Akira Toriyama’s writing has no doubt been cherished by people all around the world. The characters he created all had layers upon layers of development that helped them become dynamic. When it comes to assessing female characters in a story, the Bechdel Test can be both open-minded and limiting at the same time. On one hand, it establishes the independence of female characters.
On the other, it also limits just how well they are written through three rules that can be passed in scenes that are almost insignificant. For Dragon Ball, there are many female characters introduced throughout the series, many of whom play major roles, albeit briefly. As a result, it almost felt as if an entire block of characters was put on the sidelines for no apparent reason.
Akira Toriyama’s Focus on Goku and Vegeta
Throughout the course of Dragon Ball, female characters have come and gone. Some play major roles while others stand barely significant. While they may not be as physically strong as Goku or Vegeta, many certainly know how to hold their own. Characters like Bulma, Caulifla, and Android 18 all have immense potential, but in one way or another, found themselves limited.
While at first, they come off as built characters who have a lot awaiting them, the ultimate outcome is lackluster. Chi-Chi, Bulma, and Videl; all of them are brilliant characters. Each of these characters had their own motivations and for the most part, stood out as strong female characters. The more Akira Toriyama’s focus shifted to other characters, the more they got sidelined.
The unfortunate truth of the matter was that it was mainly the female characters who were being treated as such. Even if they may not be as strong as Goku and Vegeta, they all had their parts to play, until they didn’t.
The Downfall of Dragon Ball’s Female Characters
Representation matters no matter what medium of entertainment one might be engrossed in. Whether it is with relation to race, caste, or gender; representation influences the target demographic of media. The female characters in Dragon Ball went from being fighters, warriors, and independent beings, to mothers and wives.
I think it will be cool to have more female Z-fighters in the series
byu/RM123M indragonball
Android 18 too had her own moments and willingness to fight, one that was also quickly put to the side, not because Goku and Vegeta acted as protagonists, but because the male characters simply provided more. The amount of female characters the series has should easily make it possible to flesh them out and make them feel more active.
They stand as figures whose potential was trapped by the creative choices of the writer. Mini arcs, spin-offs, and even side stories could help give depth to the female characters. Instead, they felt flat and unexplored. Their lost potential would always be a concern for fans, especially the female demographic.
Dragon Ball is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
