Trunks (Dragon Ball)

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Trunks
Dragon Ball character
First appearance

Dragon Ball chapter #331 The Young Boy of Mystery (1991)
Created by

Akira Toriyama
Voiced by

Japanese
Takeshi Kusao
English
See Voice actors
Profile
Species Half-Saiyan/Half-Human
Relatives King Vegeta (paternal grandfather)
Dr. Briefs (maternal grandfather)
Vegeta (father)
Bulma (mother)
Bra (sister)

Trunks (Japanese: トランクス Hepburn: Torankusu) is a fictional character from the Dragon Ball manga series written by Akira Toriyama. He makes his debut in chapter #331 The Young Boy of Mystery (謎の少年 Nazo no Shōnen), first published in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine on July 15, 1991.[1] Trunks is the half-Saiyan half-Human son of Vegeta and Bulma.

Design

Trunks has a slender muscular physique with his most dominant genes coming from his maternal side, thus resulting in his having blue eyes and lavender-colored hair which is mostly shown in the undercut style.[2] During his early teens, this style was parted on his right side and his late teens it was parted in the left. As he is half-human, his hair tends to grow. Because of this, he wore his hair in an over-the-shoulders style during the fight with Cell. The color caused some confusion among the other characters that met him; as Vegeta pointed out a Saiyan's hair color is generally black.[3]

His facial features are nearly identical to his father's as pointed out by Bulma when awaiting Goku's return.[3] Trunks can transform into a Super Saiyan which causes his hair to spike on end and takes on a golden color and his eyes a certain turquoise or green color.

Trunks is also known for his unique fashion sense. When the character was first introduced he wore his mother's old cropped jacket that was steel blue in the manga, han purple in the anime, with a Capsule Corporation patch on his upper left sleeve that was red in the manga, white in the anime, along with a black tank top and baggy pants. During the Cell Games he wore a pair of Saiyan battle armor identical to his father's which was made by Bulma. As a child during the Majin Boo arc, he wears a dark green gi with matching orange belt and wrist bands.

Trunks's first depicted form has been referred to as "Future Trunks" (未来のトランクス Mirai no Torankusu, "Trunks of the Future") in media in order to distinguish it from the character's present-timeline's incarnation.

Personality

Future Trunks, having never met his father, nor grown up under his influence, combined with the fact that he grew up in an apocalyptic world, is very cautious and serious, such as when he begged Vegeta not to challenge the Androids without Goku being present, unlike his main timeline counterpart, who had a personality very similar to his father's. Future Trunks clearly fears the Androids, panicking at the introduction of Android 16. He also appears to be afflicted with some sort of post-traumatic stress as a result of the struggles he faced in his apocalyptic nightmarish world. Nevertheless, Future Trunks is depicted as incredibly respectful to everyone, especially his mother and his master, Future Gohan. When he finally meets Vegeta in the past, Future Trunks is seen to be constantly trying to impress him. This is often mixed with disgust and horror towards his father's uncaring attitude towards those around him, especially when Vegeta refused to save Bulma and baby Trunks when Dr. Gero blows up their capsule airplane, forcing Future Trunks to save his present counterpart and mother. Because he comes from the future and believes he knows what is going to happen, Future Trunks is usually shown thinking that only some things will matter and others probably would not, although he is usually right in the long term. This is shown in, at first, his resistance to do anything unless Goku is present. Other things, such as his surprise that Piccolo's fusion would make a difference, also show this. As such, he is usually surprised at events, on a different layer than the fact that history was different from his recollection. He is even, though very rarely, shown to be cocky, such as when he became an Ultra Super Saiyan, but when he loses his seeming "advantage" this cockiness dissolves instantly. Molded from his dark timeline, he is very serious and is a determined fighter like his father. Unlike his father or alternate timeline self, Future Trunks is often shown to be very polite and well-mannered. This is clearly shown in the original version through his speech, as he is often heard using the polite form of Japanese phrases when addressing his allies.

