Best Dragon Ball Fights Featuring Actual Weapons, Ranked (2024)

Dragon Ball is a series that’s rich in complex martial arts. However, more often than not, it’s incredible energy attacks, totemic transformations, and intense ki manipulation skills that punctuate the anime’s most memorable battles. Dragon Ball’s characters can literally destroy planets with their energy attacks, which typically means that they’re the most reliable ways to overwhelm the enemy in battle.

That being said, weapons are still valuable tools in battle, and there are several successful fights that prominently feature them. Weapons may not always seem like the most practical way to defeat an enemy in Dragon Ball, but sometimes there’s no other way to gain the advantage. Dragon Ball features a creative array of weapons and there are some standout encounters that showcase what these tools can truly do when they’re possessed by the right individual.

10 Future Trunks Slices His Way Through Mecha-Frieza & King Cold

Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 120 & 121, "Another Super Saiyan?" & "Welcome Back Goku"

Future Trunks is one of Dragon Ball’s most popular characters and his introduction remains one of Dragon Ball Z’s most exciting and satisfying moments. Frieza reveals that he survived against Goku on Namek and arrives on Earth, complete with cybernetic upgrades, alongside his father, King Cold. The heroes, without Goku around for protection, feel helpless against this father-son threat. It’s at this point that Future Trunks makes his debut and showcases his signature weapon: a mighty sword. Future Trunks proceeds to cut through Mecha-Frieza in a single strike, dice him into pieces, and then eviscerate his remains.

King Cold is so shocked by this display and presumes that Future Trunks’ power comes from his sword. He temporarily takes the teen’s weapon and attempts to strike him with it, only for Future Trunks to easily block the sword’s blow with his Super Saiyan strike. A similar demonstration of strength occurs when Goku tests Future Trunks’ power and prevents the Super Saiyan’s sword attacks with a single finger. Some of Future Trunks’ greatest accomplishments involve his trademark weapon and this ranks among the best.

9 Mercenary Tao Realizes Goku’s Potential When His Sword Falls Short Against The Boy’s Power Pole

Dragon Ball, Episode 64, "The Last Of Mercenary Tao"

Mercenary Tao is an extremely dangerous assassin who the Red Ribbon Army hires to do their dirty work. Tao is one of the strongest humans in the original Dragon Ball and he's able to kill skilled soldiers with just his tongue. Tao believes that he killed Goku with his Dodon Ray during their first fight. However, Goku's training with Korn makes him stronger than ever and he completely turns the tables on the assassin during their rematch. Tao can't land a single blow on Goku, so he pulls out his sword to intensify their fight.

Goku responds with his Power Pole, which shatters Tao's blade and leaves him even more defenseless. This weapon clash is exciting, but Tao also resorts to a grenade in a desperate attempt to end the fight. Ironically, the grenade becomes his own undoing when Goku kicks Tao's explosive weapon back at him and he suffers the brunt of the explosion. Tao gets rebuilt as a cyborg, which gives him built-in weapons to annihilate his enemies.

8 Yajirobe’s Katana Makes Swift Work Out Of Dark Vassal Cymbal

Dragon Ball, Episode 105, "Here Comes Yajirobe"

Demon King Piccolo presents unprecedented danger in Dragon Ball and he expands his resources through the creation of several dutiful demon children, his Dark Vassals. King Piccolo creates Tambourine, Drum, Ukulele, Piano, and Cymbal, the latter of which becomes an opportunity for Yajirobe to showcase his weapons skills. Yajirobe is frequently treated like a joke and his cowardice gets the better of him. That being said, he feels like a true hero who is on par with Goku during his battle against Cymbal.

Cymbal threatens Yajirobe and Goku for Dragon Ball intel, which leads to an exciting duel between the man and monster. Cymbal's Electric Shock Waves attack doesn't faze Yajirobe and he retaliates by slicing Cymbal in half with his katana. To make matters worse, Yajirobe proceeds to roast Cymbal's body and feast upon him. It’s also worth mentioning that Yajirobe and his katana play a crucial role in the heroes’ fight against Vegeta, when he slices off the Saiyan’s tail and deactivates his Great Ape transformation.

