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Broly
Dragon Ball character
Broly in his base form (left) and Wrathful Super Saiyan form (right) in Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
First appearance
Last appearance
Created byTakao Koyama
Designed byAkira Toriyama
Voiced by
In-universe information
AliasThe Legendary Super Saiyan
SpeciesSaiyan
Family
  • Paragus (father)

Broly (Japanese: ブロリー, Hepburn: Burorī) is a fictional character from the Dragon Ball media franchise, the son of Paragus who is the unstoppable Legendary Super Saiyan, born the same day as Goku.

Two different versions of the character exist: the original Broly, a non-canon major villain created by screenwriter Takao Koyama who appeared in a trilogy of 1990s Dragon Ball Z films, Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993), Broly – Second Coming (1994) and Bio-Broly (1994), followed by a canonical, newer and reworked version of the character by series creator Akira Toriyama that debuted in the film Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018), where he initially served as one of the main antagonists, before eventually becoming a supporting character in his later appearances.

Creation and design

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The character of Broly was created by Takao Koyama, who was inspired to create a menacing and powerful Saiyan villain after watching Future Trunks transforming into his Super Saiyan Third Grade form during the Perfect Cell Saga, and designed by Dragon Ball creator, Akira Toriyama.[1] Following the Saiyan race's usual naming trend, which is based on vegetables, Broly's name is a pun on broccoli, while his father Paragus is a pun on asparagus. Besides flashback scenes of Broly as an infant in the 1990s movies as well as Toriyama's design sheets of that version of the character, neither the original nor the reworked version of Broly is seen with a tail, which is considered to be a defining characteristic of a Saiyan character within the series.[2]

Voice actors

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Broly voice actors
Language Actor Notes Ref.
(Adult) Broly
Japanese Bin Shimada [3]
English Vic Mignogna Funimation dubs of all media until 2019
Johnny Yong Bosch Funimation dubs 2019–present
Douglas Rand AB Groupe dub of Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan
Young Broly
Japanese Hiroko Emori Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan [4]
Yukiko Morishita Super [3]
English Cynthia Cranz Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan [4]
Brina Palencia Super [3]
Jodi Forrest
Douglas Rand 		AB Groupe dub of Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan [4]

Powers and abilities

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Like other Saiyans in the series, his heritage has given him superhuman strength, senses, durability, agility, speed, reflexes, and the ability to utilize his Ki.[5] In the Daizenshuu 6: Movies & TV (1995) guidebook, it is stated that Super Saiyan Broly's power surpasses that of Super Saiyan Goku and that in his "Legendary Super Saiyan" form Broly is an opponent with infinite power. According to Takao Koyama in a 2006 interview, Broly is the strongest and most powerful antagonist in the Dragon Ball Z series.[6] Goku stated in the conclusion of Dragon Ball Super: Broly that the new incarnation of the character's power may surpass that of the God of Destruction Beerus.

Appearances

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Dragon Ball Z

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Broly Trilogy movies

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Debuting in Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan Paragus lures Vegeta, Goku, and their companions to another planet, where Broly encounters Goku and goes into a rage, destroying the mind control device and becoming the unstoppable Legendary Super Saiyan. He effortlessly pummels Super Saiyan Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Trunks, and Piccolo before killing his father. Goku eventually defeats him, but Broly somehow manages to make his way into an escape pod. His backstory was given in this movie. He was born with a power level of 10,000, which ultimately made him the target of summary execution at the order of the reigning Saiyan monarch King Vegeta due to fear that he'll ultimately prove a threat to his rule. This resulted in him being stabbed and left to die with his father Paragus before narrowly escaping Planet Vegeta's destruction at Frieza's hand. According to Paragus, Broly's rage stems from Goku's power riling up his Saiyan instincts.

Returning in Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming, he crash-lands on Earth and becomes frozen over by a lake of water until the cries of Goku's son Goten awakens him. Broly fights a long battle against Goten, Trunks, and a Super Saiyan Gohan before a triple combined Kamehameha wave from Goku, Gohan, and Goten defeats him by blasting him through the sun.

Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly, blood samples make their way into the hands of an industrialist, who creates a clone of the original Broly. The clone eventually wakes up and becomes mixed with bio-liquid, mutating him into a creature known as "Bio-Broly" (バイオブロリー, Baio Burorī). He fought Goten, Trunks, Android 18, and Krillin and is eventually defeated by a combined Kamehameha attack after his body is exposed to seawater and becomes petrified as a result. The ending was originally meant to set up a fourth movie featuring Broly but was reworked into Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn with Janemba as the main villain.[7]

Dragon Ball Z: The Real 4-D at Super Tenkaichi Budokai

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Dragon Ball Z: The Real 4-D at Super Tenkaichi Budokai (ドラゴンボールZ ザ・リアル4-D at 超天下一武道会, Doragon Bōru Zetto Za Riaru Fō-Dī atto Sūpā Tenkaichi Budōkai; lit. "Dragon Ball Z: The Real 4-D at the Super Number One Under Heaven Martial Arts Gathering") is an interactive 4-D cinematic theme attraction at Universal Studios Japan, and the successor to Dragon Ball Z: The Real 4-D. The film starts as an OVA before transitioning to CGI 3D models. The story takes place during a martial arts tournament, where the Legendary Super Saiyan (Broly) returns with a new God form (God Broly). He can overpower a Super Saiyan Blue Goku and knock out cold a Super Saiyan Blue Vegeta. With the audience's help, Goku can perform a unique God fusion and blasts God Broly away with his God Kamehameha.

Dragon Ball Super

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A canon version of Broly reworked into a quiet and slightly naïve Saiyan with a penchant for exploding in rage, debuts in the 2018 film, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, which tells the story of Goku, Vegeta, and Frieza encountering the exiled Saiyan for the first time.[8][7][9] Broly's retconned storyline portrays him as an abnormally powerful Saiyan who is exiled to the wasteland planet Vampa by King Vegeta out of fear and jealousy of his power. Broly is portrayed as a rough and quiet character with significant social naivety from his time spent living on a desolate world. He displays additional personality traits that are deemed rare in Saiyans, such as compassion, gentleness, and a refusal to fight simply for the sake of fighting. Despite his initial docility, Broly has trouble controlling his power whenever provoked by severe stress, anger, or sufficient physical exertion such as when fighting; when he loses control, Broly enters a destructive, mindless berserker state in which he possesses little to no sanity or ability to distinguish friend from foe.

He is also emotionally scarred by his father Paragus violently disciplining him via shock collar, but in spite of this abusive upbringing, Broly remains loyal to his father. Broly spent four decades living in exile with Paragus, being raised as an ultimate weapon of revenge against King Vegeta until they are rescued by soldiers of the Frieza Force, Cheelai and Lemo, who quickly befriend Broly. Recruited by Frieza and headed for Earth, Paragus unleashes Broly upon Vegeta to take his revenge on the Vegeta Royal Bloodline. Broly, untrained for battle against other powerful Saiyans, nevertheless quickly adapts against Vegeta and Goku, but gradually loses control of his mind and enters his Ekari (Wrathful) transformation. Later in the film, in a bid to use Broly's rage as a power increase against Goku and Vegeta, Frieza kills Paragus and calls Broly's attention to his father's death, lying to him that it was a stray energy blast from his fight with the other two Saiyans that killed his father.

Paragus's death successfully provokes Broly, who transforms into the Super Saiyan form, at the total cost of his sanity. In this form, he defeats Goku and Vegeta in their Super Saiyan Blue forms, forcing them to retreat, before Broly turns his attention to Frieza and attacks him, provoking Frieza to transform into his Golden transformation, although it makes little difference against Broly. Goku and Vegeta, with the guidance of Piccolo and in spite of Vegeta's prideful hesitation, practice the Fusion Dance but fail twice, leaving Frieza at Broly's mercy for an hour. Ultimately, Goku and Vegeta succeed in fusing, becoming Gogeta. Gogeta returns to battle and enters his Super Saiyan form, resuming the battle with Broly.

Gogeta and Broly clash, causing reality to 'break' around them. Broly enters Super Saiyan Full Power, The Legendary Super Saiyan's ultimate form, and in turn, Gogeta turns Super Saiyan Blue. The two continue fighting, with Gogeta trying various techniques against Broly, including a Full-Force Kamehameha to end the fight. Cheelai and Lemo use the Dragon Balls to transport Broly back to Vampa with a wish from Shenron before Gogeta can finish him off with the attack. Later, Cheelai and Lemo settle down with the reverted Broly but are visited by Goku, who brings the group supplies and offers to teach Broly how to control his power, befriending him and sparking a friendly rivalry between them.

Broly is next seen on Planet Beerus, being trained with Goku and Vegeta under Whis and Beerus. Goku tries to teach Broly how to control in his anger midfight to prevent becoming an uncontrollable beast, but Whis has Broly sit out from training for the time being until he learns. Later on Vegeta is training Broly and does the same thing, talking to Broly on how he should not be afraid to use his full power, but should learn to control it. Whis notices that Broly has started to become better at controlling his anger while spectating his training.

