This is a peculiar matter.
In a narrative, story, or tale, apart from the protagonist and antagonist, there are usually
6 archetypes of characters:
- Protector/Mentor/Window Character – The keeper of the hero’s moral compass.
- Deflector/Bad example – Tries to pull the hero away with a different moral compass.
- Believer – Believes and trusts in the hero just as the hero is.
- Doubter – Challenges the hero’s methods.
- Thinker – Reflects on hero’s course of action before taking own action.
- Feeler – Intuitively shoots first and asks questions later.
No one thinks how important Yajirobe and Mr. Satan are. They only doubt the protagonist out of cowardice.
Vegeta is also unimportant. In the earlier parts, his presence was just an attempt to lead the protagonist astray.
Similarly, no one thinks that characters like Master Roshi, Bulma, and Krillin can be compared to Goku. They only believe in the protagonist, provide their protection or help. They are all functional characters that exist to help the protagonist complete
the hero's journey.
I really like Piccolo in the Namek Arc and his battle against Freeza. He looked so cool when he appeared. Even though he was powerless against Freeza's transformation, he kept analyzing the situation and provided support to Goku at the most critical moment. I also like Kami-sama, who appears to have done nothing, but in reality he has been practicing superb management skills. However, I wouldn't compare them to the protagonist just because I like them so much. The dragonballs and Shenlong are not the most important things in the story—Majin Buu and Cell didn't fight for the dragonballs.
Bardock and Grandpa Gohan have even less of a role in the story. A smart author would never give too much space to such characters.
If they were important, then everyone in the early parts could be considered important because each of their actions would cause a butterfly effect in the future.
For example, Raditz was a successful character, but he was also an unimportant one. He successfully drew the protagonist into a bigger vortex, forcing Goku to leave his family and enter another world. Raditz fulfilled his mission excellently. But he was ultimately just a catalyst. His identity and ideas could be anything, he didn't have to be Goku's brother or even a Saiyan. It doesn't matter as long as our protagonist can embark on a new adventure.
A good story doesn't need too many "important" characters.
6 well-defined roles are enough, such as Alfred Pennyworth, Harvey Dent, James Gordon, Det. Anna Ramirez, Lucius Fox, and Rachel Dawes. Adding an outstanding protagonist and an impressive antagonist, that's enough to tell a good story. It has been this way since
Star Wars.
If you want to tell a prequel story, then rearrange these 6(8) characters.
We can see many stories changing protagonists in sequels, gathering new partners and beginning their new adventures with characters like Gohan or Uub, and those works achieve success. As long as Gohan and Uub still believe that personal effort can make up for differences in talent and class divide, and as long as they dare to challenge their limits and continuously break through them, the legend of Dragon Ball can continue.
So, this is a peculiar question. There is only one protagonist (some works might split the protagonist into two characters). Why choose another character that is equally important?
