Dragon Ball is undoubtedly one of the most iconic series in the world. Thanks to the late Akira Toriyama’s outstanding work, many of the characters featured in the manga and anime have become instantly recognizable. This is in part due to how amazing and beloved most of the designs are.

Still, some Dragon Ball characters have withstood the passing of time, with their looks being just as incredible as they were decades ago. These characters prove how much thought and effort the author put into their creation, and how revolutionary and influential Toriyama’s artwork has been. No matter how much time passes, some Dragon Ball character designs will always be impressive.

10

Beerus, the God of Destruction

A design worthy of such a powerful deity

The most powerful God of Destruction, that of Universe 7, is perhaps one of the most distinctive beings in Dragon Ball’s universe. This cat-like humanoid alien is a member of an unknown species, clearly inspired by ancient Egyptian depictions of felines. In truth, Toriyama took inspiration from his old car for the design. His purple skin, baggy pants, and ornamental collar are unlike anything seen in the franchise before.

Despite how simple Beerus’ design is, it accomplishes its mission of giving the God of Destruction an air of royalty, commanding respect, and inspiring fear in those who see him. Nonetheless, Universe 7’s most powerful deity has not been around as much as other characters in the series. This prevents Beerus from becoming as iconic as beings like Goku, seeing as fans of the franchise seem to be the ones who mostly recognize him.

9

Perfect Cell

Terrifying and intriguing, fit for a final boss

A Bio-Android created by Doctor Gero and the main antagonist of the Android Saga, Cell is a bug-like humanoid being able to transform himself. Out of all his transformations, his final form is the most popular and beloved among Dragon Ball fans. His green color, crown-like headgear, wings, and tails make Cell one of the eeriest anime villains.

Cell is a being who induces terror in the viewer, not only due to his appearance but also due to his nonchalant and arrogant attitude. His confident smile and hatred-filled eyes only make him that much more menacing. It is a shame that, despite how iconic it is, Cell’s Perfect Form loses the horror elements of his first transformation, as retaining them would have made him even more terrifying.

8

Vegito

An almost perfect blend of Goku and Vegeta

Born of the desire of Goku and Vegeta to defeat Majin Buu, Vegito is one of the Fusions introduced in the series. As a combination of the series’ main heroes, this powerful and noble warrior possesses the virtues and strengths of both the Saiyan prince and Kakarot. Vegito perfectly encapsulates the idea of Goku and Vegeta becoming one, having features of both characters present in his design.

His blue and orange gi seamlessly combines both Saiyans’ color schemes, while maintaining a balance between them. Despite Vegeta’s color being the dominant one, the fact that Vegito’s clothes resemble those of Goku’s makes his outfit a perfect homage to both heroes. Despite this, his facial features certainly make the fusion look more like Goku than Vegeta, which slightly breaks the balance of the design.

7

Super Janemba

A striking and unique design for the embodiment of evil

Born from the concept of evil itself, Janemba is a powerful monster who fought Goku and Vegeta in one of the Dragon Ball franchise’s movies, Fusion Reborn. Like many villains in the franchise, this being has more than one form, with the last one being one of the most remarkable and imposing. His appearance can only be described as demonic, taking clear inspiration from popular depictions of these evil creatures.

His mouth is in a perpetual mocking grin, which only makes this creature that much more unsettling. His entire body is covered in an armor-like purple substance, helping him stand out from other villains. Janemba is also one of the few Dragon Ball antagonists to use a weapon, as he is often seen carrying a gigantic sword. Despite having just one appearance in the movie franchise, Janemba is still an iconic part of the Dragon Ball universe.

6

Vegeta (New Saiyan Armor)

Vegeta’s most identifiable and beloved outfit

Throughout the years, Vegeta has been seen using several different outfits, each showcasing the care Toriyama put into his character. Yet, his signature design is undoubtedly that which debuted during the iconic and entertaining Frieza Saga. During that time, the Prince of Saiyans changed his old armor for the one that would become iconic for the franchise.

