Many viewers think of *Dragon Ball* as primarily focused on action-packed fights, with the story being less important. While that’s sometimes true, the most memorable battles are actually those that are well-prepared, thanks to strong characters and writing that make the villains truly engaging and threatening for the Z Warriors to overcome.
Considering how long and popular *Dragon Ball* has been, it makes sense that its characters developed and changed over time, rather than remaining the same. This is particularly true for the heroes, who faced huge challenges and evolved into the beloved figures we know today.
8. Son Goku
A Headstrong Hero Who Sticks To His Guns At All Times
- Debut: The Secret of the Dragon Balls (Episode 1 of Dragon Ball)
Goku is a very engaging main character, but his personal growth throughout the series is surprisingly straightforward. Right from his first encounter with Bulma, Goku’s charming and uncomplicated nature makes him instantly likable.
I’ve noticed he just naturally steps up to help people, even those he doesn’t know. He’s incredibly dedicated to his training, always pushing himself, and it really shows when things get difficult – he consistently overcomes challenges. It makes him someone you can always count on, and honestly, he’s a pretty fun, lighthearted guy too.
7. Vegeta
The Prince Of All Saiyans Eventually Learns The Importance Of Compassion
- Debut: Gohan’s Rage (Episode 5 of Dragon Ball Z)
When Prince Vegeta first appears in *Dragon Ball Z*, he’s a compelling villain. He’s incredibly proud, and the idea of being defeated by someone he considers beneath him – a lower-class warrior – really bothers him.
Over time, Vegeta grows to love Earth, especially his family. This leads to a personal struggle when he allows Babidi to control him in an attempt to become stronger. Though he overcomes this, he eventually recognizes Kakarot (Goku) as the superior fighter during the final battle with Buu. In *Dragon Ball Super*, Vegeta remains proud and competitive, but shows a gentler side when it comes to his children.
6. Piccolo
A Villain Who Turns Over A New Leaf After Seeing How Kind Gohan Was To Him
- Debut: Lost and Found (Episode 123 of Dragon Ball)
I remember when Piccolo first showed up in *Dragon Ball* – he started as a real enemy! He actually hatched from King Piccolo’s egg and had this incredible fight with Goku. King Piccolo was a truly nasty villain, but things changed when Raditz arrived. Seeing just how powerful Raditz was, Piccolo and Goku actually had to work together – it was a surprising turn of events!
Goku’s battle ends with his death, leading Piccolo to take Gohan as his student, recognizing the boy’s hidden strength. Surprisingly, Gohan treats Piccolo with kindness, not fear, which begins to change Piccolo’s heart. This transformation culminates in a selfless act where Piccolo sacrifices himself to protect Gohan, marking a powerful and moving moment of growth for his character.
5. Son Gohan
Overcomes His Gentle Demeanor To Become A Powerful Warrior During The Cell Games
- Debut: The New Threat (Episode 1 of Dragon Ball Z)
As a longtime Dragon Ball fan, it was really surprising to see Goku as a dad! And Gohan instantly won me over. He’s basically a softer, more thoughtful version of Goku, and incredibly powerful to boot. It’s kind of bittersweet though – his kind heart sometimes holds him back from unlocking his *full* potential, which is a really interesting dynamic.
Everything shifts when Android 16 delivers a powerful speech, convincing Gohan he needs to embrace his anger to protect the Earth. This leads to Gohan’s most impressive transformation – the peak of his development – where he unlocks his Ascended Super Saiyan form and defeats Cell, even after Cell powers up again.
4. Broly
The Movie Does A Great Job Of Fleshing Out This Gentle Giant’s Character
- Debut: Dragon Ball Super: Broly (canon appearance)
The Broly movies in Dragon Ball Z are fun to watch, but the reason he hates Goku just doesn’t make much sense. It’s hard to believe he’d hold such a grudge over being annoyed by a baby’s crying when he was little – the character deserved a more compelling backstory for his anger.
Dragon Ball Super: Broly did a great job of making Broly a sympathetic character. It clearly showed how his father, Paragus, was a terrible person who used fear to control and manipulate him. Watching Broly unleash his power against Goku and Vegeta is incredibly exciting, and it really highlights just how strong he is – strong enough that Goku and Vegeta had to fuse together to stand a chance.
3. Future Trunks
The Ordeals He Underwent In His Timeline Were Nothing Short Of Heartbreaking
- Debut: The Mysterious Youth (Episode 119 of Dragon Ball Z)
While *Dragon Ball Z* includes some serious and sad moments, it’s generally a lighthearted show. The Dragon Balls themselves mean that death isn’t permanent, as characters can often be revived. This makes Future Trunks a particularly compelling character – he’s from a future where the Dragon Balls don’t exist, so things are much more dire.
I remember watching the story of Trunks unfold, and it was really compelling to see Gohan take him under his wing. Gohan was determined to help Trunks reach Super Saiyan, and they trained hard together. But the constant danger from the Androids always hung over them. Eventually, Gohan felt Trunks wasn’t quite ready and went to face them alone, which tragically led to his death – a really shocking scene, even for Dragon Ball Z. Seeing Gohan like that was the catalyst Trunks needed; it was an incredible moment when he finally achieved Super Saiyan. A lot of fans loved Trunks from the start, but I think the OVA episodes really solidified his place as one of the best characters in the series.
2. Tien Shinhan
Realizes The Errors Of His Master’s Ways And Joins The Z Warriors Not Long After
- Debut: The Rampage of InoShikaCho (Episode 82 of Dragon Ball)
Many of the most popular characters in *Dragon Ball Z* start out as enemies before becoming allies. A good example is Tien Shinhan, who is initially presented as a student of the Crane School and seeks revenge on Goku for his fight with Mercenary Tao.
Roshi guides a troubled student toward redemption, and he ultimately reconciles with the heroes, becoming a powerful member of the Z Warriors. His impressive strength-demonstrated by how effectively he weakened Cell with his Tri-Beam-explains why fans appreciate this tough, capable character, even considering his human limitations.
1. Android 16
His Love For The Planet Compels Him To Fight For Earth
- Debut: Goku’s Assassin (Episode 134 of Dragon Ball Z)
Android 16 was unique – he was much more robotic in appearance than other Androids. Originally created to defeat Goku, he unexpectedly developed a fondness for Earth and its natural beauty, almost as if something went wrong with his programming, leading him to appreciate the world around him.
This sets the stage for Goku’s battle against Cell, a villain who threatened to destroy the world in his relentless pursuit of power. Goku’s bravery truly shines when Android 16, with his dying breath, reminds Gohan of the world’s beauty and the importance of defeating Cell before he destroys it forever.
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2025-09-21 18:35