Dragon Ball Super, the latest installment in Akira Toriyama’s celebrated battle shonen series, has helped push the franchise’s characters and storytelling to exciting places that would have seemed impossible back in Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. Many fans first connected with Dragon Ball Super as an anime, but it’s concurrently produced an ongoing manga that’s managed to go far beyond the anime’s Tournament of Power conclusion. It’s been fascinating to see where Dragon Ball Super’s manga has gone after freeing itself from its corresponding anime. It’s been allowed to introduce bold, new villains like Planet-Eater Moro and the Heeter Force, while also continuing to build upon the themes and narrative threads that were established in the anime.
Dragon Ball Super’s anime and manga tell the same story, but they’re not identical. Dragon Ball Super’s manga makes some interesting detours — especially during the Tournament of Power — that set it apart from the anime and help shine a light on different characters. Goku remains Dragon Ball Super’s protagonist in both the anime and manga. However, the exceptional Super Saiyan has been involved in some incredible clashes that leave a much greater impression in the manga.
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10 Beerus Brings Forward Goku’s Super Saiyan God Potential
Dragon Ball Super, Chapters 2 & 4, "Goku Defeated" & "Battle Of Gods"
Dragon Ball Super’s manga feels like it’s in a bit of a hurry to speed run through the anime’s introductory God of Destruction Beerus and Golden Frieza Sagas, the latter of which isn’t even included. Beerus, Universe 7’s God of Destruction, is one of Dragon Ball Super’s most important characters, and he helps usher in the bold multiverse concept that becomes essential to the series. There’s a lot to appreciate in Goku’s battle against Beerus, which features Goku in his Super Saiyan 3 and Super Saiyan God states.
The issue is that the fight feels rather rushed, and it reaches its end quite shortly after Goku ascends to Super Saiyan God status. It’s not nearly as suspenseful as what’s present in Dragon Ball Super or Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods. That being said, there’s still some gorgeous artwork — especially in the colored edition of the manga — that really helps this material soar. There are huge, expressive splash panels that celebrate Goku’s recent power upgrade that are extremely effective. The same is true with how the manga depicts Beerus’ Beerus Ball attack, which creates palpable doom as it dominates and fills the manga’s page.
9 Legendary Super Saiyan Kale Nearly Eliminates Goku In The Tournament Of Power
Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 37, "Awaken, Super Saiyan Kale"
Kale, Universe 6's Legendary Super Saiyan, is a fascinating figure who becomes one of the Tournament of Power's most dangerous competitors. Kale is a serious threat in Dragon Ball Super's anime, but she's substantially more successful in the manga, where she eliminates 17 opponents and is responsible for the erasure of Universes 2, 3, 4, and 10, whereas she only takes out five fighters in the anime. Kale explodes with rage and transforms into a rampaging Legendary Super Saiyan after she watches Frieza cruelly attack Caulifla and Cabba.
Goku steps in to help Frieza against this vicious threat, which leads to some playful and petty squabbling in-fighting between the two of them as they argue over who gets to battle against Legendary Super Saiyan Kale. Perfected Super Saiyan Blue Goku's battle against Kale isn't especially long, but it's a powerful clash that conveys a lot with a little. Curiously, Kale and Caulifla’s fused form, Kefla, focuses on Gohan, rather than Goku, in the manga's version of events.
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8 Goku’s Growing Super Saiyan Supremacy Gives Him The Advantage Against Universe 6’s Hit
Dragon Ball Super, Chapters 12 & 13, "Saiyan's Pride" & "The Winning Universe Is Decided"
The Tournament of Destroyers between Universe 7 and 6 is a satisfying precursor to the all-out multiversal mayhem that’s experienced in the Tournament of Power. Dragon Ball Super’s manga sticks fairly close to the anime’s version of events, but there are still some unique intricacies that separate them. Goku doesn’t defeat Universe 6’s strongest fighter, Hit, with a combination of Super Saiyan Blue strength and the Kaio-Ken Attack in the manga. Goku instead proves that he’s perfected the heights of Super Saiyan God power and that his version of this transformation is even stronger than Super Saiyan Blue Vegeta.
Super Saiyan God Goku puts up a good fight against Hit, who puts all of his confidence in his infamous Time-Skip attack. Goku effectively counters the ability through the brief use of a Super Saiyan Blue-powered God Kamehameha, which breaks through Hit’s defenses and earns Goku the victory. This is a simplified version of what happens in the anime and it doesn’t reach the same heights. It’s still a beautifully illustrated battle and Super Saiyan God Goku has never looked better.