Broly makes a cameo appearance in the 2022 film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, while training with Goku and Vegeta under Whis to control his rage and power. After Gohan acquires his new 'Beast' form, Goku convinces him, along with Trunks and Goten, to spar on Beerus' planet. While Gohan and Goku fight, Broly notices how Gohan has learned to control his anger in his new form. This prompts Goku into setting up a sparring match between Broly and Gohan, in hopes of the latter helping Broly control his anger. During their fight Broly is able to transform into a Super Saiyan form without losing control and being fully aware of what's happening. Vegeta, Goku, Trunks, and Goten then join in, creating a massive Saiyan brawl. After they're all worn out, Broly joins the rest of the Saiyans in a giant meal before the others head back to Earth.

In other media

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Broly debuted in the video game Dragon Ball Z Super Butoden 2 (1993).[10] Since then, Broly has frequently been included in several Dragon Ball Z-related video games, along with fellow movie and Dragon Ball GT characters such as Bardock, Cooler, Janemba, Baby and Omega Shenron. Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury loosely adapted his second film and features him as a boss. In Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 (2005), Broly is the subject of three side stories: one that deals with what would have happened if Broly and Paragus succeeded in destroying the Z-Fighters; another, Broly being placed under the control of Dr. Gero; the third, Broly arriving during the Majin Buu Saga and bonding with Mr. Satan. In Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit (2008), he has his own story mode entry alongside Dende, which is a loose adaptation of his debut film's narrative. Both his original and Super incarnations appear as playable characters via downloadable content in the video game Dragon Ball FighterZ (2018).

Although Broly never appears in the original manga, he appears as a frequent antagonist in the spin-off manga, Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission (2012), written by Toyotarō in Weekly Shōnen Jump and published by Shueisha, where he acts as the henchman to Genome in the latter's plan to retrieve the Black Star Dragon Balls. His battle with Goku and Vegeta in Dragon Ball Super: Broly is teased in a panel that follows the conclusion of the Universal Tournament arc for Dragon Ball Super.

Reception

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Broly's cosplay on Dragon Ball Super panel at San Diego Comic-Con, 2018.

Broly is considered to be one of the most popular villains within the Dragon Ball series, with a cult following.[7] He placed second by fan vote in a poll of Dragon Ball antagonists published by the March 2018 issue of V Jump.[11] Chris Carle from IGN ranked Broly as tenth on IGN's list of Top 13 Dragon Ball Z Characters.[12] In a 2016 list of the best Dragon Ball Z fights, the fight between Broly and Goku and others in the first movie was ranked as seventh; and the fight against Goten, Gohan and Goku in the second movie, as sixth.[13] On the character's popularity, Will Harrison from Polygon drew parallels between Broly and Boba Fett from Star Wars.[14] Shawn Saris, also from IGN, states that one of the characteristics that makes Broly memorable is his frightening size as well as brutal behavior during fights.[8]

The Dragon Ball Super character Kale has received particular attention from critics as well as Dragon Ball fandom due to her similarities to the original version of Broly.[15][16][17]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Broly

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Broly is a fictional Saiyan character in the Dragon Ball media franchise, renowned for his unparalleled power level and status as one of Universe 7's Legendary Super Saiyans. Born on Planet Vegeta in Age 732 around the same time as Prince Vegeta, Broly possessed an extraordinarily high power level as an infant—measured at 10,000—far surpassing that of the young prince, which prompted King Vegeta to exile him and his father Paragus to the remote planet Vampa to avert a potential threat to the royal lineage. Despite his immense destructive potential, Broly is depicted as a pure, kind-hearted individual who grew up in isolation, unaware of his heritage until manipulated into conflict. The character was reimagined and canonized by series creator Akira Toriyama for the 2018 animated film Dragon Ball Super: Broly, directed by Tatsuya Nagamine and released in Japan on December 14, 2018, where it grossed $115.75 million worldwide. In the story, Paragus allies with the resurrected tyrant Frieza to harness Broly's power for revenge against the Saiyans, leading to a confrontation on Earth against Goku and Vegeta; during the battle, Broly instinctively awakens multiple Super Saiyan transformations, including the rare Wrathful form and the green-haired Legendary Super Saiyan state, overwhelming his opponents until Goku taps into Ultra Instinct. Voiced by Bin Shimada in Japanese and Vic Mignogna in the English dub, Broly's design emphasizes his towering, muscular build and wild, unkempt appearance reflective of his feral upbringing. Post-film, Broly integrates into the Dragon Ball Super canon as an ally, sparing his life after Goku intervenes and relocating to Beerus' planet for training to control his rampaging power, with subsequent manga appearances showcasing his growth and bonds with Goku and Vegeta. His Legendary Super Saiyan physiology grants adaptive, ever-increasing strength without traditional limits, making him one of the franchise's most formidable warriors, though his emotional volatility remains a key trait. Broly has since appeared in video games like Dragon Ball FighterZ and Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero, further cementing his popularity among fans for embodying raw Saiyan potential.

