Time Skips in Dragon Ball: A Comprehensive Analysis

· algiegray's blog

Key takeaways:

  1. Time skips are a common technique in Dragon Ball, often used to fast-forward years into the future between story arcs.
  2. The length and significance of these time skips vary, with some focusing on character development and others on major events.
  3. Dragon Ball Z's epilogue, which jumps forward a full decade, highlights the growth of characters and the series' themes of change and the passage of time.

Time skips are a recurring theme in the Dragon Ball series, often used to fast-forward years into the future between story arcs. These time skips serve various purposes, from character development to major events that shape the narrative.

In the original Dragon Ball series, time skips range from half a year to three years, usually focusing on character training and preparation for upcoming tournaments or battles[5]. For instance, the three-year time skip before the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai allows Goku, Krillin, and others to train and prepare for the tournament, while the three-year time skip before the Androids saga enables the main cast to train and fight the Androids effectively[5].

Dragon Ball Z's epilogue, which jumps forward a full decade, highlights the growth of characters and the series' themes of change and the passage of time. Gohan, who was the lead character during the Majin Buu arc, has eased into a life of academics, while Goku, having found peace boring, seeks new challenges[5]. This final time skip offers a fascinating look at the growth some characters received and Goku's eternal pursuit of stronger opponents and new challenges.

In summary, time skips in Dragon Ball serve as a narrative device to fast-forward years into the future, allowing for character development, major events, and thematic exploration of change and the passage of time.

Summary for: Youtube