Would Dragon Ball Be More Respected if a Villain Actually Won for Once?

It’s time we talk about the one thing Dragon Ball refuses to do — and how it might be holding the series back from the respect it truly deserves.

Why I’m Asking This Question

As someone who lives and breathes Dragon Ball, I’ve spent years defending this series in debates, videos, and forums. I love it — from Goku’s first journey on the Nimbus to the chaos of Ultra Instinct in Super. But recently, I’ve been thinking about something that hits deeper than just transformations and power scaling: Why do the villains always lose? And I don’t mean temporarily. I mean truly, definitively win.

Would Dragon Ball as a franchise be taken more seriously if it actually let the bad guy take the W every once in a while? It’s a bold question, I know. But stick with me — I’ve got thoughts.

---

The “Victory Loop” Problem

Let’s be real — Dragon Ball has a formula. Villain shows up. Z-Fighters get overwhelmed. Training happens. Power-up happens. Hero wins. Sometimes it’s emotional, sometimes it’s explosive, but at the end of the day, the good guys alwayspull through. Now don’t get me wrong — that underdog comeback energy is part of what makes Dragon Ball hype. We live for those last-minute clutch moments. But over time, it starts to feel predictable.

Think about it: when was the last time a villain got a real, no-strings-attached victory that shaped the universe long-term? Not a mid-arc win. Not a temporary dub. I mean a legit win that sticks.

---

Zamasu Was Almost That Villain

Zamasu had that potential. He won. He erased a timeline. Goku and Vegeta lost. Trunks lost. The Supreme Kai couldn’t do anything. Zeno had to step in and nuke everything. That’s not even a moral win for the heroes — that’s cosmic cleanup.

And even then... the writers walked it back by creating another timeline where things were “okay.” No long-lasting consequences. No true impact. It felt like the universe hit “undo.” That’s what I mean when I say Dragon Ball has commitment issues when it comes to letting evil actually change the game.

---

What If a Villain Did Win?

Imagine if a villain actually won in a way that couldn't be reversed with the Dragon Balls. No wish. No reset. Just a new reality. Imagine the character development we’d get — Goku having to rebuild himself. Vegeta confronting true failure. Gohan stepping up in a way he hasn't since the Cell Games. That kind of loss forces growth.

You can only be great if you’ve faced true defeat. And no, I don’t mean the kind where you train for 10 episodes and come back stronger. I mean defeat that leaves scars — mental, emotional, and world-altering.

---

Fans Want More Than Just Fights

Here’s the truth: people outside the fandom don’t take Dragon Ball seriously because they think it’s just yelling, punching, and hair dye. And while we know that’s a lazy take, I do believe a villain winning can actually change their mind. Other anime let their villains win. Attack on Titan. Death Note. Even My Hero Academia teases that risk.

Dragon Ball? It teeters, but never tips.

If the series ever had the guts to fully lean into a villain win — even once — it would shake up everything. It would make the stakes real. And maybe, just maybe, earn it more respect from those who think Dragon Ball is stuck in its old ways.

---

Let the Villain Win. Just Once.

I’m not saying every arc needs to end in tragedy. I’m not saying Goku should die for good (even though he’s probably got more lives than a cat at this point). What I am saying is: Dragon Ball has matured. The fans have matured. The writing needs to evolve too.

Let a villain win.

Let us see our heroes truly fall — not just physically, but emotionally. Let us feel that defeat, sit in it, and grow from it. That’s where real storytelling lives. And Dragon Ball deserves to reach that level, especially now with Toyotaro at the helm and a whole new generation watching.

---

Final Thoughts

I’ll always love Dragon Ball. That’s never changing. But love also means wanting more. Wanting better. I want the world to see this series for more than just epic fight scenes. I want them to feel the tension, the heartbreak, the what-ifs. And the only way to get there… is to let the villain win. Just once.

So I’ll ask it again — Would the Dragon Ball series be more respected if it actually let a villain win? I think the answer is yes. And I think it’s time we find out.

"You fool! This isn't even my final form!", Frieza, Namek Saga.