Dragon Ball Goku is no longer the strongest – And that’s great for the series

Dragon Ball would become one of the most popular anime franchises in the world, with an incredible fanbase stretching from Tokyo to Texas. For as long as you could remember, that one thing remained constant—Goku was the strongest hero. Today, with the newest arc of Dragon Ball Super, that’s all different. Would you be surprised to hear that unexpected change is very beneficial to the narrative.Even if you’ve never tuned into an anime series in your life, you’ve likely heard of Goku.He’s served as the frontman for Dragon Ball ever since it started way back in the 1980s. Now, other heroes like Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, and Broly are just as powerful and that’s paved the way for a mellower, more compelling narrative.Throughout Dragon Ball, Goku has always been the hero who saves the day. Raised in the treacherous mountains of his homeland, trained in the spiritual art of kung fu, and fledged with super strength, he battered himself through each fight to ensure Earth’s safety. From his initial Super Saiyan transformation against Frieza to his Ultra Instinct deity-like transformation in Dragon Ball Super, Goku has always been at the forefront.Even as fans loved his reimaginings of power-ups, many fans complained that the series lost its way from a more well-rounded cast in its pursuit of an ever-established overpowered Goku. That is no longer the case.In Dragon Ball Super, the creators finally let other characters claim the spotlight—most notably Vegeta, Goku’s 30-year-long rival, who might be the best thing about the new show. Rather than permanently being in Goku’s shadow, Vegeta got to breakthrough in tandem with his rival by unlocking a new form known as Ultra Ego, an equal counterpart to Ultra Instinct fueled by rage and pride rather than calm, focused energy.Gohan, Goku’s son, was back with a vengeance thanks to his new Beast mode—a transformation that connects him to his latent potential. Meanwhile, Broly—previously a movie-only villain—has become a main series figure with ever-growing power, and Piccolo—a fan-favorite Namekian warrior—now has a strong new Orange form.For the first time ever, all five of Universe 7’s primary fighters—Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, and Broly—are equal. This balance is not only a welcome shift that provides the series with a new dynamic, it allows for greater flexibility and freedom in storytelling, so no one hero has to bear the weight of the overall narrative any longer.Allowing other characters to have a moment in the spotlight has kept the Dragon Ball story significantly more engaging and unpredictable. It’s that failure, though, that embodies one of the show’s more profound themes, perhaps an even more perfect theme for 2021—real power is in working together, evolving, and pushing against your own boundaries.Rejecting the premise that only Goku can save the universe frees the writers to tell deeper stories. Today, each big battle isn’t just about one champion prevailing—it’s about how the team functions, with each champion fulfilling a vital role.The question— So, if Goku’s not at the top anymore, who is?What is the true identity of Black Frieza?Yes, that Frieza. Once upon a time, defeated by Goku and pals decades ago, the nefarious universal menace has rebounded in Dragon Ball Super with a lurking return, monstrous metamorphosis—Black Frieza. He trained in a hyperbolic time chamber and returned strong enough to one-shot Goku and Vegeta with their ultimate transformations.As of this writing, Black Frieza is the strongest mortal in the whole Dragon Ball multiverse. He doesn’t fight to protect people; he fights to conquer and annihilate.This troubling change means that Goku and his allies need to collaborate like never before if they hope to make a difference against this lethal menace.For fans old and new, this change in power levels is a breath of fresh air. Goku may not be the strongest anymore, but that’s not a bad thing—it’s a sign of character growth, better teamwork, and a more balanced story.With heroes like Gohan, Vegeta, Broly, and Piccolo now just as strong, and Black Frieza posing a serious threat, the Dragon Ball series is entering an exciting new era.And for anyone wondering whether Dragon Ball is still worth watching—now’s the perfect time to jump in.