706z87″ title=”akira”>Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball has stood the test of time and it’s more popular than ever after three decades. There are many reasons that fans continue to celebrate Dragon Ball, whether it’s the thrilling battles, incredible transformations, or unpredictable plotting.
Yet none of these spectacles mean anything without the characters behind them and Dragon Ball’s lovable cast plays a major factor in the franchise’s ongoing success. There are certain Dragon Ball characters like Vegeta, Piccolo, and Future Trunks who have become iconic anime icons. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of characters from the Dragon Ball world who lack nuance, depth, or are frequently embarrassing.
10 Son Goku
When evil strikes and the Earth needs protecting, the planet knows that they can rely upon Goku. Goku’s pride, courage, and love for his friends and family are never in question. That being said, there’s a certain naivety in Goku that leads to frustrating storytelling and writing that’s thrown the fandom up in arms.
It’s Goku’s gentler side and compulsion to see the best in others that makes him such a unique shonen hero. However, Goku could demonstrate these same attributes without perpetually making the same mistakes, like giving Senzu Beans to the enemy.
9 Master Roshi
Master Roshi is one of the most crucial Dragon Ball characters when it comes to Goku’s growth as a martial artist. Roshi is at his most important during the original Dragon Ball as he helps train Goku and Krillin, yet he sticks around in the franchise as supporting comic relief.
Master Roshi is guilty of many outdated anime stereotypes, especially when it comes to women, which drives most of his behavior. It’s not long until Roshi has more perverse exchanges associated with him than he does moments of heroism. Dragon Ball Super attempts to rehabilitate his lecherous ways, but it doesn’t stick.
8 Mr. Satan
Mr. Satan is a controversial Dragon Ball character, but someone who the audience has learned to tolerate. Saran is Videl’s father and someone who loves praise and attention, which he never shies away from as he holds the title of Earth’s strongest.
The general public believe that Mr. Satan is responsible for the defeat of Cell and other genocidal dangers, while he’s merely a front for the real heroes’ accomplishments. Mr. Satan could be more graceful with this exaggerated role, but he seems to have deluded himself into believing that he truly is the strongest.
7 Frieza
A lot of villains have threatened the galaxy in Dragon Ball, but Frieza is by far the most persistent and someone who’s been given more opportunities than any other antagonist. Frieza was initially a terrifying threat simply because of the sheer power at his disposal and his utter disdain for Saiyans.
Unfortunately, Frieza has become a bit of a broken record in this regard and he grows more reductive with each new appearance. The Tournament of Power attempts a curious redemption arc for Frieza, but it’s clear that his kindness is fueled by ulterior motives as evidenced by Black Frieza in the Granolah arc.
6 Chi-Chi
Chi-Chi’s earliest appearances present her as a budding warrior and someone who holds her own against Goku and Yamcha. A confident female fighter like Chi-Chi seems like the perfect romantic partner for Goku and their union makes for an incredibly sweet conclusion to the original series.
Sadly, Chi-Chi’s marriage with Goku triggers a more domestic and overbearing side of her character which Goku actively seems to avoid. Chi-Chi is entitled to a safe future for her children, as well as stability from her husband. The problem is that Chi-Chi and Goku never talk through this argument, which results in Chi-Chi repeatedly getting angry over the same things, to no avail.
5 Kale
Dragon Ball fans finally got their first taste of female Super Saiyans though the introduction of Universe 6’s Caulifla and Kale in Dragon Ball Super. The Universe 6 Saiyans bring a lot to the table and make for fascinating counterpoints to the Universe 7 crew. Caulifla is brash and eager for battle, while Kale is a shy and reserved individual.
Kale’s passivity disappears once she triggers her berserker Legendary Super Saiyan form, but these extremes don’t make for a deep character. Kale doesn’t have much of a personality outside of Caulifla, which becomes even truer once they’re fused into Kefla.
4 Dolltaki
Dragon Ball GT has slowly been reappraised by the fandom in recent years. Dragon Ball GT’s introductory arc is more light-hearted in nature, which results in some fairly atypical antagonists as Goku, Trunks, and Pan travel across the galaxy for the Black Star Dragon Balls.
Dolltaki is a perturbing presence who takes it upon himself to make friends by turning them into stationary dolls, albeit ones who can still think and feel. Pan gets subjected to Dolltaki’s affection, which is temporarily traumatizing. There could be a rich backstory to explain Dolltaki’s action, but he’s not given any depth beyond his surface-level obsession with dolls.
3 Broly (Dragon Ball Z)
Broly, the Legendary Super Saiyan, is one of Dragon Ball’s most popular characters. He’s at the center of three Dragon Ball Z movies and has become one of the most highly-requested fighters in Dragon Ball video games. Broly is a big, burly Saiyan, but there’s not much to this figure beyond an aggressive force of nature who yells.
Broly is manipulated by his father, Paragus, and has imprinted pain that connects to Goku. Dragon Ball Z’s movies never attempt to hear Broly’s side of the story, expand upon him, or give him more eloquent dialogue. Alternatively, the Broly from Dragon Ball Super: Brolydoes experience genuine character development and exhibits depth.
2 Oolong
The original Dragon Ball is as interested in broad comedy and gags as it is in action-packed battles. Characters like Oolong and Puar feel much more at home in the original Dragon Ball, only to gradually become background presences. Oolong is an anthropomorphic pig, but he’s also a shape-shifter, which means that he can ostensibly take on the form of anything.
Oolong is a lewd figure and plenty of his transformations and actions are motivated by unscrupulous desires. Oolong is incidental enough of a character that no one expects dramatic character development on his part, but Dragon Ball Z and Super could have found a more practical use for him.
1 Barry Kahn
Barry Kahn is a bit player in Dragon Ball Super that many audiences may not even remember. However, Barry instigates trouble throughout two episodes of Super in a sloppy bid to break up Gohan and Videl. Barry Kahn is an A-list actor who, ironically, plays the Great Saiyaman in his feature film adaptation.
Kahn is convinced that Videl would be better off with him and so he orchestrates an elaborate blackmail scheme to steal her away from Gohan. Kahn has a one-track mind, which makes him feel more like a plot contrivance than a genuine character.