Dragon Ball is one of the most popular anime of all time, with fans loving this show so much that even the filler is iconic in its own right. This is evident in the numerous anime-original characters who have gained relevance in their own right.
Dragon Ball: Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta And 6 Other Characters The Series Needs To Bring Back
The universe of Dragon Ball is rich with incredible characters, especially those in the non-canon, so let's see who needs to come back!
From impostors to anime-only villains, Dragon Ball is no stranger to original anime characters. Thankfully, unlike other shows where these filler characters are largely ignored, some of Dragon Ball's anime-only characters are far from forgettable.
Zaacro & Raiti
The Fake Namekians Who Try To Dupe Bulma, Gohan, & Krillin
- Debut: Look Out Below (Episode 41 of Dragon Ball Z)
In the anime, Gohan, Krillin, and Bulma faced some issues before reaching Namek. The most notable side adventure of the lot was when the gang ended up landing on a fake version of Namek.
Two shapeshifting aliens, Zaacro and Raiti, aimed to leave them stranded here by pretending to be Namekians and leading them on a wild goose chase for fake Dragon Balls. However, it didn't take long for their treachery to be revealed, and they were promptly defeated before the gang made their way to the real Namek.
Princess Snake
Tries To Woo Goku With Her Charms While He's Traversing Snake Way
- Debut: Princess Snake (Episode 14 of Dragon Ball Z)
Princess Snake is one of the more interesting anime-only characters, appearing during Goku's infamously long trek across Snake Way. He heads to her castle and has his fill of food, but has to ultimately escape when he refuses to become Princess Snake's husband.
This prompts the villain to reveal her true form and transform into a giant snake that terrorizes. Instead of beating this foe to a pulp, Goku flies around haphazardly and gets her all twisted up in a knot, leading to a non-violent conclusion to this hilarious side adventure.
Copy Vegeta
Serves As A Fun Filler Enemy For Goku To Handle
- Debut: The Seal of Planet Pot-au-feu Secrets of the Unleashed Superhuman Water! (Episode 44 of Dragon Ball Super)
Dragon Ball Super has its fair share of filler, with one particular arc letting players witness a somewhat serious version of Goku and Vegeta's rematch. While Copy Vegeta was far from a perfect replica of this proud Saiyan warrior, the alien that stole his powers definitely made this arc worth watching.
Dragon Ball: 13 Characters Goku Has Never Beaten
Goku is arguably the most powerful character in the Dragon Ball universe, but there are several characters that he has never defeated.
It helped that the voice actor of the Ocean Group dub for DBZ, Brian Drummond, came back to voice this character in a nice callback. Given his "It's over 9000!" Line and how popular it became, it was nice to see Funimation give this legendary voice actor the respect he deserves.
Goz & Mez
The Two Ogres In Charge Of HFIL
- Debut: Goz and Mez (Episode 13 of Dragon Ball Z)
Goku's filler adventures on Snake Way were plentiful but fun to witness in their own right. Despite being told not to fall off Snake Way, Goku does exactly that and falls off, landing in Hell.
Censorship led to this place being renamed Home For Infinite Losers (or HFIL, for short), with Goz and Mez being the two ogres who managed this realm. They tried to stop Goku from escaping after he landed in this realm, but he managed to escape... Although he still had to start this journey from the very beginning of Snake Way.
Grand Kai
An Old Rockstar Who Oversees The Operations Of The Kais
- Debut: Warriors of the Dead (Episode 195 of Dragon Ball Z)
The Other World Tournament is one of the most beloved fillers in Dragon Ball Z. It does a great job of enhancing the series' worldbuilding by building up on the world of the Kais and letting fans see what these overlords do in their spare time.
Along with the introduction of the other Kais (which made it easy to call back to them during the Buu Saga), the show also introduced Grand Kai. This deity ruled over all the Kais, so it was amusing to see that he was pretty much an old rockstar with a jovial attitude who was easily one of the more entertaining characters during this arc.
Maron
Krillin's Girlfriend Who's As Ditzy And Airheaded As They Come
- Debut: The Heavens Tremble (Episode 108 of Dragon Ball Z)
After the events of the Namek Saga, it turned out that Krillin had wooed a girlfriend named Maron. However, she was pretty empty-headed and didn't seem like the greatest match for Krillin.
Dragon Ball: 8 Strong Characters Who Overpowered Goku, Ranked
Even if Goku has won the majority of his battles, there has been quite a few opponents that had the upper hand against him for awhile.
He was in two minds about breaking up with her, but Maron had no problem ending this relationship and going away with a stud in no time. It was a hilarious end to Krillin's relationship, and fans can't feel too bad for him, given that he found his soulmate during the Android Saga.
Pikkon
Goku's Toughest Opponent During The Other World Tournament
- Debut: Warriors of the Dead (Episode 195 of Dragon Ball Z)
Pikkon is another great character introduced during the Other World Tournament. He looked like a Namekian but was from a different race and boasted a ton of power.
This made for a tantalizing matchup between the duo, as Goku and Pikkon met in the finals and tore it up with their moves. However, it was clear that the Saiyan's power was in a class of its own, and he won after a closely fought contest.
Cooler
Frieza's Brother Is No Joke
- Debut: Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge
Out of all the original villains in the Dragon Ball Z movies, most people consider Cooler to be the most iconic of the lot. After all, the fact that he's Frieza's brother should make it clear why he was such a tantalizing villain.
He pushes Goku to his very limit in their first encounter before he turns Super Saiyan and makes quick work of Cooler. He appears later in his mecha form, and it's a shame that Cooler doesn't seem like an interesting threat this time around.
- Created by
- Akira Toriyama
- First TV Show
- Dragon Ball
- Latest TV Show
- Dragon Ball DAIMA
- Upcoming TV Shows
- Dragon Ball DAIMA
- First Episode Air Date
- February 26, 1986
- TV Show(s)
- Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball DAIMA