As one of the oldest and most iconic anime and manga franchises of all time, Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball has introduced fans to a majority of incredible villains. The original manga was adapted into anime in two major parts: Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, before returning with sequels and spin-offs. As a sequel to Dragon Ball, which set up the foundation for the story, Dragon Ball Z helped the franchise gain worldwide recognition during the early 1990s. The stakes were higher in Z, with intense action sequences and iconic characters, including powerful villains. Each villain brought a new set of challenges for Goku and the Z Fighters, leaving destruction in their wake.
Videos by ComicBook.com
Among these villains, Frieza is often considered the ultimate villain in the entire franchise, thanks to everything he has achieved in the story. His actions in Namek triggered Goku’s Super Saiyan transformation, which turned the series into a global phenomenon. While there’s no denying that Frieza is an excellent villain both in terms of powers and writing, these three are even better than him. The list isn’t based on the villains’ powers, but rather the impact they had in the story.
3) Kid Buu
As the final villain of the main story, Buu gave the Z Fighters the most trouble out of anyone else. He even successfully destroyed the planet before the Z Fighters wished it back into existence thanks to the Dragon Balls. Kid Buu is the final and most powerful form of Majin Buu, who separated himself from the main body. Unlike Majin Buu, Kid Buu is an embodiment of pure evil, and he’s the true form of the ancient being. While Majin Buu makes irrational decisions like a child throwing a tantrum, Kid Buu’s actions are calculated and brutal, often leaving no way out for the Z Fighters.
He only craves destruction and chaos without reason or fear, which makes him truly unstoppable. His defeat is still one of the most memorable moments in Dragon Ball‘s history, where Goku used a massive spirit bomb charged with the energy of everyone on Earth. This left the villain unable to regenerate, and peace was restored on Earth, at least for a short time. He was later reincarnated as Uub, upon Goku’s request to King Yama, and was able to start anew without having the memories of his past life.
2) Dr. Gero
Initially introduced onscreen as Android 20 in Dragon Ball Z, the villain’s uncanny resemblance to the Red Ribbon Army’s genius cyborg and android creator did not go unnoticed. This major hint led to fans catching a first look at a prominent villain from behind the scenes of the original Dragon Ball series. It didn’t take long for the anime to reveal that Dr. Gero had transformed himself into an Android in hopes of seeking revenge from Goku. He engineered himself into being capable of absorbing the energy of the Z Fighters.
However, he was still no match against Super Saiyan Vegeta, who defeated both him and Android 19 effortlessly. Needless to say, what makes Dr. Gero truly terrifying wasn’t his powers, but his genius mind that created powerful biological weapons. He created weapons of mass destruction and used his ability for evil. Even after his death, his actions left the Z Fighters to deal with the Android Twins and Cell. The villains’ actions from the beginning of the story to the Cell Saga defined the series and left an everlasting impact on the overall story.
1) Cell
Many would argue that Frieza is the most iconic villain in the franchise, but Cell is probably the best in terms of writing and his evolving powers. This villain was specifically designed to possess numerous favorable genetic traits and special abilities of Goku and the other Z Fighters that Dr. Gero observed over the years. Ever since his introduction, he only continued to grow stronger after absorbing countless humans. Compared to Frieza, who is simply evil, Cell is far more nuanced and complex as a villain. His birth was a consequence of all the battles the Z Fighters fought so far, which makes him the ultimate opponent.
On top of his overwhelming strength, he was strategic, patient, and gained an unnervingly calm demeanor after absorbing the Android Twins. He ultimately reached a level of power so overwhelming that none of the Saiyans or Z Fighters were capable of catching up to him. In a sense, Cell was the culmination of all the battles fought by these characters.
More Anime
-
Image Courtesy of Studio Bones -
Image Courtesy of J.C. Staff / Triangle Staff -
Courtesy of TOHO Animation -
Image Courtesy of WIT Studio / Netflix -
Image via Studio Pierrot -
Image courtesy of 100studio -
Image via Studio Pierrot
