Best plot twist in Dragon Ball?

[DB1984]

Inspired by a thread on GameFAQs, what would you say was the best plot twist in the whole series?

I'd say it was Goku being an alien originally sent to destroy Earth. The scene is especially much more haunting with the original Kikuchi score.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpF6XJVH_Wg (8:37-12:52)

[Doctor.]

Most of them are not properly set-up and foreshadowed, so they just seem like major asspulls when they do happen, regardless of how epic they end up being or how much they affect the story. But one I love even if it's fundamentally flawed is Future Trunks' first appearance.

[nickzambuto]

When Freeza revealed this wasn't even his final form four times.

[RedRibbonSoldier#42]

I think almost all of the "plot twists" are more like retcons and editorial advice

[Ajay]

In terms of actual, cannot be undone, hard-hitting plot twists, I think it goes without saying that the reveal of Goku's origins takes the top spot. We learn that he has a brother and that he's a member of an evil race sent to Earth to destroy everyone. His tail is explained, his personality begins to make sense as we learn what the Saiyans actually are. It's crazy.

Next up would probably be Trunks! Vegeta's son from the future comes out of nowhere and... his mother is Bulma?! That monstrous villain from the last arc actually became good enough to settle down and have kids with someone? That's insane! I think this is one of the twists that goes severely under appreciated. We're far too used to Trunks now. His initial introduction is amazing. I'd easily put it on par with the last example.

Personally, I've always found Kuririn's death to be my favourite twist. It's undoable, but it's still one of the most jaw dropping moments for me. It just comes out of nowhere. It hits harder than any other twist from the series. You have such an emotional investment in the character and his relationship with Goku at that point, that it just makes the whole thing all the more shocking.

[DragonBoxZTheMovies]

I've always loved the build-up to Cell's appearance and the reveal of the second time machine. Something about that part of the series is just so chilling and enjoyable. The way that it slowly unfolds is great, even if it is a bit out of left-field. Some great interactions between Piccolo and Kami, too.

Oh, and Kuririn being found dead after the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai. Still remember the shock after seeing that for the first time on Cartoon Network.

[Polyphase Avatron]

SSJG Goku losing to Beerus.

Who saw that coming?

[Neo-Makaiōshin]

SSJG Goku losing to Beerus.

Who saw that coming?

Literally, no one saw BoG subverting the generic DBZ movie formula.

[precita]

Vegeta turning good, especially after the Saiyan saga has him vow to kill them all even when he leaves.

[fadeddreams5]

Frieza being male.

[TheGmGoken]

SSJG Goku losing to Beerus.

Who saw that coming?

*raises hand*
As soon as I learn Toriyama is writing the movie I knew Goku would lose. Toriyama never lets Goku win unless it's Freeza.

Biggest plot twist:
Krillin's death. Omg especially in the anime when Goku was acting strange. Almost an eery feeling. Then when Goku didn't eat. Then suddenly glass shatters. Not Stone Cold but Krillin is DEAD. Wow...set up beautifully.

[Bullza]

That time when one of the good guys unleashed a powerful attack on the enemy then when the dust cleared they werent dead or mortally wounded but were actually unharmed!

[ThatGuyNamedChancey]

That time when one of the good guys unleashed a powerful attack on the enemy then when the dust cleared they werent dead or mortally wounded but were actually unharmed!

Jesus Christ, that cracked me up! Sigged!

[Super Saiyan Swagger]

Goku losing to Beerus a second time. We're so used to seeing Goku losing, then seeing him gain some sort of incredible power and then winning the fight, not in Battle of Gods. I sure as hell didn't see it coming and I'm so glad that it happened because it lead to one of my favourite scenes in the franchise, Goku admitting defeat. Followed by Beerus saying "Hey, Goku. 12 universes. More strong people. More Dragon Ball." And then Goku passes out from fatigue and happiness. I love that scene so god damn much.

[Cetra]

Gokuu being an alien from planet Vegeta.

[Marco Polo]

Goku dies at the end of GT.

[90sDBZ]

Super Saiyan 3. The fact that Goku had it all that time but kept it secret, and even lied to his friends saying he was equal to Vegeta, only to surprise everyone by announcing he had an even higher form. All of this, along with King Kai begging Goku not to use it, and Goku's own hesitation just made Super Saiyan 3 feel like this awesome, mysterious forbidden form. It was incredible.

Other honorable mentions that others have already brought up would be Krillin's first death and the first time we meet Trunks. I saw Z before DB, so I knew Krillin would die at some point but I didn't know how or when. The setup to it was just so eerie and perfect with Krillin offering to go and get the Power Pole and 4 Star Ball instead of Goku, and then Goku getting that weird premonition and watching Krillin run off into the distance and knowing something was off. Then suddenly it hits Goku and he runs off only to find his corpse. The music here by Kikuchi was perfect and totally did the scene justice. I'll admit it was one of the few scenes in the whole series that had me feeling misty. And it was a really shocking change in tone.

The arrival of Trunks was badass and epic, and the promise he made of unstoppable fighting machines that made even a Super Saiyan seem like nothing was really exciting. Even though the Android/Cell Saga kind of lost momentum and got a little boring around the middle, and didn't really pick up steam again until Cell became Perfect, it did start off with a very strong premise and some solid action early on.

[Cetra]

Goku dies at the end of GT.

But that was never unequivocally implied, nor stated. Whether you mean the final battle or him joining Shenlong.

[DBZGTKOSDH]

Goku dies at the end of GT.

But that was never unequivocally implied, nor stated. Whether you mean the final battle or him joining Shenlong.

Nozawa said that Goku died.

[ABED]

Goku losing to Tenshinhan at the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai.