Dragon Ball Super’s current arc emphasizes the importance of slice-of-life stories

Dragon Ball Super’s current arc, which retells the events of the Super Hero movie released in 2022, offers a refreshing perspective on the franchise. It demonstrates that the series doesn’t always have to escalate the stakes to maintain its appeal, as low-scale stories can serve its world just as effectively.

The arc kicks off with a manga-original prologue that focuses on Trunks and Goten, two beloved characters in the Dragon Ball universe. Inspired by the new superhero film “Cleangod,” the duo takes on the roles of Saiyaman X-1 and X-2, becoming crime-fighting superheroes. Unbeknownst to them, their escapades lead them to uncover a nefarious plot by Dr. Hedo, the grandson of Dr. Gero and the inventor of the Gammas and Cell Max featured in Super Hero.

While the prologue is relatively brief, spanning only three chapters before the main bulk of the Super Hero arc begins, it offers some of the most enjoyable moments in the entire Dragon Ball Super series. Trunks, in particular, struggles to balance his school life with his newfound superheroic pursuits while dealing with his feelings for Mai. All the while, he remains blissfully unaware of the larger sinister plot unfolding in the background.

These chapters demonstrate the flexibility of the Dragon Ball series. Throughout its history, Dragon Ball Super has faced criticism for the constant escalation of its scope and stakes, a trend that arguably began in Dragon Ball Z. This resulted in many supporting cast members being left behind, unable to contribute as significantly as Goku and Vegeta, who continuously grow stronger.

However, the Trunks and Goten-focused prologue challenges this notion. Although Trunks and Goten may not possess the same power levels as their fathers, they prove that they can carry a story on their own and have value as characters beyond their fighting prowess. This shift allows fans to appreciate the slice-of-life side-stories that focus on other members of the cast while remaining faithful to the spirit of the Dragon Ball series.

Moreover, the prologue to the “Super Hero” arc reveals Toyotarou’s willingness to revisit and reintroduce concepts that were previously abandoned. The idea of high-school-going Saiyan protagonists using their powers to become superheroes echoes the early “Majin Buu” arc, in which Gohan, Trunks’ older brother, adopted the persona of the Great Saiyaman while attending Orange Star High School. However, the original Great Saiyaman story abruptly concluded to make way for the central plot of the “Majin Buu” arc.

In these Trunks and Goten chapters, Toyotarou revisits and fully explores this concept, providing a satisfying resolution within the three-chapter prologue. This willingness to embrace low-stakes stories focused on the side cast raises hope among fans that other characters may receive similar treatment in the future. It presents an opportunity for these characters to play more proactive roles without needing to catch up with the power levels of Goku and Vegeta.

Imagine the potential of exploring underutilized dynamics, such as Mr. Satan and Majin Buu, as the former struggles to maintain his cover as the supposed strongest man in the world. A focus on Bulma’s day-to-day operations at Capsule Corp could shed light on her intelligence and business acumen. Yamcha’s baseball career, where a superpowered being dominates the athletic field among regular peers, presents an intriguing premise for both drama and comedy.

Additionally, a mini-arc delving into the neglected character Tien as he comes to terms with his eternal rival Goku’s surpassing power could provide the long-awaited resolution the character deserves. And let’s not forget Krillin, whose involvement in the police force was briefly shown in the “Super Hero” prologue, leaving room for further exploration in a broader arc.

Slice-of-life Dragon Ball stories have garnered significant popularity and are among the most beloved entries in the series. Whether it’s the iconic Z driving school episode or the interdimensional baseball episode in Super, these moments showcase the franchise’s ability to excel in a different narrative style. Surprisingly, Dragon Ball Super has been somewhat hesitant to fully embrace this angle. However, the “Super Hero” prologue demonstrates that low-stakes stories featuring these characters can work wonders even in a serialized format.

Ultimately, the success of the prologue chapters raises hopes for the future of Dragon Ball. It suggests that the franchise doesn’t need to continually expand its scope and raise the stakes to remain compelling. By exploring different character arcs and focusing on the slice-of-life aspects of the Dragon Ball world, the series can provide a refreshing and enjoyable experience for fans while adding depth to its diverse cast of characters.

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Master Roshi,Yamcha,Tien Shinhan,Chiaotzu,Son Goten