Dragon Ball has introduced countless iconic characters that have left a mark on the world. Everyone from Goku down to Yamcha has touched hearts and inspired millions throughout the series’ 30-year-run. Yet among these powerful warriors, one stands apart despite only appearing on the silver screen: the Legendary Super Saiyan, Broly. Though his first appearance lacked depth, Broly still impacted the Dragon Ball universe, quickly becoming a fan favorite thanks to his overwhelming power.

Broly’s popularity would lead to two additional movies centered around him in the 90s, although it’s best to forget the third. Over two decades later, Broly would make his much-anticipated return in Dragon Ball Super: Broly, but this time with a completely new… everything. The two versions of Broly differ in many ways—each with a distinct set of experiences and motivations, and one (the Super version) being canon. So, in what other ways do these two versions compare or contrast with each other?

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Similar: Broly in Super and Broly in DBZ Had Limited To No Training

Even With Limited Training, Both Brolys Grew To Be Immensely Powerful

Being that Dragon Ball Super’s Broly was exiled to planet Vampa and stuck there all his life, he really didn’t have much variety in his “training.” He fought against the green Vampa beasts, and Paragus taught him the few things he knew, without going overboard, or Broly would go berserk. With such limited training, Broly didn’t learn any martial arts to battle against seasoned fighters properly.

The same can be said for DBZ Broly, who was also too wily to properly train. But it wasn’t a necessity, similar to Frieza, who didn’t train until Dragon Ball Super. Both Brolys, despite their limited training, used their natural power or insane growth rate to rival the greatest warriors in the universe.

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Different: DBS Broly is Destined to be an Ally

DBZ Broly is Nothing More than a Villain

Dragon Ball Z’s Broly is every bit the villain. As a child, he destroyed planets for fun, and his father had to do everything in his power just to keep his powerful son under control. Even during his fight with Goku, Broly instills fear in everyone who crosses his path. He was too far gone, too corrupted, to ever be redeemed—and that’s saying something, considering even Vegeta was capable of change.

But in Dragon Ball Super, Broly isn’t quite the villain anymore; he’s more of a misguided antagonist. Thanks to Cheelai, he was spared from falling down that dark path. This redemption arc paves the way for Broly to become an unlikely but welcome addition to the Saiyan rivalry, ultimately turning into an ally for Goku and Vegeta.

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Similar: Broly in Super and Broly in DBZ Love a Good Rampage

Without The Shock Collar, Both Brolys Will Unleash Chaos

For those who have watched both Broly films, it’s clear that both Brolys love a good old-fashioned rampage. In the first film, there’s a scene where a young Broly pushes his father aside while effortlessly destroying a city. In Dragon Ball Super, Broly taps into his Great Ape form without fully transforming, turning into a mindless beast that would obliterate anything in his way.

Their power is so naturally overwhelming that it consumes them, unleashing their rage. Paragus had to find a way to subdue that rage, which is why he used control mechanisms in both films. When these devices go missing or break, there is nothing that can stop Broly from going on his rampage.

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Different: DBZ Broly Doesn’t Have a Personality

Dragon Ball Super Reworks Broly’s Character

As much as everyone loved Dragon Ball Z: Broly, The Legendary Super Saiyan, Broly didn’t have much of a personality. Beyond his cool look, gold bracelets, and monstrous presence, he lacked depth and character and would be boring on a first date. The only thing that went on in that empty head of his was the word Kakarot being spammed endlessly.

Dragon Ball Super: Broly would make a much-needed change to this characterization for the better. Broly would gain personality, an interest beyond Goku, and a purpose in life. All of this is better than being some one-dimensional, obsessed fighter who overstays his welcome with progressively bad movies.

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Similar: Broly in Super and Broly in DBZ are Superior to their Saiyan Counterparts

Broly Was Born With Immense, Terrifying Power That Threatened King Vegeta

Being the Legendary Super Saiyan and all, both Broly have an insane amount of potential. They were so naturally strong that King Vegeta decided to exile one and kill off the other, as babies. Both would be able to hold their own, DBS Broly fighting against beasts to stay alive and baby Broly protecting him and his father from the destruction of Planet Vegeta.

