Future Trunks

A warrior from a dark tomorrow who changed destiny with his blade and bravery.

Future Trunks is a half-Saiyan, half-human son of Vegeta and Bulma from an alternate timeline ravaged by the Androids. He first appears in chapter #331 "The Young Boy of Mystery," published on July 2, 1991, as a mysterious seventeen-year-old who travels back to warn Son Goku about a deadly new enemy. Unlike his present-timeline counterpart, this incarnation is defined by tragedy and resilience, having lost everyone except Gohan to the artificial humans created by Doctor Gero. Praised for his unique role, he serves as Earth's sole protector in his ruined future before returning to aid the Z Fighters against Cell and later Goku Black.

Quick Facts

Series

Dragon Ball

Creator

Akira Toriyama

First

Dragon Ball chapter #331 The Young Boy of Mystery, 2 July 1991 (Weekly Shōnen Jump 1991)

Species

Saiyan/human hybrid

Voice

Japanese:
Takeshi Kusao
Tsubasa Yonaga (Mini; Dragon Ball Daima)
English:
See Voice actors

Lore & Background

In a timeline where Goku succumbed to a heart virus, Future Trunks was raised by Bulma while secretly training under Gohan. When Trunks found Gohan's body, he awakened his Super Saiyan transformation in rage and sadness, and he assumed the mantle of Earth's sole protector for the next three years, until Bulma finished her time machine. He traveled back to give Goku medicine and share his story, but learned his actions only created a new future timeline; his original world remained unchanged. Returning to his own era, he defeated Androids 17 and 18, then later the Cell of his time. Years later, facing Goku Black (a rogue Supreme Kai named Zamasu), Trunks was provoked into a rage that unlocked Super Saiyan Rage. He gathered energy from all remaining life into his sword—the Spirit Bomb Sword—to cut Fusion Zamasu in half before Zeno erased the multiverse.

Reader's Guide

Future Trunks is distinguished by his stoic determination and unique combat history. He achieved the Super Saiyan transformation as an early teen, unlike Present Trunks who gained it at age eight. His signature attacks include the Burning Attack and Super Buster Cannon. During training with Vegeta in the Room of Spirit and Time, he accessed two additional Super Saiyan grades that increased strength but severely reduced speed, leading him to abandon them after his fight with Cell.

He later attained Super Saiyan 2 during battles against Babidi and Dabura. In Dragon Ball Super, he unlocked Super Saiyan Rage when enraged by Zamasu's accusations regarding time travel interference. His primary weapon is a longsword kept in a scabbard across his back; his main conveyance is the Bukū-jutsu flight technique, though he also pilots crafts from Capsule Corp, including the time machine. Unlike Present Trunks, he does not fuse with Goten but stands as Earth's sole protector for years.

Did You Know?

Unlike Present Trunks who fuses with Goten to become Gotenks, Future Trunks spent three years alone as Earth's sole protector after Gohan's death.
The infant cries for Trunks in the original Japanese anime were provided by Hiromi Tsuru in an uncredited role.