Despite its large cast,Dragon Ballhas often sidelined its female characters, reducing them to supporting roles or comedic relief.Many of the women in the series have shown incredible skill, but due to the franchise’s Saiyan-dominated spotlight, it’s easy to overlook them. While the series has delivered some standout moments for its women, especially inDragon Ball Super, there’s still plenty of untapped potential to explore.
WithDragon Ball Superexpanding the universe and adding new, powerful characters to its narrative, now is the perfect time to give the series’ most deserving women justice. These characters,with their strong and driven personalities, offer a multitude of opportunities. When the series finally returns, it should offer more screen time toDragon Ball’s most powerful and headstrong women.
10Launch
A Fan Favorite Who Vanished From the Series
Launch is one ofDragon Ball’smost infamous forgotten characterswho disappeared after the original series. Her unique dual personality, where she shifts between being violent and trigger-happy to kind and gentle with a sneeze, made her stand out among other characters. Despite her popularity,Launch was left behind as the story moved on toDragon Ball Zwith the explanation that she was chasing Tien Shinhan.
Returning Launch to the series wouldbring back a sense of unpredictability and a fresh yet nostalgic dynamicto the cast. Her interactions with old and new characters could lead to fun and unexpected moments. Whether she returns with her fierce spirit or simply causes chaos, Launch deserves another shot at the spotlight.
9Gine
Goku’s Mother Deserves a More Detailed Backstory
Gine, Goku’s mother, isone of the most intriguing yet underexplored characters inDragon Ball. Unlike most Saiyans, she seemed to be gentle and compassionate, a notable contrast to the warrior race fans hear so much about. Gine’s brief appearance inDragon Ball Super: BrolyandDragon Ball Minushinted at a deep backstory that deserves more attention.
Dragon Ball: 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Gine
Gine, Goku’s mother, is a relatively new character. Though not much is known about her, she had a unique relationship with Bardock and her sons.
Expanding on her background could offer a deeper look into Saiyan culture and society beyond battlefields and conquering planets. Flashbacks or a special episode could provide more insight into her relationship with Bardock, her perspective on the Saiyan race and Frieza’s dominion, and perhaps even offer a connection to Goku’s caring nature. By exploring Gine,Dragon Ballcouldadd more depth to its lore while also strengthening Goku’s origin.
8Cheelai
Broly’s Strongest Connection to Humanity
Cheelai made a strong impression in the filmDragon Ball Super: Brolyas one of the few characters who connected with Broly on a personal level. Unlike most fighters in the series,she relies on her quick thinking and empathy rather than strength, making her a refreshing addition to the series. Her role in Broly’s life suggests that she will grow into a key figure in the future of the series.
Cheelai could easily become a bigger part in shaping Broly’s future. There is a chance she may even play a larger part in a far more dramatic narrative afterBeerus has shown to take an interest in her. Either way,Cheelai has quickly proven herself to be the voice of reason while also offering lighthearted commentary, balancing the series’ intense battles.
7Mai
Future Mai Held a Lot of Potential, Present Mai Can, Too
Future Mai played an important role in the Goku Black and Zamasu arc asa brave and resourceful leader in humanity’s battle for survival. Although she lacks Saiyan-level strength, she holds her own when it comes to strategy and determination. Her bond with Future Trunks was one built upon mutual respect, and her presence added emotional depth to the arc. She proved that non-fighters can make a massive difference during high-stakes battles inDragon Ball.
Present Mai is often used along with Pilaf and Shu for comedic relief, butshe has the same potential as Future Mai if given the right story. With her role in the Pilaf Gang already largely played out over the years,Dragon Ballhas an opportunity to develop her into a capable ally for the next generation of Z-Fighters. Present Mai has room to grow intoa self-assured character with the potential to make a real impactrather than continuing to serve asan age-inappropriate love interest for Trunks.
6Vados
A Mysterious Angel Who Is Stronger Than Both Whis and Beerus
Vados is the attendant and mentor to Universe 6’s God of Destruction, Champa, and islabeled as one of the most powerful beings inDragon Ball. However, despite this, she remains largely in the background during the Universe 6 and Tournament of Power Sagas. As Whis’s older sister, she likely possesses wisdom and abilities that have yet to be fully explored.
