A limited-time sneak peek at Dragon Ball Super chapter #84 shows that the sequel to the most famous shonen manga in history is still surprising fans of the franchise. The few panels in the preview show that both Goku and Vegeta will experience an incredible revelation that will change their mindset forever, readying them for the final fight against Gas.
Since Dragon Ball Z revealed Goku's true origins, the series has been mostly concerned with the last survivors of the Saiyans, a powerful alien race of prideful warriors and conquerors that was almost completely wiped off by the galactic tyrant Frieza. Goku arrived on Earth as a child, with no memories of his heritage, and grew up to be a kind and caring person. On the contrary, Vegeta, the Prince of the Saiyans, considered the pride of his heritage the most important thing. When Goku learned of his origins, he didn't care much as he considered himself an Earthling. Vegeta, on the other hand, found love and a family on Earth and came to regret the past atrocities of the Saiyan, feeling the urge to atone for his past sins. However, both men's relationship with their past just changed forever, after witnessing the recorded memories of Goku's dead father, Bardock.
The past few chapters of Dragon Ball Super—the manga by Toyotarou and Akira Toriyama—have been focused on Bardock's flashback, with him fighting to protect the last survivors of a planet that the Saiyan had just conquered, slaughtering its population. The preview for chapter #84 shows Goku and Vegeta's reaction to these past events (recorded through a device). Goku comes to the realization that he never fully believed in his own power because he did not understand the pride of the Saiyan. Vegeta also comes to see things in a different way: he has burdened himself too much with the past sins of his race and forgot about their pride. Non-Japanese speakers can enjoy the preview panels through a translation provided by Twitter user @DBSChronicles, which you can find below.
It's very hard to underestimate how important this chapter will be for the whole Dragon Ball franchise. Goku's lack of care towards his Saiyan heritage has been a defining aspect of his character for more than thirty years. Changing it now means that Dragon Ball Super is not afraid of making its characters evolve, even if they are some of the most established cultural icons in the world. Vegeta moving past his guilt towards his Saiyan past is also an important step forward. The two heroes donning the classic Saiyan gear at the end of the preview is symbolic of their positive reconnection with their past.
Dragon Ball Super already made important changes to the Bardock character, which were not universally praised by fans. However, the series' greatest merit is that it is not afraid of bringing changes to its well-established franchise, and the upcoming chapter #84 proves it. Fans of Dragon Ball Super can enjoy this sneak peek while waiting to learn exactly how these revelations will impact Goku and Vegeta in their final battle against Gas.
Sources: Dragon Ball Official Website, @DBSChronicle
Look for the latest chapter of Dragon Ball Super when it is officially released in English on Viz's Website.