Akira Toriyama Dragon Ball continues to reinvent its characters after four decades of gripping and intense storytelling. Dragon Ball has been able to last so long because it isn’t afraid to take risks with its characters and shake up the status quo when necessary. Dragon Ball has courageous heroes like Goku and Gohan whose moral center rarely strays.
However, it’s also a series that loves a good redemption arc and firmly believes that even the worst individuals deserve a second chance. Goku’s endless empathy and trust have helped turn many villains and evil individuals into valuable allies. Not every enemy can be given new life, but it’s rewarding to see that those with tragic pasts and villainous backstories can still help improve the world and contribute to the greater good.
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10 Tien and Chiaotzu learned their trade at a twisted martial arts school.
Anime debut: Dragon Ball, episode 82, “InoShikaCho’s Rampage”; Manga debut: Dragon Ball, chapter 113, “Return to the Tournament”
The original Dragon Ball The 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament becomes an exciting opportunity to pit Master Roshi’s best students, Goku and Krillin, against Master Shen’s best students, Tien and Chiaotzu. Master Shen was Master Roshi’s best friend when they both studied under Master Mutaito. However, the two suffered a tragic falling out that led Shen to develop the Crane School of Martial Arts. Shen has duplicitous interests, and is more interested in asserting his dominance and eliminating the competition than in truly growing as a martial artist.
Tien and Chiaotzu find themselves caught up in Shen’s teachings and have no idea they’re part of something sinister until they spend time with Master Roshi and his ilk. Tien and Chiaotzu are outright villains, and their filler episode introduction even presents them as scheming con artists who cheat communities out of hundreds of thousands of zeni in exchange for their “protection.” Tien and Chiaotzu have come a long way from their evil Crane School origins, but their pasts clearly still haunt them in many ways. Tien still refuses to truly train with Roshi because he sees it as a betrayal of his Crane School upbringing.
9 Oolong is a sinister shapeshifter who victimizes a small village
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 4, “Oolong the Terrible”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 5, “Oo! Oo! Oolong!”
The original Dragon Ball The franchise’s first story arc is a true homage to Akira Toriyama’s gag comedy roots, and many fantastical and ridiculous creatures emerge from the woods. Oolong is a shapeshifting anthropomorphic pig who becomes a reliable supporting character throughout the franchise. However, it’s easy to forget that Oolong is actually quite evil and manipulative when he is first encountered by Goku and Bulma. Oolong used his shapeshifting abilities to terrorize Aru’s village into submission and steal the villagers’ daughters.
Oolong poses as an intimidating demon, but his time with Goku forces him to undergo numerous transformations until the truth comes out. Oolong realizes his mistake by the end of his first episode, but he continues to display questionable behavior throughout the original series, such as impersonating Bulma. Oolong’s evil past is hardly apocalyptic and doesn’t result in anyone’s death. It’s still a surprisingly dark origin story that shouldn’t be overlooked.
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8 Emperor Pilaf and his Pilaf Gang enter the franchise as megalomaniacal monsters
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 1, “The Secret of the Dragon Balls”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 18, “Who Has My Balls?!”
Emperor Pilaf and his band of Pilafs – Mai and Shu – deserve credit for being Dragon BallPilaf’s first official villains. Pilaf may not be physically intimidating, but what he lacks in strength and size he makes up for with impressive resources, powerful mechanical machines, and creative means of torture. Pilaf is constantly treated as a joke throughout his Dragon Ball He runs away, even after trying to ally himself with the Demon King Piccolo, but he is still searching for the Dragon Balls for deeply disturbing reasons. Pilaf wants to use the Dragon Balls to rule the world and inflict his cruel beliefs on society, which thankfully never happens.
One of the biggest surprises of Dragon Ball Super is that a misguided wish from Dragon Ball turns Pilaf and his gang into children, who wisely decide to team up with Goku and his friends. Pilaf, Mai, and Shu are still largely comedic elements throughout Dragon Ball Superbut they gradually went on to serve a greater purpose. Pilaf became a tech expert who assists Bulma at Capsule Corp. He is responsible for Goten and Trunks’ Saiyaman X-1 and X-2 watch gadget that helps them quickly transform into their superhero alter egos. Mai also became one of Trunks and Goten’s peers at Blue Hal High and the object of Trunks’ awkward crush. Future Trunks’ timeline also presents Future Mai as one of the strongest fighters in the Resistance, so she clearly cleans up in this alternate timeline as well.
