For more than 40 years, Dragon Ball the franchise continues to enchant fans with its immersive world, charming cast, and epic battles galore. Although the series has not been as active as in the past, with a long break between each new project, it still creates beautiful and pleasant memories for millions of viewers every year. Whether it's incredible anime series, movies or manga chapters, fans of all ages can enjoy thousands of hours of content.
As such, there were more than a handful of moments that became pivotal in anime history. Although many of these scenes have become iconic due to their epic fights, there are some that have marked fans without resorting to any action, but rather inspiring and memorable dialogues. Some Dragon Ball Lines will always be cherished by fans because they were incredibly well-written, emotional, or iconic.
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“It is no sin to fight for the right cause. There are those to whom words alone cannot reach.” – Android 16
When Cell threatened to destroy the Z Warriors as punishment for Gohan not abandoning his pacifist ways, Android 16 decided to help the boy overcome his trauma. In one of the most beautiful speeches of the series, the red-haired robot helped Goku's son understand that kindness is something rare, but not all beings in the universe are susceptible to its charm.
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No matter how much one wishes it wasn't the only way, sometimes you have to step up and fight to defend those who can't. Android 16 reminded Gohan that his gentle soul was what gave him the power to overcome evil, leading to one of the anime's most iconic moments, Gohan's transformation into a Super Saiyan 2 state.
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“I am the Truth. An ally of good! A nightmare for you!” – Son of Goku
After Krillin died at the hands of the cruel tyrant Frieza, Goku felt rage like never before. 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 in making the Saiyan fulfill the prophecy the Emperor feared so much.
Goku declared himself the savior of all living creatures living under tyranny, a warrior destined to defeat Frieza and end his reign of terror. The hero's speech during this scene can send chills down the spine of any fan and has become a part of history for most. It represents the true essence of Goku's character and is undoubtedly one of the best Saiyan moments in the show.
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“I have placed my pride… my promise… Everything in your hands! Your defeat is unacceptable!” — Weed
If there is one quality that can describe the prince of all Saiyans, it's pride. From the first moment Vegeta was introduced, it was clear to the audience that he considered himself the greatest warrior alive, far superior to anyone else in the universe. While he is undoubtedly one of the strongest characters in the series, he has had to accept that he has been outclassed by many others, Goku in particular.
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Seeing Vegeta abandon his pride and accept defeat is always a shocking moment, and while it's not the first time it's happened, his last words before being eliminated from the Tournament of Power show how much he's grown. The prince knew he would never win this event and had no choice but to believe in Goku to save their universe. Instead of complaining about his fate like he would have done in the past, Vegeta put his full trust in his friend and gave him the rest of his energy.
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“Even if you manage to kill this body, someone even stronger would emerge and take my place!” – Future Gohan
Death within Dragon Ball space soon ceased to be a relevant topic as the titular treasures revived a long list of characters over the years. Only a few deaths in the franchise have become permanent, and they often stand out for how significant they are to the story. Such is the case of Future Gohan, who died prematurely while protecting the world from the evil Androids 17 and 18.
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Goku's son knew he wouldn't make it out of his battle against the cyborgs alive, but he didn't cower in fear. Instead, he chose to fight until his last breath and delivered 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 carry on 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.
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“Anyone who tries to hurt my friends will pay!” – Son of Goku
Although Goku is primarily known for his incredible fighting skills, he is by far one of the friendliest and most forgiving characters in anime. The Saiyan tends to see the best in people and prefers to enjoy fighting rather than focusing on destroying his opponents. Few things can make Goku angry, and targeting his friends is at the top of the list.
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Therefore, when Jiren, the most powerful warrior of Universe 11, tried to kill his friends to prove that friendship and love are fleeting emotions, Kakarot could not contain his anger. With a simple but effective shout, Goku instilled a lesson in his opponent that no matter what, he would always be there to protect the people he loved. One of the most significant and emotional scenes in what most fans consider to be the best Dragon Ball Super.
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“Even the lowest born can surpass the elite if they work hard enough” – Son Goku
Goku and Vegeta have become one of the most iconic friendships in pop culture history. Fans love seeing the Saiyan warriors work together and push each other to become better. However, there was a time when Vegeta saw Kakarot as nothing more than a weakling to destroy. The prince strongly believed that being born as a Saiyan elite made him superior to his opponents in every way.
The protagonist, known for being a hard worker obsessed with improving and pushing his limits, disagreed with this ideology entirely. Goku didn't worry 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 overcome even the most talented fighters. His words became a reminder to fans around the world to never give up on their dreams and keep moving forward.
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“You may have invaded my mind and my body, but there is one thing a Saiyan always keeps… his pride!” — Weed
The Buu Saga came with many revelations and shocking moments for fans to enjoy, and Vegeta being controlled by the evil Babidi was one of the most impressive. Viewers didn't 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 shock the audience even more when he overcame the mind control he was subjected to.
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Vegeta didn't want anything to stop him from facing Kakarot at full strength, so when Babidi tried to get him to obey orders, the prince refused. His pride as a warrior and a Saiyan was enough to thwart his master's plan. The real winners were the fans, who saw not only an unforgettable performance, but also one of the best battles in the entire Dragon Ball franchise.
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“You fool!”
Although there is no doubt that Dragon Ball series has some of the most inspiring and intense expressions in anime history, there are times when just a few words are enough to make a moment legendary. A perfect example of this comes from the chilling and masterful ending to the battle between Goku and Frieza, considered by many to be the best villain in the franchise.
Kakarot did not wish to destroy the Emperor, as it was not in his nature to be needlessly cruel. However, when Frieza decided to use the small amount of energy Goku had lent him to try and cowardly attack the Saiyan from behind, the hero had no choice but to retaliate. Letting the universe know how foolish it was for Frieza to refuse his favor, the legendary Super Saiyan let out a cry of rage and blasted the villain away with the franchise's signature Kamehameha technique. Goku's words may not have been profound, but there's no doubt that fans still love this incredible scene.
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- First TV show
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Dragon Ball
- Latest TV show
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Dragon Ball DAIMA
- Upcoming TV Shows
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Dragon Ball DAIMA
Dragon Ball is a franchise by Akira Toriyama that follows the adventures of Goku, a powerful warrior who protects the Earth with his group of friends. A recent title in the series is Dragon Ball: The Breakers, an action game where 7 players must survive while being chased by a Raider.
