Is the Dragonball cast too large?

[precita]

One of the biggest complaints about the franchise in general is how they handle character screentime. Dragonball tended to introduce new major characters every single saga, while still keeping most of the previous characters around, and thus all the characters wound up competing for screentime and some were inevitable pushed into the background.

Even in the Buu saga we already saw this happening. Piccolo and Krillin were no longer main fighters and were generally relegated to the sidelines similar to the way Yamcha and Tenshinhan were before them. Going before that, almost the entire cast from the original Dragonball besides Bulma stopped being relevant as time progressed like Roshi (until Super), Oolong/Puar, Yajirobe, Chiaotzu, and Yamcha/Tenshihnhan got pushed to the sides quickly.

I always figured the main and obvious problem was introducing too many new characters each arc. And now that every major character has kids, you have the kid characters like Trunks/Goten, Maron, and eventually Pan, Bra, etc. being included with the main cast too, especially if we ever go to the EOZ timeskip again.

What do you think?

[ABED]

Even in the Buu arc, Piccolo played an important role as a teacher.

I like Muten Roshi's role. He's less relevant over time, but given his experience and age, his wisdom is not only valuable to the characters, but to the audience.

Having lots of characters is manageable, but DB doesn't do a great job of giving them all something important to do. Even in a fighting show, there's value even in the weaker characters. They all don't have to be strong enough to fight the big bad.

[bleachguy]

A large cast is sometimes necessary to further the plot. Dragonball has been running for so many years that its understandable that the cast would become so large. Unless they kill off characters and keep them dead I find that it would be very hard keeping the cast small.

[Shinda Forever]

I think Dragon Ball cast has too many saiyajins, that's the problem, the others would be fine if they were given power ups as well and special training. One Piece has 9 characters and all of them get an opponent to beat and all of them contribute to the team, unfortunately, in db super things don't happen this way and as a result too much potential is wasted.

[ABED]

I've never seen One Piece but I can't imagine the power scaling is anything like it is in DB. It's comparatively easier to give a supporting cast of an adventure series each something important to do than it would be in something like DB.

[DragonBallKing]

I've never seen One Piece but I can't imagine the power scaling is anything like it is in DB. It's comparatively easier to give a supporting cast of an adventure series each something important to do than it would be in something like DB.

Which is why characters need to play a certain role to stay relevant, Nami is the navigator on the ship but very weak combat wise compared to the monster trio luffy sanji zoro, same how blooma has stayed relevant through her wealth and scientific knowledge. If a character doesn't have a special skill that can't be gained with raw power they are pushed to the side. One piece has manged to make all 9 crew members useful and relevant in some way.

[ABED]

I've never seen One Piece but I can't imagine the power scaling is anything like it is in DB. It's comparatively easier to give a supporting cast of an adventure series each something important to do than it would be in something like DB.

Which is why characters need to play a certain role to stay relevant, Nami is the navigator on the ship but very weak combat wise compared to the monster trio luffy sanji zoro, same how blooma has stayed relevant through her wealth and scientific knowledge. If a character doesn't have a special skill that can't be gained with raw power they are pushed to the side. One piece has manged to make all 9 crew members useful and relevant in some way.

They are two different types of shows. One Piece is an adventure show. DB is a martial arts show where it is all about strength. With the numerous transformations, the gap between the humans and the Saiyans has become too wide. The reason arcs like the Freeza arc were able to put Kuririn and Gohan to such good use was because of the DB's. Gathering the DB's isn't predicated on strength.

[Envy]

I think Dragon Ball cast has too many saiyajins, that's the problem, the others would be fine if they were given power ups as well and special training. One Piece has 9 characters and all of them get an opponent to beat and all of them contribute to the team, unfortunately, in db super things don't happen this way and as a result too much potential is wasted.

I would understand this complaint in general, but then you point specifically at Dragon Ball Super. I'm just sitting here thinking of the cast that is fighting in the Tournament of Power, which includes a few of the human characters. The ToP arc could have been set up so they only needed five warriors or so, focusing only on the most powerful of the Z cast, but they didn't. They made it ten and included a wide variety of characters.

Now there is still room for complaints, but when you compare to One Piece's crew members all getting a character to fight, that's kind of the road I believe they're going down with the ToP arc (one on one battles may not happen for all fighters, but still they're active in the ring).

[Shinda Forever]

I think Dragon Ball cast has too many saiyajins, that's the problem, the others would be fine if they were given power ups as well and special training. One Piece has 9 characters and all of them get an opponent to beat and all of them contribute to the team, unfortunately, in db super things don't happen this way and as a result too much potential is wasted.

I would understand this complaint in general, but then you point specifically at Dragon Ball Super. I'm just sitting here thinking of the cast that is fighting in the Tournament of Power, which includes a few of the human characters. The ToP arc could have been set up so they only needed five warriors or so, focusing only on the most powerful of the Z cast, but they didn't. They made it ten and included a wide variety of characters.

Now there is still room for complaints, but when you compare to One Piece's crew members all getting a character to fight, that's kind of the road I believe they're going down with the ToP arc (one on one battles may not happen for all fighters, but still they're active in the ring).

So what if they included them in the team, if in the end they don't have any significant battle? Kuririn is the only earthling being hyped for the tournament and Tenshinhan was treated like a clown on the recruitment arc and Roshi may get some moments to shine but that's it. I don't believe that they all will get a character to fight, actually, it is very likely Piccolo will be used to help Gohan and nothing more. If one on one battles don't happen, the whole tournament will be shit.

[sintzu]

One Piece has 9 characters and all of them get an opponent to beat and all of them contribute to the team, unfortunately, in db super things don't happen this way and as a result too much potential is wasted.

The difference is that those opponents are just henchmen that 9/10 Luffy could beat if he wasn't fighting the main villain. When fans say they want a character to shine they don't mean against someone they won't remember, they want a Gohan vs Cell, Vegeta vs Black, Piccolo vs Raditz, etc. They want them to fight and beat villains that matter which as of now, I haven't seen in One Piece.

Naruto is another great example of this, You've got Sasuke fighting and taking down main characters left and right, Jiraya's fight with Pain, Sakura and Shiu's with Sasuri, Kakashi's with Zabuza, Gaara's with Kimimaru and Deidara, etc. Naruto is another great and even better example than DB at how to use supporting characters.

Out of the 3, I'd say One Piece is the worse at using characters in a major way.

[TheGodfather93]

One Piece has 9 characters and all of them get an opponent to beat and all of them contribute to the team, unfortunately, in db super things don't happen this way and as a result too much potential is wasted.

The difference is that those opponents are just henchmen that 9/10 Luffy could beat if he wasn't fighting the main villain. When fans say they want a character to shine they don't mean against someone they won't remember, they want a Gohan vs Cell, Vegeta vs Black, Piccolo vs Raditz, etc. They want them to fight and beat villains that matter which as of now, I haven't seen in One Piece.

Naruto is another great example of this, You've got Sasuke fighting and taking down main characters left and right, Jiraya's fight with Pain, Sakura and Shiu's with Sasuri, Kakashi's with Zabuza, Gaara's with Kimimaru and Deidara, etc. Naruto is another great and even better example than DB at how to use supporting characters.

Out of the 3, I'd say One Piece is the worse at using characters in a major way.

I respectfully disagree. In One Piece, the side cast does more than just fight the main villain's henchmen. Oftentimes, their actions are vital to the story's progression. This was particularly notable in the [spoiler]Enies Lobby arc.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]In Enies Lobby, the entire crew had to fight CP9 members in order to find the correct key for Robin's handcuffs. While Luffy could've beaten each CP9 member individually, it would've been impossible for him to do so and still have time to find the key, especially if they were spread out. Also, without Sanji messing with the currents around the Gate of Justice, the Straw Hats probably wouldn't have been able to escape. This arc, which was one of the biggest pre-timeskip, was a perfect example of teamwork, and just about every side character had a part to play.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Since the timeskip, the Strawhats have had to split up several times throughout the various arcs in order to accomplish individual tasks, as the conflicts couldn't just be resolved by beating the main bad guys. This was taken even further in the Dressrosa and Whole Cake Island arcs, where the crew had to split up to travel to separate islands, putting even more importance on the crew members who aren't Luffy. And if you want to talk about fighting, then Luffy might not have beaten Cracker in the latest arc without Nami's (one of the "weakest" crew members) help.[/spoiler]

With that said, however, One Piece can't really be compared to Dragon Ball, as despite them both being shounen, the former is more of an adventure series while the latter is more of a martial arts series, and as such puts way more emphasis on the fighting. While they are both formulaic to a degree, in One Piece the side characters are utilised a lot better imo, as they actually end up being useful in varying ways. In Dragon Ball (more so the Z portion of the series), aside from a few instances like the Budokais, the Dragon Ball hunt on Namek, and Gohan vs Cell, the arcs generally tend to revolve around the Z Warriors doing their best to stop the main antagonist and getting beaten up in the process, until Goku swoops in and saves the day.

[sintzu]

With that said, however, One Piece can't really be compared to Dragon Ball, as despite them both being shounen, the former is more of an adventure series while the latter is more of a martial arts series, and as such puts way more emphasis on the fighting.

I was talking about the fights only which I may not have been clear on but I do agree that One Piece manages to keep everyone involved in other ways beyond fighting. I've only seen up till the end of Thriller Bark so that might've changed later.

[Shinda Forever]

One Piece has 9 characters and all of them get an opponent to beat and all of them contribute to the team, unfortunately, in db super things don't happen this way and as a result too much potential is wasted.

The difference is that those opponents are just henchmen that 9/10 Luffy could beat if he wasn't fighting the main villain. When fans say they want a character to shine they don't mean against someone they won't remember, they want a Gohan vs Cell, Vegeta vs Black, Piccolo vs Raditz, etc. They want them to fight and beat villains that matter which as of now, I haven't seen in One Piece.

