The best Dragon Ball martial artists

Key points

• Dragon Ball's focus on martial arts has turned it into a popular battle shonen series.
• Characters such as Chiaotzu, Yamcha, Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Goten, Roshi, Gohan and Goku are crucial in the presentation of martial arts.
• Goku's tireless pursuit of power and martial arts skills have made him an enduring and legendary warrior.

Dragon Ball is one of the most iconic shonen IPs of all time that anime fans can't get enough of. The passing of Akira Toriyama was a huge blow, and many are still mourning the loss of a manga genius who created some of the most popular and recognizable characters in pop culture history.

His focus is on promoting battles and martial arts Dragon Ball helped the series transform from an adventure manga into the most popular battle shonen series of all time. While the essence of martial arts may have taken a backseat to the power fantasy that has dominated the series since, that shouldn't take away from the origins of this series that helped Goku embark on the path to becoming a battle-hardened warrior. battle.

8 Chiaotzu

Member of the Crane School and loyal friend of Tien

• Sensei: Master Shen
• School: Crane School

It's a shame that Chiaotzu was unable to rack up any significant victories over the course Dragon Ball. Introduced alongside Tien Shinhan as one of Crane School's promising fighters, Chiaotzu barely had a chance to shine and lost to Krilling during the tournament.

After this moment, Chiaotzu played his last major role in the Saiyan Saga, where he sacrificed himself to try to eliminate Nappa. Unfortunately, his selfless act didn't work, but Chiaotzu should be rewarded for embodying the spirit of a true martial artist until the end.

7 Yamcha

The Master of the Wolffang Fist

• Sensei: Self-taught
• School: N/A (Practiced with Turtle School after meeting Goku and Krillin)

Yamcha has become the butt of all jokes given the humiliation he suffered at the hands of Vegeta and Nappa during the Saiyan arc. It's easy to label him as the man who dies at the hands of a Saibaman, but there was a time when Yamcha impressed many with his skill in the Wolf Fang Fist technique.

He was easily one of the strongest martial artists introduced early in the series, but failed to make an impression as the series introduced larger threats that dwarfed him. When Dragon Ball Super comes out, Yamcha is so weak that he is not even considered to join the team representing Universe 7 at the Tournament of Power.

6 Krillin

A gifted student at Turtle School

• Sensei: Master Roshi
• School: Turtle school

With Saiyans dominating large-scale battles Dragon Ball Zpeople like Krillin had to take a backseat. However, that shouldn't take away from the time when he was initially strong enough to be considered Goku's rival Dragon Ball.

Both recruits joined the Turtle School and learned the art of combat under Master Roshi. Krillin was quite powerful in the beginning Dragon Ballbut Goku's natural talent helped him surpass his rival and then some.

5 Tien Shinhan

The strongest member of A Country Mile's Crane School

• Sensei: Master Shen
• School: Crane School

Tien is undoubtedly one of the strongest humans in the series, and the fact that he is one of the few humans to shine Dragon Ball Z shows how much power he wields. With his vitality-draining Tri-Beam, he pinned down Cell and almost succeeded in eliminating him.

It's an incredible moment that cements Tien as one of the best fighters Dragon Ball Zmaking it clear why he was chosen to be part of Universe 7's team in the Tournament of Power. His battle with Goku provides one of the best moments of the original series Dragon Ballwhich allows him to see the light and join the heroes after avoiding the teachings of his corrupt master.

4 Son Goten

A talented child who learned martial arts with Chi-Chi in no time

• Sensei: Chi-Chi
• School: N/A

It's a testament to Goten's natural talent that learning martial arts under the tutelage of a person who hated fighting allowed him to become one of the youngest Super Saiyans in the series. However, since he's just a kid in the end, he didn't bother getting stronger as the series went on.

Aside from the battles he had as Gotenks against Buu, there isn't much to talk about regarding Goten's accomplishments as a martial artist. However, he is still a fun character and a strong fighter who can do his part when required.

3 Master Roshi

The teacher of the turtle school

• Sensei: Master Mutaito and Korin
• School: Turtle school

The fact that Master Roshi managed to fend off a wave of fighters in the Tournament of Power shows how important this sensei's role was in helping people like Goku and Krillin become stronger. Without his contributions, everyone's favorite hero would never have learned the iconic Kamehameha that has become a staple of the series.

The meeting with Roshi was a turning point for Goku, who decided to join the Turtle School and hone his skills as a martial artist together with Krillin. He might be a little too perverted for his own good, but Roshi manages to impress fans when he decides to take things seriously.

2 Son Gohan

Naturally talented and acquires fighting skills in no time

• Sensei: Piccolo and Son Goku
• School: N/A

Gohan has a gentle personality, which makes it clear why he is unfit for combat and regularly neglects his training. However, in everything Dragon Ball Zthis boy has shown glimpses of his potential that could rival, if not surpass, his father's strength.

After enduring grueling training at the hands of Piccolo and Goku, Gohan managed to bring out his inner strength in the fight against Cell, where he achieved his Ascended Super Saiyan form. It's a fantastic moment in the series that fans can't get enough of.

1 Son Goku

One of the greatest martial artists in anime history

• Sensei: Master Roshi
• School: Turtle school

It was just a fact that one of the best and the strongest martial artists in the world Dragon Ball it would be Goku himself. This iconic protagonist has become an enduring part of Dragon Ballrefusing to call it quits on his opposition and reaching new heights of power time and time again to beat his enemies to pulp.

Sure, being a Saiyan means Goku is always thirsty for battle, but he also treats his opponents with the respect they deserve like a martial artist would. His relentless pursuit of power coupled with a kind heart has allowed him to unlock numerous transformations and become a legendary warrior who has saved the Earth and the Universe itself time and time again.

• 

  Dragon Ball

  Release date

  February 26, 1986

  Study

  Toei animation

  Creator

  Akira Toriyama

• 

  Dragon Ball Z (1989)

  Release date

  April 26, 1989

  Study

  Toei animation

  Creator

  Akira Toriyama

• 

  Dragon Ball Super

  Release date

  July 5, 2015

  Study

  Toei animation

  Creator

  Akira Toriyama