Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball is an anime series that’s been able to dominate the shonen genre for nearly four decades because of its creative storytelling, compelling characters, and exciting action spectacles. There are hundreds of episodes across the various Dragon Ball series, but they all continue to chronicle Goku’s mission to protect his family, friends, and the planet that he loves so much from invading evil threats.
The level of power that’s required in Dragon Ball frequently means that alien races, like Saiyans and Namekians, need to save the day. Each new villain makes it more difficult for humans to remain relevant in the Dragon Ball universe, but there are still some exceptional humans around who are instrumental in Earth’s safety and Goku’s survival.
10 Olibu Is The Stuff Of Legends & Receives A Hero’s Legacy
Death isn’t the end in a series like Dragon Ball. Goku spends a lengthy time in Other World following his death against Cell, which allows him to congregate with some of the other powerful deceased warriors. Dragon Ball’s Other World Tournament allows all of these fallen fighters to compete against each other. Goku is the standout individual from the universe’s north quadrant, but he learns that Olibu is also no slouch. Olibu is an honorable fighter who has apparently inspired many of the world’s heroic myths. The circumstances behind his death are unknown, but it’s likely that it was a righteous end.
9 Chiaotzu Completely Commits To His Cause Even When He’s Outmatched
Chiaotzu’s unconventional appearance means that he’s usually not the first person that comes to mind when Dragon Ball’s humans are under consideration. Chiaotzu is small in stature and his chalk-white complexion might even have some strangers confuse the individual for a doll. The conditions around Chiaotzu’s design are never elaborated upon, but he’s still able to prove himself as one of Earth’s most heroic humans. Chiaotzu is a worthy companion to Tien and most of his significant battle contributions occur in the original Dragon Ball. However, Chiaotzu’s selfless decision to sacrifice himself in an effort to defeat Nappa is a testament to his endless courage.
8 Uub Is Destined For Greatness & Has A Lot To Learn
Uub is one of Dragon Ball’s characters who holds the most potential and it’s still unclear what the series’ end goal is for the important figure. Uub is a human who’s the pure reincarnation of Kid Buu’s evil. This means that Uub is only a child, but he possesses incredible strength that could one day surpass Goku’s power.
Uub’s appearances have been extremely limited (although Dragon Ball GT does give the character more to do) and he still doesn’t fully understand his potential. Nevertheless, Uub has still been able to provide crucial help to Goku in battle.
7 Hercule Satan Is The Public’s Face Of Heroism
Dragon Ball’s Hercule Satan has good intentions, but he can be an acquired taste for the franchise’s fandom. Hercule enters in a very abrasive fashion as a flashy martial artist who’s more interested in public adulation than genuinely improving his skills. Hercule initially represents the opposite ideals that are present in Goku and the rest of Earth’s heroes, but Hercule gradually proves his worth. Hercule has the public’s ear and he’s able to convince them to donate their energy to Goku’s Spirit Bomb. Hercule begins to better understand his purpose and how he can best assist Goku and friends.
6 Yamcha Knows His Limits & Is Still Strong Emotional Support
Yamcha has received a bad reputation over the course of Dragon Ball and he’s progressively become the universe’s punching bag for abuse. Yamcha is one of the first people that Goku encounters on his adventures and he’s an essential ally through the Saiyan’s childhood adventures. Yamcha never fully recovers from his crushing Saibaman defeat in the Saiyan Saga and his pivot away from martial arts and towards baseball is somewhat understandable. Yamcha’s strength becomes so irrelevant that he’s even skipped over during recruitment for the Tournament of Power. However, Yamcha is still a hero at heart.
5 Videl Impressively Carries The Ideals Of Both Her Father & Gohan
Dragon Ball showcases a wide variety of powerful heroes, but strong female humans are few and far between on the battlefield. It’s genuinely exciting when a teenage Gohan meets Videl, the daughter of Hercule and a decent martial artist in her own right. Videl shares Gohan’s heroic ideals and he’s able to greatly improve her skills by helping her master ki manipulation and flight.
Videl slowly transitions from fighter to mother, but she still occasionally steps in as Gohan’s Great Saiyaman sidekick. She represents the best of both worlds and is a balanced parent for Pan.
4 Tien’s Rigorous Training & Respect For Martial Arts Keeps Him Regular
Dragon Ball’s Tien isn’t always in the spotlight and he’s someone who’s been sidelined in favor of the series’ many Saiyans. That being said, it’s easy to forget that Tien was briefly stronger than Goku, bested him in the World Martial Arts Tournament, and the character’s primary rival. Tien’s skills have grown more limited after the dangers that threaten Earth’s safety grow more severe. What’s important about Tien is that he never turns his back on martial arts, even when he’s absent from action. This allows Tien to play a valuable role in the Tournament of Power and he can still defend the planet when it’s in a pinch.
3 Master Roshi Has A Legendary Reputation & Has Prepared The Next Generation Of Heroes
At over 100 years old, Master Roshi is no spring chicken, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t hold his own in battle. The prolific martial arts master is responsible for the Turtle School of Martial Arts, the progenitor of Dragon Ball’s signature Kamehameha, and a vital mentor to Goku, Krillin, and many of Earth’s strongest humans. Roshi is content to train the next generation of heroes and enjoy his retirement, but he’s still known to defend the planet and punch above his weight, whether it’s during Golden Frieza’s invasion or at the height of the Tournament of Power.
2 Bulma & Her Brilliant Brains Have Helped The Heroes Secure Success
There’s frequently a priority put on Dragon Ball’s strongest characters, which makes Bulma such a refreshing change of pace. Bulma is the first person that Goku meets and without her intervention he might not have ever ventured out into the world and outside of his insulated comfort zone. Bulma is useless when it comes to combat, but she possesses a brilliant mind that’s saved the heroes countless times over and even made time travel possible. Bulma’s relevance increases after she starts a family with Vegeta and helps the Saiyan Prince adopt a humbler existence.
1 Krillin Proves That Humans Can Make Just As Much Of An Impact As Saiyans
Goku has made a lot of important friends over the years, but his bond is strongest with Krillin, a humble human who’s pushed Goku to surpass his limits ever since their youth. Krillin doesn’t resent his human limitations and he’s used his exceptional skills to help out the police force and to continue to do good in the world, even if he’s not at the level of a Super Saiyan. Krillin’s heroism is so inspiring because he’s able to have a normal life with his family, but he still embraces his potential and overcomes his lingering fears.
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