Heartwarming / Dragon Ball FighterZ

• Just about any interaction between Krillin and 18 counts as this:
  • In both moments where Krillin and Goku engage Cell in battle after the latter had just finished manhandling 18, Krillin, rightfully furious, launches into a Kienzan/Distructo Disc immediately. Even though Cell avoids it, Krillin joins the battle against him despite knowing he can't win, all because Cell dared to harm his wife.
  • Although 18 is broken up over having to fight Krillin to keep him from fighting 21, Krillin not only doesn't hold it against her, he assures her he never doubted she had her reasons because he could tell she was holding back (or more accurately, making sure the Earthling soul controlling her held back for her). It mirrors Videl standing up to Barry in Super for trying to set Gohan up in a fake affair in how much the two spouses know and trust each other.
  • When Android 18 runs into a clone of Frieza, she immediately gets angry, stating that she wants to get revenge due to the fact that Frieza killed Krillin a long time ago. Turns into a Funny Moment when Android 21, right before the fight starts, gets confused as to why the three of them are angry at Frieza. Likewise, after defeating Frieza last in a regular match, 18's victory animation will have her rage at Frieza for killing him.
  • Also heartwarming is her brother Android 17. Though he points out that Krillin is alive and well. He's not in anyway dismissive of 18's anger.
  • If you do 18's Accel Dance with Krillin on your team, he fights alongside his wife.
• One of 18's pre-fight quotes against Adult Gohan has her affectionately refer to him as "my favorite scholar", almost as if she is his favorite aunt.
  • 18's post-victory line with Future Trunks on the same team has her assure him that she is not the same person as her evil future version, and tells him she'll help anyway she can.
• According to Christopher Sabat, the game will have a few instances of the characters Breaking the Fourth Wall. One of these breaks involves Yamcha thanking the player for making him awesome.
• In the win quotes, Goku (at least in the post-release, as his comments in pre-release footage are more snarky) expresses how proud he is of Gohan's ability as a fighter. Meanwhile, Gohan is just so happy to be fighting alongside his dad and winning and keeping him safe. Piccolo is also immensely proud of Gohan for turning into such a fine young man.
• At the end of Frieza's story mode, Frieza himself congratulates the player for being a powerful warrior, and, out of respect for them, offers them a position in the Frieza Force.
  • In addition Frieza forces the player's soul out of his body right before the Heroes and Villains start their final fight saying that he does not want them involved in his battle. It can also be implied that he does not want to drag the player into a fight to the death.
  • There's also something weirdly heartwarming about Frieza praising the player, especially if you pick agreeable dialogue choices. He may be a tyrant, but he does appreciate his underlings.
• Consistent in all story modes is Goku's absolute faith in Bulma. He outright says to her that she can do anything; when she stands up to freaking Cell, Krillin is surprised at her bravery while Goku just says she seems the same to him. This is the man who has fought gods, but he's still going to sing the praises of his oldest friend, because he thinks what she can do is amazing, and it's a genuinely sweet element of the story.
• After her evil self is split away from her, allowing her true personality to act uninhibited, Android 21 forms some genuine friendships among the Z Fighters. One notable moment has Goku excitably asking if she's as strong as her other self and offering to help her reach the same level of strength by training with her, asking that the two get to have a friendly match when all is said and done. Android 18 also grows to care about her a great deal, choosing to stay involved with 16 and 21's plan even though it meant fighting against her friends and husband early on, and crying out in worry when 21 sacrifices herself.
  • One particular moment happens between 21, Tien and Piccolo. Piccolo and Tien worry over the possibility of Good 21 dying if they kill Evil 21, and both offer to use the Mafuba (Evil Containment Wave) to seal up Evil 21 so Good 21 can live. Good 21 assures them that her evil half is a separate entity and that killing her wouldn't kill Good 21, but not before pausing to wonder if being left alive is a good thing. Piccolo tells her not to be so hard on herself and Tien says that he is relieved knowing that nothing bad will happen to Good 21.
  21: She (Evil 21) and I are completely different entities. If she were to perish, I would not. Though if our lives were indeed connected, then maybe things wouldn't have gotten as bad as they are now...
