Dragon Ball: Trunks’ 10 Best Fights, Ranked

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The meteoric rise of the “Dragon Ball Z” anime series in Western culture was no accident. It was propelled by epic battles featuring towering characters, character development that transformed villains into cherished heroes, and valuable life lessons imparted through the art of rigorous training. Akira Toriyama’s masterpiece thus transitioned from being a comic to a blockbuster movie.

In retrospect, every character’s journey – from discovering their flaws to refining their skills – has been instrumental in shaping numerous epic confrontations, starting in the 1990s and beyond. Not unlike these characters, Hybrid Saiyan Trunks found himself traversing different timelines to rectify issues that once devastated his home world. Among the many battles he’s engaged in, there are some that leave a lasting impression.

We will be discussing the top ten fights that Trunks was part of, highlighting those that left a greater impression due to their significance in the plot and characters, as well as exploring what happened following the resolution of these battles.

10. Trunks Versus Broly

The Legendary Super Saiyan’s Incredible Power

In the heat of the fight, the formidable Super Saiyan Broly proved an indomitable presence, effortlessly blending extraordinary speed with unfathomable might. Despite Trunks’ best efforts to match his pace, he found himself largely on defense, barely managing to counterattack amidst the chaos. Most of his time in combat was spent grappling and merely holding his ground as Broly relentlessly surged through him and the rest of their group.

In the face of Broly’s superior strength, Trunks adapted his battle strategy, offering support by launching swift attacks and engaging in casual conversation to keep him distracted. Alongside Gohan, Piccolo, and Vegeta, this tactic allowed Goku the necessary time to gather power and successfully execute his attack, thus concluding the fight with Broly.

9. Trunks Versus Future Dabura

A Familiar Foe Returns Once More

This battle also functions as a cautionary tale about the risks associated with multiverse theory, particularly when someone attempts to rectify issues from their own timeframe. Here, Trunks aimed to find an undamaged timeline, free from Android destruction. However, his pursuit led him to cross paths with Dabura and Babidi. Their delayed appearance was due to the world’s insufficient energy, preventing them from carrying out their usual energy-requiring theft activities.

Because Trunks swiftly defeated Dabura due to a significant power disparity, making it hard to rank this brief fight low on the list, it was still exciting to witness Trunks humiliate an erstwhile formidable adversary.

8. Trunks Versus Kogu

A Dual With The Galaxy Soldier

In this fight, Trunks’ adversary was Kogu, and their fighting techniques mirrored each other strangely. Both Trunks and Kogu were skilled sword-wielders, which meant their hand-to-hand combat would likely involve the swords as they clashed. Though Trunks possessed a variety of attacks and the ability to punch through solid walls, he was exceptionally proficient with the sword and had a reputation for dismantling his adversaries with it.

The unique aspect of this fight lies in Trunks skillfully deflecting Kogu’s sword with his arm and then delivering a powerful abdominal punch that not only broke through Kogu’s skin but also penetrated his entire body. Even though Kogu demonstrated comparable strength at the start of the battle, he was no contest for a Super Saiyan.

7. Trunks Versus Android 14

Are There Even More Androids?

For Trunks, the one constant with his quest to travel back in time is the threat posed by the androids. After all, they were instrumental in destroying his timeline and killing his closest ally and mentor, Gohan. However, he didn’t foresee the consequences of his time-travel methods, which resulted in more androids than he anticipated. There weren’t just two, but six, and the second set of these robots seemed to be much more destructive than their initial counterparts, as the Saiyans found out when they engaged them in battle.

Initially confronting Android 14, Trunks found himself in a tough spot, seemingly outmatched. However, a Super Saiyan transformation proved to be the solution. Transforming into his empowered form, Trunks not only emerged victorious from the battle, but he managed to cleave Android 14 with a single strike. The final moments before Android 14 disintegrated resembled a clichéd Western finale, yet it made for an exhilarating conclusion.

6. Trunks Versus Goku Black

The Timeline Villain That Resembles Goku

In Dragon Ball Super, Trunks focuses on defeating an individual who closely resembles Goku. Interestingly, this person is actually Goku’s body, but it’s controlled by Zamasu. Just as he did when the androids attacked his timeline, Trunks must journey through time to find help and prevent his world from turning into a desolate wasteland.

Upon coming back to the timeline, Trunks fiercely battles Goku Black with intense determination, demonstrating an impressive effort despite their vast power disparity. Trunks delivers blow after powerful strike and pours all his feelings into each attack, but in the end, he’s overpowered by Goku Black. This fight stands out as more impactful compared to previous ones due to Trunks’ emotional outburst and ability to connect with a few strikes.

