Martian

The Martians of Dragon Ball are small, bug-like creatures with antennae and round bodies. They bear no resemblance to the classic "little green men" of Western science fiction, instead looking more like cartoon insects. Their civilization on Mars appears to be modest, with simple structures and a peaceful way of life.

Their physical appearance suggests a species adapted to Mars's environment, though the Dragon Ball version of Mars seems considerably more hospitable than its real-world counterpart, with breathable atmosphere and conditions that support life without any special equipment.

The Martians' most notable canonical moment comes during filler content in Dragon Ball Z, when characters pass through the solar system on their way to other destinations. These brief encounters are played for comedy rather than drama, with the tiny Martians reacting in terror to the overwhelmingly powerful beings passing through their world.

Their existence serves as a worldbuilding detail, confirming that in Dragon Ball's version of the solar system, Earth is not the only inhabited planet even within its own neighborhood.

The Martians are one of many minor alien species that populate the background of Dragon Ball's universe. They have no significant warriors, no involvement in any major storyline, and no named representatives in the main canon. Their primary function is comedic, a reminder that the Dragon Ball universe is teeming with life at every scale, from planet-destroying gods to tiny bugs living on the next planet over.

Despite their minimal screen time, they contribute to the sense that Dragon Ball's cosmos is vast and varied, filled with countless civilizations that exist entirely outside the awareness of Earth's defenders.