It would be downright impossible to talk about legendary anime without mentioning the masterpiece that is Dragon Ball. Dragon Ball is filled with everything one might expect from an action-packed shonen series, whether that's heart-pounding action, endearing characters, or amazing transformations that help individuals achieve new heights of power.

All of these facets get carried over to the anime's sequel series, Dragon Ball Super, which ups the ante in every single department. It goes without saying that Dragon Ball Super contains some of the strongest characters in Dragon Ball, but the exact rankings are always in flux. The strongest Dragon Ball characters come in all shapes, sizes, and universes, which makes for a fun topic to explore within the Dragon Ball fandom.

Updated December 28, 2023, by Michael Colwander & Ajay Aravind: The Dragon Ball universe is ever-expanding. What once was a single universe now spans 12 universes, each with extremely strong characters. Even though the Dragon Ball Super anime has been dormant since the conclusion of the Tournament of Power, it has continued through movies in Dragon Ball Super: Broly and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, each pushing the boundaries of strength.

35 What Krillin Lacks in Strength, He Makes up for in Intellect

Krillin continues to be a fixture in the Dragon Ball universe. Despite being far outclassed by his Saiyan friends and his Android wife, Krillin is always ready to defend Earth whenever it's in danger. While Krillin has had to combat past trauma throughout Dragon Ball Super, he's always managed to overcome it.

What Krillin lacks in strength, he makes up with his intelligence. In the prelude to the Tournament of Power, he was able to use his fighting experience to outsmart Gohan in a sparring match. Krillin may not have lasted long in the Tournament of Power itself, but he did manage to save Android 18 from elimination, eliminating Majora, and picking up multiple tag team eliminations. Not bad for only roughly five minutes.

34 Tien Is Arguably the Strongest Human in Dragon Ball

The debate over who the strongest human in Dragon Ball is mostly between Krillin and Tien. Tien gets the nod because, unlike Krillin, Tien is constantly training. He doesn't have a wife or a child. Tien can devote his time to getting stronger or training others.

Tien lasted longer in the Tournament of Power than Krillin, playing a pivotal role in eliminating Harmira the Sniper, who was giving every member of Universe 7 trouble. Tien sacrificed himself to eliminate Harmira, but it was well worth it to clear the tournament field of the stealthy sniper.

33 Ribrianne Is One of the Strongest Tournament of Power Fighters

Ribrianne is arguably the most disliked character in the Tournament of Power. She and her fellow Maidens are a funny parody of "magical girl" animes. However, many Dragon Ball fans still found her annoying and celebrated her elimination at the hands of Android 17 and Android 18.

Ribrianne is still a powerful character. She has fought both Goku and Vegeta one-on-one. She also has numerous transformations, culminating with a large kaiju form that would've been a long-term problem had Android 17 and Android 18 not stopped her. Whether fans like her or not, Ribrianne was one of the most memorable characters introduced in the Tournament of Power.

32 Saonel & Pilina Amplified Their Powers By Fusing With The Namekian Race

Every character prepared for the Tournament of Power in different ways. With the fate of their universe on the line, desperate measures had to be taken. Universe 6's Namekians, Saonel and Pilina, took the most extreme measures. Saonel and Pilina fused with their entire Namekian race, greatly amplifying their powers.

When Gohan and Piccolo fought Saonel and Pilina, they were fighting against every Universe 6 Namekians at once. It did take time for Saonel and Pilina's Namekian fusion to settle in, which is why they avoided fighting until after the midway point, but when they did, they gave Gohan and Piccolo a lot of trouble. It's a shame that the fight wasn't longer because it was a really good one.

31 Frost Is One Of Universe 6's Strongest Fighters

Frost is one of Universe 6's strongest fighters. At first, Frost appears to be the friendly inverse of Universe 7's Frieza. In reality, Frost's kind-hearted behavior is merely a front for someone who's just as wicked as Frieza. Frost is a pirate who secretly starts wars, then buys ravaged countries at low prices as profitable reclamation projects.

Frost spends most of his time in his fourth form but has access to similar forms as Frieza. Frost is powerful in his current final form, but he could be far more powerful if he ever gains access to Frieza's Golden form or even paves a different path by accessing Cooler's fifth form.

30 Android 18 Survives Longer Than Many Of The Series' Staples

While Android 17 chose a life of isolation, Android 18 has consistently been there to fight by her husband Krillin's side and defend the planet that she's grown to love. Android 18's accomplishments in battle feel fairly perfunctory when Dragon Ball Super begins.

However, Android 18 is rightfully recruited to participate in the Tournament of Power, and she survives longer than many of the series' staple characters. Android 18 also jumps into battle during the onslaught assault against Cell Max, which speaks to how she's still ready to take on impossible threats.

