Dragon Ball Z is perhaps one of the most iconic anime series ever, shaping everyone’s childhood since the 70s. Akira Toriyama had a killer concept for this anime, and every arc introduced characters that were stronger than the last.
Dragon Ball Z has introduced some of the most iconic villains in anime history, too, but not all of them are considered canon. Some of the most interesting and powerful antagonists come from the movies, specials, and spin-offs. While they may not be part of the official timeline, these non-canon villains have left a lasting impact on the franchise.
10
Bio-Broly
An Unholy Version Of Broly Introduced In A Movie
While Broly is one of the most beloved Dragon Ball villains, Bio-Broly is widely regarded as one of the weakest additions to the franchise. In Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly, Broly is resurrected as a mutated clone covered in bio-slime. While still powerful, he lacks the personality and presence of the original Broly.
The film itself is often criticized for its bizarre concept and lack of impact compared to the first two Broly movies. However, for completionists, Bio-Broly remains an interesting, if unnecessary, piece of Dragon Ball history.
9
Hatchiyack
A Villain Who’s As Obscure As He Is Strong
Hatchiyack is one of the most underrated villains in Dragon Ball history. Introduced in the OVA Dragon Ball Z: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans, he was created by the last surviving members of the Tuffle race as a weapon of vengeance against the Saiyans.
Hatchiyack’s hatred for Saiyans fuels his immense power, and he is said to rival even Broly in terms of strength. His ability to absorb attacks makes him an incredibly difficult opponent, and if given more exposure, he could have been one of DBZ’s most memorable foes.
8
Turles
Goku’s Evil Doppelgänger From The Tree Of Might Movie
Turles, the main antagonist of Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might, is essentially an evil version of Goku. He is a Saiyan warrior who survived Planet Vegeta’s destruction and has no interest in being a hero. Instead, he plants the Tree of Might, a cosmic parasite that drains a planet’s life force to produce fruit that massively increases power levels.
Turles’ visual resemblance to Goku is odd but plays into the idea that Goku could have been a villain if he had never hit his head as a child. Despite his potential, Turles never became a major part of the franchise, but his battle with Goku remains as a highlight of DBZ’s non-canon content.
7
Super Android 13
The Android That Was Too Defective To Be A Main Villain
Super Android 13 appears in Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!, continuing the legacy of Dr. Gero’s hatred for Goku. Unlike Androids 17 and 18, 13 is a more traditional machine-like android with a singular mission: eliminate Goku.
While his base form is nothing special, Super Android 13 is a whole different story. When he absorbs Androids 14 and 15, he transforms into a blue-skinned android with incredible strength. Despite his power, he lacks the personality and complexity of other android villains, which is why he remains a lesser-known adversary in DBZ’s history.
6
Hirudegarn
Another Movie Villain That Survived Gotenks, Gohan ,And Goku
Hirudegarn, the main villain of Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon, is one of the most bizarre and terrifying foes in the franchise. Unlike most DBZ antagonists, Hirudegarn is a kaiju-like monster with no clear motivation beyond destruction.
His massive size makes him nearly unstoppable, so much so that even powerful fighters like Gotenks and Ultimate Gohan struggle against him, forcing Goku to use the Dragon Fist attack to take him down. Hirudegarn stands out due to his unique design and the way his presence forced the heroes into a corner.
5
Cooler
Frieza’s Brother That Only Got To Show Up In Movies
Cooler is Frieza’s older brother and the main antagonist of Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge and The Return of Cooler. Unlike Frieza, Cooler is introduced as more composed and calculating and even has a fifth transformation. The fifth transformation makes him even more powerful than his younger sibling.
In The Return of Cooler, he fuses with the Big Gete Star, turning into a cybernetic threat capable of mass-producing copies of himself. Despite being a non-canon character, Cooler’s popularity remains strong, and many fans believe he deserves a canon appearance in Dragon Ball Super.
4
Janemba
Easily Defeats Goku Super Saiyan Three And Forces Gogeta To Be Born
Janemba, the main villain of Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn, is one of the strongest non-canon characters in the series. He starts as a childlike being but soon evolves into a deadly warrior capable of taking down Super Saiyan 3 Goku with ease.
His ability to manipulate reality makes him a dangerous opponent in the non-canon villain hierarchy. The only way to defeat him is through fusion, which leads to the birth of Gogeta, who annihilates Janemba in seconds. His design represents a devil-like character,r and his abilities make him one of the most memorable non-canon villains.
3
Baby
So Strong That He Brought Out A New Super Saiyan Transformation To Beat Him
Baby is the primary antagonist of the Dragon Ball GT Baby Saga and one of the most unique villains in the franchise. He is a parasitic Tuffle who seeks revenge on the Saiyans for wiping out his race.
Unlike most villains, Baby doesn’t fight directly; instead, he possesses and controls others, including Vegeta. His influence over Earth’s population forces Goku to unlock Super Saiyan 4, marking a major turning point in GT. Baby’s backstory makes him a standout villain, and many fans wish he were part of the main Dragon Ball timeline.
2
Super Android 17
The Evil Version Of Android 17 From Dragon Ball GT
Super Android 17 is another Dragon Ball GT villain, introduced in the Super 17 Saga. He is a fusion of the original Android 17 and the new Hell Fighter 17, created in Hell by Dr. Gero and Dr. Myuu.
This fusion grants him immense power, allowing him to absorb energy attacks and counter even the strongest warriors. Despite his strength, his downfall is his arrogance, which leads to Goku defeating him using the Dragon Fist. While his appearance is short-lived, he remains one of GT’s biggest threats.
1
Omega Shenron
Gogeta Super Saiyen 4 Wiped The Floor With Him
Omega Shenron is the final villain of Dragon Ball GT and arguably the most powerful. Created from the negative energy of the Dragon Balls, he is a corrupted version of Shenron with near-unlimited power. Omega Shenron absorbs the power of all seven Dragon Balls, making him nearly invincible.
Even Super Saiyan 4 Goku and Vegeta struggle against him, leading to the creation of Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta. While Omega Shenron is eventually defeated, he remains one of the strongest non-canon villains and remains a representation of the consequences of overusing the Dragon Balls.