5. Trunks Versus Perfect Cell

A Less Than Ideal Transformation

Following Cell’s metamorphosis into his ultimate shape, Trunks unveiled his hidden advantage – a beefed-up variant of his Super Saiyan state. This transformation amplified his power significantly and made him appear more menacing, however, there was a glaring issue in the revised appearance. Trunks would discover this defect after mercilessly defeating Perfect Cell, at which point it was exposed that Cell had been manipulating him all along.

Through his strength enhancement, Trunks sacrificed his speed, leaving no opportunity for an attack on Perfect Cell. This realization was hard-earned, as it was further complicated by Perfect Cell’s compassion towards Trunks, preventing him from killing the young warrior. Fortunately, this form later became a largely forgotten part of history.

4. Trunks Versus Fused Zamasu

The Ultimate Battle For The Timeline

If the fight against Goku Black wasn’t already intense enough, imagine when two Zamasus, one from a different timeline and another fused with Goku’s body, combine forces! This results in Fused Zamasu, an entity that is partly immortal and partly divine, who has a strong desire to mold his universe according to his own ideals. The only thing that could potentially thwart him is a remarkable occurrence, which Trunks surprisingly produces from his hidden resources.

Just like the Spirit Bomb, Trunks combines the wishes and aspirations of Earth’s inhabitants to form the Spirit Sword. With his newly acquired weapon, Trunks slashed Fused Zamasu clean in half, thus dividing the two entities and annihilating them. There was no further event to witness after that. The world was safe, and there’s no need to delve any deeper into it.

3. Trunks Versus Mecha Frieza

A Magnificent Introduction

In a chilling opening scene for an anime series, Future Trunks arrives to find his dad Vegeta and the fighting crew, seeking aid against the androids. To his surprise, he discovers Frieza and his father King Cold establishing their business on Earth. Unfazed by the young man, Frieza issues a warning to Trunks, followed swiftly by a transformation that instills sheer terror in him.

Apart from effortlessly hurling an energy ball as if it were a basketball, Trunks subsequently soared into the sky and cleaved Frieza into numerous fragments. It’s important to note that Frieza had instilled fear in everyone except Goku, with even Goku struggling to completely eliminate Frieza. However, witnessing him and his father being disposed of so easily has garnered Trunks a massive following, purely from this one act.

2. Trunks Versus Future Cell

Righting His Wrong In The Future

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but appreciate the depth that retribution stories bring. When Trunks confronted and ended Cell in his alternate reality, it wasn’t just raw power at play; there was an emotional undercurrent. In a cruel twist of fate, Cell had taken Trunks’ life and possession of his time capsule in another timeline. So, when they met again, justice was not only served but also personal.

Trunks, stronger indeed, was also wiser, ensuring that every second of the punishment he dished out was felt by Cell. The beating he delivered wasn’t just physical; it was a testament to the pain and loss Trunks had endured. It was a powerful display of justice served and a poignant reminder of the price one pays for wrongdoing.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but feel that the battle in question carried a weight and significance unlike any other on my list. What made this fight stand out was not just Trunks’ triumph, but the backstory of his journey through time that led to this confrontation. This epic tale added depth to his character, making his victory all the more impactful.

Moreover, it wasn’t merely a victory for Trunks; it was the elimination of one of the most formidable threats in his timeline. The swiftness of his actions, the decisive blow he struck, was not only satisfying to watch but also served as a testament to his skill and determination. It felt like justice served and a promise fulfilled, making this battle an unforgettable moment for any Trunks fan.

1. Trunks Versus Androids 17 & 18

The Future Is Now Saved

As a time-traveling gamer from the future, I’d say: In the heat of Dragon Ball Z, facing off against Androids 17 and 18, I reached my breaking point. The sight of Gohan lying lifeless after our battle was heart-wrenching. Even transforming into a Super Saiyan didn’t give me the edge I needed. My last fight nearly took my life, but stepping into the present timeline ignited a spark of hope within me.

Though Trunks’ initial plan of annihilating the androids in the present failed, he significantly amplified his strength during his clashes against Perfect Cell. His return to the future not only equipped him with the power necessary to vanquish the twin androids, but he handily defeated them, causing both Android 17 and 18 to feel humiliated. This triumph allowed Trunks to bring justice for his fallen instructor.

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2025-04-15 14:10