Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball Z is one of the most popular anime series of all time. Toriyama has created a rich and satisfying world in his Dragon Ball universe, which remains genuine to its core premise, but continues to find ways to evolve the formula and raise the stakes.
Dragon Ball Z marks a significant turning point in the franchise since it marks the formal debut of the powerful alien race, the Saiyans, who eventually go on to dominate most corners of the Dragon Ball universe. Dragon Ball Z can be quite egregious when it comes to Saiyan supremacy, but the series does manage to feature strong fighters from other walks of life.
10 Videl Adds Flight And Ki Manipulation To A Strong Martial Arts Foundation
Sometimes new Dragon Ball Z characters immediately steal the show and become major players, but Videl is an individual who never overstays her welcome and experiences very realistic development. Videl and Gohan quickly hit it off and later start a family together. Videl’s impressive strength and fighting spirit is one of the first things that draws Gohan to her. Videl’s father, Mr. Satan, has the flashier reputation and seems like he’d be the stronger of the two humans. However, Mr. Satan's ego is more significant than his strength. Videl learns how to fly, as well as gain control over minor ki manipulation.
9 Yamcha’s Slick Techniques Are Enough To Give Most Humans Pause
Yamcha was one of the core members of Goku’s crew back during his younger years in the original Dragon Ball, but Yamcha’s days are quickly numbered once Dragon Ball Z begins. Yamcha’s character never fully recovers from his humbling defeat during the series’ initial Saiyan invasion. Yamcha sticks to the sidelines and becomes more consumed with baseball than he does with the Earth’s protection. Yamcha’s usefulness is in short supply in Dragon Ball Z, but the foundation that he’s built can’t be completely dismissed. He still knows some powerful attacks and would put most of Earth’s humans to shame.
8 Master Roshi Has Decades Of Experience That Have Pushed Him Towards Greatness
Goku and many of his heroic friends wouldn’t be where they are today without the instrumental lessons that Master Roshi instills in them. Roshi teaches Goku his signature Kamehameha energy attack and he’s full of helpful advice even after he stops being Goku’s mentor.
Dragon Ball Z presents a changing of the guard that largely prioritizes new characters, while classic figures like Roshi get a chance to rest. Master Roshi may not be a pivotal fighter in the series’ major fights, but he still possesses superlative strength, which gets a chance to shine again in Dragon Ball Super.
7 Krillin Embodies The Spirit Of A True Hero With The Power To Back It Up
Dragon Ball establishes that Goku needs physically powerful allies by his side when danger strikes, but the significance of moral support and friendship can also not be underestimated. Krillin is one of Goku’s oldest friends and the two have experienced so many triumphs and hardships together. Goku gradually surpasses Krillin in more substantial ways once he becomes a Super Saiyan, but Krillin remains powerful for a human and contributes in crucial ways to big battles. Krillin understands his natural human limitations, but advantageous techniques like the Destructo Disc and Solar Flare still allow him to dominate on the battlefield.
6 Tenshinhan’s Respect For Martial Arts Has Turned Him Into One Of Earth’s Strongest Humans
Dragon Ball begins as a surprisingly grounded action series that emphasizes legitimate martial arts as opposed to incredible transformations. Some very strong humans emerge, with Tenshinhan being chief among them and someone who even beats Goku during the Tenkaichi Budokai. Tenshinhan is another character who faces his shortcomings during the Saiyan invasion, but he continues to train in privacy and build upon his strength. Tenshinhan’s appearance during Buu’s attack is brief, but it’s a testament to his continued strength. He’s able to avoid Buu’s Human Extinction Attack, and even briefly spar against one of the villain’s many forms.
5 Shin Is Universe 7’s Supreme Kai And He’s Conquered Great Competition
One of the most interesting aspects of Dragon Ball’s growing world is its many different tiers of celestial beings. Dragon Ball Z introduces King Kai, but there are more powerful figures that have authority above him, such as Universe 7’s Supreme Kai.
Shin’s time is mostly spent on the Sacred World of the Kais, which limits his time in battle, but both his status and knowledge reflect a very skilled warrior. Shin’s history against Buu paints a picture of a tremendous warrior, but he’s just been pushed into a position where the universe’s defense falls on the shoulders of others.
4 Piccolo Does The Namekian Race Justice With His Strength And Honor
Piccolo is privy to some of the most rewarding development over the course of Dragon Ball. He’s born into the world as a tool of vengeance who’s meant to accomplish what his demonic father couldn’t by defeating Goku. Piccolo grows into one of Goku’s most trusted friends and an invaluable mentor figure to his own son, Gohan. Piccolo is the only Namekian in Dragon Ball’s core cast, which has allowed him to excel in special ways. Unfortunately, new tiers of Super Saiyan minimize Piccolo’s importance towards the end of Dragon Ball Z’s Buu saga, but he’s still capable of greatness.
3 Androids 17 And 18 Have Transcended Their Designs And Achieved Greatness
Dragon Ball Z’s Androids are mechanical menaces who accompany Cell’s reign of terror, but ultimately function as ingredients to push the creation to ultimate perfection. Dragon Ball Z reduces the threat of Androids 17 and 18 once Cell fully ascends, but one of the series’ smartest decisions is to not clean house and destroy these two. Admittedly, Android 17 takes up a private life as a ranger and Android 18 leans into the domestic bliss of starting a family. However, both Androids are still incredibly dangerous and represent some of the greatest powers on the planet, Saiyan or otherwise.
2 Good Buu Focuses Majin Malevolence Into Incredible Power
Dragon Ball has an excellent track record when it comes to reforming ultimate evils into unlikely allies. It’s become a common trend for villains to have multiple transformations or contrasting forms, which arguably hits its apex with Buu. Many evil versions of this Majin monster exist, but so does its pure form, Good Buu, who becomes an underrated source of help for the heroes. Good Buu might often have a childlike demeanor and disinterest in combat, but he’s still a true force to be reckoned with – both in terms of raw strength and his mischievous Majin techniques.
1 Uub Is The Reincarnation Of Greatness And Earth’s Next Big Hero
Uub remains one of Dragon Ball’s most exciting sources of untapped potential and there’s still so much that’s yet to be explored with this character. Kid Buu’s defeat results in Goku wishing that the villain’s goodness gets reincarnated into a new vessel, which becomes Uub. Uub is just a child, and is largely oblivious to the massive strength that’s contained within him, but Goku still views him as potential successor. Goku decides to train Uub and help him actualize his hidden powers, which have the potential to possibly even surpass Goku’s strength.
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