Akira Toriyama’s Female Characters: A Missed Opportunity in Dragon Ball

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Few anime series can boast as many memorable characters as the cherished Dragon Ball franchise, which has significantly influenced the anime genre due to Akira Toriyama’s exceptional creativity. However, even geniuses possess flaws, and one of Toriyama’s is the portrayal of women in Dragon Ball. From its initial broadcast, the female characters initially show promise but often fail to live up to this potential across both Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Super, resulting in a persistent missed opportunity that leaves much to be desired. The characters start with distinctive personalities and design elements tailored to their personas, only to later abandon many of these aspects, reducing them to background characters or stereotypes, such as housewives. Many female Dragon Ball characters have either been overlooked or reduced to these simplified roles.

In Dragon Ball, it’s not necessary for characters like Chi-Chi to engage in combat with Beerus or similar powerful figures, but it would be exciting to see their personalities fully developed and significantly contribute to the storyline. Bulma serves as an excellent example of this balance; she may not be a fighter, but she plays a pivotal role in the series and aids the Z Fighters uniquely. This consistent character development in Bulma leaves fans wishing for more complexity in the other female characters.

Dragon Ball Has Too Many Forgotten Women

Launch & Fortuneteller Baba Aren’t Gone, But They Might As Well Be

Over time, Akira Toriyama tended to forget certain aspects of Dragon Ball, including plot points and even entire characters. Among those, Launch is often discussed as she was a distinctive character in the initial Dragon Ball series. Launch possessed an extraordinary duality in her character – one side being gentle and naive, while the other exhibited a fiery, assertive demeanor.

In the original Dragon Ball series, Launch made her final appearance during the Saiyan Saga of Dragon Ball Z, and she hasn’t been seen in a canon role since then. Similarly, Fortuneteller Baba, who is a fortune teller as her name suggests, had various supporting roles throughout the series, with one of her most significant appearances being when she helped bring Goku back from the Other World.

In a more frequent and significant role within the main storyline, the enigmatic Fortuneteller Baba might have been more prominent. Unlike some characters, Fortuneteller Baba didn’t disappear entirely from the screen, making an appearance in Dragon Ball Super. However, her appearances were sparse, with most of the anime passing before she was introduced, only to recede into the background again.

Besides Fortuneteller Baba and Launch, there is another female character introduced by Toriyama that was overlooked – Colonel Violet from the Red Ribbon Army. She made only brief appearances in the manga before fading away. It’s a pity, as she possessed an individualistic flair that could have given her a distinct presence.

Female Dragon Ball Characters Fall Into the Role of a Housewife

Characters Like Android 18 & Videl Are in a One-Dimensional Prison

Transitioning a fierce warrior into a housewife might not be the desired development for a character, as seen in the case of Android 18. Originally, this character was one of the series’ most powerful beings, able to challenge and sometimes best the Z fighters. Alongside Android 17, she held her own. However, over time, the narrative shift led to Android 18 becoming primarily known as Krillin’s wife, overshadowing her former strength and attitude, which fans still loved but didn’t get to see often enough.

In another instance, Chi-Chi transitioned from being a smitten young girl with feelings for Goku to a spirited teenager participating in the World Martial Arts Tournament. As Dragon Ball Z commenced, there was a significant shift as Chi-Chi took on the responsibilities of a mother and wife. Contrary to her fearless demeanor as the daughter of the Ox-King, Chi-Chi attempted to assume the role of a homemaker, which went against her natural inclination as a fighter.

Ultimately, Videl emerged as a character initially known for her fiery spirit, mirroring her father’s protective role for the people. However, rather than pursuing a career in crime-fighting, she chose motherhood and seemed to lose much of her vibrant personality in the process. Regrettably, many female characters in Dragon Ball follow this trend – they initially possess an intense persona with a stylish demeanor and captivating character traits, only to be reduced to one-dimensional wives and mothers later on. Fortunately, there are still some promising aspects yet to unfold within the series.

Dragon Ball’s Disappointing Female Characters Don’t Outshine the Glimmers of Hope

Characters Like Kale & Pan Can Be the Future of Dragon Ball

In a potential reimagining, Dragon Ball Super could have addressed some of Akira Toriyama’s past oversights concerning female characters by giving them more substantial roles instead of often sidelining them further. Regrettably, many established characters waned in significance, while the new female characters failed to meet expectations. Berryblue, a formidable figure within Frieza’s forces, possessed the potential for a pivotal behind-the-scenes role. Although she wasn’t required to be a fighter, she could have brought intrigue and unpredictability to the narrative. More recently in the Moro Saga, characters like Miza, Iwaza, and Kikaza – who seemed capable of forming a lethal trio – were swiftly defeated and consigned to obscurity.

In the world of Dragon Ball, there are certainly some characters who let you down, but there’s also a good number of optimistic ones like Kale and Caulifla who can bring back the excitement. Despite their time in the spotlight being over, they reside in another universe – yet their story doesn’t have to end there. There remains plenty more to discover about these two characters and the Saiyan way of life within their universe. Their distinct personalities and combat styles make fans curious to learn more about them.

In a fresh take, let’s talk about Cheelai, the green-skinned rebel from “Dragon Ball Super: Broly”. She gave one of the most compelling portrayals of a woman in “Dragon Ball”, even though her screen time was limited. Her character embodies all the essential traits of a well-crafted persona – passion, courage, and empathy.

On the other hand, we have Pan, the daughter of Gohan and Videl, who’s been making waves in “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero”. She’s already shown great promise, even outshining her uncle Goten, who hasn’t had much to show so far. With new threats looming, Pan could become a formidable female warrior, paving the way for future women of “Dragon Ball” to create their own legacy.

How Dragon Ball Can Bring a Refreshing Change of Pace to the Series

Dragon Ball Should Follow the Bulma Blueprint

From an observer’s perspective, I believe I have a suggestion for enhancing the representation of female characters in “Dragon Ball.” Bulma, crafted by Akira Toriyama, undeniably stands as his most notable female creation within this series. To maintain Bulma’s impact and elevate other female characters, they could be developed into formidable heroes like Pan or Kale, or even introduce a few female antagonists to provide a welcome shift in dynamics. This approach would not only boost the presence of strong female roles but also offer a refreshing change of pace within the series.

Regardless of the past, Dragon Ball still has an opportunity to rectify Toriyama’s portrayal of female characters. Interestingly, this was also a challenge for Toriyama, considering he developed a popular female protagonist in Arale from Dr. Slump. Despite his shortcomings, Toriyama remains a true master with numerous other qualities that offset these flaws. As long as the new generation puts as much effort into developing these women characters as Toriyama did for Goku and the Z-fighters, the females in Dragon Ball will thrive just fine.

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2025-05-24 06:06