Broly Showdown: Comparing the Strongest Saiyan in Dragon Ball Anime

Broly stands out as one of the most unique figures in the Dragon Ball universe due to his exceptional origin story. Initially introduced as a non-canonical movie villain, Broly garnered a significant fan following that ultimately paved the way for his inclusion in the main series. However, this transformation came with significant changes, as the version of Broly depicted in Dragon Ball Super diverges sharply from his original movie character.

Since Broly’s canonization in 2019, fans have been intrigued by the stark contrasts in personality, origins, and abilities between the two iterations. A hotly debated question remains: which version would prevail in a confrontation? A closer examination reveals that the series gives a clear indication of which Legendary Super Saiyan possesses superior strength.

Super Broly Is Superior to Movie Broly

Abilities Allow for an Even Match Against Super Saiyan Blue Gogeta

Broly first made his debut in the standout film, The Legendary Super Saiyan, which is the eighth in the series of original movies. Here, he is portrayed as a formidable menace willing to unleash chaos at the slightest mention of Kakarot, or Goku. Upon his reveal, Broly was accepted as one of the most potent characters in the series, exhibiting the power to defeat multiple Super Saiyans effortlessly. His abilities even extended to matching Gohan in his Super Saiyan 2 form later in the story.

In contrast, Broly’s representation in Dragon Ball Super was significantly enhanced to ensure he could measure up against the immensely powerful Goku and Vegeta. His Legendary Super Saiyan transformation elevated him to a strength level that at one point exceeded even Kakarot’s Super Saiyan Blue—a form previously heralded as the peak of Saiyan power. In their fierce battle, Goku and Vegeta were compelled to fuse into Gogeta to contain Broly’s overwhelming rage, highlighting the challenge he posed even during their combined might.

Super Broly Would Easily Defeat Original Broly

It’s indisputable that Super Broly eclipses his movie counterpart in terms of strength. The original Broly would struggle against Goku in his Super Saiyan 3 form, let alone in his more divine transformations. To counteract Super Broly’s formidable prowess, Goku and Vegeta had to rely on fusion—a strategy typically reserved for their most formidable foes.

Super Broly’s Potential for Greater Strength

He Learns to Control His Rage

Despite the movie portrayal evidencing Broly as one of Goku’s most perilous adversaries of the Z era, he possessed a critical vulnerability—his lack of control during his Legendary Super Saiyan transformations. His rage rendered him a rampaging force driven by primal instinct rather than strategic thinking, which ultimately led to his defeat by Goku. The Super version of Broly initially suffered a similar deficiency, but this has since changed.

In Dragon Ball Super chapter #103, Broly observes Gohan’s new and powerful transformation, known as Beast Mode. Unlike his past experiences, Gohan’s form capitalizes on harnessing his rage while maintaining control, thus inspiring Broly to refine his own Super Saiyan transformation. He learns to achieve this power without succumbing to a berserk state, a shift that opens the door for even greater potential as he can now train without those inherent risks.

The Outdated Nature of Movie Broly

Broly Required a Much-Needed Update

While he remains one of the enduring villains from the franchise, movie Broly is unlikely to match his counterpart in raw power. In his last cinematic appearance during the Bio-Broly film, the pinnacle of transformation was Super Saiyan 3. Since then, the Z Warriors have faced entities with power levels that far exceed those of the non-canonical Legendary Super Saiyan. Adversaries such as Beerus, Zamasu, and Moro could easily eliminate the original Broly without breaking a sweat, marking an era where his threat level is now obsolete.

Despite the fact that Dragon Ball Super‘s Super Broly may represent the apex of strength for this beloved Saiyan character, it is vital to recognize the impact the original Broly had on the franchise. The legacy of the movie version laid much of the groundwork for the series’ current direction, meriting appreciation and remembrance from fans. Broly’s story has indeed helped shape the trajectory that Dragon Ball continues to follow today.

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