Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball continues to resonate with shonen audiences four decades after its debut. Dragon Ball’s impressive run is a testament to its well-structured storytelling, intimidating techniques and transformations and the compelling cast of characters who go above and beyond to protect the planet.
Dragon Ball is the home of some of anime’s most beloved characters. Figures like Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, and Frieza are even recognized by those who aren’t major anime fans. There’s something to be said for strong and entertaining individuals, but Dragon Ball also features its share of dynamic duos who do their best work when they’re working together as a team.
Zarbon & Dodoria Are Two Of Frieza’s Top Standout Soldiers
Frieza and his tyrannical army terrorized the galaxy undeterred until their plans for Planet Namek’s Dragon Balls put them at odds with the Z-Fighters and Vegeta. Dragon Ball loves to build its way up to its major villains, which means that Frieza is happy to pass off smaller tasks to his right-hand men, Dodoria and Zarbon. These two are a resourceful pair who are both subjected to Vegeta’s rage. Dodoria initially appears to be the crasser and more aggressive member of this duo.
However, Zarbon’s well-put-together demeanor is stripped down when he’s forced to transform into his stronger and more monstrous state. Dodoria and Zarbon – and Cui, for that matter – are satisfying steppingstones in Vegeta’s Namek Saga character development. They never amount to much more than standard grunts.
Tien & Chiaotzu’s Martial Arts Shorthand Goes Back Decades
Tien and Chiaotzu have become valuable allies to Goku, but they’re introduced as sinister counterparts to Goku and Krillin. Tien and Chiaotzu are Master Shen’s top students at the Crane School of Martial Arts, and they experience a crisis of faith when they learn about Shen’s wicked, vengeful nature. Tien and Chiaotzu have comfortably become supporting heroes, due to their inability to keep up with Saiyans’ copious transformations.
Many of this duo’s greatest contributions are during the original Dragon Ball. However, their teamwork against Moro’s Galactic Bandit Brigade is also very satisfying. Nevertheless, Tien and Chiaotzu continue to work together and have proven that they’ll always have each other’s back, even if they’re hopelessly out of their league.
Burter & Jeice Showcase The Ginyu Force’s Exceptional Speed & Strength
The Ginyu Force is Frieza’s top mercenary team and a resourceful group who causes havoc on Namek and nearly kills the Z-Fighters before Goku intervenes. There are five members in the Ginyu Force, but Burter and Jeice have found an even greater sense of camaraderie among each other. Burter is known for his exceptional speed, while Jeice possesses an impressive roster of energy attacks. They’re both dangerous fighters on their own, but they often work together to deliver an even more intimidating tag-team attack.
Burter and Jeice, who also advertise themselves as the Ginyu Force’s Blue Hurricane and Red Magma, combine their powers to deliver a powerful collaborative strike – the Purple Comet Attack. There’s a lot of potential in this duo and it’s unfortunate that Dragon Ball doesn’t find a better storyline for them to grow, despite their additional filler appearance on King Kai’s Planet.
Gamma 1 & Gamma 2 Represent Red Ribbon’s State-Of-The-Art Android Excellence
Dragon Ball has been looking at powerful Androids from the start, and it remains territory that the franchise continues to push further. Dragon Ball Super’s Super Hero Saga brings back Red Ribbon with a vengeance, which includes a duo of extremely dangerous Androids. Gamma 1 and Gamma 2 are the ultimate inventions of Dr. Hedo, Dr. Gero’s grandson.
These Androids feature unprecedented power, but what makes the Gamma duo so compelling is that they’ve been fed the lie that the Z-Fighters are actually villains. Gamma 1 and 2 have been manipulated to believe that they’re heroes who are doing the right thing, while their strength and sense of justice is being exploited. Gamma 1 doesn’t make it out alive, but his values live on in Gamma 2.
Goten & Trunks Are Prolific Saiyans Who Symbolize The Next Generation Of Heroes
Dragon Ball Z initially passes its heroic torch from Goku to Gohan, but it’s developed even further with Goten and Trunks. The sons of Goku and Vegeta are fascinating counterpoints to their parents. Goku and Vegeta’s friendly rivalry was born out of a fatalistic place. However, Goten and Trunks have always genuinely been friends and in each other’s corner.
