Hi, I’m KENTA, a big fan of manga from Japan! In this post, I’ll explore what would happen if Goku never existed in the world of Dragon Ball. Famous scenes and iconic moments might have played out completely differently… Let’s dive into this “what if” scenario and have some fun imagining an alternate Dragon Ball universe!
Bulma’s Adventure
In the original story, Bulma sets out on her journey to find the Dragon Balls using her Dragon Radar. She finds one at Gohan’s house and convinces him to give it to her. But, without Goku, how would Bulma have managed to get the Dragon Ball from Gohan? It’s possible that Gohan, being an old man, might have been lenient with her.
After that, without Goku, Bulma would have been attacked and likely eaten by the Pteranodon. This is the first major divergence. Without Goku’s help, Bulma’s adventure could have ended there.
The Fate of Turtle
Without Goku, Turtle would also be in a tough spot. In the original story, Turtle is rescued by Goku after being stranded. But without Goku, he would continue to be lost, never returning to the sea. Time would just pass, and Turtle would remain stranded. Maybe someone else might help one day, but without Goku, that chance seems slim.
Yamcha’s Future
Yamcha’s life changes dramatically when he meets Goku and begins his path as a martial artist. But if Goku had never appeared, Yamcha would have remained a desert bandit. Without any motivation to train under Master Roshi, Yamcha would likely have lived out his life as a thief. Additionally, without meeting Goku, he might have struggled romantically and could have remained single forever.
Emperor Pilaf’s Ambition
Emperor Pilaf aims to collect the Dragon Balls and rule the world. Without Goku, his plans would likely have gone off without a hitch. In the original story, Goku and his friends stop him, but in a world without Goku, Pilaf would successfully summon Shenron and achieve his dream of world domination. How he would have ruled is anyone’s guess, but it’s safe to say there would have been chaos, unlike the original story.
Krillin’s Life
Krillin’s life would have taken a different path without Goku. In the original, Krillin trains hard alongside Goku, becoming stronger and competing in the World Martial Arts Tournament. Without Goku, however, Krillin’s training would have lacked competition, and he might not have achieved the same results. His growth as a fighter was largely driven by his rivalry with Goku, so without that, his potential would have been stunted. He might have even lost to Bacterian in the Tournament.
The Rise of King Piccolo and the Red Ribbon Army
Without Goku, the resurrection of Piccolo and the rise of the Red Ribbon Army would have gone unchecked. Piccolo would have regained his full power and thrown the world into terror. Meanwhile, the Red Ribbon Army, taking advantage of the chaos, would have successfully conquered the world, leading to a dark and chaotic era.
Without Goku to stop them, both Piccolo and the Red Ribbon Army would have reigned supreme, plunging the world into a time of fear and uncertainty. The peaceful times that eventually follow in the original story would never come.
Conclusion
In this article, we explored how the Dragon Ball universe would have changed if Goku never existed. Characters like Krillin and Piccolo would have had entirely different fates, and the future would have been full of chaos and uncertainty. It’s amazing to think about how much Goku’s presence influences the entire story and the world around him.
Through this thought experiment, I hope you gained a deeper appreciation for the characters and the intricate world of Dragon Ball. At MangaZamurai, we share in-depth analyses of Japanese manga with fans all over the world. Be sure to check out our other articles and immerse yourself even more in the fascinating world of manga!