Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball has captivated audiences for over four decades thanks to its signature mix of suspenseful storytelling, exaggerated action sequences, and an eclectic mix of characters, both friend and foe alike. There's so much Dragon Ball content out there that there's occasionally a desire to gatekeep what's canon and what's otherwise filler. Some fans write off all non-canon material because it lacks Toriyama's authenticity. However, just because a certain story is filler or non-canon doesn't mean that Toriyama still isn't involved.

In fact, Toriyama was so passionate about the Dragon Ball universe that he volunteered designs and revisions for many of the original non-canon characters who have appeared in filler, movies, and video games, such as Pikkon, Grand Kai, and Tapion. Toriyama's original non-canon creations also carry over to some especially memorable villains, many of whom fans would like to see become canon.

Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan and its two cinematic sequels are not proper canon, even though Broly and much of his backstory have found their way into Dragon Ball Super. There's a certain allure to an overpowered figure like Broly, but part of the reason this evil Saiyan resonated so strongly with audiences for decades could also be that Toriyama had a hand in his creation.

The Tree of Might's Turles wasn't designed by Akira Toriyama, and he's a less memorable movie villain as a result. Conversely, Toriyama helped craft a regal appearance for Broly, who then experiences an explosive awakening once he taps into the full extent of his power. Dragon Ball Super's version of Broly has his share of differences, but the fact that his basic design sticks so close to the original is a testament to its strength.

Over the years, Akira Toriyama established himself as a prolific action and gag comedy storyteller. However, he also had an intense passion for science fiction, particularly technology and machinery. Some of Toriyama's most substantial designs for Dragon Ball GT are his work on the anime's spaceship and tech. Unsurprisingly, Toriyama couldn't help but jump at the opportunity to design Dr. Wheelo, a giant mecha enemy that houses a brilliant scientist's disembodied brain, when he had the chance.

Dragon Ball Z: The World's Strongest uses Dr. Wheelo's unique design to create some captivating battle choreography. Dr. Wheelo presents a terrifying idea, but his technologically advanced body is deeply detailed. Dr. Wheelo stands out, even if The World's Strongest has slipped through the cracks. That being said, it's unlikely that Toriyama was involved with Dr. Wheelo's revised Super Dragon Ball Heroes design, Dr. W.

Dragon Ball's Demon Realm has recently become demystified thanks to its extended focus in Dragon Ball DAIMA. Before this point, it was non-canon expanded material like Dragon Ball Xenoverse and Dragon Ball Heroes that gave the Demon Realm its due. This trend begins in Dragon Ball Online, a MMORPG that had plenty of involvement from Akira Toriyama when it came to fleshing out the Dragon Ball universe's distant future. Toriyama also designed Towa, a female Demon who is actually Dabura's sister and a villain who ultimately acquires even greater power than Dabura over time.

Dragon Ball Online introduces Towa, while series like Xenoverse and Heroes have given her even greater depth. Towa has a really solid design that effectively sets a baseline for what Demons should look like. There was hope that the random Demon whom Hybis trades with in DAIMA would become a canonical take on Towa, but this was not the case. That being said, DAIMA's success with the Demon Realm means that it's more likely than ever that a return trip with new Demon characters is possible.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot set new standards for what's possible in a Dragon Ball video game. The open-world title covers the majority of the franchise, but it also throws in some original additions that strengthen existing ideas. Kakarot indicates that the Ginyu Force used to have a sixth member, Bonyu, who ultimately left the group behind after growing tired of their ludicrous poses. Bonyu is strong, but she also prides herself on her intelligence and can't comprehend the team's flair for theatrics.

Bonyu is part of the same race as Jeice, and she also knows his signature Crusher Ball attack. It's unclear if Bonyu and Jeice had any existing relationship before their time together in the Ginyu Force, but it's an appreciated touch. The same is true for Bonyu being the Ginyu Force's sole female member.

Each Dragon Ball Z movie is heightened in its own way, particularly when it comes to the villains. That being said, Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge hits extra hard because this new threat is presented as an even stronger version of one of the series' greatest dangers. Cooler is Frieza's older brother, and he quickly asserts control over Goku, even after he transforms into a Super Saiyan.

