Best martial artists in Dragon Ball

Key insights

• Dragon Ball's focus on martial arts made it a popular battle shonen series.
• Characters such as Chiaotzu, Yamcha, Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Goten, Roshi, Gohan and Goku play a central role in showcasing the martial arts.
• Goku's relentless 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 death of Akira Toriyama was a devastating blow and many are still mourning the loss of a manga genius who created some of the most beloved and iconic characters in pop culture history.

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

8 Chiaotzu

A member of the Crane School and Tien's loyal friend

• Sensei: Master Shen
• School: Crane school

It's a shame that Chiaotzu wasn't able to score any significant victories during the year Dragon Ball. Chiaotzu, who was introduced as one of the Crane School's most promising fighters along with Tien Shinhan, was barely given the opportunity 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 eliminate Nappa. Unfortunately, his selfless act didn't work, but Chiaotzu deserves credit for embodying the spirit of a true martial artist until the end.

7 Yamcha

The Wolf Fang Fist Master

• 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 series. It's easy to label him as the man who died at the hands of a Saibaman, but there was a time when Yamcha impressed many with his prowess in the Wolf Tooth Fist technique.

He was certainly among the stronger martial artists introduced at the start of the series, but failed to make an impression as the series introduced larger threats that overshadowed him. At the time Dragon Ball Super comes out, Yamcha is so weak that he isn't even considered to join the team that represents Universe 7 at the Tournament of Power.

6 Krillin

A gifted student at Turtle School

• Sensei: Master Roshi
• School: Turtle school

With Saiyans dominating the large-scale battles Dragon Ball ZPeople like Krillin had to take a back seat. However, that shouldn't take anything 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 fighting under Master Roshi. Krillin was pretty powerful to begin with Dragon Ballbut Goku's natural talent helped him surpass his rival and then some.

5 Tien Shinhan

The strongest member of Crane School By A Country Mile

• Sensei: Master Shen
• School: Crane school

Tien is easily one of the strongest people in the series and the fact that he is one of the few people where he shines Dragon Ball Z shows how much power he has. Using his vitality-draining Tri-Beam, he pinned Cell and almost managed to knock him out.

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

4 Son of Goths

A talented child who learned martial arts with Chi-Chi in a very short time

• Sensei: Chi Chi
• School: N/A

It is 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 ultimately just a kid, he didn't really bother to strengthen himself over the course of the series.

Aside from the fights he fought against Buu as Gotenks, there isn't much to say about Goten's achievements as a martial artist. However, he is still an entertaining character and a strong fighter who can give his best when needed.

3 Master Roshi

The master 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 contribution, everyone's favorite hero would never have learned the iconic Kamehameha that has become an integral part of the series.

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

2 Son Gohan

Naturally talented and learns combat skills in no time

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

Gohan has a gentle personality, which makes it clear why he is unsuited to fighting and regularly neglects his training. However, consistently Dragon Ball ZThis boy showed potential that rivaled, if not surpassed, his father's strength.

After enduring some strenuous training from Piccolo and Goku, Gohan managed to unleash his inner strength in the fight against Cell, where he achieved the Ascended Super Saiyan form. It's an amazing 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 given that one of the best and strongest martial artists in Dragon Ball would be Goku himself. This iconic protagonist has become a permanent part of Dragon Ballrefused to give up against his opposition and continually reached new heights of power to beat his enemies to a pulp.

Sure, being a Saiyan means Goku is always eager to fight, but he also treats his opponents with the respect they deserve, like a martial artist would. His relentless pursuit of power coupled with a gentle heart has allowed him to effect 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

  studio

  Toei animation

  Creator

  Akira Toriyama

• 

  Dragon Ball Z (1989)

  Release date

  April 26, 1989

  studio

  Toei animation

  Creator

  Akira Toriyama

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  Dragon Ball Super

  Release date

  July 5, 2015

  studio

  Toei animation

  Creator

  Akira Toriyama