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Discover the most memorable moments of one of Dragon Ball’s most iconic villains, Freeza, and relive his epic confrontations with the Z Warriors.
10. Freeza’s Afterlife
Freeza in the afterlife during Dragon Ball Super. The afterlife in the Dragon Ball franchise varies greatly from individual to individual, depending on how they lived their lives. Due to his evil nature, Freeza is punished in the Other World; however, his punishment is quite different from what one might imagine. As seen in Dragon Ball Super, Freeza’s punishment consists of being surrounded by a variety of adorable singing animals. The villain is rarely involved in comedic scenes, so this scene stands out as one of the most unique in which he participates in the entire series.
9. The Arrival of the Evil Tyrant
Freeza arrives on Earth in Dragon Ball Z. After the Z Warriors successfully repel Vegeta and Nappa from Earth, they are forced to travel to the planet Namek to use its Dragon Balls. This puts them in direct conflict with several of the most powerful warriors in the universe, including Dragon Ball Z’s most iconic villain: Freeza. Freeza’s introduction is truly terrifying and perfectly captures the grandiose nature of the galactic tyrant. Without Krillin’s quick thinking, the Z Warriors would almost certainly have perished before their adventure on Namek even began.
8. The Destruction of Planet Vegeta
Dragon Ball Super Broly – Freeza destroys Planet Vegeta. Raditz’s appearance at the beginning of Dragon Ball Z reveals that Goku is a Saiyan, launching a long-term narrative about the fate of this mercenary race. The other surviving pure-blooded Saiyan, Vegeta, believes that their race was wiped out due to a collision with an asteroid, only to discover the devastating truth during his battle with Freeza on Planet Namek. In an attempt to break Vegeta’s spirit, Freeza reveals that it was him, and not an asteroid, who destroyed Planet Vegeta. While this revelation may not be surprising, it adds significant depth to the Saiyans’ struggle to free themselves from Freeza’s rule.
7. Freeza and Goku Unite Against Jiren
Dragon Ball Super – Goku and Freeza fight Jiren. The Tournament of Power puts the fate of the entire Dragon Ball universe at stake. This forces the Z Warriors to forge an alliance with arguably their greatest adversary: Freeza. Together, they battle various characters from across the multiverse in an attempt to protect Universe 7. Towards the end of the Tournament of Power, Goku and Freeza encounter Jiren, the most powerful opponent they have ever faced. Overwhelmed by his god-like strength, they join forces, forming perhaps the most unlikely duo in shonen history.
6. Freeza Kills Vegeta
Goku comforts Vegeta as he dies in the Freeza saga of Dragon Ball Z. Given the Dragon Balls’ ability to resurrect the dead, deaths in Dragon Ball Z often lack emotional weight. However, this could not be further from the truth during the Freeza saga, which contains several of the most famous death scenes in anime history. Vegeta spends most of his time on Planet Namek searching for the Dragon Balls, but ultimately, Freeza thwarts his plans. Left to face the villain alone, Vegeta’s emotional departure is an unexpected turn for the anti-hero.
5. The Appearance of Golden Freeza
Golden Freeza strikes a pose after completing his transformation in Dragon Ball: Resurrection ‘F’. Dragon Ball Super pits Goku and the Z Warriors against a variety of new powerful adversaries; however, it wouldn’t be a Dragon Ball series if Freeza didn’t make an appearance. After Goku and Vegeta learn to achieve the Super Saiyan Blue form, a group of Freeza’s former henchmen uses the Dragon Balls to resurrect him, allowing the antagonist to return to the forefront. Prior to Dragon Ball Super, Freeza had never been trained to power up. Driven by the memory of his defeat at Goku’s hands, he hones his skills, eventually unlocking a new form. This transformation, nicknamed Golden Freeza, is capable of rivaling Super Saiyan Blue Goku and Vegeta, propelling him into the new generation of shonen anime.
4. Goku’s Betrayal
Goku battles Freeza on Planet Namek. The fight between Goku and Freeza on Planet Namek technically lasts a few minutes in the universe, but its lasting impact on the anime medium extends over several decades and multiple generations of shonen anime. While many sequences during this period are iconic, none are as representative of Freeza’s selfish perspective as his betrayal of Goku. Goku ultimately emerges victorious from his battle with Freeza, and in an act of mercy, he gives the villain a bit of energy to try to save his life. Rather than accepting this gesture, Freeza immediately uses the power to attack Goku when his back is turned, reminding the audience why he is such a reprehensible figure.
3. The Arrival of Future Trunks
Future Trunks slices Freeza in half in Dragon Ball Z. Exciting character introductions are a significant part of shonen anime, largely thanks to iconic scenes like Future Trunks’ first appearance in Dragon Ball Z. When Freeza and his father, King Cold, arrive on Earth, they are greeted by Future Trunks, who quickly disposes of them. In a shocking display, Future Trunks demonstrates the ability to transform into Super Saiyan – a form that only Goku had achieved at that point in Dragon Ball Z. Although Freeza takes a backseat during Trunks’ introduction, it is still one of the most memorable moments in which he participates in the entire franchise.
2. Freeza Kills Krillin
Freeza impales Krillin with his horns in Dragon Ball Z. Freeza’s reign of terror on Planet Namek leads to the deaths of many innocent beings, but no death during the saga is sadder than that of the bald hero of the Z Warriors, Krillin. Krillin is one of Goku’s earliest friends in Dragon Ball, so seeing him perish at the hands of the galactic tyrant is like losing an old friend. As sad as Krillin’s massacre by Freeza is, it ultimately sets up a memorable moment in anime history – Goku’s first Super Saiyan transformation. Given the long-term impact it has on the series, one could easily argue that this Freeza scene is one of the best in Dragon Ball Z.
1. Freeza’s Ultimate Form
Freeza issues a five-minute warning on Planet Namek in Dragon Ball Z. Even in his base form, Freeza is immensely powerful. However, as his different transformations are revealed, it becomes increasingly clear that the villain is one of the most formidable characters in anime history, culminating with the unveiling of his iconic ultimate form. Despite its small stature, Freeza’s ultimate form exudes lethality, and in a single episode, he demonstrates just how truly formidable this form is. It is easily the most memorable villain transformation in Dragon Ball Z, especially considering his legendary battle with Goku that unfolds shortly after.