Dragon Ball, throughout its long and storied 40-year run, has introduced some of the greatest heroes in anime and manga history. A story which began following the adventures of a mysterious tailed boy, fans have watched as not only Goku, but also the people he surrounds himself with, have become Earth's greatest defenders. Having to fight villains just as iconic as they are, each of Dragon Ball's main cast of fighters consistently put their lives on the line to protect their home planet.

Whether it be on different planets, or in other universes and dimensions, no matter the enemy, Dragon Ball's heroes come through and work together to save the day. Goku may get the bulk of the credit, but without a little help from his friends, he wouldn't be half the warrior he is today. All of Dragon Ball's characters are iconic, but simply stand out among the rest.

10 Yamcha

Yamcha, the People's Hero

Yamcha has acquired quite an unpleasant reputation over the years, and though his spotty record in combat has certainly contributed to that, the Z Fighter's meme status isn't entirely fair. Marching into battle against more than a few of the series' strongest villains, Yamcha's bravery is something to be ired. Regardless of his death at the hands of a Saibaman, the human warrior consistently takes on opponents far out of his league in order to protect his planet and loved ones.

In the time not spent fighting some of the strongest villains in anime and manga history, Yamcha is a star professional baseball player, inspiring kids both in universe with his play, and in real life with his martial arts skills and bravery. He might not be the first character that fans think of when recounting Dragon Ball's finest heroes, but Yamcha deserves his flowers.

9 Gamma #2

The Android Who Sacrificed Himself for His Opponents

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is deserving of its title, introducing two of the franchise's best new heroes in years. Creations of the genius grandson of Dr. Gero, Gamma #1 and #2 are advanced artificial androids who are extremely proficient in combat. The former, clad in red, is the more serious of the two, all about business and loyal to his creator. The more heroic one, however, is the goofier and light-hearted Gamma #2.

Coming to understand that they'd been working for the villains all along, the Gammas ceased their fighting with Gohan and Piccolo, and eventually turned their attention towards the monstrous Cell Max. Out of desperation, Gamma #2 sacrificed his own life in an ultimate attack on the giant Cell. Sacrifices always make for heroic moments, but it means a bit more coming from Gamma #2, who laid down his life in order to protect the warriors he had just spent a considerable amount of time fighting.

8 Bulma

The Underappreciated Genius Hero

When fans think of Dragon Ball's greatest heroes, the most powerful characters will often come to mind. Countless fighters have achieved unimaginable feats of strength, taking down threats in hand-to-hand combat that can shatter dimensions. But few celebrate the fact that countless victories would have been impossible without Bulma's help. The genius scientist has come up with several inventions that the series' heroes would be lost without.

The Dragon Radar is likely the most impactful, showing exactly where the Dragon Balls are at all times. The other most important is the time machine which Trunks uses to come from the future. Not only has the Earth been saved by several of Bulma's many inventions, but entire timelines too.

7 Krillin

Dragon Ball's Strongest Human

Dragon Ball features quite a few humans in prominent roles, but none are as strong as Krillin. Best friend to the series' protagonist and student of the Turtle School of martial arts, Krillin has been by Goku's side since the very beginning. Like Yamcha, Krillin has fallen rather far behind Dragon Ball's leading Saiyans, but still charges into battle knowing well that he doesn't quite have the power to match up against the strongest villains.

Krillin has also had more influence on each of the series' main battles than any of the other humans in the series. Controlling and throwing the Spirit Bomb at Vegeta, being the catalyst of the very first Super Saiyan transformation, partaking in the Cell Games, Krillin has been helpful on the front lines throughout his time in Dragon Ball. His selflessness also saved the Androids, leading to his marriage and family with #18. Krillin is a reminder that not everyone needs alien blood to be a hero.

6 Android #17

The MVP of the Tournament of Power

One of Dragon Ball's numbered Androids that far precedes the newer Gammas, Android #17 is one of the series' many examples of a villain turned hero. On first appearance, #17 and #18 were terrors, mindlessly destroying cities and taking lives, with the sole objective of killing Goku. After the ordeal with Cell, however, they changed their ways and largely laid low. #18 started a family with Krillin, while #17 became a national park ranger on a remote island.

