1. Goku
   Gohan
2. Vegeta
   Trunks

Before "Dragon Ball Z" came along, Goku was the star of "Dragon Ball," the original manga series. In "Dragon Ball," Goku was just a kid who became a talented martial artist after learning to fight from his adopted grandpa.

1. Broly
   Krillin
2. Goten
   Trunks

Trunks is only the second Super Saiyan ever seen in the series. When he arrives in the present world from the future, the Z Fighters are astonished because they thought most of the Saiyans were dead.

1. Raditz
   Vegeta
2. Broly
   Nappa

Calling himself the prince of all Saiyans, Vegeta has never been one to shy away from a fight, even when he's outmatched. Eventually, he is forced to put his pride aside as he accepts that Goku is the stronger warrior.

1. Cell
   Majin Buu
2. Frieza
   Piccolo

With various transformations, Frieza has such power that he strikes fear in those around him. His final change is probably the least menacing, but that shouldn't fool his opponents because his power level is extraordinarily high.

1. Goten
   Gohan
2. Krillin
   Tien

Gohan is the first Saiyan in the series to reach Super Saiyan 2, which occurs while he trains with Goku in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. However, the anime doesn't show Gohan fully master the form until Cell kills Android 16, leading to an angry Gohan exploding with power.

1. Chi-Chi
   Videl
2. Bulma
   Pan

Bulma was the first character to encounter Goku in the original "Dragon Ball" series while she was searching for the dragon balls with her dragon radar. She recruited Goku to join her in her travels, turning him into her personal bodyguard.

1. Cell
   Majin Buu
2. Dr. Gero
   King Cold

After obtaining his final form, Cell struggled to find a purpose for himself, as he didn't even believe killing Goku would make him feel complete. Instead of seeking out the Z Fighters, Cell decided to host a tournament known as the Cell Games to determine who was the strongest fighter on the planet.

1. Yamcha
   Tien
2. Chiaotzu
   Krillin

Krillin was never the strongest hero in the series nor the bravest, but he did play an integral part in the development of the show. During the Frieza Saga, Krillin was killed by Frieza, which was all the motivation Goku needed to turn into a Super Saiyan.

1. Master Roshi
   Yamcha
2. Kami
   Piccolo

After the Z Fighters learn that more Saiyans are coming to Earth, Piccolo takes it upon himself to train Gohan since Goku is dead. Piccolo proves to be a relentless teacher who constantly pushes his young disciple to his limits.

1. Videl
   Pan
2. Chi-Chi
   Panchy

The princess of Fire Mountain, Chi-Chi is a fierce character with a dominant personality that she uses to enforce her views on how her son, Gohan, should be raised. She keeps such a tight watch over Gohan that he's often forced to sneak out of the house to escape her.

1. Majin Buu
   Shenron
2. Raditz
   Dabura

Majin Buu is supposed to be pure evil, but the original Buu is actually more chubby and jolly than anything. However, once he's upset, there's not anything that can hold him back from inflicting serious damage.

1. Raditz
   Nappa
2. Broly
   Zarbon

When Nappa and Vegeta get to Earth, they are confronted by the Z Fighters, who are awaiting Goku's return. Nappa proves to be too strong, however, and wipes out most of the heroes before Goku can get there.

1. Android 16
   Android 17
2. Android 18
   Android 19

After the events of the Cell Sage, Android 18 starts a relationship with Krillin, who tried to protect her from Cell at one point in the series. Together, they have a daughter named Marron.

1. Uub
   Dende
2. Kami
   Shenron

Initially, Shenron could only grant one wish to whoever gathered the dragon balls before he disappeared and the dragon balls were once again scattered across Earth. However, he is later powered up and can grant three wishes.

1. Yamcha
   Goten
2. Tien
   Uub

Goten is the second son of Goku and Chi-Chi, though he is born after Goku's death in the Cell Saga. When Goku comes back during the Buu Saga, he finally meets his son, who is seven at the time and already can turn into a Super Saiyan.

1. Master Roshi
   Tien
2. Mr. Satan
   Captain Ginyu

Master Roshi was the first teacher Goku had after the death of his adopted grandpa. When he takes Goku as his student, he teaches his young disciple the Kamehameha, a move that Roshi invented himself, which becomes Goku's most valuable attack.

1. Recoome
   Raditz
2. Puar
   Nail

Raditz, who was born on Planet Vegeta before it was destroyed, is the brother of Goku. However, he has no sympathy for his brother, who Raditz believes has grown weak living on Earth.

1. Yamcha
   Tien
2. Mr. Popo
   Chiaotzu

Yamcha is one of the most trusted Z Fighters, who is never afraid to put his life on the line even against impossible odds. One example came when he confronted the androids. During the fight, Yamcha is quickly defeated, but he still tried to stand his ground.

1. Recoome
   Dabura
2. Zarbon
   Captain Ginyu

Captain Ginyu is the leader of the Ginyu Force, one of the strongest mercenary units in the universe. The Ginyu Force serve under Frieza, and they respond to his call when he asks them to come to Namek in search of the dragon balls.

1. Dende
   Nail
2. Kami
   Mr. Popo

After Kami came to Earth and started training to become the planet's guardian, he was forced to split his body in two to purify himself of the evil inside. The second half of his body became the demon, Piccolo.

