There’s no denying that the rise of the Saiyans played an important role in the popularity and expansion of the Dragon Ball series.
It’s interesting to see how Dragon Ball has evolved since its inception, when human characters like Krillin and Master Roshi were involved in the battles.
The first episodes of the series highlighted a universe tied to realistic martial arts techniques, but the story changed with the introduction of Super Saiyans and supernatural powers.
The gain of Saiyans, the loss of humans
It’s no surprise that the more frequent appearances of warriors like Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan have led to a decline in the presence of human heroes. However, this transition allows Dragon Ball to further explore Saiyan mythology.
If attention remained on humans, it’s likely that the complex transformations of Saiyans would never have been explored as much as they were before. The focus on alien races added important layers to the plot, allowing the characters to develop in new ways.
Retirement: A luxury for people
As the plot progresses towards cosmic battles, human characters such as Krillin and Yamcha begin to experience a kind of “retirement” from the main conflicts. They are given the chance to live more normal lives, something Goku and Vegeta cannot do with their responsibilities. This contrast serves as a reminder that human heroes also have their own stories to tell, even when they’re out of the spotlight.
Impact on Goku’s story
When Goku was revealed to be a Saiyan, the series found creative ways to deepen his character’s backstory. Goku and Vegeta’s fight to protect Earth, a planet that is not their home, adds further meaning to their actions. This highlights the flexibility of the Saiyans’ identities, showing that they can be as “human” as natives on Earth.
Eliminate human limitations
Another aspect that is often overlooked is the gradual removal of human characters from the core of the battles, which helps maintain the series’ credibility. It will be difficult to convince when seeing a human facing villains of the caliber of Cell or Majin Buu. Relegating the human characters to a secondary role allows the series to introduce increasingly powerful villains without affecting the story’s internal logic.
The importance of people
Dragon Ball’s adherence to a recurring formula of new villains and epic battles makes the rare moments when human characters intervene all the more memorable. For example, the earthlings’ contributions to the Tournament of Power resonated because they were unexpected. This suggests that the series is slowly realizing the value of a diverse cast of characters and is taking steps, albeit slowly, to balance its approach.