Not only is it rare for these two not to fight together as a team, but they’re also Dragon Ball’s poster children for fusion. Goten and Trunks are such a strong duo that they literally become one individual who has their best traits. It’s a friendship and duo that will never be broken, even if their fighting ability has also collectively regressed.
Android 17 & 18 Have Overcome Their Dark Pasts To Preserve The Planet
Androids 17 and 18 represent a terrifying turning point in Dragon Ball Z, and they’re a serious trigger for Future Trunks, who watched versions of these machines massacre his friends and family. Dragon Ball Z highlights how effective these twins are as a team when they gleefully cause chaos leading up to Cell’s interruption. Android 17 is out of the picture for years until he’s recruited by Goku to participate in the Tournament of Power.
It’s a lot of fun to watch these two Androids once again operate as a powerful pair. Their abilities are complementary, and they’re able to pool together some of their techniques to cause even greater destruction. These two Androids have found their way back to each other and thrive when they’re able to put their all into protecting the planet.
Universe 6’s Kale & Caulifla Reflect A New Kind Of Saiyan Excellence
One of the most exciting developments to come out of Dragon Ball Super’s multiverse is that Universe 6 still has a thriving Saiyan population. A trio of powerful Saiyans, Cabba, Kale and Caulifla, emerge as some of Universe 6’s strongest. However, Kale and Caulifla reflect an extra special bond that has helped both of them succeed in battle.
Kale is Universe 6’s Legendary Super Saiyan, yet she’s also a timid warrior who lacks the confidence to fully embrace her power. Caulifla helps Kale find the necessary inner strength to go on. Kale and Caulifla do a lot of damage in the Tournament of Power, but their fused form, Kefla, is even more intimidating. Super Saiyan 2 Kefla even temporarily holds her own against Ultra Instinct Goku.
Goku Black & Future Zamasu Embody Endless Disdain For Mortals’ Shortcomings
Dragon Ball Super’s “Future” Trunks Saga features a frightening duo of extremely committed villains who launch an ambitious scheme to erase all mortals from existence. There’s a compelling mystery that’s crafted around Goku Black’s true identity and it’s eventually revealed to be Zamasu from an alternate timeline. Zamasu, in Goku’s body, teams up with a future version of himself in what’s an unprecedented degree of narcissism and ego.
Goku Black and Future Zamasu work together against Goku, Vegeta, and Future Trunks, all while they wreak havoc on the latter’s timeline. The cruelty and arrogance in this duo makes them standout villains. They upgrade their power to apocalyptic proportions when they use the Potara Earrings to become Fused Zamasu, a half-immortal deity.
Piccolo & Gohan’s Unbreakable Bond Has Been Forged From Pain, Trauma & Empathy
There’s a strong case to be made that Dragon Ball’s strongest bond is the unlikely relationship that’s been forged between Gohan and Piccolo. Piccolo is surprisingly thrust into a protective guardian role for Gohan after Goku’s death. Piccolo helps Gohan hone his martial arts skills and better realize his potential, but their time together also humanizes Piccolo and helps him understand what it means to care for others.
Piccolo’s sacrifice to save Gohan’s life solidifies their bond and they continue to work together to take out evil. The sight of Piccolo in pain is even frequently used as an emotional trigger for Gohan, like his Gohan Beast breakthrough in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. Piccolo and Gohan’s powerful connection has even carried over to Gohan’s daughter, Pan, who has also started to train under Piccolo.
Goku & Vegeta’s Fiery Feud Fueled A Fundamental Friendship
Goku and Vegeta first face off as the antithesis of each other and an enlightening example of nature versus nurture. Despite their completely different backgrounds, Goku and Vegeta match each other’s Saiyan powers with eclectic attack arsenals that speak to their upbringings. Goku’s decision to spare Vegeta’s life becomes one of the most important moments in his life. Vegeta slowly builds a life for himself on Earth and valiantly defends the planet with everything that he has.
Goku and Vegeta’s competitive rivalry brings out the best in both of them, whether it’s matching each other’s milestones, perfecting new techniques and transformations, or venturing outside their comfort zone. Goku and Vegeta have worked together to take out most of the universe’s fiercest foes. They’re a shining example of teamwork and a duo who continually reach new heights.
- Cast
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Sean Schemmel, Laura Bailey, Brian Drummond, Christopher Sabat, Scott McNeil
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama