5 Reasons To Start Watching 'Dragon Ball Super' Universal Survival Arc Right Now

If you haven't been keeping up with one of the biggest anime shows sweeping across the world, then it's about time you start taking notice of the sequel series to one of the most popular #anime in history, #DragonBallSuper. For anyone not keeping up with it, the series is currently airing in Japan where it is reaching unparalleled heights of popularity, and this show's English dub has started playing weekly on Toonami every Saturday.

DBS has had its ups and downs and doesn't hold a candle to either of its predecessors in Dragon Ball or Dragon Ball Z, but the latest arc is one that series creator Akira Toriyama and the rest of Toei Animation staff have possibly outdone themselves on and could be one of the most entertaining in Dragon Ball history.

For anyone that is forgoing the Japanese version to wait for the English dub to come out, I highly suggest you keep up with this current arc. The Universal Survival Arc is one in which there will be a battle royale-style tournament, with ten competitors between eight universes fighting for supremacy. Any losing universe will be wiped from existence. If that isn't one of the most unique and exciting stories to you then I don't know what would be.

Here are reasons why you should jump on the bandwagon now and start watching Dragon Ball Super's Universal Survival Arc:

5. The Z Warriors Return

DBS is essentially the Goku and Vegeta show, where a lot of fan favorite characters are pushed to the background, including the insanely popular Gohan. With this new arc though, we will see Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, Krillin, Tien, Master Roshi, Android 18, Android 17 and Majin Buu all competing in this tournament. This will be a major change of pace compared to the series so far.

All these characters are sure to get some much needed character development, and we will finally get to see all of them in fighting action once again. Seeing Gohan, Krillin, Piccolo, Tien and Master Roshi in a tournament and receiving some attention is something severely overdue, and present challenges that they'll all have to step up to to save the entire universe from destruction. It'll take more then to combined might of Goku and Vegeta to save Universe 7.

4. The Battle Royale Tournament Style

A battle royale is a tournament style in which every competitor is fighting all at once and the victor is determined at the end of one round. Specifically for the show, 80 competitors (including our heroes) will be facing off at the same time to knock each other out of the ring. Once a time limit of 48 minutes is reached, the universe with the most competitors remaining will be the winner. So, the fate of eight universes will be decided in one fight!

The only time this style was implemented in Dragon Ball was during the lowly received movie Bojack Unbound, and it was only briefly in the beginning of the movie. This will be the first time that we see it as the highlight of a series and with this many quality fighters.

This will also allow us to see some interesting tag team fights. Possibly seeing Goku and Gohan or Krillin and Android 18 teaming up to take on foes is exciting to think about.

3. Seventy New and Powerful Characters

With Universe 7's team already set, we still have seven more teams of ten that need to be filled out. We've only just met the Gods of Destruction and five other characters named Jiren, Toppo, Basil, Lavenda and Bergamo, but there are still so many more and are sure to be just as powerful as the others.

All teams are filled out with characters that are supposed to be just as powerful as Goku's team. With Akira Toriyama's creativity in full force, we're sure to see some interesting designs and characters.

For any Broly fans, we will also see a female character closely resembling the polarizing fan favorite.

2. A New Transformation or Technique

Transformations are a staple of the Dragon Ball Universe and ever since Dragon Ball Z started we've seen a new transformation or technique in every major arc. From the birth of the Kaio-Ken in the Saiyan Saga to the most recent Super Saiyan Rose in The Future Trunks Arc of DBS. While they may not always be Goku's transformations, there is an obvious pattern.

• Saiyan Saga — Kaio-Ken
• Frieza Saga — Super Saiyan
• Perfect Cell Saga — Super Saiyan 2
• Majin Buu Saga — Super Saiyan 3
• God of Destruction Beerus Saga — Super Saiyan God
• Resurrection of F Saga — Super Saiyan Blue
• Universe 6 Saga — Super Saiayn Blue with Kaio-Ken
• Future Trunks Saga — Super Saiyan Rose and Super Saiyan Rage

History tells us that there will surely be something up Goku's sleeve in this tournament. There is evidence of this with a mysterious new form in the intro theme (shown above). Goku also stated that he will "break his limits" while he is already in Super Saiyan Blue with Kaio-Ken, which (as of right now) is the highest point he has ever reached, suggesting he's already unlocked a new form.

1. A New Take On Goku's Personality

Since the beginning of Dragon Ball, Goku has always been placed under the noble hero archetype, but this wasn't originally supposed to be the case. Creator Akira Toriyama has stated that he always viewed Goku as a selfish character that doesn't fight for the well being of others, but one who fights just to test his own strength. To Toriyama, Goku was always supposed to be a selfish character.

Goku is the main reason for this tournament, as he approached the King of all the universes (Zeno) and asked, even after both Beerus and Whis demanded he do otherwise. Goku ignored their warnings and asked Zeno for a tournament anyway. While destruction of the universes was not Goku's intention, so far he seems very unconcerned that his family and friends are all in danger of being destroyed over a single tournament of power.

Many characters from other universes are actually referring to Goku as evil or a villain since it is his fault for this tournament. In episode 84 we even saw all of the Supreme Kais and Gods of Destructions discussing teaming up to take out Goku first and foremost. Seeing our hero in such a different light is going to be difficult for some but very exciting as far as character development goes.

Here is popular Dragon Ball Youtuber Masakox's take on Goku's new personality:

You can catch all episodes of Dragon Ball Super legally and for free on Crunchyroll.com.