Unpopular DB opinions

[Demon Prince Piccolo]

My (most likely) unpopular opinions:

• Tien and Piccolo have better, more fulfilling redemption arcs than Vegeta, despite the arcs being much shorter, and (per my signature) Tien and Piccolo were both more true rivals for Goku than Vegeta.
  
  Frieza Saga Gohan is the best Gohan.
  
  King Piccolo is a better, more intelligent villain than Frieza
  
  While Goku's core personality is a constant, he has great character development throughout DB/Z, especially from the moment he meets Bulma all the way through the Frieza saga.

[Demon Prince Piccolo]

Following up:

• SSJ2 Cell Saga Gohan and Ultimate Gohan are the least interesting versions of Gohan in Z.
  
  I love Majin Vegeta, but it's ridiculous how he can kill a stadium of people as something of a mid-life crisis, and that it's somehow OK because he then self-destructs to fight Buu, and because the people can be wished back anyway. As far as redemption arcs go, Vegeta really got off easily when he's consistently been a terrible person up to this point.
  
  Yamcha is cool.

[Noah]

Toei sucks at writing plotlines when it comes to Dragon Ball so stories more character-driven are their specialty.

Nice joke, but no... Bardock: the Father of Goku had more depth that the man himself could bring for his own series and History of Trunks that was a much better improved version from the lousy attempt from Toriyama to explain a character's backstory.

[DBZAOTA482]

Toei sucks at writing plotlines when it comes to Dragon Ball so stories more character-driven are their specialty.

Nice joke, but no... Bardock: the Father of Goku had more depth that the man himself could bring for his own series and History of Trunks that was a much better improved version from the lousy attempt from Toriyama to explain a character's backstory.

When they have a base to work with, they're good but when it comes to writing their own plots, it usually turns out flimsy.

[MyVisionity]

I love Majin Vegeta, but it's ridiculous how he can kill a stadium of people as something of a mid-life crisis, and that it's somehow OK because he then self-destructs to fight Buu, and because the people can be wished back anyway. As far as redemption arcs go, Vegeta really got off easily when he's consistently been a terrible person up to this point.

It's ridiculous, but Dragon Ball is a ridiculous series.

Vegeta may or may not have gotten off easy, but ultimately DB is all about getting second chances. So it fits thematically.

I wouldn't say he was consistently terrible. I think he got less terrible with each passing arc. By the start of the Boo saga, I wouldn't even call him a bad person anymore.

[Demon Prince Piccolo]

I love Majin Vegeta, but it's ridiculous how he can kill a stadium of people as something of a mid-life crisis, and that it's somehow OK because he then self-destructs to fight Buu, and because the people can be wished back anyway. As far as redemption arcs go, Vegeta really got off easily when he's consistently been a terrible person up to this point.

It's ridiculous, but Dragon Ball is a ridiculous series.

Vegeta may or may not have gotten off easy, but ultimately DB is all about getting second chances. So it fits thematically.

I wouldn't say he was consistently terrible. I think he got less terrible with each passing arc. By the start of the Boo saga, I wouldn't even call him a bad person anymore.

A good person doesn't have a mid-life crisis equivalent of giving in to your evil nature and blowing up people. I used to see it this way too, but I would say Vegeta was still pretty awful by the time of the Buu saga. He just fell into a more domesticated role because Goku wasn't around anymore. Sure, there were slivers of goodness there, but I wouldn't say he was a good person.

Dragon Ball being a ridiculous series is why I accept it. That, and those were the first episodes I watched of DBZ, so I'm nostalgic for them; I still genuinely enjoy them to this day. And second chances is a common theme as well. That being said, fans consistently make more excuses for Vegeta's bad behavior than just about any other character in the series, simply because of how popular he is.

[MasenkoHA]

Porunga thought Vegeta was a great person but would Enma Daio?

[WittyUsername]

Porunga thought Vegeta was a great person but would Enma Daio?

Vegeta is considered pure hearted enough to be able to take part in the Super Saiyan God ritual, so there’s that.

[sunsetshimmer]

SSJ2 Cell Saga Gohan and Ultimate Gohan are the least interesting versions of Gohan in Z.

King Piccolo is a better, more intelligent villain than Frieza

Agreed 100% on both of those statements

[MyVisionity]

Porunga thought Vegeta was a great person but would Enma Daio?

Enma probably don't care whether someone is good or bad, just how they lived their lives. The only thing he decides is where your soul goes. Vegeta would have probably gone to Hell under normal circumstances, even if Porunga thought he was ok.

[nhienphan2808]

The reason Emma kept Vegeta is the same way Toriyama kept Vegeta : he was useful. Good or bad, he was Earth's second strongest.

