Dragon Ball is one of the most famous animated series ever made. Since the first episode aired on February 26, 1986, fans have been fascinated by the adventures of Goku and his friends. When the show airs, millions of fans tune in every week to find out what the gang will do next and if they can defeat their latest enemy. One of the reasons for this immense success lies in the quality of the dubbing, as highlighted by the Japanese casting of Dragon Ball features several prolific and beloved voice actors.
An interesting thing about Dragon Ball The Japanese voice casting is that, unlike American voice casts which have had multiple performers in each role, the vast majority of Japanese voices have been there since the early days of the franchise, many playing the same character in Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, And Dragon Ball Super. But which of these voice actors is the best?
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10
Masakazu Morita voices one of Super’s best additions
Parts: Tarble, Iru, Whis
Masakazu Morita has a fascinating history with the Dragon Ball franchise. His first role in the anime was as Tarble, Vegeta’s brother, in Dragon Ball: Yo! Son Goku and his friends return!! However, it has been a constant presence in the Dragon Ball video games, expressing the player character in both Dragon Ball Heroes And Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi.
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But Morita’s most famous Dragon Ball The role is Whis, Beerus’ angelic assistant. Morita’s performance combines formality and sparkling silliness which perfectly captures Whis’ supernatural yet fun nature. The ultimate testament to this performance is that Whis quickly established himself as one of Dragon Ball most beloved characters even though they haven’t been in the franchise long, which is no small feat considering Dragon Ball a large number of emblematic characters.
9
Naoko Watanabe gives her heart to Chi-Chi
Pieces: Pu’ar, Snow, Mint, Marron, Gine, Chi-Chi (from Dragon Ball Z episode 88)
Watanabe was a Dragon Ball a staple since the franchise’s beginnings, when she voiced Pu’ar, Yamcha’s shapeshifting pal. Playing Pu’ar, Watanabe’s timing and comedic delivery shine as she is involved in some of the early Dragon Ball the funniest moments, including several hilarious scenes where Pu’ar and Oolong argue and bicker due to their ever-changing rivalry. However, in Dragon Ball Z, Watanabe got her most famous role when she replaced Mayumi Sho as the voice of Chi-Chi.
While Sho had done a fantastic job with the character, Watanabe took it to the next level, giving Chi-Chi amazing depth and nuance. It perfectly captures the feeling of a woman who has resigned herself to the fact that her husband and children must fightbut she is still terrified for their safety and acutely aware that she risks losing them every time they enter the battlefield. For this reason, Watanabe was involved in some of the Dragon Ball Z most difficult and emotionally painful moments.
8
Takeshi Kusao plays a full-fledged character from the past and future
Pieces: Piegerro, Upa, Lavender, Narirama, Trunks, Future Trunks
Takeshi Kusao played several characters in Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, And Dragon Ball Super. This includes Universe 9’s violent wolf-like brawler Lavender, Universe 3’s robotic fighter Narirama, and Gohan’s short-lived friend Pigero. However, Takeshi Kusao’s most famous roles and the ones that best show his talent are Trunks and Future Trunks.
Kusao does a fantastic job capturing the arrogance and mischievous side of Kid Trunks as well as the painful seriousness of Future Trunks. However, even though it makes the two characters sound different, the two performances maintain enough similarities to constantly remind viewers that Future Trunks is an older, alternate version of Trunks who has lost all fantasy. This significantly improves the Android saga, because constantly reminds viewers that the entire Earth is on a knife’s edge and that terrible things await the Z-Fighters if they fail to defeat the androids.
7
Kōzō Shioya takes a different approach with Buu
Plays: Suspicious Bird, Panput’s Manager, Universal Capsule Robot No. C6, Vodka, Mō Kekkō, Gurd, Totapo, Peru, Majin Buu
Kōzō Shioya has a long and fascinating history with Dragon Ball, as he has voiced many small one-off or background characters over the course of the franchise. However, he is best known for voicing Majin Buu. One of the most fascinating differences between the Japanese and American versions of Dragon Ball Z This is how they treated Buu and his different forms, taking very different approaches to the character.
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Interestingly, American dubs tended to have two voice actors to handle Buu, one playing Innocent Buu and Good Buu, while the other voiced Evil Buu and Super Buu. However, in Japan, all Buu’s forms were managed by a single actor: Kōzō Shioya. However, despite only being a single actor, Shioya did a fantastic job making each of Buu’s forms unique. Innocent Buu appears clumsy and childish (often making silly noises rather than speaking) but indulges in a sinister growl when threatening someone. Evil Buu uses deep zombie-like growls, and Kid Buu falls between the previous two forms, making him deeply unbalanced. Finally, Super Buu speaks in a deep, mature voice that makes him feel like a powerful warrior, making him appear like a massive threat.
6
Norio Wakamoto transformed Cell into a real monster
Parts: Cell, Cell Max
The cell is one of Dragon Ball the most iconic villains, and one of the main reasons for this is Norio Wakamoto’s stunning performance. While many American dubs gave Cell a more theatrical and traditional cartoon villain voice, Wakamoto took a different approach, giving Cell a more aggressive and violent character. This was a great choice because the Japanese version of Cell seems like a terrifying, focused foe who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
On top of that, Wakamoto does a fantastic job of showing how Cell’s personality changes as he goes through his different forms, each sounding and speaking a little differently, without ever making it seem overdone or too obvious. Special praise must also be given to Wakamoto’s screams, because they always sound raw and guttural while maintaining a naturalism that makes them feel like real expressions of anger. These screams greatly enhance Cell’s violent aura and elevate each of his attacks, leading to some of his attacks. Dragon Ball Z most memorable fight scenes.
