In a universe where planet-busting energy blasts are the currency of relevance, it’s easy to fixate on the Saiyans, the androids, and the gods. The narrative spotlight, especially in the latter arcs, shines relentlessly on those who can throw the hardest punch. Yet, to dismiss the large supporting cast of “weak” characters is to miss one of the series’ most subtle and enduring strengths: its profound, often subversive validation of the ordinary human spirit. Bulma, Master Roshi, Chi-Chi, Mr. Satan, and even Oolong represent a crucial counter-narrative. They argue that courage, intellect, love, and sheer stubborn will are not obsolete in the face of cosmic power; they are the very bedrock upon which the Z-Fighters’ world is built.
Let’s start with the foundation: Bulma (Bulma Briefs). The series literally begins with her. She is the catalyst, the quest-giver, and the technological backbone of every adventure. While Goku trains his body, Bulma engineers the solutions that make the plot possible. The Dragon Radar, the time machine, the gravity chamber, the portable capsules that defy all laws of physics—these are not conveniences; they are narrative cheat codes written by a genius. In a world of magic and ki, she represents a different kind of power: human ingenuity and scientific curiosity. She is never intimidated by godly auras or alien emperors; she’s usually trying to take a DNA sample or sell them something. Her strength is her indomitable, pragmatic brain, and the story would have ended a dozen times over without it.
Then we have the original masters: Master Roshi and Grandpa Gohan. Their physical power was surpassed by the end of the original Dragon Ball, but their philosophical legacy is eternal. They didn’t just teach Goku the Kamehameha; they instilled the core martial arts ethos. The value of discipline, the humility to train even when you’re strong, and the principle that strength is a tool for protection, not domination. Roshi’s perverted comedy often overshadows his moments of immense wisdom and sacrificial courage. These characters represent the passing of the torch and the importance of foundational teachings. They are the roots of the mighty tree, without which there is no height.
The domestic front is held by Chi-Chi and later, Mr. Satan. Chi-Chi is often meme-ified as a shrill nag, but this is a superficial reading. She represents a powerful, grounding force: the responsibility of normal life. In a world constantly threatened by extinction, she fights her own battle to provide a stable home, an education, and a future for her family. She is the voice that reminds Goku and Gohan that there is a world to live for after the battle. She champions the radical idea that being a scholar is as valid a path as being a warrior. Her “power” is her unwavering, ferocious love for her family, a force that even Goku knows not to challenge lightly.
Mr. Satan is, perhaps, the most brilliantly subversive character in the entire saga. He is the ultimate commentary on fame, perception, and a different kind of courage. In a world of genuine superheroes, he is a celebrity fraud who believes his own hype. Yet, when the fate of the universe hangs by a thread, his contribution is not a punch—it’s his connection to humanity. He is the PR man for gods. He is the one who can rally billions of ordinary people to lend their energy, to have hope, to play a part in their own salvation. His “power” is his unshakeable, if delusional, confidence and his profound, genuine connection to the everyday populace that the Z-Fighters are too alien to understand or reach.
Even the comic relief—Oolong, Puar, Yajirobe—serve this purpose. Yajirobe’s cowardice and gluttony make him the ultimate everyman. He doesn’t want to save the world; he wants a good meal and a safe nap. Yet, time and again, his moment of reluctant, grumbling bravery (often involving a well-timed sword slash or a Senzu bean delivery) proves critical. He represents the idea that heroism isn’t about wanting to be a hero; it’s about doing the right thing in spite of your fear.
Together, this ensemble creates the series’ essential human heart. They are the anchors. They give the fighters something concrete to protect beyond abstract concepts of “good” or “the Earth.” They are the reason the Dragon Balls are so often wished to restore a peaceful, ordinary life rather than to gain more power. They remind us, and the Saiyan warriors, that the ultimate goal of all their universe-shaking battles is the preservation of a world where birthdays can be celebrated, cities can be rebuilt, and families can have dinner together. In celebrating these “weak” characters, Dragon Ball delivers its most powerful message: true strength is multifaceted. It is Bulma’s mind, Chi-Chi’s heart, Roshi’s wisdom, and Mr. Satan’s spirit. The Saiyans may win the battles, but it is the humans who define what’s worth fighting for.
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