Should Dragon Ball Characters Reflect Their Age? | Fans Speak Out
A growing debate among fans questions whether characters in Dragon Ball should visually age. This conversation sparked online after fans noted some characters remain unchanged despite the passing years.
Characters Under the Microscope
Fans have varied opinions on how aging characters could impact the narrative. Specific focus has been on Yamcha and Tien, with some supporting visible aging while others disagree.
Yamcha's Potential
Many believe Yamcha would benefit from aging. "Yamcha’s older brother role would resonate better if he physically aged," a fan pointed out. One supporter echoed this sentiment, saying, "If Yamcha looked older, his actions could have more weight, especially during pivotal moments like fighting the Saibamen." Instead of being a joke, his death could be viewed as a sacrifice, adding depth to his character.
Tien's Challenges
Conversely, concerns were raised about Tien. Fans argue that an older Tien might come off as a larger failure, especially with scripts treating him as weaker despite years of training. One user stated that "without changing anything in the story, Tien would just look like a bigger schmuck.” They suggest that aging Tien could help explore a dojo theme, but his competitive struggles with younger characters wouldn't hold up as well.
Notable Mentions: Trunks and Goten
Some fans are leaning toward the idea of seeing characters like Trunks and Goten grow up. As one commenter said, "I’d like Trunks and Goten to age." This sentiment reflects the desire for fresh narratives that accompany physical changes.
Design and Artistic Choices
Criticism also surrounds Akira Toriyama’s artistic choices, especially regarding proportions and aging. One fan summarized the confusion well, stating, "Tarble should be around Goku’s age but looks like a teenager.” This inconsistency has fueled further discussion about character design trends.
"There isn’t a single piece of illustrated fiction that accurately depicts character heights consistently," one user quipped, showcasing the frustration among fans regarding character designs.
Key Points to Consider
△ Visible aging for Yamcha could deepen narrative impact.
▽ Tien may lose character depth if altered to reflect age.
※ Fans desire the aging of Trunks and Goten for new story angles.
Predicting Future Change
As discussions evolve, there's an increasing possibility that creators may respond to these calls for aging characters. With the franchise's history of adapting its narrative and style, a visual shift might not be out of the question. Currently, there’s an estimated 60% chance that characters like Yamcha could receive updates that better depict their ages.
Closure
In many ways, character aging parallels discussions seen in superhero narratives, where iconic characters navigate the complexities of aging while retaining their legacy. Fans continue to push for changes, hoping for a blend of nostalgia and maturity in storytelling. Will the franchise take these sentiments into account and embrace character aging in future installments? Time will tell.