Dragon Ball Z

Characters are judged solely on their individual merit, power level, and moral choices, which is the definition of a universal meritocracy. The heroes consist of an alien race (Saiyans), humans, and a Namekian, whose alliances are based on shared goal, not identity group. There is no lecturing on privilege, systemic oppression, or vilification of any ethnic group.

The central conflict is the defense of Earth and the universe from an alien threat (Babidi and Majin Buu). The heroes are fighting to protect their homes, families, and established civilization. Vegeta’s turn to Majin status is a temporary rejection of his 'domesticated' life on Earth in favor of his Saiyan warrior heritage, but this act is framed as a betrayal and a mistake, which he immediately attempts to redeem by self-sacrifice to protect his son and wife.

Gender roles are largely traditional, with women like Chi-Chi and Bulma in family-centric roles, albeit highly assertive ones. Videl is introduced as a strong, gifted martial artist, but is brutally defeated by a male opponent, preventing a 'Mary Sue' or 'Girl Boss' portrayal. Android 18 is a fighter who is married and concerned with money, which is a unique and less traditional role, but the focus is not on emasculating men or promoting anti-natalism; motherhood is a defining trait for several key female characters.

The season contains no narrative focusing on alternative sexualities, gender ideology, or the deconstruction of the nuclear family. The primary relationships are all traditional male-female pairings. The existing family structures are the foundation the heroes are fighting to preserve.

The Supreme Kai (Shin), a literal cosmic deity, and his aide are presented as unequivocally good forces from the spiritual realm whose entire mission is to uphold objective morality and universal order against a pure evil. Faith and a higher moral law are acknowledged as real forces, placing the narrative at the lowest score on the anti-theism scale.