Dragon Ball: 10 Best Friendships | Screen Rant
Plots fill the heart, but characters fill the soul. The Dragon Ball franchise shows its fans some of the sweetest friendships in the anime world.
Fans will finally get more Dragon Ball content in the form of the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie after the conclusion of the Dragon Ball Super series. It's nothing short of a miracle that Dragon Ball has not lost its spark since its debut in the 1980s.
With over five long-running series and over 20 films, it's safe to say that Dragon Ball has a mega-multiverse. The epic storyline packed with legendary characters makes the series Akira Toriyama's magnum masterpiece. But these fighters would not have survived in the Dragon Ball multiverse without some help, love, and motivation from their close ones.
Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu had one of the best original anime arcs in Dragon Ball. Even though their roles were short-lived in the long run, Dragon Ball fans still adore their chemistry together and with Goku. The friendship between Tien and Chiaotzu was the most well-known and valued in the Saiyan saga.
The battles they fought never failed to cause a rush of adrenaline among the audience. It's a shame that fans did not get more of their time together since Chiaotzu sacrificed himself to save Tien from Nappa. But this heroic act demonstrates his dedication and love for Tien, and it immortalizes their friendship.
Kale and Caulifia, two Saiyans from Universe 6, have a sisterly affinity, and their camaraderie struck out to viewers throughout their brief time on the series. They are also the first female characters in the series to be able to transform into Super Saiyans. Their fusion, Kefla, competes with Goku and puts up a good fight, but is beaten by his Ultra instinct form.
They are always depicted together and, in some ways, complete each other. Their most well-known appearance is when they unite and transform into Kefla. Their friendship stands strong with trust, and their bond grows stronger once they fuse.
Vegeta and Goku's rivalry is the most known in the Dragon Ball series, but they formed a strong friendship after Vegeta's redemption arc. Their friendship is the perfect definition of bitter-sweet. The two began as bitter rivals, and their feud resulted in some of the most memorable bouts in the Dragon Ball franchise. The fights they've fought together, however, have been equally spectacular.
While the two like to tease each other, especially Vegeta, they both always come together when it comes to saving the world. Vegeta may put up a tough act around Goku, but he values their friendship. Their frenemy-relationship keeps things interesting, and their snarky remarks to each other are always entertaining.
Ba was Broly's first and only friend on planet Vampa. They may not have an apparent friendship, but their story can bring anyone to tears. Broly named Ba after the characteristic sound he used to make, and he used to play with him throughout his training days. He grew attached to him and still cherishes his friendship to this day.
Despite being a wild animal who naturally attacks any life form that crosses his path, Ba built a bond with Broly. When Paragus shot off Ba's ear, their friendship came to an emotional end, and Ba never spoke to Broly again. However, Broly's love for him is unmatched as he keeps Ba's mutilated ear attached to his waist as his pelt, even after so many years.
Future Trunks deserves a lot of credit for what he has accomplished in the Dragon Ball Universe. Future Trunks does it all with a strong heart, whether it is time travel, seeing his loved ones die, or fighting alone against mighty villains. However, Future Gohan's companionship made his time in the timeline of deaths and destruction more bearable.
In the future timeline, Future Trunk's lone friend is Future Gohan. Future Gohan fought the Androids for over a decade, trained Future Trunks, and shielded him until the latter was capable of defeating them. Future Gohan's death prompted him to transform into a Super Saiyan, which explains his feelings for Future Gohan and the depth of their connection.
Krillin and Goku started as two cute children at Master Roshi's Kame house. They've been inseparable since growing into the extraordinary beings they are now. In a way, Krillin is responsible for Goku's Super Saiyan transformation. After seeing Krillin's death at Frieza's hands, Goku transformed for the first time.
Despite their power disparity, Krillin and Goku never left each other's side. Even though he knew he'd lose, Krillin battled for Goku countless times, and Goku never let his newfound reputation and strength get in the way of their friendship. In a true sense, they are each other's ride or die.
There is never a dull moment with these two new-generation Saiyans on screen. Trunks and Goten always bring some mischief and humor. Their childhood chronicles are refreshing to watch and the power they possess, even as little kids, is fascinating. Their fusion, Gotenks, is the only Saiyan able to transform to Super Saiyan 3, except for Goku.
Born into the families of the show's star frenemies Vegeta and Goku, Trunks and Goten are inseparable and always seen together. They train together, play together, fight together, and cause trouble together too.
Buu and Mr. Satan's friendship is undoubtedly the cutest and most unexpected. Even though Dragon Ball dropped Buu's storyline after the happy ending, the duo gave fans many heartfelt scenes. Majin Buu was the final villain of the Dragon Ball Z series, but all fans agree he was a big bundle of cuteness nevertheless.
Majin Buu had a soft spot for Mr. Satan even when he was purely a villain. Buu parted from his Evil form because of this soft spot, and Majin Buu became Satan's dearest friend. Goku beat Evil Buu after he evolved into his ultimate form, Kid Buu, but the cute Buu-Satan duo remained a permanent part of the Dragon Ball family.
Bulma is Goku's first friend and has been a prominent part of the series since the very first episode along with Goku. It's because of her the Dragon Ball series got its beloved protagonist. If she had not lent a hand of friendship to Goku, he would have been somewhere in the lost forests living life as a regular being. Apart from being the most intelligent character in Dragon Ball, she is an incredible friend, as she has proved from time to time.
Without Bulma's brilliant mind, not only Goku but all characters would perish. But Bulma and Goku's friendship is the oldest in the Dragon Ball franchise and is still going strong. She helped him shape into the man he is today and was almost like an older sister to him when she shielded him as a child.
Piccolo begins the series as a villain, but once Goku overcomes him, he shifts to Goku's side and becomes a guardian figure for Gohan. Gohan and Piccolo have a closer relationship than merely a teacher and a student. He stood by Gohan through thick and thin, even putting his life on the line for him.
Piccolo was the closest thing Gohan had to a father figure after Goku died. Piccolo has been training Gohan since he was a child, and Gohan holds him in high regard as a renowned warrior. He grew up under his tutelage, and their bond swiftly progressed from trainer-trainee to friends and almost family.