Dragon Ball Z - No actual character development?

[90sDBZ]

In my opinion, Goku turned worse in DBZ, in DB, he would never allow bad guy to live, wanting to fight him again, so, instead of development, we have regress.

He let Piccolo Jr live partially so they could rematch but yes he definitely got worse in Z. At least with Piccolo he had the excuse that Kami would die too but with Vegeta it was just plain disregard for innocent people. Although I'd actually say him letting Frieza go is the only time he does so out of moral value rather than wanting a rematch even if it was a dumb move. I guess he was just determined not to allow himself to succumb to the rage of a Super Saiyan.

Anyway I agree with those who say Piccolo went through the most development. Anyone who says he didn't develop as a character obviously hasn't watched DBZ.

[Kid Buu]

Yamcha was afraid of girls, had to spend time with Bulma due to events of the Pilaf Arc, and overcame his fear of girls including having girlfriend(s) later on the series. So he has development.

Bulma becomes more of a caring person, in the beginning she was more selfish to the extent she was just using Goku as a sheild.

Tenshinan goes bad to good, but it happens a bit too fast IMO.

Piccolo goes from evil bastard to a mentor role for the kids.

Dende goes from being a shy introverted kid who later becomes more integregated with the group and guardian of Earth.

Son Goku goes from naive kid with a lot of power to becoming the greatest martial artist in the world. He also learns to aceppt his Saiyan heritege and that its OK to kil a foe, such as regretting not killing Freeza on Namek.

Mr. Satan goes from a selfish prick to being a good friend with his friendship with Majin Buu, Buu also develops from a bastard to a playful guy.

[Piccolo Daimaoh]

I'd say the only character with any interesting character development is Vegeta. But yeah, there is definitely character development in the series.

[mAcChaos]

Everyone had some character development in Z.

Goku - starts off hating his Saiyan heritage, eventually grows to accept it and be proud of it. Starts off being naive and merciful, eventually realizes you can't give everybody a second chance. He also becomes much more wise and far thinking as Z progresses, thinking of the future and how everybody will be doing without him.

Gohan - starts off as a little crybaby, gets trained into a warrior. Starts off a pacificist... stays a pacifist, but learns that sometimes you have to kill.

Piccolo - starts off as a demon in the Saiyan saga, becomes an uneasy ally, and finally buries the hatchet with Kami in the Cell saga. Shifts into mentor role in Buu saga.

Vegeta - he is probably the one with the longest running character development.

Anyway, you get the idea.

[Selcier]

Unfortunately, most of it has to happen within our own minds as there is limited characterization to work off of anyways. But I completely agree that it exists. However, I like that some characters' (mostly Vegeta) moral affiliation is not always clear.

Is Vegeta an asshole? Yes. Is it because he is a bAd person? Maybe. Is it because he wants to realize his goals? Yes. Will he do anything to get them. Maybe. Is he really a killer? I think so. Do i want to see jim change into a do-gooder with a kind heart? Absolutely not. And so on. But that's my take.

It seems as though that is why so many people have a different understanding of each character - the show allows us to see what we want.

[SaiyanZ]

I've always thought Goku developed. Especially when he found out he was a Saiyan, he had a nice character arc from the Saiyan to Namek arc. Not to mention some of the decisions he's had to make in the series, like not saving Piccolo initially against Cell, threatening Supreme Kai, not saving his sons against Kid Buu.

I'd say there is great character development in the Z-Fighters, and even some villains like Cell and Majin Buu

[Gonstead]

This whole thing reminds me of how my computer teacher described the series.

"It's about redemption" he said.

[Kendamu]

I've always seen Dragonball's character development being more like the development of real people. It's a slow and organic process that may not make itself immediately noticeable if you're always around that person. However, if you compare yourself from your childhood, your teenage years, etc. to who you are now, you'll see that a lot really has changed whether or not you remained basically the "loveable idiot," the "quiet loner," the "unbearable asshole," or even the "average guy." The neat part is that, when applying it to Dragonball, it wasn't usually done on purpose. Akira Toriyama's writing style and storytelling changed and evolved with the characters he gave fans every week for a decade. Because of that, his characters changed in ways he probably didn't actually mean for them to.

You could argue that that's the best kind of character development, but it's actually not all that great in the conventional sense.

[Rocketman]

Vegeta is really the only one with what I would call "character development" in Z. Gohan flip-flops to whatever the plot needs at the moment, Piccolo was magically a better person when he was resurrected back in DB, and nobody else in Z changes.

Also Tien's "development" is dumb and bad.

[matt0044]

but it's actually not all that great in the conventional sense.

Yeah, this sort of thing can be overlooked since a lot of series (Naruto, One Piece, etc) tend to spell it all out, plain as day. Not a bad way but still...

[Kid Buu]

This whole thing reminds me of how my computer teacher described the series.

"It's about redemption" he said.

You talk about Dragon Ball to your teachers?

Not DBZ, but I always liked "Goku Jr's" development in A Hero Legacy. It's similar to Gohan's, except the film ends before Goku Jr can suddenly flip flop his development.

[Gonstead]

This whole thing reminds me of how my computer teacher described the series.

"It's about redemption" he said.

You talk about Dragon Ball to your teachers?

Back in my last year of High School, my computer teacher had some episodes of the series on his computer. I asked if he was a fan and I think he said he was.

A classmate then asked "What's the plot of Dragon Ball Z?" and my teacher replies "It's about redemption".

[Kid Buu]

Well Derek Padula from this forum wrote an entire book on Goku and Vegeta's development in Z.

[mAcChaos]

I would buy that if there was a PDF version.

[Fizzer]

I would buy that if there was a PDF version.

You can get free ebook readers, and there's also a physical release.