Naruto is another great example of this, You've got Sasuke fighting and taking down main characters left and right, Jiraya's fight with Pain, Sakura and Shiu's with Sasuri, Kakashi's with Zabuza, Gaara's with Kimimaru and Deidara, etc. Naruto is another great and even better example than DB at how to use supporting characters.

Out of the 3, I'd say One Piece is the worse at using characters in a major way.

They aren't henchmen, they are part of a team, a crew, besides, you are missing the point, the question here is that Oda is bright enough to create opponents that each character can defeat in a tough fight and yes all of them shine, entertainment isn't all about raw power and about one character doing everything while the others are there to work as cheerleaders.

You certainly never saw One Piece, the supporting characters had great fights as well during the series and the same is valid for Naruto in part 1, therefore, you don't even know what you are talking about. I know what you want, you enjoy one punch man lol where the main character beats everyone with one punch and everyone else is just a clown, just don't forget that Frieza is going to put Vegeta in his place.

One Piece formula is so bad, it is number 1 by far in Japan. It doesn't work so well abroad, because, the characters have terrible designs, otherwise, it would be number one as well. Saint Seiya is another example where a team of different fighters have always a great battle. It isn't all about Seiya. In your case, you want everything to be about saiyans, it is like a Justice League with only Kryptonians. That's just dumb and extremist.

With that said, however, One Piece can't really be compared to Dragon Ball, as despite them both being shounen, the former is more of an adventure series while the latter is more of a martial arts series, and as such puts way more emphasis on the fighting.

I was talking about the fights only which I may not have been clear on but I do agree that One Piece manages to keep everyone involved in other ways beyond fighting. I've only seen up till the end of Thriller Bark so that might've changed later.

And you are wrong again, all of them had great fights to remember.

[ABED]

Yu Yu Hakusho is a good example of something closer to DB, but it has a smaller cast. However, each of the main characters are given an arc that have nothing to do with helping defeat the big bad.

[sintzu]

You certainly never saw One Piece, the supporting characters had great fights as well during the series and the same is valid for Naruto in part 1.

I know what you want, you enjoy one punch man.

just don't forget that Frieza is going to put Vegeta in his place.

One Piece formula is so bad, it is number 1 by far in Japan.

It doesn't work so well abroad, because, the characters have terrible designs, otherwise, it would be number one as well.

all of them had great fights to remember.

I haven't seen all of it, just up until Thriller Bark. I've seen both Part 1 and 2 which is why I gave examples from both.

I've never seen it.

It's better than him beating some weak nobody.

It's the only other anime I'm continusly watching alongside Db.

I might be in the minority but I like their designs, They stand out from everything else.

The only one I really remember is Zoro's standoff against Kuma (the big guy at the end of Thriller Bark).

I may have given the impression that I don't like One Piece and that's not the case, It's by far one of the best stories ever written, not just in manga and anime but I would like to see more of what Zoro did against Kuma. I'm very far behind so maybe that will happen in the later arcs (does it ? (no spilers please)).

[ABED]

it is like a Justice League with only Kryptonians. That's just dumb and extremist.

Not a good analogy. JL isn't a series where stopping the bad guys is as simple as being stronger than them and the Krytonians are arguably not the strongest race in the show.

[ShadowBardock89]

it is like a Justice League with only Kryptonians. That's just dumb and extremist.

Not a good analogy. JL isn't a series where stopping the bad guys is as simple as being stronger than them and the Krytonians are arguably not the strongest race in the show.

Two words: SUPERMAN PRIME.

[Shinda Forever]

it is like a Justice League with only Kryptonians. That's just dumb and extremist.

Not a good analogy. JL isn't a series where stopping the bad guys is as simple as being stronger than them and the Krytonians are arguably not the strongest race in the show.

I meant Superman was the strongest member in the Justice league, therefore, following that logic all of them should be Kryptonians.

it is like a Justice League with only Kryptonians. That's just dumb and extremist.

Not a good analogy. JL isn't a series where stopping the bad guys is as simple as being stronger than them and the Krytonians are arguably not the strongest race in the show.

Two words: SUPERMAN PRIME.

He never heard of SUPERMAN PRIME or the Kryptonian invasion to the Earth.

[ABED]

I know what you meant, but it's not even clear that Superman is in fact the strongest and the DCAU isn't a story where stopping the bad guy is as simple as being stronger. DB is exactly that. I don't think the DB cast is too large, though I wouldn't be against some characters being written out. That doesn't necessitate them being killed off, but if the writers can't give them something interesting to do, they are taking up space.

[sintzu]

That doesn't necessitate them being killed off, but if the writers can't give them something interesting to do, they are taking up space.

I think keeping characters relevant in a meaningful way is not only a hard thing for DB but other shows in general. In order to do so the arcs always have to be long and full of characters which might end up seeming forced just to give the characters screentime instead of being long because they need to be.