Summary
- Future Trunks has a tragic backstory that resonates with fans due to relatability and loss.
- With a unique design and fighting style, Future Trunks stands out as one of the best-designed Saiyans.
- As the only Saiyan who uses a sword, Trunks' fighting style adds depth and coolness to his character.
The Dragon Ball franchise has some of the most iconic characters in the entire anime/manga industry that have influenced waves of others who, themselves, have gone on to become extremely popular. As such, Goku is often seen as the blueprint for the typical shonen protagonist and Vegeta is looked at through a similar lens as fulfilling the quintessential shonen anti-hero trope.
One such character that Dragon Ball introduced who hasn't seen the same level of popularity as the previous two but still has a legion of fans is Future Trunks. Debuting in the Android Saga of the series, this character quickly rose to the ranks of fan favorite due to his incredible design, tragic backstory, and overall character motivations. So, let's go over Future Trunks and see why he is one of Dragon Ball's best characters.
Dragon Ball: The Saiyan-Tuffle War, Explained
The Saiyan-Tuffle War was a brutal conflict that reshaped the fate of Planet Plant and the powerful Saiyan race.
A Tragic Origin
Future Trunks has one of the best backstories
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First Appearance |
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 119, "The Mysterious Youth" |
|---|---|
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Debut Date |
December 4, 1991 |
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Story Arc |
Android Saga |
Often, what makes a character so beloved is the relatability they have with their audience. Though it is a tragic connection to make, Future Trunks sits very well within the hearts of fans due to how they were able to associate and relate to the loss he felt by losing someone he loved very dearly. As such, Future Trunks' timeline is littered with tragedy.
In the future where Goku dies of a heart virus shortly after coming back to Earth, the Androids awaken and see that there is no one powerful enough to stop them, which leads to the entire world being destroyed in their wake. However, among the surviving vestiges of humanity, Trunks, Bulma, and Future Gohan are the last of the Z-Fighters to be left alive, which does a great job of showing how strong the bond is between these 3.
How do you think my master Gohan felt when you ganged up on him in the rain and he had no way out? Well, now it's your turn. I hope you enjoy it!
However, at some point, Gohan faces the Androids alone so that Trunks would not die too, which leads to his untimely demise. Seeing the lifeless body of his best friend and mentor awakens a rage within the young Saiyan, allowing him to achieve his own Super Saiyan form, which helps him in his journey back in time to rid the threat of the Androids in his own timeline by either discovering their weakness or getting Goku to travel to his timeline to help in defeating them.
Trunks has one of the best and most emotional backstories in the entire series, where fans not only saw a younger and more unaware side of the Saiyan but also got a look at an alternative version of Gohan. When he made his appearance in the current timeline, Trunks was shown to be very cautious, mannered, and wary, and through a glimpse into his past, fans immediately understood exactly why he was this way!
Dragon Ball: The Worst Designed Transformations in the Series
Transformations are one of the most iconic aspects of the Dragon Ball franchise, but not all of them hit the same way in terms of design.
One Of The Best Designed Saiyans
Future Trunks had the best design and fighting style
In Dragon Ball Z, Trunks had perhaps the coolest design of all the Saiyans! This is because of how unique it was, especially in the Z movies, where his short jacket had its sleeves ripped off, complete with a tucked-in black tank top underneath. Moreover, especially in the movies, Trunks was seen to have greater muscle mass than most other Saiyans, so it gave a far cooler and intimidating look to an already well-designed character!
This hardcore design doubled his coolness factor when in his Super Saiyan form. Trunks had unique hair, even for a Saiyan, with its white/purple hue which was already fairly long, which gave it a middle parting. Due to this hairstyle, Trunks' Super Saiyan form got very spikey hair that stood up from both sides which, when taken with his already bulky frame, made him look very similar to Broly!
What many tend to dismiss about Dragon Ball is that while it is a series centered around fighting with different characters having similar move sets, there are actually quite a few styles of fighting! For example, Goku is a methodical fighter who uses finesse in his battles, while Vegeta is an all-out brute who wants to inflict as much damage on his opponents as possible. Trunks is the most unique since he is the only Saiyan who uses a sword!
In his first appearance, this was perhaps the thing that caught most people off-guard, but it significantly added to how Trunks was as a fighter. Using his sword, he made short work of Mecha Frieza and King Cold, showing that he was incredibly powerful, and he had a weapon that made him far cooler and detailed than he could have ever been without it!
Dragon Ball can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
Dragon Ball Z
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1989 - 1996
Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime series produced by Toei Animation and a sequel to the 1986 Dragon Ball series. It continues the adventures of Son Goku as an adult while also paralleling the life of his son Gohan. Son Goku typically defends the Earth from villains like Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu. The series is followed by Dragon Ball GT and then Dragon Ball Super.
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Creator
- Akira Toriyama
- Number of Episodes
- 291
