Last reviewed on 2026-05-02
Goku (Son Goku)
Super SaiyanThe main protagonist and the most powerful Z-Fighter. A pure-hearted Saiyan raised on Earth who constantly pushes beyond his limits. Can achieve Super Saiyan, Ultra Instinct, and numerous other transformations.
Vegeta
Prince of SaiyansThe proud Prince of all Saiyans who starts as a villain and becomes Earth's defender. His rivalry with Goku drives him to constantly grow stronger. Achieves Super Saiyan Blue and Ultra Ego transformations.
Gohan
Goku's SonGoku's half-Saiyan son with enormous hidden potential. Defeats Cell in his SSJ2 form. Later unlocks his Mystic/Ultimate form. In Super Hero, achieves Beast form — a transformation surpassing all prior limits.
Piccolo
Namekian WarriorFormer villain turned Gohan's mentor and devoted Z-Fighter. A Namekian who can regenerate limbs and stretch his arms. Achieves the Orange Piccolo and Potential Unleashed forms in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
Frieza
Emperor of the UniverseThe tyrannical emperor responsible for destroying Planet Vegeta. One of the most iconic villains in anime history. Later achieves Golden Frieza and Black Frieza transformations. Becomes an unlikely ally in Tournament of Power.
Cell
Bio-AndroidAn android created from the cells of the greatest warriors. Absorbs Androids 17 and 18 to achieve Perfect Form. His Cell Games arc ends with Gohan's legendary SSJ2 transformation. Returns as Cell Max in Super Hero.
Majin Buu
Magical BeingAncient magical creature with multiple forms from childlike Fat Buu to the terrifying Kid Buu. Can absorb others to gain their power. His pure form is considered one of the most dangerous threats in the universe.
Broly
Legendary Super SaiyanThe Legendary Super Saiyan whose power grows endlessly in battle. The canon DBS version is a gentle giant manipulated into fighting. Unleashes devastating power that rivals even Goku and Vegeta's fusion, Gogeta.
Beerus
God of DestructionThe God of Destruction of Universe 7, accompanied by his angel Whis. Cat-like in appearance and personality — lazy, selfish, but incredibly powerful. His appetite for food rivals his power. Motivated Goku to achieve SSG.
Whis
Angel AttendantBeerus's angelic attendant and trainer. Possibly the strongest being in Universe 7. Calm and methodical, he teaches Goku and Vegeta to master their godly ki through intense training on Beerus's planet.
Krillin
Z-FighterGoku's best friend and one of Earth's strongest humans. Master of the Destructo Disc and Kamehameha. Marries Android 18 and has a daughter, Marron. Often comic relief but genuinely powerful and courageous.
Android 17
AndroidCyborg created by Dr. Gero. Becomes a park ranger after Cell Saga. MVP of the Tournament of Power, winning the tournament single-handedly. His wish restores all erased universes, showing true heroism.
Future Trunks
Half-SaiyanVegeta and Bulma's son from an alternate future ravaged by the Androids. Travels back in time to warn the Z-Fighters. Achieves Super Saiyan Rage in the Future Trunks Arc of DBS. Noble warrior burdened by loss.
Goten
Goku's Youngest SonGoku's youngest son and Trunks's best friend. Youngest Super Saiyan ever achieved. Fuses with Trunks to become Gotenks. Cheerful and carefree, inheriting his father's kind nature and combat talent.
Jiren
Pride TrooperUniverse 11's strongest warrior and rival to Goku in the Tournament of Power. His power surpasses his own God of Destruction. A stoic loner who believes strength is the only truth, shattered by Goku's Ultra Instinct.
Zamasu / Goku Black
Rogue KaiCorrupted Supreme Kai apprentice who steals Goku's body to become Goku Black. Fuses with his alternate self to become Fused Zamasu. Pursues the Zero Mortals Plan to eradicate all mortals from existence.
All Dragon Ball Z Characters by Saga
Saiyan Saga — Goku, Piccolo, Gohan, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, Bulma, Raditz, Nappa, Vegeta.
Frieza Saga — Frieza, Zarbon, Dodoria, Captain Ginyu and the Ginyu Force (Guldo, Recoome, Burter, Jeice), King Kai, Dende, Nail, Grand Elder Guru.
Cell Saga — Cell, Android 16, Android 17, Android 18, Android 19, Dr. Gero, Future Trunks, Mr. Satan (Hercule), the Cell Juniors.
Buu Saga — Majin Buu, Babidi, Dabura, Supreme Kai (Shin), Kibito, Goten, Videl, Gotenks, Vegito.
Added in Dragon Ball Super and GT — Beerus, Whis, Champa, Vados, Hit, Jiren, Toppo, Caulifla, Kale, Goku Black, Zamasu, Zeno, Broly, Frost, Baby, Omega Shenron.
All Dragon Ball Character Names (A–Z)
Android 17, Android 18, Beerus, Broly, Bulma, Cell, Chiaotzu, Frieza, Future Trunks, Gohan, Goku (Son Goku), Goten, Gotenks, Jiren, Krillin, Majin Buu, Master Roshi, Mr. Satan, Nappa, Piccolo, Raditz, Tien Shinhan, Trunks, Vegeta, Videl, Whis, Yamcha, Zamasu / Goku Black.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Dragon Ball Z characters are there?
Dragon Ball Z alone has more than 100 named characters across its four main sagas, and the wider franchise — Dragon Ball, Z, Super and GT — runs to several hundred. This page profiles the 16 most important in detail and lists the wider cast saga by saga.
Who are the Z Fighters?
The Z Fighters are Earth's defenders: Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Yamcha, Chiaotzu, Android 18, Android 17, Trunks and Goten. The line-up shifts saga by saga — both Vegeta and Piccolo start out as enemies before joining.
Who is the strongest Dragon Ball character?
Zeno, the Omni-King, outranks everyone in current continuity and can erase entire universes. Among fighters, Ultra Instinct Goku, Ultra Ego Vegeta, Beerus, Whis and Jiren sit at the top, with Whis stronger than the God of Destruction he trains.
What is the difference between Dragon Ball, Z, Super and GT?
Dragon Ball follows Goku as a child. Dragon Ball Z picks up with an adult Goku and covers the Saiyan, Frieza, Cell and Buu sagas. Dragon Ball GT is an anime-only sequel not written by Akira Toriyama. Dragon Ball Super is the canon continuation after Buu, adding Gods of Destruction and the multiverse.
About Dragon Ball Characters
Dragon Ball, created by Akira Toriyama, is one of the most influential anime/manga franchises ever created. Beginning with Goku's childhood adventures, it grew into Dragon Ball Z, GT, and Super.
From Saiyan warriors and cosmic tyrants to gods and angels, the Dragon Ball universe features characters whose power levels and transformations have defined the battle anime genre for decades.
Goku and Vegeta is one of the canonical examples of a rivalry that scales indefinitely without resolving — explored alongside Naruto/Sasuke and Light/L in iconic rivalries in long-running series. For how Dragon Ball's repeated power-inflation cycles shape "who beats whom" debates, see the power scaling reader's guide.