Namekians have come a long way from being the quiet, mystical race that was introduced during Dragon Ball’s earlier arcs. In recent years, including the newest animated installment, Dragon Ball Daima, the lore surrounding the Namekian race and culture only continues to grow. From their unique spiritual roots to their untapped power, Namekians have gradually stepped out from Piccolo’s shadow into a much broader and enriched space within the narrative.

However, even with more lore being added, there are still plenty of fascinating Namekians hidden from the mainstream series and exist outside the canon universe. Dragon Ball video games, especially, have introduced many different kinds of variants, including twisted warriors who were corrupted by evil forces, known as Dark Namekians. With so many creative takes, many non-canonical Namekians deserve a shot at being made official.

10 Gamelan

Dragon Ball Online

Gamelan is arguably one of the most outstanding figures from Dragon Ball Online. He leads the Dark Namekians as their general in their rebellion against the peaceful Namekians led by Grand Elder Mori. His aim is to become the God of the Narak, a new type of their species, also known as Black Namekian Narak. Gamelan is the one who names the Dark Namekian’s Demonic Eternal Dragon, granting him the name Mr. Poko Poko. Mr. Poko Poko is then sent to gather kili, the unit of measurement used by those of the Demon Realm, to cultivate Dark Senzu Beans.

What makes Gamelan so compelling is how he would naturally fit into Dragon Ball’s narrative. He represents a faction of Namekians who are against pacifism, seeing power and conquest as the only path forward. If made canon, he could serve as the perfect counterpart to Piccolo, challenging both his beliefs and ability to lead. With the Dark Namekians being largely unexplored in the canon universe, Gamelan could be a game-changer for future arcs.

9 First Narak

Dragon Ball Online

The First Narak, who was also known as “The Black Namekian,” is an enigmatic figure in Dragon Ball Online lore. He is said to be born from an Evil Egg that was created by the darkness in the hearts of his species. Although he is never seen directly in-game, his legend looms heavily over the Dark Namekians.

Some speculate that Gamelan and the First Narak are one and the same. However, there is no official confirmation. Regardless, his role as the source of corruption among Namekians gives him mythic weight. If he were made into a canon character, he could be explored as a dark myth or even an ancient sealed evil, similar to Dragon Ball's Moro or Majin Buu. His existence alone could give rise to many new Namekian faces and add to their expanding lore.

8 Necke

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

Necke is a young Namekian who is introduced in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot as one of the few survivors of Frieza’s invasion of Planet Namek. Despite Gohan saving him, Necke was initially suspicious and distrusting of him. However, desperation after Frieza’s raid and Gohan’s kindness eventually broke down his defenses, and Necke came to accept Gohan’s friendship.

What is interesting about Necke is that he struggles with a condition that prevents him from surviving on water alone; instead, he needs to eat food for proper nutrition. Due to this, Necke decides to stay on Earth after the Namekians are relocated to New Namek. His life changes after meeting a human girl named Ramu, and he forms a bond with her somewhat similar to that of Piccolo and Gohan.

7 Week

Dragon Ball Online

Week is a powerful Time Breaker Namekian who is aligned with the Dark Namekians in Dragon Ball Online. After Gamelan’s eventual defeat by the Time Patrol, Week emerges to take command and kills Gamelan in order to take his place. His swift betrayal after Gamelan’s defeat is a perfect demonstration of the Dark Namekian’s nature, as power is the only true law.

Week is both incredibly strong and ruthless. He’s capable of battling Pure Majins on his own, beings with power comparable to Kid Buu. This grants him a status unlike any other Namekian, and his role as leader after Gamelan’s defeat makes him a significant threat. If Week were made canon along with the Dark Namekians, Dragon Ball could present fans with a deadly, high-stakes arc with a villain who rivals the greatest villains.

