Dragon Ball's Most Overlooked Alien Race Makes the Saiyan...

Dragon Ball's Most Overlooked Alien Race Makes the Saiyans Look Weak

goku and vegeta looking shocked in dragon ball z-1

By Branson Garza Published Feb 28, 2026, 8:31 PM EST Branson is a Senior Writer for ScreenRant. Anime has been a major part of his life since he was able to raise his hands in the air for a Spirit Bomb. As a journalist, Branson focuses heavily on listicles and op-eds detailing the industry's greatest shonen series. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Add Us On Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

If there's one thing that all Dragon Ball fans know, it's that the Saiyans are the strongest race in the universe.

They never start out as the strongest, but their inherent build is oriented towards combat, and they always get stronger if they get close to death, meaning they don't really have a ceiling. Even though the Saiyans are the strongest of the strong, there's one race they may never be able to catch up to.

The Angels in Dragon Ball have proven to be so much stronger than Goku, Vegeta, and the rest of the Saiyans that they may never be able to catch up. Goku has been able to overcome his limits time and time again, but Whis and the rest of the Angels may represent a limit even Goku can't beat.

Saiyans Have Always Been the Strongest Race in Dragon Ball, But...

Saiyans have always been special. Since the start of Dragon Ball Z when they were first introduced, there wasn't another race that could compare. Krillin, the strongest human, is nothing compared to even an average Saiyan.

Even Namekians with all of their magical abilities were helpless when Vegeta annihilated them on Namek, and that was before Vegeta even learned how to use the Super Saiyan form. Frieza represents a powerful obstacle standing between Saiyans and complete dominance, but even he's been beaten by Goku and the gang on three separate occasions.

Frieza was first beaten by Goku on Namek, a second time by Future Trunks on Earth, and a third time by Goku and Vegeta when he was in his Golden Form on Earth. While Black Frieza is exponentially stronger, it's only a matter of time until either Goku or Vegeta take him down.

...Even the Saiyans May Never Catch up to the Angels

Dragon Ball Super's Whis

Frieza is a great test for the Saiyans, but the Angels might represent a test that the Saiyans have absolutely no chance of passing. Goku still isn't strong enough to go against Beerus, and Whis is Beerus' trainer.

Goku's strongest and most impressive form is his Mastered Ultra Instinct form, a transformation that truly places Goku in the realm of the Gods. Whis also uses Ultra Instinct, but he uses it on an entirely different level than Goku.

Goku can only use the form for so long before it drains his stamina entirely. Whis, on the other hand, is in a perpetual state of Ultra Instinct, and uses it as a technique rather than a form. His mastery is leagues above Goku, and Goku may never be able to close that gap.

Could Goku Ever Beat Whis?

Dragon Ball Super: Goku with his latest master, Whis.

Goku has become strong enough to defeat every enemy he's faced except for a few, but could he ever become strong enough to beat Whis? Whis might be the third-strongest character in the entire franchise, behind Zeno and the Grand Minister.

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If Goku became strong enough to defeat Whis, he'd barely be recognizable. His Ultra Instinct has already taken him to heights nobody could have seen coming, but he'd need even more to defeat the God of Destruction's instructor in Dragon Ball.

Dragon Ball 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 Latest TV Show Super Dragon Ball Heroes First Episode Air Date April 26, 1989

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