The best martial artists in Dragon Ball

Key things

• Dragon Ball's focus on martial arts has turned it into a popular battle shonen series.
• Characters like Chiaotzu, Yamcha, Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Goten, Roshi, Gohan and Goku are key in performing martial arts.
• Goku's relentless pursuit of power and martial arts skills made him a persistent and legendary warrior.

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

His focus on promoting battles and martial arts in Dragon Ball helped the series transform from an adventure manga to the most popular battle shonen series of all time. While the martial arts essence may have taken a backseat to the power fantasy that has dominated the series ever since, it shouldn't take away from the origins of this series, which helped Goku embark on his journey to becoming a battle-hardened warrior.

8 Chiaotzu

A member of the Crane School and Tien's steadfast friend

• Sensei: Master Shen
• School: A school of cranes

It's a shame that Chiaotzu couldn't get any meaningful wins throughout the year Dragon Ball. Introduced alongside Tien Shinhan as one of the up-and-coming fighters of the Crane School, Chiaotzu barely got a chance to shine and lost to Krilling during the tournament.

After this point, 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 out, but Chiaotzu should get props for embodying the spirit of a true martial artist until the very end.

7 Yamcha

Fist Wolf Fang Master

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

Yamcha became the target of all the jokes due to the humiliation he suffered at the hands of Vegeta and Nappa during the Saiyan Arc. It's easy to label him as a man who will die at the hands of a saibaman, but there was a time when Yamcha amazed many with his prowess with the Wolf Fang Fist technique.

He was easily one of the stronger martial artists introduced early in the series, but failed to impress as the series introduced bigger threats that outmatched him. By time Dragon Ball Super it turns out, Yamcha is so weak that he is not even considered to join the team representing Universe 7 at the Tournament of Power.

6 Krillin

A gifted student turtles the school

• Sensei: Master Roshi
• School: Turtle school

When the Saiyans dominated large scale battles Dragon Ball Zpeople like Krillin had to take a back seat. However, that shouldn't take away from the time he was strong enough to be considered Goku's rival at the start Dragon Ball.

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

5 Tien Shinhan

Strongest member of Crane School By A Country Mile

• Sensei: Master Shen
• School: A school of cranes

Tien is easily one of the strongest people in the series and the fact that he is one of the few people he shines in Dragon Ball Z shows what power he has. He pinned Cella with his vitality draining tri-beam and almost managed to take him out.

It's an incredible moment that cements Tien as one of the best fighters around Dragon Ball Zthus clarifying why he was chosen to be part of Team Universe 7 in the Tournament of Power. His battle with Goku offers one of the best moments in the original series Dragon Ballwhich allows him to see the light and join the heroes after shunning his corrupt master's teachings.

4 Son of Goten

A talented kid who learned martial arts with chi-chi in no time

• Sensei: Chi-Chi
• School: ON

It is a testament to Goten's natural talent that learning martial arts under a man who hated fighting allowed him to become one of the youngest Super Saiyans in the series. However, since he's just a kid at the end of the day, he didn't really bother to get stronger as the series went on.

Aside from the battles he had as Gotenks against Buu, there isn't much to say about Goten's accomplishments as a martial artist. However, he is still a fun character and a strong fighter who can pull his weight when needed.

3 Master Roshi

Master of the Turtle School

• Sensei: Master Mutaito and Korin
• School: Turtle School

The fact that Master Roshi was able to fend off 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 help, everyone's favorite hero would never have learned the iconic Kamehameha that became the basis of the entire series.

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

2 Son of Gohan

Naturally talented, he gains fighting skills in no time

• Sensei: Piccolo and son Goku
• School: ON

Gohan has a gentle nature, which makes it clear why he is unsuited to fighting and regularly neglects his training. However, all the time Dragon Ball ZThis boy showed glimpses of his potential that could rival, if not exceed, his father's strength.

After some grueling training at the hands of Piccolo and Goku, Gohan managed to use up his inner strength in a fight 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 Goku's son

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 the strongest martial artists in Dragon Ball would be Goku himself. This iconic protagonist has become a permanent fixture Dragon Ballrefusing to call it quits against 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 coupled with a gentle heart has allowed him to unlock numerous transformations and become a legendary warrior who saves Earth and the universe itself time and time again.

• 

  Dragon Ball

  Release date

  February 26, 1986

  Studio

  Toei animation

  Creator

  Akira Toriyama

• 

  Dragon Ball Z (1989)

  Release date

  April 26, 1989

  Studio

  Toei animation

  Creator

  Akira Toriyama

• 

  Dragon Ball Super

  Release date

  July 5, 2015

  Studio

  Toei animation

  Creator

  Akira Toriyama