Z or Super? The Great Debate Heats Up! Official Dragon Ball Post of Bardock Sparks Intense Fan Reaction: "It's Not Something You Can Just Brush Off"

An image of Bardock (voiced by Masako Nozawa) drawn by Toyotarou has been released on the official Dragon Ball X account, sparking a heated comparison among fans between the classic "Z version" and the current "Super version" of the character's setting and portrayal.

The account posted the image with the comment "Bardock's Battle" along with relevant hashtags. The release was incredibly timely, coming just as the new character "LEGEND Bardock" joined the app game Dragon Ball Legends on April 8.

The shared image is a manga panel depicting Bardock with a scar on his face, casting a sharp, intense gaze. It features a powerful line that captures his ferocity and pride as a warrior: "In a life-or-death battle... is there any fool who thinks about anything other than 'winning'?"

Dragon Ball is a series based on the massively popular manga by Akira Toriyama. It follows the adventures and battles of the protagonist, Son Goku, as he searches for seven mystical orbs scattered across the world that grant any wish, earning immense support both in Japan and overseas. Currently, the official sequel Dragon Ball Super, with the original draft by Toriyama and illustrations by Toyotarou, is in serialization. Furthermore, the production of a new anime, Dragon Ball Super: Galactic Patrol, has been officially announced, raising high expectations for future developments.

In response to the post, fans shared enthusiastic comments such as "That’s Kakarot’s dad for you!", "This makes me want to listen to 'Solid State Scouter'," and "I'm excited to see Bardock in the anime again!" On the other hand, the debate regarding the differences in portrayal between series is intensifying, with reactions such as "The comparison between Z and Super Bardock is blowing up, but it's not something you can just brush off" and "I like Super too, but I still prefer the 'weaker' Bardock from Z."

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