*Music*
Twelve...
What even is Pilaf? Is he a demon, a - a mutant?
I think he's just...Pilaf.
The impish little monster boy with dreams of world domination.
Emperor Pilaf is the epitome of a gag villain. Perfect for the infant days of Dragon Ball, he and his companions Shu and Mai -
Oh my god! I just got that pun - god dammit, Toriyama.
- are a batch of villainous schemers are on the hunt for the Dragon Balls
in order to control the world (terrible villainous laugh).
But they aren't quite effective at their job.
I'm pretty sure Team Rocket has had more long-term success than these guys.
They're hardly intimidating, they're wholey ineffectual
and their designation as "villains" is barely qualified by their overall motives
...and some questionable acts they put our heroes through.
But that's not what earns them this spot on this list.
They're incredibly memorable, ridiculously endearing, and much like Team Rocket,
they're a reliable source of comedy and charm.
As Taka said, they were perfect for a series like Dragon Ball.
Even their evolution into henchman via King Piccolo works,
as their own personal motivations adapt to the scenario, and their own brand of comedy helps give levity
to the demonic ruler, as he needs it.
You can't deny how funny and memorable these guys are
as the original villains of the ENTIRE series.
So while they may not be intimidating, effective, or have a deep, complex motive,
they're perfect, just the way they are.
A little monster boy, a talking ninja dog, and a full-grown woman with way too much time on her hands.
Eleven...
And now for the exact f**king opposite!
He's the man, the myth,
the guy who wears his job description on his back!
He's Tao Pai Pai!
Also known as Mercenary Tao.
While those who watched very little-to-none of Dragon Ball have had very little interaction with Tao.
He was one of the most dangerous, intimidating, and effective villains in the entirety of the original series.
With the ability to throw a pillar and ride it at the speed of sound.
Use energy blasts that put the Kamehameha momentarily to shame.
And kill men with his tongue...!
This contracted assassin is a mean mother! Who ends up beating Goku in their first battle nearly, killing him.
While most of the other intimidating villains in this series up until now followed strict orders.
Tao Pai Pai acted with almost complete autonomy and had very little in the way of comedic relief.
He is a cold-blooded murderer!
Out for Goku's blood and would stop at nothing.
...Until you know, getting a grenade kicked in his face.
It also helps that the actual battles between him and Goku are easily some of the best in the original run.
And it's one of the first times that you feel like Goku's life is really on the line.
This pink-parading ponytail packing professional puts prior prolificates to shame!
Unfortunately, while he's effective at his tasks, his motivations are realistically low.
As much, he doesn't quite earn a higher spot on the list.
That being said, his first appearance as a villain in the series is remarkably effective and he stands high as a classic of the franchise
Also he come backs as a cyborg!... um... yeah, its a... not... quite nearly as cool as it should be...
Do, uh... You think it vibrates?
I mean, what's the point if it doesn't?
Ten...
The Red Ribbon Army arc for some can be seen as a transitional period for Dragon ball.
From being primarily about martial arts and adventure to more of a serial epic.
This transition can be felt in the mixture of serious action and off-the-wall comedy that the Red Ribbon Army provides.
Led by the titular commander Red, this private army's sole purpose is to track down and retrieve the seven dragon balls.
They will uproot homes, destroy habitats, and murder men, women, and children for their goal.
Collective villains are rare in Dragon Ball, and the colorful cast (pun fully intended) that is employed by the red Ribbon Army is a delight.
Between Colonel Silver's ice cold attitude,
Between Colonel Silver's ice cold attitude, Ninja Murasaki's utter incompetence as a ninja,
Between Colonel Silver's ice cold attitude, Ninja Murasaki's utter incompetence as a ninja, and General Blue's divine mixture of effeminate comedy and deadly ability.
Goku & his friends have a tough battle on their hands.
They really do cause no end of havoc for the heroes and civilians alike.
So Goku's assault on Muscle Tower and Red Ribbon headquarters is a fantastic series of events.
And it isn't until the Staff Officer Black (man, and I thought the Black Ranger from Power Rangers was a little on the nose)...
... figures out the true motivation of his commander that things start to take a hilarious.. and dark twist.
And the Red Ribbon iconography is all over the Android Saga.
Though that does little to actually influence their position on the list, it *is* good to recognize the contributions as a whole.
It should be mentioned that most of these guys wouldn't have ranked as high as their own, but together, they're a fantastic antagonistic force for our heroes.
