Frieza

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

After his defeat at the hands of Goku on Namek and subsequent resurrection, Frieza spent four months training in secret. This period saw him unlock a new, unstable transformation known as Golden Frieza, which granted him power rivaling Super Saiyan Blue but initially drained his stamina rapidly. His philosophy remained unchanged until his final defeat in the Tournament of Power, where he was erased by Zeno during the tournament (after being defeated by Jiren), only to be revived when Whis rewound time to before his erasure. He later achieved a new black-and-gold appearance, Black Frieza, during the Granolah the Survivor arc.

In Their Own Story

The air on the barren wasteland crackled with static as Frieza hovered above the ground, his golden aura illuminating the dust. He adjusted the collar of his armor, a cold smirk playing on his lips as he watched the Saiyan below prepare for battle. 'You have grown stronger,' he whispered, his voice dripping with venomous satisfaction. 'But tell me, Goku... does this power taste like the ashes of your home?' With a sudden burst of speed, he vanished, leaving only a trail of golden light and the promise of destruction.

Reader's Guide

Frieza is the archetypal galactic tyrant whose arc in Dragon Ball Super focuses on his relentless pursuit of Goku. Initially defined by his sadistic nature and absolute power, his resurrection forces him to confront a universe where he is no longer invincible. His primary skill set includes mastery over energy manipulation, flight, and the ability to transform into multiple forms, most notably Golden Frieza and later Black Frieza. These transformations grant him immense speed and destructive capability, often surpassing his previous limits through intense training in harsh environments. Defining moments include his return from death to challenge Goku, his participation in the Tournament of Power where he was erased by Zeno, and his final transformation into a black-and-gold form that suggests a new era of conflict. His story serves as a dark mirror to Goku's growth, highlighting the consequences of unchecked power.

Did You Know?

• Frieza is capable of surviving in space without any protective gear due to his alien physiology.
• He was originally created by Akira Toriyama specifically to be a villain that could not be defeated by conventional means.
• In the Tournament of Power, he formed an uneasy alliance with several former enemies to survive against other universes.
• His final form in Dragon Ball Super is Black Frieza, a black and gold transformation introduced in the Granolah the Survivor arc, while Golden Frieza is an earlier form from the Resurrection 'F' arc.

Origins and Character Design

Created by Akira Toriyama during Japan's economic bubble era, Frieza was conceptually inspired by ruthless real estate speculators whom the author deemed the worst kind of people. Unlike typical villains who speak rudely, Toriyama deliberately gave Frieza a polite speaking style to create an unsettling contrast with his extreme cruelty and genocidal actions as a galactic tyrant. His name is a pun on 'freezer,' which extends to his minions like the Ginyu Force being named after fruits and dairy products found in refrigerators. While Toriyama generally avoids drawing villains so unscrupulous that they psychologically disturb readers, he admitted Frieza comes dangerously close to this line. The character's design evolved from complex, intricate forms to a sleeker final appearance because the author found it painful to draw overly detailed figures repeatedly.

Narrative Role and Impact

Although Frieza does not appear until the manga's second half, he is widely regarded as the most iconic villain in the Dragon Ball series and Goku's archenemy. His significance stems from his role as the catalyst for nearly all major events; by destroying Planet Vegeta out of fear regarding a prophecy about a Super Saiyan, he inadvertently sent baby Kakarot to Earth. This act set in motion Goku's arrival on Earth and subsequent conflicts with Raditz, Nappa, and Vegeta. Frieza serves as the primary antagonist of his eponymous saga, depicted as the most powerful being in the universe who forcibly takes over planets to resell them after exterminating their populations. His influence extends beyond the original manga, appearing as the main villain in the 2015 film Resurrection 'F' and evolving into a recurring character in Dragon Ball Super, cementing his status as the central foil driving the franchise's narrative momentum.

Transformation Mechanics and Power

Frieza possesses a unique ability to shift through various forms that differ significantly in appearance and power levels. It is implied that his fourth form is actually his basic state, while the preceding three transformations serve to suppress his immense power for conservation purposes until he unleashes his true potential in the final form. Toriyama admitted he did not initially plan for Frieza to transform but developed this idea midway through the story. The author noted a habit of making characters gradually more complex before simplifying them, explaining why the third form is the most intricate yet appears only briefly. Toriyama even joked that three transformations might have been excessive. This progression allows Frieza to dominate opponents like Piccolo and Vegeta, revealing his true strength only when provoked by the Saiyan Prince's goading during their battle on Planet Namek.

Voice Acting Legacy

The character of Frieza has been brought to life by a distinguished lineage of voice actors across different languages. In the original Japanese media, Ryūsei Nakao has voiced the tyrant in every single appearance since his debut. The English dubbing history is equally notable; Pauline Newstone voiced him in the Ocean dub, while Linda Young took over for Funimation's series until Dragon Ball Z Kai. Christopher Ayres subsequently assumed the role for later episodes of Kai and all subsequent media through Dragon Ball Super. Tragically, Ayres was forced to step down in 2018 due to end-stage COPD requiring a double lung transplant, though he briefly reprised the role before his passing in 2021. Following this, Daman Mills, an understudy known for his ability to imitate Ayres' performance, assumed the role indefinitely for all new appearances, ensuring the character's iconic voice continues despite these personal challenges.