Frieza is hands down the best villain in the Dragon Ball series, surpassing even the formidable Cell we all know about. While Cell certainly gave the Z fighters a run for their money, Frieza’s influence and presence in the Dragon Ball universe is unmatched.
Frieza stands out as a truly iconic character in the realm of shonen anime itself. His influence on countless antagonists over the years is immense, ever since his debut in the Namek Saga. Frieza’s introduction was a pivotal moment that transformed Dragon Ball Z, and here are 5 reasons as to why he might just be the series’ greatest villain.
5. What A True Super Villain Looks Like
Unlike Goku, who dedicated his entire life to mastering martial arts, Frieza relied almost entirely on his terrifying natural strength, having never undergone any significant training. Despite hints from his subordinates about his incredible power, viewers were still unprepared for the true extent of his might compared to Goku, Vegeta, and the other main characters of Dragon Ball Z.
When Frieza transformed into his Final Form, he overwhelmed the Z-Fighters, rendering them almost powerless. Even Goku, who had always been the group’s strongest fighter, found himself struggling to keep up. It wasn’t until Goku unlocked the legendary Super Saiyan form that he could finally match Frieza blow for blow. During the Frieza Saga, Frieza’s power was unmatched, representing the most formidable challenge the Z-Fighters had ever encountered.
4. Frieza Got Resurrected Twice Unlike Any Other Villains In The Series
In the Dragon Ball universe, death is often temporary for main characters thanks to the Dragon Balls’ ability to revive them. However, this does not apply to villains, who typically stay dead once defeated. Frieza breaks this norm: after Goku initially killed him, his resurrection was such a significant event that it became a feature film.
Even more surprisingly, Frieza returned again for the Tournament of Power, making him the only villain resurrected twice in the series. This highlights Frieza’s exceptional status among Dragon Ball antagonists and underscores the series’ theme that true legends endure beyond death.
3. Sadistic Personality Suited For Great Villains
Frieza embodies pure evil. Initially polite, he reveals himself as a deeply sadistic individual who derives immense pleasure from massacring and annihilating others, especially on a grand scale. The dialogue below shows how gruesome his character is in Dragon Ball Z.
These barbarians pretend to be submissive, but they’re dangerous. They could bare their fangs against us at any time. They are, after all, a species completely comprised of warriors. It’s always best to put a sleeping beast down, before it can be awakened.~ Frieza planning to wipe out the Saiyans.
2. The Absolute Form Of True Strength
Frieza stands out as the most malevolent character by choice, unlike Cell, who was programmed, or Buu, who was created. This aspect speaks volumes about Frieza’s character.
Moreover, Frieza’s effectiveness in battle stemmed purely from his overwhelming power, unlike Cell and Buu who relied on regenerative abilities and other gimmicks. While these traits made Cell and Buu terrifying within the Dragon Ball universe, from a narrative standpoint, they sometimes felt like convenient plot devices used to prolong the story.
In contrast, the Frieza saga uniquely conveyed a sense of hopelessness, unmatched by any other saga. Until Goku’s transformation, triggered after surviving a colossal Spirit Bomb, no one stood a chance against Frieza.
1. Frieza Forced Goku To Unleash His First Super Saiyan Form
If Goku hadn’t turned into a Super Saiyan at that crucial moment, Frieza would have surely ended his life. This transformation has become iconic within the series, with Goku’s initial change being widely regarded as one of anime’s most memorable scenes. And only the super sadistic characteristic of Frieza made this incident possible.
In conclusion, Frieza’s intelligence, ruthlessness, and the impact he had on the Dragon Ball series make him the greatest villain. His battles with Goku and other Z fighters solidify his status as an iconic antagonist in anime history.
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