1. Chiaotzu
   Puar
2. Karin
   Tien

One of Tien's bravest moments came against Cell after the monster made his first transformation. Trying to protect the Earth and keep Cell from transformation again, Tien hit the monster with his Tri-Beam until he passed out from exhaustion.

1. Recoome
   Jeice
2. Burter
   Guldo

Recoome wasn't the smartest member of the Ginyu Force, but that doesn't mean he wasn't powerful. His most powerful attack was his Eraser Gun, an energy beam that he launched from his mouth.

1. Dende
   Guru
2. Nail
   Porunga

Despite Nail's strength, Frieza made quick work of the proud Namekian, leaving him for dead. However, before he perished, Piccolo showed up and absorbed Nail's power, giving him the strength to combat Frieza until Goku arrived.

1. Mr. Satan
   King Kai
2. Uub
   Mr. Popo

King Kai, also known as North Kai, ruled over the north area of Universe 7, where Earthlings go when they die. Aside from Goku, he also taught Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, Piccolo and Chiaotzu.

1. Zarbon
   Burter
2. Dabura
   Dodoria

Recognized as the king of the Demon Realm, Dabura was placed under a spell by Babidi to do his bidding. Ultimately, he is led into a confrontation with Gohan, who proves to be an even match for the demon king.

1. Android 16
   Android 17
2. Android 19
   Dr. Gero

After Android 16 is reprogrammed to aid the Z Fighters against Cell, he takes it upon himself to finish off the powerful creature. However, Android 16 realizes he can no longer self destruct after latching onto Cell, resulting in Cell destroying him.

1. Mr. Satan
   Mr. Popo
2. Oolong
   Chiaotzu

A being from the Other World who is over 1,000 years old, Mr. Popo is actually a great fighter, despite his appearance. When Goku first encounters him in "Dragon Ball," they have a battle where Goku struggles to land any significant attack, even his Kamehameha.

1. Burter
   Jeice
2. Dodoria
   Zarbon

Zarbon is recognized by his beauty, which he holds to the highest esteem. However, he has a transformation that increases his power but takes away his good looks, which is a major reason he doesn't like using it.

1. Videl
   Pan
2. Launch
   Erasa

Videl is introduced in the series during the Buu Sage, where she encounters Gohan at Orange Star High School. She follows him around and eventually learns that he is the Great Saiyaman, a hero who has been secretly fighting crime.

1. Babidi
   Dodoria
2. Mercenary Tao
   Dr. Gero

Dr. Gero is a member of the Red Ribbon Army and the creator of the androids, cyborgs that he programs to kill Goku. Gero even turns himself into an android with the ability to absorb the energy of living beings.

1. Oolong
   Dende
2. Karin
   Puar

Dende isn't the strongest fighter in the series by no means, but he does possess the unique ability to heal others. He uses this ability constantly throughout the Frieza Saga to heal the Z Fighters, including Vegeta, who was a borderline enemy at the time.

1. Guldo
   Jeice
2. Dodoria
   Burter

With a deep desire for destruction, Dodoria often lets his anger get the best of him. Despite his brash nature, once Vegeta over powers him during the Frieza Saga, he turns cowardly and pleads for his life.

1. Oolong
   Puar
2. Karin
   Chiaotzu

Chiaotzu is the faithful friend of Tien, who he spends most of his time training with. During the Saiyan Saga, Chiaotzu sacrifices his life to try and save the Z Fighters by exploding on the back of Nappa, but it does little damage to the powerful Saiyan.

1. Mr. Satan
   Android 17
2. Android 19
   Burter

Sporting a different look and more power, Android 17 makes a comeback in "Dragon Ball GT" as Super 17. In his new form, Super 17 can absorb energy blasts and release the power back on his opponents.

1. Kibito
   Spopovich
2. Puar
   Uub

Kibito hails from World Core, which is the world where each of the Kai is born. This race of people is unique in that they are born from magical fruit that grows on trees known as Kaiju.

1. Burter
   Guldo
2. Jeice
   Spopovich

One of the highest-ranked members of the Ginyu Force, Jeice often teams up with Burter to form a tandem fighting team. They have various attacks that they've learned to use together, such as the Purple Comet Attack.

1. Uub
   Broly
2. Mr. Satan
   Oolong

While the Z Fighters are away on Namek, Mr. Satan quickly establishes himself as the strongest fighter on Earth by winning the World Martial Arts Tournament. During the Cell Games, though, he realizes he's outclassed by the other warriors and leaves the fighting to them.

1. Old Kai
   Dr. Brief
2. Puar
   Karin

Dr. Brief is the father of Bulma and grandfather of Trunks. He's extremely smart and creates many of the inventions used throughout the show. His most famous device is the DynoCap, which is used to transport large objects.

1. Guru
   Puar
2. Burter
   Uub

Uub appears at the very end of "Dragon Ball Z" as a young boy who takes part in the World Martial Arts Tournament. He enters the tournament to obtain money so he can help his starving family.

1. Korin
   Yajirobe
2. Oolong
   Puar

Korin lives atop Korin Tower, which is located underneath the Lookout where the guardian of Earth lives. When Goku climbs the tower, he meets Korin, who trains him to fight the Red Ribbon Army.