Dragon Ball characters with the most character development

Dragon Ball is one of the longest-running manga and anime franchises in history. It also has the most iconic fighter plane of all time, with kids chanting Kamehameha on the playground. Because Dragon Ball focused solely on martial arts, the characters also changed.

With a series as long as Dragon Ball, it's natural for some characters to be significantly changed throughout. Some characters have gone from rivals and enemies to loyal allies. Other characters don't seem to have changed much, but they have actually come a long way from where they were at the beginning of the series.

10

piccolo

From villain to part of the family

Piccolo has come a long way since his debut in the original Dragon Ball. Originally born to King Piccolo, he quickly grew up to face Goku and conquer the world.

After being defeated by the teenage Goku, he swore revenge and returned, reluctantly teaming up with Saiyan Radditz. Gohan's training will be the catalyst for Piccolo's slow but steady redemption. Eventually, Piccolo stopped his goal of world domination and became one of Earth's greatest protectors.

9

Vegeta

A difficult road to salvation

Vegeta starts out as one of Freeza's soldiers and one of the last remaining Saiyans. Vegeta is well known for seeking power and seeing weak Saiyans as a waste of his race. Things start to change when he teams up with Krillin and Gohan on Namek.

After realizing that Son Goku, a low-level Saiyan, worked hard to become a Super Saiyan, he tries to surpass him in everything. He even relapses during the Majin Buu arc after realizing he is not as ruthless as he used to be. Vegeta and Goku now share a friendly yet competitive rivalry.

8

android 18

I still have that baby

In one timeline, Android 18 went from a destructive force to a pile of nuts and bolts. However, in the main timeline, Android 18 changed his ways after meeting Cell and witnessing the kindness shown by Krillin.

From an impulsive menace to a hard-working mom, Android 18 still retains the ability to twist arms using super strength. When money is needed, she is willing to get to the top of a tournament just to get the money, even if it means throwing a match to maintain Mr. Satan's position as the strongest.

7

Krillin

Son Goku's first rival

When Dragon Ball fans first meet Krillin, he is mischievous and annoying, always willing to prove himself a more worthy student than Goku. Krillin eventually forms a deep bond with Goku through mutual training with Master Roshi.

Despite being human, Krillin fights against both extraterrestrial and Earth-made threats. He eventually settles on Android 18 and becomes a father. From zero self-confidence as a martial artist to becoming the strongest human on Earth, Krillin's journey is one of hard work and success.

6

Gohan

From fighter to scholar

Gohan was first introduced in Dragon Ball Z as Goku's 4-year-old son. He shows incredible potential due to his Half-Saiyan heritage, and that power is soon put to the test when Vegeta and Nappa attack.

Despite this display of incredible strength, he is reluctant to fight, but will do so if pushed. After learning how to control his Super Saiyan form, he eventually defeats Cell and later leaves his comfortable school life to defeat Buu. In Dragon Ball Super, he pursues his goals as a scholar, but is willing to step in when Earth needs him.

5

android 17

live life to the fullest

The development of Android 17 has taken a huge leap forward off-screen. Originally modified by Dr. Gero, Androids 17 and 18 cause mischief while hunting down Goku. However, this rampage is mostly due to boredom, and Android 17 eventually settles down as a park ranger.

Android 17 is the more reserved of the two twins, but eventually marries and starts a family of her own. Despite this, he continues to prove himself a capable warrior, strong enough to defend Earth in the Tournament of Power.

4

Majin Buu

A little help from Satan

Majinn Buu's growth occurs throughout a single arc, but the character takes place in cycles. Starting out as a living weapon of destruction, he soon became weaker after absorbing the Grand Supreme Kai.

Eventually, Majinn Buu will rise again and destroy the Earth until he meets Mr. Satan. Satan's clumsy ways put the villain on a straighter path. He even adopts a dog named Bee. Of course, this change in path causes Majin Buu's evil half to separate from his body.

3

Dende

A frightened child's journey

Dende has gone through his fair share of character development since the Namek series. Freeza massacres his own people and is rescued at the last moment by Gohan and Krillin. Eventually, he unlocks his powers by the Grand Elder and gains the ability to heal others.

As the years passed, his power continued to grow until it surpassed that of the Namekian Kami. Dende will eventually return as the new protector of Earth and the creator of an updated set of Dragon Balls that can grant several wishes.

2

trunk of the future

Rekindle your relationship with your father

Future Trunks returned to the past in the hope that he could avoid the fate that had befallen his timeline. His first appearance showed him to be powerful against the newly reconstituted Freeza, but he knows he is no match for the android.

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During this time, he trains with his father and gains pride as a Saiyan. He even became powerful enough to solve problems at home. That is until Goku Black and Zamasu destroy the entire timeline. From Gohan's hot disciple to someone who can responsibly carry the weight of the world on his back, Future Trunks has become the hero Earth needs.

1

Son Goku

Always growing and improving

Deep down, Goku has always wanted a good challenge, and it seems like that hasn't changed much since he was a child. However, Goku grew into a trained martial artist under various teachers, including Master Roshi, Kami, King Kai, and Whis.

The entire Dragon Ball series shows Goku growing from childhood into a fully grown adult with his grandchildren. He is also willing to keep his enemies alive rather than outright destroy them in order to defeat the main villain.