29 Pikkon Proves To Be Equal To Goku During Their Fight

Pikkon is an anime-exclusive Dragon Ball Z character, which begs the question whether Pikkon is canon in Dragon Ball Super. Still, Dragon Ball fans were disappointed when Pikkon didn't join Universe 7 in the Tournament of Power because he represents such tremendous power.

Goku first crosses paths with Pikkon during the Other World Tournament, which pits the strongest fallen fighters against each other in order to earn the opportunity to train under Grand Kai. Pikkon is Goku's equal during these proceedings as the two only manage a draw. Pikkon becomes a steady defender of justice in the afterlife. He provides Goku with vital support during Janemba's reign of terror in Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn.

28 Cabba Achieved Super Saiyan 2 In The Tournament Of Power

Cabba was the first Universe 6 Saiyan Dragon Ball fans were introduced to. Cabba is a member of Planet Sadala's Defense Forces and a member of a Saiyan race that is much further evolved than their Universe 7 counterparts. This means Universe 6 Saiyans have a much higher skill floor.

Yet, Cabba nor any of the Universe 6 Saiyans had knowledge of the Super Saiyan transformation. Vegeta goaded Cabba into transforming during their fight in the Tournament of Destroyers, which he then taught Caulifla through non-emotional means. During the Tournament of Power, Cabba achieved Super Saiyan 2, making Super Saiyan 3 close to reality.

27 Caulifla Is A True Saiyan Prodigy With Enormous Potential

Caulifla is a true Saiyan prodigy. Her high potential and eagerness to fight closely resemble Goku. Caulifla quickly got a handle on the Super Saiyan transformation, becoming the first female Super Saiyan in the Dragon Ball franchise, and even briefly surged into Super Saiyan 2 to stop an out-of-control Kale.

Caulifla couldn't retain her Super Saiyan 2 transformation until she witnessed Goku demonstrate it in the Tournament of Power. Afterward, she transformed into Super Saiyan 2 as if she's been using the form for years. Caulifla is a very quick learner and there's little reason to doubt she'll attain Super Saiyan 3 by the next time Dragon Ball fans get to see her.

26 Gotenks Can Tap Into Super Saiyan 3 Levels Of Power

Goten and Trunks are incredibly early bloomers, and their Super Saiyan milestones easily trump those of their parents. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero showcases teen versions of Goten and Trunks, who are surely destined for greatness, and their exploits as Saiyamen were recently chronicled in the manga.

Goten and Trunks are at their strongest when they're fused together as Gotenks, who can tap into Super Saiyan 3 strength. A true battle of fused Saiyan strength between Gotenks and Universe 6's Kefla is hopefully on the horizon.

25 Dyspo Is An Elite Member Of Universe 11's Pride Troopers

Dyspo is one of the elite members of Universe 11's Pride Troopers. While Jiren and Top bring strength to the justice team, Dyspo brings speed. Dyspo may very well be the fastest mortal in the multiverse. Dyspo is so fast, the only way he was eliminated in the Tournament of Power was for Gohan to team with Frieza to limit his area of movement and for Gohan to sacrifice himself.

While Gohan was disappointed he didn't make it further in the Tournament of Power, Piccolo reassured him by noting that Dyspo's speed could've been increasingly difficult to overcome in the later stages of the tournament.

24 Majin Buu Has Improved Significantly Since Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball has a history of rehabilitating its villains into powerful allies, which carries over into the events of Dragon Ball Super. Majin Buu wipes out the planet's population and rotates through multiple versions of himself before he reaches perfection. The rotund "Good Buu" sticks around and becomes one of Mr. Satan's closest friends.

Dragon Ball Super actually allows Buu to engage in some battles, which showcases how much he's improved since the events of Dragon Ball Z. There's even a particularly amusing joke where Buu slims down into a buff, athletic, state after strenuous training apparently burns off his fat.

23 Android 17 Has Never Once Stopped His Rigorous Training

The Tournament of Power was a fantastic opportunity to bring back characters who haven't been seen in a decade, but it also gives them another chance to shine. It's safe to say that no character shined brighter than Android 17, and he makes his return for the first time since Dragon Ball Z's Android invasion.

Android 17 now works as a wildlife ranger on a remote island. Despite his newfound employment and family, Android 17 hasn't stopped training. It's this training that allows him to survive until the very end of the Tournament of Power. His intelligence also allowed him to gain the upper hand in fights where his strength was outmatched.

