As a race nearly eradicated by Frieza, the Saiyans in Dragon Ball are slim in number. There are even fewer of them around Goku’s age, as most of the Saiyans in the series are either his or Vegeta’s descendants. Still, the handful of Saiyans in Goku’s generation that survived Frieza’s onslaught are some of the strongest characters in the series, with one notable exception.
Most of the strongest Saiyans in Dragon Ball are half-Saiyans, but they aren’t in Goku’s generation. To be considered one of Goku’s peers generation-wise, a Saiyan needs to be around his age. The Saiyans from Universe 6 are closer to Gohan’s age than Goku’s, and by definition, none of Goku’s children can be considered in his generation.
Raditz Is the First Major Villain in Dragon Ball Z
Raditz is the first major villain in Dragon Ball Z. For most shōnen series, Raditz would be a small obstacle for Goku to overcome as he learns about the looming threat of the incoming Saiyans. In Dragon Ball Z, however, Raditz is a powerful threat that Goku couldn’t beat, leading to Goku’s first death in the series.
Raditz is an incredibly memorable character for how little time he spends in the series. He’s Goku’s brother, his first enemy, and his first loss in Dragon Ball Z. In the grand scheme of things, Raditz is the weakest Saiyan in Goku’s generation by some margin. Goku has gotten much stronger since he faced his brother, so Raditz doesn’t have a chance now.
Turles Isn’t As Strong As He Seems
Turles is one of the strongest Saiyans in Dragon Ball, which is baffling considering the fact that he isn’t strong at all compared to characters in the latter half of Dragon Ball Z. Turles is the main antagonist of the third Dragon Ball Z film, ‘The Tree of Might.’ When the film took place, he seemed like an indomitable figure, but there isn’t a character in the current continuity of Dragon Ball who couldn’t defeat him now.
Turles is a Saiyan who looks identical to Goku. He’s different from his doppelgänger, however, as he went to Earth with the Tree of Might in an attempt to use the planet’s resources and make himself stronger. It worked, and Turles’ surge in strength as he consumed the tree’s fruit gave him a distinct edge over Goku.
Goku eventually beats Turles with a Spirit Bomb in one of the few instances in the series in which Goku’s ultimate attack actually works. He was a great villain at the time, but this was before Goku had become Super Saiyan. As a user of god-level techniques, Goku wouldn’t have to break a sweat to defeat Turles now.
Tarble Has the Same Power as Frieza’s First Form
Tarble is Vegeta’s long-lost brother who has only been in the series for a short period of time. He was never seen fighting, so it’s hard to judge exactly how strong the Saiyan is, but there are a few hints that the series lets on. Tarble gave Abo and Kado trouble, and the two villainous brothers are said to be on the same level as Frieza’s first form.
If Tarble truly is as strong as Frieza’s first form, he’s stronger than everyone in Dragon Ball Z before the Frieza Saga. Unfortunately for Tarble, he was introduced well into Dragon Ball Super, when every one of the Z Fighters have surpassed that power level by a considerable amount.
Broly Is Undeniably One Of Dragon Ball’s Strongest Characters
The gap between Tarble and Broly is so absurd it’s nearly immeasurable. Broly isn’t just one of the strongest Saiyans in Goku’s generation: he’s one of the strongest characters in the entire franchise. In terms of raw power, he’s easily stronger than both Goku and Vegeta, and he’s never even trained properly.
There isn’t a character in Dragon Ball with more potential than the Legendary Super Saiyan himself. Gohan has a ton of potential, but even he doesn’t come close to Broly. In Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Broly showcased his newfound power expertly. Neither Goku nor Vegeta could take him one-on-one, and even together, they didn’t stand a chance.
Broly forced the two strongest Saiyans alive to fuse, reintroducing Gogeta into the series as a desperate attempt to take him down. Broly has only now started training with Whis and Beerus on Beerus’ planet, and if he’s able to control his rage, even the gods will fear what he can become.
Vegeta Might Be the Strongest Soon Enough
Vegeta has always been one of the strongest characters in the series, but it finally feels like he has what it takes to surpass Goku. The two Saiyans sparred, and Vegeta emerged victorious, but that was only in their base forms. In an all-out battle, Goku takes the age because he’s mastered the Ultra Instinct form, whereas Vegeta is still getting introduced to his Ultra Ego form.
Vegeta might not even use the Ultra Ego form going forward. It makes him feel like the destructive Saiyan he once was, and he’s that man no longer. If he chooses to use it, however, he has a distinct edge over Broly. It takes Vegeta to an entirely new level, and while it drains a lot of his stamina, it gives him an absurd level of power and tenacity.
Unlike Goku, Vegeta is looking for new ways to train. He realized that training his mind is as important as training his body, and he even went to Yardrat to try and pick up some new techniques from Master Pibara. If Vegeta keeps this up, there’s a strong argument to be made that he could be the new strongest Saiyan in Dragon Ball.
Goku Is Still The Strongest Non-Fusion Saiyan
Goku is the single strongest Saiyan in Dragon Ball who isn’t the result of some kind of fusion. It’s one of the few times when he’s verifiably the strongest: during both the Cell and Buu Sagas, Gohan was stronger, but because he hasn’t been training, he’s lost that edge since. Gohan has more potential than his father, but he doesn’t actualize it.
Vegeta notably beat Goku in their respective base forms as well, but Goku’s Mastered Ultra Instinct form is quite literally untouchable (most of the time). Goku’s time at the top might be nearing its end, but it’s not there quite yet. Goku still has plenty of room to grow as well, as he’s still learning how to make the Angels’ technique truly his own.
Gogeta/Vegito Are In an Entirely Different League
Gogeta and Vegito are the two strongest Saiyans from Goku’s generation, and the fact that Goku is 50% of both of them is a major factor. Gogeta is the Metamoran Fusion Dance combination of Goku and Vegeta. He has a standard Metamoran vest, black hair, and a fairly serious attitude no matter what opponent is in his way.
Broly decimated both Vegeta and Goku, even when they fought the Legendary Super Saiyan together. When Goku and Vegeta fused, however, Broly didn’t have a chance. Gogeta is such an absurdly strong character that he might have a chance against the Gods of Destruction themselves, and that’s saying something.
Vegito hasn’t been seen in the main timeline of Dragon Ball since the Buu Saga in Dragon Ball Z, one of the best arcs in the franchise. He and Gogeta differ in appearance and personality, but their power levels are about identical. There isn’t another Saiyan in Dragon Ball who could take either one of them in battle, in Goku’s generation or not.
- Cast
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Sean Schemmel, Laura Bailey, Brian Drummond, Christopher Sabat, Scott McNeil
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- Latest TV Show
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Dragon Ball DAIMA
