It was the final, decisive battle of the Cell Games. Earth’s greatest defender, Goku, was outmatched by the seemingly unstoppable Android known as Cell. In the heat of the moment, Goku made a shocking decision: he withdrew from the fight, passing the torch to his son, Gohan. The young warrior, reluctant to fight, soon unleashed a power that no one had anticipated—his ascension to Super Saiyan 2 marked one of the most legendary moments in Dragon Ball Z history. The sheer force of Gohan’s power overwhelmed even the overconfident Cell, cementing him as one of the strongest characters in the DBZ universe. But was Gohan truly the strongest character? Could anyone surpass Goku, Vegeta, or even the formidable villains like Broly and Majin Buu?
In the vast and ever-evolving world of Dragon Ball Z, fans have debated for decades over who holds the title of the strongest character. From fluctuating power levels to game-changing transformations, the title “strongest” is a moving target in a series where the impossible becomes reality. This article will dive deep into the characters’ strengths, notable feats, official power levels, and how the Dragon Ball universe’s narrative structure complicates the idea of an absolute strongest. Along the way, we’ll explore what makes the power dynamics of Dragon Ball Z so fascinating to fans.
Understanding Power Levels in Dragon Ball Z
The Early Use of Power Levels
One of the most unique elements introduced in Dragon Ball Z was the concept of power levels. These quantifiable measurements of a fighter’s strength were first introduced in the Saiyan Saga, where characters like Vegeta and Nappa scanned the power levels of their opponents using scooters. Fans will recall the iconic scene where Vegeta, after sensing Goku’s increasing power during his battle with Nappa, yells, “It’s over 9000!”—a moment forever ingrained in pop culture.
However, while these numbers provided a useful framework in the early episodes, by the time Goku reached Super Saiyan during the Frieza Saga, power levels became less relevant as transformations began to play a much bigger role.
Power Levels as They Became Obsolete
According to official Dragon Ball Z Daizenshuu guides (the series’ official encyclopedias), Frieza’s final form boasts a power level of 120 million, making him the strongest character up to that point in the series (Daizenshuu 7, 1996). After transforming into a Super Saiyan for the first time, Goku could match this power, though Goku’s official power level was never explicitly given.
As the series progressed, the constant escalation of power led to the eventual abandonment of the power level system. Characters’ strengths were now measured more by their ability to achieve various transformations (e.g., Super Saiyan 2, Super Saiyan 3, and so on) rather than a specific number.
Who Are the Strongest Characters in Dragon Ball Z?
- Goku: The Constant Ascender
No discussion of strength in Dragon Ball Z would be complete without focusing on Son Goku, the show’s central protagonist. Goku is known for his seemingly limitless potential and continuous drive to improve. While he may not always start as the strongest in a given saga, his ability to learn from every fight and push beyond his limits makes him a prime candidate for the strongest DBZ character.
By the end of Dragon Ball Z, Goku had achieved the form of Super Saiyan 3 during his battle with Majin Buu. While this form drastically increased his power, it also came with significant drawbacks, primarily the massive drain on his energy reserves. According to official data, Super Saiyan 3 Goku was four times stronger than his Super Saiyan 2 form, but this power was unsustainable for long durations (Daizenshuu 7, 1996).
However, it’s important to note that while Goku might be one of the strongest in DBZ, he continues to grow even stronger in Dragon Ball Super, where he achieves forms like Super Saiyan God and Ultra Instinct, taking his strength to unimaginable levels.
- Gohan: The Hidden Power of the Saiyan Hybrid
During the Cell Saga, Gohan, Goku’s eldest son, proved himself to be the strongest character at the time by achieving Super Saiyan 2, a form that allowed him to surpass even his father. Gohan’s hidden potential had been hinted at throughout the series, but it wasn’t until his climactic battle with Cell that he fully unleashed his strength.
At the peak of his Super Saiyan 2 transformation, Gohan’s power level was far beyond his father’s Super Saiyan form and even Cell’s maximum power. However, Gohan’s decline in training after the Cell Saga led to him being surpassed by other fighters by the time the Majin Buu Saga rolled around.
Still, Ultimate Gohan, a form unlocked during the Buu Saga, remains among the strongest in DBZ canon. According to the Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot video game, Ultimate Gohan’s power level exceeded even Super Saiyan 3 Goku’s raw strength (Bandai Namco, 2020).
- Vegeta: The Elite Saiyan Warrior
Throughout DBZ, Vegeta is often portrayed as Goku’s rival, constantly striving to surpass his fellow Saiyan. While he starts as a villain, Vegeta eventually becomes one of the series’ strongest fighters. He achieves Super Saiyan during the Android Saga. He later powers up to Super Saiyan 2 and Majin Vegeta, the latter of which he uses to challenge Goku in the Buu Saga.
While Vegeta is often seen as second to Goku, his determination and willingness to push himself make him one of the most formidable characters in DBZ. During the Buu Saga, Vegeta sacrifices himself in an attempt to destroy Majin Buu, showcasing his immense power and dedication. However, despite his strength, Vegeta’s power levels were often portrayed as just a step behind Goku’s.
In Dragon Ball Super, however, Vegeta closes the gap significantly with his new transformations, like Super Saiyan Blue Evolved.
- Majin Buu: The Destroyer of Worlds
Majin Buu stands as one of the most powerful antagonists in DBZ. With multiple forms, including Fat Buu, Super Buu, and Kid Buu, each variation of Buu brought new challenges for the Z Fighters. By the time Kid Buu appeared, he had reverted to his purest, most dangerous form—a being capable of destroying entire planets without hesitation.
In terms of raw power, Kid Buu was said to have a strength that far surpassed any of the other major villains, such as Frieza or Cell, and even challenged Super Saiyan 3 Goku to the limit (Dragon Ball Z, Episode 276). Though Goku ultimately defeats Kid Buu, it’s made clear that Kid Buu is one of the most dangerous foes the Z Fighters have ever faced.
The Evolving Concept of Power in DBZ
As the series has evolved, so has the concept of strength in the Dragon Ball universe. Initially, the scouters provided concrete power levels, but transformations, techniques, and battle strategy became more important than raw power numbers over time. This makes determining the “strongest” character challenging, as different characters shine at various points in the series.
In Dragon Ball Z, the strongest character at any given time fluctuates, especially as transformations like Super Saiyan, Super Saiyan 2, and Super Saiyan 3 come into play. With Dragon Ball Super, the introduction of divine powers like Super Saiyan God and Ultra Instinct has taken the scale to even higher levels.
Conclusion: Who Truly Holds the Title?
At the end of Dragon Ball Z, the strongest character depends on the period and context. Gohan held the title during the Cell Saga, while Goku and Vegeta reached new heights during the Buu Saga. Villains like Majin Buu and Frieza pushed the Z Fighters to their limits, showcasing the ever-changing nature of power within the DBZ universe.
For fans, the question of the strongest character will always be up for debate. Still, one thing remains certain: Dragon Ball Z continues to captivate audiences with its relentless pursuit of greater power, incredible transformations, and unforgettable battles. In this evolving universe, the strongest character may change, but the thrill of watching these warriors push past their limits keeps fans hooked.
