's Fruitless Challenge

Tien's confrontation with King Piccolo was built to be a significant moment, yet he never engages the king directly. Instead, his attempts remain futile, as seen when his Mafuba technique fails miserably, highlighting a frustrating pattern of sidelining strong supporting characters that Dragon Ball often succumbs to.

3. Gohan's Loss in Resurrection 'F'

Gohan's encounter with Frieza in Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' was a stark reminder of his decline since the Cell Saga. Despite his past triumphs, Gohan was easily overpowered by a base-level Frieza, an outcome that was a disheartening blow to long-time fans hoping for a revival of their once-favorite hero.

2. Future Zeno's Resolution of Future Trunks Saga

The conclusion of the Future Trunks Saga was an unexpected narrative decision. Zamasu's evolving threat ended abruptly with Future Zeno erasing the entire timeline, including the legacy built by Future Trunks. This all-encompassing defeat negated much of the emotional and narrative weight accumulated over the arc.

1. Gohan's Redemption Denied in the Buu Saga

The Buu Saga stood as a hopeful return for Gohan, initially built up with his Great Saiyaman antics and romantic developments. Despite this promising start, Gohan’s failure against Super Buu was a major letdown. His inability to capitalize on his Ultimate form marked his decline, overshadowed once again by Goku and Vegeta.

For fans and analysts alike, these plot twists prompt discussions about narrative consistency, character development, and the impact of improvisational storytelling in manga and anime. Although Dragon Ball is a staple of the genre, these moments reveal how even legendary series grapple with maintaining momentum and meeting fan expectations over time.

For further insights into character development and story arcs in Dragon Ball, visit Toei Animation and Dragon Ball Official Site.