Piccolo, Vegeta, or Krillin? Who Is Goku's Best Friend In Dragon Ball?

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Dragon Ball has given Goku a lot of new friends over the years, and he's grown exceptionally close to some of them. Battling together through thick and thin, Goku's closest allies are without a doubt Vegeta, Piccolo, and Krillin.

But which of these three might qualify as Goku's best friend? There are certainly convincing reasons for each of them to be considered his best friend, whether that's a long, shared history, an unshakable level of trust, or the bond of being two of the only Saiyans in existence. First, though, it might be important to define a best friend. It's certainly someone that Goku can count on, no matter the situation. Being a best friend also doesn't mean that they need to be the most useful in battle, although that helps. For Goku, it might even be worthwhile to ask who he'd go to in a personal situation, not a world-ending one.

Goku and Krillin's Bond Has Lasted a Lifetime

Krillin and Goku Became Close Friends Through Training

Goku's first ever friend is undoubtedly Bulma, but Krillin wasn't far behind. Goku and Krillin first meet quite early in Dragon Ball, as Goku is taken on as a student by Master Roshi. Krillin is a bit jealous towards Goku at first, not liking this new person interfering with his training, but Krillin and Goku soon grew close through competition and shared effort. No one understands Goku's journey through life quite like Krillin does, and Krillin truly appreciates all the things they've gone through to protect the world together.

Krillin's death has devastated Goku not just once, but twice; first when Krillin was killed by Tambourine on King Piccolo's orders, and then when he was killed by Frieza on Namek, which led Goku to such raw, primal levels of fury and grief that he was able to unlock the Super Saiyan transformation. If that's not a testament to how strongly Goku feels about his friend, then nothing is. Krillin is, of course, revived with the dragon balls each time, and would soon realize that the battles Goku fights in might be a bit above his skill level, choosing a career as a police officer instead.

Krillin's role these days is often one of moral support, but he's no pushover. In many ways, he's become the true heart of Dragon Ball, keeping Goku's ever-increasing power grounded to Earth and preventing him from getting too lost in his training. Krillin also isn't afraid to answer the call when Goku asks for his help, like with the Tournament of Power, even knowing how outmatched he is. Goku can rely on Krillin in basically any situation, and that makes him a fantastic friend for the Saiyan.

Piccolo is Almost Like Family

Goku Trusts Piccolo to Do What's Right

Goku sits on the roof with Piccolo as he plays with Pan and tells her he would fly her in the air if he was feeling better in Dragon Ball Super.

Piccolo and Goku initially had a contentious relationship. As the reincarnation of King Piccolo, Piccolo (Jr.) was born with the desire to defeat Goku at any cost. However, circumstances forced Goku and Piccolo to work together to defeat Raditz, and Goku not only trusted Piccolo to deliver the final blow, even if it meant killing him as well, but also to care for his son Gohan and train him. Piccolo wasn't very enthused about this at first, but his relationship to Gohan fundamentally changed who Piccolo was, giving him someone to care about besides himself.

Following Goku's revival, Piccolo became a trusted friend for Goku, largely because he followed through on the promise he made to Goku before his death. When Piccolo went to Namek and learned about his people, he also underwent some change in personality upon fusing with Nail, understanding what it truly means to protect what you care about. The same thing happened again when he fused with Kami, giving Piccolo a level of wisdom far in excess of his actual age. This new Piccolo is someone that Goku can trust not only on his word, but in his abilities as well.

Piccolo is definitely close to Goku, and has sort of been unofficially invited into the family, acting almost as a second father to Gohan and, later, a grandfather to Pan. While Goku trusts Piccolo implicitly these days, he's not as likely to confide in Piccolo about personal problems the way he might with Krillin.

The Rivals' Feelings Towards One Another Have Grown

Goku and Vegeta in their Super Saiyan Blue forms in Dragon Ball Super.

Like Piccolo, Vegeta was initially an enemy to Goku, but after defeating Frieza, Vegeta began a slow track toward redemption. Vegeta's inital concerns were around proving himself superior to Goku, and to that end he trained relentlessly, prompting Goku to do the same. Their rivalry has driven both Saiyans to unimaginable heights, such that now both of them wield powers on the level of a god. As Vegeta softens and develops a family, their rivalry is able to grow into something of a friendship as well.

By the time of Super, Vegeta and Goku really are good friends, although Vegeta would likely still deny it. Vegeta has developed a begrudging respect for Goku. Vegeta and Goku have experienced a lot together, and there's no one Goku would rather have at his side in battle than Vegeta. The two have even fused on multiple occasions, such that they shared their minds and thoughts, a bond that's difficult to even comprehend. Plus, as two of the only full-blooded Saiyans left in the universe, they bear a similar burden that's also difficult for others to understand.

So, Who is Goku's Best Friend?

Goku's Best Friend Has Been at His Side All Along

While Goku's relationships with Vegeta and Piccolo are both strong, it's hard to beat the sheer history that Goku has with Krillin. As fellow students of Master Roshi, common sparring partners, and even being friends through fatherhood, Krillin knows sides of Goku that Piccolo and Vegeta haven't gotten to see. Krillin knew Goku even before he was a powerful warrior who saved the world, and respected him even then. It's for this reason that Goku's best friend in Dragon Ball is without a doubt Krillin, even today.

Dragon Ball

From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku's never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.

Created by Akira Toriyama

First Film Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies

Latest TV Show Super Dragon Ball Heroes

First Episode Air Date April 26, 1989

Latest Episode 2019-10-05

Cast Sean Schemmel , Laura Bailey , Brian Drummond , Christopher Sabat , Scott McNeil