Best martial artist in Dragon Ball

Important takeaways

• Dragon Ball's focus on martial arts turned it into a popular martial arts series.
• Characters like Chiaotzu, Yamcha, Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Goten, Roshi, Gohan, and Goku are essential in showcasing martial arts.
• Goku's relentless pursuit of power and martial arts skills have made him an enduring and legendary warrior.

Dragon Ball is one of the most iconic shonen IPs of all time that anime fans can't get enough of. Akira Toriyama's passing was a huge blow, and many are still mourning the loss of a manga genius who created some of the most popular and recognizable characters in pop culture history.

His focus on promoting fighting and martial arts in Dragon Ball helped the series transform from an adventure manga into the most popular Battle Shonen series of all time. While the martial arts core may have taken a back seat to the power fantasy that has dominated the series since then, it shouldn't take away from the origins of this series that helped Goku embark on the path to becoming a battle-hardened warrior.

8 Chiaotzu

A member of the kranskolan and Tien's constant friend

• Sensei: Master Shen
• School: Trans school

It's a shame that Chiaotzu didn't manage to pick up any meaningful victories over the course of the Dragon Ball. Introduced alongside Tien Shinhan as one of the promising fighters in the Crane School, Chiaotzu was barely given an opportunity to shine, losing to Krilling during the tournament.

After this moment, Chiaotzu played his last major role in the Saiyan Saga, sacrificing himself to try and take out Nappa. Unfortunately, his selfless act didn't work, but props should be given to Chiaotzu for embodying the spirit of a true martial artist to the end.

7 Yamcha

Wolf Fang Fist Master

• Sensei: Self taught
• School: N/A (Trained with Turtle School after meeting Goku and Krillin)

Yamcha has become the butt of all jokes given the humiliation he suffered at the hands of Vegeta and Nappa during the Saiyan arc. It's easy to label him as the man to die at the hands of a Saibaman, but there was a time when Yamcha impressed many with his mastery of the Wolf Fang Fist technique.

He was easily one of the stronger martial artists introduced early in the series but failed to make an impact as the series introduced bigger threats that dwarfed him. When Dragon Ball Super comes out, Yamcha is so weak that he is not even considered to be on the team representing Universe 7 in the Tournament of Power.

6 The krill

A gifted student at the turtle school

• Sensei: Master Roshi
• School: Turtle school

With Saiyans dominating the large-scale battles in Dragon Ball Zpeople like Krillin had to take a back seat. However, that shouldn't take away from the time when he was strong enough to be considered Goku's rival in the beginning Dragon Ball.

Both recruits joined the Turtle School and learned the art of fighting under Master Roshi. Krillin was quite powerful in the beginning Dragon Ballbut Goku's natural talent helped him surpass his rival and then some.

5 Tien Shinhan

The strongest member of the Crane School By A Country Mile

• Sensei: Master Shen
• School: Trans school

Tien is easily one of the strongest people in the series, and the fact that he is one of the few people to shine in Dragon Ball Z shows how much power he has. With his vitality-draining Tri-Beam, he pinned down Cell and nearly managed to take him out.

It's an incredible moment that cements Tien as one of the best fighters in the world Dragon Ball Zwhich makes it clear why he was chosen to be part of Universe 7's team in the Tournament of Power. His fight with Goku offers one of the best moments in the original edition of Dragon Ballallowing him to see the light and join the heroes after avoiding the teachings of his corrupt master.

4 Son Göten

A talented child who learned martial arts with Chi-Chi in no time

• Sensei: Chi-Chi
• School: N/A

It is a testament to Goten's natural talent to learn martial arts under the tutelage of a person who hated fighting allowed him to become one of the youngest Super Saiyans in the series. But since he's just a kid at the end of the day, he didn't really care about getting stronger as the series went on.

Aside from the battles he had as Gotenks against Buu, there isn't much to speak of in terms of Goten's achievements as a martial artist. But he's still an entertaining character and a strong fighter who can pull the trigger when needed.

3 Master Roshi

Master of the Turtle School

• Sensei: Masters Mutaito and Korin
• School: Turtle school

The fact that Master Roshi managed to fight a wave of fighters in the Tournament of Power shows how important this sensei's role was in helping people like Goku and Krillin become stronger. Without his input, everyone's favorite hero would never have learned the iconic Kamehameha that has become a staple of the series.

Meeting Roshi was a turning point for Goku, who decided to join the Turtle School and hone his martial arts skills alongside Krillin. He might be a little too perverted for his own good, but Roshi can impress fans when he decides to take things seriously.

2 Son Gohan

Naturally gifted and picks up combat skills in no time

• Sensei: Piccolo and Son Goku
• School: N/A

Gohan has a mild personality, which makes it clear why he is unfit to fight and regularly neglects his training. However, throughout Dragon Ball Zthis boy showed glimpses of his potential that could rival, if not surpass, his father's strength.

After enduring some grueling training at the hands of Piccolo and Goku, Gohan managed to draw out his inner strength in a battle against Cell, where he attained the Ascended Super Saiyan form. It's an amazing moment in the series that fans can't get enough of.

1 Son Goku

One of the greatest martial artists in anime history

• Sensei: Master Roshi
• School: Turtle school

It was only a given that one of the best and strongest martial artist within Dragon Ball would be Goku himself. This iconic protagonist has become an enduring part of Dragon Ballrefusing to call it quits on his opposition and reaching new heights of power time and time again to beat his enemies to a pulp.

Sure, being a Saiyan means Goku always has a thirst for battle, but he also treats his opponents with the respect they deserve as a martial artist. His relentless pursuit of power combined with a gentle heart has allowed him to unlock many transformations and become a legendary warrior who has saved the Earth and the universe itself time and time again.

• 

  Dragon Ball

  Release date

  February 26, 1986

  Studio

  Toei animation

  Creator

  Akira Toriyama

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  Dragon Ball Z (1989)

  Release date

  April 26, 1989

  Studio

  Toei animation

  Creator

  Akira Toriyama

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  Dragon Ball Super

  Release date

  July 5, 2015

  Studio

  Toei animation

  Creator

  Akira Toriyama