Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot introduces the sixth member of the Ginyu Force: Bonyu

In Dragon Ball Z, fans met the charismatic Ginyu Force when they first arrived on Namek in the “Hidden Power” episode of the Namek Saga. These five fighters were Emperor Frieza’s most elite squad, known for inflicting terror and ridiculous team poses upon the galaxy. The team roster in the anime was Guldo, Recoome, Burter, Jeice, and Captain Ginyu.

Goku dispatched most of the gang over a small arc in the saga — slowly destroying the integrity of their group poses. But according to some early DLC for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot — unlocked early by pre-ordering the game — the Ginyu force used to have an even more elaborate pose with their newly revealed sixth member, Bonyu.

Who is Bonyu, and why did she leave the Ginyu Force?

Image: CyberConnect2/Bandai Namco Entertainment via Polygon

Bonyu was the only female fighter in the Ginyu force. She’s a stout member of the Brench-seijin race — the same species as fellow Ginyu squad mate, Jeice. Bonyu was the first member of the Ginyu force, personally recruited by Captain Ginyu. It was Bonyu’s job to search the universe for other strong fighters to join the team.

Bonyu was one of the team’s more powerful members. If she would’ve stayed part of the Ginyu Force, it’s possible Goku’s battle against them could’ve ended very differently. But Bonyu’s exit from the Ginyu Force had nothing to do with her power level, as Ginyu fired Bonyu for group synergy reasons. Bonyu’s entry in Kakarot’s Z Encyclopedia reads:

Though she was an incredibly adept individual, she lacked the charisma and special poses Captain Ginyu required of his subordinates, and thus was relieved of her duties and removed from the force.

Unfortunately, the Bonyu players meet in game is only a simulation, and doesn’t reveal much else about her backstory.

How does she factor into Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot?

Image: CyberConnect2/Bandai Namco Entertainment via Polygon

Bonyu enters Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot in between the Frieza and Cell sagas. When Goku first arrives back on earth, he lands in a Ginyu Force spaceship. The Female Researcher, who Dragon Ball FighterZ fans know as Android 21, finds missing data of a sixth Ginyu member in Goku’s ship. She uploads the data to the computer and offers Goku and friends the chance to spar against a digital Bonyu.

In battle, Bonyu uses similar beam attacks to many other villains in the game. But she also uses a few unique techniques. Bonyu fires out orbs that blast lasers at her enemies, and can encase herself in a prism shield for protection.

Players can fight Bonyu at level 45, 75, and 100 for in-game rewards.

It’s not clear if we will ever see Bonyu appear in other Dragon Ball Z fiction. We barely know anything about her now, but it’s possible we could learn more if Dragon Ball Super ever returns, or in another video game.