7 Dragon Ball Villains Super's Next Anime Needs To Make Canon

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Published Aug 2, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT

Zach joined the ScreenRant Anime team as a contributor in June 2024, before taking on a Senior Writer role in November. Since then, he has covered breaking news and produced features and lists about the most popular anime titles.

Dragon Ball's villains are just as iconic as its heroes. From the moment King Piccolo touched down in the original series, to the defeat of Kid Buu with Goku's signature Spirit Bomb, Dragon Ball went on a run of iconic antagonists that few other franchises have ever been able to match. The likes of Vegeta, Frieza, and Cell have all either remained integral to the series or are remembered by fans as some of anime's most recognizable villains ever.

However, along the way, Dragon Ball also introduced villains who aren't quite as fondly remembered. Since its premiere, the franchise has released 21 theatrical anime movies, the majority of which pitted Goku and company against new, anime-original villains. The canon status of the movies has always been wonky, though the official series timeline established with 2015's Dragon Ball Super all but left the majority of those 21 films as little more than fun, though unimportant side stories.

Despite that, many of those movies introduced characters who remain favorites among Dragon Ball's perpetually growing fan base. And as the franchise kicks off its new era later this year with the return of Dragon Ball Super, a few of those villains deserve to be revisited.

7 Garlic Jr.

Appeared in Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (1989)

Garlic Jr. from Dragon Ball Z holding an imprisoned Kami

When it comes to Dragon Ball's movie villains, Garlic Jr. is unique in a few ways. Not only was he the villain of the very first Dragon Ball Z movie, 1989's Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone, he's also the only movie villain to have appeared in the Dragon Ball Z TV anime series. Dead Zone acts as a sort of prelude to Dragon Ball Z, and introduces Garlic Jr. as a small, demonic sort of being who attacks and kidnaps Gohan after sensing immense power in the young half-Saiyan.

Garlic. Jr is also unique in that his wish on the Dragon Balls for immortality is actually granted. Typically, the villain is stopped short before immortality is granted, but Garlic Jr., and his hulking powered-up form are able to get the job done. Unfortunately for him, he enrages the young Gohan, who unleashes his dormant power and traps Garlic Jr. in the dimensional portal he himself created. Later in Dragon Ball Z, Garlic Jr. returned to fill in some downtime between the Namek and Cell Sagas, but ultimately met a similar fate once again at the hands of Gohan.

A villain who actually obtains immortality would be unique even in modern Dragon Ball, and it's an idea that's worth revisiting in the franchise's future.

6 Android #13

Appeared in Dragon Ball Z: Super Android #13! (1992)

Super Android 13 holds Goku by the neck in Dragon Ball Z

It might be a difficult task, considering recent events involving the Red Ribbon Army in 2022's Dragon Ball Super, but it's been some time since a traditional android posed any sort of threat in Dragon Ball, and it's a concept the franchise could absolutely make work today. 1992's Dragon Ball Z: Super Android #13! was released as a companion piece to the then-ongoing Androids Saga, which introduced Dr. Gero and his terrifying, powerful cyborg and android creations.

The film reveals that Dr. Gero had his consciousness copied into a supercomputer that continued his work towards creating an android powerful enough to kill Goku. That ultimate creation was Android #13, who posed an extreme threat to Dragon Ball's three Super Saiyans, Goku, Vegeta, and Trunks. Fans are always appreciative of Future Trunks getting screen time, which has allowed the movie to remain one of Dragon Ball Z's most popular.

An Android #13 revival today might be tough, considering just how strong he would need to be in order to pose any sort of threat, but it's unlikely fans would complain about more androids.

5 Turles

Appeared in Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (1990)

The idea behind Turles has already been visited a few times throughout Dragon Ball, most notably in the character of Goku Black in Dragon Ball Super. Everyone loves the idea of "evil Goku", and Turles was the first to fill that role. Identical to the hero though unrelated to him in any way, Turles was an evil Saiyan who deemed the Earth capable of hosting the seed of the Tree of Might, the fruit of which, powered by the life of the planet it's on, gives its user a massive power-up.

