Dragon Ball Z: The Truth Behind Broly and Goku's Rivalry, Explained (2024)

Over the years, Dragon Ball's Broly has become one of the franchise's most beloved heroes, but he didn't start out that way. During the Legendary Super Saiyan's original appearances in Dragon Ball Z, he was a manic powerhouse with an appetite for destruction and chaos, and he absolutely hated Goku. The reason for Broly's irrational anger toward Goku early on might seem foolish to an outsider looking in, but digging deeper into the cause actually offers a bit of insight into not just Broly as a character, but his relationship with his father and the Saiyan race's drive as warriors.

When reintroduced into the franchise's canon in the 2019 film Dragon Ball Super: Broly, his rage toward Goku launched a powerful rivalry. He had friends and emotions, which made him a much more sympathetic character than his previous incarnation. Broly's quest for vengeance over his banishment, however, did eventually bring the two heroes head to head in an epic clash of power. It's important to first understand the old Broly, whose irrational anger and hatred for Goku may not be considered canon, but set the stage for an unforgettable rivalry.

Updated on March 9, 2024 by Jennifer Melzer: As fans lament the passing of Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, the 30th anniversary of Dragon Ball Z: Broly - Second Coming approaches March 12. The tenth DBZ feature film and the second movie in the Broly Saga, the trilogy is more commonly known as Dragon Ball Z: Broly Triple Threat. Originally indtroduced as a highly volatile character, Broly's loathing for Goku seemed irrational at times. Under the surface, however, there was a very real reason he didn't like his fellow Saiyan. This article has been updated to further reflect on Broly as a character, as well as to implement CBR's most recent standards for formatting.

Who Is Broly in the Dragon Ball Universe?

Broly Originally Embraced His Aggression, Becoming Dangerously Unhinged and Relishing In His Destructive Nature

• First Appearance: Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993)
• Father: Paragus

When the franchise first introduced the Legendary Super Saiyan warrior, Broly appeared harmless enough at a glance. Under the surface, however, he was a bubbling pot of mania and unleashed rage seeking an opportunity to burst. Even as a baby, he was fueled by anger, which may seem odd for a normal baby, but Broly was no normal baby. As a Saiyan warrior, Broly was born to greatness, with a natural talent and power his own father sought to not only suppress, but control.

Broly was rash, unpredictable and incredibly destructive because he never learned to harness his power and struggled to control his rage. Paragus feared that in one of his violent outbursts, Broly might actually destroy himself, so he outfitted his son with a mind-control crown. Not only was he destructive, but he was also immeasurably sad*stic, cruel and sarcastic, brooking scorn from Piccolo and intense fear from Vegeta once they encountered him.

Unfortunately, Broly's mania only worsened as he grew older, fueling his destructive nature and even pushing him to try to kill his own father when he realized he was trying to put the mind-control crown on his head. It's important to consider that it's likely Broly wasn't born this way. While Saiyan's are certainly intense personalities, being born filled with rage doesn't just happen. Digging down to find the root of Broly's rage, one might be surprised to discover baby Goku at the root of baby Broly's anger.

Where Did Broly's Hatred for Goku Stem From?

Considering Goku's General Happy-Go-Lucky Personality, It's Hard to Imagine How He Inadvertently Made Broly Hate Him

Born on the same day as Kakarot (Goku), the two Saiyan babies lie side by side in the nursery. Goku struggled with his low power, wailing and crying continuously. Broly, on the other hand, was born with immense natural power, and baby Goku's display of weakness drove him mad. Culturally, Saiyans take pride in their warrior status, and they hold strength and power in high regard. Even as babies, there is an inherent awareness of this, and Goku's initial weakness was a point of contention for baby Broly. In fact, Goku's constant wailing brought on bouts of PTSD that pushed Broly over the edge and made him even more reckless and destructive as he grew older.

But it isn't as simple as being annoyed by a neighboring baby's cry in the nursery. Returning to their cultural emphasis on strength and power, all Saiyans are born warriors. Those who don't display immense power at birth are usually sent away to alien planets to train and prove themselves worthy. Broly's power was so vast at birth, that he believed Goku should recognize and submit to his superior strength, but Goku didn't understand submission. This made Broly fear Goku, igniting a rivalry between the pair and forcing Broly to rise and prove himself as the strongest Saiyan in the universe.

In addition, King Vegeta III felt threatened by Broly's massive power, believing he would eventually rise against him. Vegeta banished Broly to the desolate and barren planet Vampa, an unforgivable slight that no doubt added fuel to the fire of his vengeance and rivalry with Goku.

Is the Original Broly Still Dragon Ball Canon?

The Differences Between Broly In DBZ & DBS

Despite being a remarkably powerful warrior, the new incarnation of Broly has no desire to fight unless he is protecting the people he loves or his Saiyan nature is provoked. He displays deep loyalty to his father, not seeming to care that Paragus harshly trained him to become a weapon of vengeance. His emotions are directly connected to his Saiyan powers, and when his blood boils with rage he becomes more animalistic and irrational, but the sadism of the original incarnation is no longer there. He takes no pleasure in cruelty, and that's a good thing.

The old version of Broly, with his unhinged rage, violent outbursts and sad*stic temperament is little more than a memory of the past. Because Akira Toriyama had nothing to do with the original character's development or some of the movies released at that time, they don't fall into the canon timeline for the franchise. Toriyama did see something in Broly that he wanted to bring to the surface: a heart. Having a villain with no real drive for his intense violence, even a Legendary Saiyan warrior looking to prove his superiority, didn't seem to sit well, but there was potential there for a more well-rounded character.

Broly finally became canon in Dragon Ball Super: Broly. Reintroducing him to the franchise, the character showed compassion and manners, even if he did struggle with the nature of his intense power. He's become a fan favorite, in part because he's no longer considered a homicidal villain.

Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball tells the tale of a young warrior by the name of Son Goku, a young peculiar boy with a tail who embarks on a quest to become stronger and learns of the Dragon Balls, when, once all 7 are gathered, grant any wish of choice.

Created by

Akira Toriyama

First Film

Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies

Latest Film

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

First TV Show

Dragon Ball (1986)

Latest TV Show

Dragon Ball Super

Upcoming TV Shows

Dragon Ball DAIMA

First Episode Air Date

April 26, 1989

Cast

Sean Schemmel , Laura Bailey , Brian Drummond , Christopher Sabat , Scott McNeil

Current Series

Dragon Ball Super