Few anime are able to achieve the level of success that’s been experienced by Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball and it’s remarkable that the franchise is just as popular now as when it first made its debut in the 1980s. Dragon Ball has carefully figured out how to change and revise its formula over the years.
Most people tune into Dragon Ball because of the bombastic battle sequences and transformations, but there are also rich characters at the foundation of the series that experience serious development. Dragon Ball often has its characters come to blows, but there are some beautiful friendships that have also blossomed out of the conflict.
10 Beerus & Whis Are In Charge Of The Universe’s Well Being
Some friendships happen organically, while others need to be manufactured. Dragon Ball does an effective job with the various tiers of deities that it introduces and Dragon Ball Super digs into the concept of how each of the 12 universes has a God of Destruction and Angel that ultimately watches over everything.
This relationship means that Beerus and Whis might be forced to work together and find a rhythm, but there seems to be a genuine appreciation that they have for one another. After all of the time that they’ve spent together, they’ve developed a shorthand with each other.
9 Android 17 & 18 Are Tied Together With A Bond That Goes Beyond Siblings
Dragon Ball exists in an exaggerated universe where constructions like androids and cybernetic enhancements are totally normal. Dragon Ball Z’s Cell Saga brings forward a slew of Androids that are integral to Cell’s journey, but when the dust settles, it’s only Androids 17 and 18 that are left alive.
These two Androids are twin siblings that become the test subjects of Dr. Gero. Androids 17 and 18 know how to work together and protect the other when in battle, but even during their more muted moments, there’s genuine affection and understanding between these two.
8 Goten & Trunks Are The Children Of Accomplished Warriors & Grow Up Together
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the ongoing Dragon Ball saga is how time actually progresses and characters get a chance to grow older and develop their lives. Dragon Ball Z begins with Goku’s son, Gohan, but Goku also welcomes Goten into his family as the anime continues.
Goku’s son, Goten, becomes a natural companion for Trunks, Vegeta’s son, and the two become a team that’s practically inseparable. Goten and Trunks are so used to operating as a unit that they even extend their friendship into fusion and become a formidable warrior as Gotenks.
7 Tien & Chiaotzu Train Together & Push Each Other Forward
The Dragon Ball series eventually hits hyperbolic heights where the human characters struggle to remain relevant, but it’s exciting when individuals like Tien and Chiaotzu first appear and they actually intimidate Goku. Curiously, Tien and Chiaotzu are positioned as a parallel version of Goku and Krillin to some extent, while these two train under Roshi’s rival, Master Shen.
Tien and Chiaotzu are always there for each other in the original Dragon Ball, but the anime shows that this friendship only strengthens throughout Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super as Tien and Chiaotzu remain in each other’s lives.
6 Universe 6’s Kale & Caulifla Are As Strong As They Are Devoted To Each Other
The Dragon Ball series comes up with some contrived excuses to bring more Saiyans into the mix, but Dragon Ball Super justifies the addition of a few more thanks to the presence of alternate universes. Kale and Caulifla are two new Saiyans from Universe 6 that exhibit a very sisterly relationship.
Kale goes through a temperamental transformation into her Berserker form and Caulifla is typically the one to help calm her down and get through to Kale’s emotional side. There’s inherent trust between these two and their bond amplifies in impressive ways once they fuse together into Kefla.
5 Future Trunks & Future Gohan Only Have Each Other In The Fractured Future Timeline
Dragon Ball consistently broadens its scope in ambitious ways, like the addition of time travel. Future Trunks is one of Dragon Ball Z’s best characters, but a deeper look into the character’s past highlights his relationship with his best friend and mentor, Future Gohan.
In a world that’s ruled by death and fear courtesy of Androids 17 and 18, Future Trunks only has Gohan to turn to for help. The death of his friend is what finally pushes him to transform into a Super Saiyan for the first time and he becomes determined to carry on his cause and legacy.
4 One Of The Unlikeliest & Sweetest Friendships Forms Between Mr. Satan & Buu
The final villain to get introduced in Dragon Ball Z is Majin Buu, an extremely dangerous entity that goes through several forms and transformations before he settles on his deadliest state, Kid Buu. Kid Buu perishes, but Majin Buu remains in the picture and the displaced oddity strangely forms a friendship with Hercule Satan.
There’s a similar level of innocence between these two that strangely works and it’s fascinating to watch real emotions form between the two of them. Hercule has some of the best defense on the planet because Buu is in his corner.
3 Goku & Vegeta Turn A Friendly Rivalry Into A Sterling Friendship
There’s still plenty of debate over whether Goku and Vegeta are truly rivals or friends, but there are repeated instances where Vegeta concedes and admits his shortcomings. At the same time, Vegeta and Goku use each other as motivation to surpass their limits.
The two like to give each other a hard time, but they know that they can rely on the other. Goku and Vegeta wouldn’t hesitate to risk their lives for the other and the fact that Vegeta can swallow his pride to fuse with Goku shows how much he’ll let his guard down for his friend.
2 Gohan & Piccolo Bring Out The Best In Each Other Through A Lifetime Of Friendship
Gohan’s relationship with Piccolo might be one of the most complex and fascinating bonds in all of Dragon Ball. Piccolo begins the series as the sworn rival to Gohan’s father, yet he turns into the boy’s surrogate guardian after Goku’s passing.
Gohan and Piccolo bond in formative ways during the Saiyan’s youth, but this respect and friendship never fades. Gohan continues to turn to Piccolo for support in his adult years and he cherishes their connection. Their teamwork in the Tournament of Power speaks to how well they work together.
1 Goku & Krillin Have Seen It All & Are Still Together
Goku is quite a friendly individual who’s very willing to open his heart up to others, including the villains that he faces in battle. Goku extends an olive branch to many characters, but one of his first major bonds is with Krillin and this friendship becomes a defining part of Goku’s development.
Goku and Krillin train together under Master Roshi and they never lose touch even after Krillin adopts a more domestic life in favor of Goku’s continual improvements. Krillin’s death is even the pivotal catalyst that pushes Goku to become a Super Saiyan for the first time.
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