Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball franchise has worked hard to entertain and excite audiences for nearly four decades. There are a lot of Dragon Ball details that keep fans engaged, whether it’s the series’ unpredictable plot twists, prolific transformations, or the suspenseful battles between good and evil. However, it’s Dragon Ball’s characters that give the franchise such life and personality. There are hundreds of important Dragon Ball characters who have all contributed to the greater whole in their own ways.
Such a sprawling cast of characters means that certain individuals don’t always get their due or are forced to disappear into obscurity. There are plenty of standout Dragon Ball characters, like Piccolo, Vegeta, Frieza, and Android 18 who have become permanent franchise fixtures. It never hurts to shine a light on the Dragon Ball characters who have slipped through the cracks and haven’t had the right opportunity to fulfill their potential.
10 Jaco Is Space Police With Untapped Potential
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 20, "A Warning From Jaco! Frieza And 1,000 Soldiers Close In"; Manga Debut: Jaco The Galactic Patrolman, Chapter 1, "The Galactic Patrolman Goes To Earth"
The unpredictable Jaco curiously made his debut in his own standalone one-volume manga series, Jaco the Galactic Patrolman, which was eventually revealed to be a Dragon Ball prequel. Jaco befriends Tights, Bulma’s older sister, but he properly works his way into Dragon Ball canon as galactic threats like Golden Frieza endanger Earth. Jaco is entrusted with important duties, but his cowardice often gets the better of him and he seems more comfortable hiding than helping.
Jaco’s Galactic Patrol association gradually enters the spotlight, particularly during Dragon Ball Super’s Moro Saga when the patrol’s prison experiences a cataclysmic jailbreak. Jaco finds the right balance between comic relief and helpful advisor, but there’s still so much more that could be done with this character. Jaco has unprecedented experience across the galaxy and it’s long overdue for him to lead a mission. Jaco’s return to the spotlight could even further celebrate Tights and explore a proper story where Bulma and her sister get to work together.
9 Launch Suffers From A Unique Ailment That Makes Her An Unforgettable Character
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 15, "Look Out For Launch"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 26, "Who's That Girl?"
Launch enters the original Dragon Ball fairly early in the series’ run, only to unfortunately fade into obscurity by the time that Dragon Ball Z is in full swing. Launch has a peculiar condition that causes her to undergo a drastic personality change whenever she sneezes. It’s a character trait that feels much more in line with the more fantastical gag comedy elements of early Dragon Ball. Launch becomes a reliable supporting player throughout Dragon Ball and goes on to spend a lot of time with Tien.
However, she never really gets enough to do outside of her initial appearances. There’s so much that can be done with a character like Launch, especially since strong female characters are few and far between in Dragon Ball. Some playful criminal heists to help out the heroes would be very entertaining. Dragon Ball could also explore Launch’s pursuits to cure herself of her condition, or perhaps she has a child who experiences a similar setback whenever they sneeze.
8 Zarbon Is Frieza’s Right-Hand Man With A Gruesome Transformation In Tow
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 44, "Brood Of Evil"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 53 (Dragon Ball Chapter 247), "Planet Namek, Cold And Dark"
Frieza becomes Planet Namek’s main event. However, he’s content to take a backseat role while he lets his top soldiers do his dirty work for him. Zarbon and Dodoria are both in Frieza’s inner circle and they become worthy opponents for Vegeta during his quest for the Namekian Dragon Balls and immortality. Zarbon is the stronger of these two and he also benefits from a monstrous transformation. Vegeta relishes the opportunity to finish off Zarbon.
That being said, Dragon Ball could have gotten greater mileage out of Zarbon if he were to somehow survive Namek’s cataclysmic events. A dedicated rival for Vegeta who lurks in the shadows and wants to get revenge on the Saiyan Prince for doing him wrong and taking out his leader would be exciting territory for the series.
7 Babidi Is A Wicked Warlock Who Weaponizes Malevolent Magic
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 220, "The Wizard's Curse"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 252 (Dragon Ball Chapter 446), "Bobbidi The Warlock"
Dragon Ball Z’s Buu Saga is full of dangerous, new threats beyond Majin Buu, many of whom wouldn’t be around without Babidi’s dark influence. Babidi is the puppet master who begins to assemble energy for Buu’s awakening, which makes it all the more ironic that Buu is the one who ultimately ends Babidi’s life. Many Buu Saga villains feel like frightening afterthoughts who don’t receive the attention that they deserve, such as Dabura, Pui Pui, and Spopovich. That being said, Babidi fulfills the stereotypical role of a wicked overseer who’s more of a cipher than a full-fledged character.
Babidi’s ability to protect himself with powerful magic indicates that he’d be a strong fighter and Dragon Ball could have at least given him one full fight where he proves that he’s more than a macabre manipulator. On top of everything else, Babidi’s mission with Buu correlates to the dark wizard’s desire to carry on his father Bibidi’s legacy. It’s an oddly sentimental motivation for such a vile character and there are clearly unexplored layers to this villain.
6 Pikkon Is Deceased, Dangerous & Ready To Protect Other World
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 195, "Warriors Of The Dead; Manga Debut: N/A
Goku gets exposed to some incredibly interesting individuals once he spends an extended period in Other World following his death against Cell. Goku’s participation in the Other World Tournament amounts to an entertaining filler saga where he faces off with a powerful opponent, the West Galaxy’s Pikkon. Pikkon fights with numerous elemental-based attacks and he proves himself to be a worthy protector of the afterlife in Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn and Dragon Ball GT.
