The best Saiyan has been a long-running debate in the fandom for decades. And with the recent release of volume 24 in the Dragon Ball Super Manga, fans are left wondering who will be the strongest Saiyan in the upcoming arc. As fans eagerly await the next chapter of their favorite Shonen, we’re left with positive speculation on the franchise’s future. Although there are many options for the best Saiyan of all time, let’s pit the Big 3 against each other to see who we think is the best in this pride-filled warrior race.
Gohan
If there is one character who has had some iconic highs and questionable lows in the series, it’s Gohan. Fans absolutely adore Gohan, but his consistency has left a lot to be desired over the years. However, we cannot let his lows eradicate his highs, as Gohan has some of the most memorable moments in the series.
From his first encounter with Raditz to his newly unlocked Beast transformation, we knew Gohan was and always will be a contender for the best Saiyan. Because he is half human and half Saiyan, Gohan possesses an empathic depth that Goku and Vegeta seem to lack. Fans adore Gohan’s depth and hidden potential and just want to see him remain consistently relevant in the series.
Goku
Our titular hero Goku, is without a doubt deserving of the greatest Saiyan of all time. He was, after all, our original introduction to the warrior race and the first on-screen Super Saiyan. Whether directly or indirectly, Goku is responsible for dispatching most of the Earth’s world-ending threats.
While some of Goku’s recent transformations may lean more on the deus-ex-machina side, we cannot ignore the impact Ultra Instinct and the recent Super Saiyan 4 transformation had on the internet. However, with all of his feats and developments, Goku just misses the mark as our preferred best Saiyan.
Vegeta
From a ruthless race-eradicating villain to a loving father and defender of the universe, Vegeta has had the most consistent character development of all the Saiyans. The prideful prince is the epitome of tenacity, everything a pure-blooded Saiyan should be.
While forced to serve the evil emperor Frieza after the destruction of his home planet, it’s no surprise Vegeta began his journey as a villain. Vegeta’s history is as complex as it is tragic, making him the most interesting, nuanced, and in our opinion, the best of the Saiyans.
Conclusion
Each of these Saiyans possesses a seemingly limitless potential, and depending on the most current arc, our choices are subject to change. Remember, “best” does not indicate our favorite, and all rankings are subjective. With that said, who is your preferred best Saiyan?
