Best Martial Artists In Dragon Ball

Key Takeaways

• Dragon Ball’s focus on martial arts transformed it into a popular battle shonen series.
• Characters like Chiaotzu, Yamcha, Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Goten, Roshi, Gohan, and Goku are pivotal in showcasing 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. Akira Toriyama’s passing 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 on promoting battles and martial arts in 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 ever since, that should take nothing away from the origins of this series that helped Goku embark on the path to becoming a battle-hardened warrior.

8 Chiaotzu

A Member Of The Crane School And Tien’s Steadfast Friend

• Sensei: Master Shen
• School: Crane School

It’s a shame that Chiaotzu failed to rack up any meaningful victories over the course of Dragon Ball. Introduced along with Tien Shinhan as one of the promising fighters of the Crane School, Chiaotzu barely got an 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 try and take out Nappa. Unfortunately, his selfless act didn’t work out, but props should be given to Chiaotzu for embodying the spirit of a true martial artist till the very end.

7 Yamcha

The Wolf Fang Fist Master

• Sensei: Self-taught
• School: N/A (Practiced with the 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 to die at the hands of a Saibaman, but there was a time when Yamcha wowed many with his prowess over the Wolf Fang Fist technique.

He was easily one of the stronger martial artists introduced early on in the series but failed to make an impression as the series introduced bigger threats who dwarfed him. By the time Dragon Ball Super comes out, Yamcha is so weak that he isn’t even considered to join the team representing Universe 7 at the Tournament of Power.

6 Krillin

A Gifted Student Of The Turtle School

• Sensei: Master Roshi
• School: Turtle School

With Saiyans dominating the large-scale battles in Dragon Ball Z, people like Krillin had to take a backseat. However, that should take nothing away from the time when he was strong enough to be considered Goku’s rival at the start of Dragon Ball.

Both recruits joined the Turtle School and learned the art of fighting under Master Roshi. Krillin was fairly powerful in the early goings of Dragon Ball, but Goku’s natural talent helped him surpass his rival and then some.

5 Tien Shinhan

The Strongest Member Of The Crane School By A Country Mile

• Sensei: Master Shen
• School: Crane School

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

It’s an incredible moment that cements Tien as one of the best fighters in Dragon Ball Z, making it clear why he was chosen to be a part of Universe 7’s team in the Tournament of Power. His battle with Goku offers one of the best moments in the original run of Dragon Ball, which allows him to see the light and join the heroes after shunning his corrupt master’s teachings.

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 at the end of the day, he didn’t really bother to make himself stronger as the series went on.

Aside from the battles he had as Gotenks against Buu, there’s not a lot to speak about regarding Goten’s achievements as a martial artist. However, he’s still an entertaining character and a strong fighter who can pull his weight when required.

3 Master Roshi

The Master Of The Turtle School

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

The fact that Master Roshi managed to fight 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 input, everyone’s favorite hero would’ve never learned the iconic Kamehameha that has become a staple 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 along with Krillin. He may be a bit too perverted for his own good, but Roshi can impress fans when he decides to take things seriously.

2 Son Gohan

Naturally Talented And Picks Up Combat Skills In No Time

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

Gohan has a gentle personality, making it clear why he is unsuited for fighting and regularly neglects his training. However, throughout Dragon Ball Z, this boy showed glimpses of his potential that could rival, if not exceed, his father’s strength.

After enduring some grueling training at the hands of Piccolo and Goku, Gohan managed to pull out his inner strength in a 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 only a given that one of the best and strongest martial artists in Dragon Ball would be Goku himself. This iconic protagonist has become an enduring part of Dragon Ball, refusing to call it quits against his opposition and reaching new heights of power time and time again to beat his foes to a pulp.

Sure, being a Saiyan means that Goku always has a thirst for battle, but he also treats his opponents with the respect they deserve as a martial artist would. His relentless pursuit of power coupled with a gentle heart has allowed him to unlock numerous transformations and become a legendary warrior who has saved 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

• 

  Dragon Ball Super

  Release Date

  July 5, 2015

  Studio

  Toei Animation

  Creator

  Akira Toriyama