Ever since its debut in the 1980s, Dragon Ball has proven itself to be one of the most popular and enduring manga and anime series of all time. Dragon Ball comfortably embraces shonen genre tropes as it tells the continuing story of Goku, a powerful warrior who is determined to keep the world safe from evil. Dragon Ball has gradually evolved in exciting ways, such as the revelation that Goku is a member of a race of aggressive aliens known as Saiyans.

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Alternatively, Dragon Ball is full of deadly villains, but few hold the notoriety of the evil tyrant Frieza. Dragon Ball crafts a complex relationship between Frieza and the Saiyan race, which has led to some formidable Saiyan fighters that Frieza should fear.

10 Vegeta’s Grudge Against Frieza Only Grows Stronger Over Time

Anime Vegeta Prepares to Kill Frieza Dragon Ball

Most Saiyans have reason to resent Frieza, but Vegeta is a special circumstance. Frieza is responsible for the extinction of the majority of the Saiyan race, including the destruction of Planet Vegeta and the murder of Vegeta’s father. Vegeta never lets go of this history and it often fuels his overwhelming rage against Frieza.

Super Saiyan Blue Vegeta’s battle against Golden Frieza nearly ends in Frieza’s death, but it also demonstrates just how limitless his anger is towards the villain. Vegeta still hasn’t forgiven Frieza and a rematch is all but inevitable.

9 Future Trunks Has Killed Frieza Once Before & Carries On His Father’s Mission

Future Trunks slices Mecha Frieza into many pieces in Dragon Ball Z.

The introduction of Future Trunks is one of the most exciting moments in the entirety of Dragon Ball Z, largely because of how easily this new character decimates Frieza and his father. Frieza is completely blindsided by Future Trunks’ strength and the two don’t share much time together afterward, even though both characters eventually return in Dragon Ball Super.

Future Trunks’ skills become even more proficient and it’s likely that Future Trunks’ Sword of Hope maneuver would destroy Golden Frieza. Frieza should be very careful here, especially since he’s caused Trunks’ family such pain.

8 Broly Personally Suffers From Frieza’s Wicked Ways

Anime Dragon Ball Super Broly Fights Frieza

Broly is a fan-favorite character that’s occupied a tricky place in Dragon Ball’s history since he’s a Legendary Super Saiyan that shows up in three movies. The canon of the early Dragon Ball Z movies remains in question, which is why Broly gets officially brought into the Dragon Ball universe in Dragon Ball Super: Broly.

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Broly’s history receives minor revisions, but Frieza remains an important catalyst who manipulates Broly and executes his father, Paragus. Broly possesses uncontrollable rage that’s often directed towards Frieza, who only narrowly escapes. There’s still unfinished business between them.

7 Kefla Is The Fusion Of Two Of Universe 6’s Very Best

Anime Dragon Ball Super Kefla Energy Attack

One of the biggest changes that Dragon Ball Super institutes to the series’ scope is the addition of multiple universes. Universe 6 is full of unique fighters, but it’s also a world where Saiyans haven’t received the same grim fate. For this reason, Cabba, Kale, and Caulifla are all Saiyans that Frieza shouldn’t underestimate, but this is particularly true with Kefla, the fusion between Caulifla and Kale.

Kefla asserts herself as one of the strongest characters in the series. Kefla may be more focused on Universe 6’s Frost than Frieza, but the fused powerhouse could likely take them both out.

6 Gohan Carries On His Father’s Legacy & Doesn’t Tolerate Frieza’s Villainy

Gohan Punches Frieza in dragon ball z

Gohan is a fascinating, albeit frustrating figure throughout Dragon Ball. The character becomes increasingly important and gains tremendous strength that briefly surpasses even Vegeta and Goku’s abilities. Gohan’s relevance has wavered over time, but Dragon Ball Super proves that he’s still incredibly powerful and hasn’t lost his fighting spirit.

Gohan has such a history with Frieza, who’s repeatedly tried to kill his father. Frieza continually messes with Goku, which only pushes Gohan further to the edge. Gohan has gained control over his emotions, but if he ever snaps then Frieza should watch out.

5 Goku Black Combines Goku’s Strength With Evil Motives & More

Game Dragon Ball FighterZ Goku Black Rose

Dragon Ball Super’s Goku Black arc brings a new villain forward who is terrifying in a very original way. The presence of an evil Goku confounds many, but it’s eventually revealed that it’s part of Zamasu’s comprehensive plan to wipe out all mortals. Goku Black is extremely dangerous and possesses his own Super Saiyan Blue variation, Super Saiyan Rosé.

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Goku Black holds his own against Vegito, plus he’s also half-immortal, which makes his defeat nearly impossible. Frieza never meets this evil Goku doppelganger, but it’s easy to picture Zamasu’s host taking out Frieza just to reaffirm his immense power.

4 Yamoshi Is a Mythical Saiyan Figure Who Dwarfs Frieza’s Reputation

Yamoshi Super Saiyan God Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball puts many Saiyans in the spotlight, but there are also important individuals from the race’s past who have gone on to gain almost mythical statuses. Important Saiyan figures like the Legendary Super Saiyan or Super Saiyan God fuel rampant speculation.

Goku becomes the first Super Saiyan and Super Saiyan God in the series, but there’s heavy speculation that Yamoshi is someone who archived these things generations ago. Yamoshi is a bit of a Saiyan urban legend, but it’s exactly for that reason that he’s someone that would intimidate Frieza. Rumors have only made the Saiyan seem more incredible.

3 Gotenks Is One Of The Strongest Fusions The Saiyans Have to Offer

Anime Gotenks in Dragon Ball Super's Resurrection 'F' arc

It’s exciting how Dragon Ball extends its story by allowing its characters to not only age but have children and begin families. Trunks and Goten are Vegeta and Goku’s sons, respectively. They may just be children, but they’re incredibly accomplished for their ages.

The two are even more efficient in their fused form, Gotenks, who is the only character in the series besides Goku that can become Super Saiyan 3. Gotenks packs tremendous strength into a tiny package, but the fact that this Saiyan also contains the children of Frieza’s greatest enemies cannot be ignored.

2 Cumber Is A Volatile Saiyan Experiment With A Deadly Purpose

Anime Dragon Ball Heroes Golden Great Ape Cumber

Dragon Ball is still going strong with consistent new content from Dragon Ball Super’s manga. However, a promotional anime series, Super Dragon Ball Heroes, is also now in production. Super Dragon Ball Heroes radically combines all of the series’ strongest characters, even if that means multiple versions of Goku.

Super Dragon Ball Heroes features some original characters, like Cumber, a risky Saiyan experiment from Fu. Cumber bears a lot in common with Broly and he basically exists to just have another burly, rage-filled Saiyan. Cumber’s overpowered abilities and unpredictable anger make him an enemy that would legitimately give Frieza pause.

1 Goku Has Ended Frieza On Multiple Occasions & Is Prepared To Do It Again

Anime goku vs frieza

Frieza isn’t someone that shows his fear and weaknesses very often, but Goku is one of the few individuals that’s pushed Frieza to the point of abject terror. Goku commonly has a cheerful disposition and he’s even given Frieza repeated chances at redemption when he doesn’t deserve them.

Goku often gives Frieza the benefit of the doubt, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s killed Frieza on more than one occasion. Goku forces Frieza to admit his weaknesses and how he’s ultimately inferior to a Saiyan, which drives him crazy.

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