Few anime franchises have become as largely synonymous with their massive array of iconic and legendary heroes as Dragon Ball, with each series iteration having its own standout heroes and additional usage of fan-favorite icons. Whether it’s the original Dragon Ball, the wildly popular Dragon Ball Z, or more recent series like Dragon Ball Super or Dragon Ball DAIMA, the series never holds back when showing deeply engrossing and powerful heroes.
Each of the heroes in the Dragon Ball franchise has an argument to be made for being one of the most iconic and recognizable heroes in anime history, with decades’ worth of development and mileage making them each memorable in their own way. Many of these heroes have even started as villainous foes, growing to become exceptional universe-saving heroes throughout the series. Choosing an absolute favorite will always be difficult, as the best heroes that Dragon Ball has to offer will continue to be icons that are cherished and beloved by audiences across the entire world.
10
Yamcha
First Appearance: Episode 5 of ‘Dragon Ball‘
Originally a desert bandit that Goku fought against in the early episodes of Dragon Ball, Yamcha would quickly reform and become one of the most pivotal allies and most capable martial artists in the original Dragon Ball. Although Yamcha has largely been outclassed following his retirement near the latter half of Dragon Ball Z, he still proves a defining hero of Dragon Ball as a whole and one of the most powerful humans the series has ever seen.
Yamcha is often written off by casual fans of Dragon Ball Z, even considered by some to be one of Dragon Ball‘s weakest characters, but his heroic capabilities and strengths in the original Dragon Ball more than make up for his failures against stronger foes. The character has seen a multitude of different changes and evolutions throughout the series, from being a deadly yet considerate boyfriend to Bulma to his more calm and relaxing life as a baseball player in Dragon Ball Super.
9
Master Roshi
First Appearance: Episode 3 of ‘Dragon Ball‘
Many of Dragon Ball‘s greatest heroes wouldn’t be as powerful as they are without the influence of Master Roshi. Roshi is a centuries-old master of martial arts who is responsible for training a wide variety of other heroes throughout the series, including Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, and Gohan. While the character is also defined by his perverted nature and love of women, his capabilities and strengths as a warrior cannot be underestimated, as he created many powerful fighting techniques, like the Kamehameha.
While Roshi’s more perverted nature certainly can make him a difficult hero to watch at times, his heroic capabilities and dedication as a teacher are highly prolific and impactful in the grand scope of Dragon Ball. Even after the original series, he continuously finds himself training new additions to the Z fighters, and even himself getting into battles as recently as Dragon Ball Super’s Tournament of Power. Roshi’s very essence and chaotic nature, as perverted as he is, is ingrained within the very essence and culture of Dragon Ball as a franchise, as it’s impossible to have the series without him.
8
Tien Shinhan
First Appearance: Episode 82 of ‘Dragon Ball‘
Once touted as one of Goku’s fiercest rivals during the original Dragon Ball as a student of the rival Crane School, Tien Shinhan would quickly grow to be a pivotal member of the Z Fighters, joining Goku, Roshi, and the rest of his friends and turning against his sadistic masters. While initially perceived as a cunning and ruthless martial artist, Tien would grow a more honorable side and be dedicated to protecting the people of Earth, those that he cares about, especially his lifelong best friend and training partner, Chiaotzu.
Tien gets several great moments of showing off his heroic stature throughout the series, from using all of his power to hold off Cell in Dragon Ball Z to competing in the Tournament of Power and saving the Z fighters from Universe 2’s sniper duo in Dragon Ball Super. While he may not be the most powerful member of the Z Fighters, his unyielding commitment to Earth and its people is exactly the type of powerful character development that Dragon Ball is so famous for.
7
Bulma
First Appearance: Episode 1 of ‘Dragon Ball‘
Easily the most important female character in the entire Dragon Ball franchise, Bulma has been a staple of the series since the very first episode. While many of the other heroes in the series achieve their iconic status through exceptional fights and raw strength, Bulma shows off her true heroic qualities through her intelligence and creativity. Her kindness finds itself rubbing off on nearly every other hero around her, yet she still has the intelligence and strength to stand up for herself with an array of gadgets and top-notch technology.
Being one of the first introduced characters in the entire franchise also has its benefits, as few other characters have as much direct growth and changes over the course of the series as Bulma. She transforms from a quick-witted and hot-headed child into a deeply intelligent and powerful adult whose technological advancements are key to saving the universe a multitude of times. She is often overlooked in comparison to other Z Fighters due to not actively fighting, yet it’s difficult to deny the raw heroic qualities of Bulma.
6
Krillin
First Appearance: Episode 14 of ‘Dragon Ball‘
Goku’s best friend and easily one of the most likable and charming heroes that Dragon Ball has ever seen, Krillin is a beacon of joy and goodness that persists throughout the entire franchise. While he initially had a rivalry with Goku when they were both students training under Master Roshi, it wouldn’t take long before they would forge a lifelong friendship that would span the entire multiverse. Even when Krillin finds himself facing insurmountable odds and massively terrifying foes, he brings his absolute best as a beacon of human strength in the franchise.
