Broly's return was one of Dragon Ball Super's greatest developments, allowing the series to re-work one of its fan-favorite characters and officially grant him canon status. Though the two versions of Dragon Ball's most dangerous Saiyan are rather different in of personality and backstory, their appearances are somewhat similar. Both increase in size dramatically once they begin transforming, and when Super Saiyan is reached, both of their pupils disappear and their hair turns a shade of green.

However, it wasn't always meant to be that way. Dragon Ball Super: Broly featured animation and character design by Naohiro Shintani, who has since become a beloved figure in the Dragon Ball community since the film's release. His softer art style and designs were a smash hit with fans who wanted something a bit different from what Dragon Ball Super previously offered, and as it turns out, Broly's most recognizable form was a creation of Shintani's, rather than Akira Toriyama's.

Broly's Full Power Form Was Originally Not in the Plans

Dragon Ball Super: Broly's Animation Supervisor Designed Broly's Full Power Form

According to an interview with Shintani featured in the Japanese program for Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Akira Toriyama had one rule in place regarding the returning Saiyan: he couldn't be overly macho. When referencing Broly's original design, this would have been quite the change. The old Broly had been the series' number one fan-favorite meathead, and to depart from that image might have been too great a change for the fan base to stomach. And in this case, Shintani agreed.

He stated, "The only designs I received were up to him wearing his armor, and it gave off a much different impression than the Broly of the past," before continuing, "Personally, I had a very strong image of Broly based on the previous movies, so I created my own design for him at Full Power from scratch." The towering, monstrous Broly is far and away his most iconic design, and Shintani understood that fact. Like so many other fans, he "just had the urge to see him lose his shirt and run wild at the end."

Broly's Addition to the Canon Opens Up Major Possibilities Going Forward

Broly Has Become Part of Dragon Ball Super's Main Team

Though Dragon Ball Super's manga but also Gohan, two fan-favorites who would do well in the spotlight together.

Broly's return to canon status has been a dream come true for fans of Dragon Ball, and though he isn't the same Broly of old, he was able to retain his iconic transformation thanks to the work of Naohiro Shintani. It's uncertain when Dragon Ball Super's manga will return, though when it does, the fan-favorite Saiyan will be back and fighting on the side of good. Akira Toriyama's ing has left questions regarding the future of the franchise, but fans can look forward to more Broly in whatever comes next.

Source: Dragon Ball Super: Broly Theatrical Program (translation by Kanzenshuu)