7 Super Saiyan Rosé Goku Black Terrorizes Vegeta With His Sickle Of Sorrow

Dragon Ball Super, Episode 64, "Worship Me! Give Praise Unto Me! The Explosive Birth Of A Merged Zamasu!"

Goku Black and Future Zamasu are resilient enemies for many reasons, but beyond their incredible strength lies an intense hatred for mortals that fuels their attacks. Goku Black ascends to Super Saiyan Rosé status and takes advantage of several ki-based weapons that leave the heroes overwhelmed. Initially, Goku Black battles with a deadly ki sword, his Violent Fierce God Slicer. However, Goku Black upgrades his weaponry to the Sickle of Sorrow, a devastating blade that’s forged through him channeling his divine rage into pure power.

Goku Black describes the Sickle of Sorrow as a tool that’s ideal for not only Vegeta’s destruction, but the end of all mortals. The massive weapon tears the fabric of space-time and causes dimensional rifts each time that it’s used, which results in the creation of Goku Black clones. Vegeta has little means of recourse against this intimidating tool, which is thankfully taken out of the picture once Goku Black fuses with Future Zamasu to become Merged Zamasu.

6 Dabura’s Darkness Sword Faces A Saiyan’s Wrath

Dragon Ball Z, Episode 227, "Heart Of A Villain"

Babidi forces Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan to contend with multiple Majin minions before they're able to reach their intended destination within his spaceship. Goku and Vegeta don't struggle against their targets, Yakon and Pui Pui, but Gohan has a much harder time against Demon King Dabura. This fight is an eye-opening opportunity to see how much Gohan's skills have lapsed in the seven years since his battle against Cell. Super Saiyan Gohan does modest work against Dabura and his dark magic. Dabura attempts to overpower his opponent when he conjures a powerful blade, his Darkness Sword, which he plans to use to kill Gohan.

Gohan, while on the defensive, catches Dabura's blade and causes it to shatter. It's an extremely tense moment that triggers Vegeta's impatience over these proceedings. Curiously, the Darkness Sword gets another satisfying showcase when Super Saiyan 2 Future Trunks uses his own weapon against Future Dabura in his timeline. These two swords triumphantly clash and Future Dabura also turns to his Evil Spear before he’s finally eliminated by Future Trunks.

5 Goku’s Power Pole Is Put To The Test Against Ninja Murasaki & His Brutal Brothers

Dragon Ball, Episodes 37 & 38, "Ninja Murasaki Is Coming!" & "Five Murasakis"

Goku faces a wide array of enemies when he storms Muscle Tower and takes on the Red Ribbon Army. Ninja Murasaki is a highly-skilled mercenary, despite the slapstick theatrical nature of his battles. Ninja Murasaki takes Goku on with a sword and dangerous mist shuriken, which Goku confidently counters with his Power Pole. Ninja Murasaki's sword shatters against Goku's Power Pole and this in itself would make for a memorable weapons-based battle.

However, Murasaki turns to his four brothers for back-up, all of whom also utilize unique weapons in their efforts to take out Goku. Kon fights with a set of kunai knives, Cha utilizes a revolver, Aka's area of specialty is a blow-gun, and Nao fights with a kusarigama blade. A chain is briefly used to restrict Goku's Power Pole, but he uses this to his advantage and eventually defeats all five brothers through a combination of his Power Pole and Afterimage Technique. This five-brother brawl is easily Dragon Ball’s most weapon-centric clash.

4 Android 14’s Superior Strength Can’t Withstand Future Trunks’ Mighty Blade

Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!

Evil Androids are a major threat in each Dragon Ball series and Dragon Ball Z's seventh feature film, Super Android 13!, centers around the activation of three mechanical menaces who are determined to carry out Dr. Gero's vengeance, even though he's dead. Goku sets his sights on Android 13, while Vegeta clashes with Android 15, and Future Trunks challenges the intimidating Android 14. Android 14 is quite powerful and defends himself through extreme rush attacks and brute strength.

Future Trunks uses his sword to gain an advantage against the Android, but Android 14 casually catches and stops Future Trunks' weapon with two fingers. This is an effective way to highlight the Android's true strength. Android 14 may be fast and powerful enough to block a direct attack from Future Trunks' weapon, but the two have a standoff where Future Trunks' Super Saiyan strength gives him the lead. The two trade blows and it's revealed that Future Trunks has bisected Android 14 with his sword, finally destroying the mighty warrior.

