Dragon Ball definitely has a diverse collection of characters. It's a credit to Akira Toriyama's mind that he's able to craft so many iconic, entertaining faces. In the process, he keeps fans engrossed in every fight. That said, the manga and anime are only the beginning.
Fans have also seen a host of Dragon Ball games, many of them coming with their own original characters. Some of them benefit from Toriyama's involvement in their design, but most of their charm lies in how they play on established foundations to create something new. As a result, many are memorable enough to stand with mainline fighters.
7 Cellin - Dragon Ball Z: Budokai
The what-if scenarios are among the most amusing aspects of this fighting gem. One such story sees Cell accidentally absorb Krillin, turning the villain into a miniature menace with a nasal squeak of a voice. It's as ridiculous as it is entertaining.
Cellin is absolutely hilarious despite his brief screen time. His size gives him a massive Napoleon complex, meaning that he's rearing for a fight. When Yamcha and Tien push him around, he compounds the silliness with a slew of frustrated noises. By the end, it's almost sad to see such a funny firecracker go.
6 The Village Elder - Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy Of Goku
As Goku rushes to save Gohan from Raditz in this Game Boy Advance adaptation, he's blocked by the elder of a backwater village. The old man then saddles the hero with a bunch of menial tasks. He must retrieve a lost toy, pick flowers, and find a wayward cat. These are all pointless to the story, but the reward is worth the annoyance.
The old man teaches the Solar Flare technique. This move leaves any enemy paralyzed with blindness, letting Goku get a free hit before retreating to safety. It guarantees victory in every battle. Moreover, it makes this elder the most helpful NPC in the handheld title. Many fans likely look fondly on this character, as his secret weapon breaks the game in half.
5 Giblet - Dragon Ball Legends
This fighter is one of the first Saiyans. It's always intriguing to compare members of this warrior race from different eras and universes, and that same novelty applies here. Giblet is the epitome of the old-school mindset, even more so than Vegeta. He pursues combat for his own betterment and to crush weaker opponents under his heel. Peaceful Saiyans are repellent to him, as they go against the very fabric of his being.
Someone so devoted to the old ways is disarming. As dangerous as he is, it's hard not to appreciate the passion. He's a man driven by his ideals, which he exercises without compromise. In other words, he's a true fanatic. That single-minded hostility makes for a terrifying antagonist, one whom the heroes can't hope to reason with.
4 Zahha - Dragon Ball Legends
This man is a mystery. No one knows Zahha's origins, and that tracks with his appearance. He doesn't quite resemble any species seen before. Of course, that doesn't mean he's unfamiliar with the Z-fighters. He has more foresight and knowledge than anyone else. That would be foreboding enough, but it's more so with how he uses that knowledge.
Zahha manipulates countless characters for his own agenda. Sometimes, he subtly guides them like an eerie mentor figure. Other times, he coldly dismisses them like an impersonal overlord. It's hard to fight someone who can so seamlessly mold every situation. He certainly lives up to his moniker of "Mastermind."
3 Chronoa - The Dragon Ball: Xenoverse Series
One would expect a Supreme Kai to be calm and collected, especially one in charge of something as delicate as the timeline. Well, that's mostly the case with this little deity in the Xenoverse games. Chronoa shows a surprising amount of understanding for worldly struggles and empathy for personal conflict, making her more likable than the franchise's other godly beings. Even so, she has her limits.
Chronoa's gentle attitude is easily shattered. She can be incredibly nasty and domineering. The slightest provocation sets her off on tantrums about her allies' stupidity. As a result, audiences never know what to expect. They must always stay on their toes.
2 Android 21 - Dragon Ball FighterZ
The FighterZ antagonist is an android based on Majin Buu, and she develops two personas akin to the pink creature. Each is compelling in its own right. The first is a scheming sadist who sees enemies as nothing more than potential meals. She's crazy for candy, which is equally creepy and amusing.
On the other end of the spectrum is a meek scientist. She's afraid of her own power and what she's created. His subsequent interactions with the Z-fighters bring her out of her shell. Over time, her confidence builds--an organic process that turns her into a capable heroine. In short, Android 21 gives fans the best of both worlds with one character.
1 Gamelan - Dragon Ball Legends
Here's a villain from Planet Namek, which is not often seen in Dragon Ball. Gamelan is essentially a dark reflection of Kami, akin to Demon King Piccolo on a grander scale. He works to attain divinity through conquest, and he definitely has the tools to do it. Sinister renditions of Senzu Beans and other familiar concepts may be gimmicks, but they also make him effective as an enemy.
What really puts Gamelan over the edge, though, is his twisted exploitation of his race. The Namekians are inherently peaceful people. Corrupting them to serve his own ends is not only despicable but a chilling subversion of the convention.