Dragonball Z is an anime that has spanned nearly 40 years of history and has an extensive storyline. For the most part, Dragonball Z has followed one timeline. Making it easy for a noobie to catch up relatively quickly. However, being the megafan that I am, I can’t help but wonder what moments would’ve changed the story and given us a completely different story. In this article, I am going to explore 7 amazing ‘What If’ scenarios in Dragonball.
1. What if Bardock defeated Frieza?
As we go back to the beginning, before the era of Goku and Vegeta, we see Bardock gain the power to see visions of the future through a battle with a Kanassan. In one of his visions, he sees the destruction of his planet at the hands of their boss. Bardock, determined to prevent the future, walks into a bar to convince a group of Saiyan warriors to help him fight Frieza. They ultimately laugh in his face and tell him that he’s lost it.
This scenario would’ve ended completely differently if Bardock had convinced his fellow Saiyans to help him. They could’ve killed Frieza and not gone extinct. However, that situation would be problematic since they would continue to ravage planets and sell them for a profit. They’d probably have more of an ego since they killed Frieza.
You can see the outcome of the scenario I mentioned play out in this video by Rising Fist. He creates and features these incredible videos displaying the what-ifs of Dragonball timelines, and he’s worth checking out.
2. What if Broly stayed on Planet Vegeta?
Now let’s say my first what-if played a part in this scenario. The Saiyans were 100% independent and free of Frieza. If the king hadn’t sent Broly away, I feel that democracy on planet Vegeta would be completely different. For one thing, I think Broly would become the king of the Saiyans by the time he was in his late teens. Broly rivaled the strongest Saiyans alive, Bardock and Vegeta, as a baby.
However, this scenario probably wouldn’t be the most ideal situation, since Broly would’ve been a psychotic tyrant ruler that nobody would’ve been able to stop. Luckily, fate didn’t play out like this.
3. What if Goku never bumped his head as a child?
Early on in the Dragonball Z series, Master Roshi reveals that Goku was originally an extremely violent baby when Grandpa Gohan found him. But after falling off a cliff and taking a smashing hit on the head, he becomes a peaceful, loving boy. As a result, this made him fail the mission that the Saiyans gave Goku when he was a baby, which was to wipe out the human race.
If Goku kept his composure and never received amnesia, he would’ve become the true embodiment of a Saiyan, a ruthless killing machine. I honestly think that he could have succeeded in his mission of wiping out all life on earth.The only fighters who could’ve rivaled him were Tien, Master Roshi, and King Piccolo. But I think that Goku, in his Great Ape form, would’ve easily overwhelmed any of them in a fight.
The people of Earth were fortunate that Goku’s personality took a 360 with a simple hit on the head.
4. What if Gohan kept training?
Gohan is by far the most hit-or-miss character in the entire series. Sometimes he’s the top G, and you don’t want to mess with him. On other days, he’s a wimp who buries himself in his studies. After he defeated Cell, he was in peak condition and easily the Earth’s greatest warrior. But from then on, his training was on and off again. He only fights when he absolutely has to.
Still, I wonder how strong Gohan would’ve gotten if he continued to train. If Gohan worked as hard as Goku or Vegeta did during those 7 years of peace, it would’ve been easy for him to kill Dabura and Majin Buu. It’s clear that Gohan also has the latent potential to reach new forms, as shown in Dragonball Super when he entered Beast Mode to kill Cell Max.
Akira Toriyama had always wanted Gohan to become the earth’s savior, but fans demanded that Goku return to assume the position. Unfortunately, he gave in to what the fans wanted. We’ll never know how great a fighter Gohan could’ve become if he kept up with his training.
5. What if Beerus never woke up?
Beerus usually takes century-long naps. But he woke up after 39 years (the same age as Goku) at the start of Dragonball Super. All this came from a dream he had about a super-Saiyan god. By just waking up early from his nap, he meets the Z fighters, and they have gotten a ton stronger ever since. For example, Goku and Vegeta transformed into Super Saiyan Gods and underwent several more transformations after meeting Beerus.
If Beerus hadn’t chosen to get up early, then Goku and Vegeta would’ve never used the dragon balls to learn about the Super Saiyan God transformation they were capable of. Thus, they would’ve used the same regular Super Saiyan forms and had trouble facing off against the powerful opponents in Super, like Goku Black, Moro, and Gas.
6. What if Krillin killed Vegeta?
Continuing on the 7 Amazing ‘What If’ Scenarios in Dragonball, we revisit the end of the Saiyan arc. Krillin has the option to stab Vegeta and kill him at the end of the fight. We see Goku beg his best friend not to kill Vegeta and let him live. He was under the belief that by being merciful to Vegeta, he would one day pay them back, and Goku was right.
Vegeta became one of Earth’s best protectors after that fight but was critical in shaping the Dragonball Z timeline through his actions. Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look at the following:
A. Telling Goku about the Super Saiyan Legend
In the Frieza arc, Vegeta tells Goku about the Super Saiyan transformation. As well as play a part in motivating Goku to beat Frieza and avenge the Saiyan Race after his death. Although Goku didn’t follow the advice Vegeta gave him, he achieved the transformation anyway to defeat the tyrant.
B. Helping Gohan Kill Cell
In the final moments of the Cell Games, all seems lost as Gohan is about to be killed. But in the final moments, Vegeta fires a blast to distract Cell long enough for Gohan to overpower him and kill the android for good. The Z fighter’s efforts leading up to this battle would’ve been for nothing if Vegeta hadn’t decided to step in.
C. Develop a Strategy to defeat Kid Buu
The Z fighters seemed no match for Kid Buu; all hope seemed lost. Until Vegeta creates a plan to have Goku create a spirit bomb using the Earth’s energy to defeat the villain once and for all. This was the best part of the Buu Saga, as Vegeta finally became a hero and accepted that the Earth was his home. He will do anything to protect it—even give up his life.
Remember that these are only his accomplishments in Dragonball Z, not even considering Super. None of this would’ve been possible if Krillin ignored Goku’s request and stabbed Vegeta in the heart. Overall, it was a great decision by Goku to spare Vegeta’s life.
7. What if Bulma never met Goku?
Probably the biggest what-if goes back to the very beginning of the Dragonball franchise. The moment Goku’s life changed forever was when he met Bulma Briefs, and she taught him about dragon balls. Which allowed Goku to go on countless adventures throughout his life and become the earth’s savior in the process.
It’s hard to imagine how Goku’s life would’ve turned out. Without the guidance of Roshi, Kami, and King Kai. This makes you think of how his life would have turned out. He most likely would’ve continued training, but chances are he would’ve never met Chi-Chi and started a family. Most likely getting killed by his big brother Raditz when he was in his mid-20s. Dramatically changing the story that we all know and love.
Was there anything I missed?
So overall, those are my 7 amazing ‘What If’ scenarios in Dragonball. Do you guys have any more what-if scenarios? Let me know in the comments. If you liked this post, check out my biggest secrets revealed in Boruto article. Thank you all so much for reading, and as always, until next time.
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