The heroes and villains in Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball Z come in many shapes and sizes. Granted, powerful characters like Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, and Frieza have changed Dragon Ball's universe in irrevocable ways. There's always the looming possibility that someone suddenly flaunts their power and uses it to upend the status quo.
Dragon Ball Z expands Toriyama's signature shonen series in crucial ways and some of the anime's biggest breakthroughs happen with characters who lack physical strength and aren't especially powerful. It's important to remember that anyone can make a difference in Dragon Ball and that the size of one's muscles isn't the only thing that matters.
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10 Bulma Proves Smarts Are Just As Important As Brawn
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 1, "The Secret Of The Dragon Balls"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 1, "Bloomers And The Monkey King"
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Bulma is one of Dragon Ball's most important characters, and it's fair to say that none of Goku's grand adventures would have ever happened if she didn't align with him during her Dragon Ball quest. Bulma largely serves the purpose of comic relief back in the original Dragon Ball, but Dragon Ball Z helps her assert authority and prove that she's truly a genius. Bulma would be utterly hopeless in battle.
However, she's responsible for getting Krillin and Gohan to Namek to retrieve the planet's Dragon Balls, not to mention many other technological breakthroughs that open the heroes up to exciting possibilities. This trend has even carried over to Dragon Ball DAIMA. It's incredibly comforting that Goku's first friend is still someone who Dragon Ball celebrates. On top of everything else, her relationship with Vegeta and the family that they build together is a crucial catalyst in the Saiyan's redemption arc. Without Bulma, Vegeta might have remained a villain and the revelatory Future Trunks would never have been born.
9 Hercule Satan Is The Catalyst Behind Goku's Spirit Bomb
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 163, "Dende's Dragon"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 199 (Dragon Ball Chapter 393), "The New Kami-Sama"
Hecule Satan technically has the reputation as the world's strongest man and ultimate hero, but it's a title that he's artificially earned through an ego-inflating echo chamber. Mr. Satan is essentially the equivalent of a professional wrestler. He's not completely lacking in fighting instincts, but his lack of ki skills turns him into a fairly normal character who can't compete with even the Z-Fighters' children. Mr. Satan can't defeat anyone in battle. However, his inflated reputation is strangely enough his greatest asset.
Hercule holds incredible sway with the public, and it's his request that earns Goku the trust -- and energy -- that's necessary to form the Super Spirit Bomb that's responsible for Kid Buu's destruction. Mr. Satan can appeal to Good Buu's playful nature and turn him into an essential ally. Good Buu contributes to the final fight against Kid Buu and helps support the heroes through his prolific and unpredictable powers.
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8 Yajirobe Cuts Great Ape Vegeta's Tail at the Right Time
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 104, "Mark Of The Demon"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 138, "The Weirdo With The Ball"
Yajirobe spends most of his time in Korin Tower, and it's hard to believe that he was nearly on par with Goku back when they first met in the original Dragon Ball. Yajirobe is skilled with a katana, and he killed Cymbal, one of Demon King Piccolo's Dark Vassal offspring. Dragon Ball Z's stronger baseline gives Yajirobe very little to do in battle, and he's smart enough to recognize that he's better off keeping Korin company with the Senzu Beans. Yajirobe still makes one major contribution early on in Dragon Ball Z's run.
Yajirobe arrives at the perfect time and successfully slices off Great Ape Vegeta's tail, which reverts his monstrous transformation. The heroes' victory over Vegeta wouldn't have been possible without this breakthrough, and it acts as an important reminder that anyone can be a hero under the right circumstances. Admittedly, Yajirobe goes about this sneak attack in a fairly cowardly manner and then flees the battlefield before Vegeta retaliates. There's still no denying that Yajirobe makes a big difference here.
7 Dende's Healing Powers Make Up For His Lack Of Physical Strength
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 46, "Defying Orders"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 58 (Dragon Ball Chapter 252), "Namekian Fear"
Dragon Ball Z's trip to Planet Namek is the first time that the characters leave the comfort of the Earth's atmosphere, and they meet many important Namekians who become important players in Dragon Ball's future. There are Warrior Namekians like Nail, who are physically powerful and can contribute in battle. However, there are also weaker Namekians, such as Dende, whose skills lie in healing. Dende's ability to heal the heroes leads to their chance of being improved upon during their battle against Frieza.
Dende's healing makes such a difference, but he also takes over Kami's role as Earth's Guardian and the protector of the Dragon Balls. This is a privileged position and Dende upgrades Earth's Dragon Balls so they have more wishes and fewer limitations. This gives the heroes many more options when it comes to Dragon Ball wishes, and it seriously streamlines the resurrection of fallen figures.
6 Raditz Kills Goku Even Though He's One Of DBZ's Weakest Villains
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 1, "The New Threat"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 1 (Dragon Ball Chapter 195), "The Mysterious Warrior From Space"
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Dragon Ball Z continues the franchise's tradition of increasingly powerful antagonists who push the heroes out of their comfort zones. Raditz has the honor of being Dragon Ball Z's first major villain, but he's also taken out of the picture by the anime's fifth episode. Raditz isn't around for very long and his power level is nothing compared to the enemies who later threaten the planet. Raditz still redefines the franchise and make some huge changes. Raditz lets Goku know that he's actually an alien and a member of the Saiyan race.
Raditz's unsuccessful attack on Earth is also responsible for Vegeta's arrival, which becomes a fundamental event. Raditz's attack also leads to Goku's very first death, which is another essential experience in the grander scope of the franchise. Goku comes back to life with the help of the Dragon Balls, but it's his death and time in Other World that equips him with some of his strongest techniques.
