Who has all 7 Dragon Balls?

The Dragon Balls are some of the most iconic and coveted artifacts in the Dragon Ball series, scattered across the Earth and often the source of great adventures and wish-granting. These magical spheres have the power to summon the Dragon (usually Shenron), a powerful, wish-granting dragon, who can fulfill almost any desire. But to summon the Dragon and make a wish, you need all 7 Dragon Balls. Throughout the series, various characters have sought to collect these orbs for different reasons. But who has had all 7 Dragon Balls at once? Let’s explore!

1. Goku: The Most Frequent Collector of Dragon Balls

Goku, the main protagonist of Dragon Ball, is perhaps the character most associated with the Dragon Balls. Throughout the series, Goku has gathered the 7 Dragon Balls numerous times for various reasons, often with the help of his friends and allies. From the very beginning of Dragon Ball, when Goku set off on a quest to collect the Dragon Balls with his new friends like Bulma, to later adventures in Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, Goku has been the one to call forth Shenron most often.

Notable Moments:

• First Dragon Ball Saga: Goku originally traveled with Bulma to collect the Dragon Balls and summon Shenron, wishing for a dragon radar to help locate the remaining Dragon Balls.
• Dragon Ball Z: Goku has gathered the Dragon Balls to wish for the resurrection of fallen characters, including bringing back friends like Piccolo, Goku, and others. In one instance, Goku also asked for the Dragon Balls to revive all those killed by the Androids and Cell.
• Dragon Ball Super: Goku and friends have been involved in several quests to gather the Dragon Balls to make wishes for the greater good, like asking for the return of Earth’s Dragon Balls and even asking for the creation of the Super Dragon Balls (the giant Dragon Balls that span across multiple universes).

2. Emperor Pilaf: The Early Villain Who Once Had All 7 Dragon Balls

Before Goku became the Dragon Ball master, the villainous Emperor Pilaf made his mark on the series. Pilaf was the first major antagonist to actively seek out and collect all 7 Dragon Balls. In the original Dragon Ball series, he gathered the Dragon Balls with the goal of wishing to rule the world. However, in a twist of fate, he was outsmarted by Goku and his friends and was prevented from making his wish.

Notable Moment:

• Pilaf Saga: Pilaf successfully collects all 7 Dragon Balls, but before he could make his wish, Goku and his friends interfere, stopping him from taking control of the world. Pilaf is comedic in his failures, but his role in this early quest for the Dragon Balls remains memorable.

3. Frieza: The Villain Who Uses the Dragon Balls for Personal Gain

Frieza, the infamous tyrant and one of the strongest villains in the Dragon Ball Z series, also sought to collect the Dragon Balls, but his motivations were far darker. In the Namek Saga, Frieza learns that the Namekian Dragon Balls can grant wishes, and he desires immortality to solidify his reign over the universe. His pursuit of the Dragon Balls leads to a massive confrontation on the planet Namek, where he faces off with Goku.

Notable Moment:

• Namek Saga: Frieza manages to collect all 7 Dragon Balls and demands immortality from Porunga, the Namekian Dragon. However, before he could wish for immortality, the situation becomes chaotic as Goku and his allies fight to stop him. Eventually, Frieza does not get his wish, and the Dragon Balls are used to revive those who died on Namek.

4. The Dragon Team (Goku, Bulma, Krillin, and Friends)

Over the course of the series, Goku and his friends, including Bulma, Krillin, and Master Roshi, have gathered the Dragon Balls many times. Often, these events unfold when someone dies, or the group seeks to right wrongs or reverse some terrible event, like the destruction of Earth or the universe. The Dragon Balls serve as a plot device to bring back characters who are killed or to help fix problems caused by various villains.

Notable Moments:

• The Resurrection of Goku: After Goku sacrifices himself during the Cell Games, the Dragon Balls are used to revive him.
• The Resurrection of Piccolo: After Piccolo’s death during the Saiyan Saga, Goku and his team collect the Dragon Balls to bring him back.
• Namek and the Dragon Balls: Goku’s team has often had to gather the Dragon Balls to revive fallen heroes like Vegeta, Yamcha, and others who have been killed in battle.

5. Shenron and Porunga: The Dragons Who Grant Wishes

While not characters in the traditional sense, Shenron and Porunga are the true holders of the wishes granted by the Dragon Balls. Shenron is the eternal dragon that appears when the Earth Dragon Balls are gathered, while Porunga is the dragon summoned by the Namekian Dragon Balls.

While no character can truly "own" all seven Dragon Balls for long, Shenron and Porunga serve as intermediaries to grant the wishes of those who collect the orbs. Their power and the ability to grant wishes make them crucial figures in the Dragon Ball universe.

Conclusion

Throughout the Dragon Ball series, various characters have gathered all 7 Dragon Balls for different purposes. Goku, as the series’ protagonist, has collected them the most frequently, using the wishes for noble causes like bringing back the dead or restoring peace. Emperor Pilaf and Frieza also had their moment in the spotlight, each seeking personal power through the Dragon Balls, but often being thwarted by the heroes.

While the Dragon Balls are powerful and dangerous, they are ultimately tools used by many, often with great consequences. Whether it's Goku, Frieza, or Pilaf, the pursuit of these magical spheres is a key element of the Dragon Ball universe and continues to drive the plot in exciting and unexpected directions.