Top 10 Mind-Blowing Non-Canon Dragon Ball Z Characters You’ve Never Seen!

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Most characters you see are original creations by Akira Toriyama and Toyotarou. Yet, since the beginning of the Dragon Ball series, some characters have been exclusively developed by Toei Animation’s team. Over time, a few non-canonical characters have emerged, designed even by Toriyama himself.

Without a doubt designed by Toriyama or not, certain non-canonical heroes and villains boast character designs that rival those of their canonical counterparts in “Dragon Ball Z.” Although their stories may not be part of the official canon, these characters excel in capturing the essence of the anime world. At their peak, their designs can even match those of Goku, Vegeta, and the rest of the Z-Fighters.

Hirudegarn Looks Worthy of Being the Z-Fighters’ Final Opponent

During the 1990s, in the series “Dragon Ball Z”, Goku and his companions face off against Hirudegarn. Unlike other DBZ villains, Hirudegarn is a colossal, destructive entity without a mind, but it stands out as the only one to take the form of an enormous monster. In both its imposing forms, it exudes strength that matches its appearance, and its size sets it apart from any character in the franchise.

In its initial form, Hirudegarn is most striking, exuding a grotesque, demonic appeal with a creative skeleton motif. Compared to its second form, it’s not that the design is bad, but rather overly ornate. The insectoid characteristics of Hirdegarn in its first transformation were more innovative and unique, while the vibrant mix of yellow, blue, red, and purple colors in its later form doesn’t quite harmonize as well.

Pikkon Would Stand Out More in an Anime Without Namekians

Among non-canonical Dragon Ball Z characters, Pikkon is undeniably among the most beloved. He lacks a substantial backstory or distinct personality, yet his appeal remains unmatched. This adoration primarily stems from the sheer coolness of Pikkon’s appearance.

A potential rephrasing for the given text: The main issue with Pikkon’s appearance is that it closely resembles a Namekian, despite not being one. However, setting aside this lack of novelty, Pikkon stands out due to his striking style. As a towering, slender, and muscular male character, he combines a casual t-shirt and gi pants with an extravagant robe and turban. It’s not surprising that Pikkon has a powerful visual allure, given that he was created by Toriyama.

Cooler Looks His Best in His Unique Fifth Form

Unlike most villains in Dragon Ball Z movies, it’s understandable that Cooler’s initial design seems less original, given he is not a Frieza clone, but rather Frieza’s brother. In his primary form, Cooler resembles his younger brother when transformed into Final Form, while also incorporating red and blue accents to distinguish himself from the predominantly white and purple colors of his attire. Although his design may appear somewhat simple compared to Final Form Frieza’s design, these shortcomings are addressed through Cooler’s transformations.

During his Fifth Form, Cooler undergoes a transformation, adopting a more armored appearance that is visually striking. Notably, his unique head shape significantly enhances his memorability and sets him apart with a distinct silhouette. The movie “The Return of Cooler” further distinguishes Cooler from Frieza through the addition of an all-silver, cybernetic version known as Meta-Cooler.

Bardock Looks the Part of a Gruff, Savage Warrior

In Dragon Ball Super, there’s an official portrayal of Bardock, but it should be noted that this version is less powerful compared to his 1990s counterpart. Despite sharing some physical resemblance with Goku, the non-canonical Bardock stands out due to his distinctive facial traits and attire. These differences help establish him as a formidable, unique character rather than just another copy of his son. In essence, these elements serve to emphasize Bardock’s ruthless nature, distinguishing him from his offspring.

Badrock stands out with a more defined facial structure compared to Goku, making him ideal for depicting the ruthless villain portrayed in “Bardock – The Father of Goku”. As the story progresses, he transforms from this sadistic character into a desperate freedom fighter. His dark green and blue Saiyan armor is one of the most stylish in the series, and it looks even more impressive after being battered. The blood-stained bandana he wears adds to his overall look, serving both as a visual match for his outfit and symbolizing the many lives he has taken throughout his life.

Fasha Has a More Memorable Design Than Gine

Prior to Dragon Ball Super, Fasha was the sole female representative among the Saiyan race. Although her design isn’t particularly striking, it stands out within the context of Dragon Ball, fitting well with her character. Fasha is a team member of Bardock in Bardock – The Father of Goku, and she appears fully capable of conquering planets.