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So not only were they born heads and shoulders above the other Saiyans, but they would continue to be unstoppable thanks to their insane growth rate. DBZ Broly became a Super Saiyan at a young age and was a mere myth that even the Z fighters could barely handle. DBS Broly was able to go toe to toe with Super Saiyan Blue Goku without going Super Saiyan. All of this is done without much training, so imagine a world where they can reach their potential through training.

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Different: DBS Broly Will Reach His Potential

DBZ Broly’s Death Snuffs Out His Chance to Grow

Speaking of reaching their potential, only one of these Brolys has the chance to do so. Obviously, both Brolys would be immensely powerful if they could control their rage and hone their skills. DBZ Broly had a freakishly high power level as a baby, but being that he was a villain who threatened to harm the Z fighters, his future would be rather bleak.

DBS Broly, on the other hand, would befriend Goku by the end of Dragon Ball Super: Broly. And Goku, being Goku, would want to spar with Broly on occasion and even teach him a thing or two. With Goku’s help and Broly later training with Whis, DBS Broly will undoubtedly reach his potential, unlike DBZ Broly.

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Similar: Broly in Super and Broly in DBZ are Victims of Paragus

Paragus’ Control Over His Son Creates Irreversible Effects

Although Dragon Ball Z’s Paragus is much worse, both versions of Paragus ultimately make their sons victims through the control mechanisms. They use their control over their son instead of working to actually make them better. They also use their sons as if they were simply weapons to exact revenge on King Vegeta through his son.

Although Funimation’s dub makes Paragus seem a bit nicer, the Japanese version of Dragon Ball Super’s Paragus maintains a few of the selfish qualities of DBZ’s Paragus. Paragus’ revenge tour would start when he and Broly are freed from Vampa. After the revelation that Prince Vegeta survived Planet Vegeta’s destruction, Paragus seeks his revenge immediately and doesn’t care who is in his way to get it.

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Different: DBS Broly Actually Cared About His Father

DBZ Broly Would Take His Father Out

Despite how Dragon Ball Super’s Paragus treated his son after they escaped from Vampa, Broly still cared for his father. This version of Paragus had a different dynamic with his son, only using the controlling device to sedate him, not necessarily to control him until he wanted revenge. It’s apparent he cares for his father because he flips out and goes Super Saiyan after Paragus’ death.

This is in stark contrast to DBZ Broly, who would kill off his father as soon as he got the chance. This relationship was a bit more strained, which is likely to happen when you subject your son to being a slave. Paragus would be nothing more than an afterthought after Broly killed him.

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Similar: Broly in Super and Broly in DBZ Have (Relatively) The Same Character Design

They Have the Same Scars and SSJ Form

Obviously, both Brolys have different initial appearances: DBS Broly is more savage, while DBZ is more regal, with bracelets and a crown. But beyond these few differences, they are the same in the looks department. They have the same muscular build, a cut-off tail, and even the same scars.

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They earned the same scars in different ways. In Dragon Ball Z: The Legendary Super Saiyan, Broly, fans see Goku practically rip into Broly’s chest, the same scar we see on DBS Broly. There are also a few more that he earns in this film that fans can notice in DBS Broly’s design. Other than the scars, their Super Saiyan forms are also similar, radiating that same greenish glow.

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Different: DBZ Broly’s Backstory Story Makes No Sense

DBS Reworks The Backstory For the Better

Dragon Ball Z’s Broly not only lacks a personality, but his backstory makes no sense at all. Why should a baby become traumatized because another baby was, get this, crying? Even if it did have an effect, why would Broly become obsessed with Goku after that enough for him to be even more mindless than he normally is?

On the other hand, Dragon Ball Super’s Broly actually had a backstory that makes sense, thanks to the creators reworking the story. He didn’t somehow survive the explosion of an entire planet; instead, he was exiled because of his absurd power level and didn’t have any knowledge of Goku. Based on this new backstory, it would make more sense for this version of Broly to be the evil type based on being subjected to living on a barren planet all his life.

Dragon Ball

Created by

Akira Toriyama

Latest Film

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

First TV Show

Dragon Ball

Latest TV Show

Dragon Ball DAIMA

First Episode Air Date

April 26, 1989