When the Tournament of Power came along, Android #17 was recruited to fight for Team Universe 7, and the once villain played an integral part in the battle royal. Being the final warrior standing, #17 made the wish to restore all the erased universes, saving an innumerable number of lives. He's far from the first Dragon Ball villain to become a hero, but it's likely that no other saved as many lives as Android #17.

5 Gohan

The Hybrid Saiyan That Fights Despite His Gentle Nature

The son of Earth's greatest defender, Gohan was shown to have limitless potential from the very moment he debuted in the series. Though he is gentle by nature, Gohan has taken part in and played major roles in nearly all of Dragon Ball's largest battles. Suring even Goku's strength during the Cell Saga, Gohan is the only other character in the series other than his father to have defeated a major villain.

His lack of desire to fight has often bitten Gohan in dangerous moments, but nevertheless, he is always willing to fight when the time comes. His recent performance in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero has proven that the Hybrid Saiyan still has the potential to become one of Earth's greatest fighters, and has placed Gohan on equal footing with Goku and Vegeta once more in of strength.

4 Piccolo

The Honorary Member of the Son Family

Dragon Ball introduced Piccolo as a villain, whose sole objective was to kill Goku. And he did, during the fight with Raditz early in the Saiyan Saga. The events which followed, however, set the wheels in motion that would lead to Piccolo one day becoming one of Earth's greatest heroes. Fostering Gohan for "training" in preparation for the Saiyans' arrival on Earth, Piccolo grew close to the boy and learned what friendship can be, and later sacrificed his own life to save him.

From that moment on, Piccolo remained firmly on the side of the heroes, going to battle with and saving his friends from the greatest threats Dragon Ball can throw their way. Having become something like an uncle to Gohan, and later Pan, Piccolo found his way into belonging with the family of his once mortal enemy. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was a return for Gohan and Piccolo both, and the series would be smart to keep its focus on the two old friends as it progresses.

3 Future Trunks

The Savior of Another Timeline

When Future Trunks arrived in the present following the defeat of Frieza, Dragon Ball was shaken to its core. The Namek Saga was the longest in Akira Toriyama's original manga to that point, featuring intense and over-the-top battles that resulted in the series' very first Super Saiyan. And before the dust could even settle, another mysterious Super Saiyan appeared to do what it took Goku and the others over 80 chapters to accomplish, and killed Frieza.

Trunks not only assisted the Earth's heroes in their fight with Cell, but also returned to his own timeline to defeat the Androids. On his own, he saved the planet countless times with little to no assistance. Trunks is likely the most tragic of Dragon Ball's heroes, and his acts of bravery deserve the recognition that the series' other main characters enjoy.

2 Vegeta

The One-Time Villain Is Goku's Greatest Ally

Vegeta is one of anime and manga's greatest villains turned heroes, and over time, the Saiyan Prince has become just as iconic as Goku. When he introduced himself to the world of Dragon Ball, Vegeta was a savage, bloodlusting Saiyan warrior who came to Earth in order to kill Goku and wish for immortality with Dragon Balls. That wish would never come, and instead, Vegeta took on the role of a hero.

Though he's never been the fighter to land the deciding blow in battle, Vegeta has been integral in every one of Dragon Ball's major conflicts following his introduction. Becoming a hero over time isn't a revolutionary concept in storytelling, seeing as Piccolo enjoyed largely the same character arc just before Vegeta would, but the Saiyan Prince is a joy to watch every time he does something selfless or righteous. Vegeta isn't the series' number one hero, but he is the best challenger for the fighter in that position.

1 Goku

The Low-Class Saiyan That Defies All Odds

Dragon Ball's protagonist, and one of the most recognizable characters to ever come from anime and manga, Goku is iconic in ways that few other fictional heroes can match. Once the strange tailed boy that was found in the mountains long ago, Goku has become a hero time and time again, by taking down each new threat that presents itself. His list of victories is long, and what truly makes Goku the greatest hero in the series is the fact that he never really tries to be a hero at all.

In a long quest to simply fight stronger and stronger fighters, Goku has saved the Earth and his loved ones countless times. There isn't a challenge that Goku would ever turn down, and regardless of his intentions, he always manages to do the right thing. Dragon Ball is home to some of the most iconic fictional characters in history, but in the end, none can match up with the series' protagonist himself.