Dragon Ball has been dominating the anime scene for decades, delivering some of the most insane, over-the-top power-ups ever seen on screen. Whether you’re cheering for Goku’s endless determination or secretly rooting for the big bads, the series’ strongest fighters have kept fans guessing about who’s going to smash past the next limit. But when it comes to raw power, who’s sitting atop the food chain? Here’s our list of the seven most powerful characters ever to throw down, shoot off a Kamehameha, or destroy a universe.
7. Vegeta
The Prince of all Saiyans has had one of the most intriguing arcs in anime. Where once he was a ruthless conqueror, Vegeta has become one of Dragon Ball’s greatest heroes—albeit one whose pride and competitiveness with Goku are as hot-headed as ever.
Whenever Goku breaks through to a new level, Vegeta is hot on his heels, occasionally forging his path with transformations like Ultra Ego.
Some even speculate that Ultra Ego Vegeta might be able to beat Ultra Instinct Goku, although Goku’s accuracy tends to give him the edge. No matter, Vegeta’s villain-to-hero transformation is the stuff of legend.
6. Goku
You can’t discuss Dragon Ball without discussing Goku—the archetypal shonen hero. His battle-fascination and tireless motivation to become better have made him unstoppable.
Perfect Ultra Instinct makes him all but impenetrable to defense and lightning-fast when striking back, making him a contender even against rivals of his caliber.
Goku’s biggest strength? His supernatural power becomes more powerful after each grueling battle. He has been the greatest warrior for years, and even when someone surpasses him, he doesn’t stay down for long.
5. Gohan
Gohan’s always been the dark horse of the series. His new Beast mode in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero stunned fans—and based on creator Akira Toriyama’s explanation, it gives him the edge over everyone in pure power, at least temporarily.
Some find this escalation abrupt, but most fans were thrilled that the long-awaited reward for Gohan’s dormant abilities was finally realized. The twist in the transformation’s homage to his legendary Super Saiyan 2 moment was a well-timed touch of fan service.
4. Frieza
Frieza is the proof that bad guys can just keep taking center stage. His initial appearance on Namek revolutionized Dragon Ball, and he’s never stopped being a menace since. Goku and Vegeta require brutal training or close calls with death to increase their powers, but Frieza’s power boosts look like a cakewalk.
His Golden form revolutionized things, but Black Frieza took him to some frightening heights—punching Goku and Vegeta into next week without breaking a sweat. He’s unpredictable, deadly, and even gods walk on eggshells around him.
3. Beerus
The God of Destruction is just as cool as he is deadly. Even after Vegeta defeated God of Destruction Toppo, most fans would agree that Beerus still dwarfs both Saiyan warriors.
His full extent of power remains unknown, but his legend alone places him on top. Even after Frieza’s colossal upgrades, Beerus is someone he wouldn’t challenge lightly.
2. Whis
Don’t be mistaken by his job as Beerus’ servant—Whis is of a whole different caliber. As an Angel, both Goku and Vegeta are beneath him in power, and his time rewinding ability makes him nearly unbeatable. Sure, other Angels and the Grand Minister might be stronger, but Whis is the most developed of the group. Cool, sassy, and unbeatable as a fighter, he’s the ultimate mentor and guardian angel of Universe 7.
1. Zeno
Above him rests Zeno, the Omni-King. Small, smiling, and seemingly harmless-looking, Zeno can destroy entire universes in a snap. No warrior—mortal, god, or angel—can compare to him. His mere presence shifts the mood of every scene, because when Zeno says something’s over, it’s over.
Dragon Ball’s power tiers are always changing, but these seven have set the standard for what “strength” actually is in the franchise. Whether you enjoy the jaw-dropping battles, the imaginative transformations, or the extreme size of the stakes, these characters are the pillars that continue to make Dragon Ball’s legacy thrive.