Certain anime series never go out of fashion, and this is an honor that certainly applies to Akira Toriyama’s foundational shonen series, Dragon Ball. For over three decades, Dragon Ball has been one of the most popular action series of its kind, and it’s left a major influence on the genre. It’s become common practice for the characters in Dragon Ball to continually work toward greater power, and it’s always exciting when new milestones are reached.
Self-improvement is important, but these boosts in strength are usually done to prepare for the next evil threat that poses a danger to the planet. Dragon Ball is a series that’s absolutely filled with villains, but there are certain ones who are substantially more evil than the rest.
10 Dr. Gero Creates Man-Made Terrors Who Threaten The Planet
Much of the danger that’s experienced in Dragon Ball is the result of extraterrestrial forces that have an enhanced capacity for power. However, Dr. Gero is a human, albeit one who experiences some cybernetic upgrades, who nearly successfully dooms humanity on Earth. Dr. Gero is the mind responsible for the construction of the Androids and in turn Cell. Dr. Gero, who becomes Android 20 himself, doesn’t last very long, but his actions have widespread consequences. The Androids inflict rampant death, and Future Trunks’ timeline illustrates that they’re fully capable of bringing forward an android apocalypse.
9 Vegeta’s Cleaned Up His Act But Still Has A History Of Violence
Admittedly, Vegeta has gradually turned into one of Dragon Ball’s greatest heroes, and he continues to acknowledge and atone for the losses he’s caused in the past. The Saiyan race, in general, were bloodthirsty conquerors. Vegeta is a product of his people, but the earlier chapters of Dragon Ball Z depict Vegeta’s destruction of the population on Planet Arlia, as well as many innocent Namekains on Namek. Even his brief return to the dark side when he’s Majin Vegeta leads to many needless deaths. Vegeta has come a long way, but his extensive past can’t be overlooked.
8 Demon King Piccolo Attempts To Reduce The World To Ruin
Most Dragon Ball fans are used to Piccolo as a crucial ally on Earth who helps fight off alien threats, but this Piccolo is actually the offspring of his evil demonic father. Demon King Piccolo brings with him unprecedented danger during the original Dragon Ball series, and he’s determined to take over the world and enslave humanity.
King Piccolo successfully regains his youth, cultivates a demon army, and even kills Shenron to disable the use of the Dragon Balls. No other villain causes this much damage at this point, but Demon King Piccolo still restricts his interests to Earth’s atmosphere.
7 Dragon Ball GT’s Shadow Dragons Are Ready To Punish Humanity For Their Greed
Dragon Ball GT’s Shadow Dragons are fascinating in concept, but a little shaky in execution. It’s a compelling idea for the Dragon Ball series to examine the various selfish wishes that have been made on the Dragon Balls over time, let alone to personify that disdain into a series of villainous dragon opponents. Collectively, these Shadow Dragons are significant because they’re rebelling against humanity’s greed and could take out the population because of how they’ve misused the Dragon Balls. Goku and friends keep this from happening, but the prospect of the Shadow Dragons and what they represent is chilling.
6 Cell’s Pursuit For Perfection Spans Multiple Timelines
Cell is a Dragon Ball Z villain who sometimes gets overlooked in favor of Frieza and Buu, but he’s still a significant danger who even manages to succeed in killing Goku. Initially, Cell’s arrogant confidence feels like any other villain, but his endless pursuit of perfection is quite intimidating. Even before Cell reaches perfection, he absorbs many civilians and triggers chaos in society. Afterward, Cell is content to prove he’s the strongest on his planet and ready to travel to Future Trunks’ timeline to do even more damage. Cell’s collected powers and his ability to regenerate make him exceptionally dangerous.
5 Baby Reduces Earth’s Population To Mindless Slaves
Dragon Ball GT isn’t perfect, but it entertains some compelling ideas, and there’s a lot of potential behind the idea of the parasitic host, Baby. Baby harbors lingering resentment for the Saiyan race, but this rage progresses into a full-on disdain for Planet Earth. Baby searches for the most worthy host, which turns out to be Vegeta, but he successfully infects most of Earth’s population.
Baby also successfully builds a new planet for his lost people, even if his plan doesn’t fully come to fruition. Baby’s villainy doesn’t extend to the entire universe, but he’s still a worthy obstacle.
4 Frieza’s Tyrannical Rule Over The Universe Has Led To The Deaths Of Millions
The growing Dragon Ball franchise has introduced plenty of villains after Frieza, yet this tyrant always finds a way to weasel back into the spotlight. Goku is able to end Frieza’s reign of terror, but before all of this, Frieza casually destroyed entire planets to assert greater control of the universe, or merely to amuse himself. Frieza’s reputation is nearly as prolific as Buu’s, and many races have become extinct through Frieza’s actions. Frieza’s undying rage makes him even more dangerous, and he manages to find a way back to life, even after defeat.
3 Majin Buu’s Rage & Mayhem Frightens Gods & Nearly Consumes The Earth
Shonen anime consistently face the hurdle of needing to introduce progressively more powerful tiers of villains. Dragon Ball Z’s Majin Buu takes many of Frieza’s principles but extrapolates upon them to create an even deadlier and more unstable menace. Buu is responsible for numerous genocides and even gives the various Gods of the universe concern. Any force that needs to be sealed away is seriously dangerous, but Buu asserts his power in many disturbing ways. Buu’s tendency to turn opponents into food before he consumes them is morbid, but he also successfully kills nearly all of the life on Earth.
2 Moro The Planet-Eater Has Accumulated Incomparable Loss
Dragon Ball Super’s Moro is a villain who at this point has only appeared in the series’ manga, following the events of the Tournament of Power competition. Moro borrows a lot from Majin Buu but is even stronger and more vindictive. Moro is a magic-user who has consumed the energy of entire planets and reduced them to nothingness. Moro views himself above the multiverse and has become the priority of the prestigious Galactic Patrol. Moro has been imprisoned for over ten million years, which has only allowed his resentment to fester and his revenge plans to grow more infallible.
1 Fused Zamasu Nearly Erases All Mortals & Cripples Existence
Fused Zamasu is easily one of the most dangerous and determined villains throughout Dragon Ball. He accomplishes an incredible amount, including a takeover of Goku’s body and acquiring immortality. Fused Zamasu is especially evil because he’s become disillusioned by mortals in general and views them beyond the point of redemption. In his opinion, reality is worth erasing to finally be rid of humanity. To date, the damage caused by Fused Zamasu and his immortality is the only act of evil that’s involved an interference by Omni-King Zeno to clean the slate and bring existence back to a place of normalcy.