Though it can seem as though power levels are always increasing in Dragon Ball, there have been a few times when characters have instead grown weaker.
Dragon Ball, created by Akira Toriyama, has some of the most powerful anime characters of all time. Power levels in the anime can sometimes appear to be constantly increasing, from the formidable Saiyans to the show’s superb roster of antagonists, but this isn’t always the case. In reality, certain Dragon Ball characters have been known to deteriorate over time.
Some Dragon Ball characters’ power levels have been reduced at various occasions over the years. This is sometimes done to advance the plot, while other times it appears to be done primarily for comedic effect. Whatever the reason, these Dragon Ball characters all become weaker at some point, albeit mostly temporarily.
Gohan
Akira Toriyama wanted Gohan to replace Goku as the series’ leader, as shown by the Cell Games saga. Fans never took to Gohan like they did Goku, causing Toriyama to reconsider his plans during the Majin Buu narrative, in which Gohan is weaker than when he fought Cell.
Gohan was probably nerfed because there wasn’t much fighting between the Cell and Buu sagas, and calm makes people weak. This makes logical, given the two storylines hardly clashed. The Buu story brings out Gohan’s actual potential, and by the end of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, he’s considerably stronger than he was as a child.
Majin Buu
Akira Toriyama wanted Gohan to replace Goku as the series’ leader, as shown by the Cell Games saga. Fans never took to Gohan like they did Goku, causing Toriyama to reconsider his plans during the Majin Buu narrative, in which Gohan is weaker than when he fought Cell.
The lack of fighting between the Cell and Buu sagas certainly explains why Gohan was nerfed. Gohan’s potential is awakened throughout the Buu saga, and he surpasses his childhood strength levels in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
Krillin
Krillin is nearly as powerful as Goku in the original Dragon Ball series. Given Goku’s Saiyan history, it’s a remarkable feat on Krillin’s part. Tien can claim it, but he and Krillin won’t last.
Some will argue that their surrounds are getting stronger while their power levels are staying the same. Krillin flees after his death on Namek, as Tien fights Cell. Krillin redeems himself by defeating Majora in the Tournament of Power with his dirty shoe.
Hit
Hit is one of Dragon Ball Super’s Universe 6’s most powerful new characters. Despite the tournament’s lethal force rules, the interdimensional assassin fought Goku, revealing his real might is greater than Super Saiyan Blue. Fans knew this because Goku used Kaio-Ken with Super Saiyan Blue during their fight.
Hit’s power levels seemed to plunge during the Tournament of Power, as he struggled to keep up with Dyspo. This is another example of a Dragon Ball character being nerfed to generate tension and suspense.
Goku
Goku’s strength has been nerfed despite his years at the top of the Dragon Ball hierarchy. Goku’s vulnerability originates from Dragon Ball GT not being canon, with the Super Saiyan 4 transformation he achieves in the much-maligned Z sequel being wiped out by Dragon Ball Super.
Source: Sr Diadema
In Dragon Ball Super, Goku enters Super Saiyan God form early, therefore his power isn’t diminished for long. Super Saiyan 4 is Goku’s most powerful form when Beerus first arrives on Earth. Vegeta’s strength would have dropped more if he had mastered Super Saiyan 4 in GT, since he never reached Super Saiyan 3 in the anime or manga.
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