Present Trunks as a child during the Majin Buu arc is shown to be quite cocky and stingy, as well as mischievous, most likely due to the fact that this Trunks grew up with his father Vegeta and enjoyed the luxuries of peace, while Future Trunks grew up without Future Vegeta and in an apocalyptic world, causing him to be much more serious and cautious. Trunks has a combination of both of his parents' personalities: cocky and proud like his father, and spoiled and selfish like his mother. He refuses to respect someone he does not like, another trait he shares with his father. This is shown when he disrespects Goku when they first meet, and for a long time after, as Trunks believes he is not as strong as his father, and nowhere near as reliable. Later on, Trunks does gain more respect for Goku after seeing Goku's Super Saiyan 3 power in action when holding off Majin Buu. He is shown to be loving towards his parents and grandparents, and will not think twice about defending his family. Trunks tends to usually take control over the younger Goten, stating to him numerous times how he is both older and stronger (during childhood). In his later years, Trunks adopts a personality similar to his future counterpart's. During and in between his battles at the World Martial Arts Tournament, he acts just like his father does, calm when he fights and insults his opponents. He does not act like this however during his battle with Goten, because Goten is his best friend or it could be because it is a battle he could possibly lose.

Plot overview

Future Trunks

The first and most identified incarnation of the character that readers and viewers get to see would come to be known production wise as Future Trunks (未来のトランクス Mirai no Torankusu, Trunks of the Future). This incarnation first appeared in the manga chapter 331 Nazo no Shōnen (謎の少年 The Young Boy of Mystery) first published in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine on July 15, 1991.[4] Here he is a mysterious seventeen year old who appears and singlehandedly kills Frieza and his father King Cold.[5] Upon Goku's return from planet Namek in the following chapter, Trunks would confide with Goku and unknowingly to Piccolo, due to his acute Namekian hearing, his tragic story.[6]

As told in flashbacks in the anime series, the stand alone manga story Trunks the Story: A Warrior All Alone (トランクスザストーリー －たったひとりの戦士－ Trunks za Sutōrī -Tatta Hitori no Senshi-),[7] the TV special History of Trunks, and the third side story Lonely Future Warrior!! Trunks (孤独の未来戦士!! トランクス Kodoku no Mirai Senshi!! Torankusu),[8] Trunks had traveled from twenty years in the future where the world was in constant ruin due to the terror of the two androids #17 and #18 which were created by Doctor Gero, the former chief scientist of the Red Ribbon Army. By this time Goku had succumbed to an unknown heart virus and rest of the Z warriors, with the exception of Gohan, had fallen at the hands of the artificial humans.[9] Trunks, at the age of fourteen, was living with Future Bulma and secretly training with Future Gohan. After Gohan's inevitable death, Trunks would assume the mantle of Earth's sole protector against the artificial humans for the next three years. But even he would be no match against them. Fortunately, Bulma had been working on a time machine that could help change history. Once he had informed Goku of the events to come, Trunks gives Goku a special vaccine,[9] and returns to his own time.[10]

Trunks would return to help the present day Z warriors battle the artificial humans, in chapter 346 and episode 131. With appearance of Cell, Trunks would train with Vegeta in the Room of Time and Mind (Hyperbolic Time Chamber in English media). After Vegeta's defeat, Trunks would fight Cell in his newly gained Perfect state. But Trunks' 3rd Super Saiyan grade proved to be ineffective so he willfully concedes. He would participate in the Cell Games and be mortally wounded by Cell immediately following his ascension to "Beyond Perfection". Afterwards, he would return to his own timeline in the future and defeat the artificial humans and Cell within his time in chapters 419-420 and episodes 193.

He would appear one more time in the ninth Dragon Ball Z film Bojack Unbound to participate in the special Tenkaichi Budokai sponsored by Mr. X.S. Cash.[11] Here he would unwillingly fight Bojack's henchman Gokua.

