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
Tien Town is an anime fictional character from the anime series, Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama.

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.

Trunks Trunks is an anime fictional character from the anime series, Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama.
Goten Goten is an anime fictional character from the anime series, Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama.

More potential than Trunks, so more wasted.

Yamcha Yamcha (ヤムチャ, Yamucha) is a Bandit and a main protagonist in the Dragon Ball manga and in the anime Dragon Ball, and later a supporting protagonist in Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, with a few appearances in Dragon Ball GT. He has black hair and has a scar across his eye and cheek.

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.

Pan Pan (パン, Pan) is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball manga series created by Akira Toriyama. She is the granddaughter of Earth's savior, Goku and the world champion, Mr. Satan. Pan's heritage is primarily Earthling, being the offspring of the Saiyan-Earthling hybrid Gohan and the Earthling... 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.

Gohan Son Gohan is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball manga series created by Akira Toriyama. Gohan is introduced as the first son of the protagonist Goku, and his wife Chi-Chi, in chapter #196 Kakarrot, first published in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine on October 24, 1988. Chi-Chi is a strict and protective... read more

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

Android 18
Bra/Bulla Bulla is an anime fictional character from the anime series, Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama.
Piccolo Piccolo is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball manga series created by Akira Toriyama. He first appeared in chapter 161 of the Dragon Ball manga in the Shonen Jump magazine on February 22, 1988. He is a member of the alien Namekian race and has abilities such as ki manipulation, regeneration, telepathy,... read more
Videl Videl is an anime fictional character from the anime series, Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama.

The Newcomers

? Yajirobe Yajirobe is an anime fictional character from the anime series, Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama.
? 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.

The Contenders
Raditz Raditz is an anime fictional character from the anime series, Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama.

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.

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.

Uub

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

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... read more
Broly Broly is the main antagonist in the Broly Triple Threat trilogy and Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie. He appears to be the latest of the Legendary Super Saiyans who appear every thousand years. His father was Paragus.

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

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?

Kid Gohan
Good Buu
Nappa Nappa is an anime fictional character from the anime series, Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama.
Majin Buu Majin Boo (Spelled "Majin Buu" in the English Dub) is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball series by Akira Toriyama. He is the fourth and final main antagonist of Dragon Ball Z, a being of pure evil created by the wizard Bibbidi to wreak havok upon the universe series before the series's beginning... read more
Android 17 Android 17 is an anime fictional character from the anime series, Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama.
Goku Son Goku (Kakarrot) is the main protagonist in Dragon Ball franchise created by Akira Toriyama in 1984. He has many abilities like, super strength, utilization of ki, flight, teleportation, super speed, enhanced reflexes, and Super Saiyan transformation that increase strength, speed, and durability... read more
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