6 Kagyu

Dragon Ball Heroes

Kagyu, also known as the Namekian Berserker, is a human player who uses a Namekian avatar in Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission. Through the game’s advanced time-travel technology, he is able to take on the appearance of a warrior, similar to Piccolo and Nail. Although he’s technically an Earthling, his in-game form shows off an aggressive, battle-focused Namekian who could spice up the series.

What makes Kagyu stand out in Dragon Ball Heroes is how he fuses with Piccolo and even summons Beerus to assist him. His character could also be the gateway into a new generation of Namekian warriors who are shaped by their experiences on Earth. Kagyu would allow Dragon Ball to explore how humans interact with Namekian power through advanced technology, avatars, or other means.

5 Lord Slug

Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug

In the 1991 movie Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug, fans were introduced to a powerful Super Namekian villain. Lord Slug is a planet-conquering tyrant who uses his overwhelming strength and regeneration to his advantage. His desire for eternal youth drives him, and he sets his eyes on Earth to make a wish upon the Dragon Balls.

Although he isn’t part of the canon, Slug’s presence in the franchise is a memorable addition. His film showed audiences what an evil Namekian overlord would look like and dispelled the notion that everyone in his species was peaceful and noble warriors. Lord Slug could easily be integrated into the canon and present the Z-Fighters with a formidable challenge to overcome.

4 Clone Piccolo

Dragon Ball FighterZ

Clone Piccolo was created by Android 21 as part of the massive Clone Army in Dragon Ball FighterZ. While he is a synthetic being, this clone retains many of Piccolo’s signature techniques and combat skills, making him a massive threat. What makes Clone Piccolo so compelling is his striking visual design with a darker scheme and a menacing aura.

Despite not being a character with deeper lore, Clone Piccolo would make a fascinating addition to the series. The chance to see Piccolo and his Clone exchange blows in a high-stakes battle would keep fans on the edge of their seats. Considering he was made by Android 21, who may soon become canon, there is a possibility we could see clones of the Z-Fighters in the future.

3 Tanta

Dragon Ball Online

Tanta is a boss of the Dark Namekians and is a heavily battle-focused character from Dragon Ball Online. His role is to act as a guardian of Chocolay Tower and fight to defend the stronghold against the Time Patrol. While his background is limited, his combat skills, unique techniques, and appearance make him stand out among the Dark Namekians.

One of Tanta’s most interesting abilities is his cloning technique, which is unlike others in the animated series. Tanta has the power to split himself into two specialized forms: a Fighter and a Spiritualist. This fighting method shows off his adaptability. Despite being a minor character, his unique skills and character design make him an interesting candidate for canon expansion.

2 Android 76

Dragon Ball Fusions

Android 76 is a Namekian-type android that is introduced in Dragon Ball Fusions. As a mini-boss in the Time-Space Tournament, he has enhanced strength and durability. His armored appearance is similar to Android 16, and he’s known for being surprisingly nice. While not much is known about Android 76, as one of Dr. Gero’s androids, he’s certain to make an interesting addition.

Even just the idea of a Namekian android is full of potential for the series. If made canon, Android 76 could easily tie into future stories involving more of Gero’s creations. In this way, he opens up the door for new types of warriors who look familiar and yet are fundamentally different, like Androids 17 and 18 with their unlimited power.

1 Seeker

Dragon Ball Heroes

Seeker, also known as the Namekian Elite, is a Hero Avatar, similar to Kagyu, who takes on a -oriented role similar to Dende. Unlike other avatars, Seeker does not appear in trailers or manga adaptations and instead lacks a clear player counterpart, unlike Kagyu, who has a human form to coincide with his Namekian one. This makes him one of the more mysterious characters in the series.

Seeker’s role has an emphasis on healing and rather than brute strength, showing that the mystical species' power isn’t limited to combat. This makes him a rare example of a character whose contributions would shine in group dynamics or a strategy-heavy scenario. Canonizing Seeker would add a tactical, non-warrior Namekian to the series who still holds critical importance in battles like Dende had in the fight against Frieza in Dragon Ball Z.