Dragon Ball Super Review
🐉 Dragon Ball Super: Beyond Gods — A Celebration of Family, New Cultures & The Saiyan Spirit
By a true DBZ turned DBS fan |
Dragon Ball Super — when it was announced in 2015, I was terrified. After the masterpiece that was DBZ, could this new series live up to the legacy? Would it ruin my childhood memories? But after watching all 131 episodes, both movies, and following the manga... I can say with confidence: Dragon Ball Super is not just a sequel — it's a love letter to family, growth, and the beauty of diversity across universes. Yes, the animation had rough patches. Yes, the power scaling is crazy. But beneath all the god-level battles lies the same heart that made DBZ special. Let me explain why.
🌌 A Universe of Cultures: Gods, Angels & Mortals From Every Realm
If DBZ introduced us to Namekians and Saiyans, DBS expanded the cosmos into 12 universes, each with its own unique gods, warriors, and traditions. This isn't just fighting — it's anthropology of the divine.
- Gods of Destruction & Angels: Beerus (God of Destruction) and Whis (Angel) represent a cosmic balance — destruction without malice, guidance without interference. Their Egyptian-inspired designs, Zen philosophy, and playful yet terrifying nature reflect real-world mythologies of death and rebirth.
- Universe 6 Saiyans: Planet Sadala, Caulifla, Kale, and Cabba — Saiyans who evolved differently. They are proud, protective, and family-oriented, not conquerors. This shows that even the same race can develop unique cultures based on environment and choices.
- Universe 11 & The Pride Troopers: A superhero-themed team led by Jiren and Toppo. Their sense of justice, order, and sacrifice mirrors Western comic book heroes, but with a tragic backstory (Jiren losing his family) that makes them deeply human.
- Universe 2 & The Kamikaze Fireballs: Magical girls, love-powered warriors, and flamboyant transformations — a hilarious and respectful nod to the magical girl genre. It shows that strength comes in all forms, even through love and beauty.
- Universe 3 & Mechanical Beings: Robots, cyborgs, and artificial intelligence — exploring transhumanism and the question: "Can machines have souls?" Their fusion into Anilaza was terrifying yet beautiful.
- Universe 4 & The Invisible Fighters: Tricksters, illusionists, and tiny warriors — representing that not all strength is visible. A lesson in humility.
The Tournament of Power wasn't just a battle royale — it was a cultural festival of 80 warriors from 8 universes. Every fighter had a story, a home, people they loved. When universes were erased, we felt the loss. That's powerful storytelling.
👨👩👧👦 Family Bonds: The Unbreakable Thread of Dragon Ball Super
Dragon Ball Super didn't forget what DBZ taught us. Every major fight, every transformation, every desperate moment is still driven by love for family and friends. But now, we see new layers — parenting, sacrifice, and the weight of legacy.
🔥 Vegeta: The Proud Father Who Found Peace
Vegeta's arc in Super is nothing short of beautiful. He went from "I will surpass Kakarot" to "I will protect my family at any cost." When Beerus slapped Bulma, Vegeta's rage exploded — not for pride, but for his wife. He trained Cabba not as a rival, but as a mentor, passing down Saiyan culture. And when Bulla was born? Vegeta became the softest, most loving father. His training in the Gravity Room with Bulla sleeping on his chest? That's character growth. That's family.
💪 Gohan: The Scholar Who Returned to Protect
Gohan chose to be a family man — a scholar, a husband to Videl, a father to Pan. Many fans complained he became "weak." But Super understood: true strength is choosing peace. Yet when Universe 7 needed him, Gohan returned. His fight against Dyspo, his reunion with Piccolo, his determination to protect Pan's future — that's the Gohan we love. He proved you can be both a gentle father AND a fierce warrior.
🤝 Piccolo: The Eternal Uncle & Guardian
Piccolo remains the ultimate father figure — training Gohan, protecting Pan, and standing beside his family. His bond with Gohan never faded. When Gohan called him "Mr. Piccolo" with respect, my heart melted. In Super, Piccolo becomes Pan's babysitter, teacher, and protector. That's not filler — that's family.
