Dragon Ball Races: Humans, Saiyans, Namekians and Gods Explained

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Les principales races de Dragon Ball, des Saiyans aux Nameks et aux dieux

The Dragon Ball universe is not limited to Saiyans. Earth, Namek, Yardrat, Cereal, and the divine and demonic dimensions are home to peoples with very different abilities. Some rely on training and martial arts, while others draw on magic, technology, regeneration, or divine status.

Here are the main races and categories of beings that shape this universe, from Earth’s humanity to the gods responsible for preserving the balance of the multiverse.

Table of Contents

Humans: an often underestimated race

Humans in Dragon Ball come from Earth and broadly resemble real-world humans. They are generally less powerful than many other races, but their potential should not be reduced to that initial weakness.

Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Yamcha, and Master Roshi show what can be achieved through training and martial arts. Human civilization has a rich martial history and has developed techniques such as the Destructo Disc and Solar Flare. Learn more in this guide to Dragon Ball techniques, attacks, and powers.

Humans have helped defend Earth against many threats, from the Red Ribbon Army to the Saiyans and the androids. Gohan, a human-Saiyan hybrid, also represents the scale of the potential born from that union.

Namekians: warriors, magicians, and creators of the Dragon Balls

Namekians are recognizable by their green skin, antennae, and distinctive appearance. Introduced as a peaceful and wise people, the first Namekians are said to have originated in the Demon Realm. Those known in Universe 7 possess several remarkable abilities: regenerating lost limbs, healing, extending their arms, and an innate ability to sense energy.

They are asexual and reproduce by laying eggs. Their society is mainly divided between the Warrior Clan, focused on combat, and the Dragon Clan, associated with magic and the creation of the Dragon Balls.

A climate disaster nearly wiped out their people, reducing the population to around one hundred survivors. After rebuilding their civilization on a new planet, the Namekians were invaded by Frieza, who came in search of the Dragon Balls. The survivors were eventually relocated to New Namek, where they live peacefully.

Androids: artificial beings with varied origins

The androids were created by Dr. Gero, a former scientist of the Red Ribbon Army. Their original purpose was to kill Goku in retaliation for that organization’s defeat.

Their strength, speed, and endurance can surpass those of many organic fighters. Android 17 and Android 18 are actually modified humans: among other traits, they possess infinite energy and can still grow stronger through training. Other creations, such as Cell, were designed using characteristics from several races, including Saiyans and Namekians.

Cell can absorb other beings to increase his power. Initially destructive, Android 17 and Android 18 later become allies of the Z Fighters. Android 17 lives as a park ranger and plays a crucial role in Universe 7’s victory at the Tournament of Power.

Frieza’s race, or the Frost Demons

Frieza’s race, also called the Frost Demons, is among the most feared in the universe. Its members possess exceptional strength and endurance, along with several transformations that increase their power.

Frieza, King Cold, Cooler, and Kuriza are the named figures in this family. They are associated with cruelty, conquest, and a desire to dominate numerous planets. Their ability to survive in the vacuum of space allows them to travel without special protection.

Frieza also achieves a Golden form after intense training. Fearing the Saiyans’ potential, he destroys Planet Vegeta. His defeat against Goku on Namek is a major setback, but his repeated revivals always bring him back stronger. His temporary alliance with Goku and the Z Fighters also shows the complexity of his role. For a look back at the brutality of that period, read Merciless Vegeta on Namek.

The Majin and Buu’s legacy

The Majin are magical beings created by the sorcerer Bibidi. Majin Buu is the most famous of them: conceived as a destructive force, he annihilated civilizations and fought the Supreme Kais.

Majin possess strength, speed, and regeneration that make them extremely difficult to defeat. They can change form after absorbing other beings and acquire their abilities. They can also turn people into candy or clay before consuming them.

After being sealed by Bibidi, Buu is awakened by Babidi. Goku ultimately defeats him with the Spirit Bomb. Reborn in a purified form, Buu later becomes an ally of Goku and his friends.

Tuffles: a civilization destroyed on Planet Plant

The Tuffles once lived on Planet Plant alongside the Saiyans. Physically weaker than the Saiyans, they compensated with highly advanced technology, sophisticated weapons, and infrastructure that allowed them to thrive.

They were defeated by the Saiyans, who transformed into Great Apes under a full moon. After their destruction, the Saiyans took over the planet and renamed it Planet Vegeta. In Dragon Ball GT, Baby, a Tuffle parasite, embodies their desire for revenge by taking control of host bodies.

Saiyans: warriors capable of surpassing their limits

Saiyans originate from Sadala in Universe 6. In Universe 7, their home planet was destroyed. Similar to humans in size, they stand apart through their natural power, their love of battle, and their tails, which allow them to transform into Great Apes under a full moon.

Their Zenkai ability allows them to become much stronger after surviving severe injuries. They can also access transformations such as Super Saiyan, which increases their power exponentially.

In Universe 7, the Saiyans conquered Planet Plant before renaming it Planet Vegeta. Employed by Frieza, they were nearly exterminated when he destroyed their planet. Goku, Vegeta, and their children carry on their legacy. In Universe 6, Saiyans are more peaceful and protect their universe.

Yardrats, Cerealians, and demons: peoples with singular abilities

Yardrats live on Planet Yardrat and make up for their limited physical power through mastery of advanced techniques. They teach Goku Instant Transmission after his battle against Frieza. Vegeta also travels to Yardrat to learn the art of spirit control.

Cerealians, natives of Planet Cereal, are known for their technology and extremely accurate long-range vision. Their people were annihilated by the Heeters and the Saiyan army working for Frieza. Granolah is the only known survivor; he uses Cereal’s Dragon Balls to become the strongest warrior in the universe, at the cost of a major reduction in his lifespan.

Demons come from the Demon Realm, a dark dimension separate from the mortal world. They use dark magic, manipulate energy, and can open dimensional portals. Dabura, king of this realm, serves Babidi in his attempt to resurrect Majin Buu. Demons also reappear in Dragon Ball Daima.

Angels, Supreme Kais, and Gods of Destruction

Supreme Kais oversee the creation of planets and life forms from the Sacred World of the Kais. They watch over the balance of the universe, but their numbers were greatly reduced after Majin Buu’s attacks.

Gods of Destruction have the opposite mission: they destroy planets and life forms that threaten the stability of their universe. Their Hakai technique can erase beings from existence. Every God of Destruction is linked to a Supreme Kai: if one dies, the other dies as well.

Finally, Angels assist and train the Gods of Destruction. Whis accompanies Beerus in Universe 7, while Vados serves Champa in Universe 6. Their power exceeds that of the Gods of Destruction, and they notably master Ultra Instinct, a state that allows them to react instinctively to any threat. Together, Angels, Supreme Kais, and Gods of Destruction embody the forces that maintain the balance between creation and destruction.