10 Forgotten Characters Who Need to Return With the Dragon Ball Super Manga

Rumors suggest Dragon Ball Super could return in 2026 with a new story arc focusing on Black Frieza. While familiar faces like Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, and Broly will likely be central to the plot, many fans are hoping to see some previously sidelined characters reappear as well.

Having existed for more than four decades, the Dragon Ball series has a wealth of characters that fans have largely forgotten. Many of these characters would be a great fit for the Black Frieza Saga. Despite their potential importance, they’ve either been completely absent from Dragon Ball Super or haven’t been used much since they were first introduced.

Tarble is the Brother That Vegeta Completely Forgot About

I’ve noticed that many Dragon Ball fans, and maybe even those involved in making the show, seem to have forgotten about Tarble. He was created for a special called Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! when it looked like the original Dragon Ball story was finished. Honestly, his character never really fit, and it’s strange that he hasn’t appeared at all in Dragon Ball Super. It makes you wonder why he was included in the first place!

Tarble has just as much reason to hate Frieza as Vegeta does. And while he’s not a strong fighter, the danger of Black Frieza is so great that everyone who can fight should be involved. It would be great to finally learn what Tarble’s been up to during Dragon Ball Super, and to see more of his sweet relationship with his wife, Gure.

Uub Only Appeared in Dragon Ball Super For a Brief Cameo

For years, fans had been hoping to see Uub appear in Dragon Ball Super, and he finally had a significant role during the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga. Unfortunately, the creator, Toyotarou, hasn’t included him in any storylines since, leaving him out of both the Granolah the Survivor Saga and the Super Hero Saga.

Some viewers think it would be better to wait until Dragon Ball Super reaches the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament before introducing Uub as a main character. However, considering how close the series is to that point in the timeline, and the long delay in getting there, it might make more sense to set the Black Frieza Saga a little bit later in time. This would allow the story to start with Uub, the reincarnation of Kid Buu, already training with Goku.

Launch is the Most Infamous Forgotten Dragon Ball Character

Launch, a character famously said to have been forgotten by her creator Akira Toriyama (though that’s likely an exaggeration), never quite got the attention she deserved. Introduced early in Dragon Ball, shortly after Krillin, she was a key member of the original Dragon Team and one of Goku’s first friends. Despite this, she largely disappeared from the series after a few filler episodes in the early part of Dragon Ball Z.

It was really sad to see Launch leave the series, especially since her character was finally developing. I think keeping her around would have given Tien’s story more depth too. A lot of fans, myself included, are wondering if the Black Frieza Saga might be the end of Dragon Ball Super. If so, Launch absolutely deserves one last appearance before it’s all over.

Bulla Deserves Just as Much Attention as Pan

The recent Dragon Ball Super storyline has given Pan a significant role, even making her a central character in the Super Hero Saga. Unfortunately, Trunks, the son of Vegeta and Bulma, hasn’t had much to do. While this is somewhat expected considering his age, it’s important to avoid repeating past patterns – specifically, the way he was sidelined in Dragon Ball GT and, to some extent, in Dragon Ball Super itself.

Many fans worry that Bulla will be written as a character who doesn’t fight, which would make her unimportant in the current Dragon Ball storyline, unless she’s Bulma or Mr. Satan. As the daughter of Vegeta, she should be as strong a fighter as Pan. Having her be a powerful fighter, and share personality traits with her mother, could create a unique dynamic with Goten and Trunks. While those two are very different, Pan and Bulla are both spoiled and wealthy, but they’d have contrasting approaches to fighting: Bulla would be a reckless, immature fighter who thinks she’s more mature, and Pan would be a brilliant fighter who only fights when she has to, and genuinely is mature for her age.

The Announcer is an Iconic Part of Dragon Ball History

Though he’s never been given a name, the announcer for the World Martial Arts Tournament is one of the most beloved characters in the Dragon Ball series. He’s genuinely enthusiastic about his job, incredibly funny, and deeply admires Goku and his friends. He’s also unique as the only ordinary person who knows they were the heroes who defeated Cell, which has made him a fan favorite for years.

