Dragon Ball: Should Raditz Return?

Key Takeaways

Raditz served as an important villain in the Saiyan Saga due to his connection to Goku.
While many characters are resurrected in Dragon Ball, Raditz has never returned, sparking debate among fans.
Some fans argue for Raditz’s return for his character development, but others claim his story is complete.

As a long-time fan of Dragon Ball and someone who has followed the series since its early days, I’ve always found Raditz to be an intriguing character. His introduction as Goku’s older brother and the first major villain set the stage for some epic battles that still resonate today. However, his untimely demise left many of us yearning for more from this enigmatic Saiyan warrior.

In Dragon Ball, numerous characters have transitioned from villainy to heroism over time. This shift occurs either after their revival or a change in their mindset. For instance, Frieza, the franchise’s most evil character, fought alongside Universe 7 during the Tournament of Power. Notable examples of this pattern can be seen in Vegeta and Piccolo, who once aimed to destroy Earth but now protect it.

For quite some time, fans have voiced their curiosity about the potential return of a character whose absence from the main narrative of Dragon Ball has been noticeable since his demise – Raditz. Although Raditz is Goku’s only brother, his influence on the series has been relatively limited. In this discussion, we will examine Raditz’s role within the story’s grand design and consider whether or not he deserves another chance in the plot.

Raditz’s Role In Dragon Ball

What Purpose Did He Serve in the Overall Story?

First Appearance	Dragon Ball Z, Episode 1, “The New Threat”
Debut Date	April 26, 1989
Story Arc	Saiyan Saga

Raditz played a pivotal role as the primary antagonist during the Saiyan Saga and throughout the Dragon Ball Z series. His significance stemmed from being Goku’s elder brother and the embodiment of the Saiyan race, making him crucial to the narrative at that point. As a skilled and battle-hardened Saiyan warrior who had spent his life conquering planets for Frieza, Raditz was significantly stronger than Goku during that period.

In the end, he encountered his long-forgotten younger sibling in a confrontation, aided by an old adversary named Piccolo. There, Raditz demonstrated his remarkable strength by engaging both opponents simultaneously, sometimes even gaining the advantage. Later on, Piccolo recognized that his Special Beam Cannon was powerful enough to eliminate the antagonist, but required a substantial charging period. Fortunately for him, Goku managed to provide this charging time by battling and keeping Raditz occupied during the process.

Hey Kakarot! It seems like quite a while has passed since we last met. Given that your objective was to eliminate every indigenous life on this planet, I can’t help but wonder, why hasn’t this task been completed?

In due course, Piccolo unleashed his final blow, passing through both Raditz and Goku, instantly ending their lives. Although Goku’s adventures were still in their infancy, leading him towards Snake Way and training with King Kai beyond the physical world, Raditz did not return from death. It is worth noting that the Dragon Ball universe has a history of resurrection, making it a recurring theme throughout the series. In this world, many might joke that death holds little significance as characters often find themselves back among the living again.

This latter point holds very true, as almost every one of the main characters in the story has come back at some point, some even multiple times. This plot point doesn’t only hold true for the heroes, as evil villains like Frieza and Cell have been brought back into the story in one way or another, with the former being through a full resurrection after his death. So, this begs the question of why Raditz has been completely forgotten about.

Should Raditz Come Back?

A Case For And Against His Resurrection

The possibility of Raditz reappearing in the series has been a hot topic among fans for many years. Some within the fandom argue that since most other significant characters from “Z” have made a comeback to the show, it would only be fair if Raditz did too. On the contrary, others contend that he fulfilled his role in the story and any attempt to bring him back would simply be unnecessary fan service with no added narrative value. Here’s where we delve into these contrasting viewpoints.

The Case For Raditz Returning:

Fans think that Raditz’s story wasn’t fully resolved like other characters’, and they believe that by focusing on Bardock and Gine, the series is overlooking opportunities to develop and redeem Raditz. This could provide him with the necessary growth his character seems to lack.

In this scenario, Raditz might be the most suitable character to re-enter the storyline compared to other possibilities. If the plot requires someone to reappear, Raditz could work best. Additionally, his return could be as a villain, which would significantly intensify Goku and Vegeta’s personal involvement in the fight against their adversary. This personal connection is something that has been somewhat lacking within the series so far.

Heh. What a fragile breed of people.

The Case For Raditz Not Returning:

On the contrary, many within the community believe that Raditz should not reappear in the narrative, primarily due to the character arc Toriyama had initially created for him. Despite sharing a familial bond with Goku as his only sibling, Toriyama portrayed Raditz as utterly indifferent towards any brotherly feelings, focusing solely on fulfilling his role as a Saiyan invader. As such, Raditz completed his purpose within the storyline.

Additionally, it seems that for many viewers, Vegeta has become synonymous with Goku as the representative of the Saiyan race, and their bond is more akin to competitive siblings rather than any other relationship. Reintroducing this dynamic with Raditz would essentially be repeating a familiar narrative that fans have grown fond of in a different character.

Dragon Ball can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

2024-10-30 22:35