Time Rings
Mysterious artifacts that allow their bearers to travel between alternate timelines.
The Time Rings are ancient artifacts that appear in the Future Trunks Saga of Dragon Ball Super. They are used by Zamasu, a Kaioshin apprentice from Universe 10 of an alternate timeline, who steals Goku's body using the Super Dragon Balls and travels through time using a Time Ring. The rings allow travel to alternate timelines, as demonstrated when Zamasu uses one to ally himself with Future Zamasu in Future Trunks' timeline. Their exact origin and creators are not detailed in the source material.
- Primary Users
- Supreme Kais, Zamasu (via theft)
- Key Function
- Time Travel to alternate timelines
- Affiliation
- Supreme Kais
Lore & Background
The Time Rings play a crucial role in the Future Trunks Saga of Dragon Ball Super. Zamasu, a Kaioshin apprentice from Universe 10 of an alternate timeline, uses the Super Dragon Balls to steal Goku's body from that alternate timeline and kills him. He then uses a Time Ring to travel to Future Trunks' timeline, where he allies himself with Future Zamasu as part of his plan to wipe out every mortal being. The rings enable travel between alternate timelines, as Zamasu moves from his original timeline to the one where Future Trunks lives. Ultimately, Fused Zamasu (the union between Black and Future Zamasu) and the entire future timeline are erased from existence by Future Zeno, who accompanies Goku back to the present. Future Trunks and Future Mai leave for a new alternate timeline, suggesting the rings' continued relevance for timeline travel.
In Their Own Story
In the Future Trunks Saga of Dragon Ball Super, Future Trunks returns to the present with news of a new enemy known as Goku Black, who has killed almost everyone in Future Trunks' timeline. The heroes discover that Black's true identity is Zamasu, a Kaioshin apprentice from Universe 10 of an alternate timeline. Zamasu used the Super Dragon Balls to steal Goku's body from that alternate timeline and killed him, then used a Time Ring to travel to Future Trunks' timeline. There, he allied himself with Future Zamasu to execute his plan of wiping out all mortal beings. The conflict culminates when Fused Zamasu and the future timeline are erased from existence by Future Zeno, who then accompanies Goku back to the present timeline.
Reader's Guide
The Time Rings are used by Zamasu, a Kaioshin apprentice from Universe 10 of an alternate timeline, to travel between alternate timelines. After using the Super Dragon Balls to steal Goku's body from an alternate timeline and kill him, Zamasu employs a Time Ring to journey to Future Trunks' timeline. There he joins forces with Future Zamasu to eliminate all mortal life. The rings appear to be usable by Supreme Kai-level beings, as Zamasu is a Kaioshin apprentice. The rings do not allow users to change events in their own timeline—rather, they enable travel to alternate timelines, as Zamasu moves between different realities. The ultimate fate of the rings is tied to the erasure of the future timeline by Future Zeno, which eliminates that version of the artifacts.
Did You Know?
- Zamasu used the Super Dragon Balls to steal Goku's body from an alternate timeline before using a Time Ring to travel to Future Trunks' timeline.
- The Time Rings allow travel between alternate timelines, not changes to the user's own timeline.
- Future Zeno erased the entire future timeline, including Fused Zamasu and presumably any Time Rings in that timeline.
- Zamasu was a Kaioshin apprentice from Universe 10 before he began using the Time Rings for his plan.
- The Time Rings were used by Zamasu to ally himself with his alternate self, Future Zamasu, in Future Trunks' timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are Time Rings?
These are ancient artifacts possessed by Supreme Kais that enable travelers to move between separate alternate timelines. The series never explicitly reveals who originally created these mysterious devices.
Who wields a Time Ring during the Future Trunks Saga?
Zamasu from Universe 10 steals one to travel back and team up with his future counterpart in Trunks' timeline. He utilizes it alongside Goku Black while executing their plan for extinction.
How do Time Rings differ from standard time travel methods?
Unlike other methods, these rings allow users to jump into different branches of reality without altering their own past history. This feature is crucial for Zamasu's strategy across various universes.
Why are Time Rings significant to the Dragon Ball Super plot?
They facilitate the main conflict by allowing a villainous Kaioshin apprentice to operate outside normal temporal restrictions. Without them, Zamasu could not have coordinated his attack on multiple timelines simultaneously.
What is the final outcome for the Time Rings in the story?
Once Future Trunks defeats Zamasu permanently, the immediate threat involving these artifacts concludes. The show does not explicitly confirm if the rings are destroyed or secured afterward.
More in Powers & Artifacts
Elsewhere in the Dragon Ball Super universe
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