Dragon Ballhas given audiences plenty of superhuman fighters over the years. Between the countless warriors introduce in the shows and manga runs, it’s tough to narrow down the most accomplished. Finding the best of the best is difficult even among the handful of series mainstays, as they all have their own unique attacks and fighting styles to help them excel in any arena.
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However, amidst the endless struggles, a few characters have emerged as particularly powerful. They have repeatedly proven themselves in battle and gone beyond the limits they once had. These combatants deserve their place as Earth’s greatest heroes. Whenever the planet is threatened, you know who to call.
Updated June 04, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:Dragon Ball features some of the most iconic anime characters of all time. The fighters in this show put it all on the line to defeat massive threats and save the planet — and, later on, the entire universe — time and time again. These characters are a huge reason why the show is so popular, with the so-called Dragon Team playing their part in being saviors multiple times throughout Dragon Ball’s numerous series. There are the strongest members of the Dragon Team, or the most powerful Z Fighters, as they are also known by some.
15Chiaotzu
Chiaotzu’s most memorable moment comes during the Saiyan Saga, in which he sacrifices himself in a bid to defeat Nappa. However, this attack is ultimately meaningless, withthe Saiyan staying alive.
Past this point, Chaiotzu hasn’t really played a major role in the plot at all. He’s been relegated to a side role, with other fighters talking center-stage instead.
14Yamcha
Yamcha has become the butt of all jokes inDragon Ball. He was a decent fighter at one point, but a lack of sufficient powerups has turned him into a complete tool whose weakness is used for comedic purposes.
The fact that he wasn’t even chosen to represent Universe 7 during the Tournament of Power arc shows just how weak he has become. He’s nothing more than a shadow of his former self, which wasn’t really all that great, to begin with.
13Master Roshi
The Turtle Hermit was hailed as one of the world’s greatest martial artists in his day. Althoughhis students have long since surpassed him, Roshi is still no slouch. This is especially the case once he starts training again.
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Pumped up to full power, he can go toe-to-toe with the best in the Multiverse. Couple this with immense knowledge of his craft, and he’s a fighter well worthy of the title “Invincible Old Master.” The only downside is his lack of stamina. During his short bursts, though, he gives the younger generations a real run for their money.
12Krillin
What sets Krillin apart is his ingenuity. The former monkhas grown into a powerful martial artist, especially by human standards, but the more otherworldly fighters frequently leave him in the dust.
However, that works to his advantage, as no one expects much from the little bald guy. This enables him to use strategy and sneak attacks: skills he’s well-versed in at this point. One can’t rely on brute strength alone. Krillin knows that better than any Z-fighter. Sometimes, the more cunning warrior is the more effective.
11Tien
The three-eyed warrior lives for martial arts, trained from childhood at the Crane School. Even after he shed his master’s hateful influence, Tien maintained his studies. He’s one of the few characters to practice during peacetime, making him far stronger than the average human.
On top of sheer power, Tien’s training has granted him several mysterious and bizarre abilities that most martial artists only dream of. In the end, this only enhances his gifts of precision during combat. He may have beenpushed to the background in later years, but that doesn’t mean you should underestimate him.
10Android 18
As a cyborg, Android 18 would doubtless be a sturdy opponent. She immediately proves her strength by easily beating a couple of Super Saiyans, a level previously thought to be the absolute pinnacle of power.
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However, this flight also showcases a more essential perk: her limitless energy. Nothing outlasts the android battery, and that can be a tremendous boon in the heat of battle. 18 doesn’t have to let up or worry about conserving power. She can overwhelm her enemy with a limitless barrage of blasts. It’s easy to see how she and 17 took over the world in an alternate timeline.
9Goten
Goku’s youngest son has shown a ton of potential in battle time and time again. He might seem a bit too naive and innocent at times, but he can definitely get serious when the situation calls for it.
For the most part, Goten has played a major role in the series as the fused fighter, Gotenks. However, there’s always a chance that this character can grow into his own as a solo fighter too!
8Trunks
Along with Goten, Trunks from the main timeline is another character who flourishes best in a fused role. He’s nowhere near as powerful as his Future counterpart, who has seen a ton of strife in his timeline.
Hopefully, Trunks gets his time to shine at some point inDragon Ball Super. Until this becomes a reality, the character will be nothing more than Goten’s rebel buddy.
7Majin Buu
From his inception, Buu has been one of the more unorthodox fighters in Toriyama’s roster, and that comes across in his fighting style. He spends most of the battle stretching his body and bouncing around.
This would ordinarily be just an annoyance, but this pink blob packs a big punch. His playful antics can flatten anyone in their path, but his true strength comes with rage. If he blows his stack, his frenzied assault is relentless and nearly impossible to counter. Once the ball of Buu gets rolling, few things can stop it (except candy or a nap).
6Android 17
Android 17 was absent from the series for the longest time. However, Dr. Gero’s creation makes a return inDragon Ball Superwhen Goku decides to recruit more fighters for the Tournament of Power.
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He shows just how much his power has grown during the time in which he was absent. His appearance also takes care of a plot hole that arose after Android 18 became a part of the main cast while her brother was relegated to the sidelines for no apparant reason.