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5 King Kai Teaches Goku Some Of His Most Important Powers
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 12, "The End Of Snake Way"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 16 (Dragon Ball Chapter 210), "Masters And Students"
Goku has trained under some prolific martial arts masters and King Kai is one of the most important of these mentors due to how he helps him master the Kaio-Ken Attack and the Spirit Bomb. The Spirit Bomb has helped Goku overcome evil on multiple occasions, and it wouldn't have been possible without King Kai's help. King Kai isn't exactly weak. He's stronger than King Yemma, who was too much for Raditz to handle when he first arrived in Other World, but he's still much weaker than Nappa and Vegeta. King Kai may be stronger when he's working with his three other Kai peers, like when they seal away Bojack in a star.
He's not a character who many would consider to be strong, and he never actively fights any characters. King Kai proves his importance through how he enriches Goku's life. However, King Kai becomes an innocent target when Goku needs to redirect Cell's self-destruct attack. There's really nowhere else that Goku would have been able to take a self-destructing Cell to save the Earth. King Kai's distinct ki signature does ultimately contribute to the Earth's perseverance.
4 Dr. Gero Is Responsible For Red Ribbon's Evil Androids
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 126, "The Androids Appear"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 143 (Dragon Ball Chapter 337), "The Gathering Of The Warriors"
Goku humbles the Red Ribbon Army back in the original Dragon Ball, which he assumes is the end of this evil organization. However, Red Ribbon's brilliant scientist, Dr. Gero, harbors an intense hatred for Goku that triggers the Cell Saga's events. Besides turning himself into Android 20, Dr. Gero is responsible for the creation of Androids 16-19 and Cell's blueprint.
Dr. Gero is casually destroyed by one of his own creations, but his life's work causes unprecedented chaos for the planet. The Androids take many lives and prompt major growth in the heroes. They do even greater damage in Future Trunks' timeline, where Dr. Gero's Androids effectively kill all the Z-Fighters and leave the world in ruin.
3 Kami Makes a Selfless Sacrifice For The Planet
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 125, "Earth's Guardian Emerges"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 164, "Enter God"
Kami's introduction in the original Dragon Ball is genuinely exciting and there's a lot of suspense that's generated from the prospect of Goku being trained by someone who is essentially God. Kami has a more passive role in Dragon Ball Z, but he still improves the heroes' odds and contribute to the greater good. Kami helps train many of Earth's heroes during the lead up to the Saiyan invasion.
Individuals like Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu perish, but it's possible that the same fate would have befallen Krillin without Kami's help. The bigger contribution that's made by Kami is that he's willing to reunite with Piccolo and be reabsorbed into his other half. Piccolo and Kami's fusion gives Piccolo the power to take on Android 17 and survive the Cell Saga's events. Piccolo leaves the process as a "Super Namekian" and someone who has the strength to stay relevant throughout the rest of Dragon Ball Z.
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2 Old Kai Helps Dragon Ball's Strongest Heroes
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 250, "Out From The Broken Sword"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 285 (Dragon Ball Chapter 479), "The Zeta Sword"
Dragon Ball Z brings Supreme Kai into the mix and Piccolo's reverential fear of Shin is a strong indication that these Glind can be powerful. Old Kai is a Supreme Kai from the 15th generation, who is sealed away in the Z Sword by Beerus for an extended period. Old Kai's age and decrepit nature means that he avoids combat and spends his time safely stowed away on the Sacred World of the Kai. However, his distinct Supreme Kai abilities help him irrevocably change Dragon Ball Z's future through his offerings to characters like Goku and Gohan.
For one, Old Kai is responsible for Gohan's Ultimate upgrade, which allows Gohan to hold his own against Super Buu. Old Kai will give his life force to Goku so that he regains his mortality and can return to Earth. Goku's knowledge of the Potara Earrings also comes from Old Kai. There would be no Vegito without Old Kai's help, which also means that Super Buu's power would go unchecked, and his absorbed victims would never be freed.
1 Krillin Is DBZ's Heart Even When He Struggles To Keep Up With His Stronger Friends
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 14, "Goku's Rival"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 25, "A Rival Arrives!!"
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Dragon Ball Z increasingly becomes a Saiyan showcase, and it's difficult for the rest of the characters to stay relevant, especially the martial artists who are human. Krillin is one of Goku's oldest friends and while he's one of the few heroes to survive the battle against Nappa and Vegeta during the Saiyan Saga, he faces greater difficulties as stronger villains come forward. Krillin's contributions during the Cell and Buu Sagas become more inconsequential, and he has a good portion of the latter petrified in stone and then turned into chocolate.
Krillin may not intimidate any of the Majin warriors who come out of the woodwork. However, Krillin's connection to Goku and what he stands for is a crucial bond that can't be underestimated. In fact, it's Krillin's death against Frieza that triggers Goku's inaugural Super Saiyan transformation. It's also his idea to deactivate Androids 17 and 18's explosives, which begins their redemption and turns them into some of Dragon Ball's most important allies.
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Dragon Ball Z
TV-PG
Action
Adventure
Sci-Fi
Comedy
Super Power
Fantasy
Martial Arts
Shounen
With the help of the powerful Dragonballs, a team of fighters led by the saiyan warrior Goku defend the planet earth from extraterrestrial enemies.
Release Date April 26, 1989
Finale Year November 30, 1995
Creator(s) Akira Toriyama
Cast Masako Nozawa , Ryou Horikawa , Hiromi Tsuru , Hiroko Emori , Shigeru Chiba , Naoko Watanabe , Mayumi Tanaka , Naoki Tatsuta , Yukimasa Kishino
Main Genre Action
Seasons 9
Studio Toei Animation
Creator Akira Toriyama
Writers Akira Toriyama , Takao Koyama
Number of Episodes 291
Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll
Franchise(s) Dragon Ball
Directors Daisuke Nishio
Based On Manga
MyAnimeList Score 8.19
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