In the world ofDragon Ball Z, it’s not always about getting stronger and winning battles against otherworldly foes. Sometimes, it’s all about delivering fantastic one-liners or monologues that help shape a character and develop their personality. Without the building and evolving of character arcs,Dragon Ball Zwould be nothing but mindless fighting and endless power scaling.
Of all the characters, be it Saiyans, Earth Fighters, Androids, and other creatures alike, Trunks has possibly one of the most fascinating backstories of anyone inDragon Ball Z. Escaping a devastating future full of chaos and death, Trunks has been known to deliver some of the best scripted dialogue in all ofDragon Ball Z, whether it’s out of anger, passion, or developing a deep understanding to his allies.
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Dragon Ball Z, Episode 143, “Time Chamber”
This is what Goku-san couldn’t bear for a month’s time before he started not feeling right?
Starting off the list light and with a comedic twist, Trunks finds himself entering the Hyperbolic Time Chamber with his Father, Vegeta. In the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, a day in the outside world is equivalent to one year inside the chamber. The deus ex machina training facility is a perfect way to strengthen the show’s protagonists and deliver a convenient, yet clever, way to speed things up a bit.
In this moment, not only does Trunks realise that he’ll be stuck in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber for a year with his Father, but it’s the same facility that nearly ended Goku during his first run inside. The overwhelming sensation creeps up on Trunks, who now must find a way to survive the conditionswhile sparring with Vegeta, someone who is hell-bent on becoming stronger and won’t accept any failure.
9"Now, It’s All Over. Thank You, Everyone."
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 194, “Free The Future”
Thank you, Goku-san.
There’s nothing better than a redemption story, where the protagonist fulfills his duty and saves the world from extinction. In this example, Trunks successfully returns to his future, where Androids 17 and 18 have decimated most of the planet, killing anything in their path. What they aren’t expecting is the return of Trunks,who is not only now a Super Saiyan, but has grown stronger than they can comprehend.
Upon defeating both of them with no issue, Trunks focused on the Future Cell that would have killed him, stolen his time pod, and made their way to the present timeline. Swiftly vaporizing Cell before he can mount any offense, Trunks doesn’t revel in his victory, but rather, he shows relief. This is the first time in a long time that he felt peace, and Trunks was thankful to all who helped him reach this point.
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 159, “The Last Defense”
You’ll see, I will prevent his perfect form! Even if I have to defeat you, Dad!
After devouring Android 17, Cell had his sights set on Android 18 to complete his Perfect Form. While Vegeta was prepared to let Cell’s plan come to fruition to defeat him at his best, Trunks was having none of it. Delivering the line of having his fair share of future timelines that were destroyed, not only does Trunks protest this decision, but he fights back for the first time.
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Trunks vows that if he needs to fight and defeat his own Father, he will do just that. Blasting Vegeta away,Trunks then sets his focus on Cell, attempting to keep him from achieving his Perfect Form. Despite his strong demeanor, there’s a hint of vulnerability at this moment, as the pain from seeing his mentor, Gohan, and most of the Earth’s inhabitants die, Trunks wasn’t willing to let it happen ever again.
7"I’ve Changed History For No Reason."
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 122, “Mystery Revealed”
On top of that, I only meant to meet with you, Son-san, but instead I’ve run into everyone else as well.
After arriving to Earth and disposing of both Frieza and King Cold, Trunks meets with Goku, who returned to Earth hours after Trunks' arrival. His message to Goku was a simple one; Earth would see the arrival of two vicious Androids with the power to destroy anything and anyone in their way. Trunks also reveals he played the part in Frieza and King Cold’s demise, hoping it would mean something.
Unfortunately, this action was in vain, as Goku proactively delayed his arrival on Earth after noticing the power level given off by Trunks was more than enough to handle Frieza and King Cold. Due to Trunks' intervention, the butterfly effect led to the present timeline being slightly altered, as his absence would have led to Goku returning to Earth hours before, and handling Frieza with his newfound powers.
Please don’t die. Young Mom, you hang in there too.
The second quote from this episode comes towards the tail-end, as Trunks is departing the present timeline to return to his future. Before he blasts off, Trunks faces his mother and father, who are still unaware that the lilac-haired young man is their son. He waves goodbye, revealing that Vegeta is exactly as his Mother described, while wishing them both well and praying for their survival.
