5 Shocking Reasons Why Garlic Jr. Is NOT Canon (And Why Fans Still Love The Filler Saga)

For decades, the question of whether Garlic Jr. is canon has plagued *Dragon Ball* fans, sparking endless debates across forums and social media. As of December 2025, the definitive answer remains a resounding 'No,' but the story of this pint-sized villain is far more complex than a simple 'filler' label suggests. His introduction in the first *Dragon Ball Z* movie, *Dead Zone*, and his subsequent return in an entire anime saga, cemented his place in the franchise's history, even if he never existed in the original manga. This article dives deep into the official canon rules, the specific events that disqualify him, and why this non-canon character holds such a unique place in the hearts of the *Dragon Ball* fandom. The core of the issue lies in the distinction between the original *Dragon Ball* manga, written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama, and the animated adaptation, *Dragon Ball Z*, which introduced original material to extend the run time. The Garlic Jr. story is a prime example of this anime-only content, designed to bridge the gap between major manga arcs.

The Definitive Canon Status of Garlic Jr.

To understand Garlic Jr.'s place, one must first define what "canon" means in the *Dragon Ball* universe. The widely accepted standard is that Akira Toriyama's original manga is the sole source of true canon. Any material not present in the manga is considered non-canon, or "filler," regardless of how much fans enjoy it. The character Garlic Jr. appears in two distinct parts of the *Dragon Ball Z* continuity:

1. The Movie: *Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone* (1989). This was the first *Dragon Ball Z* feature film.
2. The Anime Arc: The Garlic Jr. Saga (DBZ Episodes 108–117). This was an anime-exclusive filler story that directly followed the *Frieza Saga*.

Neither of these appearances is based on chapters written by Toriyama for the manga. The *Dead Zone* movie, while featuring a young Gohan and introducing the Makyan race, cannot fit into the manga's established timeline without creating massive continuity errors. The subsequent anime saga is an original creation by the Toei Animation writing staff, specifically Katsuyuki Sumisawa, to buy time while Toriyama finished the next major arc.

5 Reasons Garlic Jr. Is Officially Non-Canon

The lack of a manga counterpart is the primary reason for Garlic Jr.'s non-canon status, but specific details in his story make it impossible for him to fit into the main timeline established by Goku and the Z Fighters.

1. No Manga Counterpart

The most crucial piece of evidence is the absence of the Garlic Jr. Saga in the original *Dragon Ball* manga. The anime arc is an anime-only filler that takes place between the Frieza Saga and the Trunks Saga. In the manga, there is no significant gap; Future Trunks arrives shortly after Goku returns from Namek. The entire ten-episode arc featuring Garlic Jr.'s return, his Makyan henchmen (the Spice Boys), and the Black Water Mist is entirely original content created by the anime staff.

2. The *Dead Zone* Movie Timeline Inconsistencies

The *Dead Zone* movie itself, which introduces Garlic Jr., is incompatible with the start of *Dragon Ball Z*. The film shows Goku, Piccolo, and Krillin already working together, and Gohan is a young child with a tail. However, the official start of *DBZ* (the Raditz Saga) establishes the first meeting of Goku and Piccolo as allies against Raditz, and the events of *Dead Zone* would have to occur before or during the Raditz fight, which is impossible due to the characters' power levels and relationships. The movie is often considered an alternate opening to the series, not a true prequel.

3. The Absence of the Saga in *Dragon Ball Z Kai*

*Dragon Ball Z Kai* is a revised, high-definition version of the *Dragon Ball Z* anime created for its 20th anniversary. Its primary goal was to tighten the pacing and remove the extensive filler to make the story adhere more closely to the original manga. *Kai* completely omits the entire Garlic Jr. Saga, effectively confirming its non-canon status from an official production standpoint.

4. The Contradiction with Kami and Piccolo's History

Garlic Jr.'s entire motivation stems from his father, Garlic, who challenged Kami for the title of Earth's Guardian and was defeated and sealed away. While the history of Kami and Piccolo is canon, the story of Garlic and his son is not mentioned in the manga. Furthermore, the events of the Garlic Jr. Saga require Kami to be on Earth and Piccolo to be alive, which is consistent with the anime's timeline after the Frieza Saga, but the specific conflict with the Makyan race is a narrative thread exclusive to the anime's filler.

5. No Mention in *Dragon Ball Super*

The current official continuation of the franchise, *Dragon Ball Super* (both the manga and the anime), is based on stories and concepts directly overseen by Akira Toriyama. *Super* has retconned or incorporated elements from earlier non-canon movies (like the stories of Broly and Bardock), but Garlic Jr. has received no such treatment. His existence, his Eternal Immortality wish from the Dragon Balls, and his imprisonment in the Dead Zone are completely ignored, reinforcing the idea that he does not exist in the continuity that leads to *Dragon Ball Super*.

The Enduring Legacy and Topical Authority of a Non-Canon Villain

Despite being officially non-canon, Garlic Jr. holds a unique and important place in *Dragon Ball* history, particularly for fans who grew up watching the original *Dragon Ball Z* anime. His saga is one of the most memorable filler arcs, primarily because it provided a significant storyline for the characters in the interim between major battles.

The Unique Narrative Role of the Garlic Jr. Saga

The Garlic Jr. Saga served several crucial purposes for the *DBZ* anime: * A Return to Earth: After the long, drawn-out battle on Planet Namek, the Garlic Jr. Saga brought the action back to Earth, focusing on the supporting cast. * Character Development: It gave significant screen time to characters often sidelined in the major arcs, such as Gohan, Krillin, Piccolo, and even Chi-Chi. Gohan's latent power is a central theme, as he must save his friends and family from the Black Water Mist that turns people into demons. * The Immortality Factor: Garlic Jr. is one of the very few villains in the franchise to successfully wish for Eternal Immortality from the Eternal Dragon. This made him a truly unique threat, as the Z Fighters could not simply kill him. The only solution was to trap him, a creative narrative solution that stands out among the usual power-scaling challenges. The saga’s atmosphere, with its horror-like elements involving the Black Water Mist infecting the population, provided a distinct change of pace from the standard martial arts tournament and alien invasion storylines. It's a key piece of Dragon Ball Z's identity for many viewers, demonstrating the creative freedom the anime staff had.

Garlic Jr. and the Future of Dragon Ball Canon

The trend in modern *Dragon Ball* is to consolidate the timeline. With Akira Toriyama and Toyotarou (the *Dragon Ball Super* manga artist) meticulously crafting the new canon, the chances of Garlic Jr. being officially integrated are extremely low. Characters like Broly and Bardock were successfully canonized because their original stories were simple enough to be retconned and rewritten. Garlic Jr.'s story, however, is too deeply intertwined with specific filler events and timeline conflicts to be easily salvaged. Ultimately, Garlic Jr. remains a beloved piece of Dragon Ball Z nostalgia. He is a testament to the anime's ability to create compelling, high-stakes narratives that, while not part of the core manga, resonated deeply with the audience. For the purists, he will always be filler; for the anime fans, he is the immortal villain who forced Gohan to unlock a new level of his hidden power. The official canon may exclude him, but his story remains a vibrant chapter in the franchise’s legacy.