10 Best Z-Fighter Rosters in Dragon Ball, Ranked

In the universe of Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, it’s only the main character, Goku, who consistently takes center stage. The supporting cast is quite dynamic, often shifting, and this applies even to Goku’s primary combat team, the Z-Fighters. Over the course of these series, the composition of the Z-Fighters who join Goku on his journeys has frequently varied, with no two story arcs featuring exactly the same group.

The key elements that make an exceptional team of Z-Fighters stand out are the personalities within it, their dynamic relationships, and how effectively each character is employed by the narrative. After such a prolonged Dragon Ball series, it’s intriguing when an arc presents something dramatically distinct from the norm. While there hasn’t been a weak group of Z-Fighters, some combinations certainly prove more successful than others.

Master Roshi Being on the Team But Not Yamcha is Shameful

In “Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F'”, the Z-Warriors reassembled for the first time following the Buu Saga. Prior to Goku and Vegeta displaying their new Super Saiyan Blue form and clashing with Golden Frieza, Gohan, Piccolo, Tien Shinhan, Krillin, and Master Roshi join forces to confront the Frieza Army. This moment offers a delightful nod to fans, but it essentially serves that purpose only. The warriors who aren’t Goku and Vegeta are primarily tasked with defeating nameless minions, only to be subsequently overwhelmed by Frieza’s commanders or embarrassed by Frieza himself.

In simpler terms, the “Resurrection ‘F'” storyline doesn’t seem to contribute much to Tien or Roshi as characters, especially considering that Roshi is included over Yamcha and Chiaotzu. This choice appears illogical from an in-story perspective. The only instance Krillin gets a significant moment is used for a rather uninteresting plot device. The interactions among the group are forgettable, their relationships feel weak outside of Gohan and Piccolo’s bond, and overall, their presence in this story seems unnecessary.

Yamcha and Chiaotzu Are Finally Brought Back Onto the Z-Fighters

In the epic storyline of Dragon Ball Super’s Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga, we witness the largest gathering of Z-Fighters ever seen within the series. The main characters Goku and Vegeta are aided in their battle against Moro by an impressive roster that includes Gohan, Piccolo, Krillin, Tien, Roshi, as well as Android duo 17 and 18. Even less frequently seen characters like Yamcha and Chiaotzu make an appearance. Although their roles are somewhat indirect, both Fat Buu and Uub have significant parts to play in the unfolding events of this saga.

Although it’s enjoyable watching numerous characters in motion, with each one usually having a memorable scene, size isn’t always synonymous with quality. Given the relatively short duration of the storyline and its predominant focus on Goku’s bond with Merus, there’s little room for engaging character interactions or for any of the Z-Fighters to significantly impact the plot. In essence, Jaco’s recruitment of Earth’s heroes could be eliminated from this arc without affecting it substantially.

Androids 17 & 18 Get to Fight Alongside Their Friends and Family For the First Time

In essence, Team Universe 7 is primarily populated by characters known from the Resurrection ‘F’ Arc, yet each new member brings something special to the table. For the first time, Android 18 takes center stage as part of the Z-Warriors, and Android 17 captivates us with his debut in the group, both adding depth and engaging in fantastic team dynamics. However, it’s Frieza who truly outshines everyone else on this team; a character who will never again be associated with the Z-Warriors.

In my opinion, transforming Dragon Ball’s infamous villain into a momentary hero was a stroke of genius, and Dragon Ball Super truly capitalizes on it by anchoring the Universe Survival Saga around him, escalating his rivalry with Goku to new heights of excitement. However, while these new characters dazzle, the returning supporting cast seems to falter. Krillin, Tien, Piccolo, and even Roshi feel superfluous in this storyline, and Gohan’s portrayal here is more tedious than ever. To make matters worse, the resurrected Majin Buu leaves a sour taste due to an unsatisfying twist.

Gohan Leads a Team Without Any Sign of Goku

The latest ensemble of Z-Fighters stands out as particularly intriguing, given it does not include Goku or Vegeta. Instead, “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” primarily focuses on Gohan and Piccolo, with Goten, Trunks, Krillin, and Android 18 forming a supporting cast. What sets this team apart is that, aside from the absence of Vegeta, it mirrors the composition of the Z-Fighters during the Buu Saga in Dragon Ball Z, if Goku had been part of the story at that time.

As an observer, I find that while the movie “Super Hero” doesn’t fully utilize its ensemble cast due to its focus on Pan and the Gammas, the “Dragon Ball Super” manga offers a more expansive narrative. In this rendition of the story, Gohan plays a more integral role, his bond with Piccolo is beautifully developed, and Goten and Trunks are given their own self-contained arc. However, it’s not without its flaws; Krillin and 18 are underutilized, and the main group spends very little time together.

Pan, Trunks, and Giru Are All Inspired Choices to Be Main Characters

In the early part of Dragon Ball GT, the storyline predominantly revolves around four characters, none of whom a ’90s Dragon Ball Z fan would have foreseen. Unlike Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, or Krillin, Goku is accompanied in his journey by Pan, Trunks, and a fresh character named Giru. Similar to other aspects of Dragon Ball GT, the formation of this team is daring, full of promise, yet ultimately underutilized. The main advantage of Team GT lies in its compact size, allowing each character’s individual personality to shine brightly.

Each individual within the group has a distinct bond with every other member, contributing uniquely to the group while also having their own unique narrative. This setup often results in delightful interchanges and significant instances. However, during much of their existence, Pan is predominantly in a distressed state, Trunks lacks meaningful engagement, and the primary dynamic is Pan’s harassment of Giru. Eventually, the anime comes to conclude that it has little investment in this unusual assortment of characters, and abruptly dismisses Trunks from the storyline, significantly reducing Giru’s presence.