The moment is full of hope and a touch of sadness, as Trunks understands his father’s prideful and lonely nature, despite the fact that Vegeta had rejected his presence before departing. It’s a peculiar spot to be in, knowing Bulma and Vegeta are his parents, yet they have no clue at this point and fail to see the cues left behind. It wouldn’t be long before he saw them again, but it was still a touching moment.
5"I’ve Traveled Back From Nearly Twenty Years In The Future, In A Time Machine."
My name is Trunks. If you’re wondering how it is I can have Saiyan blood, the reason is because I am the son of Vegeta-san over there.
The third and final Trunks quote from the “Mystery Revealed” episode pays homage to the very name of the episode. During his discussion with Goku, Trunks reveals that he has come from twenty years into the future, and that he is also the son of Vegeta and Bulma. This reveal plays two major roles in the next arc of the story, as Trunks is part Saiyan, and will assist Earth’s fighters with the incoming problem.
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Since Trunks has come two decades into the future, he knows exactly what is about to happen, and has come prepared. Warning Goku of the Android invasion and his pending heart condition, Trunks' information and futuristic medicine will assist him with overcoming the odds. The only issue is that his timeline manipulation has created a whole new set of problems that they eventually discover during their adventure.
4"That Was For All Of My Friends You’ve Killed."
And this… is to avenge Gohan-san!
This quote is specifically tied toTrunks' 2-on-1 battle with Androids 17 and 18, who have both caused him anguish. After returning to his future timeline, Trunks was a different man than the one that had left earlier in the story. Not only had his physical appearance changed, but so too did his confidence. Trunks knew he could defeat both Androids, it was a matter of not if, but when.
Much like Vegeta, Trunks is at his best when he is oozing confidence and has every intention of backing up his words. Dodging all attacks from both Androids 17 and 18, Trunks dismantled them one by one, making a once-fierce battle look like child’s play and avenging Gohan, and all those who were lost. It was poetic justice, but there’s still one more battle that has some of Trunks' best lines of the series.
3"You Hate the Fact That You’re Powerless to Stop Me."
Well, imagine feeling the way you do now all of the time, like the people of this planet do!
Once upon a time in the future, Trunks considered himself powerless to stop the androids from destroying the Earth. No matter how strong he grew, orunlocked the power of a Super Saiyan, Trunks was no match for the androids. He traveled into the past to stop them before they could become too strong, but once again found himself falling short against the ultimate being, Perfect Cell.
After every chaotic battle and his quest to become stronger than ever before, Trunks' reunion with the 1st-form Cell in the future was one for the ages. He was on another level compared to Cell, knew of his plans, and made minced meat out of him in a quick, one-sided battle. Trunks was no longer powerless, but the one in control of the situation, and he ended Cell in a heartbeat.
2"There’s No Chance I’m Letting You Go Back Into The Past!"
For the sake of peace on Earth, I cannot permit your existence!
Closing on Episode 194 with perhaps the greatest quote of all during his battle with Cell, Trunks declared that he would not allow Cell to go back into the past. If he did, Cell would once again achieve his Perfect form and wreak havoc on Earth once again. Fortunately, Trunks wasn’t the same younger Saiyan that was taken advantage of, he was much more capable of handling the situation.
The coldest part of his dialogue to Cell before erasing him entirely, was that he could not permit Cell to exist. The Japanese dub ofDragon Ball Zhas always been notorious for captivating audiences with mature, and poetic, line deliveries, and this one was a cut above the rest in terms of impact. There was only one quote that tops this one, and it’s the introduction to the Trunks' character inDragon Ball Z.
1"I Have Come To Kill You."
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 120, “Another Super Saiyan?”
You’re Frieza, aren’t you? There’s no reason to be so surprised. I know everything about you.
Seldomly does a character in an anime series receive such an introduction that leaves goosebumps all over your body. When Trunks arrived inDragon Ball Z, he immediately targeted the Galactic Emperor, Frieza. This wasn’t any ordinary foe.Frieza was the strongest antagonist at that time, so strong that not even Goku could fully defeat him during their epic battle on Namek.
Trunks knew who Frieza was, and lived up to the hype of his declaration that he would kill Frieza. With oneBurning Attackand a couple of swings from his sword, Trunks turned Frieza into burnt chicken nuggets, destroying Frieza before taking out King Cold in one shot. Just like that, one of the greatest introductions to a character in an anime series, paired with an excellent quote, was aired.
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