Future Trunks

Lore & Background

Future Trunks first appears in chapter #331 The Young Boy of Mystery (謎の少年, Nazo no Shōnen), published in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine on July 15, 1991. Here he is a mysterious seventeen year old capable of transforming into the Super Saiyan state, who appears and singlehandedly kills Frieza and his father, King Cold. As told in the stand-alone manga side story Trunks: The Story – The Lone Warrior (TRUNKS THE STORY －たったひとりの戦士－, Torankusu za Sutōrī -Tatta Hitori no Senshi-) and chapters #419 and 420, Trunks has traveled from twenty years in the future where the world is in constant ruin due to the terror of the two androids #17 and #18 which were created by Doctor Gero. By this time, Goku has succumbed to an unknown heart virus, and everyone, except for Goku's son Gohan, has fallen at the hands of the artificial humans. Trunks has been living with Bulma and secretly training with his master Gohan. After an unsuccessful ambush, Gohan is murdered by the Androids. When Trunks finds the body, he becomes engulfed in rage and sadness, awakening his Super Saiyan transformation. After Gohan's death, Trunks assumes the mantle of Earth's sole protector against the artificial humans for the next three years until Bulma finishes her time machine.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled across the scorched plains of a silent Earth, carrying dust from cities that no longer stood. Future Trunks adjusted the hilt of his sword, his purple hair whipping in the dry gale. Above him, the sky was a bruised grey, devoid of birds or clouds. He looked at the small communicator in his hand, a link to a world that never existed for him—a world where his mother still laughed and his father trained with pride. A shadow fell over the wasteland as an Android's engine roared to life nearby. Trunks' eyes narrowed, transforming into the golden glow of a Super Saiyan. 'Not today,' he whispered, leaping into the air to meet the threat that had haunted him for years.

Reader's Guide

Future Trunks is a tragic hero defined by survival and resilience. Born in a timeline where the Z Fighters have fallen, he represents the last hope for humanity against the Androids. His character arc focuses on overcoming the despair of his world while honoring the legacy of his parents. His combat style blends traditional Saiyan martial arts with swordsmanship, utilizing a unique blade to cut through enemies that resist energy attacks. He possesses the ability to transform into Super Saiyan and later achieves Super Saiyan 2, granting him immense power levels necessary to counter the Androids' infinite energy cells. Defining moments include his initial arrival in the past to warn Goku about Cell, his first battle against the Androids where he proves his worth, and his eventual victory over them in his own timeline. He also plays a crucial role in the Tournament of Power, fighting alongside warriors from other universes.

Did You Know?

• Future Trunks first appeared in chapter #331 'The Young Boy of Mystery', published in Weekly Shōnen Jump on July 2, 1991.
• He is the son of Vegeta and Bulma, and is half-Saiyan half-human.
• He achieved Super Saiyan in his early teens after finding his master Gohan's body following an unsuccessful ambush by the Androids.
• His signature attacks include the Burning Attack (バーニングアタック, Bāningu Atakku) and the Super Buster Cannon (スーパーバスターキャノン, Sūpā Basutā Kyanon).
• In Dragon Ball Super, Trunks attains a new form called Super Saiyan Rage (超サイヤ人怒り, Sūpā Saiya-jin Ikari) fueled by rage at Black and Zamasu blaming him for his constant time traveling.