Top 20 Greatest Dragon Ball Characters

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking over the stars from shonen anime’s most beloved franchise.

It can’t be easy being human in a series where immortal beings casually stroll up every other day to flex their power. But we’re giving this triclops his due here – as back in the glory days of Dragon Ball he was one of Kid Goku’s greatest challenges. A master of martial arts whose ability to utilize ki made him a predominant force, even able to take on the likes of Demon King Piccolo and his lackeys. Even if he was relegated to the sidelines as soon as the Saiyans showed up, he still had a few shining moments here and there – like when he quite literally put Imperfect Cell six feet under.

The second son of Goku may not share much of the accolades and defining moments of his older sibling or father, but he’s still a fun character in his own right. This mostly stems from getting into trouble with partner in crime Kid Trunks, made all the easier given their near instant access to Super Saiyan. If anything, their antics during the World Martial Arts Tournament made for some of the best moments from the Buu Saga. He’s nowhere near Gohan’s level, but he’s an enjoyable addition to the Saiyan bloodline.

In a series that relies heavily on flying fists and titanic clashes, it’s always nice to have a bit of levity. Enter Mr. Satan, or Hercule to some. While he may have some skill, he’s nowhere near the level of the series’ regulars…or even his daughter for that matter. And somehow, he still manages to ride the success of the Z-Fighters epic victories as his own. He is also technically responsible for saving earth from Majin Buu due to his overwhelming popularity amongst the populace. Strongest fighter? No. Loveable idiot? Absolutely.

Buu is…an interesting one. After all, there are various entities that share that name. You’ve got the reformed monster whose unlikely friendship with Mr Satan proved to be unexpectedly endearing. Or you’ve got his dark half, an unhinged destroyer of worlds with a crazy kill count to his name. Put them all together and you have a flashy villain worthy of being Dragon Ball Z’s final big bad, even if he’s lacking the charm and complexity of those that came before. Though there’s no denying his reign of terror paved the way for some of the series’ most hype moments.

There have been some diabolical villains across Dragon Ball’s tenure, but we don’t think there has been a hater quite as devious as Zamasu. His messiah complex is so stratospheric that in one timeline he goes out of his way to steal Goku’s body for himself, slaughter his family, and bring the Earth to ruin. And if that’s not bad enough, he even teams up with an alternative version of himself to destroy all humans from all other timelines. The man is a menace, whose sense of godly entitlement makes Vegeta look humble. He’s a villain we love to hate, and responsible for giving Dragon Ball Super the adrenaline shot it desperately needed.

The father of Goku might just be the most crucial character exclusive to a Dragon Ball movie, one that showcases Goku’s origin, and the genocide of the Saiyan race. After being imparted with precognition, Bardock foresees the end of his people by the hands of Frieza, and so desperately seeks a way to change the future. When his pleas fall on deaf ears, he leads a one-man charge, only for it to end in his demise. He may have been a Saiyan soldier, but during his final moments he demonstrated the kind of courage and willpower that would go on to be reflected in his son.

An android from the future, Dr Gero’s greatest creation, the perfect being – Cell is many things, but we’ll always remember him one of Dragon Ball’s most enduring villains. In his imperfect form, he was a horrifying entity that drained lifeforms to nothing to nourish his power level. After attaining his perfect form following his absorption of Androids 17 and 18, he became a threat that could match Frieza every step of the way. From his bravado, his copied moveset, his final battle against Gohan, Cell turned the world into his stage, and all we could do was watch in awe as he nearly destroyed all of it.

In an alternative future, she was one part of a cybernetic duo that laid waste to humanity. Nowadays, she’s our beloved Bae-Teen. Thanks to the rizz and compassion of Krillin, 18 was able to forge a new life for herself away from villainy following the events with Cell. Don’t get us wrong, she can still wreck anyone who gets in her path, but thankfully found fulfillment as a wife and mother as opposed to the slayer of mankind. Of course, it’s still fun to look back on her days as a bad girl, especially when she crushed Vegeta’s arm with a single kick.

He’s the loyalist of companions, and what he may lack in height, he easily makes up for in spirit. Whether by willpower or sheer luck, Krillin has stood by Goku through every major bout, even when he was drastically outmatched, and lived to tell the tale. Give or take dying a handful of times. Regardless, he’s still a student of Roshi who can hold his own in a fight. Plus, he made Android 18 fall in love with him – his rizz level alone is well over 9000!

Not every character in this series needs a power level to make an impression. Bulma’s brains, beauty and knack for adventuring have made her an endearing ally to Goku and friends. Though mostly in a supporting role, Bulma doesn’t hesitate to get in on the action when the moment calls for her technical expertise. She also has zero filter, which is probably why she was able to captivate the likes of the Saiyan Prince and make a mostly honest man out of him. She may not throw many punches, but Bulma is nonetheless an essential member of the cast.

