Summary
The history ofDragon Ballis rich and engaging, with fans loving how Goku’s adventures have evolved to the point where this clueless boy became the universe’s strongest warrior after many trials and tribulations. From the very first episode,Dragon Ballslowly established a simple yet compelling world where the titular wish-granting orbs played a major role throughout the series.
Some of the most popular characters inDragon Ballwere introduced at the very beginning and have become a stalwart presence in the series ever since.Characters like Vegeta and Gohanare beloved for obvious reasons, but it wasn’t untilDragon Ball Zthat they made their fateful debut.These characters, meanwhile, have stuck around for everyDragon Ballseries to date.
8Chi-Chi
Met Goku When They Were Kids And Eventually Married Him
Goku’s wife may seem angry and melodramatic at times (even if her exasperation with her battle-hungry husband is quite justified), but she was completely different at the start of the series.Chi-Chiappeared as a kid in very questionable attire who quickly developed a fondness for Goku.
They met at the World Martial Arts Tournament, where Goku defeated his soon-to-be wife and captured her heart. They eventually got married, which has made for a rocky partnership, but one that somehow continues to work because of the strong bonds joining them.
7Tien Shinhan
A Powerful Fighter Who Sees The Light And Stands By Goku’s Side
Tiendebuts as a member of the Crane School who is hell-bent on taking revenge on Goku for the defeat of Mercenary Tao, his sensei. However, it doesn’t take long for him to realize that his masters lack morals, and he joins the Z Warriors not long after.
One can argue that Tien is the strongest human inDragon Ball, enjoying his epic moments despite the Saiyans outpacing him in power not long afterDragon Ball Z’s debut. His Tri-Beam is an iconic attack that managed to stop Semi-Perfect Cell long enough for the Androids to escape, which is an achievement that fans can’t stop raving about to this day.
6Master Roshi
A Seasoned Martial Artist Relegated To The Sidelines Before Becoming Somewhat Relevant Again
Master Roshiis one of the most important characters inDragon Ball. Without his mentoring, Goku would’ve never learned the iconic Kamehameha or gotten to wear the iconic gi that fans associate with both the protagonist and the franchise overall.
While his presence inDragon Ball Zmade him seem like a sleazy perv,Dragon Ball Superdid a decent job of making him relevant in combat again. His stints inResurrection Fand the Tournament of Power were impressive, and made it clear why this mentor was skilled enough to turn both Goku and Krillin into gifted martial artists.
5Krillin
Goku’s Rival Is Slowly Outpaced As He Struggles To Overcome His Human Limits
It’s easy to laugh atKrillinas the guy who is constantly getting beaten up by others. However, at the start ofDragon Ball, he was just as powerful as Goku and served as a worthy rival to the fledgling Saiyan.
As the series' power scaling reached new heights inDragon Ball Z, Krillin was eventually outpaced by Goku, but he remained relevant in the plot.His death sparked a rage in Gokuthat pushed him over the edge and let fans witness his epic Super Saiyan transformation for the very first time.
4Shenron
The Iconic Dragon Grants A Wish Once The Dragon Balls Are Brought Together
The legendary dragon who grants wishes,Shenronis one of the most imposing characters inDragon Ball.His brief yet memorable appearances have turned him into an iconic presence in the series.
Watching him wait patiently for the Z Warriors to make wishes is entertaining, and seeing him be nervous for the first time in Beerus' presence made it clear that the Destroyer God was not to be trifled with. Despite the introduction of more powerful Dragon Balls as the series has progressed, there’s something about Shenron’s comforting presence that makes him an essential part ofDragon Ballto this day.
3Bulma
A Genius And An Enduring Presence From The Very First Episode
A genius scientist who was hunting the Dragon Balls and eventually met Goku during her search,Bulmaformed a partnershipwith this child that would last for the entirety ofDragon Ball. She can be rather brash and loud-mouthed at times, but Bulma’s inventive personality and zeal make her one of the best characters in the series.
It was truly shocking to find out that both she and Vegeta began a romantic relationship—completely in secret, no less—but it made sense once fans realized how well their fiery personalities matched. It’s no stretch to say that Bulma played a huge role in helping Vegeta fight for the side of good, even if the Saiyan Prince briefly rebelled against his newfound feelings at one point.
2Piccolo
A Namekian Softened By Gohan’s Kindness To Become A Stalwart Member Of The Z Warriors
Demon King Piccolowas a fearsome antagonist who became even more powerful after regaining his youth. Goku managed to best him in an intense battle, but this villain spat out an egg before his death that helped him reincarnate as Piccolo Jr.
Thisyounger version of Piccolomade for a tough opponent at the end ofDragon Ball, but he eventually teamed up with the Z Warriors after Gohan’s tenderness helped him experience love for the first time. He’s been a strong ally ever since, enjoying a brand-new transformation that will help him fend off tougher threats throughoutDragon Ball Super.
1Son Goku
The Iconic Protagonist Who Needs No Introduction
Gokuis one of the most iconic shonen anime protagonists of all time, being a focal point ofDragon Ballfrom the very first episode. He has grown throughout the series,embracing his Saiyan powersand becoming one of the universe’s strongest warriors in the process.
Long-time fans of the series can’t help but smile as they see Goku break his limits time and time again to become stronger than ever before. It feels like yesterday when he was just a clueless kid who couldn’t differentiate between men and women.
