The Dragon Ball series features numerous captivating characters, each enchanting fans with their unique personalities and combat styles. In November 2025, an official global popularity vote will commence, providing fans around the world the opportunity to vote for their favorite characters. This article will thoroughly explain the details of this latest official popularity vote, as well as the rankings of popular characters throughout history. We will delve into the reasons for popularity and the charm of both main characters like Goku and Vegeta, as well as unique characters with a strong fanbase.
In November 2025, Shueisha and Toei Animation held the 'Dragon Ball Official Global Popularity Vote.' This event is part of a commemorative project celebrating the 40th anniversary of the original manga's serialization, and it is the largest voting event ever in which fans from all over the world can participate. In this vote, all characters appearing in the Dragon Ball series are eligible, and fans can vote for multiple favorite characters.
The voting period will run for three months, from November 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026. The participation method is very simple; you just need to access the official website and register using your email address or social media account to vote. Voting is allowed once per day, and during the period, you can vote for different characters each day.
The eligible works include the original manga 'Dragon Ball,' as well as the anime series 'Dragon Ball,' 'Dragon Ball Z,' 'Dragon Ball GT,' 'Dragon Ball Super,' and even original characters from theatrical releases. The official site updates voting status in real-time, allowing participants to join in while checking the current rankings. Additionally, a social media campaign is being conducted, and by using specific hashtags to promote voting, participants have a chance to win limited goods in a lottery.
The characters eligible for voting include over 500 individuals, from main characters to supporting roles.
Of course, protagonist-class characters such as Son Goku, Vegeta, and Piccolo are included, as well as enemy characters like Frieza and Cell, female characters such as Bulma and Android 18, and even support characters like Yamcha and Chiaotzu, making the target audience quite broad.
As for the voting rules, you can select a maximum of **five characters in one vote, with each character receiving one vote. You cannot cast multiple votes for the same character, but it is possible to vote for the same character again the next day. There are no age restrictions on voting, and anyone from around the world can participate. However,fraudulent voting (using bots or voting with multiple accounts) will be considered invalid and may result in account suspension measures being taken in some cases. The final results arescheduled to be announced on the official website and official SNS in March 2026**.
Based on official popularity polls conducted in the past and survey results from various media, we present the top 20 popular characters of all time. This ranking is a comprehensive analysis of fan votes not only from Japan but also from countries around the world. The Dragon Ball series has a history of over 40 years and continues to be loved across generations, so while there may be fluctuations in the rankings over time, the top characters consistently boast enduring popularity.
Ranked 1: Son Goku maintains the overwhelming popularity of the unchanging first place. His pure and positive personality, courage to face any formidable opponent, and continuous growth beyond his limits have captivated fans around the world. He is the protagonist who has created numerous iconic scenes, such as his transformation into a Super Saiyan and battles against Frieza.
Ranked 2: Vegeta, initially appearing as an antagonist, has garnered overwhelming support as a proud rival character. While harboring a rivalry with Goku, his battles to protect his family and his growth into someone who gradually cherishes his friends have captured the hearts of many fans.
Ranked 3: Son Gohan, appearing as Goku's son, is particularly popular for his awakening scene during the Cell saga. Carrying the dream of becoming a scholar, he also rises as a warrior when needed, with a captivating balance of kindness and strength. Especially during the Cell Games arc, his character stands out.
4th place: Trunks (Future) appears as a warrior from a tragic future, and his dramatic background story and calm combat style are highly praised. His sword-fighting style and the scene where he instantly kills Frieza are etched in the memories of many fans.
5th place: Piccolo is a character who has transformed from a former great demon king into Gohan's mentor, and his growth process and cool charm are reasons for his popularity. His calm judgment, strategic combat style, and deep affection for Gohan have earned him the support of many fans as "the best mentor character."
6th place: Frieza is the most popular villain character, known for his cruelty, overwhelming strength, and unique way of speaking. His revival in "Dragon Ball Super" has garnered support from a new generation of fans. As a related article, Dragon Ball Villains Popularity Ranking provides a detailed explanation of enemy characters, including Frieza.
7th place: Bulma is a female character that has appeared since the very beginning of the series, known for her bright and active personality and genius inventing skills. As a crucial figure supporting Goku's adventures, she consistently ranks high.
8th place: Krillin is known as the strongest Earthling warrior and has been active as Goku's close friend for many years. Although he may not match Super Saiyans in power, his resourceful fighting style and caring nature for his friends are loved by many fans.
9th place: Android 18 is popular for her cool appearance, strength, and romantic relationship with Krillin. Initially introduced as an enemy, she is now cherished as a woman with a family.
10th place: Cell is an impressive enemy character known for his evolution process into his perfect form, overwhelming strength, and intellectual fighting style. The Cell Games arc is still regarded as "the best chapter" by many fans.
From the 11th place onward, there are unique and charming characters. 11th: Majin Buu is **the embodiment of pure destruction**, yet the scene where he opens his heart through interactions with Mr. Satan is moving. 12th: Beerus appears as the God of Destruction in "Dragon Ball Super" and his cat-like appearance and laid-back personality are popular.
13th: Goten and **14th: Trunks (Modern)** are active as the next generation of young warriors, and the fusion character Gotenks is also popular. 15th: Tien Shinhan has a strong fan base as a serious and sincere martial artist, and his unique techniques like **Kikoho** are impressive.
16th: Yamcha was a reliable warrior in the early days, but although he fell behind in power later on, **this gap has ironically made him a lovable character**. 17th: Videl is the heroine who becomes Gohan's wife, and her strong sense of justice and growth process is appreciated.
18th: Whis is Beerus' attendant but is **actually possesses supreme strength**, making him a mysterious character. 19th: Bardock appears as Goku's father in the movies, becoming popular as a warrior with Saiyan pride. 20th: Vegito is the fusion character of Goku and Vegeta, known for his overwhelming strength and relaxed fighting style.
Analyzing this ranking reveals some clear trends. Firstly, the top spots are occupied by the protagonist and their rival characters, and **characters with drama of growth and change** are strongly supported. Additionally, the popularity of villain characters is also very high, especially fierce villains like Frieza and Cell, who have strong personalities and rank highly.
As for changes over time, since the broadcast of "Dragon Ball Super," **new characters like Beerus and Whis** have rapidly gained popularity.
On the other hand, the popularity of legendary characters like Goku and Vegeta remains unwavering, showing that they continue to be loved across generations. Among female characters, Bulma and Android 18 consistently rank high, being valued not only for their strength but also for their importance in the story. By region, in Japan, support characters like Piccolo and Krillin are particularly popular, while overseas, Goku and Vegeta's popularity tends to stand out.
The Dragon Ball series has introduced characters with different charms in each work. Here, we will pick up and introduce particularly popular characters by series. Since the themes and atmospheres of the stories differ by series, interesting differences can also be seen in the trends of popular characters.
In the original Dragon Ball, the elements of adventure and comedy are strong, with characters centered around young Goku being popular. Young Goku is charming with his pure and bright personality and combat style using the Nyoibo, and is still loved as the origin of the series. Bulma is a key presence that drives the story with her combination with Goku, being action-oriented despite her selfishness.
Krillin's transformation from Goku's rival, trained in Shaolin Temple, to a close friend is depicted, maintaining consistent popularity since the early days.
Yamcha and Puar make a great combination, along with other comical characters like Oolong, which are particularly appreciated for the unique charm of the original series. Moreover, Master Roshi plays an important role as the teacher of Goku and Krillin, teaching the fundamentals of martial arts, and has also gained popularity as a comedic relief character.In Dragon Ball Z, the intensity of battle scenes increased, and the emergence of powerful enemy characters greatly heightened their popularity. Frieza, with overwhelming strength and brutality, along with the shocking setting that he becomes stronger with each transformation, is still remembered as one of the most impressive villains in the history of Dragon Ball.