Fasha sports a trendy yet compact hairstyle and dons a single-strap Saiyan armor with knee pads cleverly designed for repairs. Her vibrant pink jumpsuit, while perhaps a bit obvious in symbolizing her as the sole female member of Bardock’s team, still stands out and offers a refreshing contrast to the somber tones worn by the rest. Adorning her appearance are gold earrings, a yellow legwarmer, and white gloves.

Broly’s Memorability is Matched Only by His Ridiculousness

Among Dragon Ball franchise fans, opinions on the design of the original Broly vary greatly. Some admire his exaggerated and flamboyant Legendary Super Saiyan form for its muscularity, while others find it absurd and believe it symbolizes the less favorable aspects of Dragon Ball Z as a series. Despite differing viewpoints, there’s no denying that original Broly’s design is highly iconic within the world of Shonen manga and anime.

In an unexpected turn of events, Toriyama was the one who crafted Broly, a character whose appearance significantly deviates from his standard Saiyan characters. Some might find it amusing, but his design effectively portrays him as the strongest villain imaginable. His excessive musculature, extravagant hair, royal attire, expressionless white eyes, and menacing grin all play a part in this depiction. Although not particularly unique, Broly’s Base form is well-designed, offering a balance between simplicity, understatedness, and elegance.

Tapion Draws Inspiration From Two of the Most Iconic Video Game Heroes of the 90s

In the epic tale of Wrath of the Dragon, Tapion seems to shine like the central character of his own narrative, mainly due to his distinctive appearance. This is fitting, considering that both his design and Link from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, as well as Crono from Chrono Trigger, have played significant roles in shaping him. The amalgamation of these influences works seamlessly, and Toriyama’s nod to Crono in Tapion’s design is a delightful Easter egg for fans of Chrono Trigger.

Tapion is a man with distinct characteristics, including sharp, elf-esque ears, a vibrant orange mohawk, and brown and orange garments. While his attire might not be particularly striking, it’s enhanced by his accessories – a long blue scarf, gold bracelets for his wrists, and anklets for his feet. He is often seen carrying both a sword and an instrument resembling a flute, much like an ocarina.

Super Janemba’s Red and Purple Color Scheme Works Magnificently

In the anime “Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn”, the main antagonist, Janemba, has two distinct forms. Among these, it’s evident that the evil embodiment’s baby form, reminiscent of Toriyama’s style, holds a certain charm. However, this form appears to be quite similar to Fat Buu’s design. In contrast, while Super Janemba bears some resemblance to Super Buu in terms of inspiration, his unique design is undeniably impressive and stands out on its own.

The distinctive feature of Super Janemba is his striking red and purple color combination that catches the eye instantly, capturing viewers’ attention right away. Furthermore, he appears as a formidable devil with large horns, a long, menacing tail, and pointed ears. To add to this imposing image, much of Super Janemba’s screen time is dedicated to him brandishing one of the franchise’s most impressive-looking swords.

Android 21 is a Brilliant New Take on the Majin Design Philosophy

Making her first appearance in Dragon Ball FighterZ, Android 21 is a clever amalgamation of the concepts behind Androids and Majins, masterfully created by Toriyama. Visually, Android 21 mirrors the pink skin, red eyes, and genie-like appearance that Majin Buu is famous for. However, unlike Buu, she boasts a sleek physique, long flowing white hair, and a tail instead of tentacles.

Apart from her primary form, Android 21 assumes another persona, modeled after the character Vomi. In this manifestation, she transforms into a human scientist wearing an adorable red and blue dress coordinated with shoes, glasses, and a lab coat reminiscent of the Red Ribbon Army. Each form enhances the other’s appeal, making them both captivating in their unique ways.

Bojack and His Crew Deserve Personalities Befitting Their Fantastic Designs

In comparison to other non-canonical characters in Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound, the main antagonists Bojack and the Galaxy Soldiers seem uniquely original and appealing just by looking at their designs. Toriyama, the designer, has given them a distinctive look with teal skin and pirate-inspired themes. Even without delving into the intricacies of their individual designs, these five villains stand out more than any others from the 1990s Dragon Ball Z movies for their originality and charm.

In the role of captain, Bojack clearly shines as the most distinctively styled member among his team. He boasts an impressive physique, long flowing hair, and wears a voluminous coat with a matching bandana and waistband. His comrades Zangya and Bido also exhibit striking resemblances in their design sensibilities, while Kogu and Bujin’s designs are by no means subpar. If these characters were to become official, there would be little need for modifications to their designs; perhaps just making Bojack’s transformed state less frightening to look at.

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2025-05-05 02:40