The topic of fusion in Dragon Ball Z often sparks heated debates among fans, particularly when comparing the Fusion Dance and Potara Fusion. This article aims to address the long-standing question of which fusion method is superior, focusing on the Dragon Ball Z Fusion Dance. We will delve into common misconceptions and arguments surrounding fusion multipliers to definitively analyze and clarify the power dynamics between these techniques.
Debunking the “Fusion Reborn Gogeta Beats Buu Saga Vegito” Argument
One frequent point of contention used to argue for the Fusion Dance’s power is a guide suggesting that Gogeta from Fusion Reborn could defeat Vegito from the Buu Saga. Proponents of this argument often overlook crucial context. This scenario is a hypothetical “what-if” battle between two fusions from different timelines and power scaling. Fusion Reborn, as a movie, generally features power levels exceeding those presented in the main anime and manga storylines of the Buu Saga.
The guide’s statement that Fusion Dance “draws out Gogeta’s power to its maximum” in this hypothetical fight doesn’t inherently imply the Fusion Dance multiplier is superior to Potara. It simply suggests that Fusion Reborn Gogeta, operating on movie logic, is portrayed as stronger than Buu Saga Vegito. Furthermore, the guide itself acknowledges Vegito as the “mightiest warrior” directly beneath the contentious scan.
This contradictory information within the guide undermines its credibility as evidence for Fusion Dance superiority. It appears to be an attempt to ambiguously support Gogeta without fully dismissing the established canon of Potara being the stronger fusion method.
Debunking the “Vegito’s Power Weaker Than Super Saiyan God” Claim
Another argument frequently raised by Fusion Dance proponents involves Goku’s statement regarding Vegito’s potential strength compared to Beerus. During the Buu Saga, Goku, unable to sense God Ki at that time, speculates whether Vegito could stand against Beerus. This speculation is often misinterpreted as evidence that Potara fusion is weaker than Super Saiyan God or, by extension, that Fusion Dance could potentially bridge that gap.
However, Goku’s statement is simply an uninformed guess based on his limited understanding of Godly power at that point. It doesn’t measure the multiplier of Potara Fusion itself, nor does it provide any comparative analysis to the Fusion Dance. Even if Vegito at that time was not strong enough to defeat Beerus, it simply indicates that the combined power of Goku and Vegeta, even with the Potara multiplier, was still insufficient.
The power of the fusees is paramount. As characters grow stronger, fusions naturally become more powerful. This is why fusions seem to perform better in later arcs—because Goku and Vegeta themselves have become significantly stronger. The strength of the fusion is not solely determined by the multiplier but by the base power of the individuals fusing.
Canon Evidence for Potara Fusion Superiority
Numerous sources within the Dragon Ball canon consistently point to Potara Fusion being superior to the Fusion Dance. The anime, manga, and official guides like the Daizenshuu all support this assertion. These sources, considered canon, outweigh any ambiguous or contradictory statements from less authoritative materials.
Elder Kai’s statements are frequently cited as strong evidence. While some argue that his lack of knowledge about the mortal Potara time limit undermines his credibility, this is a misdirection. His unfamiliarity with a specific side effect for mortals doesn’t negate his extensive knowledge of Potara fusion’s power amplification. As a Potara fusion himself, Elder Kai is intimately familiar with its capabilities. He explicitly states Potara Fusion is superior to the Dance and is even surprised by Vegito’s immense power, suggesting a boost beyond his initial expectations.
Even Majin Buu, who possesses knowledge of the Fusion Dance, doubted the effectiveness of a Fusion Dance between Goku and Gohan, and even Goku and Vegeta (Gogeta), further suggesting a perceived power gap compared to Potara fusions like Vegito.
The concept of a “rival boost” further solidifies Potara’s advantage. Elder Kai explicitly mentions that the fusion of rivals results in the “strongest” outcome, a boost not attributed to the Fusion Dance. While Kefla, a Potara fusion of Kale and Caulifla, is sometimes used to argue for Dance superiority due to their compatibility, this argument overlooks the rival boost, a unique factor enhancing Goku and Vegeta’s Potara fusions.
Debunking the “Base Gogeta > SSB Goku & Vegeta” Argument
A more recent argument claims that Base Gogeta’s performance in Dragon Ball Super: Broly surpasses Super Saiyan Blue Goku and Vegeta, implying a superior Fusion Dance multiplier as Vegito hasn’t demonstrated such dominance over their Blue forms. This argument, however, misinterprets the power scaling and context.
Firstly, the notion of a fixed “multiplier” for either fusion is overly simplistic. The power output of fusions is dynamic and influenced by various factors, including the base power of the fusees and potentially even emotional states or external boosts. Focusing solely on a static multiplier is misleading.
Secondly, Vegito’s base form performance against Merged Zamasu in the manga, which is considered more directly supervised by Toriyama and thus highly canon, showcases a similar level of dominance. Base Vegito displayed complete nonchalance and superiority against Merged Zamasu, mirroring Base Gogeta’s confident demeanor against Broly.
Vegito’s composed attitude and clear superiority in base form against a powerful opponent like Merged Zamasu directly contradicts the argument that Gogeta’s base form feat somehow proves Fusion Dance superiority. Both fusions, in their base forms, demonstrate power levels significantly exceeding even the Super Saiyan Blue forms of Goku and Vegeta when facing comparable threats.
Understanding Fusion Multipliers
While precise multipliers remain undefined and potentially inconsistent across Dragon Ball media, understanding the mechanics of each fusion method offers insight. The Fusion Dance necessitates the fusees to match power levels, a significant limitation. Potara Fusion has no such restriction.
Considering this, a hypothetical power scaling can be illustrated: If Goku is at power level 10 and Vegeta at 9, a Fusion Dance would require Goku to lower his power to 9, resulting in a fusion of 9 x 9 = 81 (A²). Potara Fusion, without this limitation, could utilize their full power, resulting in 10 x 9 = 90 (A x B), potentially further amplified by the rival boost.
Alternative multiplier theories exist, some suggesting both fusions are simply A x B, with Potara gaining an additional rival boost. Regardless of the exact multiplier, the consistent portrayal in canon material leans towards Potara Fusion yielding a greater power increase.
Conclusion: Potara Fusion Reigns Supreme
In conclusion, despite persistent arguments to the contrary, the overwhelming evidence from Dragon Ball canon points towards Potara Fusion being the superior method compared to the dragon ball z fusion dance. From explicit statements in the anime and manga to guidebooks and character dialogues, Potara Fusion is consistently depicted as providing a greater power boost, especially when considering the unique “rival boost” for Goku and Vegeta.
While Gogeta remains a popular and powerful character, arguments for Fusion Dance superiority often rely on misinterpretations, out-of-context scenarios, or a selective reading of source material. For those still unconvinced, further exploration of canonical sources will consistently reinforce the conclusion: Potara Fusion holds the definitive edge in the Dragon Ball universe.
