Dragon Ball Super tells an epic story that’s divided into many different arcs across its anime, movies, and manga, but some hit harder than others.
Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball Super has produced 131 episodes, two feature films, and close to 100 manga chapters, which have covered a lot of ground since the sequel series’ debut. Past Dragon Ball series can be somewhat repetitive in nature and Dragon Ball Super carefully combines original ideas with soothing nostalgia and familiar faces.
Dragon Ball Super is currently at a bit of a standstill while fans wait for the manga to surpass the events of the anime’s newest movie. New material is on the way, and it’s never been a better time to assess Dragon Ball Super‘s arcs and see where they all rank.
10. Copy-Vegeta
Dragon Ball Super‘s five-episode “Copy-Vegeta” Saga is the series’ most disposable run of episodes. The Copy-Vegeta skirmish suffers from being the shortest arc in the series, but it’s also largely played for laughs. Dragon Ball Super follows Goten and Trunks as they stow away on Monaka’s delivery truck and find themselves on Planet Potaufeu.
Planet Potaufeu is the home of a dangerous sentient liquid that has the ability to co-opt host bodies and create deadly duplicates. Vegeta falls victim to this antagonistic ooze. Copy-Vegeta faces off against Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks before Goku arrives and gets a contrived opportunity to face Vegeta. Those who prefer Dragon Ball Super‘s lighter episodes may enjoy this saga, but it seriously humiliates Vegeta.
9. Golden Frieza
Dragon Ball Super‘s “Golden Frieza” Saga has a mixed reception due to the franchise’s choice to double-dip on the idea. Initially presented as a post-Dragon Ball Z movie, Resurrection ‘F,’ Frieza’s bold return is retold in Super‘s anime over the course of 12 episodes instead of an economical 90-minute movie.
Sloppy padding and inconsistent animation seriously drag down these episodes and present an inferior version of the events that happened in the original movie. There are certain highlights here, like the return of Captain Ginyu as well as Goku and Vegeta’s mastering of Super Saiyan Blue strength. However, another prolonged fight against Frieza, even if he has a new form, is diminishing returns for Dragon Ball.
8. Broly
Broly the Legendary Super Saiyan is a fan-favorite character who’s the centerpiece of three Dragon Ball Z movies but isn’t officially incorporated into the series’ canon until Dragon Ball Super: Broly. Broly is Dragon Ball Super‘s first feature film and a triumph in animation and action. Dragon Ball Super: Broly makes some important changes to the titular character’s backstory, but most importantly keeps him alive as an ally when the film is over.
Dragon Ball Super: Broly also marks the canonical debut of Gogeta—with Super Saiyan Blue strength, no less. Dragon Ball Super: Broly doesn’t receive an anime series or manga adaptation, but the events of the movie are at least briefly mentioned in the manga’s ninth volume.
7. Super Hero
Dragon Ball Super‘s most recent story arc is its “Super Hero” Saga, which subverts expectations through its smart decision to take Goku and Vegeta out of the spotlight. As a feature film, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero has a ton to offer through its return of the Red Ribbon Army, a stronger-than-ever version of Cell, and powerful new forms for both Gohan and Piccolo.
Dragon Ball Super‘s manga has explored this material in even greater detail and also given a lot to Goten and Trunks to do. All of this unique content and tonal experimentation is exciting for Dragon Ball, but some fans have grown tired of the manga’s prolonged approach to a story that they’ve already seen.
6. Universe 6
Dragon Ball Super‘s “Universe 6” Saga tells the first truly original story that wasn’t first a feature film. The “Universe 6” arc expands on the Lord of Destruction and Angel idea through the introduction of Universe 6 and the grander concept of a multiverse.
Beerus and Champa’s Tournament of Destroyers becomes a fun prelude to the Tournament of Power and these 13 episodes focus on dedicated combat with some appealing new characters that include Hit, Frost, and Universe 6’s trio of Saiyans. These fights all uniquely stand out and help Dragon Ball feel bigger than ever. The only problem with these episodes is that all of these characters return to fight later and much stronger than they are here.
5. God Of Destruction Beerus
Dragon Ball Super‘s “God of Destruction Beerus” Saga is first presented as Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, an 85-minute movie. Battle of Gods sets a new Super Saiyan standard through Goku’s Super Saiyan God transformation. Dragon Ball Super expands on this narrative as a 15-episode introductory arc that eases audiences back into Dragon Ball’s world, while also addressing new concepts like Gods of Destruction and Angels.
The “God of Destruction Beerus” arc suffers from the same animation shortcomings and bloated length as Super’s “Golden Frieza” Saga, but there’s at least a stronger story being told between Beerus and Goku. If nothing, these episodes contain Vegeta’s legendary “My Bulma!” moment, which has become a favorite among Dragon Ball fans.
4. Universe Survival
Dragon Ball Super‘s “Universe Survival” Saga is the anime’s concluding story arc that lasts 54 episodes, which is more than a third of the series. Alternatively, Super‘s manga translates these events into 15 chapters, which is still a particularly lengthy experience. Super‘s “Universe Survival” arc features Omni-King Zeno’s Tournament of Power, a battle royale between the strongest fighters across the multiverse where the price of failure is erasure.
Enjoyment of this Dragon Ball Super arc largely comes down to their affinity for martial arts tournaments. These episodes feature constant combat, unforgettable characters like Jiren, as well as celebrated new transformations like Goku’s Ultra Instinct. They also include some big surprises, such as the returns of Android 17 and Frieza.
3. Galactic Patrol Prisoner
Dragon Ball Super‘s manga has gone far past the Tournament of Power for five years and counting. The “Galactic Patrol Prisoner” Dragon Ball Super arc is a 25-chapter saga full of game-changing moments. Planet-Eater Moro is a truly terrifying villain who pushes the heroes out of their comfort zones like never before.
Moro accomplishes a full-on jailbreak at the Galactic Patrol prison where the Z-Fighters have their hands full with endless enemies. Additionally, it’s in these episodes where Goku first experiences Perfected Ultra Instinct and the overwhelming energy avatar that accompanies it, not to mention Vegeta’s inspirational trek to Planet Yardrat to master Forced Spirit Fission. It even fits in a brief Uub cameo.
2. Granolah The Survivor
The “Granolah the Survivor” Dragon Ball Super arc confidently picks up following Moro’s defeat and manages to introduce even more intimidating villains, Granolah, and ultimately, Gas of the Heeter Force. These 20 manga chapters help push Dragon Ball Super to new places through Vegeta’s deadly Ultra Ego upgrade, Goku’s reconnection to his Saiyan roots and a better understanding of his father Bardock, and a surprise appearance by Frieza, who proves that he’s now the strongest individual in the universe.
The “Granolah the Survivor” arc does get a little long in the tooth towards the end. However, the insight into Granolah and his Cerealian people as well as its unconventional ending are some of Super‘s most successful ideas.
-
“Future” Trunks
Dragon Ball Super’s 29-episode “‘Future’ Trunks” Saga is where it really comes into its own and goes for broke with some huge, unique ideas. The return of Future Trunks, one of Dragon Ball Z‘s most popular characters, gives these episodes an extra burst of energy. Additionally, the mystery around Goku Black’s identity is genuinely compelling and keeps audiences guessing until the end.
Nothing in this story arc is predictable, whether it’s the return of the Demon Containment Wave, Vegito, or Omni-King Zeno’s “get out of jail free” card. It’s also a rare occasion where Future Trunks gets to more or less save the day through his Sword of Hope instead of another generic Goku victory.
Source: CBR.com
