The Dragon Ball universe is home to some of the most powerful characters in anime history, constantly pushing the boundaries of strength and power. From Saiyans to gods, the power scaling in the franchise has seen dramatic shifts, making a definitive ranking a difficult task. This list aims to rank the 20 strongest canon characters in the Dragon Ball universe, based on their demonstrated power and abilities, as of today, January 24, 2025. This ranking primarily focuses on the main Dragon Ball storyline and excludes characters from non-canon movies, games, and spin-offs like Super Dragon Ball Heroes.
Top Tier Gods and Angels
1. Grand Zeno
The undisputed Omni-King, Zeno, sits atop the hierarchy of power in Dragon Ball. He possesses the ability to erase entire universes with a mere thought, demonstrating a level of power unmatched by any other character. Zeno’s power is less about combat prowess and more about absolute authority over existence itself, making him an entity that even the strongest fighters dare not challenge. He has no known weaknesses and is truly the most powerful being in the multiverse.
2. Grand Priest
Serving as the attendant to Zeno and the father of the Angels, the Grand Priest is the second strongest being in the multiverse. His power dwarfs that of even the Gods of Destruction. While his full abilities remain largely unseen, his position and role imply a level of strength far exceeding those he oversees. He is also a master of martial arts and possesses immense speed and perception.
3. Whis
An Angel and the martial arts master of Beerus, Whis is incredibly powerful. He effortlessly handles Beerus, a God of Destruction, showcasing his superior combat abilities. Whis can travel through time, rewind it, and has the ability to knock out even the strongest warriors with a single blow. His role as a guide and teacher to powerful beings underscores his expertise and strength.
4. Vados
Vados, an Angel and the martial arts master of Champa, is said to be slightly stronger than Whis. She possesses similar abilities to Whis, including time manipulation and immense combat prowess. The small difference in power between the two Angels highlights just how much stronger these celestial beings are compared to mortals and even gods.
Gods of Destruction & Other Powerhouses
5. Beerus
The God of Destruction of Universe 7, Beerus, is one of the most powerful characters. With the ability to destroy planets with a mere tap, he is far stronger than the majority of characters in the series. His “Hakai” technique can erase beings from existence, and his speed and reflexes are unmatched by almost all fighters, except for a few top-tier characters.
6. Granolah
A Cerealian survivor who used the Dragon Balls to become the strongest warrior in the universe, Granolah demonstrated incredible power, initially surpassing both Goku and Vegeta. He is a skilled sniper and martial artist, whose wish granted him a boost in potential without needing transformations, making him a unique threat. Although others have surpassed him since his wish, his innate abilities still place him among the strongest.
7. Jiren
The most powerful mortal from Universe 11, Jiren, is a powerhouse whose strength rivals that of a God of Destruction. His raw power is immense, capable of overwhelming even Super Saiyan Blue with ease. Jiren’s ability to power up and push his limits makes him an extremely formidable opponent. He is one of the few fighters who has ever been able to push Goku to his absolute limits, forcing Goku to unlock new power.
8. Moro
Known as the “Planet Eater,” Moro is a powerful sorcerer with the ability to drain energy from planets and beings alike. He poses a unique threat due to his magic, which allows him to not only steal power, but also to manipulate his body and its attacks. His ability to grow stronger with each energy absorption makes him a force to be reckoned with.
9. Top
Once a Pride Trooper, Top is a candidate to be a God of Destruction. He possesses immense strength and the power of a destroyer, making him a significant threat. Top’s fighting style revolves around justice and his unique power of destruction, which allows him to stand among the strongest characters.
Saiyan Power & Transformations
10. Goku
The main protagonist of the series, Goku, is a Saiyan who has constantly broken his limits. With his Ultra Instinct form, he reaches the highest levels of power, achieving a state of perfect combat. He has mastered several forms of Super Saiyan and the powerful Kaioken technique. Goku’s constant training and drive to become stronger constantly places him near the top of the power rankings.
11. Vegeta
The Saiyan Prince, Vegeta, is Goku’s rival and one of the most powerful characters. With his Ultra Ego form, he is able to match the power of Goku’s Ultra Instinct. His pride and constant training have driven him to constantly surpass his limits. Vegeta is known for his ruthless fighting style and has achieved a variety of powerful Super Saiyan forms.
12. Gohan
Goku’s son, Gohan, has the potential to be the strongest character in the series. His “Beast” form puts him above even his father’s Ultra Instinct state, indicating a huge surge in power. Gohan is often limited by his lack of desire to fight but when pushed, his hidden strength is capable of overpowering even the most powerful foes.
13. Broly
A legendary Super Saiyan with immense power, Broly is a force of nature. His power grows exponentially during battle, making him a very dangerous opponent. Broly has the ability to match the power of even the strongest Saiyans in their transformed states. Broly’s rage-fueled fighting style allows him to tap into immense reserves of power.
14. Cell Max
A bio-engineered warrior created by the Red Ribbon Army, Cell Max possesses incredible strength. This imperfect version of Cell was so powerful that it took Gohan’s Beast form to defeat him. His raw power and lack of intelligence make him incredibly dangerous, demonstrating a level of power beyond even what Goku and Vegeta might be able to handle.
15. Frieza
The tyrannical emperor of the universe, Frieza, has returned stronger than ever with his “Black Frieza” form. Frieza’s dedication to training has allowed him to reach new heights and be a significant threat once again. Frieza’s cunning and ruthless nature, combined with his immense power, make him one of the most dangerous characters in the Dragon Ball universe.
Other Notable Fighters
16. Piccolo
A Namekian warrior and strategist, Piccolo has also significantly increased his power, achieving his “Orange Piccolo” form. While not as powerful as the Saiyans, his intelligence and fighting skills have made him a formidable foe. His new form rivals even the base forms of Goku and Vegeta, showing his growth over time.
17. Dyspo
A Pride Trooper from Universe 11, Dyspo is known for his incredible speed. While he cannot transform, his speed is unmatched, allowing him to be a significant threat in any battle. Dyspo has been shown to be able to counter fighters like Gohan and Frieza.
18. Hit
A legendary assassin from Universe 6, Hit, has the ability to manipulate time. His time-skip technique makes him an unpredictable fighter, capable of overwhelming even the strongest opponents, allowing him to outmaneuver his foes.
19. Cabba
A Saiyan from Universe 6, Cabba, has shown great potential for growth and can access the Super Saiyan transformations. While still weaker than the Saiyans of Universe 7, Cabba’s growth potential is immense.
20. Android 17
A powerful Android with unlimited energy, Android 17, has shown that he is able to contend with some of the strongest fighters. He possesses a vast array of attacks, and has the ability to quickly adjust to any combat situation.
