Goku is arguably the most iconic hero in anime, and evenDragon Ball’s biggest haters are likely to agree. Much of the medium’s success outside of Japan can be tracked back to the kind-hearted, goofy, and easy-to-root-for Saiyan,and he continues to open the door for new anime fans with shows and games every year.
However, it isn’t just Goku that makesDragon Ballso special. Though he may be the series protagonist and more often than not will claim victory over most major villains, Goku is only a small part of the magic on display. Not only doesDragon Ballboast an iconic hero, butits entire cast is packed with recognizable faces, and each member is responsible for making the series the classic it is.
Dragon Ball’s Greatest Strength Is Its Wide Cast of Characters
Goku’s Friends and Family Help to Make Dragon Ball Special
Goku’s feats of strength speak for themselves. He is almost always the first to achieve some new transformation or level of strength, and is nearly guaranteed to be the final man standing after a major confrontation. However, it’s rare that he’s able to claim victory with his efforts alone.
With the exception of the Namek Saga, in which the Saiyan first transformed and alone humiliated Frieza,Goku’s wins have come with major help from others. He would not have been able to defeat the Saiyans without Gohan, Krillin, and Yajirobe, while Vegeta and Mr. Satan did quite a bit of heavy lifting during the fight with Kid Buu.
Teamwork played a major role in most ofDragon Ball Super’s battles, especially during the Goku Black arc andthe Tournament of Power. Goku may be the most powerful of the series' main fighters, but without loved ones to turn into strength,he wouldn’t be half the fighter he is today.
Characters like Piccolo and Vegeta are responsible for some of themost interesting and compelling character arcs in the history of anime and manga, while a character like Krillin acts as the embodiment ofDragon Ball’s themes of friendship and the need for strength. Their roles in the biggest battles allow for diversity in the narrative, and helps to make them fan favorites despite their lack of firepower.
By allowing other characters to take turns in the spotlight,Dragon Ball’s world becomes just a bit bigger, and fans can become more invested in the events and conflicts that present themselves. Gohan made arguably the biggest contributions to Toriyama’s original story of the cast members that aren’t named Goku, and he eventook a turn as the main character himself.
Goku Once Gave Up His Role As Main Character
Dragon Ball’s Cast Is So Strong It Almost Gave Another Character the Main Character Job
Though Goku isDragon Ball’s protagonist,it can be argued that theDragon Ball Zportion of the series is Gohan’s story. The oldest child of the Son Family entered the series during the early portions of the Saiyan Saga, and was often placed in the spotlight when Goku was dead or away training.
His endless potential was made known early on, and was a plot line that often bubbled under the surface of the main story beat happening at any given time.That was until the Cell Saga rolled around, and suddenly one ofDragon Ball’s supporting cast members was thrust into the role of Earth’s protector. The gentle Gohan, who so effectively created intrigue earlier in the story,was strongly written enough to become the hero.
The passing of the torch that took place duringthe climactic Father-Son Kamehamehawas arguablyDragon Ball’s greatest moment, and the focus of the scene wasn’t Goku, but his son. A strong cast makes developments like these possible,and has led to fans keeping a variety of favorite characters. If anyone were to ask 10 differentDragon Ballfans who their favorite fighter was, it’s likely they’d get 10 different answers.
Goku might be anime’s most iconic villain, butDragon Ball’s supporting cast is what has taken the series to legendary status—and has allowed it to survive and thrive as long as it has.
Dragon Ball Superturned the majority of the focus back onto Goku and Vegeta,and ignored its supporting cast members throughout large sections of the series. Predictably, fans criticized that element, until 2022’sDragon Ball Super: Super Heroreturned Gohan and Piccolo to their former glory. The success of a film that features very little of the protagonist proves just how strongDragon Ball’s cast is.
Dragon Ball Super’s Final Arc Must Allow Other Characters to Shine
Teamwork Must Be the Focus Of Dragon Ball Super’s Final Arc
The future ofDragon Ball Superis uncertain since entering its lengthy hiatus after Akira Toriyama’s passing.Rumors of a return or cancellationhave swirled for well over a year, and no official word regarding the series has been given by its creators or Shueisha. Whenever the series returns, it’s likely to enter its final arc,and it would be smart for Toyotarou to feature its wide cast prominently.
Goku, Gohan, Piccolo, Vegeta, and the newly-recruited Broly are all at a similar level of strength,and can form a team the likes of whichDragon Ballhas never seen before. With just how powerful Earth’s heroes have become, reaching even higher levels would be a little silly.Ultra Instinct is meant to be the release of a body’s full abilitieswithout the drawback of having to think.
Going beyond such a level wouldn’t just be a little silly,it would also be somewhat lazy. Rather than depending on the next new, flashy transformation, it’s timeDragon Ballallowed the main team of fighters to work together towards victory, much like how the Saiyan Saga played out nearly four decades ago.
Goku might be anime’s most iconic villain, butDragon Ball’s supporting cast is what has taken the series to legendary status—and has allowed it to survive and thrive as long as it has. Now thatDragon Ball Superis approaching its finale, it’s time the franchise uses that unique strength, and allows its wider cast to chip in just a little more than they have in recent times.
Dragon Ball
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku’s never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
