When Dragon Ball Returns to TV, the Anime Needs to Keep Goku's Best Weapon on Hand

Goku and company's latest anime adventure, Dragon Ball Daima, was a nostalgic return to the franchise's roots that knew when it was time to kick it up a notch. Borrowing elements of Dragon Ball's adventure, Dragon Ball Z's action, Dragon Ball GT's premise, and Dragon Ball Super's flash and fan service, the anime brought a little something to the table for fans of any of the franchise's prior anime adaptations. In returning the cast to children, Daima also referenced and expanded on long-forgotten lore.

The Namekians' origins in the Demon Realm finally offered clarity on Piccolo's demonic roots, while Goku was seen using the Nimbus for the first time in decades. The most notable return, however, is the one fans have discussed the least: Goku's Nyoibo, or Power Pole. Once a weapon that never left Goku's side, the Power Pole was given some much-needed shine in Dragon Ball Daima, and deserves to be featured in Dragon Ball going forward.

Goku's Power Pole Returns to Action in Dragon Ball Daima

The Long-Forgotten Weapon Was Once Integral to Goku's Image

Goku is arguably the most iconic character in anime and manga history, and there are three distinct versions of him that have lived in the public consciousness. The first is Kid Goku, a short and round child with the Power Pole in hand and a goofy smile painted on his face. As the narrative of Akira Toriyama's original manga progressed, that image of the character was replaced by adult base Goku, and finally Super Saiyan Goku. With each evolution, more of the stubby child faded, and Goku morphed into the picture of strength.

Adult Goku with his Kid self on a red background.

While his tail may not have been returned to him, Dragon Ball Daima was able to connect the old and the new by placing the Power Pole back into his possession. Throughout the anime, Goku used the weapon to great effect in more than a few of the most visually impressive sequences the franchise has ever offered. More than a simple nostalgic call-back, Daima proved that the Power Pole and weapons like it change the nature of Dragon Ball's combat, and the series would benefit from keeping it around.

Weapons Like the Power Pole Can Fundamentally Change Dragon Ball

The Long-Forgotten Weapon Can Bring a Fresh Feel to the Decades-Old Series

Goku attacks Tamagami Number Three with the Power Pole — Dragon-Ball-Daima-Episode-8-Goku-Tamagami-Number-Three-Power-Pole

As Goku and the rest of Earth's greatest heroes grew in strength, so too did their battles become flashier and over-the-top. Often, like in Goku and Jiren's fight during Dragon Ball Super, the action becomes so high-speed that it's reduced to different colored flashes of light bouncing off the screen. When a weapon becomes involved, like the Power Pole, it forces combat to become a bit more close-quarters and intimate, and allows for more detailed choreography to take priority over flashy, exaggerated fun.

Goku using the Power Pole in episode 8 — Dragon-Ball-Daima-Episode-8-Goku-Power-Pole

There isn't anything wrong with big explosions and colorful beams of energy, as many of Dragon Ball's greatest fights, like Gogeta and Broly, featured tasteful mixtures of detailed choreography and stylized attacks. However, weapons offer a fresh take on fighting that would be welcome in a series that has seemingly done it all and more over the course of four decades, and there has been a distinct lack of weapon-users throughout Dragon Ball's history.

Weapons Have Always Been Rare in Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball Could Benefit From More Weapon Users

Future Trunks cuts one of Dr. Gero's Androids in half using his sword

Though some might argue in favor of Bulma's car, Dragon Ball's oldest, most prominent weapon is Goku's Power Pole. Aside from that, very few weapons have played any significant role in the series. However, the few to have played a major part account for some of Dragon Ball's most memorable scenes. Trunks' arrival and short-lived battle with Frieza has long been a fan-favorite moment, largely because of how unique a scene it is compared to the rest of the series' confrontations. Unfortunately, Gohan's misuse of the Z-Sword robbed fans of a similar moment later down the line.

Dragon Ball Daima Finale Ushers In Goku's Greatest Kamehameha of All Time: Watch

Dragon Ball Daima's finale had all the action anyone could want from the series, and Goku's most iconic move has never looked better.

Posts

By returning the Power Pole to Goku's side, as Dragon Ball Daima proved, opportunities open for new and exciting combat sequences. The future of Dragon Ball is uncertain without creator Akira Toriyama at the helm, though in whatever form it eventually returns, the Power Pole deserves some time in the spotlight as well.