The anime industry is full of series that are able to become permanent fixtures of pop culture, but the level of fandom around Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball is on a whole other level. For decades, Toriyama’s iconic shonen series has helped evolve the style of action-based storytelling and also introduce audiences to powerful, lovable characters who have become anime staples.
Dragon Ball knows how to spread the wealth among its large cast, but Goku is routinely at the center of the action. Goku has experienced tremendous growth throughout Dragon Ball, and he’s usually the hero that faces the next major threat. However, Goku can’t be everywhere at once, and there is a small selection of characters that Goku has never gotten a chance to meet.
10 Commander Red Leads An Entire Army Against A Young Fighter That He Never Meets
One of the first major threats in the original Dragon Ball series is the persistent Red Ribbon Army. It eventually set its sights on a youthful Goku as its primary target. The Red Ribbon Army has much support, most of which learn first hand why Goku isn’t someone to underestimate.
Commander Red is the army’s leader, which also has him largely hands-off when it comes to most of the organization’s villainy. Commander Red eventually meets a grim end, but it’s by the hands of his own Officer Black. Red’s end is ironically tragic considering that he never even meets Goku.
9 The Saibamen Help Bide Time Before Goku’s Arrival
Dragon Ball Z really ups the stakes with the introduction of Saiyans and the arrival of Nappa and Vegeta. The two Saiyans largely wipe Dragon Ball’s slate clean when it comes to the previously important heroes.
Nappa and Vegeta are determined to face Goku’s strength, so in order to kill time before his arrival, they cultivate some home-grown fighters, the Saibamen. The Saibamen are a decent challenge for weaker fighters like Yamcha and Chiaotzu, but they’re disposed of by the time that Goku enters the picture. He’d be able to take them all out with a single blast.
8 Guldo Is A Weaker Ginyu Force Member Who’s Extinguished Before Goku Saves The Day
The Ginyu Force still represents a very popular group of villains whose unconventional personalities help them really stand out. Frieza hires the legendary Ginyu Force to dispose of Vegeta, Krillin, and Gohan, and they would have pulled off this mission if not for Goku's intervention.
Goku showcases his improved strength through the systematic defeat of the Ginyu Force. However, Guldo, who has time-freezing abilities, is the one member of the group who's defeated before Goku's timely return. Considering how easy Goku defeats everyone else, it's clear that Guldo wouldn't have stood a chance anyway.
7 Nail Is One Of Planet Namek’s Greatest Warriors Who Goes On To Become A Part Of Piccolo
Fusion has gone on to become a significant strategy in the Dragon Ball universe where powerful fighters can pool their strength together, but Namekians have been experimenting with this idea much earlier in the series.
Piccolo finds himself in need of a power boost after he reaches Planet Namek, which is when he encounters the famed warrior Namekian Nail. Nail and Piccolo fuse together, which allows Piccolo to absorb his strength in the process. Goku’s arrival on Planet Namek happens afterward, at which point Nail is already a part of Piccolo and no longer his own entity.
6 Zarbon Is One Of Frieza’s Most Reliable Fighters And Becomes Vegeta’s Prey
It’s a common approach not just in Dragon Ball Z but in most shonen series to have a big villain surround himself with smaller threats. Frieza runs the show on Namek, but it’s his inner circle of Zarbon and Dodoria that are left to do most of his dirty work.
Zarbon is the most substantial of these two henchmen, largely because he is able to transform into a less elegant but more powerful monster. Zarbon and Vegeta develop a feud that allows them to work out their pent-up aggression. Zarbon becomes collateral damage for Vegeta before Goku shows up.
5 King Cold’s Grand Return With Frieza Is Resolved By Future Trunks, Not Goku
Dragon Ball Z operates for a significant span of episodes under the philosophy that Frieza is the most dangerous tyrant in the universe. It’s a terrifying moment when Goku’s defeat of Frieza on Namek seems to be less permanent than initially perceived.
Frieza is repaired by his father, King Cold, and both of them make a surprise landing on Earth to exact revenge. This father-son invasion gets cut short with the introduction of Future Trunks, who decimates both enemies. This leaves Frieza’s father as a mystery to Goku.
4 Watagash Is An Alien Parasite That Plagues The Great Saiyaman In A Contained Epidemic
Dragon Ball Super is no stranger to filler material, but its attempts at this more disposable variety of content result in some fascinating mini-arcs. Gohan and Videl find themselves in an unlikely blackmail scenario when superstar, Barry Kahn, becomes infatuated with Gohan’s wife.
Barry’s desire to embarrass Gohan only becomes stronger when he’s infected by Watagash, an alien parasite that Jaco has been after. Watagash’s possession culminates in a kaiju-like threat that Gohan must finish off as the Great Saiyaman, which also doubles as a superhero movie for the unsuspecting public. It’s a strange obstacle that occurs independently of Goku.
3 Bibidi Is An Ancient Magical Villain Who Existed Before Goku’s Time
Dragon Ball Z’s Buu Saga is initially an exciting transition for the series since it moves into the territory of magic, as well as generations of Majin villains that have been in the picture far before the likes of Goku or Vegeta even existed.
Buu’s awakening is the priority of Babidi, a deceptively powerful character who tests Goku’s mettle. However, Babidi’s father, Bibidi, was the one previously in charge of this sacred Majin responsibility. Bibidi is an older threat that the Kai had to face, and he symbolizes a much older evil.
2 Dodoria Is An Early Threat On Namek That’s Not Worthy Of Goku’s Strength
Dodoria’s biggest claim to fame in Dragon Ball Z is most likely his prickly appearance, which makes him look like a more dangerous threat than he really is. Dodoria, much like Zarbon, is one of Frieza’s lackeys, but he’s the inferior of the two.
Dodoria wears his aggression on his sleeve, which makes his defeat especially entertaining for Vegeta. Frieza’s forces eventually become too much for Vegeta to take on, but Dodoria represents a weaker tier, much like the Frieza Force’s Cui, that are defeated before Goku rejoins the picture.
1 Bojack And His Gang Terrorize Gohan And Company During Goku’s Death
Dragon Ball Z’s feature films still cause much debate over their place in the proper canon. A lot of these movies feature repetitive storylines, but the ninth film, Bojack Unbound, is a significant change of pace.
Bojack Unbound is set during the period where Goku is still in the afterlife after the defeat of Cell. This allows Gohan to be the central hero of the movie, which makes Bojack’s assault considerably more interesting. Goku makes a brief appearance and is able to properly inspire Gohan, but he doesn’t get to personally face Bojack or any of his elite team.
0 Comments