10 Most Popular Dragon Ball Characters Are Now Official

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I remember when they announced a big global poll back in November 2025 to celebrate 40 years of Dragon Ball. It was amazing – fans got to vote for their favorite characters, and there were a whopping 212 to choose from! The voting happened in four rounds, and with each round, they cut characters from the running until only the most popular remained.

Voting for the top 20 characters wrapped up in late December, but the results weren’t revealed until recently, as the franchise was also announcing some exciting new things. Now, we finally know the ten characters fans voted as the most popular!

10) Frieza

Frieza is a consistently popular villain in the Dragon Ball series, and it’s no surprise he’s ranked among the ten most beloved characters of all time. He’s famous for pushing Goku to become a Super Saiyan for the first time, and his powerful evil set the bar for future Dragon Ball villains.

He returned in Dragon Ball Super significantly more powerful, debuting a new Golden form. His performance in the Tournament of Power boosted his popularity even further, and he’s scheduled to reappear in the new Black Frieza story arc. That’s why it’s so surprising another villain actually ranked higher in the recent fan poll.

9) Cell

It’s surprising to see Cell ranked as more popular than Frieza, considering Frieza has had a much bigger comeback. Frieza even competed in the Tournament of Power, while Cell only reappeared in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero as a weaker, alternate version. This really shows how impactful Cell’s original debut in Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama, was – he clearly made a strong and lasting impression on fans.

Cell, in his final form, was a truly terrifying villain who deserved the title of “Perfect.” His fight against Gohan is still considered one of the most exciting and memorable battles in the series, and his lasting popularity is clear from recent polls where he was ranked higher than Frieza. This demonstrates the significant impact Cell had on the entire franchise.

8) Android 18

Android 18 first appeared as a villain in the Android saga and quickly became popular thanks to her striking look and her ability to easily defeat Vegeta. But it was her growth as a character that really won fans over. After Krillin recognized her hidden goodness and convinced her to join the Z Fighters, Android 18 became a beloved ally known for her personality and wit.

After marrying Krillin and having a family, her importance in the Dragon Ball series continued to increase, making her a more prominent character. Although Dragon Ball isn’t typically known for strong female characters, it’s great that she’s become one of the ten most popular characters, demonstrating that the creators developed and respected the few female characters included in the story.

7) Bardock

It’s surprising to see Bardock ranked so highly, even above some famous villains. But his inclusion shows how much of an impact he’s had on fans over the years. He’s best known as the Saiyan warrior from Planet Vegeta featured in Bardock: The Father of Goku, and his decision to send Goku to Earth is considered his most important moment.

The Dragon Ball Super anime expanded on Bardock’s story, making him a more complex character and increasing his popularity. However, a significant part of his appeal remains his connection to Goku – Goku’s strength and personality are largely a result of the decisions Bardock made.

6) Future Trunks

Future Trunks first appeared as a mysterious and powerful warrior, and his backstory—revealed to be as the son of Bulma and Vegeta from another timeline—made him an instant fan favorite. This compelling origin story, beyond just his impressive entrance, cemented his place as a crucial and well-loved member of the Z Fighters.

Trunks, a popular character with many fans, reappeared in Dragon Ball Super. Although his return wasn’t quite as significant as his part in the Cell Saga, he remains a beloved figure, hinting that the series might have more stories planned for him in the future.

5) Vegito

As Dragon Ball Z neared its conclusion, fans really wanted to see Goku and Vegeta, the show’s main characters, combine their power in a fusion. The series had suggested this possibility several times. Although the Buu Saga first hinted at a fusion between Goku and his son, Gohan, Vegeta ended up being the one to fuse with Goku, creating Vegito. Vegito proved to be a powerful opponent for Super Buu.

I’ve noticed that after that one incredible fusion, we haven’t seen Goku and Vegeta combine as Vegito very often, which is a shame. But honestly, that single appearance was so impactful. Vegito was unbelievably powerful, taking the best qualities of both Goku and Vegeta and combining them seamlessly. It’s no surprise he’s become one of the most popular characters in the whole series – currently ranking as number five, if you can believe it!

4) Piccolo

Piccolo isn’t a Saiyan, but he’s been a key player in almost every major fight throughout the Dragon Ball series, consistently holding his own even as the Saiyans get stronger and change forms. He started as a villain, but now he’s an essential part of the Dragon Ball universe.

Piccolo is a consistently powerful fighter, often matching or even surpassing Goku and Vegeta in strength. His close relationship with Gohan, acting as a mentor and father figure, has made him a vital character. It’s no wonder he’s considered one of the most important figures in the series, right behind Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan.

3) Gohan

Gohan, the son of Goku and named after Goku’s adoptive grandfather, quickly became a fan favorite when he was introduced. As the story unfolded, his popularity continued to rise. From the beginning, Gohan was shown to have incredible power, and fans especially connected with his growth through training with Piccolo and the battles on Planet Namek.

Most fans agree that Gohan’s defining moment was during the final battle of Dragon Ball Z, when he first reached Super Saiyan 2 and defeated Cell, saving the world. He also served as a major inspiration to Future Trunks, and his time as the Great Saiyaman is a memorable part of what makes him unique. As Gohan continues to develop in Dragon Ball Super, it’s possible he could even surpass Goku and Vegeta in popularity.

2) Vegeta

Honestly, I wasn’t surprised at all to see Vegeta ranked number two! It’s kinda funny, though, that even after everything, he still comes in just behind Goku. It just proves Goku always has the edge! But seriously, being number two in a franchise as huge as Dragon Ball is incredible. It really shows how iconic Vegeta is. He started as a total villain, but his rivalry with Goku quickly became one of the most important parts of the whole series – it really shaped what Dragon Ball is all about.

Throughout almost every story arc, Vegeta has been connected to Goku, either as an ally or a rival, and fans consistently enjoy watching his development. He’s become so integral to Dragon Ball that the series wouldn’t feel complete without him, and Goku’s journey wouldn’t be the same either. As the second strongest Z Fighter, constantly striving to surpass Goku, Vegeta remains the second most popular character in the franchise and is likely to stay that way for as long as Dragon Ball continues.

1) Goku

Watching the Dragon Ball series, it’s clear why Goku is the most popular character – he truly is the heart of it all. It’s hard to even picture the story without him! He’s been the main hero for over forty years now, and continues to lead each new chapter. No one else really comes close to his impact on the Dragon Ball world.

Goku instantly became a legend when he first turned Super Saiyan, and that idea of transforming to become stronger has become incredibly common in action-packed anime and manga. Because of this, Goku isn’t just the most popular character in the Dragon Ball series—he’s arguably the most popular anime character ever, and no one else really compares.

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2026-01-29 16:12