Present Trunks

Trunks' second incarnation would make his appearance as an infant in chapter 337 Tsudō Super Senshi-tachi (集う超戦士たち Super Warriors Assemble), published on August 26, 1991.[12] In this part of the story, he was only featured as a background character to provide consistency and continuity to the story. When he was eight, Trunks participated in 25th Tenkaichi Budokai and defeated Son Goten in the junior division, although the two of them cheated equally, turning Super Saiyan at least once. Goten is his best friend and childhood rival, though Trunks is stronger than Goten as it is later pointed out by Goku when the two of them are training to perfect the Fusion Dance.[13] Eager to compete in the adult division, Trunks and Goten together posed as the fighter Mighty Mask and were pitted against #18 in a battle royal. But they were disqualified when #18 blew their cover, revealing that they were really two people.

Upon the arrival of Majin Buu in chapter 460 and episode 231, Trunks was forced to train with Goten in the Room of Time and Mind to become the super warrior Gotenks. Gotenks fought Buu, first in the time dimension, then in the real world until the thirty minute fusion time limit expired. Through Buu's treachery they, along with Piccolo, were absorbed by Buu, thus increasing Buu's power. Once freed, Trunks, along with Goten, Gohan, and Piccolo were killed when Kid Buu blew up the Earth. After being resurrected, Trunks helped to rally the people on Earth to support Goku's Super Genki Dama in his defeat of Buu. At the end of the series, Trunks, now grown up, participated in the 28th Tenkaichi Budokai against the fighter Otokosuki in Chapters 518-519.

By the GT series, Trunks would accompany Goku and Pan into space to recover the Black Star Dragon Balls.[14] Within episodes 2-15, They would have many strange encounters and meet many unusual characters including the robot named Giru who would act as the gang's Dragon Radar. Upon arriving on Giru's home world the Machine Planet M2 in episode 16, the trio would be hijacked by Dr. Myu's robots and Trunks would be solidified in living metal for study. Ironically, the contents of the plate was not really Trunks, but a cleverly made decoy by both Trunks and Giru. Trunks would use the opportunity to uncover Dr. Myu's plan, which was to awaken Baby, and sabotage the process. Unfortunately Trunks' plan failed as Baby had managed to escape to Earth, When they returned home Baby had managed to possess Vegeta becoming "Baby Vegeta" and brainwash everyone else into becoming his followers. Shortly after arriving, Trunks would also fall victim to Baby's mind control and battle Goku. He along with everyone else would be freed on new planet Plant. Since the beginning of the GT series, Trunks had become the CEO of Capsule Corporation, but didn't take the job seriously.[15] During the Super 17 Saga, he along with Goten would travel the globe fighting the villains that escaped from Hell.

Abilities

Trunks possesses several abilities including superhuman strength, speed, reflexes, and energy blasts, which can be utilized by the use of chi. These attacks vary from both Trunks.

Some of the signature attacks of Future Trunks are the Burning Attack and the God Breaker. Present Trunks uses many attacks, like the Kamehameha and some inherited from his future self.

His main means of conveyance is a technique called Bukū-jutsu (舞空術 "Air Dance Technique") which gives him the ability of flight.[16] However, Trunks does not rely on this technique as his only conveyance as he can also be seen piloting various crafts manufactured by his family's company, including the time machine which allowed him to visit Goku in the past.[17]

Both incarnations can at least transform into basic Super Saiyan although their achievement of this form differs between incarnation. The Future Trunks achieved this in his early teens but even this varies in media.[18] The Present Trunks would be shown to have the ability at the age of eight.[19] In the Cell arc, Future Trunks would gain the ability to power up into the Ascended and Ultra Super Saiyan grades during his training with Vegeta in the Room of Spirit and Time.[20] Unfortunately, these forms would decrease his speed greatly and so he would abandon them after his first initial fight with Cell.[21]

Future Trunks is also known for his use of his longsword which he keeps in a scabbard mounted across his back. Trunks used this weapon to kill Freeza in the main series, as well as Android #14 in the movie Super Android 13!. As a child, Trunks was supposedly given the sword as a gift by the warrior Tapion after the monster Hirudegarn was defeated in the film Wrath of the Dragon.[22]

