Dragon Ball: 5 Forgotten Races That Deserve More Attention

The world of Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball Z is filled with myriad diverse races, each possessing distinct attributes and abilities that have played crucial roles in the journey of Goku and his allies. Diversity in this fictional world can be seen from the Namekians to the Core People who dwell on the Sacred World of the Kai, or even the Metamorans who developed the fabled Fusion Dance.

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As the exploits of Goku, Vegeta, and the rest of the Dragon Team have expanded in scope and scale, taking them to innumerable other worlds and locations beyond Earth, the rotating list of characters and races has only grown. However, some of them have been all but forgotten in the grand scheme of things, and here is a look at a few races in Dragon Ball Z that deserve more attention.

1 Tuffles

Created Advanced Technology That Surpassed The Saiyans

Having coexisted alongside the Saiyans of Universe 7 on Planet Vegeta, the Tuffles were a relatively peaceful race who resembled Human-type Earthlings for the most part, save for their slightly shorter stature. That being said, they also developed advanced technology, which helped them keep the Saiyans at bay for a time, until the arrival of the full moon permitted the Saiyans to assume their Great Ape form.

With this boost in power, the Saiyans wiped out the entire Tuffle race in a single night, claiming the planet for themselves in the process. Aside from Universe 7, the Tuffles likely still exist in Universe 2 and Universe 6. Considering their mastery of cloning, genetic manipulation, and cybernetics, it is intriguing to see how future storylines centered on this race of beings would play out with the current levels of power that Goku, Vegeta, and the other Saiyans of Universe 7 have attained.

Taught Goku The Powerful Fusion Dance

While the members of this race have not yet appeared on-screen in the main canon storyline of the Dragon Ball franchise, their impact cannot be understated, given how they were responsible for teaching Goku how to perform the Fusion Dance. First shown in the Majin Buu Saga, the Fusion Dance allows two beings of comparable power to combine their strength into a single physical body, which is far more powerful than either of the two fused individuals.

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Beyond the Fusion Dance itself, the only other known feature of the Metamoran race is the distinctive clothing they don, which is worn by the new body created whenever a Fusion Dance is completed. This consists of a gray and yellow jacket with yellow wristbands, puffy white pants, a blue sash, blue leg bands, and black shoes. It is said that Goku encountered the Metamorans on Other World, which is where he learned the secrets of the Fusion Dance.

3 Majin

A Demonic Race Of Unparalleled Power

Introduced by Majin Buu, who was the titular antagonist of the Majin Buu Saga in Dragon Ball Z, the Majin is a race of incredibly strong beings who possess magical powers and a near-inexhaustible capacity to regenerate from any injury. Having existed since time immemorial, Majin Buu’s reign of terror was defined by alternating periods of rampages and hibernation. When summoned by the wizard Babidi after nearly five million years, the original Majin Buu was actually a composite of Kid Buu and the Grand Supreme Kai.

All members of this race are the same as the original Kid Buu, and through the process of purification, they can all revert to this version over time. The Majin are inherently able to manipulate ki and even have magical abilities such as the Transfiguration Beam, which allows them to turn people into any object or substance they desire. While Good Buu has been present for much of Dragon Ball Super, it would be interesting to see how other members of his race could play a role in the Dragon Team’s journey going forward.

4 Demon Realm Race

A Powerful Subspecies Of Demons In The Demon Realm

Dwelling in the Demon Realm, which exists beyond the normal mortal universe, the Demon Realm Race comprises a host of powerful Demons who vary greatly in appearance, with skin that can range in color from pink to blue, purple, violet, or white. The most well-known member of this race is Dabura, who was a secondary antagonist in the Majin Buu Saga and the King of the Demon Realm.

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Besides possessing immense physical strength, members of the Demon Realm Race all appear to be quite adept at magic, and can also manipulate ki for the purpose of flight and energy beam attacks. Dabura even had access to a power-up transformation known as Demonic Will, which enhanced his already impressive physical traits. Although he has appeared in the Dragon Ball franchise’s spin-off series, he has yet to make an appearance in the main canon since being seen in Heaven at the end of Dragon Ball Z.

5 Yardrats

Possess The Unique Ability Known As Spirit Control

Goku’s first encounter with the Yardrats came when he crash-landed on the Planet Yardrat after his battle against Frieza on Namek. The inhabitants of the planet nursed him back to health and taught him the secrets of Instant Transmission, which is rooted in their special ability known as Spirit Control. Yardrats exist in both Universe 7 and Universe 2, with there being two sub-varieties within their race.

The first type of Yardrats have pink skin, large heads, and pointed ears, whereas the second variety is shorter, with either blue or green skin, rounded heads, and no ears. Mostly known for their distinct ki manipulation technique known as Spirit Control, the Yardrats did have a fairly significant role to play in the Dragon Ball Super manga, and fans can only hope that they will continue to play a part in the series in the future.

Dragon Ball Z (1989)

Release Date

April 26, 1989

Studio

Toei Animation

Number of Episodes

291