Who would you say are the 5 main characters in Dragon Ball?

[WittyUsername]

The Dragon Ball franchise obviously has a massive cast of characters that rivals The Simpsons, and there of course have been characters who started out being fairly important, but then faded into the background as stronger characters came in (poor Yamcha). With that being said, if you were to analyze the characters in Dragon Ball as a whole, who are the 5 that you would consider to be the most significant to the franchise as a whole?

I personally would put it like this, in descending order:

-Goku (obviously)
-Vegeta
-Gohan
-Piccolo
-Kuririn

[precita]

It's always been Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo and Krillin.

For the Cell saga include Future Trunks there, and for the Buu arc Trunks/Goten. But the top 5, and to a lesser extent Bulma, were prominent in every saga of DBZ.

[Cipher]

I was going to say, no list of prominent Dragon Ball characters feels complete without Bulma, who's a driving force for a huge amount of the series and nearly always the most prominent non-fighting character.

But really, Dragon Ball maintains about five-six prominent characters per arc, and it tends to swap them around.

[Doctor.]

Goku, Oolong, Puar, Bulma, Yamcha.

The 5 main characters in Dragon Ball.

[Grimlock]

Bardock, Gine, Jaco, Freeza and Tights.

Okay in all seriousness... The Z Warriors, right? They're the ones who appear more and have more importance, aren't they?

[funrush]

Goku
Gohan - We see his struggles growing up as a half-Saiyan hybrid, and he's integral to the plot/originally intended to replace Goku as protagonist.
Vegeta - Goku's rival, and has the most character development in the series.
Krillin - Goku's best friend, and is important in just about every arc he appears in, although this diminishes later.
Piccolo or Bulma - Bulma's in literally every arc, and if weren't for her there'd be no search for the Dragon Balls. Piccolo trains Gohan and has his own character struggles. These two are tied for fifth.

[sintzu]

Goku : He's THE main character and has been there from day 1 in everything DB.

Vegeta : He wasn't there from the start but the massive role he's had since his introduction easily puts him in this spot.

Gohan : Although he hasn't done much since his Z days, I think he did more than enough in Z to be placed as #3.

Future Trunks : He played a very large role in the Cell arc, just got his own arc in Super and is the face of the current video games.

Piccolo : Adult Goku's 1st villain and since then he's had countless memorable moments thoughout the story but like Gohan, his role has been reduced significantly compared to what it was in Z.

Bulma and Krillin would be placed 6 and 7.

[precita]

The thing is Future Trunks is only in one arc (back in DBZ). So he's still not there the other 3, so he can't be considered a main character of the series overall.

[MisteryOne]

I suppose that you mean DB as a whole and not just ODB. In that case:
Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, Bulma and Krillin. Piccolo is really close to Krillin trough, but I think Krillin is still more important in the story because of his role in ODB as well as in the SS scene in Namek.

[SaiyanGod117]

There are really no set main characters baring Goku and Vegeta, the main cast changes each arc. Some will either be switched out temporarily or added.

[emperior]

1 - Goku
2 - Bulma
3 - Krillin
4 - Gohan
5 - Vegeta

Piccolo would be 6.

[Baggie_Saiyan]

1 - Goku
2 - Bulma
3 - Krillin
4 - Gohan
5 - Vegeta

Piccolo would be 6.

You know what I agree with this but swap Gohan and Vegeta. Bulma has managed to keep being relevant even through to Super so she's definitely deserving of number two. Krillin was relevant for OG DB and has dipped in out since then so 3rd is a good spot. I'd say since Gohan and Vegeta were introduced near enough the same time that Vegeta takes over in terms of relevancy he was vitally important to the story moreso than Gohan from Saiyan to Freeza arc then again Buu arc he edged Gohan and has been more relevant in modern DB by far (well up until the U.S arc).

[KorgDTR2000]

Goku, Kuririn, Piccolo, Gohan and Vegeta.

I don't need to explain Goku.

Kuririn was a major character from his introduction in chapter 25 (where he was one of only three real characters in the cast) and remained a major presence through subsequent stories - his participation in the tournaments was treated with a little more reverence than that of Yamcha, he played pivotal roles in the Saiyan and Namek arc and his death was the catalyst of a major story arc as well as a major turning point in the evolution of the series. And while he was pushed firmly out of any sort of combat role in the Cell arc, he got a decent share of emotional storytelling that was a surprising effort to keep an otherwise irrelevant character within the loop. He proved to be irrelevant though the Boo arc, and after his death in chapter 493 he really had no role in the series again, but from chapter 25 through 420 he was always a major character, a run of 396 chapters.

Piccolo was immediately major character from his introduction in chapter 135, where he was the first true villain of the series. He remained the villain in the subsequent 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai arc and transitioned into an anti-hero in the Saiyan arc. And while he missed the end of that arc, it featured a huge moment in the series where the so-called Demon King sacrificed his life to save the child of his mortal enemy which paved the way for Vegeta's redemption. By virtue of being dead he missed the first chunk of the Namek arc but unlike the other dead characters he was brought back into the fold. He remained relevant as a fighter until the mid-point of the Cell saga and was briefly the strongest character in the series. While his combat role basically disappeared, his role as mentor kept him in the spotlight in the Boo arc and when Goku returned to the afterlife he took over as the de facto hero of Earth. He remained present through the battle with Boo, with his active role in the series coming to an end in chapter 499 when he was absorbed.