And their arc is one of the best in the franchise.
And you can tie a ribbon on that.
Nine...
Speaking of a villain collective... here we have one of the few villainous teams in the entire franchise: The Ginyu Force
♫ Tokusentai ♫
Last entry, we mentioned the Power Rangers.
Here, we see a full-on inspiration from the Japanese formula in full effect. With a group of alien mercenaries that are as deadly as they are hilarious.
While the Namek/Freeza saga is known for its high-stakes drama, tension and the longest five minutes known to man,
this gaggle of goof-balls runs the gambit of abilities, strengths and personalities.
The dairy-dorks are made up of five milky members, each based off of dairy products.
Ginyu is the Japanese word for "dairy"
Ginyu is the Japanese word for "dairy" Gulder packs the protein with (Yogurudo) or "yoghurt".
The deadliest combination for your arteries are Jeice and Burter as "cheese" and "butter".
And Recoome is (Kurimu) aka "cream"
Are any of these implicitly sexual to you?
Gulder's ability to stop time by holding his breath is new to the franchise. But even this game-breaking ability is pushed to the brink up against our heroes.
Luckily he pulls double duty with psychic powers that almost ends with the world's most kid-unfriendly kebab
The fascinating thing about these guys is how well they get along with each other and how lax and whimsical they are with their job of ... well, murdering folks.
They rochambeau [play rock-paper-scissors] to figure out killing order and who will be lucky enough to take up the task.
Which makes them terrifying when their powers are put into full effect.
And these guys also give Vegeta the biggest run for his money he's ever had.
His battle with the rambunctious, eccentric Recoome is a marvel.
Full of sweeping attacks and heavy hits.
And the accuracy and precision in which Jeice and Burter coordinate their attacks would have been a match for any other character...
... If Goku had not shown up in the nick of time.
It's good he does, too.
Every single one of the heroes on Namek is at death's door by the time Goku touches down.
But when Ginyu himself shows off his power of switching bodies, we have an evil Goku on our hands.
*Suck it, Black!*
These guys may be some of the most hilarious and threatening villains in the series.
Gracing us with marvelous poses, dazzling powers and even more personality than you can handle.
It's almost a shame that they're one and done here, isn't it?
I take it back. Vegeta, kill them all.
öaklsdj
Eight...
So, we've already listed two homicidal androids on this list. But here, we have the fresh, young, hip villains that would become the major threat of the arc.
Or well, that's what Toriyama originally thought, anyway.
Yeaah. Remember, when we said, that Toriyama's former editor, Torishima, told him that Androids #19 and #20 weren't fit for the role of the big bads?
Well, Toriyama then desiged Androids #17 and #18... only to be told again by Torishima: "Wait, this time, they're just some brats?"
Can you imagine what the series would have been like if Toriyama never listened to his editors?
And their total domination over the main cast doesn't stop there.
They man-handle every fighter who steps up to them, leading to one of the most one-sided fights Vegeta has ever fought.
And that's saying a lot for a guy who's major role in the series is: "Make everything worse, then job as hard as possible."
Jesus, spoilers, Kaiser!
Android #16, #17 and #18 are exceptionally different from the rest of the villains who made the list.
From their piercing cold stares, their consistantly casual demeanour to their relationship with one another and the motivation that drives them towards Goku
They don't feel like traditional Dragon Ball villains.
Their youth alone makes them stand out, but the way they talk and interact with others gives them this unnerving aura that belies just how deadly they are.
And boy, are they deadly.
In flashbacks in "History of Trunks", we see them murder every member of the main cast...
... with the exception of non-combatants such as Chi-Chi and Bulma, leaving only Trunks to save the day.
For all intents and purposes, these guys *won* in another timeline.
Well, until Trunks finally came back after Cell.
Their character arcs are also some of the best in the series.
While the androids of Trunk's future are murderous and unrepentant...
... Android #16 provides an unintentional moral compass that keeps his two siblings from stepping too far out of line.
Besides their somewhat minor infractions.
He also slowly learns to love the planet around him and ends up sacrificing himself on multiple occasions to protect it...
...being part of the most powerful moments in all of Dragon Ball.
The points against these guys are largely that their personalities are.. uh.. a little flat.
While their development and their casual attitudes work well to sell their intimidating and dangerous nature...
...they sometimes come off as too subdued.
Furthermore, their role in the series is downplayed by the bigger threat that follows.
But all that aside, they're a great trio who I'd've *loved* to see get more development.
