Why is Yamcha in DBZ??
Yamcha is like that friend in high school who is always at everyone’s birthday party, but nobody has actually hung out with him since elementary school.
Why is Yamcha in Dragon Ball Z? I honestly have trouble remembering a time he made a serious fighting contribution outside of Dragon Ball. Despite his weakness, I think I do know why Yamcha is continuously put back in the story.
Yamcha makes the characters feel more “human” (human is in parenthesis because many of them are technically aliens). Because of all the fighting and training, much of the social characterization in Dragon Ball Z takes place in the background. Tamcha is Goku’s friend; people have friends. Yamcha doesn’t serve any deeper plot device than to expose a more sensitive side to the characters.
Most of Bulma and Vegeta’s romance happens behind the scenes, but Yamcha has an emotional response to it. He even dislikes Trunks at first, but when he sees how much Vegeta cares when it appears Cell has killed Future Trunks Yamacha changes his mind about Vegeta.
Yamcha is the B-lister friend whose always around. You see him a couple of times a year. Neither of you ask for more, but you’re happy to be in each other’s life.
Side note: I’m writing a lot on Tumblr, and I’m working on a novel. If you want to keep up with me follow this blog. I appreciate all the support I’ve gotten from this community.
Thanks, Jo :)