  Piccolo: I understand how you feel, but don't be so hard on yourself.
  Tien: I feel a lot better now that we've talked. It's good to know that if we defeat the other 21, you won't disappear with her.
  • Her interaction with Buu is all kinds of heartwarming. Buu points out that 21 looks similar to him, she agrees, saying they are matching in both being pink. Buu is confused as to what "matching" means (thinking it's a kind of food), and she explains it as a sign of their friendship by wearing similar clothes. Buu asks if this means they're friends, and offers her some of his special candy. Given Buu's notorious status as a glutton who's not fond of sharing his food, this is especially nice of him. 21 is happy to share his candy... before realizing this isn't the time and they've got more important things to do right now. She compromises with Buu to stock up on candy so they can have a "candy party" when the fighting is done.
  • She has a couple of link events where she talks about Bulma, the first of which is praising her brilliance at working out how to somewhat counter the sealing waves that are currently effecting the Z Fighters, even speculating that given enough time she'd work out how to counteract the waves completely, all without the schematics to the device creating the waves. In the second event, she talks about how Bulma had introduced her to a new snack, string cheese. 21 enthuses over how tasty the string cheese was... before she sheepishly mentions that she ate about a hundred of them, which Bulma was not pleased about. She considers getting Bulma a gift in apology, her first suggestion being more cheese.
• In one of the story mode interactions, the Ginyu Force perform their standard routine in front of Krillin and Gohan. Krillin's not amused, but Gohan, being a fellow connoisseur of the "Super Sentai" Stance from his time as the Great Saiyaman, praises their technique and spirit. Seeing a kindred spirit, Ginyu himself states that, were Gohan not an enemy, he'd be a fine addition to the ranks of the force. He then says that Gohan is a true warrior, and honors him with his greatest fighting pose. Turns into a Funny Moment when Krillin, in a moment of Fridge Brilliance, deduces that Gohan got his posing from them.
• In another story mode interaction, Goku suggests fusing with Gohan, but is shot down by Piccolo. Gohan seems dejected, as he wanted to really try out that "cool pose", and Goku offers to teach his son how to fuse after the battle. It's a sweet moment on Goku's part, like when their child doesn't get the toy they want so their dad fixes the problem.
• In a story mode interaction, Gohan is worried about Videl and Pan. 18 reassures him and advises him to trust that Videl can handle herself and focus on the fight ahead, as from her perspective that's the best they can do for their families. 21 starts gushing over how cool 18 is, trying to understand the thought process behind this mentality. Gohan confirms 21's assessment, saying that while 18 is a bit rough around the edges sometimes, she cares deeply about her family. 21 warmly expresses that she wishes had something like that, and 18, embarrassed, asks that they knock it off and stop swooning over her.
• Krillin is happy to hear No. 16 isn't dead, and wishes he wasn't opposing them.
• After rescuing Yamcha, Goku and Krillin want to recruit him but he's reluctant given how he's retired as a fighter and rusty and asks if he'd even be of help. The two say of course they want him to join them and convince Yamcha to join the group.
• Android 21's final link event has her thank the Earthling soul for helping her get strong enough to fight her other self. In the final battle, she asks 18 take care of the soul again before making her Heroic Sacrifice, saying she owes them a lot.
• Vegeta is in fine form throughout, with a lot of his interactions with the other characters and the player being extremely angry signs of affection. He inquires about Gohan's abilities and yells at him to learn on his own; he matter-of-factly praises Tien to Nappa; briefly muses on his relationship with Bulma; and even nags the player to call home once in a while so their mother doesn't worry. Daaaaaaw.
  • Following this, an easy to miss one is his Assist call-in for Gotenks: "C'mon kids!" ...C'mon kids in a non-snarky and angry tone. That simple delivery says a lot.
  • When he and Krillin are about to face off against a Kid Buu clone. Krillin is scared, but Vegeta states that "they" (and not just "he") have grown stronger since the last time they fought Buu.
• In one of his Link Events, Gohan is unnerved by the fact the player can hear his thoughts, and immediately tried to do damage control by declaring that he's not thinking about Videl and Pan 24/7...before casually admitting that he loves them and thinks about them all the time. Realizing what he said, he gets embarrassed and asks the player not to tell.
