Wander & Wonder

1. Goku: The Power of Positivity

I never thought life could be such a neat adventure!

Goku is more than just the strongest fighter; he’s the personification of optimism. No matter how bad things get, he always maintains a cheerful and carefree attitude, believing with all his heart that things will somehow work out in the end. As I am going through my medical rotations, I realized that when I approach a new problem with determination and positivity, I often find solutions that I would have never thought of, and more so, I am more likely to have fun while doing so! For example the other day, I saw a patient with a serious heart condition who was in a great deal of pain. Given her level of discomfort, I was quite awkward when using my stethoscope, as I did not want to disturb her further. She looked at me and laughed out loud, took my hand and placed it firmly on my stethoscope, and said, “If I am still alive, it means my heart is beating, and if my heart is beating, it means you can listen to it with your fancy tool!”. It instantly put a smile on my face and made the rest of the examination much better for us both.

2. Vegeta: The Drive for Self-Improvement

Only a failure abandons his principles and his pride.

Now onto Tony’s favorite character: Vegeta, the prince of the fallen Saiyan race. Vegeta’s journey from villain to hero is the transformation that I was most touched by in the show. Despite often being grumpy and passive aggressive, Vegeta has a big heart. His unrelenting desire to be the best, driven by pride and a deep sense of personal honor, teaches the importance of valuing your self enough to be constantly striving to better yourself, despite encountering failure and criticism from others along the way. He’s constantly evolving—not just in terms of strength, but as a person.

3. Gohan: Caring and Compassion

I’ve gotta be strong! Everyone’s counting one me, I can’t let them down.

Even with all his power, what makes Gohan truly special is his caring nature. Whether he’s fighting to protect his family or helping someone in need, Gohan shows that the greatest strength often comes from the energy you put into protecting the ones you love, rather than brute force itself.

4. Piccolo: The Importance of Mentorship

No matter what happens to you, Gohan, I will always be there to protect you.

The most touching relationship in the show is between Gohan and Piccolo, who serves as a father-figure for Gohan. While he began as an enemy, his evolution into a protector and teacher highlights how we can always choose to become better versions of ourselves. Piccolo teaches us that being a mentor means guiding others with patience, care, and wisdom, and that personal growth often comes through helping others grow. I personally love teaching and I find that by teaching others, I learn the material better myself and also reflect more on my own strengths and weaknesses.

5. Bulma: Confidence is Key

Do you even know who your dealing with here?

Bulma’s intelligence is undeniable…I mean she created a time machine all by herself (specifically, by deciphering instructions from her future self). But what I really admire about Bulma is her confidence and can-do attitude. Bulma knows her worth and never doubts her ability to get things done no matter the challenge at hand. Bulma pushes to get things done her way, even if others may doubt her ideas. One of my goals is to be less afraid to say “no” when asked to do a task for someone else (aka I am definitely guilty for being a people-pleaser), and Bulma serves as the perfect role model.

6. Krillin: Courage in the Face of Fear

“Goku, Gohan and Vegeta couldn’t even beat this monster, so what chance do I have against him? But if I don’t try… then there’s no one left to protect my friends!

Krillin might be outmatched by many of the stronger characters, but he is consistently one of the bravest. Despite his more anxious tendencies, he goes into battle knowing he will likely be defeated (I am not trying to be mean, but that’s just the unfortunate reality for Krillin!). Indeed, his loyalty to his friends is what often keeps him fighting. As someone who is prone to think about all the things that could go wrong in any given situation, I really resonate with Krillin and rely on a motivating factor, whether it be my friends, family, or personal goals, to drive me forward. Krillin demonstrates that bravery isn’t the absence of fear—it’s facing your fears head-on, no matter the odds.

8. Android 17 and 18: Redemption

Sacrificing myself to help other people. Look at me being all human. – 17
True freedom is being able to choose your own path. – 18

Android 17 and 18’s journey from weapons of destruction to loving partners and parents is a testament to the power of choice. I really love the relationship between Android 18 and Krillin, I mean what a cool plot twist! Even though the androids were created to cause harm, they both chose a different path, showing that we are not bound by our past or how we were “programmed.” I really like the idea that past mistakes do not define your future. And with that perfect transition, let’s move on to my favorite character of all…

7. Trunks: Hope for a Better Future

And even through I still wouldn’t be able to bring back all those already gone, I might be able to save the people who are left.

Future Trunks carries the weight of an entire destroyed world, and more precisely, an entire timeline on his shoulders. His mission to save the world from seemingly irreparable chaos shows that hope is such a strong driving force to better the world around you (and consequently, your future). His dedication is a reminder that no matter how bad things seem, there’s always something worth fighting for. And as an added bonus, he is definitely the most handsome character in the series hihi.