Future Trunksis a fan-favorite inDragon Ball Zand made an iconic return inDragon Ball Super. Having first arrived on the scene from his apocalyptic timeline, Future Trunks offered the Z-Fighters a much-needed warning about the upcoming threat of the Androids. Growing up ina world ravaged by death and conflict, he shouldered responsibilities beyond his years and became a powerful fighter dedicated to safeguarding a timeline that wouldn’t change his own.
While Future Trunks grew powerful and successfully safeguarded his future for a time, he often felt the weight of others' expectations, especially from his father, Vegeta, whose approval he seemed to crave. When Future Trunks is reintroduced inDragon Ball Super, it’s clear that the burdens from his past haunt him in the battle against Zamasu and Goku Black.FutureTrunks questions his very purposeas he faces his most dangerous enemies yet and comes to a profound realization that sparks his most powerful form to date.
Future Trunks Only Stood Up To Vegeta Once, And It Wasn’t Out of Bravery
Future Trunks Questioned His Father’s Actions To Protect the Present
Future Trunks' relationship with Vegeta has always been mixed with both admiration and frustration. Havinggrown up in a world without his father, Trunks only had stories of Vegeta passed down from Gohan and Bulma. He found himself in awe of Vegeta’s resilient and prideful nature and strived to gain his approval. Yet, while he admired his father’s tenacity,Trunks also found himself angered by Vegeta’s recklessnessbut was, for the most part, unwilling to intervene.
The one exception came when Trunks finally stood up to Vegeta in episode #159 ofDragon Ball Z, when he hit him with an energy blast and sent him to land in the middle of the ocean. However,it wasn’t driven by couragebut rather the opposite; it was his fear of Cell’s potential that pushed him to confront Vegeta. It was little more than a reactionary act fueled by his desperation and fear of Cell’s perfect form that pushed Trunks into acting against Vegeta.
Zamasu’s Criticizing Words To Future Trunks Serve as a Catalyst for His Power
When Faced With Zamasu’s Accusations, Future Trunks Unlocked His Full Potential With Super Saiyan Rage
However, Trunks' growth is on full display during his return inDragon Ball Superwhen he, Vegeta, and Goku take on Zamasu and Goku Black. At the end of episode #61 ofDragon Ball Super, Zamasu and Goku Black mercilessly tear down Trunks,accusing him of being little more than a vilesinner who defied the natural orderby meddling with a time machine. They claimed that his time travel proved mortal arrogance and blamed him for every occurrence that had happened since, attempting to make him feel responsible for the chaos and every death that followed.
The accusations cut deep for Future Trunks, and he argues that he’s spent his entire life defending people. Even so, he reaches a point where he realizes he can’t afford to live in the shadow of others' judgments.Zamasu and Goku Black’s twisted sense of justiceand outrageous claims pushed Trunks to his breaking point. With pure defiance and rage, he yelled, “You say my choices make me evil? Then that’s what I’ll be.” At that moment,Trunks lets go of his need for validation and stands firm in his beliefs, regardless of any labels others may impose on him.
This shift in Trunks' character serves as the catalyst forhis transformation into Super Saiyan Rage. Zamasu and Goku Black’s attempt to shame him into submission and despair did the opposite and freed him from his insecurities and desire for everyone’s approval. InDragon Ball Z, Trunks' convictions were destroyed every time Vegeta called him weak or when Cell called out his faults. Yet, his return inDragon Ball Superallowed him to grow beyond others' opinions andembrace his role as a warriorwho protects those he loves.
Future Trunks' Super Saiyan Rage Reflects His Growth And Inner Strength
Trunks Realizes That Goku Black and Zamasu Do Not Dictate His Reality
Super Saiyan Rage became a reflection of Future Trunks’ growth, a product of his defiance and anger in response to Zamasu’s accusations.This form is exclusive to the anime and to Future Trunks, thus being perhaps the most unique in the franchise, especially because it’s not triggered by training or a burst of rage, but by the growth of the character. The harsh judgment and claims Zamasu places on Trunks are the trigger that allows him to channel his energy into a form that displays his resilience and determination to defend his timeline on his own terms.
With Super Saiyan Rage, Trunks fully embraces his strength and comes to terms with the fact that he did everything in his power to protect those he holds dear. Unlike his previous struggles to prove himself,Trunks’ transformation signifies his commitment to his own beliefs, even when faced with a god’s wrath. He lets go of the need for validation from the father he never had growing up, and instead focuses on his own beliefs. His transformation into Super Saiyan Rage inDragon Ball Superserves as a testament to Future Trunks’ journey in realizing his true strength and purpose.
Dragon Ball Super
Cast
Dragon Ball Super is an anime series set after Majin Buu’s defeat. It follows Son Goku, now a radish farmer, as peace prevails until Beerus, the God of Destruction, appears. Seeking to challenge a legendary warrior, the series revisits events from two Dragon Ball Z films before exploring alternate universes.