Cell, with his evolution into perfect form and intellectual combat style, has captivated many fans, especially during the Cell Games saga, which is often regarded as the best chapter. Majin Buu is popular for the gap between his cute appearance and tremendous destructive power, and his heartwarming interactions with Mr. Satan. Among the ally characters, Vegeta's transformation from foe to friend, Future Trunks' tragic backstory, and Gohan's awakening to Super Saiyan 2** have garnered significant support. Additionally, scenes of Piccolo as Gohan's mentor have left a lasting impression on many fans.
Dragon Ball GT is an anime original work not directly involved with the original creator, Akira Toriyama, but it produced its own beloved characters. Baby, an enemy character with the aim of revenge against the Saiyans, has a memorable scene of possessing Vegeta. Super 17 appears as a formidable foe formed by the fusion of Android 17 and Hell Fighter 17, gaining popularity for its cool design. Furthermore, Yi Xing Long is the strongest among the evil dragons, playing an important role in the final chapter of the series. As a unique aspect of GT, Goku returning to a child-like form also enjoys enduring popularity.
In Dragon Ball Super, the story development delves into the realm of gods, introducing unprecedented types of characters. Beerus is... As a god of destruction, possessing overwhelming power, the character Whis, despite his obsession with food and laid-back personality, has gained great popularity due to his charm. He is also the attendant and mentor of Beerus, and his charm lies in the fact that his overwhelming strength is hidden behind a carefree attitude.
Hit is a legendary assassin from the 6th universe, highly regarded for his unique ability to skip time and his cool character traits. Jiren stands as Goku's greatest obstacle in the Tournament of Power, impressing with his overwhelming strength and solitary warrior background. Additionally, Goku Black (Zamasu), who stole Goku's body as a future Zamasu, gained popularity for his complex backstory and unique way of speaking. New generation characters like Caulifla and Kale, female Saiyans from the 6th universe, are also drawing attention.
The Dragon Ball series features various types of characters. Here, we present popularity rankings divided into three categories: enemy characters, female characters, and support characters. Each category has its unique charm and attracts fan support.
Enemy characters from Dragon Ball boast overwhelming strength and intense personalities, often rivaling or surpassing the protagonists in popularity. Rank 1 is Frieza, known for his overwhelming power and cruelty as the emperor of the universe. My combat power is 530,000 and memorable quotes such as **名言** are impressive. The setting where appearance and strength change with each transformation was also groundbreaking.
Second place is Cell, whose evolution towards perfection and the intelligence to create unique battle rules in the Cell Games is attractive. Third place is Majin Buu, a pure embodiment of destruction, yet opens up with an unexpected side through his interactions with Mr. Satan, which is moving. Fourth place is Vegeta (at the time of his first appearance), and the **process of changing from enemy to ally** creates depth as a character. Fifth place is Broly (from the movies), whose overwhelming destructive power as the legendary Super Saiyan and tragic background have gained a cult following.
Dragon Ball is primarily a combat-focused work, but the unique female characters also play important roles. First place is Bulma, who has appeared since the early series and has continued to support the story with her **genius talent for invention and action**. Her marriage to Vegeta and having a family also deepen her character's charm.
Second place is Android 18, with her cool beauty and overwhelming combat power, and her romantic relationship with Krillin is a reason for her popularity. Initially appearing as an enemy, she is now depicted as **a woman with a family**. Third place is Videl, who is Mr. Satan's daughter with a strong sense of justice, and her romance and growth with Gohan are attractively portrayed. Fourth place is Chi-Chi, who as Goku's wife shows strength in protecting the family and is impressive with her dedication to educating their sons. Fifth place is Launch, whose unique setting of changing personality with a sneeze symbolizes the comedic elements of the original Dragon Ball.
