Dragon Ball Super's approach to its overarching plot has differed significantly from its predecessors. While Dragon Ball and Z charted the growth of Goku and Gohan, organically leading from one storyline to the next, Super's story progression sees each arc serving as a self-contained adventure with a more definitive beginning and ending.
Less is known about angels, but Super also introduces Merus, a budding angel, during the events of the "Galactic Patrol Prisoner" arc. It's possible for Goku to also receive the title of Angel since it can be lost or gained. Merus lost his celestial abilities when he joined the Galactic Patrol as a mortal after breaking the Angels' code.
How Goku and Vegeta Are Taking After Whis and Beerus
One of the most popular theories regarding Dragon Ball Super's endgame revolves around Goku and Vegeta's eventual fate. As the two have developed as fighters, Super has emphasized their unique respective fighting styles, resulting in them gaining forms that do more than simply provide a power-up. Goku's Ultra Instinct allows him to move unconsciously in battle, serving as a culmination of his martial arts teachings, whereas Vegeta's Ultra Ego feeds his bloodlust, increasing his strength the more damage he takes.
More crucially, however, these forms are used by Angels and Gods of Destruction; Whis reveals that Angels are in a permanent state of Ultra Instinct and pushes for Goku to attain the same level of mastery. Vegeta, meanwhile, learns Ultra Ego after training with Beerus, with the form requiring God of Destruction ki to activate. The forms' designs purposefully parallel the Angels' white hair and Gods of Destruction's purple ki respectively, deepening this connection.
These developments solidify the idea that Goku is Whis's protege, and Vegeta is Beerus's. It's an interesting way of distinguishing the two Saiyans and their respective fighting styles, but could it also allude to the two eventually replacing Beerus and Whis as Universe 7's God of Destruction and Angel?
The idea was first alluded to in Battle of Gods, with Whis casually asking Goku if he wanted to replace Beerus in the position. At the time it seemed like an off-hand joke, but as the ''Universe Survival'' arc elaborated, being a God of Destruction was a title that could indeed be passed on, with Toppo training to replace the 11th Universe's Destroyer, Belmod. Toppo would go on to use a God of Destruction form in the Tournament of Power -- which in hindsight serves as foreshadowing for Vegeta's Ultra Ego.
Has Dragon Ball Super Prepared the Saiyans to Take the Place of their Mentors?
Vegeta being prepared to take Beerus' position eventually makes a lot of sense in light of this. Beerus, a God of Destruction, has admitted to feeling worn out by his responsibilities and no longer enjoying his job. As a result, it's probable that Whis's sarcastic remark revealed Beerus's true motivation. Given that Goku declined the position, Vegeta is the best alternative.
Less is known about angels, but Super also introduces Merus, a budding angel, during the events of the "Galactic Patrol Prisoner" arc. It's possible for Goku to also receive the title of Angel since it can be lost or gained. Merus lost his celestial abilities when he joined the Galactic Patrol as a mortal after breaking the Angels' code.
Assuming Dragon Ball Super really is setting Goku and Vegeta up to join the ranks of the divine, it would also explain why recent storylines have focused on setting up the next generation to take over. The ''Galactic Patrol Prisoner'' arc re-emphasized the importance of Uub, the reincarnation of Kid Buu, by revealing he had inherited the divine abilities of the Grand Supreme Kai. Super Hero, meanwhile, gave Gohan and Piccolo power-ups on par with Goku and Vegeta, and depicted Pan undergoing martial arts training like her father and grandfather before her.
These developments may be setting up a status quo without Goku and Vegeta around to save it; assuming they would accept the roles, they would have to take up a policy of non-interference. As such, the Earth would need new saviors on their level to step up to the plate, and the aforementioned characters would be perfect candidates for the role.
The Concept of Whis and Beerus Being Replaced by Goku and Vegeta Still Has Flaws
Even while this hypothesis is thematically appropriate, it has some weaknesses. Although the nature of Angels is unknown, it is important to note that all of those who have been introduced so far are the offspring of the Grand Priest, who serves as Zeno's principal counselor. Since the position may be inherited, Goku would not be eligible to join their ranks. Furthermore, while Beerus might become weary of his work, there is currently no evidence to suggest that Whis shares the same feelings.
Furthermore, Goku and Vegeta have often stated that they are free agents, unconstrained by conceptions of responsibility. While their taking on the roles may reflect character development in this area, it may also come across as out-of-character for a team who pride themselves on living life according to their own rules, unconstrained by a higher authority – as is the case for Gods of Destruction and Angels.
Dragon Ball Super's eventual endgame remains a mystery, and while Goku and Vegeta replacing Beerus and Whis as a development isn't entirely off the table, it would be a huge change for the characters and the series' established lore. The seeds may have already been sown for the pair's eventual fates, but Super would have to do a lot more heavy lifting in order for it to feel like an organic endpoint for the iconic Saiyan duo.
