Dragon Ball is one of the most popular anime of all time, with the series being revered by many as one of the best shonen anime that opened the doors for this medium to take over the world. The stories of Goku and the rest of his crew as they tackled massive world-ending threats time and time again make for a truly great watch.
Dragon Ball isn't a scary show by any means, although some of its character designs can be pretty chilling indeed. This is especially true in the case of the following characters, who were the stuff of nightmares when they were introduced. While their sight became more and more normal over time, viewers still remember the initial shock and dread they experienced after seeing the following characters for the first time.
10 Great Ape
Viewers were left shocked when they saw the Great Ape for the first time in the flesh. This gigantic being wreaked absolute havoc and couldn't distinguish between friend and foe.
The fact that Grandpa Gohan died because Goku turned into a Great Ape is truly heartbreaking and shows how savage this transformation is. Thankfully, most of the Saiyans have their tails removed after everyone was made aware of the dangers surrounding this form.
9 Demon King Piccolo
The reveal of Demon King Piccolo is nothing short of terrifying. This aged alien-like being was extremely powerful and constantly hounded Goku and his friends.
Even before he could die, he regurgitated an egg so that his will could live on in a more youthful body. This creature is the Piccolo we all know and love right now, showing just how much this character has grown over the course of Dragon Ball.
8 Frieza In His Third Form
There's a running joke that talks about how Frieza's third form looks like a Xenomorph, which lightly pokes fun at this form's hideous design. There's a reason why many people consider this form to be the scariest of the lot.
This third form of Frieza doesn't last for too long but has a pretty lasting impact indeed. In fact, most viewers were pretty happy that they didn't have to stare at Frieza's eeriest form for any longer than they needed to.
7 Cooler In His Final Form
In the Dragon Ball Z movies, it's revealed that Frieza has a brother who tries to hunt Goku down and make him pay for killing his brother. This entity is named Cooler, and has another fifth form that serves as an upgrade over Frieza's fourth form.
Cooler's final form is pretty scary indeed, pretty much making it clear that he's pretty evil. Thankfully, Goku manages to turn into a Super Saiyan and defeat Cooler before he could destroy the Earth.
6 Dr. Gero
The reveal of Dr. Gero's android body in Dragon Ball Z is pretty rough to look at. The visage of an old man is creepy enough as is before viewers managed to take a look at what was under his hat.
Watching his brain eerily float around in his transparent head is pretty gruesome to look at. It's possible that Dr. Gero could've had more of a lasting impact in the series, but the callous manner in which his creations killed him dashed any possibility of that happening.
5 Imperfect Cell
Cell's build-up in the anime is nothing short of stellar. For the most part, viewers are only able to see the silhouette of his mysterious foe before he reveals his true face and shows just how nightmarish it looks.
Imperfect Cell might be the weakest version of Cell around, but he's still a force to be reckoned with. His bug-like features and sinister tail have still stuck with fans years after this villain bit the dust.
4 Bio Broly
Broly himself is a pretty sinister antagonist in the Dragon Ball Z movies. His massive figure and blanked-out eyes are enough in and of themselves to make him look creepy.
However, the synthetic version of Broly is nothing short of a nightmare. He's like a sentient sludge who looks like something out of a horror film, and definitely not something that people would expect from a series like Dragon Ball Z.
3 Kid Buu
The murderous rampages that Kid Buu regularly goes on should make it infinitely clear that this character is anything but good. In fact, his bloodthirst is so apparent from the very introduction of this form that viewers can't help but feel a chill down their spine.
Kid Buu's first act as a villain is to destroy the entirety of Earth, which is certainly one way of introducing his immense power. This, coupled with his psychotic nature, makes him the most villainous and scariest transformation of Buu in this saga.
2 Hirudegarn
Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon is a great movie that expands on the amazing moves that Goku can access in his Super Saiyan 3 form. However, a lot of people also know Wrath of the Dragon for the sinister look of its main antagonist.
Hirudegarn is a massive beast that is initially split into two halves when the movie starts. However, as the movie progresses, the two halves become one and the beast wreaks absolute havoc on Earth while looking like a monster straight out of hell.
1 Fused Zamasu After Being Injured
For the most part, the antagonists introduced in Dragon Ball Super aren't all that nightmarish. Sure, the look and allure of Beerus make him look pretty sinister indeed, but he turns out to be a pretty fun and engaging character with an immensely likable personality.
The same can't be said for Zamasu, who is a truly heinous being and wants all mortals to perish from the face of the Earth. He takes on an even more nightmarish look after fusing with Goku Black and getting injured, since his immortality was only associated with one being.