Vados’s calm attitude, paired with her sharp wit, make her an intriguing and fun character in the series. Giving her more time in the spotlight could add to the lore surroundingthe Angels and their true purpose beyond serving and mentoring the Gods of Destruction. Vados could possibly play a larger role by guiding Universe 6’s warriors and mentoring fighters like Cabba, Kale, and Caulifla as Whis does for Vegeta and Goku.
5Chi-Chi
Chi-Chi Is Far More Than Just Goku’s Wife
Chi-Chi entered the series as a skilled fighter who could hold her own in the originalDragon Ball. Yet, over time, she becamereduced to a strict and overprotective mother. Her fierce personality has always been iconic, butshe rarely gets the chance to showcase her strength or contribute meaningfully to the story.
Given Chi-Chi’s background as the Ox King’s daughter and a former martial artist herself,she deserves a role that goes beyond scolding Goku and her children. Bringing Chi-Chi back into action could add to the story and highlight her forgotten combat skills. While she may not keep up with Saiyan-level strength, she could hold her own on Earth and may even be a fantastic mentor to the next generation.
4Kale
Universe 6’s Legendary Super Saiyan
Kale made a massive impact inDragon Ball SuperasUniverse 6’s version of the Legendary Super Saiyan. Initially, Kale is shown to be timid and unsure of herself, butduring the Tournament of Power, she grows in confidenceand forms a stronger bond with Caulifla. While her development may have been rushed, the series has a chance to revisit her and further flesh out her character.
Another arc that revisits the Saiyans of Universe 6 could explore their mastery over forms that have never been seen before. As the Legendary Super Saiyan of Universe 6,Kale has a lot of potential as both a rival and an ally for the Z-Fighters. By giving Kale more time in the spotlight, the series could solidify Kale as one of the series’ most powerful warriors.
3Caulifla
The Headstrong Powerhouse From Universe 6
Caulifla’s bold and outgoing personality brought a fresh dynamictoDragon Ball Super. She is one of the series' most confident, ambitious, and rebellious characters. Caulifla’s rapid mastery of Super Saiyan forms proved to fans that she was a prodigy, and she quickly became a favorite.
Dragon Ball’s First Female Super Saiyan Shows How Far the Series Has Come
Dragon Ball Super brought Saiyan women to the fight for the first time. The brash Caulifla quickly showed fans just what they’d been missing.
However, Caulifla’s story feels incomplete. Like Kale, she wasn’t given a chance to grow beyond the Tournament of Power. Giving her more time on screen would allow her to push her limits further and perhaps even achieve new transformations like Ultra Instinct or Super Saiyan 4.Caulifla possesses a personality, strength, and potential not often seen in female characters inDragon Ball,and she deserves to be showcased more.
2Videl
A Fierce Heroine Turned Background Character
Videl started out asa strong, no-nonsense fighter inDragon Ball Zwho could hold her owndespite being a regular human. Her training with Gohan led to some great moments, and she proved herself to be capable of more than hand-to-hand combat after learning to fly. However, after her marriage, she was sidelined and turned into mainly a supportive wife and mother with barely any screen time.
Videl only played a minor role inDragon Ball Super, but she deserves more attention. When the series returns, Videl should be given a stronger role, possibly by training with Pan. Videl has already learned how to use ki, meaningshe has the potential to develop further and has knowledge to offer the next generation.
1Android 18
The Most Deserving of More Screen Time
Android 18 is one ofDragon Ball’smost powerful female fighters,yet she often takes a backseat to the Saiyans despite her incredible strength. She played a key role in the Tournament of Power, proving she can still hold her own against universe-level threats. However, outside that arc, 18’s appearances are often brief and underwhelming.
As an android, 18 has unlimited ki, giving her far more endurance than other warriors. As one of the most self-assured and powerful characters, Android 18 has limitless potential for the series andhas shown that she can easily find a balance between being a warrior and a family woman. Whether through greater threats, tournaments, or training, Android 18 deserves more moments to shine inDragon Ball.
