Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball is a monumental success that’s still going strong after more than four decades and five anime. Each new Dragon Ball installment adds to the greater whole and builds upon its predecessor. The original Dragon Ball is by far the simplest of the anime, but the franchise wouldn’t be where it is today without its exciting storytelling, unique action sequences, and a wide range of compelling characters. Many of Dragon Ball’s most beloved characters – and individuals who still play an important role in the franchise to this day – were introduced back in the original Dragon Ball.
Original Dragon Ball characters like Krillin, Tien, Master Roshi, Piccolo, and even Pilaf are a testament to the anime’s ability to create engaging individuals who audiences want to celebrate. However, there’s also a reality that not every single character can receive a worthy showcase or play a role in the most recent chapters of Dragon Ball’s story. This means that there are some standout Dragon Ball characters who are likely gone for good and have been forced to fade into obscurity.
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10 Spike The Devil Man Is Too Interesting & Powerful To Just Disappear
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 73, “The Devilmite Beam”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 103, “The Power Of Goku”
Dragon Ball has a lot of fun with the Fortuneteller Baba Tournament, in which Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, and Upa face off against a team of supernatural entities that includes a vampire, a mummy, an invisible man, and a devil. Many of these characters are played for laughs, but Spike the Devil Man is genuinely intimidating and poses a worthy challenge to Goku. Spike has a striking design and his Devilmite Beam is extremely powerful and has the power to kill anyone it connects with if they have even a fraction of evil in their heart. Goku proves to be immune to this revelatory technique, but it’d definitely be a useful ability in most modern Dragon Ball scenarios.
Dragon Ball also explains that Spike has won two previous World Martial Arts Tournaments, which further speaks to his impressive power. This makes it all the more surprising that the character hasn’t returned and probably never well. Spike the Devil Man is still alive and well the last time that he’s seen and there’s nothing technically preventing him from future appearances. Spike’s recruitment for Dragon Ball Super’s Tournament of Power would have been an entertaining development and many fans were hopeful that Dragon Ball DAIMA would find a way to fit him into Dragon Ball DAIMA’s Demon Realm.
9 Nam Is A Prolific Martial Artist Who Comes From An Honorable Background
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 21, “Smells Like Trouble”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 35, “The Battle Is Set!!”
Dragon Ball‘s World Martial Arts Tournament is a great testing ground for new characters who could potentially stick around in more substantial roles. The 21st World Martial Arts Tournament has its share of gag characters, such as Bacterian and Ranfan. However, Nam is a genuine martial artist who is motivated by a pure heart and an altruistic desire to save his barren village. Nam’s story really resonates with Goku and the two team up in a filler episode after the World Tournament. Nam’s martial arts promise and strong ideals make him a character who would be fun to explore in a new story.
It’s worth pointing out that Nam does briefly appear in both Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT where he contributes to Goku’s Super Spirit Bomb and gets rescued by Goku during the planet’s mass exodus. However, he hasn’t been seen since his Dragon Ball GT appearance and a new role for him seems increasingly unlikely, especially since Uub shares many of the same qualities as Nam and has come to the forefront instead.
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8 Android 8 Is A Compassionate Killing Machine Who Longs For More
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 38, “Five Murasakis”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 62, “The Ninja Split!”
Evil Androids have been a constant threat in Dragon Ball and while this idea really gains traction in Dragon Ball Z, it’s first explored in the original anime. Android 8 is originally unleashed on Goku by Ninja Murasaki during the young boy’s infiltration of the Red Ribbon Army. Curiously, Android 8 and Goku form an endearing bond and a legitimate friendship forms between the two of them. Android 8 lives in fear that the bomb that’s implanted in his chest will be detonated at some point, so Goku aids “Eighter” to reunite with his creator, Dr. Flappe, to remove the volatile explosive. Dragon Ball Z‘s Android 16 certainly seems to share a lot in common with Android 8 in terms of them both being pacifistic Androids who are still capable of intense rage and violence when they’re pushed past their limits.
Android 8, much like Nam, has some gratifying cameos in both Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT. It’s sweet to know that Android 8 is still alive and well in Jingle Village, but this also makes it all the more frustrating that he hasn’t made a proper return in Dragon Ball Super. Androids are particularly popular in Dragon Ball Super, especially after Gamma 1 and Dr. Hedo’s integration into the team. It’s never been a more appropriate time to remind audiences that Android 8 exists.