Support characters that support the main characters are also indispensable in the story of Dragon Ball. First place is Krillin, who has remained Goku's best friend as the **strongest warrior on Earth** and, despite increasingly being outmatched in power, always plays an important role with his clever fighting and caring personality for his friends. The marriage with 18 and the image of having a family resonate with many fans.
Rank 2 is Piccolo, who has transformed from the former Demon King to **Gohan's master, supporting battles with calm judgment and strategic thinking. His deep affection for Gohan is supported by many fans as the 'best master character.' Rank 3 is Ten Shin Han, who, as a serious and honest martial artist,masterfully uses unique techniques like the Kikoho**. His desperate resistance during the Cell Saga has become a memorable scene strong in fans' memories. These supporting characters provide different perspectives and roles compared to the protagonists, adding depth to the story.
There are several common reasons why the characters of Dragon Ball have been loved by fans around the world for many years. Here, we analyze the appealing elements common to popular characters and explain why so many fans continue to support specific characters.
Many characters popular in Dragon Ball undergo **significant growth and change throughout the story**. Goku evolves from a boy to an adult, and then to a Super Saiyan, always striving to surpass his limits, which attracts fans. Vegeta changes from an enemy to an ally, transforming from a prideful warrior to a father protecting his family, and this process resonates with many fans. Gohan is depicted transitioning from a gentle boy to transforming into a Super Saiyan 2 awakened by anger while pursuing his path as a scholar, fighting as a warrior. Piccolo also transforms from a Demon King to Gohan's master, growing from an enemy to the most trusted ally. Such stories of growth and change provide depth to the characters and are the reason fans continue to support them over the years.
Popular characters each have impressive special techniques and unique fighting styles. Goku's Kamehameha and Spirit Bomb, Vegeta's Final Flash, and Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon are all techniques that symbolize each character, leaving a strong impression on fans. Techniques like Krillin's Destructo Disc and Tien's Ki Cannon are also popular, showcasing styles that fight with unique moves despite lower combat power. Additionally, Trunks' sword fighting style and Hit's time skip ability highlight the individuality of the characters. These unique techniques and fighting styles make battles more appealing and enhance the presence of the characters. In related articles, a list of Dragon Ball's special techniques provides detailed explanations about each character's techniques.
Popular characters in Dragon Ball have produced numerous memorable quotes and scenes. Goku's "I'm pumped up!" and Vegeta's "Proud Prince of the Saiyans" express the essence of the characters. Gohan's awakening to Super Saiyan 2 with the line "I won't forgive you!", Piccolo dying to protect Gohan, and Vegeta's soliloquy before confronting Buu, are all deeply engraved in the hearts of fans. Notable quotes from villain characters like Frieza's "My power level is 530,000" and Cell's "In my perfect form, I am invincible" are also striking. These memorable quotes and scenes define the charm of the characters, making fans want to revisit them repeatedly. Such impactful moments ensure that the characters remain in fans' memories for a long time. In related articles, 25 Selected Memorable Quotes and Scenes from Dragon Ball introduces selected emotional scenes and quotes.
The reason why Dragon Ball characters continue to be loved around the world is not just their strength, but also their stories of growth and change, unique techniques and fighting styles, and memorable quotes and scenes. From main characters like Goku and Vegeta to impressive villains like Frieza and Cell, as well as supporting characters like Krillin and Piccolo, each holds a unique charm that captures the hearts of fans. The official worldwide popularity poll in 2025 is a great opportunity to support your favorite characters. Be sure to participate in voting and help your favorite character reach first place. Voting will be open until January 31, 2026, so vote daily and take part in the history of Dragon Ball.
In related articles, The Complete Guide to Dragon Ball provides comprehensive information about the entire Dragon Ball series.
Additionally, Dragon Ball's strongest character ranking introduces a ranking from a different perspective based on battle power.Content Creator
Passionate about anime figures and Japanese pop culture. Dedicated to bringing you the latest news and reviews.
