Summary
TheDragon Ballfranchise has always been home to some of the most iconic villains in anime. From destructive alien tyrants that eliminate entire civilizations in their spare time to incredibly powerful bio-androids engineered for the specific purpose of killing the heroes, the villains in the series have set their mark on the anime industry as some of the best and most iconic bad guys to ever exist in the art form.
However, some ofDragon Ball’sbest villains are those thatdon’t even exist within the canonof the series! Whether they belong to the various non-canonZmovies or the non-canon shows of the franchise, these villains have certainly made an impact on the fans because of their actions. So, let’s take a look at the best non-canon villains in the entireDragon Ballfranchise.
Debut Date
Jun 22, 2025
Turles was introduced in the sixthDragon Ballfilm, where he was shown as aformer member of the Frieza Forcewho had gone rogue. Upon sending a probe to Earth, it was revealed that the planet’s soil was suitable for planting a mysterious tree called the Tree of Might, whose fruits can greatly boost the power of any who eats them. Turles ate a fruit, due to which he was able to easily overpower Kaioken x10 Goku.
Kakarot, you are a disgrace to your people! Thousands of years of evolution - and you cast it aside for a multitude of weaklings!
The reason why Turles is remembered so fondly to this day is essentially because he looks like Goku but has the ruthless attitude of Saiyan-Saga Vegeta. There were also some psychological aspects to his character, as he managed to fool Goku’s friends and family that he was Goku himself, only to dish out cruel punishment to anyone who wasn’t on his side.
Jul 24, 2025
Cooler was shown to be theolder brother of Friezain his first appearance and the one directly responsible for letting Goku’s shuttle escape Planet Vegeta as a means of punishing his brother. Eventually, he came to Earth to enact his revenge on the Saiyan, where he fought Goku in a great fight that had some of the coolest moments in the history ofDragon Ball Z!
I am the supreme master of this universe! I am the great destroyer, the taker of life! It is my will that this planet and everyone on it, be annihilated!
Cooler was a villain that remains in the hearts of most fans of the franchise. He was so popular that he was brought back in another movie and, many years after his initial appearance, was reintroduced inSuper Dragon Ball Heroes. Though not as powerful as Frieza, he won the hearts of fans with his cold but calculating personality and demeanor, at times even seeming more understanding than Frieza. However, this just hid a far more sinister side that came to light with his incredible transformation and repeated appearances!
June 01, 2025
Baby is regarded by many fans of the series to be the best non-canon villain in the entireDragonBallfranchise!This character was a Tuffle, who were the original inhabitants of Planet Sadala but were wiped out in a brutal war by the Saiyans they had originally sheltered on their homeworld. Due to this, Baby held a deep hatred for all Saiyans, which was shown by everything he did to defeat the heroes in the first arc ofDragon Ball GT.
My friends, what the Saiyans have destroyed, we will rebuild. This is it!
This kind of villain was something that the series had scarcely seen before, as he was someone with a tragic backstory, of whom fans could understand why Baby would want revenge as he had everything taken away from them. However, his way of getting revenge was very cerebral and violent, as Baby took over the bodies of everyone Goku loves to turn them against him, cementing him as one of the best villains in all ofDragon Ball.
Jun 29, 2025
While the Shadow Dragons may not have been exceptional villains when looked at individually, their presence as a collective is theperfect one for the final arc of the franchise! This is because, from the very first episode of the originalDragon Ballseries, the Dragon Balls themselves have been coveted by millions across the universe due to their wish-granting powers, leading to their gross overuse throughout the decades.
We’re here because of you. All the Shadow Dragons were born because you misused the Dragon Balls, remember?
This overuse eventually filled the Dragon Balls with negative energy, causing them to crack and form the Shadow Dragons. This was a brilliant idea for the story, as the things that everyone depended on for safety and the central focus of the series became the same objects that led to untold destruction.Each of the Shadow Dragonswas based around a specific wish, so they held an even deeper emotional meaning to the heroes, which is why they had to be brought down!
Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime series produced by Toei Animation and a sequel to the 1986 Dragon Ball series. It continues the adventures of Son Goku as an adult while also paralleling the life of his son Gohan. Son Goku typically defends the Earth from villains like Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu. The series is followed by Dragon Ball GT and then Dragon Ball Super.
