Greatest Villains of All Time: Frieza
The Search for the Greatest Villain of All Time
I seem to have drifted from my original intent. When we think of villains today, we often imagine antagonists with sinister motives softened by tragic pasts—characters whose pain almost justifies their crimes, making them oddly sympathetic. It’s a common trend, and some argue it adds depth and relatability. But the truly great villains don’t need sympathy. They’re cold, calculating, and completely without remorse.
Enter Frieza.
There’s no tragic backstory. No noble cause gone wrong. Frieza was born evil. He doesn’t annihilate civilizations for revenge or justice—he does it because he enjoys having absolute power. He’s ruthless, impulsively destructive, and feared by entire galaxies. In every way that counts, Frieza might just be the perfect villain.
Gleeful Annihilation
One of the most devastating and defining moments of Frieza’s legacy is his brutal history with the Saiyan race. For years, he exploited them as disposable muscle—manipulating and commanding them to carry out his dirty work. But when he deemed them no longer useful, he didn’t hesitate. Without remorse, he wiped out nearly the entire species in a single, calculated act of destruction.
Frieza’s reputation for casually erasing entire planets is well-earned, and the annihilation of Planet Vegeta stands as one of his most infamous atrocities. He didn’t just destroy the world; he reveled in it—laughing with unfiltered glee as he committed genocide. That act didn’t just reshape the Saiyan legacy—it etched Frieza into the origin stories of both Goku and Vegeta, forever binding hero and villain.
But it isn’t only his enemies who live in fear. Even his own soldiers aren’t safe from his wrath. Frieza commands a vast and capable military force—the Frieza Force—loyal fighters who can wage war without his direct involvement. Yet their loyalty means nothing to him. In Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’, Frieza unveils his new Golden form by unleashing an energy wave so powerful it obliterates his entire crew. It wasn’t an act of desperation or defense—it was simply the collateral damage of his transformation, and Frieza couldn’t have been prouder.
Deus Ex Machina
To Frieza, the destruction of a planet is nothing more than a stepping stone toward personal gain. In Resurrection ‘F’, when backed into a corner, he obliterates Earth in a final, spiteful act of revenge. The only reason the planet—and everyone on it—is spared is because Whis rewinds time, granting the heroes a second chance. Frieza’s fury was so absolute, it literally demanded divine intervention.
But Frieza’s legacy extends far beyond his raw power. He’s not just another villain—he’s the catalyst that pushed Goku to become a Super Saiyan. Whether you love him or loathe him, there’s no denying it: Frieza set the standard. Every villain who came after exists in his shadow. Many have challenged the Z Fighters, but none have redefined Dragon Ball the way Frieza did.
