One of the biggest appeals ofDragon Ballis a good fight. Akira Toriyama’s martial arts franchise sees the greatest warriors from across the universe come together in catastrophic clashes. They’re all on a quest to become the strongest, and they test their might against other dedicated combatants. Of course, not everything is a suspenseful spectacle.
A number of mismatched fights have unfolded inDragon Ball. In these battles, one martial artist is vastly superior to the other. Such scenarios usually amount to jokes, which is not a bad thing. Toriyama started in satirical comedy, so this approach is oddly appropriate. Not everything needs to be a serious fight to the death. These matches can be just as entertaining, albeit for different reasons.
5Most Preliminary Rounds
The Heroes' Training Puts Them in a Different League
The World Martial Arts Tournament draws people from all over the world, so the officials must narrow that pool down to eight contestants. They accomplish this through preliminary matches. Literally anyone can partake in these fights, but none of them have the discipline of the mainline heroes.
Goku and the others regularly subject themselves to intense, superhuman training. For instance,Master Roshi’s regimen involves doing manual labor while wearing 100-pound turtle shells. These methods put students' strength, speed, and endurance through the roof. Anyone not training at a similar level seems like a pushover to them.
As such, most preliminary matches end in a fast and funny fashion. Normal fighters come in with flamboyant shows of strength and arrogant attitudes; the main characters then sweep them aside without breaking a sweat. The results are satisfying, particularly in Krillin’s case. The other monks always picked on him back home, but they have a rude awakening when he knocks them into next week with a single blow.These early fights separate the martial artists from the pretenders.
4Kami vs. Yamcha
Earth’s Guardian Makes a Mockery of Yamcha and the Tournament
Yamcha is outmatchedmost of the time, but this fight is especially embarrassing. It’s against Kami: the good half of King Piccolo and one of the most seasoned warriors on Earth. It’s no surprise that Yamcha can’t lay a finger on him. This mix-up barely qualifies as a fight. That fact becomes clearer with Kami’s chosen form.
His disguise couldn’t be more ridiculous. The Namekian possesses the body of a spindly nerd, and he plays that part. He stumbles and bumbles around the arena, making each successful blow look like an accident. This routine turns the fight into a farce. In the end, it elicits both awe and laughter from the audience, and fans are right there with them.
3Vegeta Vs. Nappa
This GT Rematch Is Over Before It Begins
These guys may both be Saiyans, but Vegeta is in a different league. What’s more is that he has no tolerance for weakness, as evidenced when he executes Nappa for a devastating defeat inDBZ. The incident demonstrates his ferocious power and lack of mercy. Plus, it’s not even the last time he does this.
Vegeta kills Nappa yet again inDragon Ball GT. Here,the franchise’s various villainsreturn from Hell and run amok. Nappa is among them, and he’s not too happy with Vegeta. He charges his former partner, but he never has a chance.
The gap between their powers is even greater than before. Vegeta has reached a new level of potential, but Nappa seems to be the same. In addition, the former is calm and collected while the latter’s rage makes him sloppy and oblivious. It only tracks that Vegeta casually obliterates him with a single blast. So much for a second chance.
2Trunks Vs. Mr. Satan
Even a Child Can Dispatch This Flashy Faker
Mr. Satan may be the world’s champion and savior, buthe’s really a dopey showboat who takes credit for the Z-fighters' victories. Granted, he’s reasonably skilled by normal standards, but any attempt to fight a super-powered opponent ends in slapstick defeat. Such is the case when he encounters Trunks.
Vegeta’s son wins the World Tournament’s Junior Division and earns an exhibition match against Mr. Satan. It’s supposed to be a charitable bout for a young up-and-comer. However, a single punch sends the champ flying out of the arena and flattens him against a wall. It’s a miracle that he suffers no permanent damage, at least not physically.
What’s more impressive is how he laughs it off. For all his faults, Satan knows how to improvise and play to the crowd. That said, he never looks at the Z-fighters the same way. When he later tangles with Android 18, he has the good sense to bribe his way to victory.
1Hit Vs. Monaka
A Nervous Novice Fighting an Elite Killer
In the private tournament between Universe 6 and 7, the most insurmountable opponent is Hit.The master assassinis a formidable fighter, and his time-skip ability lets him go right through his target’s defenses. Goku nearly defeats him, but the Saiyan throws in the towel due to low energy reserves. Thus, all of Universe 7’s hopes rest on their team’s last fighter.
Enter Monaka.According to Beerus, he’s the toughest combatant around, but that’s a slight exaggeration. It turns out that his strength is a charade to give Goku a goal to strive towards (and get him off Beerus’s back).
Monaka is really a timid delivery driver. Against Hit, he’s too scared to move. The little guy stands in stark contrast with the composed killer. The match-up almost hurts to watch. Luckily, Hit fakes his own defeat out of pity. It’s a good thing he’s such a good sport.
Dragon Ball
Cast
Goku, a young, powerful boy with a tail, spends his days hunting and living off the land. His life changes when he meets Bulma, a teen genius on a quest to collect seven magical Dragon Balls that summon a dragon capable of granting any wish. Together, they set off on an adventure filled with powerful martial arts battles, formidable foes, and unlikely alliances.
