Ask John: Why Doesn’t Dragonball’s Story Make Sense?

Question:
How come there are a couple different stories in DBZ explaining the destruction of planet Vegeta?

Answer:
The simple answer is, don’t think about it too much. To be more precise, I think it’s somewhat common for especially non-Japanese anime fans to sometimes take aspects of anime and manga too seriously, or make more of them than necessary. While certain aspects of anime deserve serious consideration, I think it’s important for a critic to apply some flexibility when appropriate. Especially in the case of long manga series created primarily by a single author, and the anime based on those manga, it’s not uncommon for creators to just make up story as they go along. Over a period of many years, even manga creators themselves may forget details of the story they’ve created. One of the best examples of this is Mamoru Nagano’s Five Star Stories, which is so complicated that even Nogano himself has admitted that even he can’t straighten it all out! Another prime example is Leiji Matsumoto’s universe, primarily including Galaxy Express, Captain Harlock and Space Cruiser Yamato. While all of this anime occurs in the same universe, there is no singular continuity that contains all of the anime because no one ever attempted to maintain a logical continuity while producing all of the anime. In examples like these, and awkward conflicting origins and explanations in the Dragonball continuity, it’s most rewarding to not demand a logical and consistent progression throughout. Instead, just enjoy the manga or anime without analyzing its plot holes or story contradictions too thoroughly. There are plenty of characteristics of Dragonball that are worthy of respect and analysis, but the logic of its linear story is not one of them.

Addendum, reader Anthony Ruiz sent in this more precise explanation:

Early on in “filler” parts of the Dragonball Z anime, the Toei animators created their own explanation by saying Planet Vegeta’s guardian punished the Saiyans by destroying the planet with a barrage of meteors. Later on Akira Toriyama, author of the Dragonball manga, contradicted what was already in the anime by saying Frieza destroyed Planet Vegeta. This explanation was adapted into the anime, despite the earlier “false” explanation. It’s just another example of the problems that occur when an anime airs while its respective manga is still running.