Creation and design

Conception

Broly was originally conceived by screenwriter Takao Koyama as the primary antagonist for the 1993 animated film Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan, the eighth theatrical entry in the Dragon Ball Z series. Akira Toriyama, the creator of the Dragon Ball franchise, had limited involvement in the original Dragon Ball Z movies, primarily contributing character designs rather than story development or scripting for Broly. Koyama developed Broly as a non-canon character, embodying the "Legendary Super Saiyan" myth from the Dragon Ball lore—a legendary figure said to appear every thousand years, possessing immense, uncontrollable power that draws on ancient Saiyan folklore of destructive warriors beyond normal control. Central to Broly's initial characterization was Koyama's plot decision to root his irrational hatred for (known as Kakarot in infancy) in a traumatic childhood incident: as newborns in a Saiyan nursery, baby Broly was repeatedly disturbed by baby Goku's incessant , which Koyama intended as a simplistic yet memorable trigger for Broly's berserk rage. This concept positioned Broly as an overwhelming, vengeful force in the films, appearing as a non-canon villain across three movies (Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan in 1993, Broly – in 1994, and Bio-Broly in 1994), where his power escalated dramatically but remained outside the main series continuity. In a significant shift, transitioned to canon status with the announcement of Dragon Ball Super: Broly in July 2017. Toriyama took direct control, personally scripting the film's story, redesigning the character from his original iteration, and integrating a revised backstory that aligned Broly with the official timeline while preserving core elements of his legendary origins. Toriyama described the process as an opportunity to "remake" Broly for modern audiences, emphasizing his evolution from a mere destructive to a more nuanced figure within the established lore.

Design evolution

Broly's original design, created by for the 1993 film Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan, featured an imposing, bulky musculature that emphasized his role as an overwhelming antagonist, with his Legendary Super Saiyan form distinguished by a green-tinted aura and hair, setting it apart from standard Super Saiyan transformations. A key element was the crown-like headpiece integrated into Paragus' mind-control device, which restrained Broly's power and visually symbolized his subjugation. In subsequent non-canon films, the design underwent minor iterations to fit new narratives. The 1994 sequel Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming retained the core bulky silhouette and green Legendary Super Saiyan aesthetic with subtle adjustments for reusability, such as refined facial expressions to convey rage more dynamically. By the 1994 film Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly, the character was reimagined as a cloned, mutated version with greenish skin, enhanced mechanical augmentations like armored plating and liquid-filled containment elements, altering his form into a more grotesque, bio-engineered horror while preserving the massive build. The 2018 canon redesign for : Broly, overseen by as original author and character designer, significantly refined Broly's appearance to integrate him into the main continuity. His base form adopted a slimmer, more athletic build compared to the original's exaggerated bulk, allowing for a gradual evolution into a massive, hulking state during power-ups, which highlighted his untamed potential. This version eliminated the infamous "" outfit from the non-canon films, replacing it with practical Saiyan armor, and shifted the color palette to include pants in his base form, with transformations featuring red eyes and a brighter green hair tone to align with established Saiyan . In the canon design, elements like the initial control device—evolving from a to a removable —and Broly's Saiyan armor underscore his princely status, born on the same day as , positioning him as a symbolic rival to the Saiyan royalty without overt accessories like earrings, though the overall aesthetic evokes a restrained noble warrior.

Voice actors

In the Japanese version of the Dragon Ball Z films, Broly is primarily voiced by Bin Shimada, who first portrayed the character in Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993) and continued through subsequent movies like Broly – Second Coming (1994) and Bio-Broly (1994), as well as in video games and the 2018 canon film Dragon Ball Super: Broly. Shimada's performance is noted for its deep, growling tone that captures Broly's berserk rage, with a shift toward a more nuanced emotional range in the canon portrayal to reflect the character's tragic backstory. For English dubs produced by Funimation, Vic Mignogna served as the primary voice of Broly in the original Dragon Ball Z movies from 2003 onward, including remastered releases, and in related media such as video games up to 2018; occasional reused footage from Vegeta's scenes led to Christopher Sabat providing some vocalizations in those films. Mignogna's delivery emphasized Broly's unhinged fury through intense, guttural screams. Following controversies surrounding Mignogna, Johnny Yong Bosch replaced him as Broly's voice starting with the English dub of Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2019) and in subsequent appearances, including Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022) and games like Dragon Ball FighterZ DLC. Bosch's interpretation brings a layered vulnerability to the role, balancing raw power with moments of childlike innocence. In other language dubs, Broly's portrayal maintains a focus on rage-filled intensity for consistency across adaptations. In the French dub, Mark Lesser voices Broly, delivering a performance akin to his Trunks role but amplified with aggressive timbre in films like Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan. For the Latin American Spanish dub, Ricardo Brust provides Broly's voice, known for his exhaustive vocal efforts that reportedly caused temporary hoarseness during Dragon Ball Super: Broly recording, underscoring the character's demanding roars.