3 Goku’s Power Pole Provides Vital Defense Against Garlic Jr.’s Henchmen, Nicky & Ginger

Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone

Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone is the series' first feature film, and it's actually supposed to be set slightly before Dragon Ball Z's start, due to Goku and Piccolo's more contentious reputation towards each other. Garlic Jr. becomes the film's central antagonist, but his demonic henchmen — Ginger, Nicky, and Sansho — cause just as much peril. Piccolo takes on the latter of the group, while Goku engages in a two-on-one tag team clash against Nicky and Ginger. These vicious demons swing big blades at Goku, which he's able to defend against with his reliable Power Pole.

There's excellent fight choreography in place here, and it's quite satisfying to watch Goku block against both Nicky and Ginger's weapons with his trusted Power Pole. Goku's Power Pole is a mainstay in the original Dragon Ball, but is rarely utilized in Dragon Ball Z, which helps this fight stand out a little more. Goku ultimately destroys both demons with a Kamehameha, but the Power Pole helps him survive during this frightening fight.

2 Colonel Silver Resorts To Serious Artillery In Order To Ground Goku

Dragon Ball, Episoe 34, "Cruel General Red"

Colonel Silver is one of the highest-ranking Red Ribbon Army soldiers who proves to be an accomplished fighter, but also particularly skilled with weapons. Silver prides himself on his marksmanship skills and he has no problem resolving a conflict with a gun, rather than his exceptional strength and speed. Goku uses his Flying Nimbus to get around and soar through the sky in Dragon Ball and it's easily one of his most essential tools. Accordingly, it's a serious shock when Colonel Silver, frustrated with Goku's magic transportation, uses a bazooka to destroy the Nimbus.

Colonel Silver launches a missile at Goku, which makes direct contact with the Nimbus and temporarily takes it out of commission. This advantage helps Colonel Silver briefly acquire Goku’s Dragon Balls. However, Goku defeats Silver when weapons are taken out of the equation and they turn strictly to combat. Some of Dragon Ball’s most prominent weapon use comes from the Red Ribbon Army. Goku’s battle against General Blue also involves the soldier using a shotgun against the boy.

1 Future Trunks Rises To The Occasion & Severs Merged Zamasu With A Blessed Blade

Dragon Ball Super, Episode 66, "Showdown! The Miraculous Power Of Unyielding Warriors"

One of Dragon Ball Super's most intense battles is Goku, Vegeta, and Future Trunks' apocalyptic encounter with Goku Black and Future Zamasu. Matters take a turn for the worse when these two villains utilize the Potara Earrings and become Merged Zamasu. Merged Zamasu retains Future Zamasu's immortality and even the efforts of Vegito Blue fall short. Future Trunks, who valiantly fights for his fractured timeline, triggers an incredible transformation that helps the heroes secure a victory. Future Trunks, while in his heightened Super Saiyan Rage state, conjures Spirit Bomb-like energy into his signature sword.

Future Trunks' sword magnifies in size and sparkles with energy as it becomes a deadlier weapon -- the Sword of Hope. Future Trunks uses the Sword of Hope to break through Merged Zamasu's Violent Fierce God Slicer and sever this omnipotent individual in half. It's a magnificent moment that wouldn't be possible without Future Trunks' weapon. Merged Zamasu's separation causes the villain to fester into Infinite Zamasu, who requires Future Zeno's intervention in order to be properly eliminated. However, Future Trunks' Sword of Hope gets everyone to this place.

Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball tells the tale of a young warrior by the name of Son Goku, a young peculiar boy with a tail who embarks on a quest to become stronger and learns of the Dragon Balls, when, once all 7 are gathered, grant any wish of choice.

Created by

Akira Toriyama

First Film

Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies

Latest Film

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

First TV Show

Dragon Ball (1986)

Latest TV Show

Dragon Ball Super

Upcoming TV Shows

Dragon Ball DAIMA

First Episode Air Date

April 26, 1989

Cast

Sean Schemmel , Laura Bailey , Brian Drummond , Christopher Sabat , Scott McNeil

Current Series

Dragon Ball Super