7 Tambourine Is The Deadliest & Most Determined Of Demon King Piccolo’s Dark Vassals
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 102, “Enter King Piccolo”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 135, “The Death Of Kuririn”
Dragon Ball‘s Demon King Piccolo is a terrifying threat that’s unlike anything that’s been encountered before. King Piccolo is more than capable of handling situations on his own, but he begins his hostile takeover through the malevolent actions of his Dark Vassal Mutant Namekians. Tambourine is the most capable and dangerous of the group and he assassinates many of the World Tournament’s top fighters — including Krillin — to prevent any possible opposition to his leader. A particularly strenuous battle plays out between Tambourine and Goku.
Tambourine actually destroys Goku’s Flying Nimbus and leaves him for dead, before Goku triumphantly kills him in their emotional rematch. None of Demon King Piccolo’s Dark Vassals have returned in Dragon Ball and they likely never will. The closest case of this is when Krillin sees an illusion of Tambourine — along with other past villains who have personally wronged Krillin — during his Forest of Terror training with Goku in Dragon Ball Super. This was a big surprise and likely the last time that Tambourine will be seen. Piccolo, like his father, presumably has Dark Vassal creation powers and it might be possible to birth a new version of Tambourine, albeit one who is an ally to the heroes this time.
6 Monster Carrot Is Pure Absurdity & Someone Who Possesses A Deeply Dangerous Power
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 9, “Boss Rabbit’s Magic Touch”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 17, “Carrot Top”
The original Dragon Ball has a wide array of truly odd individuals and one of the anime’s most peculiar figures – Monster Carrot and his Rabbit Mob – are introduced quite early in Dragon Ball’s run. Monster Carrot is a giant anthropomorphic rabbit who has the ability to turn people into carrots with his touch. He uses this disturbing ability to terrorize an entire community so that they will carry out his bidding. Goku’s battle against Monster Carrot results in the tyrant getting stranded on the moon, which seems like a solid enough conclusion to the villain’s story, not to mention a resolution that pays tribute to a traditional Chinese fairy tale.
Monster Carrot has such potential and has been creatively utilized in Dragon Ball video games, but he’s failed to ever take on an active role in the anime or manga following his galactic banishment. Monster Carrot does actually make a surprise cameo in the Dragon Ball Super manga’s Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga where he’s still toiling away on the moon. This amounts to a fun Easter Egg more than a true return, but it’s also probably the last time that the character will be seen. Monster Carrot fans are lucky they even got this playful cameo at all.
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5 Annin Is A Powerful Other World Arbiter Who Helps Maintain Demonic Balance
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 151, “Mystery Of The Dark World”; Manga Debut: N/A
The original Dragon Ball concludes with a few eventful filler episodes that test Goku and Chi-Chi’s talents as a team and couple. They head to the Furnace of the Eight Divisions in order to extinguish Fire Mountain’s intense flames that threaten Ox-King and his village. Annin is the Furnace of the Eight Divisions’ guardian, which means that she’s in control of the flames that prevent demons from Other World recklessly traveling to Earth. Snuffing these flames, even for a moment, would put Earth in serious danger.
Goku is forced to take on Annin in battle, which becomes a worthy opportunity to showcase the Bansho Fan’s power, especially once Annin transforms into a giant who tries to crush Goku. Annin is never mentioned again following this appearance. This is unfortunate, since Dragon Ball‘s relationship with Other World has only evolved over time. Annin may be a filler character, but she’d fit in well with the four Kai. Her appearance in Dragon Ball DAIMA wouldn’t even be questioned, considering her background and history. There are very few female villains in Dragon Ball and there’s a lot that could have been done with Annin if the franchise ever gave her another shot.
4 Grandpa Gohan Is A Sage Guardian Who Helped Put Goku On The Right Path In Life
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 73, “The Devilmite Beam”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 103, “The Power Of Goku”
Grandpa Gohan, Goku’s guardian, is out of the picture when Dragon Ball begins. However, Goku carries tremendous respect for this surrogate family figure. Grandpa Gohan helped inspire Goku to become a martial artist in the first place, gifted him the Four-Star Dragon Ball, and was the former owner of the versatile Power Pole. Grandpa Gohan was also a former student of Master Roshi, which becomes a valuable shortcut for Goku when it comes to getting into Roshi’s good graces. Grandpa Gohan – or rather, his ghost – makes a surprise appearance as the final fighter in Fortuneteller Baba’s Tournament.
An extremely cathartic reunion takes place between Goku and Grandpa Gohan before he’s forced to return to Other World. Grandpa Gohan is visited by Goku and Chi-Chi one more time during Dragon Ball’s concluding episodes. It’s rather odd that Grandpa Gohan doesn’t appear again, especially once Goku himself is in Other World for many years. The Dragon Balls could also conceivably be used to resurrect Gohan, since he didn’t die of natural causes. It seems like Dragon Ball wants to keep Grandpa Gohan’s memory sacred, rather than run the risk of diluting the character’s poignancy. Nevertheless, it’s too bad that Gohan will never get to meet any of Goku’s children or grandchildren.
