Since its debut, Dragon Ball Super has captivated fans with intense battles and stunning character transformations. Yet, amidst impressive figures like Ultra Instinct Goku and God of Destruction Beerus, there have also been villains that fell significantly short of expectations. These characters, whether overhyped and swiftly defeated or lacking the depth necessary for a compelling antagonist, left audiences frustrated. Some exhibited untapped potential, others represented narrative missteps, and a few seemed undeserving of inclusion in the franchise altogether.
In this article, we will explore the most disappointing villains in Dragon Ball Super—characters who had the potential to become memorable adversaries but ultimately faded into obscurity.
6 Cell Max
The Monster That Was Never Given A Brain
Marketed as a formidable successor to Cell, Cell Max appeared in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero but turned out to be a mindless red kaiju. Unlike his predecessor, who was crafted from cold logic and Gero’s dark heritage, Cell Max lacked intelligence, dialogue, and personality.
Designed as Dr. Hedo’s ultimate project under the revitalized Red Ribbon Army, Cell Max devolved into a rampaging brute whose only abilities were to scream and throw punches until he self-destructed. Unfortunately, he never engaged in a battle with Goku or Vegeta.
Adding insult to injury, Gohan and Piccolo’s victory over Cell Max felt like a mere nostalgic nod rather than a genuine triumph. The lack of psychological complexity that characterized the original Cell—his mind games, chilling monologues, and sadistic nature—meant that fans were left with a straightforward antagonist devoid of depth and intrigue.
A better approach could have involved granting him sentience, the ability to speak, and the potential to evolve throughout the conflict. Instead, we were presented with a hollow imitation that relied too heavily on nostalgia without delivering a meaningful experience.
5 Frieza
Golden Form: Diminishing Returns
Frieza’s return in Dragon Ball Super generated significant excitement, especially after the dramatic reveal of his Golden form in Resurrection ‘F’. However, following this introduction, his character quickly sank into predictability.
Once the epitome of fear and cunning, Frieza transformed into a cliched villain. His cycle of death and resurrection lost its shock value, as he frequently shifted alliances, faced betrayal, and went through repeated defeats with little growth.
His role in the Tournament of Power showcased his ability but stripped him of his former cunning charm, relegating him to the role of a recurring antagonist who relies on tired tropes. Furthermore, his portrayal in the Broly movie served him poorly, relegating him to comic relief as he was outclassed and humiliated.
A more nuanced approach could have seen Frieza’s evolution as he contended with internal and external challenges, exploring themes of jealousy and pride. Instead, the creative team treated him as a mere sidekick, losing the essence that made him an iconic villain.
4 Botamo & Auta-Magetta
The Universe 6 vs. Universe 7 arc promised an exciting expansion of the series with new planets, fighters, and gods. However, Botamo and Auta-Magetta emerged as underwhelming characters whose potential was wasted.
Botamo’s so-called “invincible body” concept seemed fantastic, with Goku’s attempts at delivering powerful punches rendered ineffective. Meanwhile, Auta-Magetta’s abilities to withstand heat and generate lava were equally intriguing. Instead of leveraging these aspects for thrilling confrontations, both characters ended up as unwelcome comic relief.
Botamo’s humiliating elimination from the tournament and Auta-Magetta’s downfall due to Vegeta’s taunts were disappointing moments that reduced them to laughingstocks. Their unique abilities could have created genuine challenges for the Z-Fighters, emphasizing strategy over sheer power.
Regrettably, the buildup and fights for these characters felt like distractions from the more significant and impactful battles of the tournament.
3 Kefla
A Fusion That Burned Bright, Then Fizzled Fast
The fusion of Kale and Caulifla into Kefla raised the stakes significantly, presenting the idea of a female Saiyan fusion that could challenge Goku. However, the dramatic promise that followed was short-lived.
Kefla lacked personality depth and charm; her interactions were reduced to shouting and unremarkable attacks, ultimately leading to her erasure from the tournament. The opportunity to showcase the contrasting personalities of Kale and Caulifla within Kefla—the timid and the brash—was entirely overlooked.
Instead, she simply served as a power-up for Goku, prompting his transformation into Ultra Instinct before fading into obscurity. Kefla’s character could have delved into a more engaging storyline, exploring her identity and the potential transformation dynamics within the Saiyan traits.
2 Frost
The Villain Who Never Got Past The First Arc
Frost had everything needed for a compelling antagonist—a Frieza-esque appearance combined with a deceptive heroic facade. Initially introduced as a peacekeeper, his true conman nature revealed deep layers of potential.
The fandom was eagerly awaiting his continued evolution as a crafty antagonist after his shocking reveal. However, after being quickly sidelined, Frost’s arc stagnated.
His brief alliance with Frieza during the Tournament of Power felt disconnected, leading to his predictable demise without the chance for meaningful development or redemption. Opportunities to expand on his character through political manipulation or as a dark mirror to Frieza’s character were missed, resulting in Frost merely being a shadowy imitation of his predecessor.
1 Strategy
The God Complex That Collapsed Under Its Own Weight
Zamasu was introduced as a profound villain, harboring the belief that mortals were flawed beings. His initial transformation from an inquisitive yet misguided apprentice to a malevolent immortal captivated audiences.
However, the storyline became overwhelmed by convoluted plot twists: fusions, immortality, and an overreliance on dramatic tropes led to a loss of tension and focus. The intellectual conflict between divine order and mortal chaos dissipated amid endless energy blasts and heightened battles.
Even the intriguing Goku Black, designed to be one of the coolest characters in the series, suffered due to these convoluted developments. What should have been a meaningful and introspective struggle devolved into a predictable resolution where Zeno erased Zamasu’s timeline, failing to challenge the core tenet of his beliefs.
While Zamasu aimed to be a philosophical adversary, his character ultimately crumbled under the weight of excessive complexity, failing to deliver the profound narrative anticipated by fans.
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