Dragon Ball Super thrilled fans with epic battles and wild transformations, but not every moment landed smoothly. From head-scratching power-ups to timeline chaos, let’s revisit the 10 most controversial scenes that still divide the fandom. Buckle up—this ride’s bumpier than Goku’s first attempt at driving!
1. Ultra Instinct Goku vs. Beerus: The Never-Ending “Who’s Stronger?” Debate
Episode 116: “The Sign of a Comeback! Ultra Instinct’s Huge Explosion!!”
Ultra Instinct Goku’s debut was a game-changer, but it left fans scratching their heads over Beerus’ true power. Whis’ flashback line—“Not even Lord Beerus has mastered this technique”—implied Goku had surpassed the God of Destruction. This clashed with earlier statements from Battle of Gods, where Beerus claimed he used “70% of his power” against Super Saiyan God Goku.
Fans erupted. Was Beerus lying? Or did the writers forget their own lore? The manga later “fixed” this by making Beerus a perpetually moving goalpost. Every time Goku reached new heights, Beerus would casually reveal he’d been holding back. While this kept Beerus relevant, it frustrated fans who wanted clear answers. It’s like racing a friend who keeps saying, “I wasn’t really trying” after every loss.
2. Future Trunks Timeline Erased: A Bitter End to a Fan-Favorite Hero
Episode 67: “With New Hope!! In Our Hearts – Farewell, Trunks”
Future Trunks’ arc in DBZ was a gritty tale of survival. His timeline was a hellscape of Androids and despair, but he never gave up. So when Zeno erased his entire universe in Dragon Ball Super, fans felt betrayed. All Trunks’ sacrifices—losing Gohan, fighting Cell, saving his mother—were rendered meaningless in seconds.
The bigger issue? Goku could’ve called Zeno earlier to delete Zamasu, avoiding the entire battle. This made the heroes’ struggles feel pointless. Fans argued it was lazy writing, relying on a “deus ex machina” (divine intervention) to wrap up the arc. Imagine playing a video game for hours, only for someone else to press the “skip boss fight” button. That’s how this scene felt to many.
3. Universe 6 Saiyans & the “Tingly Back” Super Saiyan Hack
Episode 92: “Emergency Development! The Incomplete Ten Members!!”
In DBZ, becoming a Super Saiyan required intense emotional trauma or years of training. Vegeta pushed himself to the brink of death. Goku watched Krillin die. Even Goten and Trunks, who transformed young, had the excuse of hybrid Saiyan biology. Enter Universe 6’s Saiyans, who turned the transformation into a party trick.
Cabba taught Caulifla to go Super Saiyan by focusing on a “tingling sensation” in her back. Fans roasted this as the “Super Saiyan cheat code.” Memes exploded: “Step 1: Feel tingly. Step 2: Profit.” While the scene aimed to showcase Universe 6’s unique potential, it undermined DBZ’s legacy. Vegeta’s iconic “Super Saiyan bargain sale” line from the Cell Saga suddenly felt prophetic—just way cheaper.
4. Android 17 Park Ranger Power-Up: From Obscurity to God Tier
Episode 86: “Fist Cross for the First Time! Android #17 VS Son Goku!!”
Android 17’s return was a welcome surprise, but his power level raised eyebrows. When he fought evenly with Super Saiyan Blue Goku, fans demanded answers. How did a character who hadn’t trained since the Cell Saga suddenly rival a god?
The explanation? He’d been fighting Cell Jr.’s as a park ranger. Let that sink in. Cell Jr.’s, who Gohan one-shotted as a kid, were apparently enough to push 17 to godly levels. Fans called this “plot-powered push-ups.” It’s like saying jogging around your neighborhood prepares you to outrun Usain Bolt. While 17’s role in the Tournament of Power was awesome, his power jump remains a sore spot for lore purists.
