Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Black Clover!
Summary
Black Cloverhas had some exciting fights in the Judgment Day phase of the series' climactic final arc, but with such epic battles, it’s unsurprising that homages to other shonen hits likeDragon Ballmay appear. In the final moments ofBlack Cloverchapter #373, a weakened Noelle, backed by her siblings, gets in one final attack that strongly resembles the climax of the Cell Saga fromDragon Ballwith Goku and Gohan’s father and son Kamehameha.
With how oftenBlack Cloveris compared to other shonen series likeNaruto,it’s practically inevitable that other comparisons likeDragon Ballwould appear. After all, the stories each belong to the ever-expanding shonen formula, much of which is about crafting exciting battles with memorable, cathartic conclusions for its victors.
In the case of Noelle Silva, though, all doubts are cast aside about her abilities as a Magic Knight as Solid and Nebra back her in a moment that strikingly resembles the Father-Son Kamehameha attack fromDragon Ball.
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InBlack Cloverchapter #373, Noelle, Nozel, Nebra, and Solid, unleash a Kamehameha-like attack against a resurrected paladin version of their mother Acier Silva, where Noelle combines her magic with Nebra and Solid’s, enhancing the parallel between Goku and Gohan with a special twist. Noelle’s attack is strong enough to bypass Acier’s near-immortality as a paladin, bearing enough emotional weight to resembleBlack Clover’sversion of Gohan’s victory against Cell inDragon Ball.
This is hopefully the final moment in which Acier is trotted out, with her defeat bringing the family together.
While Acier is not built up to the same level as Cell inDragon Ball Z,it’s an emotional victory that unites the Silva familyin front of their proud mother, who recognizes this in her final moments inBlack Clover.However, with the matriarch having already been lethally cursed by Megicula, this is hopefully the final moment in which Acier is trotted out, with her defeat bringing the family together. This moment, comparable toone of the coolest Kamehameha variants, invites comparisons of other aspects withBlack Clover.
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An Imperfect Parallel to a Perfect Cell Moment
It’s not a stretch to see the similarities, withBlack Clover’stake on the attack taking liberties while still drawing strong parallels between Noelle and Gohan fromDragon Ball. While their personalities sharply differ,they were both born with immense power reserves, each coming into their own when taken under the wing of unorthodox teachers like the Black Bulls or Piccolo, respectively. Neither is the main character, butBlack CloverandDragon Ball Zindicate their potential for exciting execution.
A fascinating moment is when Nozel assists Noelle by absorbing Acier’s attack, similar to how Vegeta hits Cell with an energy attack as the villain falters against Gohan’s Kamehameha.
Still, the comparison does not yield perfect results. Noelle was joined by Nebra and Solid and defended by Nozel; Gohan’s bigDragon Ballmoment is guided by a dead Goku, communicating from King Kai’s location. Such is the case for comparisons with other franchises, such asBlack Clover’sYami-Itachi parallelsfalling apart quickly with revelations about Ichika, his sister. Regardless, the moment is cathartic and satisfying enough to tie over readers waiting for the release ofBlack Cloverchapter #374 in Fall 2024.
Black Clover
Cast
Black Clover, released in 2017, follows orphans Asta and Yuno who aspire to become the Wizard King in a world where magic is paramount. Despite Asta’s lack of powers, their journey unfolds as they receive their grimoires and embark on individual paths towards their ultimate goal.