5
Mayumi Tanaka plays several memorable roles, and they’re all different
Parts: Yajirobe, Snow, Sugoro, Fortuneteller Baba, Krillin
While today she is best known as the voice of One Piece’s Monkey D. Luffy, Mayumi Tanaka has played many roles in Dragon Ball. During the franchise’s history, she voiced Yajirobe, Fortuneteller Baba (between Dragon Ball Z episodes 190 and 287), and the most famous, Krillin. What makes this so fascinating is that each of these characters seems very different, to the point where it’s easy to forget that they’re all played by the same actress.
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Tanaka’s performance as Krillin is a masterpiece, just like in the original. Dragon Ball, it captures his slow transformation from Goku’s first rival to his closest friend. In Dragon Ball Z, Tanaka transforms Krillin into an ordinary man out of his depth who is forced to accept the fact that he is thrown into battles against aliens and magical creatures. This performance enhances the show, constantly reminding viewers how dangerous the Z-Fighters’ lives are.
4
Ryūsei Nakao gives a sound to horror and sadism
Plays: Tambourine, Frost, Cooler, Chilled, Kuriza, Metal-Cooler, Frieza
Ryūsei Nakao, the stage name of Tomoharu Takeo, is a prolific voice actor, portraying Rocco Bonnaro in Cowboy BebopMayuri Kurotsuchi in Bleach, and Nekomata in Naruto Shippuden. However, his performance as Frieza remains one of his most iconic roles. While the American dub highlights Frieza’s brutal and menacing nature, Ryūsei Nakao gives the character a formal and eloquent touch this better reflects his status as the leader of a ruthless intergalactic cartel.
However, when Frieza is the target of a beating, this character breaks down a bit, revealing that beneath the pomp, Frieza is an unrepentant sadist who enjoys causing harm and doesn’t take defeat lightly. This contrasts brilliantly with Goku’s more informal and childish nature, adding another dimension to their fights. What makes this even more impressive is that, despite Frieza’s many losses, Nakao’s performance allowed Frieza to maintain this aura for a long time. Dragon Ball Super, something the dub failed to do.
3
Toshio Furukawa made Piccolo one of the coolest anime characters
Plays: General Blue, Announcer, Piccolo
Toshio Furukawa has had a stunning career, playing many iconic roles. He played Kai Shiden in Gundam Mobile SuitTaro Soramame in Dr. Slump and Arale-chan, Hawk eye in Sailor Moon SuperS, and Portgas D. Ace in One piece. However, even with this impressive resume, his most iconic character remains Piccolo. In playing Piccolo, Furukawa imbues the character with a grumpy, stoic, almost world-weary demeanor that reflects his complex life.
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Additionally, during the series’ many fight scenes, it captures Piccolo’s analytical skills, making him seem like a warrior who knows what he’s doing, no matter the situation. Furukawa also beautifully captures Piccolo’s moments of emotional confusion (especially during the Saiyan Saga), making him feel like a complex, realistic character who exists beyond the camera. All of this comes together to give Piccolo a fascinating aura that makes him feel different from every other anime character.
2
Ryō Horikawa tackles one of Shonen’s most complex characters
Parts: Vegeta and Vegeta Jr.
Playing Vegeta would be a challenge for any voice actor, as the character is very complex and changes a lot during filming. Dragon Ball Z And Dragon Ball Super stories, slowly transforming from Goku’s most vicious enemy to his most trusted sidekick and devoted family man. However, Ryō Horikawa rises to the challenge effortlessly, perfectly capturing every facet of Vegeta’s personality whenever he is on screen. One of the most interesting things about Horikawa’s performance is how it differs from that given by his American counterpart.
Horikawa emphasizes Vegeta’s princely past by giving it a more refined tone. This fits the character perfectly and makes the moments where he takes shots even more intense, as it helps drive home the point that Vegeta has lost control of himself and the situation. It also helps remind the audience that, beneath his arrogance, Vegeta is deeply insecure and cannot settle for being a stopgap.
1
Masako Nozawa is the heart and soul of Dragon Ball
Plays: Goku, Gohan, Goten, Goku Jr, Bardock.
Masako Nozawa is the most crucial voice actor in Dragon Ball history. The most famous is that she plays Goku, playing the character of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super, And Dragon Ball DAIMA. However, she also plays all the male members of Goku’s family, including his sons Gohan and Goten and his father Bardock. What makes Masako Nozawa’s performance as Goku so memorable is his range.
She can effortlessly go from goofy, slightly dark and fun Goku to deadly and serious warrior in a matter of moments, helping Goku feel like a complex and fully three-dimensional character. This skill is also reflected in his performances as Gohan and Goten, as well as it makes everyone feel like a unique character who, although they inherit some of their father’s characteristics, are not simply smaller versions of him. For this reason, Masako Nozawa is the best Japanese Dragon Ball voice actor and one of the best voice actors in anime history.
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Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball tells the story of a young warrior named Son Goku, a peculiar young boy with a tail who embarks on a quest to become stronger and learns of the Dragon Balls, when once the 7 reunite , grants any wish of choice.
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With the help of the powerful Dragonballs, a team of fighters led by Saiyan warrior Goku defends planet Earth from alien enemies.
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Dragon Ball
Son Goku, a fighter with a monkey tail, goes on a quest with an assortment of strange characters in search of the Dragon Balls, a set of crystals that can give its bearer anything they desire.
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Dragon Ball DAIMA
Due to a plot, Goku and his friends are transformed into children. They plan to travel to a mysterious new world to undo this change.
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After Goku is turned back into a child by the Black Star Dragon Balls, he sets out on a journey to regain his former self.
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With Majin Buu’s defeat six months prior, peace returns to Earth, where Son Goku (now a radish farmer) and his friends now lead peaceful lives.
