Summary
TheDragon Ballfranchise is not only one of the most successful and loved shōnen adventure franchises, but also one of the longest-running franchises of all time. FromDragon Ball(original series) toDragon Ball Z(DBZ) toDragon Ball GTand now toDragon Ball Super(DBS), the franchise has gone through an evolution. This is evident through changes ranging from animation style, the character development of the original set of characters, the introduction of a new set of characters, the upgrade of the power system, etc.The one thing that has not changed, even decades after the release of the first few chapters of the manga and the airing of the originalDragon Ballanimated series, is the admiration and respect that the manga and anime fans worldwide have blessed the franchise with.
Multiple factors are credited for thisachievement of the franchise. One such factor is the strength of Akira Toriyama to make the characters go through gradual and intense character development, simultaneously ensuring that they stick to their core personality traits. One such character that theDragon Ballfans are quite fond of is Yamcha, from the original set of characters in the first installment of the franchise. Let’s take a look at how much Yamcha has changed since the Emperor Pilaf Saga.
Starting off As an Important Character
Yamcha was introduced in the original series asa deuteragonist compared to the protagonist, Goku. Yamcha was introduced to the fans in the fifth episode of the original series as a desert bandit who, as quite evident from his name, mugged people using his martial arts skills alongside his best friend Puar. Initially, he was an enemy of kid Goku. However, eventually, they became good friends along with Bulma. Goku, Yamcha, and Bulma went on various adventures ranging from defeating Emperor Pilaf and his minions to finding all seven dragon balls. Yamcha was shown asa warrior with impressive strengthfor an earthling. His character feared nothing but interacting with females.
Yamcha strives to be the best, but he never seemeds to be able to achieve this status for several reasons. He has multiple deadly martial arts moves, including the Wolf Fang Fist, which is a combination of claw-like strikes followed by punches, culminating witha powerful double palm striketo propel the opponent backward. His hand and finger movements possibly imitate the biting motion of a wolf. He even improvised and made different variations of this move, namely - the Blinding Wolf Fang Fist, and Neo Wolf Fang Fist. He had an important role to play in the Tournament Saga and the few other subsequent sagas till the transition fromDragon BalltoDragon Ball Z(DBZ).
Just Another Side Character
Yamcha’s trajectory takes an interesting turn inDBZ. With the introduction of increasinglypowerful enemies such as Saiyans, Namekians, and androids, Yamcha’s relevance as a fighter decreases. He struggles to keep up with the escalating threats, often finding himself outmatched and sidelined during significant battles. This shift is exemplified during the Saiyan Saga, where Yamcha, along with other Earth defenders, confronts the invading Saiyans but ultimately falls victim to the overwhelming power of the Saiyan warriors.
Despite his diminishing combat prowess, Yamchacontinues to contribute to the seriesin other ways. He remains a loyal friend and ally to Goku and his companions, providing support both on and off the battlefield to the Z fighters. Additionally, Yamcha explores alternative interests and pursuits, such as baseball, showcasing his versatility and resilience in adapting to new challenges. While his role as a fighter diminishes, his presence as a character remains significant, adding depth to the ensemble cast and reinforcing themes of friendship and camaraderie.
InDragon BallSuper, Yamcha experiencesa resurgence of sorts, albeit in a more comedic capacity. The series reintroduces him as a participant in the Universe 6 vs. Universe 7 baseball match, where he showcases his skills as a professional baseball player. Despite his initial apprehensions, Yamcha proves instrumental in securing victory for Universe 7, demonstrating that while his fighting prowess may have waned, his talents extend beyond the battlefield.
ThroughoutDragon BallSuper, Yamcha’s character undergoes a notable shift from a serious martial artist to amore light-hearted and comedicfigure. While he may no longer be at the forefront of epic battles, Yamcha continues to find ways to contribute to the team, though in unconventional ways. His presence serves as a reminder of the series' roots and the enduring bonds forged between its characters. His journey exemplifies the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit, reinforcingthe enduring message offriendship and unity that defines theDragon Ballfranchise. With that being said, it would not be uninteresting to watch him get a much-needed power upgrade, so the fans could watch him keep up with everyone’s beloved Saiyans and go head-to-head against the powerful alien threats.
Dragon Ball Supermanga is available to read onVizandDragon Ball Superanime is available to stream onCrunchyroll.
Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball is a franchise by Akira Toriyama which follows the adventures of Goku, a powerful warrior who protects the earth with his group of friends. A recent title from the series is Dragon Ball: The Breakers, an action style game where 7 players have to survive being hunted by the Raider.
