Dragon Ball is known for its legendary warriors, epic battles, and unforgettable moments that helped share a generation of fans and creators alike. However, beyond Goku, Vegeta, and other central characters, the franchise is filled with recurring faces who once played significant roles before quietly fading into the background.
As the story shifted toward higher stakes, many of these characters became little more than nostalgic callbacks or cameos. With a cast as large as Dragon Ball’s, there are certain characters who have outlived their roles in the series and have essentially lost all relevance despite their past significance.
Oolong
Oolong is the shape-shifting pigman who is introduced early in the original Dragon Ball. He is known for his comedic antics, cynicism, and occasional cowardice. Despite his limited combat skills, he quickly becomes a valuable companion to Goku during his early adventures and helps his friends navigate dangerous situations.
Over time, however, Oolong’s presence in Dragon Ball dwindled more and more. His utility in combat was nothing compared to other fighters, and his humor, which was at one point a fresh addition, became overshadowed by newer characters and situations. He now mostly appears in brief cameos and rarely ever serves a strong narrative purpose.
Fortune Teller Baba
Fortune Teller Baba is the mystical seer and sister to Master Roshi, who is first introduced in Dragon Ball. She’s famous for her clairvoyance and for running the tournament that tests Goku and his friends before reuniting Goku with Grandpa Gohan.
While her unique ability to allow the deceased to return to the living world for a short period is impressive and served a major role in the Buu Saga, Baba was still little more than a minor character. She rarely influenced major plot points and only appeared in the series for convenience. Since her initial introduction, she hasn’t ever truly pushed the narrative forward.
Yajirobe
Yajirobe is a swordsman known for being rough around the edges and first appears as a reluctant ally to Goku and the Z-Fighters. Also known for his love of food and tendency to avoid combat, Yajirobe rarely plays a key role. However, the few times he had, they were critical moments that ultimately saved the day.
However, as the series continued to expand, his importance rapidly declined, and he became a character who was overshadowed. His comedic cowardice was once endearing, but now feels largely repetitive. Yajirobe, while an iconic side character, is now little more than a nostalgic presence that occasionally makes an appearance.
Mr. Popo
Mr. Popo is the loyal guardian of Kami’s Lookout, serving as an aide and trainer to the Z-Fighters early on in the series. He’s calm, disciplined, and deeply knowledgeable about Earth’s mystical energies. He provided guidance, support, and training to Goku and the other Z-Fighters, making him a necessary mentor along their journeys.
At one point, Mr. Popo even stood as one of the most powerful characters in Dragon Ball before quickly being overshadowed. In later arcs of the series, his role has significantly faded, turning him into a faithful attendant to Earth’s Guardian with little influence beyond that role.
Korin
Korin is the wise, ancient cat martial arts master who resides at the top of Korin Tower. In the original series, he guided and trained Goku after Goku reached the very top. He’s renowned for his agility and stands out as the provider of the Senzu Beans, which proved crucial in many critical moments throughout the series.
Over time, Korin’s presence in Dragon Ball became more of a ceremonial position, much like Mr. Popo’s. As battles continued to escalate and with nothing else to teach the characters, Korin gradually faded into the background, save for cameo appearances. He now exists largely to continue providing the Z-Fighters with Senzu Beans.
King Kai
King Kai is the quirky overseer of the North Galaxy and a high-ranking deity. He lives at the end of Snake Way and trains powerful warriors offers guidance after they reach his small planet. He is best known for his humor, love of jokes, and unique combat techniques, such as the Spirit Bomb and Kaio-ken.
He serves as both a mentor and comic relief in Dragon Ball Z, however, his influence helped shape Goku into the warrior he becomes in the franchise’s second installment. However, in later arcs, his role significantly diminished as he was replaced by other mentors and overshadowed by the introduction of the Supreme Kai.
Yamcha
Yamcha was introduced in Dragon Ball as a desert bandit known for his martial arts skills, including his signature technique, Wolf Fang Fist, and for his occasional comedic mishaps. Early in the series, he played a critical role and stood out as one of Goku’s closest friends. His early charm, charisma, and vulnerabilities made him stand out among the cast.
Yet, as the series entered Dragon Ball Z, Yamcha’s relevance sharply declined after his death by a Saibaman in the Saiyan Saga, effectively turning him into a well-known meme. Since then, his role only continued to decline, and now he exists mainly in small supporting or cameo roles.
Tien Shinhan
Tien Shinhan is the disciplined martial artist from the rivaling Crane School who entered the series as an antagonist before he became a powerful ally. He is known for his intensity, unique skills, and strategic mind, often injecting a sense of seriousness into the series.
He was one of the first characters in Dragon Ball to demonstrate the skill of flight and pose a significant challenge for Goku. However, as the series continued to raise the stakes, like others, he ultimately became sidelined and rarely serves a narrative purpose after the Cell Saga. Now he mainly appears in background roles.
Master Roshi
Master Roshi, also known as the Turtle Hermit, is the legendary martial arts master who trained Goku, Krillin, and several others. He’s renowned for his wisdom, quirky personality, and iconic techniques such as the Kamehameha Wave. His guidance shaped the early Z-Fighters, and he stood as Earth’s most powerful warrior until he was ultimately overshadowed by his students.
Despite his iconic status, Master Roshi’s impact on the series gradually began to dwindle more and more as the story unfolded. With nothing else to teach the Z-Fighters, he served his purpose and stands out as an unforgettable character in Dragon Ball. That said, his current relevance in the story is far from significant.
Krillin
Krillin is one of the original Z Fighters and Goku’s best friend. He’s known for his loyalty, courage, and strategic mind, often seen fighting at Goku’s side and cheering him on. Since the early chapters of Dragon Ball, he participated in major battles and provided critical support through his resourcefulness and quick thinking.
However, over time, Krillin’s relevance in Dragon Ball Z lessened as he is now largely outclassed by increasingly powerful enemies, limiting his influence on any outcomes. While Krillin is another iconic character in the franchise, his role is far from what it once was.
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- Latest TV Show
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Super Dragon Ball Heroes
- First Episode Air Date
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April 26, 1989