7 Merus Helps Goku Hone His Growing Ultra Instinct Abilities
Dragon Ball Super, Chapters 54 & 55, "Son Gohan vs. Seven-Three" & "Merus's True Identity"
Merus is one of the Galactic Patrol’s greatest fighters, and it’s eventually revealed that he’s, in fact, an Angel. Merus’ intervention during the Galactic Patrol’s battle against Moro results in the Angel’s demise, but his sacrifice plays an essential role in the heroes’ survival against this apocalyptic menace. Some of the most enlightening moments in the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga is when Goku trains under Whis so that he can better understand how to harness and control Ultra Instinct.
Merus’ Angel experience is invaluable to Goku, and he wouldn’t be able to maximize his Perfected Ultra Instinct power without Merus’ training. Merus and Goku may not engage in a genuine fight, but it’s still top tier combat that humbles Goku and pushes him to think outside the box. This battle helps Goku truly understand what’s possible with Ultra Instinct. Goku cycles through his best tricks and transformations, all while Merus remains calm and holds the advantage against Goku. There are so few Angel fights in Dragon Ball Super that this training experience still stands out.
6 Fused Zamasu Is An Immortal Threat Who Overwhelms Goku
Dragon Ball Super, Chapters 24 & 25, "Son Goku's Evolution" & "Will It Be Goku?! Or Zamas?!"
Goku Black, Future Zamasu, and their Potara Earring union, Fused Zamasu, are tremendous antagonists who nearly wipe all mortals from existence with an extremely meticulous scheme. This fight is more of a free-for-all between Goku, Vegeta, and Future Trunks in the anime, but the manga features a more distinct delineation in combat where Goku Black targets Vegeta and Future Zamasu takes on Goku. Goku does the bulk of the heavy lifting against Fused Zamasu, but it’s Future Trunks’ godly healing abilities that give Goku a second chance against this immortal menace.
Goku’s restoration pushes him to Perfected Super Saiyan Blue for the first time, and he delivers a truly brutal beatdown on Fused Zamasu. It’s exhilarating combat and Goku nearly erases Fused Zamasu with the power of Hakai, only for Fused Zamasu to use Future Mai as a shield. This battle is only a fraction of the length that it is in the anime, but it’s pure suspense that never lets up. The manga’s incorporation of Infinite Zamasu is also incredibly different from what’s present in the anime. Here, an army of Fused Zamasu gang up on Goku until Future Zeno intervenes.
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5 Ultra Instinct Goku’s Battle Against Gohan Beast Delivers Father-Son Excellence
Dragon Ball Super, Chapters 102 & 103, “Son Goku vs. Son Gohan” & “A Legacy Toward The Future”
It hasn’t been easy to be a Gohan fan and the promising character’s endless potential has been repeatedly diminished in favor of an extended celebration of Goku. Dragon Ball Super’s Super Hero Saga finally amends this and puts Gohan back in the spotlight — along with Piccolo, no less — when they take on Cell Max and Red Ribbon without Goku or Vegeta’s intervention. Gohan achieves a magnificent metamorphosis, Gohan Beast, which gets a brief opportunity to test its power against Goku. The Super Hero Saga’s final chapters feature a cathartic sparring session where Goku challenges his son and sees how much he’s grown.
There’s no real sense of danger here, but it’s still extremely satisfying to see Gohan match Ultra Instinct Goku’s attacks and prove that he’s just as strong. Dragon Ball Super’s manga plays with symmetrical panel composition as this father and son duo take each other on. Gohan Beast is also a recent enough development that there’s still a lot of excitement that comes out of his grandiose transformation. A friendly fight between Goku and Gohan is the perfect way to conclude the saga, but it also evolves into a full-on Saiyan brawl as Broly, Vegeta, and Gotenks also test Gohan’s power.
4 The Fate Of The Multiverse Comes Down To Goku & Jiren’s Tournament Of Power Clash
Dragon Ball Super, Chapters 39, 41 & 42, "Sign Of Son Goku's Awakening," "Ultra Instinct" & "Battle's End And Aftermath"
Dragon Ball Super’s Tournament of Power is rich in compelling combat, the likes of which plays out very differently than it does in the anime. That being said, Goku’s deadly duel against Universe 11’s Jiren remains the most intense battle that concludes the competition. Jiren is a bit of a cipher who doesn’t receive much character development, but he exudes raw strength that overwhelms most of Universe 7. Goku’s concentrated clash against Jiren marks his first foray into Ultra Instinct power, which is a game-changing moment for the franchise.
