For over 40 years have Dragon Ball franchise has constantly enchanted fans with its immersive world, charming cast and plethora of epic battles. Although the series has not been as active as before, with a long break between each new project, it still creates beautiful and funny memories for millions of viewers every year. Whether it's with its incredible anime series, movies or manga chapters, there are thousands of hours of content for fans of all ages to enjoy.
As such, there have been more than a handful of moments that have become pivotal in anime history. Although many of these scenes have become emblematic due to their epic fights, there are some that marked the fans without resorting to any action at all, but rather inspiring and unforgettable dialogue. Some Dragon Ball lines will always be cherished by fans because of how incredibly well-written, emotional, or iconic they were.
7 Things Dragon Ball Does Better Than Any Other Shonen Anime
No other shonen anime comes close to Dragon Ball when it comes to these things.
8
“There is no sin in fighting for the right cause. There are those whom words alone do not reach.” – Android 16
When Cell threatened to destroy the Z Warriors as punishment for Gohan not letting go of his pacifist ways, Android 16 decided to take it upon himself to help the boy overcome his trauma. In one of the most beautiful speeches in the series, the red-haired robot helped Goku's son understand that kindness is something precious, but not all creatures in the universe are susceptible to its charms.
Dragon Ball: 7 Moments When Characters Admire Goku's Strength
In the Dragon Ball series, Goku's immense strength has been recognized even by his greatest enemies.
As much as you wish it wasn't the only way, sometimes it's necessary to step up and fight to defend those who can't. Android 16 reminded Gohan that it was his gentle soul that gave him the strength to overcome evil, resulting in one of the most iconic moments in the anime, Gohan's transformation into the Super Saiyan 2 state.
7
“I am truth. Allied to good! Nightmare to you!” – Son Goku
After Krillin died at the hands of the cruel tyrant Frieza, Goku felt anger like never before in his life. This feeling pushed him over the edge and gave him access to the most popular transformation in anime, Super Saiyan. The protagonist wasted no time in letting Frieza know that he had made a terrible mistake by making the Saiyan fulfill the prophecy that the Emperor feared so much.
Goku proclaimed himself the savior of all living things living in tyranny, the warrior destined to defeat Frieza and end his reign of terror. The hero's speech during this scene can send a chill down any fan's spine and has become part of history for most. It represents the true essence of Goku's character, and it's arguably one of the Saiyan's best moments in the show.
6
“I have placed my pride…my promise…all in your hands! Your defeat is unacceptable!” — Vegeta
If there is one quality that can describe the prince of all Saiyans, it is pride. From the very first moment Vegeta was introduced, it was clear to the audience that he saw himself as the greatest warrior alive, far superior to anyone else in the universe. Although he is undoubtedly among the strongest characters in the series, he has had to come to terms with the fact that many others have surpassed him, Goku most notably.
Every character Goku has killed in Dragon Ball
Between Dragon Ball, DBZ and Dragon Ball Super, Goku keeps his kill count low and never takes a life unless he absolutely needs to.
Seeing Vegeta let go of his pride and accept defeat is always a shocking moment, and while this isn't the first time this has happened, his final words before being eliminated from the Tournament of Power show just how much he's grown. The prince knew he could never win the event, and he had no other option but to trust Goku to save their universe. Instead of lamenting his fate as he would have done before, Vegeta put his full trust in his friend and gave him the rest of his energy.
5
“Even if you manage to kill this body, someone even stronger would appear and take my place!” – Future Gohan
Death within Dragon Ball universe stopped being a relevant issue early on, as the titular treasures have revived a wide variety of characters over the years. Only a few deaths in the franchise have become permanent consequences, and they often stand out for how important they are to the story. Such is the case with Future Gohan, who met his untimely death while protecting the world from the evil Androids 17 and 18.
Who is that character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Start
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)
Goku's son knew he wouldn't make it out of his fight against the cyborgs alive, but he didn't cower in fear. Instead, he decided to fight until his last breath and uttered one of the most emotional and hopeful messages in anime history. Gohan let the Androids know that his death would not be the end of planet Earth, as other brave and noble warriors would continue his legacy and bring peace to the world. It's hard not to feel inspired when one of the bravest characters ever written says goodbye with a smile on his face.
