Dragon Ball’s Worst Mistake Is Throwing Away This Hero's Potential

Dragon Ball is best known for its epic battles and legendary transformations. As a series that blends action, rivalry, and humor with character growth and meaningful arcs, fans from around the globe have come to celebrate it for its incredible world-building, with many considering it one of the best anime titles ever made.

However, for all its achievements and merits, Dragon Ball, like anything else, has its fair share of flaws and missteps. Arguably, one of these missteps comes from the series underestimating and neglecting one hero’s potential, overlooking a perfect opportunity to give him a truly fitting culmination of his character arc.

Piccolo Has One of the Best Character Arcs in Dragon Ball

Piccolo’s introduction to Dragon Ball came after the defeat of his father, King Piccolo. He was brought into the world with a singular purpose to defeat Goku and reclaim the world after his father failed to do so. His identity since the beginning was shaped by this inheritance, making him into a character driven by vengeance, resentment, and hate.

However, when Dragon Ball Z begins, Piccolo faces the reality that there are other foes in the universe who far exceed his power. With Raditz’s arrival, Piccolo is forced to ally with Goku, and while the two win, it’s far from Piccolo’s redemption, yet it stands as the moment that the course of his life is forever altered.

His choice to train Gohan following Goku’s death becomes the true turning point in his life. The training starts out as a harsh, transactional preparation for more powerful enemies, but slowly evolves into a powerful bond between the two. Gohan teaches Piccolo responsibility, respect, and empathy, effectively reshaping Piccolo’s worldview.

By the time Piccolo sacrifices himself to save Gohan, his transformation becomes complete. The act was not only selfless but intentional, reflecting Piccolo’s growth since his first introduction. It’s the moment that cements Piccolo as a hero yet leaves room for his continued growth throughout the series.

Dragon Ball Missed the Perfect Moment To Make Piccolo Earth’s Guardian

Piccolo's real name revealed. — Piccolo’s real name revealed.

Following his sacrifice on Earth, Piccolo is later revived and brought to Namek, marking the next phase of his evolution. Before finding his allies, he comes across Nail and fuses with him, giving him not only an immense power boost but also a tether to reconnect with his people and history, offering him a stronger sense of self.

This fusion lays the groundwork and prepares audiences for his later fusion with Kami during the Cell Saga. As one of the most defining moments for Piccolo and a massive turning point in the series, Piccolo and Kami’s fusion fully restored the two Namekians to their original power, leaving Earth without a Guardian.

Despite gaining wisdom, power, and a stronger spiritual balance, Piccolo does not become the next Guardian of Earth, and the role passes to Dende. While this choice is logical, given that Dende is from the Dragon Clan, granting him the ability to create Dragon Balls, and Piccolo is from the Warrior Clan, it ignores the narrative potential Piccolo could have had.

Piccolo’s fusion with Kami could have naturally granted him Dragon Clan abilities while maintaining his presence as a warrior. Had the series developed this way, Dragon Ball could have offered Piccolo the greatest character culmination in the series.

Piccolo’s Journey Would Gain Significant Meaning as Earth’s Guardian

Picoolo looking serious in Dragon Ball Z.

With Piccolo restored as a unified being, the path forward felt as though it were leading to his ascension as Earth’s Guardian. Instead, the role is handed off to Dende, a kind and capable successor whose role in the story remains meaningful, yet lacks the full depth that could have been awarded to Piccolo.

Dende’s presence as Guardian fulfills a practical need, but it does little to advance his character beyond what was already established on Namek. His role remains largely contained and defined by functionality rather than evolution. However, if Piccolo had assumed the role of Guardian, it could have reflected his transformation over time.

That said, some fans may argue that if Piccolo had assumed the role of Earth’s Guardian, it would conflict with his long-standing desire to stand as an independent individual, separate from Kami and his father. Piccolo has always rejected the idea of being Kami’s other half and broke away from his father’s legacy specifically to conserve his own autonomy.

From that perspective, becoming Earth’s Guardian might seem like him giving in to an identity he spent a lifetime moving away from. Yet accepting the title wouldn’t have actually diminished his individuality. If handled with care, it could have strengthened his agency by giving him the choice to take on the responsibility on his own terms.

Dragon Ball Made a Mistake by Not Realizing Piccolo’s Full Potential

Piccolo as an adult, smiling at his opponent during a fight.

Both Kami and Dende often exist outside of Dragon Ball’s conflicts, observing from afar while others defend the world, making their roles largely spiritual and ceremonial rather than taking direct action in any conflict. Piccolo, on the other hand, could have been the first Guardian who actively participates in protecting the world.

It would have carried narrative and emotional weight and effectively reinforced the idea that Piccolo is defined by his own choices rather than seen as an extension of King Piccolo or Kami.

Piccolo stands out as a skilled fighter, mentor, and tactician, standing alongside the most powerful Z-Fighters during Earth’s greatest crises. Had he taken up the mantle of Guardian, it would have formalized his role while creating a fresh dynamic in which Earth’s Guardian no longer sits on the sidelines.

Allowing Piccolo to become the next Guardian could have deepened his character arc and culminated in a way unlike any other character in the series. It would have carried narrative and emotional weight and effectively reinforced the idea that Piccolo is defined by his own choices rather than seen as an extension of King Piccolo or Kami.

Instead, Dragon Ball chose not to allow Piccolo to assume this position. While his character arc is still powerful, the shadow of what could have been hangs over the series as a missed opportunity.