For decades,Dragon Ball Zhas been the gold standard for shōnen battle anime, shaping an entire generation’s view of over-the-top fights, training arcs, and planet-destroying showdowns. Its influence is undeniable, and few modern series even come close to matching its cultural footprint. ButSolo Leveling’ssequel,Ragnarok, has quietly achieved somethingDragon Ball Znever could.
Thekey difference is thatSolo Leveling: Ragnarokfully commits to passing the torch to its next-generation hero.Sung Jinwoo’s son, Suho, doesn’t just inherit his father’s legacy, he actively takes over as the series lead. It’s the narrative payoff thatDragon Ball Zhinted at for Gohan but ultimately never delivered, and it changes everything about the story’s long-term impact.
The Parallels Between Dragon Ball and Solo Leveling
On paper,Solo Leveling’sending mirrorsDragon Ball’soriginal conclusionin surprising ways. InDragon Ball, Goku defeats Piccolo, claims the title of the world’s strongest, and marries Chi-Chi, later having a son named Gohan. InSolo Leveling, Jinwoo defeats the Monarchs, marries Cha Haein, and welcomes a son, Suho. Both endings close a chapter while setting up the next.
In each series, the child is born with immense potential and a deep connection to their father’s incredible abilities. Gohan’s latent power is teased from the Saiyan Saga onward, while Suho’s abilities are sealed away by Jinwoo to control his growth. In both cases, the groundwork is laid for a generational shift in the story’s central hero.
WhereDragon Ball Zstumbled was in following through on this setup. Gohan’s bursts of brilliance, like his dominance in the Cell Games, suggested he was destined to take over. Yet, every time the spotlight was on him, the series found a way to pivot back to Goku.Ragnarok, on the other hand, wastes no time in making Suho the star.
By launchingRagnarokwith Suho at center stage, the series sends a clear message: the story belongs to the next generation now. It’s a decisionDragon Ballnever fully embraced, and that single creative choice sets the two franchises apart in a major way.
The Torch That Dragon Ball Z Couldn’t Pass
The Buu Saga is where Gohan’s arc could have reached its peak. After training with the Elder Kai and wielding the Z Sword, Gohan was set up as the clear savior of Earth. For a moment, it seemed like DBZ was ready to let Goku step aside for good. Instead, Gohan faltered, and Goku returned to deliver the final blow.
Unfortunately, the attempt failed, not because Gohan wasn’t strong enough in concept, but because the story refused to fully commit to him as the lead.
Goku even admits that he could have defeated Buu from the start with Super Saiyan 3, but wanted to give the younger fighters their shot. Unfortunately, the attempt failed, not because Gohan wasn’t strong enough in concept, but because the story refused to fully commit to him as the lead.
In contrast,Ragnarokdoesn’t hedge its bets. Jinwoo deliberately steps back, sealing Suho’s powers to help him grow independently. From the very beginning, readers and viewers are told this is Suho’s journey. Jinwoo doesn’t swoop in to reclaim the spotlight whenever danger rises, he allows his son to face threats on his own terms.
This confidence in the successor character creates a completely different emotional payoff. When Suho faces major enemies, it feels like the fulfillment of a long-laid plan, not a temporary experiment doomed to be reversed. In a way, itdelivers the ending manyDragon Ball Zfans still wish Gohan had been given.
Why Suho’s Story Works Where Gohan’s Didn’t
Shōnen anime often struggles with handing off the main role because so much of the story’s identity is tied to the original hero. InDragon Ball Z’scase, Goku was not only the face of the franchise but also the heart of its merchandising and global appeal. Moving away from him was a risk the series was unwilling to take.
Solo Levelingfaced its own version of that challenge. Jinwoo is one of the most popular protagonists in recent anime history, and much of the original series revolved entirely around his perspective. Side characters often took a back seat to his personal growth, making the idea of replacing him even riskier.
The difference is thatRagnaroktreats this transition as an opportunity, not a gamble. Supporting characters like Beru, Esil, and even former antagonists like Antares return in more developed roles, forming a new network of allies and rivals for Suho. This expanded focus ensures the world doesn’t feel empty without Jinwoo constantly in the spotlight.
Perhaps most importantly, Suho’s journey has a built-in sense of narrative closure. In the light novel’s final chapter, Suho tells Jinwoo that he can handle the universe-threatening danger himself. Jinwoo, for the first time, steps aside completely. It’s a mutual moment of trust and confidence, and exactly the emotional payoffDragon Ball Zset up between Goku and Gohan but never delivered.
The Lesson Dragon Ball Z Could Learn from Ragnarok
In the grand scheme of shōnen history,Dragon Ball Z’sreluctance to let go of Goku isn’t unique, because many long-running series keep their original leads indefinitely. ButSolo Leveling: Ragnarokshows that a clean generational handoff can actually refresh a story rather than diminish it. It opens up space for new arcs, challenges, and relationships that wouldn’t be possible with the old hero still dominating the stage.
For fans of both series, this isn’t about sayingSolo Levelingis “better” thanDragon Ball Z.
For fans of both series, this isn’t about sayingSolo Levelingis “better” thanDragon Ball Z. The legacy ofDragon Ball Zis secure and unmatched in its influence. However, it’s fair to say thatRagnarokaccomplished somethingDragon Ball Zpromised but couldn’t execute: allowing the son to truly become the hero in his father’s place.
By fully embracing Suho’s story,Solo Leveling: Ragnarokturns what could have been a recycled continuation into a bold new chapter. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best way to honor a beloved main character is to let their successor take the lead, and actually mean it.
Solo Leveling
Cast
Solo Leveling follows Sung Jin-woo, the world’s weakest hunter, who gains extraordinary powers through a mysterious program after surviving a brutal monster attack. As he navigates his newfound abilities, Jinwoo embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of his powers and the dungeon that altered his fate.
Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z follows Goku, who lives a peaceful life with his family until the arrival of Raditz, a mysterious warrior claiming to be Goku’s brother. This revelation unveils their true heritage as Saiyans, a formidable warrior race known for conquering planets.
