Power hierarchies have been completely upended in the Dragon Ball Super universe. Goku and Vegeta, long considered the ultimate warriors since the return of Akira Toriyama’s manga and anime, must now share their elite status with three other iconic characters: Gohan, Piccolo, and Broly. This new dynamic completely transforms the balance of power within the series.
A revolution in the power scale
Volume 24 of Dragon Ball Super, which covers the last two arcs of the manga (Super HERO and Granolah), revealed game-changing information: Goku and Vegeta, despite their impressive Ultra Instinct and Ultra Ego forms, no longer reign alone at the top of the fighter pyramid.
This new hierarchy now places Orange Piccolo, Gohan Beast, and Broly with his mastered Super Saiyan form at the same level as the two historical rivals. This radical change opens up new narrative possibilities for the continuation of the saga.
Fans who have followed the evolution of these characters for years are witnessing an unexpected rebalancing of the forces at play. This decision by the authors is not insignificant and likely sets the stage for upcoming challenges in the Dragon Ball universe.
Piccolo’s return to the elite
The Namekian warrior has had a unique trajectory in the series. Despite being Akira Toriyama’s favorite character, Piccolo had gradually been outpaced by the Saiyans and their increasingly powerful transformations such as Super Saiyan God or Blue.
But that era is over. Thanks to his new Orange transformation, Piccolo reclaims his place among the elite fighters of the Dragon Ball universe. This evolution is particularly satisfying for longtime fans who have always appreciated the tactical intelligence and wisdom of the Namekian.
The tactical genius who once sacrificed himself to save Gohan has evolved tremendously since his first appearance as the Demon King Piccolo. His journey from villain to mentor and now to top-tier warrior represents one of the most compelling character arcs in the entire franchise.
Characteristics of Orange Piccolo
This new form grants Piccolo:
- Raw power comparable to Goku and Vegeta’s ultimate forms
- Increased height and muscle mass
- Distinctive coloration that gives the form its name
- Access to abilities that remain largely unexplored
- Enhanced regenerative capabilities
We are therefore witnessing a true return to grace for this iconic character who reclaims his legitimate place among the most powerful defenders of the universe.
The Orange Piccolo transformation represents not just a power boost but a fundamental evolution of Piccolo’s fighting potential. While Saiyans have long dominated with their genetic ability to grow stronger after each battle, Piccolo’s new form proves that Namekians possess untapped potential that rivals even the most powerful transformations.
The five warriors at the summit
According to Dragon Ball’s authors, Piccolo is now officially on the same tier as the other most powerful warriors in the manga. This new parity between the five fighters is not coincidental.
Toyotaro, the illustrator who took over after Toriyama, explained his vision: “I wanted to show that the power of the five characters is identical, which is why I created this composition. It’s the most difficult illustration I’ve worked on so far.”
This collective upgrading seems to prepare the ground for the upcoming narrative arc, which should feature Black Frieza. Toyotaro added: “In the background is Black Frieza, whose power difference must also be taken into account,” suggesting that the new villain individually surpasses each of the five heroes.
The strategic positioning of these characters indicates a major shift in storytelling approach. Rather than continuing the pattern of Goku and Vegeta always being steps ahead of everyone else, the series now embraces a more balanced power structure that allows for greater narrative flexibility and more complex battle scenarios.
A narrative strategy for the future
This equalization of power among the five warriors seems to serve several objectives:
- Renew reader interest by shaking up the established hierarchy
- Prepare for more balanced and unpredictable confrontations
- Open the possibility for team battles against superior threats
- Satisfy fans of characters long relegated to supporting roles
For Piccolo, this evolution marks a renaissance. Gohan’s mentor, often confined to a supporting role since the Saiyan arc, finally regains a status that allows him to be at the heart of the action.
The significance of this development cannot be overstated. For decades, fans have watched Piccolo gradually fade from prominence as the series increasingly focused on Saiyan transformations. His return to top-tier status represents a fundamental shift in the series’ power dynamics and storytelling priorities.
Impact on future storylines
Piccolo’s elevated status opens numerous possibilities for future arcs. With five warriors of equal strength but vastly different fighting styles, Dragon Ball can now explore more tactical battles where raw power isn’t the only deciding factor.
The introduction of Black Frieza as a superior threat also creates a scenario where these five warriors might need to collaborate, combining their unique abilities to overcome a common enemy. This represents a departure from the typical Dragon Ball formula where Goku or Vegeta would eventually discover a new transformation to save the day.
For Piccolo specifically, his increased relevance provides opportunities to explore his Namekian heritage further. The Orange form hints at ancestral powers that have remained dormant, potentially connecting to the original Super Namekians mentioned earlier in the series.
Fan reaction and cultural impact
The elevation of Piccolo to top-tier status has been met with enthusiasm from the Dragon Ball community. Long-time fans who grew up with the character during the original series and Z era have celebrated his return to prominence.
The decision to boost Piccolo’s power level also reflects a growing trend in shonen manga to revisit and reinvigorate legacy characters rather than continuously introducing new ones. This approach honors the rich history of the series while maintaining narrative freshness.
Toyotaro’s careful attention to balance has created a new paradigm for Dragon Ball storytelling. Rather than the predictable pattern of increasingly powerful transformations, the series now has the flexibility to explore different combat dynamics and team-based conflicts that weren’t possible when the power gap between characters was too wide.
With this new dynamic between characters, Dragon Ball Super continues to reinvent itself while paying homage to its roots. The restoration of Piccolo to the highest echelon of warriors not only satisfies longtime fans but opens exciting narrative possibilities for the franchise’s future.