<em>Dragon Ball</em> is infamous for its characters experiencing fatalities without facing significant consequences. This phenomenon stems from the series’ reliance on mystical orbs capable of reversing nearly any event, leading to a scenario where numerous primary characters have met their demise only to be revived shortly thereafter.

Tracking the frequency of character deaths can be challenging due to Dragon Ball‘s complex narrative, which spans various timelines, alternate realities, and anime-exclusive filler arcs. Within this expansive and continuously evolving universe, these characters have met their end the most frequently.

10

Gohan

Gohan Stands Out as Dragon Ball’s Fortunate Fighter With the Fewest Deaths

Among the main heroes of Dragon Ball, Gohan is arguably the most fortunate, having faced death only twice throughout the entire series. While “fortunate” may not entirely capture his situation, considering that his survival during the initial onslaught of the Androids resulted in a life burdened by hardship in a devastated future. Ultimately, his life was tragically cut short in a vicious confrontation with the Androids.

His second death occurred during a catastrophic event, where nearly all characters perished when Kid Buu obliterated Earth. Only Goku, Vegeta, and Hercule were fortunate enough to escape this fate, having been teleported to safety. Unlike most heroes, Gohan managed to survive the earlier threats posed by the Dragon Ball Z villains.

9

Goten

Goten Matches Gohan’s Death Count at Less Than Half His Brother’s Age

Goten, similar to his elder sibling, has also faced death twice during the events of Dragon Ball, achieving this grim milestone in a significantly shorter span of time. Tragically, like most characters, the young half-Saiyan fell victim to the catastrophic destruction of Earth during Kid Buu’s rampage, and later met his end at the hands of Zamasu, who stole Goku’s body and transformed into Goku Black.

At his young age, Goten holds the record for the highest death count among characters, a fact that often goes unmentioned among fans of the series. In the same catastrophic attack, Goku Black also eliminated Chi-Chi, effectively wiping out the entire Son family household in one devastating blow. Thankfully, in more recent years, this young Hybrid Saiyan has managed to evade death.

8

Trunks

Trunks Frequently Evades Death but Has Endured a Few Fatal Setbacks

Trunks, having endured a horrific future and faced formidable foes, has experienced three deaths throughout Dragon Ball, with each occurring when he was caught completely off guard. His first death was at the hands of Cell, who ambushed him and seized his time machine. The second instance also involved Cell, who fatally shot a ki beam through Trunks’ chest after returning from his self-destruction.

The final death occurred when Kid Buu destroyed Earth, as was the fate for many characters who weren’t named Goku or Vegeta. Trunks’ resilience in surviving such dire and harrowing circumstances is truly commendable, demonstrating the challenges that would face characters in a world where Goku and the other defenders of Earth were not present.

7

Yamcha

Despite His Reputation, Yamcha Does Not Hold the Record for Most Deaths in Dragon Ball

Yamcha’s reputation as the Dragon Ball character most prone to death is somewhat misleading. He doesn’t actually rank among the highest in fatalities compared to other characters. Instead, it is the manner of his deaths that has contributed to this perception. His initial demise occurred when a Saibaman latched onto him and detonated, a scene that has since become iconic and transformed into a meme over the years.

After that infamous incident, his second death transpired in Trunks’ timeline during a confrontation with the Androids early in their reign of terror. His third and final death occurred during Kid Buu’s destruction of Earth. Since these events, Dragon Ball‘s most meme-worthy character has managed to survive all major battles, although he hasn’t actively participated in many of them.

6

Vegeta

The Prince of Saiyans Has Endured Some of Dragon Ball’s Most Heart-Wrenching Deaths

As the proud Prince of Saiyans, Vegeta’s deaths throughout Dragon Ball have been poignant and revealing of his character’s depth. He narrowly escaped death during the Saiyan Saga but ultimately met his end at the hands of Frieza on Namek, marking one of the series’ most emotionally charged moments.

