For years, Dragon Ball fans enjoyed debates over which character deserved the title as the series’ best. More often than not, Goku and Vegeta are the ones that are most talked about and often steal the spotlight. However, Akira Toriyama’s favorite character has been a cornerstone of Dragon Ball since the original run and has remained constant throughout the franchise.

Piccolo may not always grab the glory or defeat the major villain, but his presence elevates the storyline. His rich backstory ties in with the history of the Namekians, adding deep lore to the Dragon Ball franchise. That makes Piccolo not just an impressive character but a creative asset to a series that wouldn’t be the same without him.

Piccolo's Backstory Is One of the Most Complex in Dragon Ball

Piccolo Is One of the Few Characters That Started off as a Villain Before ing the Z-Fighters

Piccolo’s backstory is one of the deepest and most compelling in all of Dragon Ball. Having been introduced as King Piccolo’s offspring, the vengeful demon king who terrorized Earth, Piccolo was created with a singular purpose. He was meant to avenge his father’s death and reclaim dominance over the world as the next King Piccolo. His origin sets him apart from other characters in the series, as he started off as a villain like Vegeta. However, over time, he defied his role as a villain and became one of Dragon Ball’s most complex characters.

During the Saiyan Saga, Piccolo was still an antagonistic character, but with a greater evil heading for the planet, he had little choice other than to fight alongside the Z-Fighters. That decision and the actions he had taken since set him up for a redemption arc through his sacrifice to protect Gohan and his mentorship before the Saiyans arrived. When Piccolo shielded Gohan from Nappa’s attack, he actively chose to defend the son of who was once his greatest enemy and did so without remorse, effectively solidifying his place as a hero.

As a being that was taught he was a demon, his discovery of the Namekians, people known for their comion and wisdom, became a major turning point. As he learns of his true origins, initially being told that he was a member of an alien species whose race is still out in the universe gave him a sense of belonging and answers that he needed. His arrival to Namek allowed him to have a deeper understanding of his heritage and his fusion with Nail, and later Kami gave him a chance for renewal and greater wisdom to fully live up to his heritage.

The Namekians Have a Deep Pool of Lore Surrounding Their Existence

Dragon Ball Daima Added Some Very Interesting History Behind the Namekians

The Namekians are one of the most prominent races in Dragon Ball with many notable characters throughout the series’ run. Some of the very first information that was revealed about the Namekians was that they were, at the time, considered an alien race that had nearly gone extinct following a great environmental catastrophe. One of the most captivating and honorable characteristics is their peacefulness despite the countless hardships they’ve endured. After the Frieza Saga and the destruction of their home world, the Namekians have proved themselves to be resilient and powerful in their own right.

Namekians stand out from other races seen in the series thanks to their most distinguishable ability to create Dragon Balls. While not all Namekians are capable of this creation, the mystical artifacts only exist because of a select few who brought them into existence. Meaning that without the Namekians, Dragon Ball wouldn’t be what it is today. Without them, important arcs and events would never have happened, including Bulma running into Goku, which kicked off the series. This deep connection to the Dragon Balls gives the Namekians themselves a complex history within the very fabric of the storyline.

Having been originally known as an alien race, the Namekians’ lore grew exponentially with the latest revelations in Dragon Ball Daima. It was revealed that Namekians were originally demons from the Demon Realm before they were forced to migrate away from it. In episode ten of Daima, it was revealed by the Supreme Kai that the Namekians were essentially slaves in the Demon Realm, used for their unique abilities. When the chance arose for them to depart, the Namekians, except for Neva, chose to leave and settled on what became Planet Namek.

It Is No Wonder Akira Toriyama’s Favorite Character Was Piccolo

Piccolo Is a Very Useful Character To Have Around

Piccolo being Akira Toriyama's favorite character makes sense when his background is considered. Piccolo himself, apart from the Namekians, carries a lot of weight within the series. Starting out as a fearsome antagonist born from Demon King Piccolo and later becoming a selfless protector and mentor makes him one of the series' most stand-out characters. Unlike Goku or Vegeta, Piccolo has a more grounded drive that isn’t rooted in a desire for greater strength or glory. Toriyama’s iration for Piccolo likely stems from his depth, personality, and morals.

As a character, Piccolo is also very versatile and can seamlessly shift roles within the story. This can be seen when he shifts from one of Earth’s greatest heroes to a wise mentor and even to comic relief when the series calls for it. He’s one of the few characters that can adapt to the story’s changing needs without it feeling forced or out of place. For example, Piccolo’s choice to train Gohan and later to fuse with Kami felt natural with the growth of his character, allowing him to effectively fill the roles Toriyama needed him to.

Goku and Vegeta may dominate the narrative with their ongoing rivalry and constant power-ups, but Piccolo remains on par with them and never fades into the background. Part of what makes him so memorable as a character is that his power comes from the sacrifices that he’s willing to make for the greater good. His fusion with Kami was something he wanted to avoid, however, when faced with a great threat, he choice to put his own feelings aside. It’s no wonder that he’s Toriyama’s favorite character in Dragon Ball as he’s one of the most intricate in the series.