• In one of his later Link Events, as a show of how much he trusts the Earthling Soul, Gohan willingly reveals that he's The Great Saiyaman.
• Talking with Android 21 during the third route has her reveal why she repaired Android 16. Part of the reason was to help her, yes, but the main reason is he's based on the son she had when she was human. Although she doesn't remember her life when she was human, she loves him dearly.
  Android 21: Above all else... having him by my side means the entire world to me.
  • Of course, this becomes a Tearjerker later on, as her love for him isn't enough for her to suppress her evil persona, which results in his death in every route.
• After Goku arrives on the scene in the third route, it slowly dawns on 21 that he and all the others are voluntarily choosing to help her fight her evil self, who she has viewed as her problem to deal with and didn't want to ask for help if she could avoid it. She is so overwhelmed by this that, in the English dub at least, she sounds like she's about to cry when expressing her gratitude.
• When paired up with Goku in either state, Bardock is definitely proud that his son is not only a Super Saiyan, but when he realized that he had obtained the powers of a god with Super Saiyan Blue, he says that he will be backing him up and not the other way around.
  • Same goes with Adult Gohan, as he is more than impressed at the levels his grandson can achieve.
• When Yamcha expresses his doubts to Android 18, she subtly implies that You Are Better Than You Think You Are and encourages him to Dare to Be Badass.
  Yamcha: (sounding discouraged) Since I pretty much gave up fighting a while back, I'm not sure how much help I'll be.
  18: I think you'll be surprised just how much help you'll be.
• In one scene with the Ginyu Force and Gohan, Ginyu says it brings him great joy to be fighting by the rest of the Force again. Cue uplifting music and Burter smiling really big and saying they're all so happy to have him back.
• The Dramatic Finish for Goku and Frieza vs. Jiren. After the amazing plummet to Earth where they defeat Jiren, Goku approaches the defeated Jiren and admits he was tough, then offers his hand as he tells him he wants to see him again. Jiren looks in surprise, then takes the hand, promising that he'll take the win next time!
• Many of Master Roshi's interactions with the other fighters, good and evil, involves him giving respect or playful banter (sans Goku Black/Zamasu (Fused) and Hit).
  • Especially so against Goku Black. Master Roshi is furious and willing to take Goku Black, of all people, to teach him a lesson for stealing Goku's Body.
  Master Roshi: (With venom in his voice) How dare you misuse the body of one of my students?!
  • On the lighter side of things, when faced against Captain Ginyu, Cell, Kid Buu, Nappa, Cooler, or Janemba, he admits to seeing them as potential, honorable warriors, if they didn't choose the path to evil.
  • If Master Roshi wins a match with Goku (GT) as an ally, he will ask Goku for a favor:
  Master Roshi: Tell Shenron thank you for the Dragon Balls...
  • Points goes to Trunks seeking to train with Master Roshi. This shows that he doesn't just respect his father and his previous mentor, but Goku as well.
  • When losing to Goku (Ultra Instinct), Goku states that he is this strong because of him.
  • True to the series, Master Roshi is still a lot less perverted so he can fight people like Android 21.
  • Despite losing, Master Roshi receives vocal praise from Beerus, Android 18 & 17, Android 17 (Super), Gohan (Adult), and Trunks, with the former three admitting underestimation while the latter three admitting to learning from him.
  • When winning against Goku (Base), on the results team, he will recite the same dialogue he said before his Heroic Sacrifice in Dragon Ball Super.
  Master Roshi: You should be moving, learning, playing, eating, and resting every day. That's the Turtle School way!
• Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta's win quote with Kefla as a teammate has him genuinely encouraging them to try out fusing with the fusion dance, though it is somewhat dulled by the fact that Gogeta also says this to Fused Zamasu.
• Android 21 [Lab Coat]'s trailer shows that unlike the base game's playable Android 21, this version is the Good 21 who hasn't been overtaken by her Horror Hunger yet, and while she is still scared she will lose control, she states she is far more terrified of watching her friends get hurt or killed while she does nothing, and steels her resolve to get stronger in order to protect them.