It's amazing what speculation can do, especially for a franchise as big as Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball. Soon after Dragon Ball GT ended, an image of Super Saiyan 5 Goku surfaced online. This seemingly heralded a new show called Dragon Ball AF. Sadly, the whole tale turned out to be a hoax.
However, that didn't stop fans from running with the idea. Many see this unmade sequel as an intriguing myth full of untapped potential. This has led to countless story arcs and images supposedly expanding on the concept, even spawning an unofficial manga by Toyotarou in 2000. The funny part, though, is that several of these ideas are more inspired than the official ones. The new manga and shows might want to take a few pointers from this passionate fan fiction.
Updated on April 27, 2022, by Ritwik Mitra: Dragon Ball is one of the most popular anime around, with the series featuring some of the most iconic anime moments of all time. Dragon Ball Z is the series that is arguably responsible for bringing the series to the mainstream, with Super doing a great job of keeping the hype train going once again after years of remaining dormant. However, during this break, a popular fan-made project called Dragon Ball AF came into the picture. This fable turned into actual fan projects by two artists, and the best elements of each adaptation of Dragon Ball AF that could be used in the main series are mentioned below.
13 Gohan Being Relevant Once Again
Gohan is one of the most beloved characters in Dragon Ball Z. The manner in which he showcased a ton of promise before transforming into Super Saiyan 2 against Cell was easily the character's biggest peak, and it's a shame that it's been downhill for him ever since.
However, Gohan in Dragon Ball AF was actually pretty useful. In fact, in Young Jijii's version of the manga, he's actually the first person to transform into a Super Saiyan 5 during the battle against Ize. It's a shame that Gohan has stopped fighting at the frontlines... but perhaps things are about to change with the advent of the newest movie.
12 Master Roshi Passing Away Peacefully
Toyble (now Toyotaro) penned a version of Dragon Ball AF that had a pretty poignant and memorable side story. It documented Master Roshi's final moments as he passed away in a truly brilliant story.
While it's not necessary to replicate this scene in Dragon Ball, there's no denying that Master Roshi has been alive for way too long now. It's genuinely surprising that more fans don't question how this character has remained alive all this time.
11 Giving More Screen Time To Characters Aside From Just Goku
Goku has been the protagonist of Dragon Ball for the longest time. Even during the times when he's not even alive or just not in any major event, it still doesn't take away from his allure as the most well-known character in Dragon Ball.
However, there was a time when Gohan seemed like the preferred candidate to take over Goku's role as the hero of Dragon Ball. However, for some reason, he was used for a rather wasteful Great Saiyaman role, before fading away into the background as Goku played a central role once again.
10 Get To Know The Other Gods Of Destruction
These destructive deities started out on an intriguing note thanks to Beerus. Unfortunately, things went downhill once the Universe Survival Arc introduced the other Gods of Destruction. Those who weren't boring were grating as all get out, and most of them looked like throwaway designs from Toriyama's trash.
Dragon Ball AF gives readers a different avenue into these concepts. Citrus, for instance, is a God of Destruction in training, mentored by Vegeta, Jr. This lets the audience get to know the character as a person first and a god second. Doing the same in the main series would make these guys more than overpowered plot devices.
9 Xicor/Zaiko The Clone
The Dragon Ball franchise is no stranger to freaks of science, having tackled androids, cyborgs, and machine mutants. However, the series has yet to fully delve into a clone story. The closest it came was Bio-Broly, and that stupid movie devolved into fighting a giant slime monster.
Bringing in an evil clone of Goku might sound cliched, but it opens up several narrative possibilities. Can Saiyan battle genes truly be duplicated? Would Goku feel more personal responsibility if his offspring started terrorizing the world? It'd be a more fleshed-out version of Goku Black, without the fake-out.
8 Pan Isn't Useless?
The most annoying character Dragon Ball GT, Gohan, and Videl's daughter obnoxiously forced herself into several scenarios and got in the way more often than not. She couldn't even transform into a Super Saiyan, so it was hard not to see her as the runt of the litter, albeit one who's always in your face.
