Missed Wishes: Why Didn’t the Z Fighters Think to Turn Their Foes Into Children?
Could Reducing Their Enemies’ Ages Have Turned the Tide in the Dragon Ball Z Sagas?
The Dragon Ball universe has seen its fair share of intense battles, with Earth’s Z Fighters frequently outmatched by villains like Frieza, Cell, and Buu. While these heroes often rely on sheer power, clever tactics, or last-minute transformations to overcome their enemies, Dragon Ball Daima’s newest plot twist introduces a fresh perspective. When Demon King Gomah wishes the Z Fighters to be turned into children to reduce their power levels, some fans are now wondering: could the Z Fighters have made similar strategic wishes to neutralize threats in their own battles? Specifically, could they have used the Dragon Balls to turn their enemies, such as Cell or Frieza, into children to minimize their strength? Let’s explore why this strategy was overlooked in the Z sagas, whether it might have worked, and what it reveals about the Z Fighters' mindset.
The Power of Youth: Dragon Ball Daima’s Fresh Strategy
In Dragon Ball Daima, Demon King Gomah’s clever wish to revert the Z Fighters into their child forms drastically diminishes their power, providing a strategic edge. By reducing Goku, Vegeta, and other powerful fighters to children, Gomah effectively neutralizes the threats they pose. This tactic raised the question: why didn’t the Z Fighters themselves consider using the Dragon Balls to make similar wishes on their own enemies throughout the Z sagas?
The answer may lie partly in the Z Fighters’ battle philosophy and partly in the nature of the threats they faced. The idea of making an enemy more manageable by reducing them to a child might seem practical on paper, but it doesn’t fully align with the Z Fighters' principles or their typical approach to handling powerful foes. Let's delve into their mindset and motivations in these situations.
The Warrior's Code: Why the Z Fighters Didn’t Use “Cheap” Tactics
Throughout the series, Goku and his fellow fighters demonstrate a warrior’s honor that often defines how they face threats. While they will make tactical decisions to gain the upper hand, their ethos usually revolves around meeting foes in direct combat, relying on skill, strength, and teamwork. Goku, in particular, relishes the challenge of a fair fight, wanting to test his strength against the strongest beings in the universe. Wishing an enemy into childhood, while undoubtedly effective, would be viewed by many Z Fighters as sidestepping the battle’s challenge. This perspective has deep roots in their Saiyan heritage and Goku’s evolving philosophy.
Goku’s battles, especially against opponents like Vegeta, Frieza, and Cell, reveal his tendency to let enemies fight at full power. In his view, this brings out the best in him and his allies, pushing them to surpass their limits. While the practicality of turning enemies into children may sound appealing to fans, it would feel, in Goku’s eyes, like “cheating” the thrill and honor of overcoming a foe on equal footing.
The Limitations of the Dragon Balls and Shenron’s Role
Another key factor is the limitation of the Dragon Balls themselves. While the Dragon Balls are undoubtedly powerful, there are boundaries to what they can accomplish. For instance, Shenron and other dragons have limitations on the scope of wishes, often dictated by the dragon’s creator. During the Z sagas, it’s possible that the Z Fighters were uncertain about whether the Dragon Balls would have the power to not only de-age their enemies but to do so in a way that would affect their strength as dramatically as they hoped
Additionally, even if the Z Fighters considered such a wish, it’s uncertain whether Shenron would comply. In several instances, Shenron hesitates or outright refuses to fulfill wishes deemed beyond his power or those against his principles. Wishing for a childlike Frieza or Cell might have pushed these boundaries, leaving the Z Fighters with no guarantee that the wish would work as intended.
Potential Scenarios: How Would Childlike Antagonists Have Affected Key Battles?
If the Z Fighters had managed to turn major antagonists like Frieza, Cell, or Buu into children, it would indeed change the dynamics of those battles. Imagine a miniaturized Frieza, a weakened tyrant whose ambition remains but whose power and intimidation factor are dramatically reduced. A child Frieza might still possess intelligence and cunning, but his physical capabilities would likely diminish, making him far less threatening.
Cell, on the other hand, would likely pose unique challenges if reduced to a childlike state. Given his genetic makeup, which includes Saiyan DNA and Namekian regeneration, de-aging Cell might have impacted his power, but it’s unclear how dramatically. Since Cell’s DNA combines traits of many powerful fighters, it’s possible he could “grow back” his strength quickly or adapt in unforeseen ways, maintaining a degree of threat.
Buu, a magical being, presents another question. De-aging him might have unpredictable effects, perhaps changing his personality or making him even more dangerous. With his unpredictable nature and ability to absorb others, Buu might have transformed the situation in a way the Z Fighters could not anticipate, potentially undermining the tactic entirely.
The Importance of Growth: How Facing Challenges Shaped the Z Fighters
Beyond practical concerns, turning enemies into children or miniaturized forms would undermine the growth of the Z Fighters themselves. Each new challenge brought by these antagonists pushed characters like Goku, Gohan, and Vegeta to surpass their previous limits, evolving both in power and wisdom. The battles against these enemies represent key moments of growth, not just for individual fighters but for the team as a whole.
Facing Frieza drove Goku to unlock Super Saiyan; battling Cell pushed Gohan to unleash his hidden power; and the threat of Majin Buu brought out transformations and fusions that broadened the Z Fighters' abilities and resolve. By opting for an “easy way out” through de-aging their enemies, they would forfeit these transformative battles and the chance to become stronger, limiting the scope of their potential.
Would It Have Been Worth It? The “What If” of Minimizing the Threat
While fans wonder if de-aging enemies could have been a simple solution, there’s a larger question of what they would lose by choosing that route. The Z Fighters’ primary motivation has always been to protect their loved ones and their planet, but they also seek self-improvement and understanding. Resorting to a quick fix might have prevented some major losses and saved lives, but it would also reduce the personal stakes of each battle.
By facing their opponents at full strength, the Z Fighters embraced challenges that transformed them into the heroes they are. This approach reflects their deep-rooted belief in strength through adversity, a theme that resonates throughout the series and remains central to Dragon Ball’s appeal.
Why Strategy Isn’t Always About “Winning”
The Z Fighters’ decision not to use the Dragon Balls to weaken their enemies by turning them into children reflects their values, not just their tactics. For them, true victory comes from rising above formidable odds, testing their limits, and facing down evil, even when the odds are against them. Dragon Ball Daima’s Demon King Gomah may have shown that de-aging enemies could be effective, but it’s not a tactic that aligns with the Z Fighters’ ideals.
Ultimately, Goku, Vegeta, and their allies didn’t seek easy answers—they sought real battles, growth, and transformation. While reducing their enemies’ ages might have seemed like an ideal solution to some fans, the Z Fighters’ journey was never about taking shortcuts. Instead, they consistently chose the path of true strength, an approach that inspires fans and solidifies their place as legends in the Dragon Ball universe.