"Evil Goku" has been done in the series' official canon timeline, though Turles remains a unique enough villain to warrant a comeback. Attacks on the Earth for the sake of attacking the Earth haven't been done in Dragon Ball for some time, and neither has the concept of a mysterious, pure evil Saiyan. Both would pose an interesting risk to Goku and company today, even if Goku Black has claimed the role of "evil Goku" for himself.

4 Bojack

Appeared in Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (1993)

Bojack and his followers attack Gohan in Dragon Ball Z movie

Bojack and his henchmen have never really been the selling point of 1993's Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound. Rather, fans have gravitated towards the movie to see more of Cell Saga Super Saiyan 2 Gohan, a fan-favorite iteration of the hybrid Saiyan who wasn't given nearly enough screen time for just how cool he was. Nevertheless, Bojack comes armed with a relatively unique backstory, having been a centuries-old warlord defeated by the Kais and imprisoned inside King Kai's planet.

When Goku destroyed King Kai's planet during the Cell Games, Bojack was freed and returned to wreak havoc on the universe. Outside of that, there isn't much too interesting about Bojack as a villain, though the concept of the series' heroes facing consequences for their heroic deeds is one that will never get old. It's been some time since King Kai's planet was destroyed, so any modern iteration of Bojack would need his backstory tweaked.

3 Hirudegarn

Appeared in Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995)

Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon may very well be the franchise's most underrated big-screen movie. Turning its focus away from Goku and instead placing it on Trunks, a rarity throughout all entries in the series, the film introduces a mysterious warrior named Tapion and a monster within him named Hirudegarn. The villain doesn't have much of a personality, instead being something of a kaiju creature who appears only for the final act.

Hirudegarn is likely the only movie villain who would benefit from a modern revival in which his original story is left largely in-tact. The audience doesn't get a ton of time with Tapion, but he's endearing enough of a presence to win viewers over quickly, and the narrative at work is unique from anything else done in the original Dragon Ball Z movies. It isn't so much Hirudegarn who deserves a revisit, but rather Wrath of the Dragon as a whole. Goku's iconic Dragon Fist being made canon would only be a plus.

2 Janemba

Appeared in Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1995)

Dragon Ball Z's Super Janemba swings his sword around in Hell

Much like Bojack before him, Janemba has never and will never be the selling point of Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn. Despite the film being universally recognized as one of the franchise's weaker efforts, it will forever be remembered positively for introducing one of the series' most popular characters, Gogeta. What few fans know is that Gogeta was actually created before Vegito, and was intended to be the starring fusion in Akira Toriyama's original manga. However, the creator lent the character to the staff at Toei Animation, who used him for the film instead.

In Gogeta's shadow was Janemba, the villain of the 1995 movie who would likely have been the highlight in any other Dragon Ball film. Janemba was the result of an accident in the Otherworld which freed evil spirits, the essence of which created the demonic villain. As a result, Janemba was wickedly, mindlessly powerful. The Demon Realm was the central focus of 2024's Dragon Ball Daima, which presented the best opportunity for the franchise to revive Janemba, though the series came and went without mention of him. Pure evil villains akin to Kid Buu and Janemba are always fun, and Dragon Ball would do well to introduce another of their kind.

1 Cooler

Appeared in Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge (1991) and Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler (1992)

The only thing worse than Frieza is two Friezas. Having first debuted in 1991's Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge, the titular Cooler was introduced as Frieza's brother, and filled practically an identical role to that of his evil space tyrant sibling. Given Frieza's regained prominence within modern Dragon Ball, the series would benefit from giving its most iconic villain a sidekick, and providing them the opportunity to face off against Goku and Vegeta with equal numbers. It can also be argued that Cooler's final form eclipses that of his brother's in sheer coolness.

Dragon Ball · Character Profile Which Dragon Ball Character Are You? “Power comes in response to a need, not a desire.”

👊 Goku The Fighter

👑 Vegeta The Prince

🧘 Piccolo The Mentor

POWER UP →

A powerful new enemy appears. What’s your first reaction?

AThis is amazing! I can’t wait to fight them and see how strong they are! BI’ll defeat them myself. No one else is worthy of the challenge. CWe need a plan. Rushing in blindly is how people get killed.

How do you train for an upcoming battle?

AFind the strongest sparring partner I can and push myself past my limits every day BTrain alone in isolation — I don’t need anyone holding me back CMeditate, study the enemy’s weaknesses, and train the younger fighters so they’re ready too

Your team is losing a fight. What do you do?

