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There’s always been a strong synergy between the many Dragon Ball anime and video games, which has led to more than 100 Dragon Ball games since the franchise’s debut. Every corner of the Dragon Ball universe has been unpacked through video games at this point, which has prompted certain titles to craft original stories and “What If?…” plots.
This has led to some unique and bizarre characters, some of which Akira Toriyama even had a direct hand in designing himself, like Majin Ozotto, Towa, and Android 21. Certain video game characters resonate so strongly with fans, they even cross over into the Dragon Ball anime, but most of the series’ biggest weirdos only exist in the games – for now, at least.
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10
Bonyu is the Only Member of the Ginyu Force To Ever Defect
Video Game Debut: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a massive open-world action RPG title that covers not only all of Dragon Ball Z, but plenty of other major events, too. Kakarot reveals that there was another Ginyu Force member, Bonyu, who eventually left the team because she grew increasingly tired of their silly poses. Bonyu is a brilliant, tactical fighter who considers herself to be the brains of the Ginyu Force.
She’s still more than capable of defending herself and delivering extreme attacks. Goku doesn’t actually fight Bonyu, but instead a Virtual Fighting Data replica created through her Battle Data. Akira Toriyama designed Bonyu, which does raise some questions if she’s canon, but she’s never appeared outside any video games.
9
Cell X is Somehow Even Scarier Than Cell MAX
Video Game Debut: Dragon Ball Online
Cell’s unique forms are based on the Androids he’s absorbed and incorporated into his biology. Dragon Ball Online‘s Cell X is an original bio-engineered creation made by Towa to aid the Time Breakers in their destructive efforts. Cell X’s design is genuinely frightening and makes Imperfect Cell look adorable in comparison.
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Cell gains extra legs and a giant bulbous abdomen that turns him into a spider-like monstrosity. The Time Patrol wage war against Cell X, who has become extremely dangerous because of the energy that’s been collected for him. Curiously, Cell X’s primary means of attack is to spawn smaller Bio-Androids who fight for him, while he acts as an evil incubator.
8
Android 9 Gives Commander Red a Mecha Frieza-Esque Makeover
Video Game Debut: Dragon Ball Online
The Dragon Ball anime introduces Android 8, as well as Androids 13-20. Dragon Ball video games have helped fill in some of these gaps and Android 9 – also known as Project: Red – is one of the more interesting Androids. Dr. Gero models Android 9 after Commander Red, the Red Ribbon Army’s late leader. This is consistent with Dr. Gero’s tradition of basing his Androids on people from his life. Android 9 is a more intimidating take on the tiny tyrant.
In Dragon Ball Online, the Red Pants Army finds Android 9’s schematics and rebuilds him as Project: Red. Project: Red would naturally fit into Dragon Ball‘s grander canon if the franchise decides to bring back more Androids. It’s worth pointing out that the Dragon Ball SD gag manga also features its own take on Android 9, who is modeled after Dragon Ball‘s Akio Iyoku and named “Iyo-ku-go.” Despite having the same name, Dragon Ball SD‘s Android 9 is very different from Project: Red.
7
Bolon & Bongo Carry On King Piccolo’s Demonic Legacy
Video Game Debut: Dragon Ball Online
One of the biggest differences between Piccolo Jr. and Demon King Piccolo is that the latter can asexually reproduce dark demonic Namekians, referred to as his Dark Vassals. Many of these Dark Vassals, like Tambourine, Cymbal, and Drum, pose decent challenges back in the original Dragon Ball. Dragon Ball Online indicates there are still a few surviving Dark Vassals from all the way back during the King Piccolo Wars.
Bongo and Bolon are two of these Dark Vassals who become Piccolo’s targets as he seeks to suppress these villains and learn how to be better prepared for future attacks. It’s easy to forget about the Dark Vassals that appeared in the anime and manga. These two fringe figures are definitely on the more obscure side.
Video Game Debut: Dragon Ball Fusions
Dragon Ball Fusions plays fast and loose with its fusions, but the Saibaking raises the interesting question of what would happen if multiple Saibamen were to fuse together. Suddenly these generic training tools turn into a proper antagonist who is more than capable of defending himself. The Saibaking is quite stronger than the standard Saibamen, and he can articulate himself through speech, which the others can’t. There’s also a regenerative aspect to the Saibaking, which makes him even more dangerous.
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It’s only appropriate that Yamcha wages war against the Saibaking as a way to overcome his past trauma. If nothing else, it’s just impressive to see a Dragon Ball game make something as weak as Saibamen scary. Admittedly, the Saibaking does also appear in Dragon Ball Fusions the Manga!!, but it’s merely riffing on the same idea as its video game source material. It’s not as if the Saibaking shows up in Super Dragon Ball Heroes or Dragon Ball DAIMA.
5
General Bon Carries On the Red Ribbon Army’s Fight via the Red Pants Army
Video Game Debut: Dragon Ball Online
Dragon Ball Online is given a lot of freedom since it’s set more than two centuries after Dragon Ball Z. It’s so interesting to see how certain elements of the past return, including the reinstitution of the Red Ribbon Army as the Red Pants Army. The RPA is formed by General Bon, a giant anthropomorphic bison who could put Bear Thief or Lord Yao to shame. General Bon wants to use the Red Pants Army to take over the world, but is specifically invested in restoring Animal-type Earthlings’ rights.
