Goku has pseudonymously topped the Tournament of Power in terms of eliminations. It’s shocking to find him again in the middle of a controversy surrounding the Tournament of Power in Dragon Ball. The battle royals pitted warriors from multiple universes against each other in order to eliminate them and get their one wish fulfilled by the Omni King.
However, during the event, a significant difference occurred between the anime and manga adaptations that caused debate among the Dragon Ball community.
Toei Animation Studio made a bold decision to deviate from the manga’s narrative. The anime illustrated Goku as a successful fighter who has the most eliminations in the tournament but the original narrative tells otherwise a different aspect. The choice not only changed the course of events but also allowed Goku to earn a remarkable feat that was absent in the original source material.
Dragon Ball Anime’s Surprising Twist with Goku’s Domination
YouTube user @Zenkaizone_07 revealed that Goku achieved the highest number of eliminations during the Tournament of Power in the Dragon Ball Super anime. He said that Goku was able to secure a total of 16 eliminations, which surprised his rivals and teammates alike. In this sense, the significance of his performance cannot be overstated.
His closest competitor was the proud Saiyan prince Vegeta, who managed to eliminate 14 opponents. In the meantime, the resurrected tyrant Frieza accounted for 12 eliminations. The result defines Goku’s position as the main character and displays his overall development and prowess throughout the tournament.
An interesting part is the manga’s portrayal of the Tournament of Power which was very different from the late Akira Toriyama‘s narrative from the aspect of eliminations. The manga version witnesses Kale, the berserker Saiyan from Universe 6, claiming the top spot with an impressive 17 eliminations which is totally opposite of what the animated version showed. The illustrated difference between Goku’s performance in the anime and manga versions of the tournament is particularly striking when considering the manga’s result.
In that, Frieza and Frost share the second-highest number of eliminations, with nine each. It has thus changed the perceived strengths and contributions of other key characters. Toei Animation’s decision has elevated Goku’s role in the tournament as the series’ main character. The choice may have been to satisfy fans who expect him to be at the vanguard of major battles and storylines.
Omni King’s Influence Could Have Been a Game-Changing Factor
Omni Kings specified a set of strict rules for the tournament, restricting the use of items, weapons, or healing tools at the start of the tournament. But it was they who broke and changed the rules according to their wish during the events. Such an example was Universe 7 using the Mafuba technique which requires a container – an item that should have been banned under the original rules.
Moreover, rather than disqualifying Universe 7 for the violation, the Omni Kings chose to allow it, citing it looked cool for them. The flexibility in the rule has indirectly contributed to Goku’s success in the anime version. Whether viewers prefer the anime’s portrayal of the dominant Goku or the manga’s more distributed spotlight, the Tournament of Power has left a trailing event in the Dragon Ball franchise.
Considering everything, Toei Animation’s decision shows their creative initiation and free will in the process of adaptation. It also highlights the creative liberties that can be taken when translating a story from one medium to another to portray the same events. Each has its own merits and implications that enrich the series by giving multiple perspectives to enjoy.
Dragon Ball Super anime is available to watch on Crunchyroll and read the manga on Viz.
