Overview of the Saiyan Legacy
- Goku, in his late 40s and a grandfather, represents the younger generation of older Saiyans.
- King Vegeta stands as one of the oldest and most formidable Saiyans, ruling the race before its near extinction.
- Paragus, a veteran military officer in *Dragon Ball Super: Broly*, is depicted with grey hair, signifying his advanced age.
The Saiyans, a formidable race of warriors hailing from the now-destroyed Planet Sadala, form a pivotal part of the *Dragon Ball* saga. Central to the narrative is Goku, who was sent to Earth during his infancy after the catastrophic destruction of his home planet. Even the least powerful of Saiyans possess the capability to obliterate entire worlds, ranking them among the most potent characters in anime history.
Despite his role as a leading character, Goku is notably not the oldest Saiyan within the franchise, despite evolving into a grandfather figure over the course of the story. While numerous Saiyan characters significantly contribute to the narrative, many of the older warriors typically occupy supporting roles.
8 Yamoshi
The First Super Saiyan
- Introduction: *Dragon Ball Z*, Episode 66
Yamoshi is remembered as the original acquirer of the Super Saiyan transformation, even if he appears briefly in a flashback relayed by Vegeta. His legacy is so profound that he has become a legendary figure amongst the Saiyan race, with tales suggesting that a legendary Super Saiyan is born only once every millennium. This alone distinguishes Yamoshi as the most ancient Saiyan in the *Dragon Ball* lore.
7 Paragus
The First Grey-Haired Saiyan
- Introduction: *Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan* (Movie)
Paragus, father of Broly and a key figure in the *Dragon Ball* universe, served under King Vegeta as a military officer during a time of upheaval for the Saiyan race. Although he was a non-royal, Paragus managed to survive the cataclysmic destruction of Planet Vegeta due to his banishment. This survival led him to exceed King Vegeta in age.
In *Dragon Ball Super: Broly*, his grey hair signifies his advanced age, making him the first Saiyan to visually exhibit signs of aging. Within this narrative, Paragus is estimated to be around 80 years old during the events of the film, set in Age 780.
6 King Vegeta
Ruler of the Saiyans and Father of Vegeta
- Introduction: *Dragon Ball Z*, Episode 78
King Vegeta, despite limited screen time, plays a significant role as the leader of the Saiyan race prior to its demise at the hands of Frieza. Notably, he is the father of Vegeta, but their relationship remains largely unexplored in the series.
Given his status as a monarch, it is reasonable to classify King Vegeta among the oldest Saiyans depicted in the franchise, and he stands as one of the most powerful figures from the generation preceding Goku and Vegeta.
5 Bardock
The Low-Ranked Soldier Who Was Goku’s Father
- Introduction: *Dragon Ball Z*, Episode 78
Bardock, recognized primarily as Goku’s father, holds a crucial albeit minor role in the *Dragon Ball* saga. Once a low-ranked soldier in King Vegeta’s military, Bardock was praised for his keen intelligence, allowing him to foresee Frieza’s plan to annihilate Planet Vegeta. Consequently, he sent his son Goku to Earth as an infant.
Given his lower military ranking, Bardock is speculated to be younger than both King Vegeta and Paragus, aligning with the narrative that Goku is five years younger than Vegeta.
4 Nappa
An Elite Soldier and Saiyan General
- Introduction: *Dragon Ball Z*, Episode 5
Nappa first appears as Vegeta’s companion during the Raditz Saga in *Dragon Ball Z*, where he combats the Z Warriors and overpowers most of them prior to Goku’s arrival. Although he is significantly weaker than both Vegeta and Goku, he is considered older, likely in the same age bracket as Bardock and King Vegeta.
Nappa’s background as a general in King Vegeta’s army and his noble lineage suggest he is likely in his 50s when he arrives on Earth with Vegeta.
3 Raditz
Goku’s Older Brother and First Encounter with Saiyans
- Introduction: *Dragon Ball Z*, Episode 1
Surprisingly, the earlier *Dragon Ball* series did not feature Saiyans at all; they were introduced in *Dragon Ball Z* with Goku’s older brother, Raditz. His arrival on Earth sets the stage for Goku’s realization of his Saiyan heritage.
Raditz is depicted as older than Goku; in *Dragon Ball Super: Broly*, he is portrayed as a young child when Goku is sent to Earth, making him slightly older than Vegeta and considerably older than Goku himself.
2 Vegeta
The Prince of All Saiyans and Goku’s Rival
- Introduction: *Dragon Ball Z*, Episode 5
Vegeta is among the trio of Saiyan warriors who arrive on Earth with the goal of conquest. Following Raditz’s demise at the hands of Piccolo, Vegeta learns of the Dragon Balls through Raditz’s communications, spurring his quest to obtain them in hopes of achieving immortality.
As the series progresses, Vegeta evolves into a prominent character alongside Goku; he is confirmed to be 5 years older than Goku at the time they first meet and ages alongside him, later becoming the father of Trunks.
1 Goku
The Youngest of the Older Saiyans
- Introduction: *Dragon Ball*, Episode 1
As the central character of the *Dragon Ball* universe, Goku is distinctively the youngest among the older Saiyans. Initially presented as a child in *Dragon Ball*, he is currently depicted in his late 40s, approaching his 50s, in the most recent *Dragon Ball Super* chapters.
Interestingly, Goku has transitioned into a grandfather figure, as his son Gohan has become the parent of Pan, the latest addition to the series’ heroic Saiyan lineage. While Goku may be the youngest among these characters, he is still considered quite old by Saiyan standards and, following Paragus’s trajectory, he is likely to experience signs of aging soon.
Leave a Reply