Dragon Ball's heroes are all iconic, each accomplishing feats of strength that leave fans in awe. Few teams in anime and manga history can consistently bring the hype like the Z-Fighters can, regardless of their individual levels of power. Since the beginning, the series has made it a priority to expand Goku's friend group, and despite the leading Saiyan being the one to typically deliver the victorious blow in battle, none of the threats to Earth would be eliminated without a little help from his friends.

From the cheeky fearlessness of the technologically gifted Bulma, to the limit-shattering unbreakable will of Goku, the main cast of heroes have all enjoyed their own defining moments. While some may be more physically impressive than others, strength isn't the only ingredient to a memorable scene. A few hold an incredible amount of emotional weight, and others are displays of unshakable bravery. Dragon Ball's heroes have become iconic thanks to their most iconic moments.

7 Bulma Slaps a God

Dragon Ball's Genius Scientist Displays Her Endearing Qualities

Bulma is Dragon Ball's greatest unsung hero. Long before she became one of anime's greatest moms, the genius scientist kicked off the events of the franchise by running into and then shooting Goku. Without that fateful meeting, none of the Saiyan's later heroics would have been possible. Influencing nearly every major event throughout the series with her useful gadgets and inventions, Bulma is consistently the series' MVP from behind the scenes. And her greatest moment showcases her endearingly sassy qualities.

As everyone was walking on eggshells at her birthday party, trying desperately not to anger Beerus, Bulma walked up to the disruptive God of Destruction and gave him a slap. While it might not have done much damage, it did leave a mark, which is an impressive accomplishment for the longest-tenured member of the cast. The scene is an encapsulation of what makes Bulma such a lovable character, and once again kicked off the events that led to a god ing the side of good.

6 Tien's Final Stand

Tien's Finest Moment Is a Last Hurrah for the Fighters Without Saiyan Blood

By the time the Androids arrived on the scene, Dragon Ball's non-Saiyan warriors had long fallen behind their peers in of strength. Relegated to the role of bench fighters, Tien, Yamcha, and Krillin were no longer very effective in battle, yet they never hesitated to the fight when help was needed. And while Earth's strongest defenders were occupied with training in the Time Chamber, they were tasked with doing just that. In order to stop Semi-Perfect Cell from absorbing Android #18, Tien made one final, epic stand.

Repeatedly blasting Cell with his Neo Tri-Beam, an upgraded version of his signature attack, Tien was able to actually pin down the series' most powerful threat to that point. While an unbelievable feat of strength and determination, the attack drained a significant portion of Tien's energy, leaving the resilient fighter on the brink of death following repeated uses.

Luckily, Goku was able to pull off a last-second rescue and saved Tien's life. While the moment didn't necessarily damage Cell in any meaningful way, it was a triumphant scene that celebrated the fighters that had been left behind.

5 Krillin Takes Out the Saibamen in a Moment of Rage

Dragon Ball's Strongest Human Takes His Revenge

The worst moment in franchise history for Yamcha is also Krillin's best. After the former is unceremoniously killed by a Saibaman during Dragon Ball Z's Saiyan Saga, Krillin angrily steps up to the plate and decides to take the little green monstrosities on by himself. There's something incredibly cathartic about watching one of Dragon Ball's human characters score a victory, and Krillin did just that by blasting away the remaining Saibamen with one powerful Ki blast attack.

The opposing Saiyans, including the evntual hero himself, Vegeta, were also targeted, yet the attack did little to damage the villains. Nevertheless, the moment is Krillin's last in which the human warrior is able to so overwhelmingly overpower his opposition. Krillin, like Tien, would eventually be relegated to the role of a fighter as the series continued. Yet despite his lack of strength relative to his fellow heroes, Krillin never hesitates to the fight when his help is needed.