Fusion

Trunks, from the present, was able to fuse with Goten to become the powerful being named Gotenks; this is through the Metamorese technique called the Fusion, which was taught to them by Goku.[23][24] "Gotenks" is able to use a variety of attacks (such as Kamehameha) and giving ridiculous names to basic attacks. However, Gotenks can use some powerful techniques such as Galactic Donut and his signature Super Ghost Kamikaze Attack. In this temporal form, they could achieve Super Saiyan 3 with ease, a feat that was very difficult for Goku to achieve and maintain.[25]

Voice actors

In the original Japanese version of the entire Dragon Ball Z anime series and in all other media, Trunks is voiced by Takeshi Kusao.[26] Akira Toriyama stated that it was difficult to decide on young Trunks' voice. The producer at Toei Animation had consulted with the editorial department and thought that it would, perhaps, be better if they changed to a different voice actor for the child version. At that time, the serialization was still going on, and Toriyama was unsure of how the manga story would end; young Trunks might've ended up growing up and the story might have continued to the same time period when teenage Trunks returned to the future. In that case, if the voice actor would've been changed, it would've sounded strange. Eventually, Kusao ended up voicing Trunks both as a child and teenager. After listening to Kusao a few times, Toriyama and Toei Animation felt that it was the right choice.[27] In the English-language dub by Funimation, Eric Vale voices him both as a teen, and as an adult in Dragon Ball GT,[28] while Laura Bailey voices him as a child.[29] Currently they voice the character in most video games with the exception of Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout where he was voiced by Skip Stellrecht.[28] In the Ocean Productions' English dub, Trunks was voiced by Alistair Abell as a teenager and by Cathy Weseluck as a child.[29]

Appearances in other media

Trunks has appeared in most Dragon Ball related video games. He has also appeared in other related games such as Jump Super Stars, its sequel Jump Ultimate Stars, and Battle Stadium D.O.N. The game Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road centers around Trunks' battle with Majin Boo in his future timeline. In 1992, Trunks would act as escort through time in the interactive Videkko game Dragon Ball Z: Get Together! Goku World.[30] Trunks is also featured in the MMORPG Dragon Ball Online, where he is referred to as Time Patrol Trunks (タイム・パトロール・トランクス Taimu Patorōru Torankusu).

Trunks as he appears in Cross Epoch.

In the Dragon Ball/One Piece crossover manga Cross Epoch, Trunks is a member of Captain Vegeta's air pirate crew. Trunks also made an appearance in the 2004 Fuji TV interactive feature Kyūtai Panic Adventure Returns!, where he and six other Dragon Ball characters delivered the Dragon Balls to restore the aqua city of Odaiba.[31]

In music, the song "Chīsa na Senshi~Goten to Trunks no Theme~" by Shin Oya focuses on both Trunks and Goten.[32]

Trunks has been featured in his own brand of soft drink called Trunks Cola.[33]

Reception

Trunks is a very popular character in the series, in 2004 Japanese fans voted him the fourth most popular character.[34] Trunks has appeared in various Anime Grand Prix polls, appearing fifth in the category "best male character" in the 1992 poll[35] and fifth again in the 1993 poll[36] and nineteenth in the 1994 poll.[37]

Trunks' Japanese voice actor, Takeshi Kusao, has cited Trunks as his favorite Dragon Ball character. He further stated in an interview that he was elated when he was cast to voice him. Kusao noted that Trunks' first appearance had an incredible impact and left a great impression on him, referring to his fight with Freeza in which he easily defeated the strongest being in the universe.[38] Similarly, Funimation voice actor Christopher Sabat stated that apart from Vegeta, Trunks is his favorite character from the series. He liked how his character is the "lone survivor of the apocalypse, son of the most angry and the most headstrong characters." He additionally liked Trunks' fights such as the one in which he easily killed Freeza.[39]

