Dragon Ball Officially Has A Final Villain & It’s Not Frieza

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It doesn’t look like *Dragon Ball Super* will be back anytime soon, but when it does return, many fans predict Black Frieza will be the final villain. Frieza is the most recognizable bad guy in the series, and his new Black Frieza form would make him a powerful opponent. However, the creator, Toriyama, has already decided on a different final villain, regardless of what fans want.

Looking back, if we ever see the rumored Black Frieza story arc, it won’t really be *Dragon Ball* as created by Akira Toriyama anymore. Sadly, with Toriyama’s passing, Toyotarou will be writing it without his guidance. From what I understand, Toriyama actually intended Cell to be the final villain. He considered Cell Max the concluding major villain for the *DBS* storyline that he personally oversaw, and felt it brought the core ideas of *Dragon Ball* to a really fitting end.

Cell Was Dragon Ball’s Real Final Villain – Not Frieza

With *Dragon Ball Super*, Akira Toriyama’s last work on the series was the Super Hero Saga and the *Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero* movie. While fans have varied opinions on this story arc, it was a perfect send-off for the creator, as it finally focused on Gohan, a character Toriyama intended to become the main hero since the early days of *Dragon Ball Z*. The saga also marked a significant moment: Vegeta definitively defeating Goku in battle, bringing a dramatic and satisfying conclusion to Vegeta’s own character development.

The *Super Hero* saga felt like a real closing chapter for Toriyama, especially with that memorable image of Piccolo saying goodbye. A key storyline he wrapped up in *Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero* was Gohan’s journey to find his own path. Ever since he was a kid, Gohan wrestled with wanting to be a kind person and also being a powerful fighter. He always disliked hurting others, which made fighting difficult for him.

Gohan had his biggest moment of growth during the fight with Cell, discovering what he truly valued and becoming the first Saiyan to reach Super Saiyan 2. However, even at this peak of power, Gohan longed for a quiet life, which caused him to lose some of his fighting edge. Throughout *Dragon Ball Super*, we see him gradually working to rediscover his strength and purpose as a fighter.

It feels fitting that Gohan reached his strongest form yet while battling Cell again in the Super Hero Saga. His transformation into Gohan Beast was the perfect result of his long journey to discover his true potential.

Toriyama’s Choice to Make Cell the Final Villain of Dragon Ball Brought DBZ’s Themes Full-Circle

Watching the newer version of Cell, I noticed he wasn’t quite as complex as the original Cell from *DBZ*, but it didn’t really matter. What really struck me was how important Cell was to Goku’s development as a character. The entire Cell Saga felt like a turning point, a clear moment where Goku was symbolically handing things over to the next generation of heroes. It was a big deal for his character arc.

Future Trunks’ arrival from the future served as a stark warning about the consequences of present-day errors. He essentially carried the burden of a future shaped by the mistakes of the past, highlighting how the next generation often bears the weight of current actions. While we may not immediately see the full impact of our choices, they will inevitably affect those who come after us. This is powerfully represented by Future Trunks, and it’s fitting that Gohan, representing that next generation, was the one to ultimately defeat Perfect Cell.

Cell in *Dragon Ball* represents the consequences of Goku’s past battles. Created from the cells of Goku’s most powerful enemies, Cell embodies the repercussions of Goku’s actions. The conflict with Cell, known as the Cell Games, can be seen as Gohan overcoming the challenges and burdens left by his father’s legacy.

Looking back, Cell Max just felt like the *perfect* final villain for Toriyama to create, especially considering Gohan’s arc. Goku really shined when he beat Frieza, but Cell’s defeat? That was Gohan’s moment, and it felt like Toriyama was saying, ‘Okay, the torch is passed – it’s up to the next generation now!’ It was a brilliant way to signal that the future of Dragon Ball was in their hands.

DAIMA’s Gomah Was Technically the Final Villain Toriyama Wrote, But He’s Just a Precursor to Cell Max

Dragon Ball Z focused on Goku preparing the next generation – Gohan and Goten – to become Earth’s new protectors. This was always Goku’s goal, and he enjoyed training fighters who could push his limits. Considering the events in *Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero*, Gohan had already become strong enough to protect Earth during the Peaceful World Saga. This could have given Goku even more peace of mind, allowing him to confidently train Uub without worrying about leaving everyone behind.

It’s worth noting that the Demon King Gomah from *Dragon Ball DAIMA* was the last major villain Akira Toriyama contributed to. He began working on *DAIMA* while *Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero* was in development, so he created Cell Max before *DAIMA*. However, because of where *DAIMA* fits in the *Dragon Ball* story, Cell Max was actually the last major threat fans saw before the Peaceful World Saga.

If *Dragon Ball Super* returns, Black Frieza will likely reappear. However, he might not be the main villain fans anticipate. The creators have hinted at a possible redemption arc for Frieza, though he won’t become a hero like other characters. He’s already shown a willingness to cooperate, fighting with Goku in the Tournament of Power and sparing Goku and Vegeta during the Granolah the Survivor Saga.

It’ll be interesting to see how Black Frieza stacks up against powerful characters like Beerus, Gohan Beast, and Broly, but ultimately, that’s up to the artist, Toyotarou. Akira Toriyama already delivered what many consider the series’ ultimate villain with Cell Max, marking a significant shift where Gohan and the next generation took center stage. It’s a satisfying and poetic ending for *Dragon Ball*, and a fitting conclusion to one of the most beloved stories ever written.

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2025-10-20 04:43