Fans believe that one Dragon Ball character had a lot of potential that went unexplored. Maybe Akira Toriyama killed him off too quickly, or maybe it was necessary for the plot; it’s hard to say when it comes to this proud character.
However, the Saiyan blood running in him held a chance of greatness just like Vegeta and Goku. Yes, the subject of discussion is Raditz, the arrogant brother of Goku, who was gotten rid of in Dragon Ball Z.
Was Raditz’s Death Too Early in Dragon Ball?
Many fans consider Raditz’s death too early in Dragon Ball. If he had stayed, he could have become Goku’s ally in the long run. When he arrived on Earth, he was stronger than Goku and wanted to recruit him for Frieza’s army. But he was killed in the span of a few chapters.
However, he was Goku’s elder brother. While he did not inherit the soft-spoken nature of his parents and was extremely rude to Goku, the same can be said about Vegeta when he first arrived. Eventually, Vegeta realized they had a common enemy and made amends with Goku.
If Raditz was not killed during his very first encounter, he could have received a chance to turn a new page like Vegeta. He could have also received a redemption arc. Given that he carries the same blood as Goku, his early death denied him a chance at more character development.
Raditz’s death could have been delayed until he was ready to sacrifice himself to save another character. Or Goku could have later resurrected Raditz, explained Frieza’s villainous deed, and united against a stronger enemy.
If Raditz had a better character development arc, then fans would have become more attached to him, and his death would lead to more emotions. His attitude could be a byproduct of growing up with elite (rude) Saiyans, including Vegeta, and it might have undergone a change had he stayed on Earth among humans.
Akira Toriyama’s Decision Might be Right, and Raditz is Better Off Dead
While many fans think that Raditz’s early death is wasted potential, others think it would have led to a cliched storyline if he had survived. What if Raditz was rotten throughout and never had it in him to improve? Then Goku would have been stuck with an evil brother who showed up at the worst possible times, as Team Rocket did in Pokemon.
No doubt, he was the perfect introduction to the Saiyans, eventually paving the way for Vegeta and understanding their species. However, beyond that, Raditz could have been a drag. Bringing back villains just because they are family is not the best way to proceed.
You can take Frieza, for example. No matter how many times he is defeated, destroyed, and killed, he finds a way to return to the franchise. His latest transformation is black Frieza, inspired by credit card levels. As a recurring character, many fans think he has lost his charm, while others are surprised simply by the number of unique transformations he comes up with.
Raditz was a mid-level warrior, introduced by Akira Toriyama, only to set a new power standard in Dragon Ball Z. He served his purpose and could be better off staying dead.
You can read Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z on Viz Media and watch the anime on Crunchyroll.
