Trunks (Dragon Ball)

Trunks
Dragon Ball character
File:Trunks Variant.PNG
First appearance	Manga: Dragon Ball chapter 331 Anime: Dragon Ball Z episode 118
Last appearance	Manga: Dragon Ball chapter 519 Anime: Dragon Ball GT episode 64
Created by	Akira Toriyama
In-universe information
Alias	Future Trunks Chibi Trunks
Gender	Male

Trunks (トランクス, Torankusu) is a fictional character from the Dragon Ball franchise by manga-ka Akira Toriyama. He is the half-Saiyan son of Vegeta, the prince of the extinct race of fictional aliens called the Saiyans, and Bulma, the heiress of a massive company called Capsule Corporation. Keeping with the family's naming puns, Trunks' name is derived from the term for mens swim shorts. The future incarnation can be compared to Ackman a character from another Toriyama series "Go!Go!Ackman".

Appearance

Trunks has a slender muscular physic with his most dominate genes from his maternal side resulting in him having blue eyes and lavender colored hair featured, for the most part, in the undercut style. During his adolescent and early teens this style was parted on his right side and his late teens it was parted in the middle. As he is half human, his hair is prone to grow. Because of this, he wore his hair in an over the shoulders style during Cell Games arc. The color caused some confusion among the others characters that met him as Vegeta pointed out in chapter 139 and episode 120 a Saiyan's hair color is generally black. His facial features are nearly identical to his father's as pointed out by Bulma when awaiting Goku's return in the aforementioned chapter and episode. Trunks can transform into a Super Saiyan which causes his hair to spike on end and takes on golden color and his eyes a Turquoise or green color. Trunks is also known for his unique fashion sense. When the character was first introduced he wore a cropped jacket that was steel blue in the manga and han purple in the anime with a Capsule Corporation patch on his upper left sleeve that was red in the manga and white in the anime. Along with a black tanktop and baggy gray pants. During the Cell games arc he wore a pair of Saiyan battle fatigues identical to his father which was made by Bulma. As a child during the Majin Buu saga he wore a green gi with matching orange belt and wrist bands. In the GT series he wore a tan blazer, a blue kerchief over a black longsleve shirt which matched his blue socks, and a pair of cuffed khaki shorts. Ironically he has worn the same type of shoes with all three outfits which are a pair of boot length strapped sneakers that feature dark colored segments on the toe and heal.

Future Trunks

File:Future Trunks.png

Future Trunks by Akira Toriyama.

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 appeared in the manga chapter 331 Nazo no Shōnen (謎の少年, The Young Man of Mystery) on November 8, 1991 and Dragon Ball Z episode 118 Freeza wa Boku ga Taosu… Goku wo Matsu Nazo no Shōnen (フリーザはボクが倒す…　悟空を待つ謎の少年, I will Defeat Freeza... The Mysterious Youth Awaiting Goku) on December 1, 1991. Here he is a mysterious seventeen year old who appears and singlehandedly kills Freeza and his father King Cold. Upon Goku's return in the following chapter and episode Trunks would confide with Goku and unknowingly to Piccolo (Due to his acute Namekkian hearing) his tragic story.

As told in flashbacks in the anime series, the stand alone manga story Trunks za Sutōrī -Tatta Hitori no Senshi- (トランクスザストーリー －たったひとりの戦士－, Trunks the Story: The Only One Warrior), and TV special Zetsubō e no Hankō!! Nokosareta Chō-Senshi • Gohan to Trunks (絶望への反抗!!残された超戦士・悟飯とトランクス, Resistance to Despair!! The Remaining Super-Warriors, Gohan and Trunks) (History of Trunks outside of Japan), Trunks had traveled from twenty years in the future where the world was in constant ruin due to the terror of the two artificial humans #17 and #18. 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 artificial humans. Trunks, at the age of thirteen, was living with Future Bulma and secretly training with Future Gohan. After Gohan's inevitable death, Trunks would assume the mantel of earth sole protector against the artificial humans for the next three years. But even he would be no match for 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 and return to his own time.

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". 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 home 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 Ginga Giri-Giri!! Butchigiri no Sugoi Yatsu (銀河ギリギリ!!ぶっちぎりの凄い奴, Milky Way at the Brink!! The Super Incredible Guy) (Bojack Unbound outside Japan) to participate in the special Tenkaichi Budokai sponsored by Mr. X.S. Cash. Here he would unwillingly fight Bojack's henchman Gokua.

Present Trunks

File:Young Trunks.png

Trunks as a child by Akira Toriyama.

Trunks' second incarnation would appear as an infant in chapter 337 Tsudō Super Senshi-tachi (集う超戦士たち, Super Warriors Assemble) on November 8, 1991 and Dragon Ball Z episode 125 Kehai o Motanu Satsujin ki Doitsu ga Jinzōningen da!? (気配を持たぬ殺人鬼　どいつが人造人間だ!?, Murderers Who Leave No Trace Which Ones Are the Artificial Humans?) on February 12, 1992. At the age of eight, Trunks would participate in 25th Tenkaichi Budokai and defeat Son Goten in junior division. Eager to compete in the adult division, he along with Goten would pose as the fighter Mighty Mask and be pitted against #18 in a battle royal. But unfortunately they would be disqualified for being 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 would fight 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, would be absorbed by Buu thus increasing his power. After freed, Trunks would help to rally the people on Earth to contribute to Goku's Super Genki Dama to defeat Majin Buu. At the end of the manga and Dragon Ball Z he would participate in the 28th Tenkaichi Budokai against the fighter Otokosuki in Chapters 518-519 and episodes 289-290.

