Top 10 Dragon Ball Characters with the Most Wasted Potential

Since its inception, the Dragon Ball series has presented us with a dizzying array of characters. From the likes of Goku and Vegeta to Piccolo and Frieza, these individuals have woven themselves into the rich tapestry of the Dragon Ball lore. However, amidst the epic battles and towering power levels, there lie a handful of characters whose potential remains largely untapped, characters who, with a bit more screen time or development, could have risen to truly legendary status.

When you think about it, Dragon Ball is filled with characters who could have shown us more. Maybe it's a case of getting sidelined due to the increasing power levels of the main cast, or perhaps their backstories and abilities were just never fully explored. Regardless, it's clear that these characters deserved more than what they got.

The Top Ten

  1. Tien

    Tien Shinhan is a fictional character from the Dragon Ball franchise, created by Akira Toriyama. He first appeared in Dragon Ball chapter 113, published on February 24, 1987. Tien is a disciplined martial artist with a third eye and is known for using techniques like the Tri-Beam and the Multi-Form.

    Kiko F yourself - Tien's last words.

    I loved when he suddenly showed up against Semi-Perfect Cell. He put up a decent challenge for his supremely inferior power level. Props.

    In my opinion, Tien is the most skilled character, but Akira Toriyama and Toyotaro wasted his potential. I feel like he should have done so much more.

    Wasted in Tournament of Power, with his only real match ending in a tie.

  2. Trunks

    Trunks is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball manga and anime franchise created by Akira Toriyama. He is the son of Vegeta and Bulma, and his future counterpart travels back in time to warn the Z Fighters of approaching dangers. Trunks is one of the franchise's most prominent characters and appears... read more

  3. Yamcha

    Yamcha is a bandit and a central protagonist in the original Dragon Ball manga and anime. He later appears as a supporting character in Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super and makes a few appearances in Dragon Ball GT. He is known for his martial arts skills, black hair, and distinctive scar across his... read more

    I really feel sorry for him. He got blindsided by a Saibaman and lost his girlfriend to a jackass Saiyan. He deserves some pity, don't you think? Stop making fun of Yamcha!

    It was sad. He had great potential... to be the world's greatest comedian! He'd just say, "Don't worry, guys, Yamcha is here!" and the whole crowd would be laughing.

    Don't worry, I'll save you! Dies in one punch.

  4. Android 18

    Android 18 is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball manga and anime series created by Akira Toriyama. She is originally introduced as an antagonist and one of the cyborgs created by Dr. Gero to destroy Goku.

    After being absorbed and later released by Cell, Android 18 becomes a key ally to the... read more

  5. Bra/Bulla

    Bulla is a fictional character from the Dragon Ball series, created by Akira Toriyama. She is the daughter of Vegeta and Bulma, two major characters in the series. Bulla later appears as a teenager in Dragon Ball GT, where she is portrayed as outgoing and fashionable, though she is not depicted as... read more

  6. Goten

    Goten is a fictional character from Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga and its anime adaptation Dragon Ball Z. He is the second son of Goku and Chi-Chi and the younger brother of Gohan. Goten is known for his early ability to transform into a Super Saiyan and for fusing with Trunks to form Gotenks.

    More potential than Trunks, so more wasted.

  7. Piccolo

    Piccolo is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball manga series created by Akira Toriyama. He first appeared in chapter 161 of the manga, published in Weekly Shōnen Jump on February 9, 1988.

    He is a member of the Namekian race and has powers that include ki manipulation, regeneration, telepathy... read more

  8. Gohan

    Son Gohan is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball manga series created by Akira Toriyama. He was introduced as the first son of Goku and Chi-Chi in chapter 196, titled Kakarrot, which was first published on October 8, 1988, in Weekly Shōnen Jump.... read more

    He should've stayed the hero. He should've killed Buu, dammit!