In Trunks’ timeline, he died alongside numerous others during the Androids’ assault, and later faced his demise against Majin Buu, although this did not occur during the same events that claimed other heroes’ lives. Vegeta made the ultimate sacrifice by detonating himself in a massive explosion, intending to vanquish the formidable Buu. Both of his on-screen deaths are not only highly emotional but also remain two of the franchise’s most memorable scenes.

5

Tien

Tien Demonstrates Unyielding Courage in Every Battle

Tien has experienced one fewer death than his companion Chiaotzu, yet his fatalities have never been as brutal. His first death occurred during the Saiyan Saga, where he expended every ounce of energy in a desperate counterattack to avenge Chiaotzu, ultimately failing to inflict any harm on Nappa. This noble end showcased Tien’s unwavering commitment to his allies.

Subsequently, Tien faced death against the Androids in Trunks’ timeline and, later, at the hands of Kid Buu. Although he was skillful enough to evade Super Buu’s human extinction attack, which wiped out nearly everyone else on Earth, he could not escape the cataclysmic destruction of the planet.

4

Chiaotzu

Chiaotzu Has Endured Some of the Most Tragic Deaths in Dragon Ball

While Chiaotzu may not have the highest death count in Dragon Ball, he has certainly faced some of the most tragic demises. His first death was at the hands of Demon King Piccolo, who was determined not to allow anyone to disrupt his wish. The second death occurred during the Saiyan Saga when he sacrificed himself in a failed attempt to take down Nappa.

Like many other heroes, he met his fate during the Androids’ onslaught and subsequently during Kid Buu’s annihilation of Earth. Since his ill-fated sacrifices, Chiaotzu has largely stepped back from significant battles, which may be wise given his unfortunate history.

3

Goku

The Central Protagonist of the Series Has Experienced Significant Time in the Afterlife

Goku stands as the quintessential character in Dragon Ball, yet he has also spent a considerable amount of time deceased, particularly during the Dragon Ball Z saga. His first death occurred during the battle against Raditz, where he was caught in the collateral damage of Piccolo’s Special Beam Cannon.

His second death was marked by a selfless act, as he used Instant Transmission to transport Cell away from Earth, sacrificing himself along with King Kai during the ensuing explosion. In Trunks’ timeline, Goku did not survive long enough to face the Androids, succumbing instead to a heart virus. His most recent death occurred in Dragon Ball Super, where he enlisted the assassin Hit to kill him as part of a training regimen, which he accomplished, albeit with Goku reviving shortly after by firing a ki blast into the air.

2

Piccolo

Dragon Ball’s Leading Namekian Has Experienced More Deaths Than Fans Realize

Piccolo’s existence is intricately linked to the functionality of the Dragon Balls. Should he perish, the orbs become ineffective. Despite this, the Namekian warrior has met his demise multiple times. His first death was technically at the hands of Goku, before he underwent reincarnation and emerged as the formidable Demon King.

His second death occurred during the Saiyan Saga, when he heroically sacrificed himself to save Gohan. Piccolo’s third death transpired during the Androids’ assault, rendering Earth’s Dragon Balls useless in the devastated future. He faced death again when Kid Buu obliterated Earth, and later during the non-canon series Dragon Ball GT, when he perished along with the planet.

1

Krillin

Krillin Matches Piccolo for the Most Deaths in Dragon Ball

Krillin, who is Goku’s closest companion, has found himself embroiled in numerous intense battles, which has led him to share the dubious honor of the highest death count with Piccolo within the franchise. His first death occurred early in the saga at the hands of Tambourine, during the Demon King Piccolo arc. Following that, he died again on Namek, an event that triggered Goku’s transformation into a Super Saiyan.

He did not survive the Androids’ devastating reign in Trunks’ timeline, and subsequently met his end during Kid Buu’s destruction of Earth. Like Piccolo, Krillin was also slain during Dragon Ball GT, when Super 17 emerged and took the life of his sister’s husband. With five deaths to his name, he shares the title for the most deaths, and considering the current trend of deaths in the series, he might retain that position for the foreseeable future.