🏡 The Son Family & The Briefs Family: Growing Together
Goku may be oblivious, but his love for Chi-Chi, Gohan, and Goten is real. He fought Zamasu across timelines to protect his future family. He pushed himself to Ultra Instinct because he couldn't bear to lose anyone. Chi-Chi still nags, Bulma still builds, and their families remain the emotional anchor of the series.
✨ Future Trunks: The Tragic Hero Who Lost Everything
The Goku Black arc is heartbreaking. Future Trunks lost his master (Gohan), his father (Vegeta), his mentor (Goku), and eventually his entire timeline. Yet he never gave up. His final wish wasn't for power — it was to save his universe. And when Zeno erased his timeline, Trunks found peace in a new one with another version of his family. That's the definition of resilience and love.
🌟 Why People Misunderstood Super: The Fighting Is Still the Canvas
Critics say, "Dragon Ball Super has bad animation and power scaling." They're not wrong about the inconsistencies. But they miss the point. Super Saiyan Blue isn't just a recolor — it's the evolution of godly ki, control, and emotional maturity. Ultra Instinct isn't just white hair — it's the culmination of Goku's entire journey: letting go of ego, thinking with his body, and fighting to protect, not to dominate.
The Tournament of Power wasn't about winning — it was about survival, sacrifice, and unity. Android 17's wish to restore all erased universes? That's pure love. Frieza temporarily becoming an ally? That's redemption. Goku and Frieza teaming up against Jiren? That's forgiveness. These moments are profound.
Super also teaches that family extends beyond blood. Universe 6 Saiyans became brothers to Universe 7. Beerus and Whis became part of Goku's chaotic family. Even Zeno, the Omni-King, found friendship in Goku and Future Zeno. The show says: "No matter how powerful you become, you still need people to love."
📜 DBS Cultural Moments That Stole My Heart
- Beerus' Planet: A minimalist, divine realm with ancient Japanese aesthetics — sliding doors, meditation spaces, and Whis' staff that represents cosmic order.
- The Zeno Expo: A festival of all universes — warriors, gods, and mortals competing not for survival but for entertainment. It's chaotic, colorful, and beautifully absurd.
- Hit's Time-Skip & Assassin Code: A professional killer with honor — inspired by samurai and Western gunfighter tropes. Hit spares lives, keeps promises, and respects worthy opponents.
- Universe 2's Love Power: Ribrianne and her team transform using love — a parody but also a sincere message: love IS a form of strength, especially when protecting family.
- Master Roshi's Return: The old pervert we love — but in the Tournament of Power, Roshi showed wisdom, experience, and even achieved pseudo-Ultra Instinct. A tribute to martial arts masters who grow old but never weak.
- Goku Black & Zamasu: A twisted reflection of divine justice — Zamasu's hatred of mortals, his obsession with beauty, and his fall into madness. It's a philosophical debate about gods, mortals, and the meaning of justice.
Every arc introduces new cultural flavors — from the futuristic City of Light (Universe 11) to the organic, mystical forests of Universe 10. Super is a visual and philosophical feast.
💖 Final Verdict: A Worthy Successor That Honors Family & New Beginnings
Dragon Ball Super is NOT perfect. The first two arcs (Battle of Gods & Resurrection F) are better watched as movies. The animation in early episodes is rough. Power scaling makes no sense sometimes. But beneath all that, the heart of Dragon Ball beats stronger than ever.
Super gave us Vegeta becoming a loving father, Goku achieving Ultra Instinct through pure protection instinct, Gohan balancing family and duty, Future Trunks finding peace, and Android 17 becoming the MVP hero. It introduced us to Beerus and Whis — two of the best characters in anime history. It expanded the universe into a multiverse of cultures, traditions, and philosophies.
To the haters: watch Super again. Watch Vegeta hold Bulla. Watch Goku hug his family after the Tournament of Power. Watch Android 17 smile as he makes his wish. Watch Frieza reluctantly respect Goku. These moments are what DBZ was always about — family, growth, and the beauty of second chances.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (8.2/10) — Flawed but absolutely essential for any Dragon Ball fan. The highs are higher than any other anime.
To all Saiyan families out there: Super proved that even gods need loved ones. And that's the most beautiful lesson of all.
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