Gohan's introduction in chapter 196 marked a massive turning point in the series. Not only was he a brand new protagonist who would be the primary hero for about half of the series (basically every time Goku isn't around), his presence officially marked the transition into adult Goku. No longer was Goku a goofy kid who flashed his penis, he was now a father and it made a man out of him. His relationship with Piccolo became one of the series' most enjoyable friendships, while his turn as world savior at the end of the Cell arc was his unquestionable high point. The "Gohan's hidden power" plotline might have ended with a fizzle, but it didn't stop him from being a huge character in the story - at least, not until Boo absorbed him in chapter 499.

Vegeta is one of the most influential characters ever, setting a new standard for the anti-hero archetype. From his introduction as stone cold villain chapter 203 to his active role in the saving of the universe in chapter 516, Vegeta crossed the entire spectrum from major villain to tenuous ally to full-on hero (complete with identity crisis). There's just no questioning his status as one of the biggest characters in the franchise.

Honorable mention: Bulma. Bulma was one of two characters introduced in the very first chapter, she kickstarted the entire story and she was the co-lead in the first arc. But after just 22 chapters she was more or less written out of the series, and aside from contributing the occasional invention she didn't really do anything until she gave birth to Trunks (which I guess was just another invention). One of the two most important characters but not one of the five most major ones.

[Ki Breaker]

Goku - He is the heart and soul of the series, he takes the story forward and is the driving force behind the franchise

Gohan - Goku's first born, built up from the start as the guy with most potential to grow, his contribution is undeniable in series with even eliminating the main threat at one point

Vegeta - The Prince of a warrior race lost in time, he is the prideful warrior who stands up to every challenge Infront, his sheer determination allows him to display shocking feats, he is very helpful to keep around and the rival to Goku

Krillin - Goku's best friend and the guy who doesn't back down from helping his friend, always keeping up with Goku till his human body tapped out it's full power, the most powerful human in existence and incredibly helpful even when outmatched, he is an irreplaceable asset to goku

Piccolo - The namekian warrior has been constantly helpful in many ways throughout the series starting from z

[sintzu]

The "Gohan's hidden power" plotline might have ended with a fizzle...

I don't think it did. He was the only one who not only could fight Super Buu one on one but also treat him like a joke. He was also able to hold his own against him when he absorbed a Ssj3 Gotenks who was very powerful in his own right. Sure he didn't play a role in the final battle but he did just beat Cell and played a very major role in Vegeta's defeat so I don't think him not taking down Buu should take anything away from him.

He also got 2 movies to himself which more than makes up for what little shortcoming he may have had in the manga.

[Lord Beerus]

Goku, Bulma, Krillin, Gohan and Vegeta. Those five guys drive the plot of Dragon Ball.

[precita]

It's kind of funny how quickly Tenshinhan lost his major character status after the King Piccolo arc ended. He basically started off the same way Piccolo or Vegeta did but after that first arc he basically just became another tournament combatant and in DBZ was always a supporting sidekick character even when he always showed up.

At least he didn't disappear entirely like 17 did or Launch.

[SansrivaaL]

Goku = When someone says dragon ball, there are only 2 names that will pop up, either its Akira Toriyama or Son Goku. The man that started it all, not your everyday shonen mc that stands for pride,justice and being a hero, rather a simple and pure man that only wants to fight strong people and will protect the innocent in an uncanny way. A shonen main character that asks the question, is he a good guy? or a bad guy?

Krillin = Goku's best friend, their relationship goes way back in the earlier parts of the series. As a kid trained together with Goku under Roshi, the luckiest bastard that got 18.

Bulma = The female main character of the series, the one who found Goku and started the adventure that took us to a hell of a ride. A bitch, naggy sassy kid (even now probably) thats one of the most intelligent scientist in their verse.

Vegeta = The man who's head over heels for Goku, his main rival, the character that brings out the best and worst out of him, if only Vegeta was a girl, he woulda fit Goku's strike zone. The man that delivers the best quotes and jobs in the series.

Gohan = The man who was supposed to become the next big thing main character full of potential that fits the harem battle anime. All the girls dig that saiyaman bandana, has surpassed Goku in more than 1 occasion. The simple and kind character that would prefer no violence at all but when push comes to shove, will fight for the right cause.

[floofychan333]

It changes quite a bit.
Pilaf saga: Goku, Bulma, Yamcha, Oolong, Puar
21st tourney: Goku, Bulma, Yamcha, Kuririn, Muten Roshi
Piccolo Daimao: Goku, Tenshinhan, Yamcha, Muten Roshi, Bulma
Piccolo Jr: Goku, Kuririn, Tenshinhan, Yamcha, Chaozu
Saiyajin arc: Goku, Gohan, Piccolo, Kuririn, Yajirobe
Freeza arc: Goku, Gohan, Kuririn, Vegeta, Piccolo
Cell arc: Gohan, Goku, Vegeta, Future Trunks, Piccolo
Buu arc: Gohan, Goku, Vegeta, Trunks, Goten

[KorgDTR2000]

The "Gohan's hidden power" plotline might have ended with a fizzle...

I don't think it did. He was the only one who not only could fight Super Buu one on one but also treat him like a joke. He was also able to hold his own against him when he absorbed a Ssj3 Gotenks who was very powerful in his own right. Sure he didn't play a role in the final battle but he did just beat Cell and played a very major role in Vegeta's defeat so I don't think him not taking down Buu should take anything away from him.

He also got 2 movies to himself which more than makes up for what little shortcoming he may have had in the manga.

The subplot that started from his very first appearance ended with him becoming the most powerful character in the story only to be defeated immediately. Had Dragon Ball ended with Cell's defeat then I would call it a culmination. Since it didn't, I call it a fizzle.