Goku-A peaceful, good natured, honest and trusting soul, Goku is the most powerful being on Earth. He has honed his skills as a fierce warrior and strengthened his spirit to a level never before achieved by any human - enabling him to fly, shoot energy beams from his hands, move at incredible speeds and even power-up to an energy level so high that it creates a visible aura around his body and makes him turn blond with green eyes. Goku's good and trusting nature allows him to see the spark of goodness in almost any evil being, even when others cannot. Goku's mysterious past is at last revealed in Dragon Ball Z. He was born a Saiyan, and was sent to Earth in a speeding capsule as an infant, programmed to destroy the planet as he grew up. On Earth, he was discovered in the wilds by a kind and peaceful old wise man named Gohan who took the child home, gave him the name Goku and raised him. Goku had incredible strength as a young boy, but he was very uncontrollable. As the young Goku grew he became more powerful, more uncontrollable and more destructive. Goku's parents were very worried about their mysterious child's destructive nature until one day, when out farming with his father, Goku fell into a ravine and suffered a near fatal head injury. Upon recovering from the accident, Goku's programming to become a destructive Saiyan super warrior was badly scrambled and he became innocent and pure in heart instead, fighting always for the cause of good for the planet Earth.

Gohan-Named after his adoptive grandfather, Gohan is Goku and Chi Chi's young son. Spiritually, Gohan is good and pure in heart like his parents. Physically, he resembles his father when Goku was a young boy the same age, right down to the tail and the ability to become an uncontrollable raging monkey-like creature when he looks at a full moon. Gohan is gifted with amazing power and strength that he still has to discover within himself. As Gohan begins the journey through Dragon Ball Z and encounters the powerful Saiyan warriors that threaten his family, friends and his home planet, it is then that he changes from an easily frightened child into a determined young boy intent on discovering his unique and powerful gift. He experiences many failures in the process of learning how to control and perfect his awesome powers, but with the help of his dedicated trainer Piccolo, he endures in preparation for the arrival of the evil Saiyan warriors

Piccolo-Goku's former arch-enemy, Piccolo is the second strongest being on Earth and nearly as determined as Goku in his ongoing struggle against the Saiyans. He is from the planet Namek, from where the ancient art of making the Dragon Balls originated. He is looking for Earth's Dragon Balls to serve his own evil wish, but upon the arrival of the Saiyans, he joins forces with Goku to defend the planet against an even greater evil. It is a volatile relationship at first, but the bond between them strengthens slowly, until a fierce battle with a Saiyan warrior sends Goku on a new journey of his own and leaves Gohan in the care of Piccolo. Knowing that more Saiyan warriors are on their way to Earth, Piccolo takes Gohan to a very remote forest to train and prepare him for the greatest challenge that the planet Earth has ever experienced. Piccolo wears an extremely heavy cape as constant training for his muscles. He is green and lizard like, and possesses uncanny powers to regenerate parts of his body when he is injured. As young Gohan trains with Piccolo, he sees the good in Piccolo and the ongoing relationship brings Piccolo's goodness more and more into the light.

Chi Chi-Chi Chi is a beautiful princess pure in heart and has a peaceful soul. She is always fair and just. As the young Chi Chi and Goku were growing up, he courageously saved her and she became his wife and the mother of their son, Gohan. Chi Chi is a loving wife and a patient, doting mother that believes young Gohan should develop his brain rather than his brawn. She is proud of Gohan's advanced studies, especially his math and geometry and hopes that he will someday become a great scientist. Goku agrees with Chi Chi about education, but strongly believes that each man should also be a brave warrior in the face of danger. While Chi Chi works hard to raise her son in an atmosphere free of conflict, she herself is a formidable martial artist who can defend her loved ones against the forces of darkness. Her father, the great protector Ox-King, who trained under Goku's grandfather along with Master Roshi, wanted to make certain that his daughter could take care of herself. He trained her to be his equal during combat. Although Goku is the strongest person on Earth physically, there is a saying that Chi Chi is actually the strongest person on Earth because she can get Goku to do anything she wants.

Raditz-An evil and treacherous Saiyan warrior, Raditz represents the Saiyan alien race that is the strongest and most powerful force of darkness ever to enter the universe. He initially comes to Earth in search of his brother Kakarot, who is now Goku, that was sent to Earth so many years earlier. Angry and intolerant by nature, Raditz cannot understand why Kakarot has taken so long to conquer the people of Earth in preparation for the sale of the planet. Upon finding out the truth of Goku's peaceful life following the near fatal head injury, it is Raditz who begins the conflict between him and his brother. He wears a powerful technologically advanced eyepiece called a Scouter which enables him to communicate with other Saiyans across the universe about the Dragon Balls. The Scouter also gives him the ability to sense the location and power levels of other beings such as Goku and friends.

Krillin-Krillin is an Earthling, who as a young boy studied martial arts under Master Roshi with Goku. Once a fierce rival of Goku, the two are now the best of friends. Realizing how strong Goku is, Krillin has much respect for his friend. Short and bald, Krillin is often comical in his attempts to keep up with Goku and some of the more powerful champions of good. Krillin is however also a powerful warrior himself; courageous and capable of competing with the strongest around. In fact, Krillin has saved Goku's life a number of times due to his great skill and power. Krillin has a well trained ability to master a strong energy force capable of slicing through hilltops. Krillin is incredibly dedicated to the power of friendship and would do anything for Goku.

Master Roshi-A wise and ancient master of martial arts, Master Roshi has accumulated great power and knowledge throughout his life. He is extremely bald and has a flowing white beard. Sometimes he is called the "Hermit Turtle" because he has lived in isolation for countless years on a deserted island with only a turtle for companionship. He is also called quirky, a kook and a smelly old codger, but that's beside the point. His odd and frail appearance disguise the champion inside him. He is the one who trained both Goku and Krillin and taught them the Kamehameha, a power which is channeled through the hands, creating a wave of tremendous energy capable of destroying entire mountains in a single blast.

Vegeta-Prince of the Saiya-jin, appears after the death of Raditz. He comes with Nappa to Earth in an attempt to gain immortality by wishing it to Shen-long. He appears first with brown hair (in the anime) and slightly different looks, but after a year, when he comes to earth, his looks are already the same as those that we see for the rest of the series(Vejita seems to be about 10 years old in his 1 year space journey). Vejita finally joins Gokuu and friends but never gets to be a real allie; he's only purpose in life is to defeat Goku and prove that he is stronger. During the series he slightly settles down with Bulma having with her two kids: Trunks and Bura.

Nappa-Tall and bald Saiya-jin comes to Earth with Vejiita seeking immortality (he became aware of the existence of the Dragonballs when Raditz came to earth, in search of his brother -Kakarot- knowned as SonGokuu). While on Earth he kills Chaoz (he actually "self-explodes" in an attempt to kill Nappa). In addition, he also kills Tenshinhan and Piccolo (Nappa was going to kill Songohan but Piccolo stood in the way of the blow) before Gokuu could help. Gokuu finally appears and he is defeated. Vejiita didn't like the weakness of his partner so he kills Nappa. Nappa had with him the Saibaimen , seeds that when planted give "birth" to 6 humanoids,one of these killed Yamcha, but were then all killed by Krilin, except one that when atacking Gohan was stoped and then killed by Piccolo (the saibamen have the special capability to split their head in two and throw acid out of it. note: Nappa was, in past times Vejita's caretaker.