Launch

Launch is one of the most memorable characters from the original Dragon Ball series, primarily because of her dual-personality gimmick. Goku and Krillin bring her to Kame House early in the series as a condition of Master Roshi agreeing to train them. Her blue-haired self is kind, domestic, and eager to help, while her blonde self robs banks, fires guns indiscriminately, and terrifies everyone around her. The transformation is triggered by sneezing, making it completely unpredictable and a reliable source of comedy.

Despite her popularity with fans, Launch is gradually phased out of the story as Dragon Ball transitions into Dragon Ball Z. Toriyama famously admitted that he simply forgot about her character, which explains her near-total absence from Z onward. She makes a brief cameo during the Buu Saga, contributing energy to Goku's Spirit Bomb, and appears in some filler episodes, but her role as a regular cast member ends with the original series. Her unrequited feelings for Tien Shinhan add a bittersweet note to her character, as she follows him around hoping for his attention while he remains focused entirely on training. Launch remains a fan favorite who represents an era of Dragon Ball when the series was as much about comedy and everyday hijinks as it was about fighting.