We don’t know exactly what the next storyline, involving Black Frieza, will be, but it could potentially involve a fighting tournament. If that happens, only one person is qualified to announce a tournament even larger than the Tournament of Power, and it’s not Jimmy Firecracker.

Tiencha is the Least That Tien and Yamcha Deserve

Honestly, looking at Tien Shinhan and Yamcha, they don’t really fit into the big picture of the fight against Black Frieza. They just aren’t strong enough, and they don’t have any history with him. But that doesn’t mean they couldn’t have a cool scene, just for the fans. And the easiest way to do that? Team up Tien and Yamcha – a ‘Tiencha’ moment would be a fun little nod to longtime viewers.

Watching Dragon Ball, I’m always struck by how unbelievably strong Fusion can make characters. It’s gotten to the point where even combining two of Earth’s strongest fighters could potentially reach the level of the Androids. While that still wouldn’t be enough to really compete with the top tiers, it was still cool to see Tiencha return – especially since he first appeared in the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 game. It’s a nice treat for long-time fans like myself.

Android 8 Should Have Been Brought Back in DBZ

Android 8, one of Goku’s earliest allies, feels like a lost potential in the Dragon Ball series. This kind-hearted, Frankenstein-like character was a standout during the Red Ribbon Army Saga. Considering his personality and story role, it would have made more sense for him to be the same character as another familiar face in DBZ, instead of being treated as completely separate individuals.

Reviving Android 8 could offer a continuation of Gamma 1’s story. Since Gamma 1 remained on Earth as a hero at the end of the Super Hero Saga, it would be interesting to see how he adjusts to life with humans, potentially with Android 8’s help, even if Gamma 1 isn’t as powerful as he once was.

Ledgic is a Fondly Remembered Dragon Ball GT Villain

People often make fun of Dragon Ball fans, and the surprising popularity of the character Ledgic seems to support that criticism. Ledgic was an early villain in the series – one of the more straightforward, classic types – and he eventually became an ally of Goku. Because of this, he’s a surprisingly popular villain from Dragon Ball GT, even though he doesn’t have a very developed personality.

If I could choose any smaller-time Dragon Ball villains to reappear, I’d pick the Para Para Brothers, hands down. Still, I get why most fans prefer Ledgic. He actually makes sense as a new general in Frieza’s army – right now, they really need someone with a little more presence among the ranks.

Olibu Was Finally Remembered in the Newest Chapter of Dragon Ball Super

I was so excited to see Olibu finally get the recognition he deserves! For years, he was just a cool extra character from the original Dragon Ball Z anime – everyone always talked about him being the strongest human Earth had ever seen before Goku showed up. But in the latest chapter of the Dragon Ball Super manga, chapter 104, they actually made him official canon! They’re now recognizing him in a museum as one of Earth’s greatest heroes, which is amazing! It’s awesome to see a fan favorite get that official nod.

Since the Tournament of Power, Frieza has been aiming to take over all universes. This includes the afterlife, where Olibu now lives. Olibu was already incredibly powerful, surpassing even Cell when he first emerged, and he’s likely gotten much stronger since then, potentially enough to stand against Frieza’s army.

Pikkon is the Most Popular DBZ Filler Character

Despite not being a particularly deep character, Pikkon deserves to be considered part of the official Dragon Ball story. He appeared in the same filler arc as Olibu, and since Olibu is now accepted as canon, it makes sense that Pikkon should be too, especially considering his power level rivals even Goku’s and Pikkon’s strength is comparable to Goku’s.

If Frieza’s forces ever attack the Other World, Pikkon, as its strongest permanent resident, should lead the defense. He once defeated Frieza with a single blow, and even though he’s not as powerful now, it would be incredible to see him fight with everything he’s got.

2026-04-10 17:42