"Broly’s Growth as a Character!"

[Dragmobot12]

In my previous thread viewtopic.php?t=47745, I shared my idea of taking Broly’s development in a major direction, where he becomes a villain similar to his Z counterpart. Many disagreed, and now, after reflecting on their points, I see where they’re coming from. They’re right—there’s no strong narrative reason for Broly to go down that path because, fundamentally, he’s not that kind of person. However, I still think there’s an intriguing way to honor the Z-Broly fans while staying true to the Super version of Broly.

We all know that Z-Broly holds a special place in the hearts of many fans. Bringing him back would be exciting, but narratively speaking, it doesn’t quite make sense right now. Plus, let's not confuse things with Kale—she was essentially a female version of Broly in the anime, but she doesn’t really resemble Broly’s Legendary Super Saiyan form from the manga.

Here’s my idea: what if Super Broly’s story took inspiration from Norman Osborn/Green Goblin in the Spider-Man franchise? While some of you may not be familiar with him, many of you probably know that Norman Osborn is a fundamentally good man at heart. But inside him is the Green Goblin persona—an evil side that torments him, driving him toward madness and tragedy. This inner conflict makes Norman one of the most complex and tragic characters in comic book history.

Now, imagine Broly in a similar situation. Z-Broly could represent a darker, evil side of him that slowly consumes his mind. This "evil personality" could torment Broly, forcing him to confront the possibility of harming his loved ones while struggling to maintain control. This approach, I believe, is a natural evolution for Super Broly, and here’s why:

1. Broly’s Tragic Backstory
Super Broly, like his Z counterpart, is a deeply tragic character. He was exiled from his home planet and cast away into a desolate world, all because of the fear his immense power caused among his people. He and his father were left alone on a barren planet, where Broly was raised as a weapon for his father’s interests, deprived of any love or nurturing. These events set the stage for Broly’s internal struggles and help explain why his emotions and rage have always been difficult for him to control. He’s never been given the emotional foundation to truly heal.

2. The Focus on Mental Health
This is where the real depth of Broly’s story can shine. It’s not just about his inability to control his anger—it’s about the psychological toll his traumatic past has taken on him. His struggles could be framed as a mental health issue, and this would be an important avenue for Dragon Ball to explore, especially in today’s world where mental health is a more prominent topic. Broly’s past experiences would have contributed to the development of this disorder—an “evil personality” emerging inside him that he cannot control. This exploration would make Broly’s character not only more relatable but also offer a chance for the series to discuss themes like trauma, self-control, and inner conflict in a meaningful way.

3. Sympathy Through Tragedy
What’s crucial here is that this internal struggle wouldn’t make Broly an outright villain—it would make him a tragic, layered character. The Broly we know from Super is fundamentally good: pure-hearted, kind, and even capable of friendship. If Z-Broly's darker personality manifests within him, we would witness Broly trying desperately to control this malevolent force inside him. The key is that it’s not really Broly who is turning evil—it’s the remnants of the Z-Broly persona taking over. This concept adds layers of sympathy, as fans would feel sorry for Broly. It’s not his fault; it’s this evil side of him consuming him from within.

4. A More Complex Broly
This approach would deepen Broly’s character in ways that make him more than just a powerhouse. Much like Norman Osborn’s Green Goblin persona, Broly would struggle with a part of himself that he can’t escape, forcing him into moments of violence and chaos. This inner battle could elevate Broly from a simple character to one with deep emotional and psychological complexity. Fans would watch in suspense as Broly tries to overcome his darker self, torn between who he wants to be and the monster inside him.

5. Not a Villain, but a Hero Struggling
Rather than making Broly a straightforward villain, this storyline would make him a hero trapped in a nightmare of his own making. The tragedy comes from the fact that he’s not a villain by nature, but circumstances have driven him to this internal battle. The moments of violence and destruction that come from the Z-Broly persona would only serve to make Broly’s eventual redemption or control over his mind that much more powerful. Fans would not only fear this darker version of Broly but would also root for him to regain control and overcome the turmoil within him.

In conclusion, this idea doesn’t ruin Broly’s character—it enhances it. By introducing the concept of an inner struggle with a darker, uncontrollable personality, Super Broly’s arc would be more tragic, more complex, and more emotionally engaging. We would feel for Broly as he fights not only his enemies but the evil within himself, making him a far more layered and sympathetic character. It would make Broly a fan-favorite who is loved not only for his strength but for his humanity, and the tragedy of a good man fighting to hold onto his soul.

Here's a quick edit I made to see how I envision it.


https://files.catbox.moe/rvm6za.mp4

[Slangh]

The way I see it Broly is still the same character, only treated in different ways in the story due to changes in cultural perception.

As you basically said Broly has two sides: his regular side is passive, sad and repressed; his shadow side is destructive power and bloodlust incarnate. This is true for both versions of Broly.

In Z, his story is like that of a mythological, godlike character, which is very fitting with the "Legendary" title he gets. The tragic part of his story is that meeting Goku again is what sets him off, since he reminded him of how he suffered as a baby. It brought out his pain in an uncontrolled manner, allowing his rage to consume him forever. Thus he needed to be destroyed by the heroes; he's irredeemable after his transformation.

Super makes him less black and white. He lost the static status of the Legendary Super Saiyan; he's now a lot more human. Instead of Goku reminding him of his birth trauma, he has Baa's fur to remind him of his own love, which he also has for his father. His repression is not complete. He's not mute; he actually confides in people he meets, talks about his pain and how his fur is one of the things that keeps him sane. Likewise, his transformed state, while full of dangerous rage, still has room for other emotions. Goku comments on this and says he's not a bad guy. Learning how to control himself in this state already seems to be Broly's mission after joining Goku and Vegeta. Indeed it would be interesting to see him deal with this.