[DBZAOTA482]

I love Majin Vegeta, but it's ridiculous how he can kill a stadium of people as something of a mid-life crisis, and that it's somehow OK because he then self-destructs to fight Buu, and because the people can be wished back anyway. As far as redemption arcs go, Vegeta really got off easily when he's consistently been a terrible person up to this point.

Yamcha is cool.

Actually, Vegeta went to hell after his sacrifice. It's only after he fought alongside the others against Kid Buu, squashed the beef with Goku, andwished back everyone (except for evil people) that he was considered a good guy.

Also, Yamcha is indeed cool.

[Demon Prince Piccolo]

I love Majin Vegeta, but it's ridiculous how he can kill a stadium of people as something of a mid-life crisis, and that it's somehow OK because he then self-destructs to fight Buu, and because the people can be wished back anyway. As far as redemption arcs go, Vegeta really got off easily when he's consistently been a terrible person up to this point.

Yamcha is cool.

Actually, Vegeta went to hell after his sacrifice. It's only after he fought alongside the others against Kid Buu, squashed the beef with Goku, andwished back everyone (except for evil people) that he was considered a good guy.

Also, Yamcha is indeed cool.

You're right on the point about Vegeta going to hell. I guess I notice a lot of Vegeta fans excusing his actions at the 25th Budokai in particular. Glad to see another Yamcha fan, lol.

[Lord Beerus]

I love Majin Vegeta, but it's ridiculous how he can kill a stadium of people as something of a mid-life crisis, and that it's somehow OK because he then self-destructs to fight Buu, and because the people can be wished back anyway. As far as redemption arcs go, Vegeta really got off easily when he's consistently been a terrible person up to this point.

Yamcha is cool.

Actually, Vegeta went to hell after his sacrifice. It's only after he fought alongside the others against Kid Buu, squashed the beef with Goku, andwished back everyone (except for evil people) that he was considered a good guy.

Also, Yamcha is indeed cool.

You're right on the point about Vegeta going to hell. I guess I notice a lot of Vegeta fans excusing his actions at the 25th Budokai in particular. Glad to see another Yamcha fan, lol.

Did Vegeta actually go to Hell? The last time I checked the manga, King Yenma just kept his soul intact "just in case" and gave him a body (a special privilege for those for certain people in the afterlife). At best, Vegeta was kept in limbo as his soul wasn't cleansed and reincarneted like the rest for... reasons.

[DBZAOTA482]

Actually, Vegeta went to hell after his sacrifice. It's only after he fought alongside the others against Kid Buu, squashed the beef with Goku, andwished back everyone (except for evil people) that he was considered a good guy.

Also, Yamcha is indeed cool.

You're right on the point about Vegeta going to hell. I guess I notice a lot of Vegeta fans excusing his actions at the 25th Budokai in particular. Glad to see another Yamcha fan, lol.

Did Vegeta actually go to Hell?

Yes. Vegeta was just lucky he didn't serve his punishment for long given the circumstances.

[WittyUsername]

Just to clarify, Vegeta was considered bad enough to go to Hell when he blew himself up to try and stop Majin Boo, but the implication is that he’s officially a full-fledged good guy by the end of the story, which the DBS era seems to support.

[Jord]

My (most likely) unpopular opinions:

• Tien and Piccolo have better, more fulfilling redemption arcs than Vegeta, despite the arcs being much shorter, and (per my signature) Tien and Piccolo were both more true rivals for Goku than Vegeta.
  
  Frieza Saga Gohan is the best Gohan.
  
  King Piccolo is a better, more intelligent villain than Frieza
  
  While Goku's core personality is a constant, he has great character development throughout DB/Z, especially from the moment he meets Bulma all the way through the Frieza saga.

I don't think they're unpopular at all. I agree with all of those.
Interesting how you draw comparisons between King Piccolo and Freeza. Never thought of those. To me, Freeza got less interested once he lost his politeness and sanity.

As for Majin Vegeta; from a character standpoint he''s not that interesting but he has a cool look and that's what attracts most people to his character.

[Demon Prince Piccolo]

I don't think they're unpopular at all. I agree with all of those.
Interesting how you draw comparisons between King Piccolo and Freeza. Never thought of those. To me, Freeza got less interested once he lost his politeness and sanity.

As for Majin Vegeta; from a character standpoint he''s not that interesting but he has a cool look and that's what attracts most people to his character.

Lol well I tend to see people constantly ragging on Frieza Saga Gohan for his hair, and for not winning against a big bad, despite the great character moments he had. Fans seem to automatically default to Cell Saga Gohan, despite him having next-to-no agency; I feel like he's so popular because of his cool look, SSJ2, and him getting the win . King Piccolo/Piccolo Jr. and Frieza are my favorite villains, so I suppose that's what prompted that comparison lol. But I do give the edge to Piccolo because his plan was sound and logical. He had less reason than Frieza (who knew of the SSJ legend) to believe that Goku would ever be a problem to him. And I love that he killed Shenlong. I enjoy the Majin Vegeta character arc (and, as you said, the look especially), but it's essentially Vegeta experiencing a mid-life crisis because he can't slaughter innocent people without regretting it later.