7 Gamma 1 and Dr. Hedo dedicated their lives to the corrupted Red Ribbon
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 92, “New Androids”
The Red Ribbon Army was a malevolent militaristic force originally Dragon Ball that Goku manages to defeat and force into ruin. The Red Ribbon rises from its ashes and launches its return several decades later in Dragon Ball Super: Super HeroesDr. Hedo, the grandson of Dr. Gero, creates several series of androids before reaching perfection with Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. The tragic irony of these individuals is that Dr. Hedo is unaware that he is doing anything wrong. Magenta, the current leader of the Red Ribbon (and Commander Red’s son), tricks him into thinking that they are just working.
The same goes for Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, who see themselves as superheroes trying to right the wrongs caused by individuals like Piccolo and Gohan. This misinformation causes a huge fallout, culminating in the activation of a deadly bioweapon, Cell Max. Dr. Hedo and his Gamma androids eventually learn the truth and aid the heroes in their fight against Cell Max, but Gamma 2 perishes in the battle due to a heroic self-destruct maneuver. Gamma 1 and Dr. Hedo have since pledged allegiance to Bulma and Capsule Corp, where they can hopefully apply their genius and powers for good.
6 Broly possesses a prolific power that has been abused and used as a weapon against his will.
Anime Start: Dragon Ball Super: Broly; Manga Start: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 42, “End and Aftermath of the Battle”
Broly, the legendary Super Saiyan, is a fan-favorite character who has served as the main antagonist in three Dragon Ball Z movies. Dragon Ball Super The film properly canonizes the character in its first feature film, but presents him as a much more human and misunderstood figure. Broly, as a baby, is banished to the planet Vampa because King Vegeta fears that his incredible strength will overshadow that of his own son. Broly lives a difficult life in this desolate destination and his father, Paragus, tortures him and ensures that his life does not involve any meaningful attachments, as he sees them as weaknesses. Broly and Paragus are eventually intercepted by the Frieza Force, of which they become official members, but are transformed into powerful pawns of Frieza. Frieza attempts to use Broly to eliminate Goku and Vegeta and manipulates him into a blunt tool of destruction.
Frieza even kills Broly’s father in order to push him beyond his limits and trigger his legendary Super Saiyan transformation. Broly becomes a savage, rampaging liability who nearly kills Goku and Vegeta before they fuse with Gogeta. Broly has learned to channel his emotions properly. His training on Planet Beerus alongside Goku and Vegeta has taught him the true value of friends and family. Broly is officially a hero at this point in the saga. Dragon Ball Superbut there is always a slight worry that he might snap and rekindle his terrifying killer instinct.
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5 Android 18 and Android 17 are created for malicious mass destruction
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 133, “The Nightmare Comes True”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 155 (Dragon Ball Chapter 349), “The Androids Awaken!”
Evil androids have become commonplace in Dragon Ball. However, Dragon Ball Z Imperfect Cell goes all out in this department with eight different androids programmed to cause chaos and exterminate Goku. Androids 17 and 18 receive the most attention as they are literally the fuel needed for Imperfect Cell to reach perfection. Androids 17 and 18 happily take lives, including that of their creator, Dr. Gero, while inflicting punishing pain on Vegeta and Piccolo.
Oddly enough, both of these androids survive the events of the Cell Saga, with 18 even becoming Krillin’s partner and the mother of their child. Android 17 remains in obscurity for much longer, but dedicates his life to preserving the wildlife on Monster Island before being recruited to fight for Universe 7 in the Tournament of Power, where he manages to win the battle royale brawl and save the multiverse. It’s a nice turn of events for two artificial humans who were designed to destroy and take lives.
4 Vegeta abandoned his evil ways and vengeance to become one of Dragon Ball’s greatest heroes.
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 5, “Gohan’s Rage”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 10 (Dragon Ball Chapter 204), “The Needs of the Majority”
Vegeta is one of the Dragon BallVegeta’s ultimate redemption stories and it’s nothing short of incredible that he went from being Goku’s evil rival to a loving father, husband, and one of Goku’s best friends. Vegeta initially appears in Dragon Ball Z for nefarious purposes and to accomplish what their fallen Saiyan comrade, Raditz, could not. Nothing is sacred to Vegeta and he is even willing to execute his own partner, Nappa, once he overstays his welcome and proves himself to be dead weight.