  9. Pan

    Pan (パン, Pan) is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball manga series created by Akira Toriyama. She is the granddaughter of Goku, who is known as one of Earth's greatest protectors, and Mr. Satan, the reigning World Martial Arts Champion. Pan is the daughter of Gohan and Videl, making her three-quarters... read more

    Her potential is definitely wasted. In Dragon Ball Z, she is barely shown. In DBGT, she's one of the strongest characters, yet she is still weak. She's annoying and unappealing to audiences. All you want to do is tell her to stop yelling. She and Samuel Jackson must get along well, haha. She's more of a bother than a real help. And the whole not being able to go SSJ is a big downside.

  10. Krillin

    Krillin (クリリン, Kuririn) is a supporting protagonist in the Dragon Ball manga and the anime series Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Super. When he first met Goku, they had a brief rivalry while training under Master Roshi, but they quickly became lifelong best friends.... read more

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Yajirobe

    Yajirobe is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball franchise, created by Akira Toriyama. He is an overweight swordsman who prefers to avoid combat and later resides at Korin Tower. Yajirobe plays a crucial role during the Saiyan Saga when he cuts off Vegeta's tail, stopping his transformation into... read more

  12. ?

    Dabura

    One of the most intimidating character designs in all of Dragon Ball. Wasted to set up the Majin Buu arc when he could have set up an entirely different villain arc on his own.

    13. The Contenders

  13. Raditz

    Raditz is a fictional character from the Dragon Ball manga and anime franchise created by Akira Toriyama. He is introduced as the older brother of the series' protagonist, Goku. Raditz is a Saiyan warrior who arrives on Earth to recruit Goku for a conquest mission but is ultimately defeated by Goku and... read more

    He should be #1! He's Goku's brother, and he was just thrown away three episodes in!

    Raditz could have been such a great villain or hero if Toriyama had done anything with him.

  14. Chiaotzu

    The best thing he did in DBZ was to attack Nappa.

    I know... he failed and committed suicide.

    And yes, I don't like Chiaotzu.

  15. Uub

    If you're going to create someone like Uub, you need to use him.

  16. Videl

    Videl is a fictional character from the anime and manga series Dragon Ball, created by Akira Toriyama. She is the daughter of Mr. Satan, also known as Hercule, a martial arts champion, and later becomes the wife of Gohan, the son of Goku. Videl is known for her fighting skills and strong-willed personality... read more

  17. Broly

    Broly is a major character in the Dragon Ball franchise. The original version appeared as the main antagonist in a trilogy of Dragon Ball Z films, while a reworked version debuted in Dragon Ball Super: Broly. He is a tremendously powerful Saiyan and the son of Paragus, who plays a significant role in... read more

    Broly was totally wasted in the Triple Threat Trilogy. And he's so popular he's coming back for Super. Good thinking, Akira Toriyama.

  18. King Cold

    I think King Cold should've had a True Form like Frieza. If he managed to show it, he would have at least put up an interesting fight against Future Trunks.

    Please do explain why King Cold didn't fight Goku?

  19. Kid Gohan

  20. Good Buu

  21. Nappa

    Nappa is a fictional character from the Dragon Ball manga and its anime adaptation, Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama. He is a Saiyan warrior who serves under Prince Vegeta and travels to Earth during the Saiyan Saga. Known for his strength and destructive power, Nappa plays a key antagonistic... read more

  22. Majin Buu

    Majin Boo, spelled "Majin Buu" in the English anime dub, is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball series created by Akira Toriyama. He is the final main antagonist faced by the heroes in Dragon Ball Z and was created by the Demon World witch Marba at the request of the wizard Bibidi. Majin Buu undergoes... read more

  23. Android 17

    Android 17 is a fictional character from the anime series Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama. He is an android created by Dr. Gero and is known for his quiet demeanor and powerful combat abilities. Android 17 later reappears in Dragon Ball Super, where he plays a major role in the Tournament of... read more

  24. Goku

    Son Goku, whose Saiyan name is Kakarot, is the main protagonist of the Dragon Ball franchise created by Akira Toriyama in 1984. He possesses many powerful abilities, including super strength, ki control, flight, teleportation, super speed, enhanced reflexes, and Super Saiyan transformations that increase... read more

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