[Jord]

I don't think they're unpopular at all. I agree with all of those.
Interesting how you draw comparisons between King Piccolo and Freeza. Never thought of those. To me, Freeza got less interested once he lost his politeness and sanity.

As for Majin Vegeta; from a character standpoint he''s not that interesting but he has a cool look and that's what attracts most people to his character.

Lol well I tend to see people constantly ragging on Frieza Saga Gohan for his hair, and for not winning against a big bad, despite the great character moments he had. Fans seem to automatically default to Cell Saga Gohan, despite him having next-to-no agency; I feel like he's so popular because of his cool look, SSJ2, and him getting the win . King Piccolo/Piccolo Jr. and Frieza are my favorite villains, so I suppose that's what prompted that comparison lol. But I do give the edge to Piccolo because his plan was sound and logical. He had less reason than Frieza (who knew of the SSJ legend) to believe that Goku would ever be a problem to him. And I love that he killed Shenlong. I enjoy the Majin Vegeta character arc (and, as you said, the look especially), but it's essentially Vegeta experiencing a mid-life crisis because he can't slaughter innocent people without regretting it later.

Those are some excellent points. Gohan raging when Kuririn seemingly gets killed and overwhelming even Frieza is still one of my favorite moments in the show. You know he won't kill Frieza but there is that little sliver of doubt, especially when you watch it for the first time. Gohan during the Cell saga, character wise, isn't that interesting to me. He fights all the time and then suddenly becomes a pacifist, even when the world is at stake didn't click for me.

Piccolo killing Shenron and him and his clan causing the death of Kuririn, Chiaotzu and (essentially) Roshi was already a huge shock since death was new at that point in the series. Add to that King Piccolo killing Shenron (didn't think that was even possible) and it's one of the most dramatic situations in the entire show. I also 'liked' how Piccolo actually ruled the world for a while and how he kept everyone in fear by randomly destroying a city, one at a time.
Sure, enemies got stronger but as the series progressed, deaths became less dramatic due to the larger amount of fighters and the sets of Dragon Balls that could (and would) bail everyone out. It makes death seem way less important. When Kid Buu killed everyone it didn't have a lot of impact since we see the main cast chilling in the after life a few episodes later.

Putting more restrictions on the dragon balls would have made deaths more interesting. The only times they toyed with that was during the Saiyan assault, and every death meant something once Piccolo died.
While GT wasn't perfect, I liked how they used the curse of the Dragon Balls, both with the Black Star as well as the regular Dragon Balls later on.

[Demon Prince Piccolo]

Those are some excellent points. Gohan raging when Kuririn seemingly gets killed and overwhelming even Frieza is still one of my favorite moments in the show. You know he won't kill Frieza but there is that little sliver of doubt, especially when you watch it for the first time. Gohan during the Cell saga, character wise, isn't that interesting to me. He fights all the time and then suddenly becomes a pacifist, even when the world is at stake didn't click for me.

Piccolo killing Shenron and him and his clan causing the death of Kuririn, Chiaotzu and (essentially) Roshi was already a huge shock since death was new at that point in the series. Add to that King Piccolo killing Shenron (didn't think that was even possible) and it's one of the most dramatic situations in the entire show. I also 'liked' how Piccolo actually ruled the world for a while and how he kept everyone in fear by randomly destroying a city, one at a time.
Sure, enemies got stronger but as the series progressed, deaths became less dramatic due to the larger amount of fighters and the sets of Dragon Balls that could (and would) bail everyone out. It makes death seem way less important. When Kid Buu killed everyone it didn't have a lot of impact since we see the main cast chilling in the after life a few episodes later.

Putting more restrictions on the dragon balls would have made deaths more interesting. The only times they toyed with that was during the Saiyan assault, and every death meant something once Piccolo died.
While GT wasn't perfect, I liked how they used the curse of the Dragon Balls, both with the Black Star as well as the regular Dragon Balls later on.

YES. 100% on this; this sums up EXACTLY why King Piccolo is my favorite overall Dragon Ball villain. The little glimpse at world domination from him was utterly terrifying. The tone of that arc is dire and hopeless from the get-go, especially following the highs of the end of the 22nd Budokai. As for Piccolo Jr., we didn't get much of outright villainy from him, but the dramatic tension whenever his character enetered the scene, and just seeing his utter tenacity and resourcefulness against Goku during the 23rd, elevates him for me as well. Another issue later on with gathering the Dragon Balls is that it was no longer an adventure or a daunting task, since everyone could fly, or Goku could use Instant Transmission to gather them all up. The consequences of overusing the Dragon Balls in GT is an aspect I love (I like GT in general, which I suppose is another unpopular opinion lol).