While reviewing the TV special The History of Trunks, which was adapted from the stand alone manga Trunks the Story: A Warrior All Alone,[7] Bobby Cooper of DVDtalk praised Trunks' background story, saying that it was a "good origin story that explains Trunks' motivation for becoming a fighter."[40] Similarly, Chris Shepard of Anime News Network also enjoyed the background story and felt that Trunks was an understandable character who "I was really able to get into and sympathize for during his battles."[41] In an IGN article on Dragon Ball GT, Trunks' character design in GT was criticized as being "goofy".[42]

In an interview, actor Masi Oka compared Trunks to his Heroes character Hiro Nakamura, as both are time travelers that carry swords.[43] Manga creator Tite Kubo stated that to this day no fight scene has shocked him more than Trunks' first appearance.[44]

References


  1. ↑ Toriyama, Akira (w, a). "謎の少年" Weekly Shōnen Jump v24, 30: 40 (July 15, 1991), Japan: Shueisha
  2. ↑ "フリーザを一刃両断！！もう一人の超サイヤ人". Dragon Ball Z. Episode 120. December 11, 1991. Fuji TV.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "オッス！！ひさしぶり…帰って来た孫悟空". Dragon Ball Z. Episode 121. December 18, 1991. Fuji TV.
  4. ↑ Toriyama, Akira (w, a). "謎の少年" Weekly Shōnen Jump v24, 30: 40 (July 15, 1991), Japan: Shueisha
  5. ↑ "Trunks (Character)". Comic Vine. Retrieved April 23, 2013. 
  6. ↑ Ikeda, Satoshi; Aoyama], Martin Foster ; editor, Takako (2004). The Dragon Ball Z Legend : The Quest Continues. Cocoro Books. p. 10. ISBN 9780972312493. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Toriyama, Akira (Dec 31, 1992). "Extra: Trunks the Story －たったひとりの戦士－". セルゲーム始まる. Dragon Ball (in Japanese) 33. Shueisha. pp. 181–192. ISBN 4-08-851688-5. 
  8. ↑ Toriyama, Akira (January 1993). "孤独の未来戦士!! トランクス". たったひとりの最終決戦～フリーザに挑んだＺ戦士孫悟空の父～. Dragon Ball Z (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 4-83421-183-5. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Camp, Brian; Davis, Julie (2007). Anime Classics Zettai! : 100 Must-see Japanese Animation Masterpieces. Stone Bridge Press. pp. 110, 114. ISBN 9781933330228. 
  10. ↑ Ashby, Alicia (2005). Dragonball Z : Supersonic Warriors 2  : Prima official game guide. Prima Games. p. 31. ISBN 9780761552505. 
  11. ↑ Mylonas, Eric 'ECM' (2006). Dragon Ball Z. Prima Official Guide. Prima Games. p. 124. ISBN 9780761553885. 
  12. ↑ Toriyama, Akira (w, a). "集う超戦士たち" Weekly Shōnen Jump v24, 36/37: 2 (August 26, 1991), Japan: Shueisha
  13. ↑ Triumph Books (2000). Everything dragonball z. Triumph Books. p. 125. ISBN 9781572434165. 
  14. ↑ Roach, Gina Misiroglu with David A. (2004). The Superhero Book : The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-Book Icons and Hollywood Heroes (1. ed. ed.). Visible Ink Press. p. 191. ISBN 9781578591541. 
  15. ↑ Peckham, Eric Mylonas (2005). "T". Dragonball GT : Transformation. Prima Games. ISBN 9780761546788. 
  16. ↑ Toriyama, Akira (Nov 15, 1991). "332 帰って来た孫悟空". 未来から来た少年. Dragon Ball (in Japanese) 28. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-851418-1. 
  17. ↑ Toriyama, Akira (Nov 15, 1991). "335 恐怖のメッセージ". 未来から来た少年. Dragon Ball 28. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-851418-1. 