Krillin’s consistent appeal and charm throughout the franchise have continued to make him one of Dragon Ball‘s best characters, as well as a defining, deeply engrossing hero. The character is often the butt of a joke due to being outclassed and taken down by many big threats, yet Krillin still gets his time to shine a variety of times throughout the series. His signature move, the Destructo Disc, is one of the most exciting and powerful moves in all of Dragon Ball, even rivaling the likes of the Kamehameha.
5
Trunks
First Appearance: Episode 126 of ‘Dragon Ball Z‘
One of the latest core members of the Z Fighters that quickly made an impact with a display of raw prowess and talent, Trunks, most specifically his future variety, has a lot of great elements that help make him distinct from other Z Fighters. Battling with a sword, his first on-screen appearance being his complete evisceration of a resurrected robotic Frieza, and the second on-screen Super Saiyan, after Goku made him a deeply memorable character from the get-go.
The character’s long-lasting arc and connection with Android 17 and 18 also made him a deeply compelling heroic figure throughout his time with the Z Fighters, further amplified by his connection to his father, Vegeta. Even after he inevitably returns to the future after the defeat of Cell, the future version of Trunks finds himself appearing numerous times throughout the series, most notably in the battle against Goku Black in Dragon Ball Super and frequently appearing in Super Dragon Ball Heroes.
4
Piccolo
First Appearance: Episode 123 of ‘Dragon Ball‘
While his overall appearance may make him seem like a dastardly villain, Piccolo has proven himself to be one of the most reserved, calm and collected members of the Z Fighters. Like many Dragon Ball heroes before and after him, his beginnings start as a villainous rival to Goku, spawning as a reincarnation of one of Dragon Ball‘s best villains, King Piccolo. He would soon begin to lose his villainous traits and become a heroic defender of Earth in early Dragon Ball Z, training Gohan and battling against the threats that invaded Earth.
The Piccolo of the modern era is nothing like the villain that he was in the original Dragon Ball, having a deep respect for Earth and its people and being one of the most calculated and intelligent fighters in the main cast. The character has seen many moments to shine throughout the years, including various fights against villains like Freiza, Cell, and Buu. One of his biggest moments of heroism and increased capabilities is in the recent film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, where he gains new, powerful forms and helps save the world in a team without the help of Goku or Vegeta.
3
Vegeta
First Appearance: Episode 5 of ‘Dragon Ball Z‘
Originally starting off as one of the most powerful and vicious villains that defined the early arcs of Dragon Ball Z, Vegeta would surprisingly find refuge and heroism with Goku and the people of Earth. The stark contrast between his villainous beginnings and heroic face-turn is one of the most stark in the entire franchise, with his never-ending rivalry with Goku growing from one defined by rage to one fueled by friendship.
Even as a hero, Vegeta never loses his cocky and brash attitude, often getting into heated situations and thriving in the midst of an aggressive battle. Still, even despite the character often hiding his caring side and giving into his raw, animalistic ways, time and time again, Vegeta is shown to be a deeply caring and compelling hero who has truly evolved from his sadistic beginnings. Easily his most prominent moment as a hero comes in his battle against Buu, where he sacrifices himself in an attempt to stop Buu and save his family, and the Earth as a whole, from his wrath.
2
Son Gohan
First Appearance: Episode 1 of ‘Dragon Ball Z‘
The son of Goku and easily one of the most powerful characters in all of Dragon Ball, Son Gohan was once set up to be the new protagonist of the entire franchise, picking up a mantle that Goku would leave behind. While Goku would end up maintaining his stature as the series’ main protagonist, it doesn’t take away from any of Gohan’s invaluable heroic tendencies and moments and growth. Between his defeat of Perfect Cell as a young teen to donning the mantle of Great Saiyaman to act as a superhero in adulthood, Gohan has always had an inherent goodness in his heart while also having the capabilities to win any battle.
Being half-human and half-saiyan, Gohan brings out the best qualities when it comes to being a heightened saiyan combatant in combat while having the humanity and willpower that only Earth can provide. The character has grown a great deal throughout the franchise, and while not the same constant fighter that he was during the events of Dragon Ball Z, he will still hold nothing back when it comes to protecting his family and Earth, as shown in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
1
Son Goku
First Appearance: Episode 1 of ‘Dragon Ball‘
There simply wasn’t any other question when it came to Dragon Ball‘s best hero, as Goku has been the signature heroic figure of the entire franchise whose very optimism and heroic qualities are enough to turn countless villains into friends. Goku goes beyond simply being a great hero by Dragon Ball standards and has become one of the best heroes in anime history, being a symbol of strength and heroic qualities in anime for generations.
The number of heroic feats and dastardly villains defeated by Goku over the years is simply too high to count, as he constantly makes use of his love of battling to defend the universe from constant deadly threats. His inherent heroism and goodness often finds itself rubbing off on all of the other heroes around him, whether it be former or current rivals like Vegeta and Piccolo or his own children in Gohan and Goten. It’s difficult to imagine what Dragon Ball would even be without Goku, as his very strength and heroic nature are synonymous with the franchise.