AJump in front of everyone — I’ll take the hits so my friends can regroup BGet angry. I refuse to lose — my pride won’t allow it. I’ll surpass my limits right here. CFall back and coordinate — someone needs to think clearly while everyone else is panicking

A rival challenges you to a one-on-one fight. How do you respond?

AAbsolutely! Let’s go right now — no holding back! BFinally, a chance to prove I am the strongest. I accept — and I will crush you. CIf it serves a purpose, fine. But pointless fighting is a waste of energy.

An old enemy offers to join your side. What do you do?

AI don’t trust them — once an enemy, always an enemy. They’ll betray us. BSure! Everyone deserves a second chance. The more friends the better! CI’ll allow it, but I’m watching them closely. Trust is earned, not given.

What’s your biggest weakness?

AI’m too trusting and sometimes let enemies power up just for the thrill of the fight BMy pride — I’d rather die than accept help from someone else CI keep everyone at arm’s length — caring about people is a liability I struggle with

You sense a massive power level approaching Earth. What’s your move?

AFly straight toward it — I want to meet them first and see what they’re made of BPrepare myself — if this threat is real, I’ll be the one to destroy it CGather the fighters, assess the threat, and make sure the people I protect are safe first

What drives you more than anything?

AProtecting those who can’t protect themselves — someone has to be the responsible one BThe thrill of getting stronger — there’s always a new level to reach, a new challenge to find CProving my worth — I am the Prince of all Saiyans, and I will surpass everyone

REVEAL MY CHARACTER →

Power Level Scanned Your Dragon Ball Identity

👊

Goku

“I am the hope of the universe. I am the answer to all living things that cry out for peace.” You’re a pure-hearted warrior who lives for the thrill of the fight. Every challenge is an opportunity, every enemy a potential friend, and every defeat just fuel to come back stronger. People are drawn to your infectious optimism and unbreakable spirit, even when your naivety drives them crazy. You’d give your last Senzu Bean to a stranger and charge headfirst into a battle you can’t win — not because you’re reckless, but because you genuinely believe that pushing past your limits is the only way to grow. Like Goku, your greatest power isn’t your ki — it’s your ability to inspire everyone around you to be better.

Pure-Hearted Fearless Limitless Inspiring

👑

Vegeta

“I do not fear this new challenge. Rather like a true warrior, I will rise to meet it.” You carry yourself with the pride of royalty and the ferocity of a born warrior. Second place is not in your vocabulary, and you’d rather break your body than your spirit. People might call you arrogant, but beneath that iron exterior lies someone who has learned to fight not just for themselves, but for the people they’ve quietly grown to love. Your journey is one of evolution — from cold-blooded conqueror to Earth’s fiercest protector — and every scar you carry is proof that pride and love can coexist. Like Vegeta, you don’t just want to be the strongest — you need to earn it on your own terms.

Proud Relentless Fierce Evolving

🧘

Piccolo

“Sometimes, we have to look beyond what we want and do what’s best.” You’re the one everyone depends on when things fall apart — the calm center in the middle of chaos. While others charge in recklessly or let their ego do the talking, you see the bigger picture and make the hard calls that need making. You didn’t choose to care about people, but somewhere along the way it happened, and now you’d sacrifice everything for those you’ve taken under your wing. Stoic on the surface, deeply loyal underneath, you’re the mentor, the strategist, and the last line of defense all in one. Like Piccolo, your true strength is wisdom — and the courage to do what’s right even when no one is watching.

Wise Tactical Protective Stoic

↻ PLAY AGAIN

What truly makes Cooler worth remembering, however, is his appearance in the 1992 follow-up movie, The Return of Cooler, which sees Earth's fighters travel to Namek to face-off against the titular villain once more. In his second movie, Cooler is given a bit more to work with than simply filling the role of 'other Frieza', instead appearing in a metallic body that's later revealed to be powered by the Metal Cooler Core. Few scenes in Dragon Ball movies are as striking as the massive Metal Cooler Army approaching the worn-out Goku and Vegeta.

Of Dragon Ball's non-canon villains, none have as much style, substance, or potential as Cooler, making him the prime candidate to receive the Broly treatment in any upcoming Dragon Ball movies.