In-universe profile

Biography

Broly was born around Age 732 on Planet Vegeta, classified as an elite Saiyan due to his extraordinary power level of 10,000 at birth, which surpassed that of the infant Prince . Fearing this potential threat to the royal line, King Vegeta ordered the execution of the child, but Broly's father, Paragus, intervened by hiding him in a and fleeing the planet just before destroyed Planet Vegeta. The pair crash-landed on the remote planetoid Vampa, where Broly was raised in near-total isolation, with no companions beyond his father and the planet's native creatures. During his infancy on Planet Vegeta, baby Broly had been disturbed by the cries of the newborn Kakarot (later ), an event that planted the seeds of a deep-seated hatred toward , which persisted and intensified over the years. In the non-canon films, Broly's story diverges significantly after his exile to Vampa, where Paragus fitted him with a mind-control device to suppress his growing rage and power. Paragus later sought revenge against and the Z Fighters, using Broly as a weapon; in the 1993 film : Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan, Broly breaks free of control, transforms into his Legendary Super Saiyan form, and battles on , culminating in his when hurls him into the sun. Broly is revived in the sequels Broly – (1994) and Bio-Broly (1994), where he again seeks vengeance but ultimately meets his end as a mutated clone created from his cells in the latter film. The canon narrative, established in the 2018 film Dragon Ball Super: Broly, integrates Broly into the main timeline following the Tournament of Power. After Paragus and Broly are rescued from Vampa by Frieza's forces and brought to Earth for a confrontation with and , Broly's unleashed power leads to a cataclysmic battle, but he is ultimately subdued and spared, with offering him a chance at redemption. In subsequent developments, Broly is transported to ' planet for training under and , gradually learning to control his abilities while forming a tentative alliance with them. The manga expands on these events starting with a reference in chapter 42 and further integrates Broly in later arcs: in chapter 78 of the Granolah arc, he assists and against the Heeters' Gas, demonstrating improved power control; and in chapters 92–103 of the Super Hero arc (as of volume 24, released April 2025), he continues training on ' planet and spars with , achieving a controlled Super Saiyan form. Broly is the son of Paragus, with no details provided about his mother in any canon or non-canon material. His relationship with his father is marked by Paragus' manipulative control, driven by ambition rather than affection, while Broly's central rivalry with stems from that early traumatic encounter, fueling his instinctive aggression toward the Saiyan hero across all iterations of his story.

Personality and traits

In the non-canon films, Broly is depicted as a mindless destroyer consumed by berserk rage, exhibiting psychotic and sadistic tendencies as he relishes the death and destruction he causes. His deep-seated hatred for originates from a traumatic memory of the infant Kakarot's incessant crying disturbing his sleep as a baby, fueling an irrational vendetta that drives his rampages across the galaxy. This portrayal emphasizes Broly as an untamed force of primal Saiyan instinct, lacking the heroism of or the prideful ambition of , and instead representing raw, uncontrollable fury without emotional depth or redemption. In contrast, the canon version introduced in : Broly (2018) reimagines Broly as a tragic figure—powerful yet emotionally stunted due to years of isolation on the barren Planet Vampa following his as an for his abnormally high power level. He is described as a pure and kind-hearted Saiyan, displaying childlike innocence and naivety in his interactions, such as his gentle demeanor toward companions like Cheelai and his pet. Broly's loyalty to his father Paragus is profound, stemming from their shared and Paragus's manipulative control, which suppresses Broly's potential for independent thought. Broly's motivations in the canon are rooted in trauma rather than innate malice; his berserk rage erupts when hearing 's Saiyan name "Kakarot," evoking suppressed memories and grief, particularly intensified by Paragus's death during the conflict. This evolution highlights Broly's capacity for growth, as post-defeat scenes show him regaining control through 's guidance and hints of friendship during subsequent training with and , portraying him as a redeemable embodiment of untapped Saiyan potential warped by abuse and solitude. Unlike other Saiyans who channel their instincts into heroism or rivalry, Broly embodies the destructive, primal core of Saiyan nature when unleashed, yet retains an underlying gentleness when nurtured.