Pikkon is popular for a filler character. However, fans are frustrated that he hasn’t become proper canon and that Goku didn’t recruit him to fight for Universe 7 in the Tournament of Power. The audience still has no idea how Pikkon died in the first place and there are many more stories to tell about this enigmatic character. Dragon Ball audiences shouldn’t have to wade through Super Dragon Ball Heroes in order to get another glimpse of Pikkon. He’s powerful and distinct enough to be a main character by now.
5 Shin Is A Fascinating Figure With The Weight Of The Universe On His Shoulders
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 213, "Big Trouble, Little Trunks"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 243 (Dragon Ball Chapter 437), "The Mysterious Duo"
Shin enters Dragon Ball Z alongside Kibito, both of whom are determined to prevent Majin Buu’s awakening and the untold damage that it will cause to the universe. Dragon Ball has introduced increasingly important tiers of celestial deities and Shin stands out as the East Supreme Kai. Shin makes a grand first impression, but he’s quickly pushed to the sidelines and forced to share material with Kibito and Old Kai.
Dragon Ball Super introduces a fascinating wrinkle that explains that each Supreme Kai is linked to that universe’s God of Destruction and that the death of one means that the other will also perish. This would be a smart way to further develop Shin’s character as powerful enemies, such as Black Frieza, target him as an easy way to execute Beerus. However, Dragon Ball continues to overlook this important figure and can’t even make up its mind on whether he should be fused together with Kibito or not.
4 Android 16 Is A Gentle Giant Who Breaks Free Of His Problematic Programmin
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 134, "Goku's Assassin"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 156 (Dragon Ball Chapter 350), "#17, #18...#16?"
Evil Androids are a running concern in each Dragon Ball series, but Dragon Ball Z really goes all in on the idea with a multitude of maniacal machines. Androids 17 and 8 receive the most attention since they’re necessary for Cell to achieve perfection. This makes Android 16 a fascinating wild card who learns to love the planet and does his best to save it by taking Cell out of the picture. Android 16 also inspires Gohan in profound ways and the Android’s destruction becomes an emotional catalyst in the boy’s Super Saiyan 2 ascension.
Less can sometimes be more with characters, but it’s too bad that Dragon Ball Z doesn’t find a way to repair Android 16 and keep him around, like Androids 17 and 18. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero even confirms a popular fan theory that Android 16 was based on Dr. Gero’s own son. This is all rich material that would be so rewarding for Dragon Ball to return to, yet the series seems content to leave Android 16 in the past.
3 Nail Is One Of Planet Namek’s Strongest Fighters & He Makes The Ultimate Sacrifice
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 53, "Zarbon's Surprise"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 57 (Dragon Ball Chapter 251), "Son Goku's Spaceship"
Dragon Ball Z gets a lot of mileage out of a field trip to Piccolo’s home world, Namek, to make use of the planet’s special Dragon Balls. The heroes are introduced to some important Namekian players, but most of them are healers rather than warriors. Nail is the exception and he’s Namek’s greatest warrior, although still far too weak to hold back Frieza’s army. Nail makes a noble sacrifice when he volunteers for Namekian fusion with Piccolo. This allows Piccolo to competently compete against Frieza and this new influx of power even pushes the villain to shift into his third form.
Nail has an important history, yet he ultimately gets reduced to a power source for Piccolo’s success. It’s hard to do much with Nail after he’s fused with Piccolo. However, he’s a character who would be perfect for a flashback OVA or TV special that chronicles his past triumphs. Dende, who is still in the picture, has history with Nail and it wouldn’t be impossible for him to regale Piccolo with stories.
2 Raditz Is A Special Saiyan Who’s Taken Out Of The Picture Far Too Early
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"
Raditz is a crucial turning point for the Dragon Ball franchise. He’s Dragon Ball Z’s first villain and he introduces Saiyans to the series, which have gone on to become a crucial Dragon Ball staple. Raditz is so powerful that he pushes Goku and Piccolo to work together for the first time, which also results in Goku’s first death. Raditz is succeeded by Nappa and Vegeta, but Dragon Ball Z’s pacing is so expedient during its earliest episodes that Raditz is already gone by the fifth installment.
There’s so much more to explore with Raditz, especially since he’s Goku’s brother. Even Dragon Ball’s Bardock-centric flashbacks keep Raditz’s material to a minimum and don’t add any greater depth to his character. It’s a little surprising that the heroes have never entertained the idea of Raditz’s resurrection, so that another powerful Saiyan is in the mix.
1 King Cold Is A Fierce Father Who’s Responsible For Countless Carnage
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 118, "Frieza's Counterattack"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 135 (Dragon Ball Chapter 329), "Where Is Goku?"
Frieza is a galactic tyrant who troubles the heroes for dozens of episodes while they’re locked in a bitter battle with the villain. One of Dragon Ball Z’s darkest moments is when Frieza—rebuilt with mechanical upgrades—shows up on Earth with his father, King Cold, in tow. Goku is nowhere to be found, but Future Trunks makes a bold introduction as he showcases Super Saiyan strength and confidently executes both Frieza and his father. Audiences don’t really get to learn much about King Cold, and his brief return appearances have been restricted to filler content and flashbacks.
However, there’s a fascinating backstory to explore with a character of this magnitude. It’s implied that Frieza’s army is grandfathered in by King Cold and that he’s responsible for just as much galactic destruction. Frieza has returned and been revived on multiple occasions, and it’s unfortunate that King Cold hasn’t received the same treatment so that he can showcase what he’s truly capable of in battle. Black Frieza’s reign of terror poses a logical reason to bring King Cold back into the mix—either as an ally to Frieza or someone who the heroes attempt to use against the villain. The prospect of seeing King Cold in his final form or his Golden version would be extremely satisfying.