Gone were the awkward shoulder pads and useless belts, giving Vegeta a more refined and practical look. While simple in design, his armor perfectly portrays Vegeta as a powerful and proud fighter. The lack of protection for his legs demonstrates how confident the prince is in his abilities. This design is so iconic to the franchise, that it has barely been changed even decades after its release.

5

Ultimate Gohan

Simple yet imposing, like Gohan himself

When Gohan finally unlooked all of his potential, he became one of the most powerful beings in Universe 7. He also acquired one of the most distinctive designs in the franchise. Ultimate Gohan is a simple and elegant transformation, seldom changing anything about Goku’s son’s design, while also emphasizing his strength and overwhelming power.

His spiky hair is similar to that of a Super Saiyan while remaining his iconic black. The transformation serves to remind viewers that Gohan is an incredibly powerful fighter, not only because of his Saiyan blood, but also because of his human nature. This transformation is the epitome of Gohan’s progress, being one of the young man’s most beloved appearances in the series.

4

Frieza (Final Form)

A regal and refined look for the Galactic Emperor

Also known as the Galactic Emperor of Universe 7, Frieza is a member of the cruel and unfeeling Frost Demon race. This species has a distinctive characteristic, being the ability to transform into more powerful versions of themselves. Frieza’s final form is among the most recognizable and iconic anime villains of all time. Unlike his previous transformations, which can feel a bit overdesigned, this one shines for its simplicity.

His skin is almost completely white, with small portions colored deep purple, hinting at this ruthless being’s royal origins. His eyes show arrogance, depicting Frieza’s superiority complex to its fullest. This transformation also started a trend of anime villain having a final form that looks less monstrous and imposing than the previous ones, to generate a contrast with their overwhelming power.

3

Future Trunks (Cell Saga)

Cool, collected, and fashionable all in one

Hailing from an apocalyptic future in which Androids 17 and 18 ended the lives of almost all Z Fighters, Trunks is an incredibly interesting character. His life has been filled with tragedy, death, and constant fighting, something that is expertly represented in his design. His outfit is extremely casual and comfortable, something necessary for a warrior who needs to be ready for a fight at any moment.

Despite this, Trunks keeps true to his roots by always wearing the Capsule Corp. jacket his mother gifted him. His lonely warrior look is completed by his sword, which he is always seen carrying on his back. Just like his father, Vegeta, this young fighter constantly has a serious and determined expression, confident about his fighting skills. There are few designs in the series as beloved as Future Trunks’ original outfit.

2

Piccolo

Toriyama’s favorite character

First appearing as one of Goku’s greatest enemies, Piccolo has become a staple of the Dragon Ball franchise. This noble warrior is a member of the Namekian race, one of the most peculiar and visually intriguing alien species in the series. His green skin, sharp fangs, antennae, and yellow patches of skin make him stand out just enough from other members of the Z-Warriors.

Besides his iconic appearance, Piccolo has one of the most intriguing outfits in the series. Over his purple and red combat gear, Piccolo is often seen wearing a turban-like hat and a large cape with long shoulder pads. His clothes greatly complement his serious and collected demeanor, giving him the look of an experienced and wise fighter. Piccolo’s design was Toriyama’s favorite, making it even more special and cherished by fans.

1

Goku (Orange Gi)

One of anime’s most iconic designs ever

No matter how many years go by, there is one character whose design and clothes will always pop into fans’ minds when talking about Dragon Ball: Goku. Kakarot’s fighting gear, consisting of an orange Gi with Master Roshi’s logo on it, blue boots, and a belt, is one that no anime fan can forget. Goku’s attire, while simple, perfectly encapsulates what his character is about.

Goku is a born fighter, enthusiastically looking for new challenges to overcome. His gi, which was first gifted to him by Roshi, represents all the training and hardships Goku has gone through, while also paying homage to his master. This design has become so popular, that even other anime characters have been seen using it, wanting to show their respect for Toriyama’s iconic character. Goku’s design is unquestionably one of the best in all anime, and the one that even those who are not fans of Dragon Ball will instantly recognize..