File:GT Trunks.PNG

Trunks in the GT series by Akira Toriyama.

By the GT series, a 28 year old Trunks would accompany Goku and Pan into space to recover the Black Star Dragon Balls. Within episodes 2-15, They would have many strange encounters and meet many unusual characters including the robot named Gear who would act as the gang's Dragon Radar. Upon arriving on Gill'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 (A reference to Han Solo's encasement carbonite in the Return of the Jedi) for study. Ironically, the contents of the plate was not really Trunks, but cleverly made decoy by both Trunks and Gear. 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 posses Vegeta becoming "Baby Vegeta" and brainwash everyone else. 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. By episode 41 Trunks had managed to become the CEO of Capsule Corporation. But he would not take the job seriously. During the Super 17 saga, he along with Goten would travel the globe fighting the villains that escaped from Hell. He would help battle Omega Shenlong and help power-up Goku's Super Saiyan 4 form.

Abilities

File:SS Trunks.PNG

Trunks as a Super Saiyan.

Trunks is impressive fighter who can attack with blasts and waves all of which can be utilized by the use of ki (chi in the Viz adaptation). His most well known techniques are the "Finishing Buster" and "Burning Attack" which is known for high speed arm movements before executed. His main means of conveyance is a technique called buku-jutsu (舞空術, lighter than air) which gives him the ability of flight. At the same time Trunks 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.

Both incarnations can at least transform into basic Super Saiyan although their achievement of this form differs between incarnation. Future Trunks achieved this in his early teens but even this varies in media. In the anime he would ascend after observing the body of the recently deceased Future Gohan. Whereas, In the manga, he is shown to be a Super Saiyan for some time. Present Trunks would be shown to have the ability at the age of eight. In the Cell saga, Trunks would gain the ability ascend to 2nd and 3rd Super Saiyan grades during his training with with Vegeta in the "Room of Time and Mind". Unfortunately, these forms would decrease his speed greatly and so he would abandon them after his first initial fight with Cell.

As a child Present Trunks along with Son Goten could fuse into the powerful being Gotenks through the Metamorese technique call the Fusion Dance which was taught to them by Goku. In this form they could achieve Super Saiyan 3 with ease. A feat that was very difficult for Goku to achieve and maintain.

Sword

Trunks is also know for his use of his doubled edged broadsword which he keeps mounted across his back. Many fans often mistake this sword for the legendary Z-Sword due their similar appearance. As a child, Present Trunks was supposedly given the sword as a gift by the warrior Tapion after the monster Hirudegarn was defeated in the film Ryū-Ken Bakuhatsu!! Gokū ga Yaraneba Dare ga Yaru? (龍拳爆発!!悟空がやらねば誰がやる, Dragon Fist Explosion!! If Gokū Can't Do It, Who Will) (Wrath of the Dragon outside Japan). However it is unknown how Future Trunks come to posses it as the story was never chronicled by Toriyama or Toei Animation. In GT the sword was only featured in the opening introduction to the series, but was not used in any of the episodes. Ironically, in an early concept lithograph for GT by Toriyama, Trunks is pictured instead, brandishing a pistol. Present Trunks can also be seen wielding the sword in the opening introduction to the video game Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout.

Voice actors

Japanese
Toei Animation:

• Takeshi Kusao

English
Funimation dub:

• Eric Vale (Teen Trunks)
• Laura Bailey (Kid Trunks)

Ocean Studios dub:

• Alistair Abell (Teen Trunks)
• Patricia Drake (Kid Trunks)

Final Bout:

• Skip Stellrecht

Reception

Due to the fact that images such as the famous title card, and toys such as the "Super Battle Collection" series had managed to make their way to North America prior to the releases of the official manga volume and anime episode. Trunks became the most anticipated characters of the series. His apparent absence caused some confusion with fan who were not familiar with original Japanese, as he was the only character in the title that had not been established. Fan who were familiar with original began to wonder if the episodes featuring Trunks would be dubbed with halt in production in 1997 with the episode "Goku Super Saiyan?!" This could also be felt by Cartoon Network, as the network's programing block Toonami who was using the first Friday of every month to air fan art was getting Trunks fan art. Thus promting the message from the block's host TOM "Although well do show artwork of chraracters from your favorite Toonami show, but only of current characters. So no Trunks." Fortunately fans would finally be introduced to Trunks upon Funimation's release of the home videos "Trunks: Mysterious Youth" and "Trunks: Prelude to Terror" on September 6, 2000. Capitalizing on the antisapation Funimation featured a teaser montage of Trunks at the begining of the videos.

Trunks in other media

File:Cross Epoch Trunks.PNG

Trunks in Cross Epoch.

• Trunks has appeared in most Dragon Ball related video games. He has also appeared in other related game such as Jump Super Stars, it sequel Jump Ultimate Stars, and Battle Stadium D.O.N. The game Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road centers around Future Trunks' battle with Majin Buu in his Timeline. Trunks will also be featured in the upcoming MMORPG Dragon Ball Online. Here will be referred as Time Patrol Trunks (タイム・パトロール・トランクス, Taimu Patorōru Torankusu).
• In the Dragon Ball/One Piece crossover manga Cross Epoch, Trunks is a member of Captain Vegeta's air pirate crew.
• Trunks also makes a cameo in the 2004 Fuji TV interactive feature "Kyūtai Panic Adventure Returns!".

References

• Beckett Dragon Ball Z Collector: May 2001, Vol. 2, No. 5, Issue #6 K95785
• Beckett Dragon Ball Z Collector: June 2003, Vol. 4, No. 6, Issue #36 K48259