Akira Toriyama helped design Cooler's introductory base state, but also his superior fifth form, which goes one step beyond Frieza's limits. They're both strong looks, and many fans were disappointed when Frieza debuted his Golden form instead of this more creative fifth state. Additionally, Toriyama designed the three members of Cooler's Armored Squadron, who easily put Dodoria, Zarbon, and some of the Ginyu Force to shame. Salza, Dore, Neiz all have clear personalities and help add to Cooler's intimidating energy.

Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug is such an exciting change of pace because it focuses on a Namekian villain who is dead-set on freezing and terraforming the Earth for his own sinister gains. After getting comfortable with Piccolo as an ally, Lord Slug comes around at the perfect time to demonstrate how difficult it can be to defeat a Namekian. Lord Slug is regarded as one of Dragon Ball Z's worst movies, but it at least benefits from a new Namekian threat who was designed by Akira Toriyama.

There are subtle details with Lord Slug that convey a complex backstory, like the scar across his face. Lord Slug's design is serviceable, but he basically becomes a retread of Demon King Piccolo in the sense that he uses the Dragon Balls to regain his youth, only to be penetrated through the abdomen by Goku. Nevertheless, more Namekian representation is never a bad thing and Lord Slug becomes a recurring threat in Dragon Ball Heroes.

Akira Toriyama hasn't had a hand in the designs for every non-canon Android. However, the exceptional fighting game, Dragon Ball FighterZ, debuts a new character who is also the game's main villain. Android 21 is a brilliant female scientist whose design is actually modeled after Dr. Gero's wife, Vomi, just like how Android 16 was inspired by his son. Android 21 typically operates in a stylish lab coat and a look that easily passes for a human. Like some of Dragon Ball's best villains, Android 21 is made up of an amalgamation of DNA from the universe's best fighters.

Much like Cell, Android 21 includes the Z-Fighters' traits, but also additional DNA from Frieza, Cell, and Buu. Android 21's true form bears the closest resemblance to a Majin. It's a really creative design and, if nothing else, an Android-Saiyan-Majin hybrid is an absolutely terrifying idea. Vomi's acknowledgment in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero has some fans hopeful that Android 21 might become proper canon, too.

Akira Toriyama created Mira in tandem with Towa, the latter of whom is the Demon's creator and partner. Mira strives to become the strongest in the universe, and he goes about this by integrating the DNA of the universe's best into his body. This leaves Mira with incredibly diverse DNA that includes Saiyan, Demon, Android, and even Frieza's DNA.

An ongoing pursuit to acquire Goku's genetic material becomes a driving force for Mira as he matures into a more serious threat across Dragon Ball Online, Dragon Ball Xenoverse, and Xenoverse 2. Mira's design complements Towa's, and it's clear that these two characters are related, demonstrating the consistency of Akira Toriyama's artistic eye.

Majin Ozotto is arguably the most unknown of Akira Toriyama's original non-canon creations. Ozotto is introduced as the final villain in an obscure arcade collaboration between Sega and Banpresto, Dragon Ball Z: Virtual Reality Versus, or V.R.V.S. Ozotto embraces the concept of a video game villain who can transform into any of the other characters. This is reflected by Majin Ozotto's ability to absorb others and create clones of himself.

Majin Ozotto was also originally going to appear in the PlayStation and Sega Saturn fighter, Dragon Ball Z: The Legend, but schedule constraints prevented his implementation. V.R.V.S. was the only place to find Ozotto until recently, when he was revived and embraced by Dragon Ball Heroes and became the central villain in the Super Dragon Ball Heroes anime's final Demon Invader Saga.

Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound, the anime's ninth movie, is particularly successful and even feels like it could reasonably fit into the series' canon with few complications. Bojack Unbound puts Gohan in the spotlight and lets the young Saiyan steal the show and put his new Super Saiyan 2 strength to the test. The film begins with the Intergalactic World Tournament, which is supposed to be a playful party celebration, only for Bojack and his Galaxy Soldiers to infiltrate the proceedings and present a real danger to the heroes.

The Galaxy Soldiers — Kogu, Zangya, Bido, and Bujin — are a fun opportunity to give supporting players like Future Trunks and Krillin something to do, even if Gohan inevitably defeats the bulk of them. The Galaxy Soldiers and Bojack himself are all Toriyama creations that reflect some of his most inspired work. There's such a personality to these evil characters, even if the Galaxy Soldiers largely feel interchangeable with each other.