"Dragon Ball Super (Manga)" Official Discussion Thread

[JulieYBM]

Storytelling convenience really isn't a bad thing, especially when the purpose of the story really isn't an actual physical journey. I legitimately think that the decision to not include a Dragon Ball hunt was to keep the story from becoming too unwieldy, which is a good thing. We can't just have Granola go off and search for Dragon Balls for six chapters or whatever because that would grind the plot to a halt and wind up leaving Vegeta and the others behind. Brevity is being used well here.

[SupremeKai25]

Beerus ordering the destruction of Planet Vegeta is not really a retcon, because it doesn't imply that Frieza wasn't already planning to destroy Planet Vegeta too. It just so happened that their goals coincided.

[Magnificent Ponta]

Regarding the Dragon Balls on Planet Cereal: Monaito could've just as easily had 6 with him and Granolah could've swiped the last one after finding it, or he could've had all 7 and Granolah could've stolen them all from him, but the choice was to only have 2, so I doubt it's simply storytelling convenience. The idea that finding the Dragon Balls is anything more involved than a montage or a few throwaway references kinda went out with the Cell arc at the latest, anyway (on Earth, arguably the Piccolo Daimao arc, really), so I agree with those saying it's fine that they didn't dwell on it here.

As for the wider Namekian Diaspora, it makes perfect sense to me (even though the idea that the Namekians come from somewhere else entirely is an unusual detail, and I should hope for something more on that): even Nappa recognises by sight that Piccolo is a Namekian, and despite the implication of the Saiyans that they haven't been to Namek, Vegeta knows what they can do and Nappa knows they're generally no match for either of them - so it only seems natural for the Namekians to have enough of a recent presence in the wider Galaxy to be common knowledge among people like Nappa, when even Kaio thinks that their homeworld is barren. And likewise, it seems natural that any Dragon Clan Namekians might have had the same inclination as Kami, and create some sets.

[DiscountDabi]

Storytelling convenience really isn't a bad thing, especially when the purpose of the story really isn't an actual physical journey. I legitimately think that the decision to not include a Dragon Ball hunt was to keep the story from becoming too unwieldy, which is a good thing. We can't just have Granola go off and search for Dragon Balls for six chapters or whatever because that would grind the plot to a halt and wind up leaving Vegeta and the others behind. Brevity is being used well here.

I agree. Its no more contrived than a random turtle Goku finds happening to be friends with the man who trained his grandpa and happened to be the one who trained Ox King who Happened to have a Dragon Ball Wash up on his Island. Convinence is the backbone of fiction because without convinence there is no story.

[OLKv3]

I have no problem with Namekians being spread across the universe. They were space travelers originally

[emperior]

I agree that Freeza’a handling thus far is one of the best things of the arc. His presence in the universe is so important and his army so feared that he’s been central to the story without appearing once. That’s such good writing in my opinion.

And the Namekian lore fits absurdly well with the lore we know. I always wondered how Nappa and Vegeta could possibly immediately recognize Piccolo as a Namekian despite never having been on Namek.
Now it’s retroactively implied that they killed some Namekian on one of their missions... and it’s actually possible that they were both on Planet Cereal!

In Minus Bardock acknowledges Prince Vegeta as a pain in the ass to be in a team with, so it’s quite possible that the two were both sent to Planet Cereal, with Vegeta’s team probably being tasked to kill the Namekians, especially if there was a warrior among them.

[JulieYBM]

LOL, if we get a scene of Young Vegeta working with Bardock I'm going to laugh. ♥

[OLKv3]

LOL, if we get a scene of Young Vegeta working with Bardock I'm going to laugh. ♥

I wonder if we'll get a flashback. Toyo loves them, but Toriyama barely uses them

[JulieYBM]

LOL, if we get a scene of Young Vegeta working with Bardock I'm going to laugh. ♥

I wonder if we'll get a flashback. Toyo loves them, but Toriyama barely uses them

I'd love a fuller flashback to the fall of the Cerealites. Getting to see Vegeta and Bardock destroying them would be cool. Honestly, I think Vegeta just casually dropping that he actually knew Kakarotto's father would be funny. ♥

[kemuri07]

Guess I'll try to read this monthly with you guys.

Plenty of much needed world building in this chapter. I really hope that all of this will eventually lead to Super maintaining its own identity rather than cribbing from Z. Basically I'm hoping that Super can be more than fun nostalgia wanking.

I kind of agree with what some of you are saying about Beerus's interaction with Vegeta. Vegeta doesn't seem like he's grappling with guilt over his murderous past..in fact he seems to have made peace with it. He knows he's going to hell when he dies and doesn't even bother blaming Frieza for what he's done--his sins are his sins alone. So it leads to a lot of question as to what's keeping Vegeta from gaining God of Destruction powers. More importanty, where is this arc taking Vegeta from a character point? I mean, it can't just be leading into another bout with Vegeta's own insecurities about his rivalry with Goku, right? And I'm hoping that it's more than simply just getting another colored saiyan transformation. Clearly, this arc is separating Goku and Vegeta for a reason, and maybe Vegeta's training with Beerus will lead to a very different Vegeta than we've known.

Or it'll be nothing and we'll just get Super Saiyen Green.

[JulieYBM]

These last two chapters have been satisfying meals, which the Dragon Ball Super comic typically isn't. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more. Personally, I'm hoping Vegeta gets a Super Saiyan Purple form out of this but I'm also satisfied with Toriyama taking a page from Movie #20 and giving Vegeta that same darker shade of green.

