Dragon Ball: Why Granolah Was A Brilliant Antagonist

Dragon Ball: Why Granolah Was A Brilliant Antagonist

Highlights

  • Granolah, an initially antagonistic character, challenges Vegeta and Goku to improve and ultimately switches sides to become a possible ally.
  • Granolah’s backstory as the sole survivor of his species drives his vendetta against Saiyans, reflecting Vegeta’s past actions and character growth.
  • While Granolah fits the antagonist role well, Dragon Ball has a trend of allowing characters like him to turn towards the side of good.

As a longtime fan of Dragon Ball, I have witnessed the evolution of characters from the villainous to the heroic over the years. From Frieza to Cell and Buu, these antagonists have provided us with thrilling battles and compelling narratives. However, it wasn’t until the introduction of Granolah that we saw a character who embodied both the evil and the good so perfectly for the current arc.


In the Dragon Ball series, there has been a recurring theme of villains who are inherently evil or malicious. Characters like Freeza, Cell, and Buu come to mind. However, in more recent chapters of the manga, we’ve seen antagonists who undergo changes – they may become evil, reform, or even switch sides to fight alongside the heroes. Examples of this trend include Zamasu, Jiren, and Granolah, with Granolah being a particularly well-received character for the current storyline and the Dragon Ball universe as a whole. In essence, Granolah is a quintessential antagonist who adds depth to the ongoing arc and enriches the broader world of Dragon Ball.

Why does Granolah hold significance for both the audience and the main characters? What elements of his personality or narrative make him a crucial figure? This is a question worth answering, even though it may not seem challenging, as understanding Granolah’s role can enrich our overall experience of the story.

Granolah’s Meaning In The Story

His Presence And Actions

Immediately upon entering the story, Granolah began taking decisive steps and shortcuts, driven by his desire to defeat Vegeta, Freeza, and all other surviving Saiyans. His backstory, unveiled as his being the last of his species, fuels his actions against Goku and Vegeta. Given his animosity towards Vegeta, Granolah emerges as a tragic consequence of the Saiyan’s galactic conquest, regardless of who gave the orders. This revelation stirs up doubts in Vegeta about his past actions and those of his kind, eventually leading him to acknowledge that Granolah mirrors many aspects of himself.

Essentially, Granolah’s story mirrors Vegeta’s past struggle against Freeza on Planet Namek, where he failed to protect his people despite his best intentions. Similarly, Granolah, in his quest for vengeance, unintentionally wreaks havoc on another planet. He becomes aware of the harm he’s causing innocents due to his rash actions and lack of foresight. As a complex character, it’s understandable why Granolah might sympathize with his enemies, Vegeta and Goku, even though they aren’t at fault in this current storyline. Trauma can indeed lead individuals without proper coping mechanisms to act impulsively.

Why Did Granolah Switch?

Though Granolah initially appeared as an adversary, particularly during his battles against Gas and the Heeters, there are valid reasons for his shift in allegiance. This change doesn’t necessarily negate his earlier role, but instead adds complexity to his character. Granolah recognized the need to grow stronger, and saw Gas as a greater threat. As he gained insights into Vegeta’s personality, he came to understand that the Saiyans were not enemies, but potential allies for the rest of the story.

Dragon Ball: Why Granolah Was A Brilliant Antagonist

Despite fitting the role of an antagonist perfectly for Granolah, his tenure wasn’t extensive due to Dragon Ball’s tradition of allowing characters such as Granolah to transition from villainy to heroism. Characters like Tien, Piccolo, and especially Vegeta have experienced this transformation; Granolah is no exception. However, since Granolah currently operates as a bounty hunter, it’s probable we’ll see him again in future episodes. As an antagonist, Granolah pushed Goku and Vegeta to enhance their skills and grow stronger to defeat him; in turn, his perspective was challenged by the heroes and evolved as a result. Dragon Ball has a history of creating remarkable villains, but it’s hoped that Granolah’s portrayal as an antagonist will inspire more characters like him rather than replicating Jiren’s depiction.

Read More

2024-08-05 22:03