3 Giran Is A Monstrous Beast Who Is Surprisingly Strategic
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 21, “Smells Like Trouble”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 35, “The Battle Is Set!!”
Dragon Ball’s 21st World Martial Arts Tournament is a worthwhile opportunity for the anime to introduce some truly heightened characters. Goku faces some powerful threats during his first martial arts competition and Giran is a particularly memorable conquest. Giran stands out because he’s a kaiju-like dinosaur creature who looks particularly imposing. Giran is physically intimidating, but he’s also quite intelligent, strategic, and has some resilient special techniques at his disposal.
Giran appears in a few episodes outside his martial arts match with Goku, but his presence is largely limited to the original Dragon Ball. It’s genuinely surprising when Giran, along with a herd of his own kind, pledge energy to Goku’s Super Spirit Bomb during his battle against Kid Buu. Giran is an anomaly when he’s introduced, but Dragon Ball has become progressively bolder and more adventurous over time. A dinosaur beast doesn’t have the same cache that it once did, which is why this character is likely extinct.
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2 Master Shen Is A Twisted Martial Artist Who Harbors An Eternal Grudge Against Master Roshi
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 82, “The Rampage Of InoShikaCho”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 113, “Return To The Tournament”
Some of the original Dragon Ball’s strongest material comes out of the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament, which gives an extended focus on Master Shen’s wicked rival martial arts school, the Crane School of Martial Arts. Master Shen’s top students, Tien and Chiaotzu, are introduced as dark doubles to Goku and Krillin, but this concept carries over to Master Shen himself. Shen has a complicated history with Master Roshi where they started as friends, only for this relationship to fester and pull them in opposite directions. Shen is also the brother of Mercenary Tao, another especially antagonistic force in the original Dragon Ball.
Cyborg Tao makes an entertaining return in a Dragon Ball Z filler episode that’s set during the lead up to the Cell Games. However, Shen doesn’t receive the same treatment and it’s basically implied that he’s died offscreen. The closest that Dragon Ball has come to a Shen comeback is when one of Tien’s students, Yurin, reveals that she’s indebted to Shen’s philosophy and eager to get revenge for Tien’s role in the martial arts master’s end. It wouldn’t be difficult for someone – even Yurin – to revive Shen with the Dragon Balls to create further tension with Roshi. That being said, Dragon Ball appears to have moved past this character.
1 Demon King Piccolo Is A Breakout Villain Who Forever Changes Dragon Ball’s Scope
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 102, “Enter King Piccolo”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 135, “The Death Of Kuririn”
The original Dragon Ball has its share of unscrupulous individuals, but they’re largely corrupt humans with impressive martial arts skills. Demon King Piccolo is a major change of pace in the sense that he’s an antagonist who is a genuine monster. He helps usher in unprecedented peril and plays a hand in many heroes’ deaths, including Krillin, Master Roshi, and Chiaotzu. Demon King Piccolo also stands out because he’s the first villain who successfully makes a Dragon Ball wish and becomes more powerful. These are all important precedents for the anime that have been endlessly followed by subsequent enemies. Demon King Piccolo is succeeded by his reincarnated offspring, Piccolo Jr., but the original enemy has yet to truly return.
Dragon Ball Super has become increasingly interested in the resurrection of old villains, which prompted some speculation that King Piccolo could be next. Some even believed that Dragon Ball DAIMA would find a way to bring back King Piccolo, which has actually led to an even more sinister Namekian counterpart, Neva. A reunion between Demon King Piccolo and his heroic son would be incredibly compelling, but it’s unlikely to ever take place in the franchise’s canon. Dragon Ball fans will instead need to turn to video games like Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 to explore this “What If?” scenario.
Dragon Ball
Son Gokû, a fighter with a monkey tail, goes on a quest with an assortment of odd characters in search of the Dragon Balls, a set of crystals that can give its bearer anything they desire.
- Release Date
- February 26, 1986
- Creator(s)
- Akira Toriyama
- Cast
- Masako Nozawa , Jôji Yanami , Tôru Furuya , Mayumi Tanaka , Hiromi Tsuru , Naoko Watanabe , Kôhei Miyauchi
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Creator
- Writers
- Akira Toriyama
- Directors
- Minoru Okazaki , Daisuke Nishio
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