4
“Anyone who tries to hurt my friends will pay!” – Son Goku
Despite being primarily known for his incredible fighting skills, Goku is one of the friendliest and most forgiving characters in anime. Saiyans tend to see the best in people and prefer to enjoy their fights rather than focus on destroying their opponents. Few things can make Goku angry, and targeting his friends is at the top of the list.
Dragon Ball: Goku's Most OP Moments In The Anime, Ranked
Goku has had his fair share of awesome moments throughout Dragon Ball, but these just made him look overwhelmed.
That's why, when Jiren, the most powerful warrior from Universe 11, tried to kill his friends to prove that friendship and love are fleeting feelings, Kakarot couldn't hold back his anger. With a simple but effective scream, Goku instilled the lesson in his opponent that no matter what, he would always be there to protect the people he loves. One of the most significant and emotional scenes in what most fans consider to be the best arc of Dragon Ball Super.
3
“Even the lowest born can surpass the elite if they work hard enough” – Son Goku
Goku and Vegeta have become one of the most emblematic friendships in pop culture history. Fans love seeing the Saiyan warriors work together and push each other to be better. But there was a time when Vegeta saw Kakarot as nothing more than a weakling for him to destroy. The prince firmly believed that being born as a Saiyan elite made him superior to his opponents in some way.
The main character, known to be a hard worker obsessed with improving and surpassing his limits, completely disagreed with this ideology. Goku wasn't worried about the circumstances of his birth or the blood that ran through his veins. He knew that effort and discipline were more than enough to surpass even the most talented fighters. His words have become a reminder to fans everywhere to never give up on their dreams and to keep moving forward.
2
“You may have invaded my mind and body, but there is one thing a Saiyan always holds…his pride!” — Vegeta
The Buu Saga brought many revelations and shocking moments for fans to enjoy, and Vegeta allowing himself to be controlled by the evil Babidi was among the most impactful. The audience did not expect Vegeta's desire to surpass Goku to be strong enough to willingly accept the wizard's mind control. Yet the prince found a way to further shock viewers by overcoming the mind control he was subjected to.
Dragon Ball: The Strongest Saiyan Forms, Ranked
Saiyans have undergone many incredible transformations in the series, so let's take a look at the strongest of them all.
Vegeta wanted nothing to stop him from facing Kakarot at his full power, so when Babidi tried to get him to obey orders, the prince refused. His pride as a warrior and a saiyan was enough to foil his master's plan. The real winners were the fans, as they not only got a memorable speech, but also one of the best fights of all time. Dragon Ball franchise.
1
“You fool!”
Although there is no doubt that Dragon Ball series has some of the most inspiring and intense speeches in anime history, there are times when just a few words are necessary to make a moment feel legendary. The perfect example of this comes from the chilling and masterful end to the battle between Goku and Frieza, considered by many to be the best villain in the franchise.
Kakarot did not want to destroy the Emperor, as it was not in his nature to be needlessly cruel. Nonetheless, when Frieza decided to use the small amount of energy Goku lent him to attempt to cowardly attack the Saiyan from behind, the hero had no choice but to retaliate. With a scream of rage, the legendary Super Saiyan let the entire universe know how stupid it was for Frieza to refuse his kindness and blast the villain away with the franchise's signature technique, the Kamehameha. Goku's words may not have been profound, but there's no doubt that fans still love this incredible scene dearly.
- Created by
-
Akira Toriyama
- First TV show
-
Dragon Ball
- Latest TV show
-
Dragon Ball DAIMA
- Upcoming TV Shows
-
Dragon Ball DAIMA
Dragon Ball is a franchise by Akira Toriyama that follows the adventures of Goku, a mighty warrior who protects the Earth with his group of friends. A new title from the series is Dragon Ball: The Breakers, an action game where 7 players must survive being chased by Raiders.
