I see, sorry for the miss understanding. In that I can agree with you. While I like the dragons as a concept their execution is not very good. This has always been one of my problems with them. Magic in dragon ball is not the same as magic in say Warhammer. In Warhammer all magic comes from an inherently evil source, the forces of chaos, and because of this useing magic even for good is dangerous. In Dragon Ball on the other hand magic is no different then science, it is not inherently evil or good but a tool to be wielded. The dragon balls are are in a way and embodiment of that concept. They are not evil but anyone can use them. Its how they are used that matters.irreality wrote:I don't mind limitations: limitations are part of "magic a being magic a". All fairy universes have rules and consequences to encourage correct use and discourage incorrect use --all magic attracts both good and bad people. The Shadow dragons punish the very existence of the dragon balls and disproportionately discourage even the most correct use of the Dragon balls. That is my problem with them.Lord Freeza wrote:The dragon balls already have limitations imposed on them by their creators and they are scatter all over the world after every use. This was done to prevent them from being over used. Even without the concept of the shadow dragons the dragon balls were never meant to be used as a "get out of jail free card" for every situation by their original creators. Hell even without these limitations the dragon balls can bring misfortune. Just the mere mention of their power is enough to entice wicked beings to come to earth and namek.
The rest of what you said is not relevant to the argument I'm making: I'm not denying whether there are better or worse enemies than the Shadow dragons (debatable). I'm arguing on a meta story-telling level: Shadow Dragons are a bad storytelling element if you like the Dragon Universe being a magical universe where that magic can be good. They are a story tellling element *designed* to wrap up the story in a neat little bow by removing Goku and removing the Dragon Balls from the story.
I think I also understand what your saying; with that concept in mind something like the shadow dragons doesn't work because it goes against what the dragon ball are meant to represent and punishes you for using them at all. I agree with you on your point their. It is as you said "bad storytelling".
In a way Ultimate Shenron and the Black Star Dragon Balls are better concepts then the shadow dragons. You can have truly anything but that wish comes with a price.