  18. ↑ (back case) The History of Trunks (Liner notes). Texas: Funimation. 2000 [1993]. FF-03004.
  19. ↑ Toriyama, Akira (November 9, 1993). "429 迫る天下一武道会". ニューヒーロー誕生！！. Dragon Ball (in Japanese) 36. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-851495-5. 
  20. ↑ Toriyama, Akira (December 31, 1991). "386 父を超えた超トランクス！". セルゲーム始まる. Dragon Ball 33. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-851688-5. 
  21. ↑ Toriyama, Akira (December 31, 1991). "388 セルの思いつき". セルゲーム始まる. Dragon Ball (in Japanese) 33. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-851688-5. 
  22. ↑ Mitsuo Hashimoto (2006) [1995] (back case). Wrath of the Dragon (Liner notes). Texas: Funimation. 1-4210-0710-X.
  23. ↑ Toriyama, Akira (December 7, 1994). "469 かすかな希望". さらば誇り高き戦士. Dragon Ball (in Japanese) 39. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-851498-X. 
  24. ↑ Toriyama, Akira (June 7, 1995). "488 トランクスと悟天精神と時の部屋に入る". がんばれ　超ゴテンクスくん. Dragon Ball (in Japanese) 41. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-851500-5. 
  25. ↑ Toriyama, Akira (June 7, 1995). "493 異次元からの脱出". がんばれ　超ゴテンクスくん. Dragon Ball (in Japanese) 41. Shueisha. ISBN 4-08-851500-5. 
  26. ↑ "Takeshi KUSAO". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2 May 2013. 
  27. ↑ Daizenshuu: TV Animation Part 2. "Toriyama Akira Super Interview". tsoj.manga.org. Retrieved 5 May 2013. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Voice Compare » Dragon Ball » Trunks". behindthevoiceactors.com. August 7, 2009. Retrieved 17 April 2013. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Voice Compare » Dragon Ball » Kid Trunks". www.behindthevoiceactors.com. September 9, 2009. Retrieved 17 April 2013. 
  30. ↑ Toei Animation (1992). Dragon Ball Z: あつまれ!! 悟空ワールド (in Japanese). Videkko. Bandai. 
  31. ↑ "Star*Tech event listings". Star*Tech. Retrieved September 25, 2008. 
  32. ↑ "Chīsa na Senshi~Goten to Trunks no Theme~" (in Japanese) (CD case). "Dragon Power ∞". Hironobu Kageyama. FMDC-514.
  33. ↑ "Trunks Cola". Col@WP.com. Retrieved July 2, 2011. 
  34. ↑ Dragon Ball Forever (in Japanese). Shueisha. 2004. ISBN 4-08-873702-4. 
  35. ↑ "第14回アニメグランプリ1992年5月号" (in Japanese). Animage. Retrieved April 11, 2011. 
  36. ↑ "第15回アニメグランプリ1994年5月号" (in Japanese). Animage. Retrieved April 11, 2011. 
  37. ↑ "第16回アニメグランプリ1994年5月号" (in Japanese). Animage. Retrieved April 11, 2011. 
  38. ↑ DRAGON BALL 天下一伝説 (in Japanese). Shueisha. 2004. pp. 154–157. ISBN 4-08-873705-9. 
  39. ↑ "DBZ Voice Actor/Director Chris Sabat Interview". Anime News Network. February 8, 2001. Retrieved June 21, 2009. 
  40. ↑ Cooper, Bobby (March 16, 2010). "Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks". DVDtalk.com. Retrieved May 9, 2013. 
  41. ↑ Shepard, Chris. "DBZ History of Trunks DVD". Anime News Network. Retrieved 9 May 2013. 
  42. ↑ Harris, Jeffrey (November 12, 2007). "Dragon Ball GT - The Lost Episodes DVD Box Set Review". IGN. Retrieved January 9, 2009. 
  43. ↑ Davila, Florangela (May 14, 2007). ""Heroes’" Masi Oka is super-geeky". Seattle Times. Retrieved February 14, 2009. 
  44. ↑ Suzuki, Haruhiko, ed. (2003-12-19). "5: Dragon Ball Children". Dragon Ball Landmark (in Japanese). Shueisha. p. 172. ISBN 4-08-873478-5. 

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