General Bon made such a strong impression on audiences in Dragon Ball Online that he returns in several Dragon Ball Heroes games that build upon his attack arsenal. General Bon’s strongest technique, Wild Typhoon, gets introduced in these games, for instance. General Bon feels like a character who would perfectly fit into Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball DAIMA, or even the Dragon Ball: The Return of Son Goku and Friends! OVA special.
4
Fry Fights To Keep The Frieze Force Alive
Video Game Debut: Dragon Ball Online
Frieza’s tyrannical rule permanently changed the face of Dragon Ball‘s universe, so it’s fascinating to see that he continues to have devoted followers, even after his death. Frieza’s robust army helps make him even more intimidating and it feels like he has ultimate resources at his disposal. Dragon Ball Super‘s Golden Frieza Saga proves this to be true when he’s revived by new Frieza Force members and manages to gain a mighty army of over 1,000 men.
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It’s clear that the Frieza Force and what it represents will always be around, even if Frieza isn’t. Dragon Ball Online elaborates on this idea with several new soldiers who are a part of the latest generation of Frieza Force remnants. Fry, along with Captain Wata, Tick, and Bullgokin, are just some of the latest Frieza Force members that anime and manga fans had no idea existed. There’s a tendency for certain Frieza Force members to have forgettable designs, but Fry, Wata, and Bullgokin put Cui, Dodoria, and Zarbon to shame.
3
The Black Space Cat Wields Surprisingly Incredible Power
Video Game Debut: Dragon Ball Online
Dragon Ball Online is such a bewildering experience that beautifully expands upon Dragon Ball lore, experimenting with completely weird and original ideas. Laborious and challenging dungeons that feature increasingly powerful obstacles are a rewarding way to test one’s strength. The Capsule Corporation Dungeon is particularly extreme and features 150 levels of varying difficulty.
The final boss on the 150th floor subverts expectations with an unassuming design, rather than a burly and brutal opponent. This is the Black Space Cat, a feline hermit who wields a powerful staff who is somehow one of the strongest enemies in the entire game. Other brainwashed cat characters, such as Chocolay and the White Space Cat, are encountered earlier in the Capsule Corporation Dungeon, but they all pale in comparison to the Black Space Cat.
2
Cellin is the Twisted Fusion of Cell & Krillin
Video Game Debut: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai
The Dragon Ball Z: Budokai games take some entertaining liberties when it comes to original characters and satisfying “What If?…” scenarios. New fusions that only exist in Dragon Ball video games make up the majority of original characters and Dragon Ball Fusions alone contains over 1,000 examples. There’s a ton of creativity on display with these fusions, but one of the weirdest examples of this is Cellin – a combination between Cell and Krillin.
Cell’s absorptions of Androids 17 and 18 make him stronger, but in this scenario he becomes significantly weaker after he inadvertently absorbs Krillin instead of Android 18. Cellin is such a ridiculous idea in the first place, albeit a tangent that it’s appreciated that Dragon Ball Z: Budokai explores. Cellin is so weak that he loses against Yamcha before he’s then killed by Tien, which wakes Cell up and reveals that this dark fate was actually just a nightmare.
1
Titima is a Rare Female Majin
Video Game Debut: Dragon Ball Online
Dragon Ball Online is a MMORPG title that gives the player a lot of freedom, right down to the different races of their characters. Saiyans, Namkeians, and humans are to be expected, but Dragon Ball Online also proliferates the Majin race so that they’re considerably more plentiful. Good Buu creates a wife for himself, which becomes the catalyst for a whole race of Majin characters.
Titima is a female Majin character who often gets mistaken with Miss Buu, Good Buu’s wife. Titima is a Super Majin, which is a concept once again been addressed in Dragon Ball DAIMA with Rymus. A female Majin is a fun idea that would be an entertaining dimension to the core Dragon Ball canon. Games like Dragon Ball Online are proof that a more plentiful Majin population can be a fun way to introduce powerful characters into the mix.
Dragon Ball
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- First Film
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Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
- Latest Film
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Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Summary
Dragon Ball is the labor of writer/illustrator Akira Toriyama, beginning with Dragon Ball back in 1984. The series originally started as a serialized manga back in Weekly Shonen Jump for nearly a decade until it expanded into the anime franchises it is most known for today. Dragon Ball was later adapted into two animes, with one being Dragon Ball Z, the most universally known series in the entire Dragon Ball canon. The franchise has continued to expand lore via films, video games, and additional sequel TV series, such as the more recent Dragon Ball Super and Super Dragon Ball Heroes. Dragon Ball centers mostly around Son Goku, a being known as a Saiyan, and his friends as they face off against intergalactic threats and seek out the titular dragon balls. When all seven of these balls are collected, they can be used to summon a legendary dragon that can grant the wishes of whoever so gathers them. The Dragon Ball franchise continues to be one of the most well-known and beloved animes of all time, with over forty different countries airing it, and has had a tremendous impact on Western culture as a whole.