*Hint* *Hint*
It really is magical to see Android #16 become more of his own character as time goes on.
And also to see Android #18's development after the Cell saga.
While Android #17's largest contribution to the series is one of the very best fights in the franchise...
... his actual development is... well, almost non-existent.
But his sister, Android #18, ends up falling for series-veteran Kuririn.
Of course, the downside of this is Toriyama making another strong female character and putting a baby in her for the sake of keeping the status quo...
... buut at least she's still a bad-ass mama.
So, are we gonna talk about how they're not androids? How the are actually modified humans, aka cyborgs?
Well, what about Jinzoningen, ey, Kaiser?
Don't be a f***ing weeb, Lani.
Seven...
Some people have a hole in their lives that they try to fill by having children.
Unfortunately for King Piccolo, there's no filling the hole that Goku left.
But, his offspring/reincarnation has every intention of following up on his tyrannical papa's wishes for world domination. And more importantly:
killing Son Goku.
It should be said upfront that Piccolo is one of the best characters in the series, but his role as a villain is short-lived.
But, whoa boy, is it a crazy run.
Shortly after being expelled from King Piccolo's stomach... uh.. chest?
Bro... seriously, where does he come from? There's a hole the size of a fourteen-year-old in his abdomen...
Anyway, he hatches to reveal a demon baby who is quick to explore the new world around him.
Fast-forward to the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai tournament, and he makes his first appearance as an adult.
At first glance, his green skin and devilish grin give him away as the Demon King himself...
... but it's pretty apparent that this Piccolo is his own Namekian. Well... not *Namekian*, I mean... he is, just not yet.
Under the guise of "Junior" he enters the tournament with his eyes set on killing Goku, making his way up the ladder to do so.
With an air of mystery and menace the audience is slowly exposed to this new incarnation of the Demon King. Sinister and murderous...
But also less verbose than his daddy was. And adopts his own set of ethics and moral code.
Well, with the exception of the whole murdering Goku thing, but what's an evil demon space alien gonna do?
Through his fights with both Kuririn and Kami under the guise of "Shen" or "Hero", depending on your dub, we see shades of his villainy.
However, it isn't until the climactic final battle with Goku where we see him come to full fruition as a violent, unyielding monster.
He pushes Goku to the absolute limit in one of the most drag-out, visceral and exhausting fights in the entire franchise.
The techniques and combat powers on display here won the gamut. From flying to blasts to Piccolo's growing ability to a Kamehameha from the feet.
Their fight has put the best Dragon Ball has to offer on display with wonderful animation, choreography and just...
uurrggghh, I gotta watch it again...
While Kaiser is busy digging out his blue bricks, let's take a minute to recap the fights *before* Goku.
Piccolo's appearance is a chance for both Kami to come to the forefront as a character in the story...
... as well as for Kuririn to get one of the most satisfying fights the poor little monk gets in the entire show.
Surprising both the audience and the Demon... Prince?
His battle with Kami also allows us to get a peek into the true nature of Namekians.
While it's not explicit, they have a conversation in a language that's distinctly alien.
Though neither of them would realize this until later in the story.
It's one of the few bits of foreshadowing within the series, and really adds depth to the story.
Also, Piccolo manages to reflect the Evil Containment Wave (of Mafuba, again depending on your dub)...
... in a turn that propells the stakes of the tournament, leading us to the climax.
But what's interesting about Piccolo Junior is how he develops after his loss.
See, most other villains within the series don't really have much to do after they're defeated.
Mostly because, well, they're dead.
This time, however, Goku makes a conscious effort to spare Piccolo. Even providing him the means of recovery via Senzu.
And then encourages him to get stronger as so they may repeat this all over again...
... which then becomes kind of a trend for Goku.
... for better or worse.
But it's this act of mercy that allows us to see Piccolo develop from a villain with a laser-focus of killing Goku...
... into what would be a steadfast, invaluable member of Goku's entourage.
Piccolo joins forces with Goku to defeat Radditz, temporarily adopts Gohan...
...and even sacrifices his life for the winy little squirt, giving us a true redemption in Dragon Ball.
And it's a beautiful thing.
We'd only see a story as complex once more.
But.. well, we'll get to *him* soon.
Let it be known, btw, that I thought Piccolo Junior and King Piccolo should've been one entry.
I-I-I respect your input, I value it, and I disagree with it.
I hear your disagreement, I acknowledge it, and you're wrong.
When General Rilldo...!
[outro]