The Dragon Ball fanbase is notoriously known for engaging in petty disputes over the series’ character scaling and cross-verse battles, which often escalate into heated arguments. Additionally, a considerable portion of the fanbase appears to be misinformed about various statistics concerning their favorite characters. This, combined with their personal biases, leads to discussions that often lack substantive value.
A recent example of this trend was observed on X (formerly Twitter) when two factions of the fanbase debated which character was more powerful: Vegeta or Piccolo. The controversy was sparked by a single frame from the film Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan.
This one frame led many fans to believe that Piccolo was significantly stronger than the Saiyan Prince at that point in the series.
However, this perception was wide off the mark for several reasons. A closer examination of their achievements, coupled with an understanding of the film’s narrative relevance, will provide readers with clarity on who the stronger character truly is.
Why Do Some Dragon Ball Fans Think Piccolo is Stronger than Vegeta in DBZ: Broly, and Why They Are Mistaken
This debate appears to have originated from a frame in the film Dragon Ball Z: Broly, where the Namekian manages to grab Vegeta by his hair. This screenshot led some fans to interpret that Piccolo was stronger than the Saiyan Prince at that specific time. However, a deeper analysis reveals this is not accurate for several reasons. Firstly, Vegeta, known for his unyielding spirit, nearly conceded defeat upon witnessing Broly’s transformation.
He realized that Broly’s immense strength was beyond his capabilities and it was rare for him to display such mental defeat. With more pride and resilience than many characters in the series, Vegeta showed a moment of vulnerability, prompting Piccolo to grab him by his hair and encourage him to face Broly. It was clear that there was no hostile intent in Piccolo’s actions; thus, Vegeta had no reason to fight back.
Even if we hypothetically suggested that Piccolo had the upper hand over Vegeta—which is not the case—it’s crucial to remember that the events depicted in this movie are considered non-canon. Though it exists within the same timeline, these occurrences were not part of the manga series crafted by Akira Toriyama. Therefore, comparisons based solely on this movie lack substantial grounding.
Furthermore, an examination of their respective feats can provide fans with further insight into why Vegeta is indeed stronger. It’s noteworthy that Super Piccolo, despite demonstrating remarkable power levels, was defeated by Cell in his initial form. When Cell was first introduced, he showcased considerable strength, still regarded as one of the most formidable villains in the series. However, Vegeta performed significantly better against Cell.
The Prince of Saiyans managed to overpower Cell during his second form, which is far more powerful than Cell’s first form in the anime and manga series. This clearly indicates that Vegeta possesses greater strength. This analysis arises from the debate’s initiators who compared feats solely based on the movie’s timeline, which is set just one week before the Cell Games Saga.
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