It’s no secret that Dragon Ball is a series that’s absolutely packed with characters who are not just extremely powerful, but strong enough to destroy entire planets with a single attack. Goku is often front and center in terms of Dragon Ball’s strongest characters, but it’s not as if he just conveniently fell into this remarkable strength. Granted, Goku benefits from his Saiyan DNA, but so many of his gains in life result from rigorous training under accomplished martial artists.
Training has helped Goku learn some of his most powerful moves, while also teaching him valuable lessons about his body, energy, and balance. Characters can surpass their limits and reach unbelievable heights when they properly commit to training. Frieza has even emerged from a decade-long training session that resulted in his intimidating Black Frieza transformation. There are other powerful characters who would no doubt reach Goku’s level and become comparable allies if they just focused more on training and made it their priority.
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10 OG Dragon Ball Characters Who’d Be As Strong As A Super Saiyan if They Kept Training
The original Dragon Ball is full of strong fighters like Chi-Chi, Tien, and Master Roshi who had the potential to be relevant if they kept training.
10
Majin Duu Seems To Prefer Snacks & Chaos Over Training Exercises
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball DAIMA, Episode 11, “Legend”; Manga Debut: N/A
Dragon Ball DAIMA has found some clever ways to return to classic Dragon Ball Z concepts, albeit in a new light. Dr. Arinsu reveals she retained Majin Buu fragments, which she uses in some dark Demon rituals to create Majin Kuu and Majin Duu. Neither of these two powerful creations seems interested in fighting, let alone training. They’re merely carrying out Dr. Arinsu’s orders to obtain the Dragon Balls.
Majin Duu is the stronger of the two and someone who might actually challenge Dragon Ball DAIMA’s heroes based on his performance against Tamagami Number One. Majin Duu would rather spend his spare time is filled with snack runs and afternoon naps. He’s not obsessed with becoming stronger and surpassing his limits. That being said, a little training — and a lot of chocolate — could actually give Majin Duu the advantage against Dragon Ball DAIMA’s Goku.
9
Goten & Trunks’ Care-Free Teen Years Led To Gotenks’ Regression
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 251, “Gotenks Is Born”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 286 (Dragon Ball Chapter 480), “The Fusion Succeeds…?!”
Dragon Ball Z sets Goten and Trunks up as Earth’s future heroes who won’t just carry on Goku and Vegeta’s legacies, but also build upon them. Gotenks — the Metamoran fusion between Goten and Trunks — is one of Dragon Ball Z’s strongest characters and one of the biggest assets against Buu. This makes Gotenks’ regression in Dragon Ball Super even more disappointing. Gotenks barely shows up and when he does, he’s often presented as a gag character. It’s actually been quite a while since Goten and Trunks have even successfully fused.
There’s nothing wrong with Goten and Trunks wanting to enjoy their teen years and relax a little. It’s a trajectory that’s comparable to Gohan’s life. However, there’s no denying that Gotenks could reach truly impressive heights if he seriously trained under Gohan, Goku, or Vegeta. Gotenks is one of the few characters who can become a Super Saiyan 3, so it’s interesting to consider if a properly trained teen Gotenks will reach Super Saiyan God status or tap into some other tier of Saiyan strength.
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Training arcs are a shonen staple and cliché that some fans find boring and ruin the pacing of a show. However, some of them are necessary evils.
8
Universe 6’s Caulifla Can Easily Access Super Saiyan Status
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Episode 88, “Gohan And Piccolo Master And Pupil Clash In Max Training!”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 32, “The Super Warriors Gather! Part 2”
Dragon Ball Super’s exploration of a multiverse has plenty of perks, but one of its greatest developments is that Universe 6 still has a thriving Saiyan population. Cabba, Caulifla, and Kale aren’t used to combat like Universe 7’s Saiyans, but they all easily ascend to Super Saiyan status after the principle is broken down to them. All three Universe 6 Saiyans show incredible promise, but Caulifla nearly reaches Super Saiyan 3 status on a whim.
