Dragon Ball's villains are just as important and iconic as its heroes. Going from the ruthless Saiyans to the Earth-threatening Majin Buu is one of the more impressive runs in all of anime and manga, if not in fiction altogether. And over the 40 years since the series' debut, a few of those villains wound up just as recognizable as the leading Saiyan himself, Goku. However, there is one enemy that doesn't get the recognition he deserves, and he may just be Dragon Ball's best.

Many fans, both casual and lifelong, it to having skipped the original Dragon Ball portion of the series covering Goku's childhood and teenage years. Whether it be for an increased focus on adventure, or a lack of the over-the-top action which would come to define the series, the original Dragon Ball just isn't as popular as the anime series that would follow. And unfortunately for Demon King Piccolo, many viewers are not aware of just how great a villain he is.

The most impactful enemy of the series at the time of his appearance, the great Demon King reshaped Dragon Ball, and set the stage for the more brutal and violent antagonists to come. While evil characters like Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu may be the most iconic the franchise has featured, it's likely that none were better at being bad than Demon King Piccolo.

Original Dragon Ball and Demon King Piccolo Are Underrated

Dragon Ball's Original Anime Never Really Caught On Outside Japan

When Dragon Ball ventured outside of Japan, the series had already been adapted to completion. And instead of starting with the original anime series, most televisions played early dubs of Dragon Ball Z. Anime was still in its infancy in the West during this period, and eventual die-hard fans of Dragon Ball were more likely to become familiar with Z than Goku's earlier adventures. By the time Dragon Ball was dubbed and airing, most fans were already tuned into the events that followed.

Because of Dragon Ball Z's popularity, Dragon Ball never quite caught on despite its massive popularity in Japan. The anime aired alongside Z in most countries, though was heavily edited to remove some of its raunchier moments. And on completion, channels typically went back to reruns of the sequel series while leaving the original behind. Unfortunately, many fans of Dragon Ball never went back to experience the magic that started it all, or the villain which shaped what the series would become throughout Goku's adult years.

Frieza is the most recognizable villain to come from Dragon Ball, but few are aware of the space tyrant's similarities to Demon King Piccolo. Both are evil to their very core, a trait that surprisingly few enemies share throughout the series, lacking much motivation other than a desire to rule and cause suffering. Krillin also died at the hands of both, causing Goku to drop his typical lightheartedness for a ruthless demeanor and need for revenge. In some ways, Demon King Piccolo might've just been the blueprint for the series' most iconic villain.

Demon King Piccolo Was An Efficient Villain

The Leader of the Demon Clan Was Efficiently Evil

Many Dragon Ball villains are more often than not their own undoing. Some make the mistake of pushing the heroes too far, like Frieza and Cell, while others simply play with their food, not finishing off the resilient Saiyans when they have the chance. While Goku and the other warriors save the day, the villains often help in taking themselves down. Demon King Piccolo, however, was efficient in a way that no other villain has been since.

Vegeta watched Goku embarrass Nappa, and killed his partner himself, before being humbled by the lowly Saiyan. When Goku and the others took care of the Ginyu Force, Frieza continued to believe no one was a threat to him, and missed the opportunity to eradicate his opposition while he had the chance. Demon King Piccolo caught wind that his underlings and children, Cymbal and Tambourine, were killed, and decided to personally take care of Goku before he became a problem.

He failed, but that decision alone sets him apart from the series' other main villains in just how proactive he was. Following the wish on the Dragon Balls which restored his youth, Demon King Piccolo killed Shenron to assure that nobody else would be able to use them. At that point in the series, Shenron was seen as an almighty, powerful force, and a warrior strong enough to blast him away would have to have been mind-bogglingly strong. Unlike other villains, Demon King Piccolo knew when to take care of business and did, regardless of his eventual defeat.

Demon King Piccolo Ushered In a New Era of Dragon Ball

The Series' Tone Shifted When Demon King Piccolo Appeared

While some pinpoint the anime's shift in focus toward combat to the start of Dragon Ball Z, the series truly adopted a more serious tone during the Demon King Piccolo arc of Dragon Ball. The adventure and wonder that Dragon Ball Daima is currently trying to recapture was shoved aside, and the events of the series became consequential. Krillin was dead, the Earth was in danger, and Goku wouldn't be able to win through whimsical martial arts. He had to kill his opponent.

The climactic fight between Goku and Demon King Piccolo held weight, and the final blow is one of the franchise's absolute best, and most brutal moments. Following his defeat, King Piccolo spat out another child who would change his evil ways, and become an ally and fan-favorite warrior, Piccolo. Not only did the Demon King influence the enemies which followed him, but he was also responsible for birthing one of the series' best heroes.

Fans of Dragon Ball who haven't watched the original anime would be wise to tune in and enjoy one of the franchise's very best villains. Even if the origins of Earth's greatest warrior doesn't seem interesting to viewers, the enemy that was best at being bad certainly should.