4 Piccolo's Showcases His Growth in a Moment of Sacrifice

Piccolo Sacrifices His Life in Order to Save Gohan

Piccolo, like Vegeta, originally appeared in Dragon Ball as a villain. The reincarnation of the terrifying Demon King, Piccolo hatched from an egg with the sole purpose of killing Goku and fulfilling his prior self's wishes. However, the new Piccolo wasn't quite the evil force of nature that his previous iteration was, and after deciding to train Gohan in preparation for Saiyans' arrival on Earth, the Namekian villain learned what it meant to have a friend. And when Gohan was in danger of losing his life to Nappa, Piccolo stepped in front of the attack to save him.

Piccolo's greatest moment is also one of the series' most emotional, and it acted as the climax to his character arc that saw the once villain become a bona fide hero. Before long, the Namekian would become an honorary member of the Son family, picking Pan up from school on a consistent basis while training her in a much gentler manner than he did her father. Piccolo is an incredibly well-written character, and was creator Akira Toriyama's favorite for good reason.

3 Gohan Overcomes His Self-Doubt While Defeating Cell

The Father-Son Kamehameha Saw Gohan Take Over as Defender of Earth

While Goku is Dragon Ball's protagonist, it can be argued that Dragon Ball Z is Gohan's story until the events of the Buu Saga. The half-Saiyan son of Goku, Gohan showcased immense potential from his very entrance into the franchise, unleashing terrifying power each time he was angered. This trait came to a head during the Cell Saga, in which the boy was forced to fight the arc's main antagonist despite showing little desire for battle. However, when his anger boiled, Gohan sured even his father in strength, and acheived the Super Saiyan 2 form.

The final beam struggle which closed the Cell Saga is Gohan's finest moment, as Goku helps his son overcome his own self-doubt from the Otherworld. Unfortunately, Gohan would be unable to retain his new role of protagonist, but the moment is one of Dragon Ball's greatest payoffs to a long-running plot thread. Gohan remains the only fighter besides his father to have defeated a major villain throughout the series.

2 Vegeta Sacrifices Himself in Order to Save His Loved Ones

Though Ineffective, Vegeta's Sacrifice Is the Saiyan's Defining Moment

Though Piccolo was Dragon Ball's first villain to become a hero, Vegeta's journey to the side of good is one of the best in anime and manga history. The prince of Saiyans arrived in the series as Goku's opposite in nearly every way, born as a fighter of great status destined to become the most powerful Saiyan warrior. Following his defeat at the hands of a low-class Saiyan, the prince began his long and arduous period of growth that would eventually see the once ruthless villain become a hero.

Before then, however, there would be roadblocks. Majin Vegeta fed on his own anger and insecurity in order to reclaim his villain status, and had one singular goal in mind: defeating Goku. His battle would be disrupted, though, when Majin Buu threatened the Earth some distance away. Finding that the battle was hopeless, Vegeta realized that he was no longer the ruthless Saiyan that was set on destroying the planet, and sacrificed himself in order to save his loved ones.

Though the gesture was ultimately ineffective at taking down Buu, Vegeta's sacrifice was the grand finale of the prince's character arc that saw the proud warrior become a hero. Since the battle with Majin Buu, Vegeta has become a deserving dual protagonist of Dragon Ball alongside his greatest rival.

1 Goku Becomes the Warrior of Legend

The Low-Class Warrior Becomes the Legendary Super Saiyan

Being Dragon Ball's main character, Goku has too many iconic moments to count. Consistently saving his loved ones while defeating villain after villain, all while making new friends in the process, Goku has become one of anime's most recognizable and ired characters. His greatest moment, however, came during the Namek Saga, when he was powerless to save his best friend while being hopelessly overpowered by Frieza. With little chance at victory, Goku let go of his kind-hearted nature, and embraced the Saiyan brutality that hid dormant in his body.

Goku's transformation into a Super Saiyan and subsequent beat down of Frieza is a moment that changed the course of shōnen anime forever. Countless series have tried to emulate Dragon Ball's most iconic power-up, and all have failed to match its impact. The series, once defined by its whimsy and sense of wonder, would never be the same following the leading Saiyan's explosive golden transformation. No moment in the franchise, and arguably in all of anime and manga, can top the unveling of the Super Saiyan.