During his inception, 17 was very much the more villainous of the android brother-sister duo. Happy to play around with his prey before moving on to the next spot of destructive fun. As it happens, getting devoured by Cell has a way of making one rethink their life choices. Throughout Dragon Ball Super, we see 17 go through quite the re-spec. Becoming the most badass of conservationists as he endeavors to protect endangered species from poachers aplenty. This change of heart not only let him back into everyone’s good graces, but led to him becoming the last man standing in the Tournament of Power, effectively saving the Universe from annihilation!

The introduction of the Gods of Destruction reshaped our concept of the power system across the Dragon Ball franchise. Alongside his faithful Angel attendant Whis, Beerus has demonstrated countless times just how good at his job he really is. Destroying planets, easily subduing Goku, acting as a force of nature that none below the status of divinity can hope to contend with, Beerus and his pantheon are on another level that the likes of Saiyans and their brood have yet to reach. Also, he’s the multiverse’s biggest foodie.

Every student needs a teacher, and for imparting the Kamehameha to Goku, Roshi has our undying gratitude. His time as one of the strongest beings on the planet may have come and gone by the time Z rolled around, as both a source of wisdom and a barrel of laughs, we’re glad Roshi has stuck around for as long as he has. When the moment calls for it, he can easily flex those hidden gains of his and level mountains. He’s also shameless when it comes to his love for all things erotica, which explains why he lives alone on an island with only a turtle for company…

For the longest time, the Legendary Super Saiyan lived in the annals of a select few non-canon movies, but was loved for it all the same. A hulking ball of rage who loathed Goku with a passion, who could take down multiple Saiyans at a time with overwhelming strength alone. He was a fun, yet basic antagonist with no real depth to him. And then he got the mother of all rewrites. Now a sympathetic figure whose absurd power was used by an egomaniacal father, Broly not only retained his monstrous strength, but now became someone we could root for in our own way. Now that he’s officially joined the canon universe as a companion of Goku, we can’t wait to see where he goes
from here!

For many, this alien tyrant is Goku’s one true nemesis, and the greatest villain Dragon Ball has ever produced. Sadistic and completely without mercy, the only thing more lethal than Frieza’s laser blasts is his sharp tongue. Death just seems to slow him down, and while he and Goku have been forced to team up on occasion, there’s little doubt that he’ll take any chance possible to claim the cosmos for himself. And likely unlock another absurd transformation along the way.

Spawn of Kid Goku’s greatest foe, originally living up to his demon moniker, this Namekian ended up swiftly changing allegiances for the better. Not only becoming one of Earth’s defenders but arguably a greater father figure to Gohan than Goku ever was. His skills, while not always on par with the likes of the Saiyan race, have continued to evolve, to such an extent that he and his Special Beam Cannon can tango with the galaxy’s worst and still come out on top. Papa Piccolo is in many ways the most respectable character in Dragon Ball history, who deserves every good thing that comes his way!

This swordsman from the future changed the game. Not only revealing the existence of other Super Saiyans, but also the revelation that he was the son of Vegeta and Bulma. He was the stepping stone for arguably the series’ best romance, held the darkest backstory, and signaled the start of the Cell Saga, which many would argue stands tall as Dragon Ball at its finest. Effortlessly cool, give or take a few daddy issues, and Trunks became an instant household name. His decimation of Frieza and King Cold can attest to that.

When you’re the son of the most powerful warrior on the planet, you’ve got some big shoes to fill. Initially a sheltered bookworm, Gohan grew to become as brave and powerful as his dear old Dad. He may not be a fan of fighting, but he certainly isn’t one to stand around when others are threatened. Of course, when someone does push him over the edge, bodies start hitting the floor. A rageful Gohan is someone you do not want to mess with. Fighter, scholar and superhero, Gohan may not have stepped out of Goku’s shadow, but he sure earned his Saiyan stripes.

All hail the Prince of all Saiyans. Going from bitter enemy to eternal rival to comrade in arms, Vegeta’s arc has been one of the franchise’s greatest strengths. Fuelled by pride and a desire to be worthy of his position, Vegeta’s moral compass has certainly swayed too and fro over the years, before eventually deciding to settle down and somehow become the best family man out of them all. There’s more layers to this former world-ender than possibly any other character, so here’s hoping he and his ego can continue to shine for years to come.

Obvious but unavoidable. Goku isn’t only the face of the franchise and one of its strongest fighters, but one of the most recognisable characters in the whole medium. He’s all about reaching new heights, pushing himself to fight stronger opponents, all with a smile on his face and that same naivete he’s carried since the early days of Dragon Ball. That is unless you threaten to destroy his world of course, then out comes the Kamehameha. It doesn’t matter who his opponent is: an intergalactic warlord, the ultimate android or even a God of Destruction, Goku will always be there to answer with his fists, boundless optimism and Super Saiyan swagger. We love ya’ Goku, don’t ever
change.

Which Dragon Ball character remains your favorite all these years later? Let us know in the comments!