She’s a character who will definitely achieve great things and her fused form with Kale — Kefla — can hold back Ultra Instinct Goku, which is no small feat. Caulifla’s future is left hanging. If Caulifla views her performance in the Tournament of Power as an opportunity to grow, then it’s possible that she’s committed herself to intense training so that she’ll beat Goku during a rematch. Caulifla has proven she has the natural talents that are necessary here, so she just needs to develop the right training regimen.
7
Android 17’s Inherent Abilities Have Conditioned Him To Be In Peak Shape
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 133, “Nightmare Comes True”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 155 (Dragon Ball Chapter 349), “The Androids Awake!”
Dragon Ball’s Androids are interesting individuals who continue to gain greater depth with each new series. Android 17 and 18 are fortunate enough to have “infinite energy” so they don’t get tired and lose stamina as a battle continues. Their ki also can’t be sensed, which makes it harder to gauge their full strength, while it also facilitates an element of surprise, since it’s harder to detect them. It’s this detail that actually helps Android 17 win the Tournament of Power in Dragon Ball Super.
Android 17 is naturally powerful and the simple life that he’s built for himself doesn’t seem to consist of much training. Android 18 at least takes part in martial arts tournaments and helps in fights, but Android 17 has been working as a ranger and building a family. Despite all this, Android 17 is still extremely strong. One wonders what might be possible if Android 17 added training to his routine. He may not become physically stronger, but he could develop new techniques.
6
Cell Was a Killing Machine Made With the DNA of Earth’s Greatest Heroes
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 141, “The Reunion”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 166 (Dragon Ball Chapter 360), “Kami-Sama And The Demon King Become One”
Cell is an exciting villain who is a worthy follow-up to Frieza and the right way to heighten Dragon Ball Z’s stakes. Cell’s transformations are handled differently than Frieza’s, but even beyond these forms are the many advantages that Cell gains because of his DNA. Dr. Gero programmed Cell with DNA from Earth’s strongest heroes, which allows him to turn their signature attacks back on them. Piccolo’s regeneration power becomes advantageous to Cell, but the Saiyans’ genetic material would also benefit Cell during training sessions. Cell would also presumably experience the Saiyans’ zenkai boosts, so he can become increasingly powerful, as long as he doesn’t die.
The self-destruct trick he uses on Goku might even be used on other people in order to gain their DNA — and skills — too. Dragon Ball has continually brought back Frieza and even temporarily made him an ally during the Tournament of Power. Cell is a character who could really do some damage if he’s brought back into the mix and loses himself in training. Frieza’s Golden and Black forms are nothing compared to what Cell could ascend to, thanks to his eclectic DNA composition.
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5
Uub Is Destined For Greatness & Goku’s Student
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 289, “Granddaughter Pan”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 324 (Dragon Ball Chapter 518), “10 Years After”
Time-skips are par for the course in Dragon Ball, but Kid Buu’s defeat is followed by a bold ten-year time-jump that operates like a low-key epilogue. Goku and company reunite at the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament, where Goku identifies a young boy with overwhelming power and a ki signature that’s the same as Buu.
Goku realizes Uub is Kid Buu’s pure-hearted reincarnation, and he becomes elated to train with such a powerful pupil who can actually keep up with him. This is the note that Dragon Ball Z concludes on, and it certainly seems like Uub could defeat Goku after steady training — especially if it’s from Goku — if he can already keep up at ten years old with Goku’s base form. Uub will hopefully understand the value of training and take Goku’s lessons to heart.
4
Pikkon Is Left To Patrol Other World & Keep The Realm Safe From Evil
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 195, “Warriors Of The Dead”; Manga Debut: N/A
Dragon Ball Z’s Other World Tournament may not be canon, but Pikkon is easily one of the best anime-exclusive characters. Like many of Goku’s best friends, he first meets Pikkon in the tournament arena. A kinship is formed between the two of them and Pikkon has continued to help keep evil forces at bay whenever trouble brews in Other World. Very little is known about Pikkon’s past and training habits.