Powers and abilities

Physical attributes

Broly possesses an imposing physical stature with a highly muscular build that underscores his raw Saiyan heritage. His strength is extraordinary even in his untransformed state, demonstrating rapid adaptive growth during combat that allows him to eventually overpower opponents who rely on refined techniques. Broly's durability is equally remarkable, enabling him to endure the brutal, resource-scarce environment of Planet Vampa—a frozen, monster-infested wasteland—for decades without advanced sustenance or shelter. In terms of mobility, Broly demonstrates exceptional speed and reflexes, capable of travel and instantaneous combat responses that keep pace with elite warriors, though his raw power often prioritizes overwhelming force over precision. As a Saiyan, Broly benefits from inherent racial enhancements, such as Zenkai boosts that amplify his strength and resilience following recovery from severe injuries, and accelerated muscle development under physical stress, contributing to his unparalleled growth potential. Despite these advantages, Broly's physical prowess is hindered by limitations stemming from his inexperience in prolonged battles, rendering him susceptible to exploitation by tactically superior foes, and episodes of mental instability that cause erratic power surges and loss of strategic control.

Transformations and techniques

Broly possesses several unique transformations that amplify his already formidable Saiyan physiology, with the Legendary Super Saiyan (LSSJ) form serving as his signature power-up. This berserk state, marked by green hair and a surging green aura, enables exponential power growth, allowing Broly's strength to escalate rapidly and indefinitely during combat. The LSSJ form first appeared in the non-canon 1993 film Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan, where it depicted Broly as an uncontrollable force driven by rage. In the canon 2018 film Dragon Ball Super: Broly, the form is adapted with restrained variants, where Broly accesses its power more controllably after training, though it still risks berserk overload. In the Dragon Ball Super manga, Broly achieves a controlled Full Power Super Saiyan state with green hair, allowing precise power usage without berserk rage. Prior to fully accessing the LSSJ, Broly employs the Wrathful state, a pre-transformation phase featuring a red aura that channels Great Ape-level power without physical mutation, enhancing his speed and ferocity while maintaining humanoid mobility. The Full Power LSSJ variant represents an advanced escalation, involving a massive increase in muscle mass and size, further boosting destructive output at the cost of . Additionally, the Legendary Super Saiyan form appears in video games as a hypothetical evolution, combining LSSJ traits with Super Saiyan energy, rooted in Broly's canon potential for adaptive power scaling. Broly's techniques emphasize raw projection and overwhelming force. In non-canon depictions and video games, his signature Eraser is a devastating mouth-fired blast, capable of erasing targets with concentrated green ki, often used in his transformed states for maximum impact. The Burst technique manifests as a colossal sphere, scaled to rival galaxy-level destruction, hurled to obliterate vast areas in a single detonation. In the canon film, he deploys powerful mouth beams for high-output assaults and explosive waves for area denial, leveraging his forms' enhanced ki output. A key aspect of Broly's LSSJ energy mechanics is bottomless stamina, which sustains prolonged rampages without , fueling continuous power escalation and rendering him increasingly dominant in extended battles. This trait stems from his Legendary Super Saiyan physiology, distinguishing him from standard Saiyans whose transformations impose stamina drains.

Appearances

Dragon Ball Z films and attractions

Broly first appeared in the 1993 animated film Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan, serving as the primary under the mind control of his father, Paragus, who uses a crown device to suppress Broly's rage and direct it against . In the story, Broly, driven by a lifelong grudge against due to the latter's crying as an infant disturbing his sleep, leads the destruction of the South Galaxy's planets before confronting the Z Fighters on New Planet . The film culminates in Broly's defeat through a combined Family Kamehameha energy wave executed by , , and , which blasts him into the sun after Paragus's betrayal is revealed. Broly returned in the 1994 sequel Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming, where he survives his previous apparent death by crash-landing on in a Saiyan pod and entering a frozen coma for seven years. Revived accidentally by Goten's crying, which echoes Goku's infant cries, Broly rampages across a city and battles a young , Goten, and later , showcasing his overwhelming power in his Legendary Super Saiyan form. The conflict ends with channeling energy from the surrounding humans into a Kamehameha, reflected via a compact mirror held by Goten to mimic sunlight, which pierces and destroys Broly. A cloned variant of Broly, known as Bio-Broly, features in the 2003 film Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly, created by the industrialist Mr. Jaguar from residual blood samples left on Earth after Broly's earlier battles. Intended as a bio-engineered warrior to humiliate Hercule in a tournament and expose him as a fraud, the clone proves unstable, mutating into a slime-like, corrosive form during combat with Goten, Trunks, and Android 18. Bio-Broly is ultimately defeated when a ruptured tank releases bio-liquid that dissolves him amid a laboratory explosion triggered by the Z Fighters' counterattack. Broly also appears in the 2017 interactive 4D cinematic attraction Dragon Ball Z: The Real 4-D at Super Tenkaichi Budokai, presented at , where he interrupts a hosted by Hercule by emerging from a lake to attack the participants and . In this short experience, Broly, empowered with a God form, battles , , , , , and , leading to a fusion into Gogeta before the is prompted to contribute for a final assault that repels him. The attraction emphasizes immersive effects like motion seats and wind to simulate Broly's destructive rampage during the brief confrontation.

