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.
The popularity of this original version led to two sequels: Broly – Second Coming and Bio-Broly. In these films, the character’s personality was stripped away even further. In the second film, he is revived on Earth and stalks Gohan, Goten, and Trunks. By the third film, he is reduced to a genetic clone made of bio-liquid, a move that many fans felt did a disservice to his status as the Legendary Super Saiyan. Despite these questionable sequels, the primal design of the character, with his massive muscles and blank eyes, kept him at the top of fan popularity polls for decades.
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 hostile 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.
The 2018 film also introduced Cheelai and Lemo, two members of the Frieza Force who see Broly for who he truly is. They recognize that he is a kind soul being used as a weapon. This addition of supporting characters who care for Broly provides a grounding element that the original movies lacked. Instead of being killed off at the end of the movie, Broly is wished away to safety on Vampa, leaving the door open for him to become an ally to Goku and Vegeta later in the series.
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.
The visual design also reflects these differences. While both versions feature the massive “Full Power” state with green hair, the Super version incorporates scars and a pelt from his friend Ba, a creature from Vampa. This pelt serves as a constant reminder of his lost innocence and his connection to nature. The original version was often draped in gold jewelry and regal attire, emphasizing his status as a “king” of destruction, whereas the new version looks like a survivor who has struggled every day of his life.
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.
The Evolution of the Legendary Transformation
One of the most fascinating aspects of Broly’s history is how his transformation has been explained over time. In the original 90s films, his “Legendary Super Saiyan” form was treated as a unique, once in a thousand years occurrence. It was characterized by a massive increase in muscle mass and a distinct greenish-yellow aura. This form seemed to grant him infinite stamina and a power level that rose the longer he fought, making him nearly impossible to defeat in a standard brawl.
In the canon Dragon Ball Super timeline, this transformation is given a more grounded explanation. Broly utilizes the “Wrath State,” which allows him to tap into the power of the Great Ape (Oozaru) while remaining in his human form. This explains why he becomes so much larger and more aggressive without actually growing a tail. When he eventually goes Super Saiyan on top of this Wrath State, his hair turns that iconic shade of green, signifying that his power is overflowing and uncontrollable. This new explanation connects his unique gifts back to the biological roots of the Saiyan race, making his strength feel like a natural, albeit rare, extension of his heritage.
Broly’s Role in the Current Dragon Ball Era
Unlike the original Broly, who was effectively erased at the end of his movie appearances, the canon Broly has continued to play a role in the story following the events of his debut film. In the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie and the corresponding manga chapters, we see Broly training on Beerus’s planet alongside Goku and Vegeta. This is a massive shift for the character, as he is now actively trying to learn how to control his temper and manage his power without losing his mind.
This training arc is significant because it positions Broly as a potential protagonist or a key defender of Earth. He is no longer a villain to be feared, but a student of martial arts who respects Goku’s strength. Watching him interact with Whis and Beerus adds a layer of humor and humanity to his character that was previously non-existent. Fans are now eagerly waiting to see how he will contribute to future battles, especially since he may be the only one with the raw potential to surpass even the newest forms like Ultra Instinct or Ultra Ego.
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, much like how fans explored the complete history of other legendary figures from the past.
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, which fans can analyze using a Super Saiyan Power Level Calculator to understand the scale of his threat.