He likely trained to some extent for the Other World Tournament, but his use of weighted clothing also indicates a more extreme routine. Pikkon is surely not averse to training, but he doesn’t seem to be nearly as committed as Goku, nor is West Kai the best mentor. Casual battles against uprising dead people won’t push Pikkon to new heights. His attacks are so versatile and his strength is already so impressive that it wouldn’t be difficult for him to push past Goku’s power if he trained.
3
Gohan Doesn’t Give His Incredible Power The Attention it Deserves
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 1, “The New Threat”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 2 (Dragon Ball Chapter 196), “Kakarrot”
Dragon Ball Z, right from its start, has given the impression that Goku’s greatest gift is actually his son — Gohan — and that he’ll eventually pass the heroic torch to him. Gohan fulfills this destiny, and he’s unquestionably one of Dragon Ball’s most impressive characters. Gohan is exceptional when his emotions get the best of him or when he’s pushed into rigorous training by mentors like Piccolo and Goku. However, this has become more uncommon in the later years of Gohan’s life. Gohan is great in a training setting, but it seems like it needs to be forced upon him.
Left to his own devices, Gohan is content to relish life’s simple pleasures and spend time with his family. Gohan’s recent Beast mode metamorphosis and his ability to easily match True Ultra Instinct Goku’s strength are reminders of what’s possible when he’s properly focused. The emergence of Gohan Beast and the looming threat of Black Frieza will hopefully push Gohan back into a more dedicated training setting because it seems like he’s only scratched the surface of what’s possible in Beast mode.
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2
Pan Comes From A Long Line Of Saiyan Prodigies
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 289, “Granddaughter Pan”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 324 (Dragon Ball Chapter 518), “10 Years After”
Pan, Gohan’s daughter and Goku’s granddaughter, gets a substantial showcase in Dragon Ball GT where she’s a main character. Oddly enough, many of Pan’s best moments come from her preschooler activities in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. Pan is only three in Super Hero, but she’s learned a lot from Piccolo and effortlessly handles herself against generic Red Ribbon lackeys. Pan benefits from her powerful bloodline.
There’s also the potential for Pan to be the strongest character of all, based on how much stronger Gohan was than Goku. However, this potential needs to be encouraged and fostered. Without training, Pan would still be powerful, but unlikely to beat Goku. A version of Pan who continues at the pace that she’s currently at is on track to become the series’ youngest Super Saiyan and someone who will easily surpass Goku.
1
Future Trunks’ Power Comes From Survival and Not Ambition
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 119, “The Mysterious Youth”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 136 (Dragon Ball Chapter 330), “The Coming Of King Cold”
Future Trunks is only present in two major storylines between Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, yet he’s still a fan-favorite figure who audiences love to see in action. Future Trunks is a conflicted character who has one of the most tragic pasts in all of Dragon Ball. Important periods in Future Trunks’ life were marked by training, but this was for survival rather than any real enjoyment of martial arts and training.
Future Trunks has lived such a hardened, lonely life that it’s left him grateful to be alive. It would only take a few sessions in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber with Vegeta for Future Trunks to top Goku’s talents. Future Trunks’ spontaneous Super Saiyan Rage and subsequent Sword of Hope techniques are a glimpse of what he’s capable of, but he can go even further.
Dragon Ball
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- First Film
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Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
- Latest Film
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Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Summary
Dragon Ball is the labor of writer/illustrator Akira Toriyama, beginning with Dragon Ball back in 1984. The series originally started as a serialized manga back in Weekly Shonen Jump for nearly a decade until it expanded into the anime franchises it is most known for today. Dragon Ball was later adapted into two animes, with one being Dragon Ball Z, the most universally known series in the entire Dragon Ball canon. The franchise has continued to expand lore via films, video games, and additional sequel TV series, such as the more recent Dragon Ball Super and Super Dragon Ball Heroes. Dragon Ball centers mostly around Son Goku, a being known as a Saiyan, and his friends as they face off against intergalactic threats and seek out the titular dragon balls. When all seven of these balls are collected, they can be used to summon a legendary dragon that can grant the wishes of whoever so gathers them. The Dragon Ball franchise continues to be one of the most well-known and beloved animes of all time, with over forty different countries airing it, and has had a tremendous impact on Western culture as a whole.
