Devil

According to Daizenshuu 7, "devil" is not a general label for all life-forms in Hell. Instead, it designates a specific race of beings that call Hell their home. Devils tend to have a classic demonic appearance: pointed features, dark coloration, and an affinity for combat. They are sapient, capable of speech, and possess unique supernatural abilities that set them apart from other hellish entities like the Ogres who work under King Yemma.

The distinction between Devils and other demon types is important in Dragon Ball's taxonomy. While "demon" is a broad umbrella term covering everything from Demon Realm natives to corrupted Namekians, Devils occupy their own specific branch as a race born and bred in the afterlife's lower realm.

Spike the Devil Man is the most notable Devil in the series and the one who put the race on the map. He served as one of Fortuneteller Baba's five fighters during the original Dragon Ball, positioned as her strongest warrior before the surprise appearance of Grandpa Gohan. Spike's signature technique, the Devilmite Beam, exploits the evil within a person's heart, amplifying it until the target's heart literally explodes. Against most opponents, this would be an instant kill regardless of power level.

When Spike used the Devilmite Beam against young Goku, however, it had no effect. Goku's heart was so pure that the beam found nothing to amplify, rendering the technique completely useless. This moment became one of the earliest canonical demonstrations that Goku's strength comes not just from his body but from his fundamental goodness.

Beyond Spike, Devils appear in several Dragon Ball games and spin-off media. In Dragon Ball Online and Dragon Ball Heroes, Devils serve the Dark Empire as soldiers and operatives. Psi Devilman holds a high-ranking position within the Dark Empire's forces, demonstrating that the race can achieve significant status in organized demonic hierarchies.

Notable Devils include Spike the Devil Man, Fortuneteller Baba's powerful arena fighter; Psi Devilman, the Dark Empire operative; and the various unnamed Devils who serve as enemies in Dragon Ball Online. The race's relatively small presence in the main storyline belies their narrative importance, as Spike's failed Devilmite Beam against Goku remains one of the series' most thematically resonant moments about the nature of purity and power.