Vegeta enjoys asserting his authority and intimidating others with his Saiyan Elite strength, whether it’s destroying a planet or ensuring his opponent is terrified during their final moments alive. It takes empathy, death, and love to change Vegeta’s ways—and even then, he has moments of regression—but he has become someone who truly loves Earth and is willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good. Vegeta has also made great strides in paying for his past sins. He feels genuine shame and remorse for the atrocities he caused on Planet Namek and strives to right those wrongs.
3 Piccolo was born in this world to kill Goku and destroy the planet
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 123, “Lost And Found”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 161, “Goku’s Fist”
Demon King Piccolo is one of the originals Dragon BallHe is one of the most evil individuals in the galaxy and spends his final moments giving birth to a devious doppelganger who is meant to further his antagonistic agenda. King Piccolo gives birth to several mutant Namekians, but Piccolo Jr. is created for the express purpose of executing Goku and taking over the planet so that King Piccolo can have the last laugh. King Piccolo is responsible for the deaths of Master Roshi, Chiaotzu, and he even destroys Shenron after getting what he wants.
Piccolo is not exactly the same as King Piccolo, but it is implied that they share many memories and that Piccolo is the reincarnation of his demonic father. Piccolo’s opportunity to get revenge on Goku comes to a head during the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament. Goku defeats Piccolo and even gives him a Senzu Bean to heal his injuries, but Piccolo still vows revenge. In a surprising twist, Goku and Piccolo are forced to work together to defeat Raditz, forever uniting the two enemies as friends. Goku’s son Gohan helps Piccolo feel like a man, rather than a monster, and he officially becomes a hero and one of the Dragon BallThe most courageous and selfless individuals.
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2 Beerus takes extreme pleasure in his destructive goal
Anime Start: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 1, “A Peacetime Reward: Who Gets the 100,000,000 Zeni?!”; Manga Start: Dragon Ball SD, Bonus Chapter 1, “Battle of the Gods SD”
Dragon Ball gradually added celestial deities of increasing intensity to its tradition, which continued to reach new heights throughout Dragon Ball SuperThe introduction of the Gods of Destruction, Angels, and even Zeno the Omnipotent King. Lord Beerus is the God of Destruction of Universe 7 and a chaotic individual who enters the series with the hopes of being properly challenged by a Super Saiyan God. It could be said that Beerus is not technically evil since he is merely fulfilling his role as the God of Destruction.
However, flashbacks have shown that he can be particularly mean and spiteful. He seems to relish King Vegeta’s humiliation, slapping Bulma, and it turns out that he is actually the one responsible for the destruction of Planet Vegeta. Beerus has become a vital ally and mentor to individuals like Goku and Beerus as they learn to control their godly ki. However, this does not change the fact that Beerus has destroyed countless planets, wiped out entire populations, and nearly destroyed Earth during his battle with Goku.
1 Majin Buu is evil incarnate with eons of blood on his hands
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 232, “Buu Is Born”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 266 (Dragon Ball Chapter 460), “The Awakening of the Djinn?!”
Majin Buu is an ancient evil who has ravaged the universe for millions of years and has personally fought several Supreme Kais and even absorbed the Supreme Grand Kai. Buu is Dragon Ball ZThe final antagonist of , he is infinitely more dangerous than Frieza and Cell combined. He turns several heroes and innocent individuals into candy, his Human Extinction Attack wipes out most of Earth’s population, and his Planet Burst maneuver literally destroys the Earth.
Buu is as evil as he comes, and it’s understandable that Vegeta would have reservations about Hercule’s request to keep “Good Buu” around. Buu’s evil side hasn’t come out yet, but it’s technically still possible. Buu has become a valuable hero who helped Universe 7 during the Zeno Expo and in the battle against Moro. That being said, more often than not, he just likes to sleep. Laziness is at least an improvement over mass murder.
Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball tells the story of a young warrior named Son Goku, a peculiar young boy with a tail who sets out on a quest to become stronger and learns of the Dragon Balls, when, once all 7 are gathered, they grant any wish you want.
- Created by
- Akira Toriyama
- First film
- Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
- Latest movie
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Heroes
- First TV show
- Dragon Ball (1986)
- Upcoming TV Shows
- Dragon Ball DAIMA
- First episode air date
- April 26, 1989
- Casting
- Sean Schemmel, Laura Bailey, Brian Drummond, Christopher Sabat, Scott McNeil