5. Master Roshi vs. Jiren: Wisdom vs. Power Scaling
Manga Chapter 39: “Sign of Son Goku’s Awakening”
Jiren was built up as an unstoppable force. Even Goku’s Super Saiyan Blue couldn’t touch him. So when Master Roshi—a character with a power level of 139 in DBZ—dodged Jiren’s attacks, fans split into two camps:
- Team Symbolism: Loved that Roshi emphasized skill over brute strength, echoing Dragon Ball’s early martial arts roots.
- Team Logic: Screamed, “How is Grandpa surviving punches that wrecked SSB Goku?!”
The manga tried to justify it by saying Roshi used a “flawed” version of Ultra Instinct, but power-scaling fans weren’t buying it. It’s like watching a chess grandmaster lose to a toddler stacking blocks. Adorable? Yes. Believable? Not really.
6. Goku Laser Gun Debacle: When Plot Armor Fails
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection “F”
Super Saiyan Blue Goku, who fought universe-threatening battles, was nearly killed by a laser ring from Frieza’s lackey, Sorbet. Fans roasted this harder than Frieza’s Golden form.
The scene tried to humanize Goku by showing he’s vulnerable when off-guard. But after surviving planet explosions and godly ki blasts, a laser gun felt laughably inconsistent. Memes flooded forums: “Goku’s weakness: Basic physics.” While it led to a cool Vegeta moment, this scene is still cited as one of Super’s most baffling writing choices.
7. Mai & Trunks Age-Gap Romance: A Creepy Subplot
Episode 51: “Feelings That Travel Beyond Time – Trunks and Mai”
Future Mai looks like a teen but is mentally in her 60s (thanks to the Pilaf Gang’s wish for youth). Her romance with Future Trunks (early 20s) raised eyebrows. Worse, present-day Kid Trunks has a crush on Kid Mai, who’s also mentally decades older.
Fans called it “reverse shotacon,” criticizing the show for glossing over the ethical ick. While their bond in a post-apocalyptic world is touching, the age disconnect is impossible to ignore. It’s like your grandma dating your college buddy—while looking your age.
8. Trunks Sword of Hope: The Ultimate Asspull
Episode 66: “The Miraculous Power of a Relentless Warrior!”
When Merged Zamasu survived Vegito’s final Kamehameha, fans thought the heroes were doomed. Then Trunks pulled a glowing sword out of nowhere, fueled by… random people’s hope? Even Vegeta muttered, “Since when can he do that?!”
This “Spirit Bomb Sword” divided fans. Some loved the emotional climax; others called it lazy writing. Why spend episodes on training and fusion if a deus ex machina sword solves everything? It’s like writing a mystery novel and revealing the killer was “a guy we never mentioned.”
9. Universe-Busting Punch: Dragon Ball Most Forgotten Feat
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
Goku and Beerus’ clash created shockwaves that threatened the universe—a feat never replicated. Later villains like Jiren, Moro, and Gas fought Goku at higher levels, yet the universe stayed intact. Fans argued:
- “Beerus was doing most of the work!”
- “The writers realized universe-breaking stakes were too messy.”
Either way, this scene remains a headache for power scalers. It’s like claiming you lifted a car once, but never doing it again—even when your job depends on it.
10. Goku Forgets Meditation: Character Regression 101
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Goku mocking Vegeta for meditating was peak irony. This is the same Goku who trained with King Kai, achieved Ultra Instinct through focus, and spent years mastering his ki. Fans groaned: “Did they reset his character to sell merch?”
The scene highlighted Super’s tendency to flanderize Goku as a battle-hungry goofball, ignoring his DBZ maturity. It’s like your dad suddenly forgetting how to drive after 30 years—just for a cheap laugh.
Why These Controversies Keep Dragon Ball Alive
Love or hate these moments, they fuel endless debates, memes, and fan theories. Dragon Ball thrives on its chaos, reminding us that even flawed storytelling can create unforgettable entertainment.
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