Dragon Ball Super anime and films

In Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018), Broly receives a full canon origin as a powerful Saiyan mutant born on Planet Vegeta during Frieza's reign. His extraordinarily high power level as an infant prompts King Vegeta to exile him and his father Paragus to the desolate planet Vampa to prevent him from threatening Prince Vegeta's future rule. The pair survives in isolation for decades until Frieza's scouts discover them; Frieza, obsessed with the legend of the "Super Saiyan," recruits Broly into his forces, intending to wield him as a weapon against Goku. Deployed to Earth, Broly initially clashes with Cheelai and Lemo before engaging Goku and Vegeta in escalating battles, rapidly adapting and transforming into his Legendary Super Saiyan form, which overwhelms both opponents and forces their fusion into Gogeta to subdue him. Ultimately defeated but not killed, Broly is spared by Goku and relocated to Beerus' planet alongside Paragus, Cheelai, and Lemo, marking the start of his training under Goku's guidance to control his rage-fueled power. The film integrates Broly into the official Dragon Ball Super continuity, set immediately after the Tournament of Power arc that concludes the series. While Broly has no direct appearance in the 131-episode run (which ended in March 2018), the original Japanese broadcast of episode 131, "A Miraculous Conclusion! Farewell ! Until We Meet Again!," features teaser footage from the upcoming film in its post-credits sequence, hinting at Broly's arrival as a new Saiyan threat. In the Dragon Ball Super manga, Broly's post-film arc expands on his redemption and growth, with cameos depicting him training rigorously with on ' planet to harness his abilities without losing control. This begins during the Granolah the Survivor arc (around chapter 78) and continues into the Super Hero arc (chapters 84–103), where Broly spars with and , demonstrating controlled power-ups and hinting at his potential as an ally in future conflicts against threats like Cell Max. These sequences portray Broly evolving from a destructive force into a disciplined , fostering bonds with the Z Fighters. Thematically, Broly embodies a foil to Saiyan evolution in Dragon Ball Super, contrasting Goku and Vegeta's disciplined growth with his raw, instinctual might tied to ancient legends. His narrative bridges the franchise's historical lore—revisiting Saiyan origins under Frieza—while advancing modern themes of heritage, restraint, and alliance, recontextualizing the "Legendary Super Saiyan" myth as a catalyst for character development rather than mere villainy.

Video games and other media

Broly has been a prominent character in various Dragon Ball video games since his debut in Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden 2 in 1993, where he served as a boss opponent. He became playable in the Budokai Tenkaichi series starting with Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi in 2005, featuring movesets that highlight his Legendary Super Saiyan form, including energy blasts and berserk rushes adapted from his film appearances. In Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero (2024), both the original non-canon Broly (Z) and the canon Dragon Ball Super version are playable, with unique transformations and "what-if" scenarios allowing interactions like team-ups with other Saiyans, blending canon and non-canon elements for interactive storytelling. The fighting game (2018) included the original Broly as DLC in March 2018, emphasizing his overwhelming physical strength through combos and supers like the Eraser Cannon. Its sequel expansion added Broly (DBS) in December 2019, incorporating his Wrathful and Full Power Super Saiyan states with rapid power escalation mechanics. In (2016), Broly (DBS) appears in multiple DLC packs, including the Future Saga Chapter 3 update in October 2025, where players can patrol Conton City alongside him and Cheelai, utilizing his core abilities such as adaptive transformations in time-travel narratives. These games often portray Broly with customizable loadouts that reference his physical attributes and techniques, enabling alternate battles beyond film events. Broly features extensively in merchandise, particularly Bandai's S.H. Figuarts line, which includes highly articulated models like the Super Saiyan Broly (Full Power) from : Broly, standing approximately 8.66 inches tall with interchangeable faces and power effects to recreate his rampaging poses. In the official Card Game by , Broly serves as a black-color leader card (P-068) with 10,000 power, supporting Saiyan-themed decks focused on aggressive energy attacks and synergy with characters like and . Beyond games, Broly appears in comic adaptations and novelizations of his stories. published the Theatrical Anime Comics in 2019, a manga-style retelling of the film with illustrations by , expanding on Broly's backstory and battles through sequential panels. A adaptation, , written by Masatoshi Kusakabe and released by 's Mirai Bunko imprint in December 2018, provides a prose narrative of the film's events, delving into Broly's internal struggles and Saiyan heritage with additional details not shown in the . V-Jump magazine has featured Broly in promotional illustrations and short tied to game releases, such as bonus cards and character spotlights in issues promoting arcade modes. Additionally, Broly voiced by appeared in the : The Real 4-D attraction at in 2017, where audiences experienced a multi-dimensional battle sequence involving his "God Broly" form.

