Dragon Ball Arcs With The Highest Stakes

Key Takeaways

The Dragon Ball franchise evolved from lighthearted adventures to darker storylines with intense battles as Goku aged.
Future Trunks saga showcased a powerful psychopath and doomed realities, leaving heroes on the losing end.
Universe Survival saga raised the stakes in an epic tournament where losing meant erasing their universe from existence.

As a long-time fan of Dragon Ball, I can confidently say that the Saiyan Arc is undoubtedly my favorite saga in the entire franchise for setting the high stakes that defined the series throughout its run. Growing up with Goku and his friends, it was this arc that first showed us the brutality of the Saiyans and the vulnerability of our beloved characters. The death of Goku at the hands of Raditz, one of the weaker Saiyan warriors, was a shocking moment that solidified the danger they posed.

The series “Dragon Ball” initially unfolds as an exciting journey, where Goku teams up with Bulma in search of the Dragon Balls to grant her a romantic partner through a wish. Despite its initially playful premise, “Dragon Ball” evolved into something more intricate over time, incorporating battles, casualties, and revelations that added depth and intensity to the franchise, as Goku matured and the storyline expanded.

Over the course of this series, even with the presence of the Dragon Balls and other factors that lessened the tension as safety nets for when things went awry, the narratives grew increasingly grim. Remarkably, however, the franchise found ways to intensify certain story arcs by introducing new antagonists, grand battles, and occasionally rendering the Dragon Balls impotent.

8 Future Trunks Saga

A Powerful Psychopath Dooming Realities

Dragon Ball Super
Episodes: 47-76

In the gripping tale of Dragon Ball Super, the Future Trunks Saga showcases one of the finest antagonists in shonen genre, as it unveils the chilling psychopathy of Zamasu. At first, he appeared to be an ideal Supreme Kai contender; however, his loathing for mortals soon spiraled into a destructive ambition that was tragically embodied by Future Trunks’ despair-filled universe.

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of power that fused Zamasu wields. Time and time again, we, the Z fighters, are left reeling from defeat in battle. Although our enemy ultimately succumbs, this arc doesn’t allow us to taste victory often. Instead, it leaves a bitter taste as we grapple with the grim reality of doomed timelines.

7 Androids Saga

A Horrible Future Heightens The Stakes

Dragon Ball Z
Episodes: 119-139

In the narrative of the Cell and Android sagas, Future Trunks initially shares a grim vision of the future, serving as a prelude to the high-stakes drama unfolding in both storylines. This glimpse into a world without Goku and with most Z Fighters deceased, immediately conveys the magnitude of loss at risk if our heroes fail in their struggle.

Thanks to assistance from Future Trunk, the heroes manage to fend off numerous Android attacks, but they encounter several obstacles along the way, particularly as more details emerge about the gruesome incidents in Trunk’s world and its heavy loss of life.

6 Cell Arc

Hope And Bleakness Make For An Intense Ending

Dragon Ball Z
Episodes: 140-194

The Cell Saga is packed with thrilling moments, alternating between the high points and ominous menaces. This saga boasts one of the most satisfying conclusions among all anime series, culminating in a grand, epic fight that decides Earth’s destiny. Despite its tournament-like structure, Cell’s villainy never fails to remind viewers of his formidable abilities.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but be gripped by this tale that keeps me on my toes! The twists and turns never cease, leaving me filled with anticipation after each revelation, only for the rug to be pulled out from under me as I witness the villain unveiling new powers. But it’s the climax that truly shocks me – with most of our heroes down and out, Goku meeting his demise, and Cell regenerating anew, leaving an injured teenager, Gohan, to step up and see this battle through to its end.

5 Majin Buu Arc

An Inconsistent Saga With Heroes Constantly Incapacitated

Dragon Ball Z
Episodes: 220-227

Among the divisive storylines in anime, the Buu Saga’s quality might not consistently shine, but it undoubtedly maintains a high level of tension. This is due to its grim moments where Majin Buu appeared invincible, with many characters meeting their demise or being rendered helpless at various stages.

As a gamer immersed in the Majin Buu saga, it was clear that no other adversary loomed as large or menacing as the one before us. At that point in time, neither angels nor Gods of Destruction had been unveiled, making this villain seem like an omnipotent terror to the universe. It took the combined efforts of everyone for me, Goku, to finally vanquish this seemingly invincible foe at the climax.

4 Universe Survival Saga

The Most At Sake In An Epic Tournament Filled With Threats

Dragon Ball Super
Episodes: 77-131

When considering the immediate danger, the Tournament of Power holds significant impact because losing it results in the complete elimination of a universe. However, due to the abundance of powerful combatants and the structured tournament environment, there’s a tendency for participants to underestimate or overlook the gravity of the high-risk situation.

In the grand scheme of things, with the entire cosmos at stake, these battles underscore the catastrophic consequences of defeat, creating some truly awe-inspiring scenes that make this tale irresistible to revisit. Particularly in this tournament, each opponent presents unique dangers, but none as formidable as Jiren. His immense power is such that even Goku and Frieza find themselves joining forces against him at the climax.

3 Frieza Arc

A Saga Filled With Stressful Moments, Intense Battles And A Terrifying Villain

Dragon Ball Z
Episodes: 39 – 107

Highlighting some unforgettable instances from the series, the Frieza Saga stands out for its intense battles, high tension, and lasting impressions. This storyline, unlike many others, consistently conveys a palpable danger that makes it a truly nerve-wracking epic.

Amidst the chaotic quest for the Dragon Balls, a ruthless overlord wielding immense power, along with numerous minions, makes this tale incredibly tense. The gravity of the situation is such that Goku resorts to unleashing an entirely new transformation in order to vanquish the malevolent adversary who aspires to rule the entire cosmos.

2 King Piccolo Saga

Unprecedented Evil Brings On Major Deaths

Dragon Ball
Episodes: 102-122

Initially, the universe in Dragon Ball was quite small during the initial anime series. However, the King Piccolo arc significantly raised the tension without requiring a threat to every living being. At that juncture, King Piccolo emerged as the most significant danger, being the first to kill several major characters.

Beyond that, Shrenron’s demise rendered the Dragon Balls useless, elevating every life lost and encounter to higher stakes. This saga, King Piccolo Saga, stands as one of the franchise’s finest, marking a significant shift in the series by introducing an initially unbeatable, dark, and formidable adversary for the first time, making many events groundbreaking.

1 Saiyan Arc

High Stakes Set For The Entirety Of Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball Z
Episodes: 1-35

Following the conclusion of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z significantly escalated the tension by introducing the idea that Goku belongs to a warrior race, the Saiyans, who are supposedly more powerful than him. This proved to be true as the Saiyans, initially perceived as the greatest threat, wreaked havoc and increased the stakes to previously unseen heights for Goku and his team of fighters.

In the initial storyline, Goku met his first demise during a fierce battle against his brother Raditz, one of the less powerful Saiyan warriors within the series. This incident underscored the vulnerability of our hero, contrary to any notions of invincibility he might have seemed to possess. Furthermore, the deaths of Piccolo and Kami left the Dragon Balls inaccessible for aid, placing the Z-fighters in a dire predicament with significantly fewer escape routes compared to later story arcs.

2024-11-26 08:14