The Frieza Saga Utilizes Nearly Every Main Member of its Cast Well

The Frieza Saga narrows the Z-Fighters down to the characters who would eventually become the series’ leading personalities. Initially focusing on Gohan and Krillin, the underdog duo find themselves in need of assistance from Goku, Piccolo, and Vegeta, who, though still villainous, are desperate. These figures are all instantly recognizable, skillfully crafted, and given ample opportunities to shine. However, over time, the team as a whole hasn’t aged particularly well.

Because the five main characters in Dragon Ball are so integral to the series, it seems rather dull when other characters are absent, looking back on it, even though this was their first joint battle. Putting that aside, each character’s role in the arc has some problems. Krillin and Gohan’s bond is endearing, but they are both sidelined after the initial stages of the storyline. Piccolo gets to engage Frieza in combat, yet this doesn’t contribute much to the overall plot. Additionally, while this arc introduces Goku as a Super Saiyan, his sudden elevation to the main character feels unexpected.

Goku Doesn’t Have a Full Team of Fighters Backing Him Up Until Dragon Ball’s Final Arc

Initially, throughout the Dragon Ball series, Goku has been acquainted with numerous martial artists, yet he primarily functioned as a solitary figure. However, it wasn’t until the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament Saga that the seeds for the Z-Fighters were sown. During this tournament, Goku teamed up with Tien, Krillin, Yamcha, and Chiaotzu. Unfortunately, Chiaotzu, as usual, wasn’t utilized effectively, but the camaraderie between the remaining four characters is one of the franchise’s most heartwarming aspects.

Enjoying the camaraderie between grown-up versions of Goku, Krillin, and Yamcha, who rarely interact in this manner later on, is delightful, with Tien serving as an outsider yet acting as a second-in-command to Goku. Although Krillin and Yamcha’s importance in the plot wanes quickly, their battles against Piccolo and Kami are captivating and acknowledge their contributions. Tien outperforms them both, particularly in his fight against Cyborg Tao, and is the only Z-Fighter apart from Goku to advance as far as the semi-finals of the tournament.

Trading Out the Humans For Android 18, Goten, and Trunks Could Have Been Amazing

The Buu Saga’s roster of Z-Fighters is intriguing yet underutilized. Consisting of Gohan, Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Krillin, Android 18, Goten, and Trunks, this arc presents a unique twist compared to the rest of DBZ, as teenage Gohan takes center stage initially. With a heroic Vegeta in his teen years, a retired Krillin, a deceased Goku, and three newcomers with boisterous, eccentric personalities – all needing more character development – this team had the potential to be the most outstanding group of Z-Fighters ever.

It’s regrettable that this team’s best moments occur early during the Buu Saga, such as their amusing debut at the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament. Characters like Krillin are quickly sidelined, while 18, Goten, and Trunks are mainly used for comic relief. Piccolo becomes the straight-man to the comedic antics of Goten and Trunks, and the way Goku and Gohan’s arc is handled is infamous for its poor quality. It’s a real pity that other characters didn’t receive the same level of attention and character development given to Vegeta.

Piccolo and Gohan Instantly Became Two of Dragon Ball’s Most Interesting Characters

The Saiyan Saga serves as a bridge connecting the original Dragon Ball series to DBZ, and this transition is evident in the ensemble of Z-Fighters featured. Characters like Goku, Krillin, Tien, Yamcha, and Chiaotzu reappear from the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, but are now accompanied by Gohan and Piccolo. Despite the manga not giving due recognition to its older characters, the anime noticeably enhances their portrayals, all while making the newer characters even more endearing than those created by Toriyama himself.

In this Dragon Ball Z series, Piccolo and Gohan swiftly capture the audience with their genuine and touching friendship that stands out among others in the franchise. Simultaneously, the foundation for Gohan and Krillin’s camaraderie is established, even though Krillin doesn’t receive a unique character arc like the fresh faces. However, the narrative gives Krillin a fresh perspective as an endearing common man. Although Chiaotzu can’t be saved in Dragon Ball Z, the brief glimpses into Tien and Yamcha’s lives make their later deaths more poignant, and their departures become memorable milestones in their own right.

The Cell Saga is the Only Arc to Truly Feature Future Trunks as a Part of the Group

In the epic tale known as “The Cell Saga,” the ensemble of Z-Fighters stands out as the most memorable and rightfully so. Following their departure in the Frieza Saga, fan favorites Tien and Yamcha return to the mix, ensuring a well-rounded cast without unnecessary characters. Even before the main events unfold, “DBZ” wisely decides to bid farewell to Chiaotzu. The Z-Fighters during the Cell Saga are more effectively utilized as a team compared to any other arc. Goku and Gohan’s strained relationship takes center stage, while Gohan’s character progression throughout the series reaches its climax.

The bond between Vegeta and Future Trunks is compelling, ultimately leading Vegeta on a journey towards becoming a hero. Piccolo and Tien bid their farewells in a grand manner after years of fighting at the forefront, Krillin undergoes a personal development and remains valuable despite his limited strength, while Yamcha’s tragic end is heartbreaking but adds depth to the series. Interestingly, only this group features Future Trunks, one of Dragon Ball’s most remarkable characters, as he teams up primarily with Goku and Vegeta during the Future Trunks Arc.

2025-05-21 05:24