Every avid Dragon Ball viewer is aware of two key facts: firstly, that Goku’s power level was in fact “over 8,000″and not 9,000; and secondly, that if one is not a Saiyan, they hold no significance.
Sadly, despite how well the original Dragon Ball handled its wider cast, by the later sagas of Dragon Ball Z, most of the Z-Fighters had been left far behind by the Saiyans and were reduced to either cheering from the sidelines or appearing grumpy on Kami’s lookout.
Despite his impressive strength, even the mighty Piccolo was unable to resist the Saiyans’ overwhelming dominance in the story. As a result, he was ultimately sidelined along with the other beloved characters of Dragon Ball when Cell absorbed Android 17. At least he had the opportunity to pass down his knowledge of the fusion dance to Goten and Trunks.
Despite not participating in the world tournament, having a low power level, and lacking the ability to fly, one character remains crucial to the story of Dragon Ball. This character is none other than Bulma Briefs.
A thinker, not a fighter
Bulma may not possess a power level capable of shaking the universe or impressing a God of Destruction like some of the other characters, but she does have one thing that sets her apart: intelligence.
Consequently, she plays a crucial role in all three installments of Dragon Ball – Dragon Ball, Z, and Super. In the original series, Bulma takes the lead by creating the Dragon Radar, encountering Goku, and embarking on a life-changing journey with him.
If he had not encountered that fateful meeting, Goku would have probably lived out his days in the wilderness, never crossing paths with his companions, and never achieving the immense strength that propelled him to become one of the mightiest beings in the multiverse.
Despite the fact that ensuring Dragon Ball had a protagonist was enough to conclude the article, Bulma continues to be a faithful companion during Goku’s initial journeys, assisting him in defeating the Red Ribbon army and King Piccolo. However, it is in Z where she truly shines and establishes herself.
Without Bulma, Z would have come to a standstill after the Saiyan Saga. Her scientific genius was crucial in transporting the cast to Namek and constructing a vessel for Goku to reach the planet.
Bulma is the one who invents the gravity machine, which enables Goku to elevate his training and reach new levels of power. This proves to be beneficial for Vegeta, who later utilizes the machine and becomes a rival to Frieza.
Future Imperfect
If it weren’t for Bulma and Namek, the Z-fighters who perished while battling the Saiyans would have remained deceased, and Vegeta would have never had the opportunity to redeem himself and fight for the protection of Earth in later story arcs.
If Goku had not gone to Piccolo’s homeworld, it could have been even worse. Frieza might not have been defeated, leaving the entire universe vulnerable to his tyranny and potentially preventing the Super Saiyan transformation from ever being unlocked.
Without the most iconic transformation in the history of anime, it is impossible to imagine Dragon Ball. Bulma unknowingly played a crucial role in Goku unlocking his latent Saiyan power, ultimately narrowing the gap between the Z-Fighters and the impending threat of the Androids.
Bulma’s role is most crucial in the Android Saga. However, it’s worth noting that it’s not the same Bulma we know, but rather a duplicate from a different timeline in the multiverse (Manga can be perplexing, after all). Nonetheless, her role is still significant.
Without Bulma’s time machine, Trunks would not have been able to warn Goku and his friends about the impending attack of the mechanical monsters. Her creation prevented the Z-Fighters from being ambushed by an elderly man and a clown, thus saving them from being humiliated.
Fortunately, Bulma was once again there to save the day. While we could continue, let’s admit the truth: this article is becoming as lengthy as the epic showdown between Frieza and Goku on Namek. In essence, Bulma is an exceptional character whose role is crucial throughout the entire Dragon Ball series (including Super, where her time machine becomes significant once more). This serves as evidence that while the Z-Fighters possessed immense strength, they only had one intelligent mind. Bulma, thank goodness for her, was the brains of the operation.
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