22 Kale's Super Saiyan Resembles Broly's Legendary Transformation

While Cabba and Caulifla were able to transform and get the hang of their newfound Super Saiyan form quickly, the timid Kale struggled to reach it herself. Despite Cabba and Caulifla's best attempts, Kale gave up. However, after feeling threatened that she might lose her best friend to Cabba, Kale reaches a more powerful iteration of Super Saiyan.

Kale's brand of Super Saiyan most closely resembles Broly's Legendary Super Saiyan transformation. Similar to Broly, Kale initially lacks control over her new form and becomes a nearly unstoppable force for Universe 6.

21 Frieza's Feats Have Only Become More Impressive In DBS

Few characters strike fear into the hearts of the Z-Fighters like Frieza. Frieza's reign of terror came to an end shortly after Namek in the early days of Dragon Ball Z. Frieza, wiser through experience, has begun to do something he has never previously done in his life: train. While Frieza and his newfound Golden form see a bitter end during the Resurrection F arc, Goku enlists Frieza's help for the Tournament of Power with the promise of restored life.

Goku's bizarre trust in Frieza gets justified as Frieza fights side-by-side with Goku, eliminating Jiren. Frieza's frequent returns showcase his strength and will to finally kill Goku despite many fans growing tired of seeing him. Frieza's feats have only become more impressive in the Dragon Ball Super manga.

20 Hit Is Probably The Dragon Ball Franchise's Greatest Assassin

Strength isn't just about power. Every so often, a character debuts in Dragon Ball with a powerful ability that is extremely difficult to overcome. Few abilities are more overpowered than Hit's time-stopping abilities, which allow him to make pinpoint strikes to incapacitate his targets.

This ability makes Hit the perfect assassin, as many of Hit's targets never even know they were targeted until it's too late. The only two characters who have been able to overcome Hit's time abilities are Goku and Jiren. Despite this, Hit does manage to briefly kill Goku, which makes Hit one of the few characters to do so.

19 Agnilasa Was The Last Act Of Desperation For Universe 3

Agnilasa was the last act of desperation for Universe 3. With their backs against the wall, the remaining five members of Universe 3 fused into one giant monstrosity called Agnilasa. Agnilasa was such a force, that he awoke Jiren from his meditation. Jiren watched as Universe 7 fought Agnilasa, likely being ready on standby if Agnilasa won.

Eliminating Agnilasa took the five remaining members of Universe 7: Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Frieza, and Android 17. All combined their powers for one large-scale beam clash. Android 17, noticing Agnilasa's weak point, activated his barrier and lept through the warring beams to deliver a climactic blow. This gave Universe 7 the advantage to overcome Agnilasa and eliminate Universe 3.

18 Gamma 1 Can Hang With Gohan In His Super Saiyan Form

Gamma 1 is one of two new Androids created by the Red Ribbon Army, which still isn't fully out of commission. Gamma 1 gets created by Dr. Hedo and initially serves as one of the antagonists of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero alongside Gamma 2.

It's difficult to gauge which Gamma is stronger than the other or in general. Gamma 1 is able to hang with Gohan in his Super Saiyan form and his Ultimate form. After Cell Max gets unleashed, Gamma 1 shifts his focus to stopping the berserk monstrosity, but he finds himself unable to do any damage whatsoever.

17 Gamma 2 Actually Chops Off One Of Cell Max's Arms

Gamma 2 is the second of the two new Androids introduced in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. Piccolo believes that both Gammas are roughly on par with Goku and Vegeta in terms of power, though it's unclear if Piccolo means Goku and Vegeta in their strongest forms. While Gamma 1 fights Gohan, Gamma 2 takes on Piccolo.

In his fight with Piccolo, Gamma 2 triggers Piccolo's Orange form. In the struggle to overcome Cell Max, Gamma 2 does manage to cut off one of Cell Max's arms, though it requires his sacrifice. While it's tough to discern which Gamma is stronger, Gamma 2 could get the edge due to executing more impactful results.

16 Piccolo Continues To Pursue A Higher Level Of Strength

Few characters in Dragon Ball have been around as long as Piccolo. Initially appearing during the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament as the primary antagonist, Piccolo has since turned to the side of good. Piccolo continues to pursue a higher level of strength while still keeping watch on his pupil, Gohan.

In Super Hero, Piccolo learns of the plot of the revived Red Ribbon Army to unleash Cell Max. Knowing that Goku and Vegeta are off training on Beerus' planet, Piccolo gets his potential unlocked, similar to Gohan, thanks to Shenron. Shenron also added an extra bonus, which was later revealed to be a new transformation dubbed "Orange Piccolo." In this form, Piccolo easily outmatches Gamma 2 but still falls short of Cell Max.