For decades, Goku has been the face of Dragon Ball as the symbol of boundless optimism, endless training, and cheerful ignorance of real-world concerns. But that same simplicity that once made him so beloved is now the very reason some fans, and even Dragon Ball’s own insiders, think he’s outlived his usefulness. In a stunningly blunt comment, Kazuhiko Torishima, the legendary editor who helped shape Akira Toriyama’s career, has publicly admitted that Goku just isn’t cutting it anymore.
During a recent YouTube livestream, Torishima didn’t hold back. He said it outright: “It would be better to produce a Vegeta story than Dragon Ball Super. Dragon Ball Daima was a trash anime.” For longtime fans, that’s not just criticism, it’s a declaration that the franchise’s heart has grown stagnant. Coming from the man who pushed Toriyama to make Dragon Ball better at every turn, these words hit like a Kamehameha to the chest.
Goku is a Hero Who Refuses to Grow
Goku has always embodied the idea of limitless potential as the warrior who constantly trains to surpass his limits. But over the years, his character development has all but evaporated. In Dragon Ball Super, he’s become a static figure defined by one-dimensional motivations: fight strong people, eat good food, repeat. Even his best moments now feel predictable rather than inspiring.
Part of the issue lies in how Dragon Ball treats Goku’s flaws. What was once endearing naivety has turned into outright irresponsibility. He puts universes at risk for the sake of a good battle, as seen in the Tournament of Power. Fans can’t help but wonder whether this is still the same lovable underdog or just a battle junkie with no emotional depth left.
Goku’s lack of meaningful change has made his victories feel hollow. The early Dragon Ball Z arcs worked because Goku’s triumphs came with sacrifice, like his death against Raditz or the desperate push to defeat Frieza. Now, however, his wins often rely on new transformations rather than emotional stakes. That kind of storytelling might sell toys, but it doesn’t create lasting character arcs.
Even Torishima’s comments reflect this fatigue. The editor who once oversaw Dragon Ball’s evolution knows a good story needs growth, not repetition. Goku, for all his charm, has become a relic of simpler shōnen storytelling and a reminder that endless strength means little without inner change.
Why Vegeta’s Story Would Have Been Better
When Torishima said a Vegeta story would be better than Dragon Ball Super, he wasn’t just being provocative, he was pointing to where Dragon Ball’s real emotional core now lies. Vegeta’s journey has consistently delivered what Goku’s no longer does: growth, self-awareness, and genuine character evolution.
From a ruthless Saiyan prince to a protective father and husband, Vegeta’s transformation represents the heart of what Dragon Ball could be. Unlike Goku, he struggles with guilt, pride, and redemption, whcih are all deeply human emotions that resonate with audiences. Every time Vegeta falls, his comeback feels earned, not preordained.
In Dragon Ball Super, Vegeta’s moments outshine Goku’s more often than not. His fight with Toppo, his newfound humility under Beerus, and his quiet acceptance of mortality in Super Hero all highlight a character who’s finally become more than his rivalry. For many fans, Vegeta’s complexity makes him the series’ true protagonist in everything but name.
In an era when anime audiences crave depth over nostalgia, Vegeta’s arc might have been exactly what Dragon Ball needed to evolve.
Torishima’s statement underscores what the fandom has whispered for years: Vegeta has outgrown his supporting role. A series centered on his perspective could have explored themes Dragon Ball has ignored for decades, like fatherhood, failure, and finding purpose beyond power. In an era when anime audiences crave depth over nostalgia, Vegeta’s arc might have been exactly what Dragon Ball needed to evolve.
Dragon Ball’s New Direction Is Losing Its Way
Torishima didn’t just criticize Dragon Ball Super, he also called Dragon Ball Daima a “trash anime.” Harsh words, but not without merit. Daima’s attempt to recapture the childlike charm of early Dragon Ball by literally turning Goku into a kid again feels like a desperate move. Instead of moving forward, the series seems determined to chase its past.
That regression highlights the franchise’s creative crisis. Instead of exploring the next chapter of Goku’s legacy or possibly even handing the torch to Gohan, Pan, or Uub, Daima reverts to gimmicks. It’s an admission that the creators don’t know what to do with Goku anymore, so they recycle the same ideas that worked thirty years ago.
For someone like Torishima, who once demanded innovation from Toriyama, Daima must look like a betrayal of everything Dragon Ball once stood for.
The result is a show that pleases no one. Longtime fans see it as pandering, while new viewers find it confusing. For someone like Torishima, who once demanded innovation from Toriyama, Daima must look like a betrayal of everything Dragon Ball once stood for. His frustration isn’t about nostalgia, it’s about wasted potential.
Even the animation and tone of Daima fail to elevate the concept. Rather than feeling like a reinvention, it comes across as filler or a side story that could’ve been avoided entirely. If Goku can’t evolve, then no amount of visual polish or callbacks can save the narrative from feeling redundant.
The Harsh Truth is that Dragon Ball Needs to Move On from Goku
Torishima’s comments cut deep because they expose a truth many fans have quietly accepted, that Goku’s time as the franchise’s heart might be over. His story has been told, retold, and repackaged in every possible way. What once made him revolutionary now makes him redundant in a storytelling landscape that’s moved far beyond his archetype.
New shōnen protagonists like Tanjiro from Demon Slayer or Yuji from Jujutsu Kaisen show how empathy, trauma, and personal stakes can make even traditional heroes feel fresh again. Meanwhile, Goku’s single-minded obsession with fighting feels almost hollow by comparison. He’s still strong, but strength alone no longer makes a compelling hero. That’s why Vegeta, Gohan, or even Pan could, and should, take center stage in the future of Dragon Ball.
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- Latest TV Show
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Super Dragon Ball Heroes
- First Episode Air Date
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April 26, 1989
