When you think of the most powerful Saiyans, Broly’s name almost always comes up, even though he isn’t part of Goku’s main crew. He’s a legendary figure known for his overwhelming strength and iconic green-haired transformation. If you’ve ever felt confused trying to piece his history together, you’re not alone. His story isn’t a straight line, and there’s a simple reason for all the confusion about his past.
The main reason for the mix-up is that there are two completely different versions of Broly. First, there’s the original character who appeared in non-canon movies in the 90s, starting with Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan. This is the version many old-school fans grew up with: a nearly unstoppable monster fueled by pure rage. Then, there’s the newer, official version who was reimagined for the 2018 film Dragon Ball Super: Broly. He has a completely different personality and backstory that is now part of the official timeline.
To help you understand this iconic character, I’m going to break down both of his histories. I’ll start with the classic, non-canon “Z” Broly to explain why he became such a phenomenon. Then, I’ll cover the modern, canon “Super” Broly and show how the creators updated him for a new generation. You’ll soon have a complete picture of this legendary Saiyan’s journey.
Key Takeaways
- The primary reason for confusion surrounding Broly is that there are two completely different versions of the character: an original, non-canon villain from the 90s and a newer, official version from 2018.
- The Broly introduced in the 2018 movie, ‘Dragon Ball Super: Broly’, is the official, canon version who is now part of the main storyline.
- The original ‘Z’ Broly was a one-dimensional villain portrayed as a force of destruction, motivated by pure rage and a deep-seated, nonsensical hatred for Goku.
- In contrast, the new ‘Super’ Broly is a sympathetic and tragic figure who is not inherently evil but was raised in isolation and manipulated by his vengeful father.
- The backstories are fundamentally different: the original was ordered to be executed for his immense power, while the new version was exiled by a jealous King Vegeta.
- Broly’s modern reinvention is considered a successful retcon, officially adding a fan-favorite character to the main story with greater depth and potential for future growth.
The Original Legendary Super Saiyan Villain
The original Broly from the 90s movies had an intense backstory. I remember learning he was born with a power level of 10,000, which was an unbelievable number at the time. This immense power terrified King Vegeta, who saw the infant as a threat to his own son’s future reign and ordered him and his father, Paragus, to be executed. They were left for dead but survived the destruction of Planet Vegeta when Broly’s power created a protective shield. Paragus then spent years trying to suppress his son’s ever-growing and uncontrollable rage with a special mind-control circlet.
When we finally meet him, we see what happens when that control shatters. Paragus’s plan to lure Vegeta to a new planet falls apart the moment Broly sees Goku. It turns out Broly’s deep-seated hatred was triggered by the memory of baby Goku crying in the pod next to his. This version of Broly wasn’t a complex villain; he was a pure force of destruction who effortlessly overpowered the Z-Fighters while screaming “Kakarot!” He was ultimately defeated only after Goku gathered energy from all his friends for one desperate punch, as seen in the film Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan.
Broly’s Canon Rebirth in Dragon Ball Super
For his official debut, Broly received a new, more sympathetic backstory that I think makes him a much better character. In this version, King Vegeta exiles the infant Broly not just for his high power level, but out of pure jealousy that he might outshine Prince Vegeta. Broly is sent to the desolate, hostile planet Vampa with his vengeful father, Paragus. This tragic upbringing redefines his character, turning him from a mindless monster into a victim of his father’s quest for revenge.
What I love most about this new Broly is that he’s a gentle giant who was manipulated into fighting. He was raised in isolation on Vampa, where his only friends were the giant creatures of the planet. His father, Paragus, uses a shock collar to control his immense power and forces him into a confrontation with Goku and Vegeta. This version’s rage isn’t a mindless fury but a painful, explosive reaction to being pushed past his limits, making his story a genuine tragedy as seen in the film Dragon Ball Super: Broly.
A Tale of Two Brolys
It’s clear we’re talking about two completely different characters who just happen to share a name. The original movie villain was a force of nature, a terrifying monster motivated by a bizarre and frankly silly grudge against Goku. He was pure, unrestrained rage with little personality beyond screaming “Kakarot!” In contrast, the modern, canon Broly is a genuinely tragic figure who was raised as a weapon and has no real malice in his heart. This shift from a one-dimensional killing machine to a sympathetic, misunderstood Saiyan is one of the best retcons in the entire franchise.
It’s awesome that a character fans have adored for decades finally has an official spot in the Dragon Ball universe. For years, Broly was stuck in non-canon movies, but his reintroduction in Dragon Ball Super: Broly cemented his place in the story. He’s no longer just a cool-looking villain for a single fight; he’s a character with potential, a future, and a chance to grow alongside Goku and Vegeta. Seeing a beloved fan-favorite get the character depth he always deserved is a huge win for everyone who loves Dragon Ball.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is Broly’s history so confusing?
His history is confusing because there are two different versions of the character. The original Broly appeared in non-canon movies in the 90s, while a new version was introduced into the official story with the 2018 movie, Dragon Ball Super: Broly.
2. Are there two different Brolys?
Yes, exactly! We have the original ‘Z Broly,’ a rage-filled villain from the old movies, and the newer ‘Super Broly,’ who has a more sympathetic backstory and is now part of the official Dragon Ball timeline. They are two separate characters with distinct histories.
3. Which version of Broly is canon (part of the official story)?
The Broly introduced in the 2018 movie, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, is the official, canon version. The original Broly from the 90s movies, like Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan, is non-canon and doesn’t exist in the main storyline.
4. What made the original Broly so powerful?
The original Broly was born with a power level of 10,000, which was unheard of for a baby Saiyan. This immense innate power made him the Legendary Super Saiyan, a warrior with terrifying and uncontrollable strength that even scared King Vegeta.
5. When did Broly first appear?
The first version of Broly debuted in the 1993 movie, Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan. This was the character many older fans grew up with, long before his official introduction into the main series.
6. Is the Broly from the Z-movies a villain?
Yes, the original Broly from the Z-era movies is portrayed as a destructive and nearly unstoppable villain. His character is fueled by pure rage and an intense, deep-seated hatred for Goku.
