Power Unleashed: Ranking the 10 Most Dominant Characters in Dragon Ball Z

Prepare your Scouter devices, as we are about to rank the top 10 most formidable characters in Dragon Ball Z.

As one of the most popular anime series worldwide, Dragon Ball Z has captivated audiences both old and new with its incredibly powerful characters. The introduction of "Power Levels," a numerical system to gauge a character's strength, added a dangerous element to the show.

Most powerful characters in Dragon Ball Z ranked

Our main focus will be on ranking the most powerful characters from Dragon Ball Z alone, with no inclusion of movie or extended universe characters. Otherwise, Broly would overshadow everyone else.

10. Krillin

Ranked last is the most powerful human on Earth, who has officially earned that title - the vertically challenged Krillin. As one of the few definitive humans in the Z Warriors, Krillin is a fan favorite for keeping the fights grounded. Despite death having little consequence by the end of the series, Krillin’s involvement adds real stakes to any situation where Goku isn’t present.

Krillin’s placement on this list is more of an honorable mention than anything else. Despite not being powerful in a fight, Krillin consistently puts himself in harm’s way, knowing he doesn’t stand a chance, in order to help the hero. This alone earns him a spot on this list.

9. Frieza

Taking the ninth spot is the iconic villain of the entire Dragon Ball series, Frieza. Dragon Ball Z took a bold step by incorporating science-fiction elements into its storyline, unlike the more grounded original Dragon Ball. The inclusion of an alien intergalactic overlord with a lethal yet sassy personality paid off, delivering some of the best action in the Dragon Ball series.

Frieza's impact on the Namek Saga is unparalleled, with the entire cast forced to evade and hide from his overwhelming power. When they do catch his attention, Frieza delegates forces nearly as formidable as himself to handle them. Frieza's role in pushing Goku to transform into a Super Saiyan by killing Krillin and the heroes fulfilling an ancient alien prophecy to stand a chance against him cannot be overlooked.

8. Piccolo

Next up is the beloved green alien known as Piccolo, named after a woodwind instrument. His transformation from one of the biggest Dragon Ball villains to one of Goku's strongest allies and Gohan's adoptive father in Z is a dramatic change. With an iconic attack repertoire that rivals only the main character, Piccolo's power is undeniable.

However, Piccolo has a tendency to be sidelined whenever he gains a power boost. After fusing with Nail on Namek, he is outmatched by Frieza's forms. Similarly, fusing with Kami on Earth gives him a chance against the Androids, but he falls short when Cell appears. Nonetheless, Piccolo has rightfully earned his place in the Dragon Ball universe.

7. The Androids

The inclusion of Androids 16, 17, and 18 in the same rank may be perceived as cheating, but they are certainly a formidable force until the appearance of Cell. Notable moments include Android 18 putting Vegeta in his place, the standoff between Android 17 and Piccolo, and Android 16's defense of the pair against Cell. The Android Saga was marked by considerable editor interference, resulting in frequent changes in the main villain. Despite their brief appearance and the overshadowing presence of Cell, the Androids decisively defeated the Z warriors, even with time to prepare.

6. Trunks

Trunks, the time-traveling son of Vegeta and Bulma, is a prominent figure in the science-fiction realm. Making his presence known by defeating Mecha Frieza, he undoubtedly leaves a lasting impression. Despite his initial display of immense power, Trunks reveals a tendency to make mistakes from the very beginning. While he provides a much-needed boost to the Z Warriors, his inexperience in dealing with threats becomes evident as he struggles to measure up when faced with new challenges, such as the Androids and Perfect Cell.

5. Perfect Cell

In Dragon Ball Z, Cell, particularly in his perfect form, is regarded as one of the most formidable villains. A product of the DNA of the universe's strongest warriors, including Goku and Frieza, Cell's confidence leads him to organize a tournament to give Earth a chance at survival. It is speculated that his pride may stem from Vegeta's influence. Cell's arrogance is evident in his battles, as he barely exerts himself until Gohan's intervention forces him back into his semi-perfect form. Despite his defeat, Cell's undeniable power and memorable interactions with the heroes make him a fan-favorite antagonist.

4. Gohan

Ranked fourth on our list of most powerful characters, Gohan, the Super Saiyan bookworm, is typically reluctant to engage in fights due to his pacifist nature. However, at just 11 years old, he musters the strength to face Perfect Cell, relying on powerful bursts of rage to overcome his opponents. Despite rarely having the opportunity to showcase his abilities, Gohan's strength grows exponentially during the Android Saga, ultimately leading him to defeat Cell, the so-called perfect being, with ease.

3. Kid Buu

Buu’s final form, Kid Buu, terrifies every Z Warrior as this mindless, powerful fighter destroys Earth and pursues them to the Other World. Destruction ensues as Buu appears with a single goal - to finish the fight. No one could escape his wrath until Goku defeats him with the Spirit Bomb.

Kid Buu poses a unique threat in the Dragon Ball universe: while the other forms of Buu could be reasoned with, Kid Buu desires nothing but destruction. He has no desire for power or domination like other villains. Kid Buu's simplicity may make him a complex villain, but his sheer power cannot be denied.

2. Vegeta

Toei Animation

Vegeta, the prideful and powerful prince of all Saiyans, takes second place as a formidable threat in the world of Dragon Ball Z. Upon his arrival on Earth, he proves to be a formidable opponent for Goku, and although he is eventually defeated with the help of the Z Warriors, he continues to strive for victory in every battle. Despite facing setbacks, such as his defeat by Frieza on Namek, Vegeta continues to push himself to become stronger. Though he often finds himself trying to catch up to another Saiyan, Vegeta has had many moments where he stands on his own as a massive threat to his adversaries, making a lasting impression on both the in-universe and at-home audience, most notably in his Majin form.

1: Goku

It's no secret that Goku, the main character of the Dragon Ball franchise, faces immense challenges in almost every major fight he gets involved in, particularly in Dragon Ball Z. He didn't technically defeat Raditz and Vegeta, had to transform into a Super Saiyan to beat Frieza, and even called on Gohan for help against Cell. Despite struggling even at his most powerful in the Buu Saga, Goku's journey to becoming the most powerful character in Dragon Ball Z is earned through his unyielding commitment to getting stronger. Every punch, energy blast, and grueling training session contributes to his rise, and he only uses his immense strength to protect his home world, which is why he holds the title of the most powerful character in Dragon Ball Z.

Here are our rankings of the most powerful characters in Dragon Ball Z. Did we miss your favorite character that you think deserves a spot, like Yamcha? Anyway, all Dragon Ball fans will want to know everything they can about the upcoming series Dragon Ball Daima following a story leak. If you’re looking forward to the next big Dragon Ball game, you may be interested in the massive roster leak from Dragon Ball Sparking Zero.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I grew up watching Dragon Ball Z and it holds a special place in my heart. The power rankings in the article bring back nostalgic memories of intense battles and iconic characters. Seeing Krillin, the vertically challenged human, ranked last is both amusing and heartwarming. His unwavering loyalty and willingness to sacrifice himself for the greater good make him a true fan favorite.

The inclusion of Frieza as the ninth most dominant character is well-deserved. His impact on the Namek Saga was truly remarkable, showcasing his overwhelming power and ruthless nature. The moment when Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan after Frieza kills Krillin is one of the most iconic scenes in anime history. Frieza's role in pushing Goku to new heights cannot be overstated.