Post
by Demon Prince Piccolo » Sat Aug 28, 2021 4:43 pm
In a rough order:
Piccolo (King Piccolo and Piccolo Jr. are my favorite villains of Dragon Ball, and I really loved Piccolo from the Saiyan-Androids arcs, up to his fight with 17. There's so much more that can still be done with the character.)
Gohan (all versions, but especially Saiyan-Namek sagas and Great Saiyaman/Babidi saga. Being a kid when I first got into Dragon Ball like most, and being an occasionally shy kid, it was easy to connect with him.)
Krillin (love him most from his earliest appearances through the Frieza saga. I consider him the beating heart of Dragon Ball).
Goku (specifically beginning of OG Dragon Ball through the Frieza Saga. It felt like minimal returns for Goku as a character after SSJ, although I still really like Cell and Buu Saga Goku. Not a big fan of Super Goku, aside from Ultra Instinct).
Bulma (sure, she can be annoying and incredibly self-absorbed, but she's been there since the beginning. She's incredibly intelligent and can be extremely resourceful when needed).
Future Trunks (early Android arc particularly. Good-hearted, takes care of business without goofing around. Represents the best aspects of Gohan and Bulma, and ultimately brings out the best Vegeta)
Frieza (particularly in his own original arc. Just the ultimate aristocratic evil. A supreme narcissist and sociopath; I loved each of his forms as well.)
Tenshinhan (my 2nd favorite redemption arc after Piccolo. I love his unique appearance, stoic nature and need to constantly better himself as a martial artist. But I love that he learns, from Roshi of all people, that being a good person is a necessary part of the journey as well).
Vegeta (was my favorite character/2nd favorite character along with Goku as a kid. Tbh I find him annoying now throughout much of the Android/Cell saga and at various other points, but I love him as a villain in the Saiyan/early Namek saga, and I loved Majin Vegeta in the Buu arc, questionable redemption arc aside. I like Vegeta more for his iconic presence than anything).
Videl (specifically pigtail-wearing Videl. She added fresh energy to Dragon Ball, and was a nice contrast to Gohan's softer personality. Despite her diminuative frame, she had an intimidating presence, and was supremely confident and a skilled fighter. It's a shame that she's lost any semblance of her early personality.)
If not for the annoying and disgusting pervertedness, Roshi would be somewhere up here. I love many of the other characters like Chi-Chi, Yamcha, etc, but these round it out for the characters that make the biggest impression on me in the story.
The story of DRAGON BALL starts from the moment Goku met Bulma. I don't really mind the Z, so long as it's understood that it's not the true beginning of the story.
I actually prefer the Goku vs Tenshinhan and Goku vs Piccolo Jr. rivalries to the Goku vs Vegeta rivalry.