Reception

Popularity and cultural impact

Broly has garnered significant fan popularity within the Dragon Ball franchise, often ranking highly in official polls as one of the most favored villains. In a 2024 official poll hosted by the Dragon Ball social media accounts during the Secret Battle Hour event, fans voted Broly as the strongest character in the series, highlighting his enduring appeal among global audiences. The 2018 film Dragon Ball Super: Broly amplified this through viral meme culture, particularly memes centered on his intense "Kakarot!" screams and rage-fueled outbursts, which proliferated across online platforms and social media. Additionally, Broly maintains a robust presence in cosplay and fan art, with enthusiasts frequently recreating his muscular design and transformations at conventions and sharing detailed illustrations online. Broly also appears in prominent fan-created works, such as the long-running fan manga Dragon Ball Multiverse, where he is featured in multiverse-spanning stories, further demonstrating his enduring popularity in fan communities. His popularity saw a further boost in 2024 with the release of the video game Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, where multiple versions of Broly were featured and praised by players for their power and design, contributing to the game's critical and commercial success. The commercial success of Broly-related media underscores his market draw. Dragon Ball Super: Broly achieved a worldwide box office gross of $115.7 million, establishing it as the highest-earning Dragon Ball film upon release and surpassing previous entries like Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'. This financial milestone fueled demand for Broly merchandise, including action figures, apparel, and collectibles from manufacturers like Bandai, which saw strong sales tied to the film's hype and the character's redesigned canon status. Broly's cultural impact extends beyond , positioning him as an of raw, uncontrollable power in broader pop culture. His immense popularity within the franchise also influenced the creation of new characters in Dragon Ball Super, notably the Universe 6 Saiyans Kale and Caulifla. Kale, in particular, was designed by Toei Animation as a female counterpart to Broly, featuring a berserk Super Saiyan transformation that mirrors his Legendary Super Saiyan form, to capitalize on his appeal. However, this similarity between Kale's transformation and Broly's is not acknowledged or referenced within the series' in-universe narrative. His portrayal has inspired numerous memes, such as the "Broly Boost" rhino pill , which satirizes his berserk energy and has circulated widely on internet humor sites. While as a whole influences hip-hop through references to its themes of power and transformation, Broly's rage-driven contributes to discussions on emotional intensity in media. Globally, Broly enjoys high demand in both —where the film originated and performed strongly—and the West, with the 2018 canon redesign enhancing his accessibility and broadening his fanbase across regions.

Critical analysis

Critics of the original films, including Broly's debut in Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993), often highlighted their formulaic structure, where antagonists like Broly serve as vehicles for escalating battles rather than nuanced . Broly's portrayal as a rage-driven , motivated solely by a childhood against , was frequently described as one-note, reducing him to a symbol of destructive spectacle without deeper psychological exploration. Despite this, reviewers praised the film's visual and action elements, noting Broly's overwhelming power as a highlight amid the repetitive narrative tropes common to the series' non-canon movies. The canon reintroduction of Broly in Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018) garnered acclaim for expanding his backstory, transforming him from a mindless berserker into a sympathetic figure shaped by trauma and manipulation. The film earned an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics commending its fluid animation and character-driven approach that elevates the franchise's action sequences. Analyses of Broly's redemption arc draw parallels to Vegeta's evolution, portraying both as Saiyans burdened by legacy and abuse who find paths to alliance through Goku's influence, adding emotional layers to their rivalries. Thematic critiques of Broly emphasize explorations of toxic masculinity within power fantasies, particularly through his abusive relationship with Paragus, who enforces rigid expectations of Saiyan strength that suppress vulnerability. In the 2018 film, Broly's rage is reframed as a response to paternal control, contrasting with Goku's healthier model of masculinity and offering a critique of how unchecked aggression perpetuates cycles of violence. Comparisons to the Hulk archetype underscore Broly's berserker role, where escalating anger amplifies power, embodying the uncontrollable id in superhero narratives but critiqued for reinforcing simplistic rage-as-strength tropes in anime. Opinions on Broly's redesign vary, with some arguing it softens his original villainous menace to fit ongoing storylines, shifting from irredeemable destroyer to a potentially heroic ally. Others contend this evolution is essential for integrating him into core Saiyan lore, providing narrative flexibility beyond one-off antagonism while preserving his iconic rage-fueled intensity.

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