10 Most Powerful Z Fighters in The Dragon Ball Franchise, Ranked

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More than forty years ago, Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball first appeared in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, forever changing the landscape of action-adventure manga. It quickly became one of the most important and influential series in the genre, inspiring a generation of artists and creators. Dragon Ball is famous not only for its exciting battles, but also for the unforgettable characters that have captured the hearts of fans for decades.

This action-packed series is known for its exciting fights where the heroes are constantly pushed to their limits. The main group, called the Z Fighters, always team up to protect the planet from danger. Interestingly, some of the Z Fighters were once enemies themselves, but they ultimately changed sides and joined Goku in the fight for good.

10) Gotenks

Ever since Goku first used the fusion technique during the fight with Buu, Trunks and Goten became a team who almost always fused before battling. When they combine, they can even become Super Saiyans, greatly increasing their power. Despite this, they still aren’t as strong or experienced as some of the other Z Fighters.

9) Tien Shinhan

The Saiyans are usually the focus because of their incredible and ever-increasing strength, often overshadowing the other Z Fighters. However, Tien Shinhan proved his worth during the Cell Saga, briefly managing to stall Semi-Perfect Cell after he absorbed Android 17. Despite Cell being significantly stronger than most of the Z Fighters, Tien pushed himself to the limit, unleashing multiple Tri-Beams to prevent him from advancing. He continued to improve his skills and participated alongside the other fighters in the Tournament of Power in Dragon Ball Super.

8) Android 18

Android 18 was originally created by Dr. Gero as an incredibly strong fighter, even capable of defeating Super Saiyans. After the battle with Cell, she settled down with Krillin and started a family. Despite living a more peaceful life, she remains a formidable warrior and has repeatedly proven herself as a reliable ally. She even participated in the Tournament of Power, battling against powerful opponents from across multiple universes.

7) Piccolo

Piccolo, once Goku’s enemy, became an ally in Dragon Ball Z, helping to protect Earth from powerful threats. During the battle with Cell, Piccolo asked Kami to fuse with him, which gave him a significant power increase. This allowed Piccolo to hold his own against Android 17 for a short time. Since then, he’s continued to get stronger, as seen in Dragon Ball Super.

6) Majin Buu

Majin Buu was once a terrifying enemy for the Z Fighters, but he eventually became an ally during Dragon Ball Z. In Dragon Ball Super, he mostly hangs out with Mr. Satan, sometimes acting out before eventually calming down. While Buu is incredibly powerful, he didn’t have many major moments in Super – other Z Fighters got most of the attention.

5) Android 17

Like his twin sister, Android 17 was created by Dr. Gero with the goal of helping Cell become perfect. However, 17 was always the more powerful of the two, proving his strength by fighting Piccolo (after Piccolo merged with Kami) to a standstill. Years later, in Dragon Ball Super, 17 had abandoned his destructive tendencies. He now lives a peaceful life with his wife, protecting an island filled with animals. Despite his peaceful life, he continued to train, and his power increased dramatically during the Tournament of Power, which pitted universes against each other.

4) Future Trunks

Future Trunks first appeared during the Android Saga in Dragon Ball Z and became a key character. He returned in Dragon Ball Super years later, much more powerful, and again needed help from his friends. While he can’t transform into Super Saiyan 3, he pushed his Super Saiyan 2 form to its limits while battling Zamasu. During that fight, he unlocked a unique transformation called Super Saiyan Rage, fueled by intense anger, which gave him the power to fight against the combined threat of Zamasu and Goku Black.

3) Vegeta

Vegeta has consistently trailed Goku in power, but remains an incredibly strong fighter across all twelve universes. He achieved the Super Saiyan God transformation through intense training, a different path than Goku, who unlocked it via an ancient ceremony. In Dragon Ball Super, Vegeta relentlessly pursues greater strength, constantly seeking ways to overcome Goku, as he can’t currently master the Ultra Instinct technique.

2) Goku

Goku’s transformation from a young boy into Earth’s greatest hero has been incredible. Even among his fellow Saiyans, he stands out, becoming the first in centuries to achieve the legendary Super Saiyan form. More recently, in the Dragon Ball Super manga, Goku unlocked Ultra Instinct and is constantly improving, pushing his limits as a mortal and overcoming its challenges.

1) Gohan

From a very young age, Gohan demonstrated even more potential than his father, frequently exceeding his abilities. He achieved a remarkable level of power during the Cell Games by becoming a Super Saiyan 2, a feat no other Saiyan had accomplished. However, after a seven-year focus on studying instead of training, he lost much of his strength. Throughout most of Dragon Ball Super, his lack of martial arts practice left him underpowered, but his new Beast form has once again made him incredibly powerful, surpassing all other Saiyans in history.

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2026-01-22 06:11