Goku experiences both Ultra Instinct Sign and later a temporary form of Perfected Ultra Instinct as he calmly trades blows with Jiren. Dragon Ball Super’s manga really goes above and beyond with the artwork here and the fight is full of busy panels that depict Jiren’s efforts to take out Goku. There’s an austere nature to Ultra Instinct Goku that really gets to shine through the manga’s artwork. The fight’s climax, which involves crafty assistance from Frieza, makes this a stunning accomplishment in Universe 7’s teamwork. Goku is able to trust even his most hated of rivals.
3 Granolah’s Superior Cerealian Strength Triggers Top Teamwork From Goku & Vegeta
Dragon Ball Super, Chapters 73-76
Granolah is the last member of the Cerealians, a technologically-advanced race who were wiped out by the Saiyans on Frieza’s orders. Granolah artificially elevates himself into the big leagues when he uses Planet Cereal’s Dragon Balls to become the strongest in Universe 7, albeit at the price of a significantly shorter lifespan. Granolah doesn’t mind an early death if it means that he can properly get vengeance for his fallen people. Cerealians are exceptional snipers with evolved right eyes, but Granolah’s Dragon Ball boost helps him also unlock his left eye’s evolution.
Granolah fights with creative ki attacks that are reminiscent of a skilled archer. Goku and Vegeta’s battle against Granolah is full of compelling combat and painful attacks. It also marks the introduction of Ultra Ego Vegeta, which is no small feat. However, this manga fight is so memorable because it eventually turns into a psychological clash just as much as it’s a physical one. Granolah slowly accepts that Goku and Vegeta are not to blame for his mother’s death and he eventually aligns himself with them as they take on the true enemy, Gas.
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2 Gas Pushes Goku & Universe 7’s Strongest To Their Limits
Dragon Ball Super, Chapters 79-82, 84-87
Gas, a member of the mysterious Heeter Force, has been the Dragon Ball Super manga’s most recent original villain. Gas has evil intentions before he’s thrust into the spotlight, but he’s turned into an even deadlier tool of destruction. Elec uses the Dragon Balls to make him Universe 7’s strongest, which elevates him above Granolah’s recent power boost. Gas experiences several intimidating transformations, like his Inner Nature Unleashed and Awakened forms, the likes of which are strong enough to collectively overpower Ultra Instinct Goku, Ultra Ego Vegeta, and Full Power Granolah. Goku triggers True Ultra Instinct during this battle and it’s rich in creative choreography.
There’s a brilliant stretch of the fight where Goku just repeatedly uses Instant Transmission to take Gas to different corners of the universe and ultimately leaves him stranded so that the heroes have a little more time to build a proper battle strategy. Gas also fights with vicious ki weapons, restraint cubes, and telekinesis that add something extra to the clash. Gas telekinetically bombards Goku with entire buildings and even a moving train in his attempts to kill him. It’s a beautiful example of just how heightened Dragon Ball Super’s battles have become. In the end, Goku still isn’t strong enough to defeat Gas and it’s a surprise intervention from Black Frieza that takes out this threat.
1 Planet-Eater Moro Pushes Goku To Peak Perfected Ultra Instinct Strength
Dragon Ball Super, Chapters 59-66
Dragon Ball Super’s Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga is the manga’s first original story after the Tournament of Power and it does excellent work with its introduction of a genuinely frightening villain. Moro, a dark magic user who has been around for eons, borrows the best qualities from Majin Buu and Demon King Piccolo. Moro successfully uses the Dragon Balls to restore his youth and peak magical powers, while he also frees hundreds of nefarious criminals who challenge Goku and the rest of the Z-Fighters. There are many stirring battles throughout this story arc, but Goku’s ultimate clash against Moro is some of the Dragon Ball Super manga’s most satisfying material.
Moro’s use of magic, rather than ki, uniquely challenges Goku, and it all culminates in a proper awakening of Perfected Ultra Instinct power. Moro literally fuses together with the Earth so that he can properly utilize the Ultra Instinct power that he’s stolen from Merus. Goku takes on this planet-sized threat by wielding a gigantic energy avatar that’s a true spectacle. It’s the most triumphant and creative that Goku has been in a long time. Goku is responsible for this grand victory, but there is also crucial cooperation from Vegeta’s Forced Spirit Fission and even a small Uub cameo, which makes this battle even more special.
Dragon Ball Super
TV-PG
Anime
Action
Adventure
With Majin Buu defeated half-a-year prior, peace returns to Earth, where Son Goku (now a radish farmer) and his friends now live peaceful lives.
- Release Date
- January 7, 2017
- Cast
- Masako Nozawa , Takeshi Kusao , Ryô Horikawa , Hiromi Tsuru
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 5