Dragon Ball: Jiren's manga version makes Goku look like a joke from the start

Modified Apr 27, 2024 12:53 GMT

Dragon Ball: Jiren — Jiren as seen in the Dragon Ball Super anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Dragon Ball Super's Jiren the Gray was inarguably one of the most surprising characters to be introduced in the anime. While other strong characters were often described as strong due to their race, Jiren was seemingly an exception as he was a self-trained warrior who became powerful enough to be compared to the Gods of Destruction.

Despite the overwhelming depiction in the anime, the series seemingly didn't do justice to his character. This is because, while Jiren the Gray was depicted as a strong warrior in the anime, he was even considerably stronger in the manga. Hence, Dragon Ball Super manga's Jiren made Goku look like a joke from the start.

Disclaimer: This article may contain spoilers from the Dragon Ball Super manga.

Dragon Ball Super manga's Jiren was stronger than the one in the anime

Jiren as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

As fans might remember from the end of Tournament of Power Saga, Jiren was far too strong to be defeated. Hence, it took the herculean effort of an unlikely trio in Son Goku, Frieza, and Android 17.

After Son Goku's Mastered Ultra Instinct wore off, the trio was forced to defeat Jiren together as they would have been defeated instantly otherwise. With this, it can be confirmed that Jiren the Gray was insanely strong.

Son Goku as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

However, the truth is that Jiren was even more insanely strong in the Dragon Ball Super manga. In the anime, Mastered Ultra Instinct Goku had basically defeated Jiren. The only reason Goku lost the one-on-one fight was that he took too long to eliminate Jiren.

In the meantime, the Ultra Instinct technique itself wore off. Thus, fans were led to believe that Ultra Instinct Goku was stronger than Jiren.

However, in the manga, the events take place a bit differently. While Jiren was initially overwhelmed by Goku's new technique, as the fight progressed, he began adapting to the Ultra Instinct speed. Even Whis commented on the same as he was impressed by Jiren's limitless potential.

Whis as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Soon after, Jiren defeated Son Goku as the difference in their strength allowed Jiren to knock Goku out of the Ultra Instinct state. In doing so, Jiren almost eliminated him and Vegeta.

Thus, it is very evident that Jiren was far more strong in the manga when compared to the anime.

While fans may think that Toei Animation did not do justice to Jiren, one must remember that the anime was released far earlier than the manga series adapted the same story arc.

Hence, the anime must have adapted the story how creator Akira Toriyama must have wanted it to be adapted later.

However, after the anime was released, the creator must have wanted to make some changes to the storyline, one of which was the depiction of Jiren's strength when compared to Son Goku's Ultra Instinct technique.

This is why Jiren the Gray's strength was depicted differently in both anime and manga. Nevertheless, considering the "canon" factor of the manga, one can assume that Jiren was far stronger than Goku as shown in the manga.