[nato25]

Fun chapter with some info. Who knew Dragon Balls could be in sets of different amounts!

Finding out about the other ball from a TV news story though, pretty horrible. Hate stuff like that but I guess media uses this all the time these days. New dragon design was cool.

Surely this wish doesn't go through right? Shouldn't the dragon only be able to make Granolah as strong as the creator's power? That's going to be a problem for the world if anyone can just wish to be the strongest.

And did anyone else think when Granolah looked at the shelf that he was possibly referencing the Namekian Book of Legends! I got excited for a moment there.

[batistabus]

Regarding the Dragon Balls on Planet Cereal: Monaito could've just as easily had 6 with him and Granolah could've swiped the last one after finding it, or he could've had all 7 and Granolah could've stolen them all from him, but the choice was to only have 2, so I doubt it's simply storytelling convenience. The idea that finding the Dragon Balls is anything more involved than a montage or a few throwaway references kinda went out with the Cell arc at the latest, anyway (on Earth, arguably the Piccolo Daimao arc, really), so I agree with those saying it's fine that they didn't dwell on it here.

As for the wider Namekian Diaspora, it makes perfect sense to me (even though the idea that the Namekians come from somewhere else entirely is an unusual detail, and I should hope for something more on that): even Nappa recognises by sight that Piccolo is a Namekian, and despite the implication of the Saiyans that they haven't been to Namek, Vegeta knows what they can do and Nappa knows they're generally no match for either of them - so it only seems natural for the Namekians to have enough of a recent presence in the wider Galaxy to be common knowledge among people like Nappa, when even Kaio thinks that their homeworld is barren. And likewise, it seems natural that any Dragon Clan Namekians might have had the same inclination as Kami, and create some sets.

Additionally, we know that the Namekian Dragon Balls (at least) are made from shards of the Super Dragon Balls. Perhaps Monaito only had enough raw material to create the two small balls.

While Heata would have difficulty physically collecting something like the Super Dragon Balls, I can imagine a scenario where they might even set up a mining operation on one...but I'm getting way ahead of myself.

[Magnificent Ponta]

Additionally, we know that the Namekian Dragon Balls (at least) are made from shards of the Super Dragon Balls. Perhaps Monaito only had enough raw material to create the two small balls.

Maybe, but I think it's more probable they were created from scratch - Dende, for instance, mentions that he can carve brand new ones himself before choosing to just re-activate the old ones. So I figure Monaito may just not be as talented a member of the Dragon Clan as Kami or Dende.

While Heata would have difficulty physically collecting something like the Super Dragon Balls, I can imagine a scenario where they might even set up a mining operation on one...but I'm getting way ahead of myself.

This, however, is a super cool idea and I'd love to see that.

[PurestEvil]

I am actually quite excited for the new Namekian lore stuff ngl. I have always been interested in the history of the people.

[Hugo Boss]

You really should read the Manga again.. I think you missed a few chapters near the beginning of the ToP Arc... Don’t ignore actual evidence!

If you are referring to the Gods of Destruction exhibition match, there was a point in which Goku couldn’t comprehend what was going on, so he probably missed important stuff.

Come on man, he couldn't see what's going on when all of them are fighting. However, when Beerus was fighting by himself and used UI he saw everyone and commented on it

Goku may have a basic understanding of how Beerus fights from that time, but this basic info is all he could comprehend at that moment. The fight later scalated to a level he couldn't see through. As this new chapter makes very clear, Goku's reactions say he has no idea how strong Beerus really is. Honestly, this is a beaten dead horse for quite a time.

[TheSaiyanGod]

Honestly, I don't think this new set of Dragon Balls lessens the tension any more than other DBs have already done. I mean, the heroes have access to not only Earth's DBs (2 wishes), but also Namekian's DBs (3 wishes) and they even have a radar to find the Super DBs (literally the most powerful set that we don't even know if has a limit).

Since I doubt that the DBs of Planet Cereal are stronger than the balls we already know (and according to Monaito, he will not live much longer so these DBs will not last long either), this new set seems to serve more for narrative purposes and to expand the lore around them and the Namekians.

[DiscountDabi]

I think that a safe way to do this is that UI Goku is faster and more agile than Beerus but Beerus has more raw power and if Goku got taggd by him Beerus would win. That way Goku still "Surpasses" Beerus but not really.

[omaro34]

The part that caught my eye this chapter more than anything else was that Namekians come from a different realm. I really hope they expand on this and not make it a throwaway line.

Is Zalama the original Namekian? What realm do they come from?

Although extremely doubtful, I hope this means Piccolo will play a stronger role this arc. But i very much doubt it.

[LightBing]

Pretty happy with the lore expansion even if it doesn't feel very Dragon Ballish. Namekians are clearly special so this added background suits them.
I guess Beerus has been written to be even stronger, maybe? Every time they do it waters down BoG; Goku then really wasn't a "worthy opponent" at all.

There are some questions left unanswered.
Why didn't the Freeza Army do anything with the planet after conquering it?

How could the Heeters swoop in?

What were the Dragon Balls used for 40 years ago?

How will the Dragon go about the wish?

I don't believe the Dragon can just do it, it's not within his power. The best he could do is unlock Granolah's potential but I'm going to assume that wouldn't cut it.
I also thought he could switch minds with the current strongest but that seems also extremely unlikely.

So my prediction is he will tell us how and send Granolah on a quest. Likely taking advantage of this new Namekian lore, maybe visit this new realm or something.