Serpent

The Serpent race originates from the Makyo Star, a celestial body that drifts through space on an orbit that periodically brings it close to Earth. Their Japanese name, Makyo-seijin, literally identifies them as "people of the Makyo Star." In appearance, they are humanoid and roughly similar in height to Earthlings, though their features tend toward the demonic, with pointed ears, unusual skin colors, and menacing facial structures being common traits.

Their diet, notably, includes fruit, specifically the fruit that grows on the Makyo Star or in the environments created by their demonic energy. The species possesses the ability to transform into larger, more powerful forms when the Makyo Star draws near, with its energy amplifying their strength dramatically. This star-dependent power boost makes them uniquely tied to astronomical cycles in a way no other Dragon Ball species is.

The most prominent member of the Serpent race is Garlic Jr., a diminutive but ambitious demon who wished for immortality using the Dragon Balls. In the Dragon Ball Z film Dead Zone, Garlic Jr. kidnapped Gohan and confronted Goku, Piccolo, and Krillin. Despite his immortality, Garlic Jr. was defeated when Gohan, in a burst of rage, knocked him into the Dead Zone, a dimensional void that Garlic Jr. himself had opened.

Garlic Jr. returned during a filler saga in Dragon Ball Z set between the Frieza and Cell arcs. Taking advantage of the Makyo Star's approach to Earth, Garlic Jr. and his Spice Boys, a team of Serpent race warriors, launched an assault using the Black Water Mist to turn Earth's population into mindless demon servants. Gohan, Krillin, and Piccolo had to fight the Spice Boys and eventually destroy the Makyo Star itself to strip Garlic Jr. of his power boost, sending him back into the Dead Zone permanently.

The Spice Boys, Garlic Jr.'s elite warriors, are the most visible group of Serpent race members outside of Garlic Jr. himself. The team consists of Spice, Vinegar, Mustard, and Salt, all named after condiments in keeping with Toriyama's love of food-based naming. Each member transforms into a larger, more muscular form when empowered by the Makyo Star's proximity, making them formidable opponents during the saga's events.

The Serpent race also has connections to the Frieza Force, with several members serving under Frieza in various capacities. Lord Slug's Demon Clan, while sometimes confused with the Serpent race, is actually a separate group from Planet Slug, though both share demonic characteristics and serve overlapping narrative roles in Dragon Ball's filler and film content.

As a species tied primarily to filler and non-canon material, the Serpent race occupies an interesting space in Dragon Ball lore. They represent the franchise's willingness to explore demonic mythology and cosmic horror alongside its more typical martial arts and science fiction elements.