Why I Think Dragon Ball’s Female Characters Don’t Get the Spotlight They Deserve

A personal exploration of the women who shaped the series more than people admit

The Women Who Built Dragon Ball’s Backbone

When people talk about DragonBall, they talk about the men. Goku. Vegeta. Gohan. Piccolo. Trunks. Even secondary male characters get more shine than the women who literally moved the story forward.

And today I want to say something I’ve been feeling for a long time. The female characters in Dragon Ball deserve way more credit. Not just for what they bring to the plot, but for how they shaped the tone, the relationships, the stakes, and the emotional depth of the entire franchise.

From OG Dragon Ball to Super and Daima, the women of this series add layers the fandom often overlooks. And I want to break down exactly why I appreciate them so much.

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Bulma: The True Starting Point of the Entire Franchise

Let me be real with you. Without Bulma, Dragon Ball does not exist.

She found Goku. She invented the Dragon Radar. She drove the first arc. She built the Time Machine. She helps Goku and Vegeta CONSTANTLY. And her genius has saved Earth more times than any Ki blast ever has.

Bulma is one of the most important characters in anime history, not just Dragon Ball. And I will always say that confidently.

She represents innovation, courage, and that chaotic brilliance only she can pull off.

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Chi Chi: The Heart That Grounds Goku’s Entire Life

People love to call Chi Chi annoying, but I think she’s one of the most realistic and grounded characters in the entire series.

Let’s talk facts. Chi Chi keeps the family together. She pushes Gohan to get an education, something that ends up shaping his personality. She raises Goten when Goku is dead. She provides stability in a world filled with chaos and gods and aliens and constant destruction.

Chi Chi’s role isn’t flashy, but it’s foundational. She represents what it means to protect your family in a world where your husband is literally fighting gods.

Android 18: Quiet Strength and Unmatched Confidence

18 is one of the coldest women in the series. Her energy is calm but confident. She doesn’t need to scream to be powerful. She doesn’t need a transformation to demand respect.

Her relationship with Krillin shows her softer side. Her interactions in Super show her competitive spirit. And her performance in the Tournament of Power reminded me just how dangerous she can be when she needs to.

18 blends humanity and strength so effortlessly that she stands out without even trying.

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Videl: One of the Most Underrated Characters in the Franchise

Videl from the Buu Saga had potential that a lot of people forget. She was fearless. Curious. Tough. And she challenged Gohan mentally and emotionally in ways nobody else did.

I still remember the energy she brought during the Great Saiyaman days. The way she trained. The way she pushed herself. The way she stood up to threats despite being outmatched.

Videl represents what it looks like when a regular human refuses to be average in a world full of superhumans.

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Launch: The Fan Favorite Who Deserved More

Launch is the definition of wasted potential and a character who absolutely deserved more spotlight.

She was hilarious. She was unpredictable. She brought chaos and joy every time she appeared. And her dual personalities created some of the most iconic comedic moments in OG Dragon Ball.

But beyond the comedy, Launch gave the series something unique. She was a reminder that Dragon Ball didn’t always need ki blasts or world ending threats to be entertaining. Sometimes it was the absurd, random charm of characters like her that made the world feel alive.

I miss her energy. I miss the dynamic she brought. And I will forever believe she should’ve been included in Z in a more meaningful way.

Launch deserved better.

Other Women Deserve More Love Too

Launch deserved more screen time. Mai’s loyalty and development in Super were underrated. Caulifla and Kale shook the entire fandom. Tights gets ignored despite being a whole genius. Even Toei originals like Maron add personality to the world.

Dragon Ball’s women add flavor, tension, humor, and emotional grounding that the story NEEDS.

But they rarely get the spotlight.

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Dragon Ball Is Stronger Because of These Women

I’ll always believe this. The women of Dragon Ball don’t need Ultra Instinct or transformations to be powerful. Their impact is emotional. Their intelligence pushes the plot. Their presence shapes the relationships that make the series what it is.

They are the pillars holding everything together.

And it’s about time the fandom started recognizing that.