Future Trunks ended one of Dragon Ball Z's best arcs with a badass quote we're still obsessed with

While Goku, Vegeta, Gohan and even villains like Frieza dominate the spotlight in Dragon Ball Zfans should never ignore Trunks– particularly its future iteration – which boasts one of the most compelling and unconventional hero stories in the franchise. Future Trunks' origin, unwavering determination and proactive heroism constitute one of the best subplots in the series, deserving much more recognition than he has received thus far.

Of course, on the contrary Dragon ballDespite more conventional heroes and villains, Future Trunks' rise to hero status was not pre-ordained. While he was Vegeta's son, Future Trunks spent much of his youth playing with Goten, Gohan's younger brother. Despite showing flashes of promise, he seemed content to relax. However, when a dire threat arose in the future, circumstances forced Future Trunks to rise to the occasion. He faced the challenge head on and ultimately proved himself a worthy hero.

The iconic quote that cemented Trunks' legacy as a Dragon Ball Z hero

Androids 17 and 18 got a beating coming

Nowhere was Future Trunks' evil more evident than in episode 194 of Dragon Ball Z anime, titled “Unleash the Future”. In this episode, he returns to his future alternate timeline, where he faces Androids 17 and 18 – his formidable enemies from the story's original timeline, who previously decimated the Z Fighters and even killed Future Gohan in the story. of the main time. As he prepares to engage them, he delivers an unforgettable line that resonates deeply with fans.

You hate the fact that you're powerless to stop me. That you are completely over it. Well, imagine feeling the way you feel now all the time, like the people on this planet feel! Fools! How do you think my master, Gohan, felt when you attacked him in the rain and he had no way out? Well, now it's your turn, I hope you like it.

The quote says it all – at once – about Future Trunks. His rigorous training with Gohan and the Z Fighters, combined with his harrowing experience fighting – and dying – in the original's Cell Games Dragon ball timeline, transformed him into the formidable warrior he became. This transformation prepared him to face Androids 17 and 18 in his own timeline.

In fact, the quote demonstrates that Future Trunks did not allow his adversity to define him; instead, he used it as a source of personal empowerment. When Trunks arrived from the future, he was already incredibly powerful, having achieved Super Saiyan form, which made him significantly stronger than most Z Fighters. However, despite his abilities, he struggles with the unimaginable mental agony and trauma of witnessing the destruction of his world. As a result, he wasn't in the right mindset to be the cool, calm, collected, and confident warrior we see in episode 194.

In the past, Trunks found his future

However, his experiences in the original Dragon ball The timeline provided him with valuable lessons and opportunities for growth that he would never have found in his own timeline. Firstly, by interacting with Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, and even Cell, Trunks not only understood that there were individuals more powerful than him, but also realized that with dedicated training, practice, and unwavering determination, he could reach a similar level. . of power.

Secondly, excellence breeds excellence, and there are few better teachers in the art of combat than Goku and Vegeta, especially their father. Perhaps most importantly, Trunks learned to overcome his fears and doubts. He discovered that defeating a seemingly invincible opponent is possible with an unwavering will and exceptional skill.

If the quote isn't enough to showcase Trunks' physical growth and improved mental toughness, it also highlights his impressive oratorical skills. In any competition—especially combat—one of the most devastating vulnerabilities is allowing your opponent to get in your head, causing you to doubt or second-guess yourself, or alternatively, to overestimate your opponent's power. When executed well, this psychological tactic can end a fight before the first punch is even thrown.

With this quote, Trunks does just that – he tells the Androids that they have effectively already lost and that they should “hate this”, delivering the line with rage-inducing condescension and cutting mockery. It's one of the best pre-battle confrontations in all of Dragon Ball.

Last but not least, consider the circumstances under which Trunks makes this statement. Faced with two dominant and seemingly unstoppable opponents, with no support or “cavalry on the way”, it takes god-level confidence to deliver such a bold and challenging challenge. Some other characters in Dragon ball operate as independently as Trunks, especially in situations where the stakes are so high and support is non-existent.

This self-sufficiency stems from Trunks' deepest motivation – as he demonstrates, he is not fighting for himself, but for the countless vulnerable people suffering under oppressive conditions. His compassion, rooted in justice and fueled by hope for a better world, proves that Trunks is not just another secondary character, but one of the best and most inspiring heroes in the world. Dragon ball universe.