Ranking the Best Characters in the Entire ‘Dragon Ball’ Franchise

The Dragon Ball franchise eclipses most other anime in terms of influence and reach. Akira Toriyama has sadly passed away, but his legacy continues to live on through the iconic characters and stories he created.

As far as characters go, one could argue that Dragon Ball has the most admirable anime personalities, at least in shōnen terms. At the center of the franchise is none other than Son Goku. His noble quest for power has led him to come face to face with some of the best fighters in the universe. But for Dragon Ball fans, it’s not always about strength. Some of the best characters would probably get pummeled in a second. But who cares? We love them anyway!

10. Master Roshi

His crass womanizing wouldn’t fly today, but Master Roshi remains one of the most endearing characters in the franchise, and one of the best teachers in anime. After all, he serves as the trainer that gives Goku the much-needed boost to achieve his goals. Since Dragon Ball Z, Roshi was demoted to a minor supporting character, but his foundation as the lovable goof stayed intact. 

9. Whis

While Beerus has been known to get on many fans’ nerves, it’s hard to find a fault in the charming, soft-spoken Whis. The Angel is known for keeping Beerus in line, but not without some hilarious quips or two at his disposal. While he was introduced later in the franchise, his popularity soared right from the onset.