10 Dragon Ball characters who always have a hidden backup plan

Despite seeming like a simpleton, Dragon Ball
Despite seeming like a simpleton, Dragon Ball's Goku always has a combat-ready Plan-B (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite being among the strongest in the world of anime and manga, Dragon Ball’s characters cannot seem to catch a break. Even their best-laid plans have a tendency of going awry. Usually, this means that the finishing blow did not destroy the enemies as expected.

However, after so many of these instances occurring, many Dragon Ball characters seem accustomed to having a backup plan for every fight. Even some of the less knowledgable characters are able to think quickly on their feet and save their plans at the last second.

Here are 10 Dragon Ball characters who always have a second plan hidden up their sleeve.


Frieza and 9 other Dragon Ball characters that are always incredibly cunning

The following Dragon Ball characters always seem to have a backup plan.


1) Bulma

Bulma as seen in the Super anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Bulma as seen in the Super anime (Image via Toei Animation)

As one of the smartest characters in Dragon Ball, Bulma always has a backup plan. The most prominent example of this is during the Cell saga when she creates a detonator which can blow up Android 18. While even this backup plan doesn’t go as it should have, it nevertheless demonstrates her ability to prepare.


2) Goku

Goku as seen in the Super anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Goku as seen in the Super anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The most prominent example of Goku having a Plan B is during the Cell Games saga. There comes a point when Cell threatens to blow up the Earth, along with himself, as a result of Gohan toying with him for too long. Thankfully, Goku steps in and saves the day by teleporting himself and his enemy away from the Earth. He sacrifices himself to save the planet without wasting a minute.


3) Gohan

Gohan as seen in the Z anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Gohan as seen in the Z anime (Image via Toei Animation)

As a book-smart character, Gohan is always able to plan ahead and have backups in case things go wrong. Future Gohan, in particular, demonstrates this foresight by training Trunks despite knowing he won’t be able to contribute. This inspires him later to go back in time and train to defeat his Androids, eventually finishing what Future Gohan had started.


4) Future Trunks

Future Trunks as seen in the Dragon Ball Super anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Future Trunks as seen in the Dragon Ball Super anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Likewise, Future Trunks has an incredibly bright mind who eventually learns the art of foresight and planning after travelling back in time. As the son of Bulma and Vegeta, he is intelligent but also strong which allows him to prepare and execute well.


5) Frieza

Frieza as seen in the Super anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Frieza as seen in the Super anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Frieza’s conniving and scheming methodology and thought process lend itself naturally to preparing ahead. The most recent and prominent example is when he kills Paragus in Dragon Ball Super: Broly to enrage the eponymous character. While it somewhat backfires, the act still shows his ability to plan and prepare a backup course of action.


6) Perfect Cell

Perfect Cell as seen in the Z anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Perfect Cell as seen in the Z anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Perfect Cell serves as one of the strongest and smartest characters in the series since he is an amalgamation of various Dragon Ball characters’ DNA. He is able to assess situations and formulate a plan swiftly.


7) Zamasu

Zamasu as seen in the Super anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Zamasu as seen in the Super anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Zamasu’s backup plans are shown to be effective across the multiverse. He was able to successfully achieve immortality in two different multiverses. He also acquired the power of a Saiyan’s body. His level of diligence and planning is unmatched for a Dragon Ball villain.


8) Zeno

Zeno as seen in the Super anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Zeno as seen in the Super anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Zeno may seem like an odd candidate for this list, but his foresight and knowledge of the Tournament of Powers ending solidifies his eligibility. He only orchestrated the Tournament because he knew how it would play out. Chances are, he had a backup plan in case things went awry.


9) Grand Priest

Grand Priest as seen in the Super anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Grand Priest as seen in the Super anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Likewise, the Grand Priest also knew how the Tournament of Power would play out, helping Zeno plan the event along the way. He’s also shown to be incredibly intelligent and cunning in Dragon Ball Super. He is just the person to prioritize being well-prepared.


10) Dr Gero

Dr. Gero as seen in the Z anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Dr. Gero as seen in the Z anime (Image via Toei Animation)

As the creator of Cell, Dr Gero essentially had the perfect backup plan for his quest to kill Goku, the target of his ire. Goku even admits that he can’t defeat Cell when facing him in the Cell Games, proving how effective Dr Gero’s ultimate fallback was. Despite losing to Gohan eventually, he nevertheless accomplished his goal of creating an Android that could kill Goku.


Note: The article reflects the author's views.


Be sure to follow for more anime updates and manga news as 2023 progresses.

This article was modified on Tuesday, August 09, at 12:44 am

Quick Links

Edited by Mohini Banerjee
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications