r/DragonBallZ:

u/xander707

Vegeta could have undone Krillins mistake. Not only that, but he prevented Trunks from solving the problem, too. He really went out of his way to make sure Perfect Cell happened. But in a funny way, if Vegeta didnt do all that, Gohan never becomes SSJ2. And that could mean they dont figure out how to increase their power enough for Buu saga threats.
u/xander707

Ehhhh I can see why some people might think this way. Although I dont agree. Dragon ball definitely has a story, and its pretty good. The story itself can be basic at times, but the characters driving the story are what makes it special and interesting. Theres a ton of character growth and cool shit happening all the time in the story that even though it usually boils down to Villain wants to take over or destroy the world, its interesting to watch because the villains are developed so well, much like the cast of heroes are. Lacking strategy in the fights is true for some fights, false for others. I do wish we got to see more high fighting IQ in Dragonball, but many fights still incorporate strategy. Gokus use of Kaio-Ken, Solar Flare, kamehameha trap under water, instant transmission kamehameha, just as some examples. However, compared to something like say Jujutsu Kaisen, the strategy in dragonball fights are relatively basic. Theres definitely some just straight up slug fests in dragon ball too, and there are other mangas/anime where there is a much higher emphasis on fighting strategy.
u/xander707

Trunks is the man. Gets the job done, doesnt screw around, has just the right amount of confidence without giving in to hubris.
u/xander707

That is a fair point, but a lot of times hes right, unless it involves Goku. He really was stronger than imperfect cell, and I think he really was slightly stronger than Trunks. It makes sense because hes more driven than Trunks, and trains harder than Trunks. Naturally hed come out of the time chamber stronger. I like Trunks character a lot but it has to be said, especially at this point in the story, hes both inexperienced and naive. He isnt the warrior that Vegeta is, and he doesnt have a strategic grasp on battle prowess yet.
u/xander707

Experience. Also Im not sure they were even, maybe thats stated in the manga but in the anime Vegeta confidently tells Cell that Trunks is almost as strong as he is, as far as Vegeta is concerned Trunks is weaker, albeit not by much. Trunks only believes himself stronger because of the grade 3 form. But he realizes later that even Vegeta must have realized that forms flaws and thats why he didnt bother utilizing it, revealing Trunks naive thinking. In addition to these points, Vegeta wouldnt hold back in the fight. Trunks would. So with Vegeta being overall stronger, more experienced, and holding nothing back, hed win easily.