She's much less of a disappointment in Dragon Ball AF. Many pieces feature a more mature Pan. Some even portray her as a Super Saiyan along with Bulla, Vegeta, and Bulma's shopaholic daughter. Not only is this more in line with her potential, but it also lets her grow out of her annoying preteen phase.
7 Vegeta Ascending To Kinghood
Vegeta constantly claims to be the "Prince of all Saiyans," but he should technically be the king since his father is long dead. Perhaps he still wears his old title out of respect. Imagine if he actually assumed the throne. Now that Super has introduced Saiyans from other universes, Vegeta could take a more active role in mentoring them, possibly establishing a planet for them to train.
Alternatively, the original King Vegeta could return to life somehow. Seeing his son settle into domestic life is bound to create some friction that's fun to watch.
6 Ize, Son Of Frieza
The new stories have done well in reestablishing Frieza as a credible threat and an entertaining wild card, but one aspect left relatively vague is his species. How many are there? Are they all as strong as him? Above all, what are the interpersonal dynamics?
From what little viewers have seen from Frieza, King Cold, and Cooler, these guys don't exactly have a loving relationship. However, given all the humbling experiences and odd alliances he's had lately, Frieza may want to bond with his son and ensure his rule lives on in the next generation. In his own twisted way, the sadistic ruler could start to care for his son. Then again, Ize might try to overthrow him. Either way, it's interesting to see them play off each other.
5 Exploring Bardock's Character
For a dead guy, Bardock sure is popular. Goku's father was an intriguing figure from the get-go. Who could have birthed such a great warrior and hero? Was he as brutal as the other Saiyans? Through various specials, flashbacks, and guest appearances, fans fell in love with this rough-and-tumble grunt. He's now a firmly established part of Dragon Ball lore.
Viewers and readers have long dreamed of this warrior playing a more central role in the story, possibly even meeting his son. A few excerpts of Dragon Ball AF showcase some of the adventures Bardock got up to, but why stop there? Let this Saiyan freedom fighter interact with other longstanding characters and see how the universe has changed.
4 Goku Jr. Should Live Up To His Potential
This kid left a bad first impression, showing up during the bizarrely depressing epilogue of Dragon Ball GT before whining his way through the Hero's Legacy movie. He came off as an utter waste of space, unworthy of his namesake.
That said, the idea's not dead on arrival. A descendant of Goku struggling to live up to those who came before could make for a compelling character. The expectations would be even more overwhelming since he looks just like the famous hero. Dragon Ball AF recognizes that potential and the new shows should, too.
3 More With The Supreme Kais
Toward the end of Dragon Ball Z, Supreme Kai reveals he once had three peers (and a benevolent elder) to watch over the other quadrants. Sadly, Kid Buu killed/absorbed these other Kais in a flashback. That's a shame since they exhibited more personality in these few minutes than Supreme Kai showed in the whole show.
Clearly, others thought so, too. Granted, Dragon Ball AF's version of West Kai steers a bit too close to Zamasu in her goals, but that doesn't mean that she and the others can't be expanded in different ways. With the various universes interacting more and more, these past Kais could be more relevant than ever due to their past insights.
2 Uub, Goku's Pupil
The unsuspecting village boy and reincarnation of Kid Buu was set to lead the next generation. Goku took him under his wing, and everything supposedly came full circle. Unfortunately, Dragon Ball GT pushed Uub to the backseat, and Super ignored him almost entirely (until recently).
Goku's departure forces Uub to step up in Dragon Ball AF, defending the Earth with the other supporting characters. What potentially gives him more dimension is his fusion with Majin Buu. As he grows more powerful, his body could naturally revert to his evil past life. This double-edged sword dynamic would be unlike any other in the series.
1 Super Saiyan 5
The image that started it all, Goku's Super Saiyan 5 form makes him look like Sephiroth crossed with a spider monkey. It's clearly copying the Super Saiyan 4 design, but it's still more creative than the Super Saiyan God forms of recent years.
That's why this line of transformations should make a comeback. With their darkened color schemes and harkening back to the characters' ape forms, Super Saiyan 4 and 5 are more visually inspired than any power-ups that have come since. They're well worth bringing back, not just because they look cool, but also because they represent a breath of fresh air in a tired line of forms.